Category: Universities

MIL-OSI USA: Sign Up for Free Community College With SUNY Reconnect
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul visited Suffolk County Community College as part of her efforts to highlight the SUNY Reconnect program to provide free community college for adult learners, ages 25-55, who don’t already have a college degree and who are pursuing an associate degree in a high-demand field. The SUNY Reconnect program, which will begin in fall 2025, is part of Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to empower New Yorkers to pursue good jobs, and to ensure employers have access to a well-educated workforce to help the state’s economy thrive.

“In every corner of our state, adult New Yorkers will have access to free community college so they will be able to realize their dreams of better jobs in high-demand industries,” Governor Hochul said. “Through SUNY Reconnect, community colleges like Suffolk County Community College will offer a world-class education to New Yorkers, for free, and will help empower these future leaders to turbo-charge our state economy and pursue paths to upward mobility.”

Launched in mid-May following passage of the 2025-26 State Budget, SUNY Reconnect will make it possible for eligible adult students, ages 25-55, to pursue degrees in high-demand fields for free at SUNY community colleges throughout the state. To help prospective students learn more, SUNY community colleges are holding informational sessions and recruitment events. An updated listing can be found at: https://www.suny.edu/communitycollege/free-cc/sessions/.

Governor Hochul was joined by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. as they visited Suffolk County Community College where they highlighted the school’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) program, which is an eligible associate degree program under the free community college initiative. To support adult learner success through SUNY Reconnect, Suffolk County Community College will utilize online and hybrid options for students that need to work while attending classes. Students will also have access to personal support specifically for adult learners, including on-campus childcare centers.

SUNY Chancellor King said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, SUNY is on the move and our community colleges are stepping up to help New Yorkers around the state earn a degree in high-need fields. SUNY community colleges are pathways to upward mobility, and with the support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, Suffolk County Community College and all SUNY community colleges are ensuring that every eligible New Yorker interested in a degree in a high-need field will be able to unleash their full potential.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY has been New Yorkers’ engine of upward mobility and access to a world-class, affordable higher education for 77 years, and with the support of Governor Hochul SUNY Reconnect represents a bold new chapter in our history of service. By offering a community college education free of charge for adult learners seeking degrees in high-need fields, Governor Hochul and state leaders made a bold investment in the future of our state economy and workforce.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Free community college for adult learners opens new doors for New Yorkers and ensures skilled and knowledgeable workers in sectors that communities statewide rely on, including education, healthcare, and technology. I thank Governor Hochul for advancing workforce development initiatives through SUNY programs that not only set up adult students for success but also help make the state an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.”

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “Everyone’s educational journey is different. Sometimes the path has hurdles and challenges. This initiative will enable students between the ages of 25 to 55 to complete their journey. It also expands workforce development in high demand fields. As a result, everyone benefits.”

To support the launch of SUNY Reconnect, SUNY has:
- Allocated $4 million to community colleges to support SUNY Reconnect programmatic implementation through advising, enrollment, outreach, award of credit for prior learning, and other student services, supports, and campus operations.
- Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment capacity in high-demand programs that are part of SUNY Reconnect.
- Announced $1.1 million in grant funding for the SUNY Adult Learner Leadership Initiative to help community colleges increase access and ensure degree completion for adult learners.
SUNY Reconnect will fund degrees in high-demand fields including:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Technology
- Nursing and allied health fields
- Green and renewable energy
- Pathways to teaching in shortage areas
In addition to SUNY Reconnect, the FY25-26 Enacted State Budget provides $8 million in increased operating aid to community colleges – the first back-to-back operating aid increases in decades for these institutions – and maintains the 100% community college funding floor, which protects community colleges from $75 million lost direct state tax support.

The budget also provides significant funding toward New York’s longstanding Educational Opportunity Program, which has served more than 85,000 students, and increased support for ASAP|ACE, which will make these proven retention and completion programs permanent at SUNY and allow for a significant expansion.

Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said, “As an educator for 30 years, I know firsthand how transformative access to higher education can be for individuals and entire communities. Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative will open doors for thousands of adult learners across New York, giving them the opportunity to build careers in high-demand fields while strengthening our state’s workforce and economy. I am proud to support this bold investment in New Yorkers’ futures.”

Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue said, “Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to the value of lifelong learning, and SUNY Reconnect is a major step forward in helping us fulfill that mission. With this support from the state, we are proud to welcome adult learners preparing for careers in the high-demand fields critical to growing Long Island’s workforce.”

New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, “From Niagara to Suffolk and every community in between, SUNY Reconnect is an historic step toward making higher education truly accessible. By removing financial barriers, it gives thousands of adult learners the chance to return to school, build new careers in high-demand fields, and strengthen their families. NYSUT is proud to stand with Gov. Hochul and Chancellor King to support a future where every New Yorker has the opportunity to thrive.”

New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen Acquario said, “Community colleges are at the heart of local communities across New York State, offering accessible and affordable education while also serving as critical engines of workforce development. By removing financial barriers for adults to return to college and pursue degrees in high-demand fields, this initiative will help employers fill job openings and enable more New Yorkers to build fulfilling careers right in their communities. We commend Governor Hochul for her leadership in expanding educational access and creating meaningful opportunities for working-age adults across the state.”

New York Community College Association of Presidents and SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young said, “Access and affordability have long been the hallmarks of New York’s community colleges. Governor Hochul’s support of SUNY Reconnect brings degrees in high-demand fields into reach for adult learners by further removing costs as a barrier. Students will gain access on our campuses to academic excellence and robust support systems, while being able to take advantage of the meaningful connections we’ve built with local and state employers in these critical sectors where skilled employees are needed. My colleagues at each of our 30 SUNY community colleges are more than ready to welcome new and returning adult learners throughout the state and to help them achieve their academic, career and personal goals.”

About The State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Deportation tactics from 4 US presidents have done little to reduce the undocumented immigrant population

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kevin Johnson, Dean and Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies, University of California, Davis

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents escort a detained immigrant into an elevator on June 17, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Olga Fedorova

All modern U.S. presidents, both Republican and Democratic, have attempted to reduce the population of millions of undocumented immigrants. But their various strategies have not had significant results, with the population hovering around 11 million from 2005 to 2022.

President Donald Trump seeks to change that.

With harsh rhetoric that has sowed fear in immigrant communities, and policies that ignore immigrants’ due process rights, Trump has pursued deportation tactics that differ dramatically from those of any other modern U.S. president.

As a scholar who examines the history of U.S. immigration law and enforcement, I believe that it remains far from clear whether the Trump White House will significantly reduce the undocumented population. But even if the administration’s efforts fail, the fear and damage to the U.S. immigrant community will remain.

Presidents Bush and Obama

To increase deportations, in 2006 President George W. Bush began using workplace raids. Among these sweeps was the then-largest immigration workplace operation in U.S. history at a meat processing plant in Postville, Iowa in 2008.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deployed 900 agents in Postville and arrested 398 employees, 98% of whom were Latino. They were chained together and arraigned in groups of 10 for felony criminal charges of aggravated identity theft, document fraud and use of stolen Social Security numbers. Some 300 were convicted, and 297 of them served jail sentences before being deported.

Men wait in a holding cell on June 21, 2006, in Nogales, Arizona.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

In 2008, Bush also initiated Secure Communities, a policy that sought to deport noncitizens – both lawful permanent residents as well as undocumented immigrants – who had been arrested for crimes. Some 2 million immigrants were deported during Bush’s two terms in office.

The Obama administration limited Secure Communities to focus on the removal of noncitizens convicted of felonies. It deported a record 400,000 noncitizens in fiscal year 2013, which led detractors to refer to President Barack Obama as the “Deporter in Chief.”

Obama also targeted recent entrants and national security threats and pursued criminal prosecutions for illegal reentry to the U.S. Almost all of these policies built on Bush’s, although Obama virtually abandoned workplace raids.

Despite these enforcement measures, Obama also initiated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, in 2012. The policy provided relief from deportation and gave work authorization to more than 500,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children.

Obama deported about 3 million noncitizens, but the size of the undocumented population did not decrease dramatically.

The first Trump administration and Biden

Trump’s first administration broke new immigration enforcement ground in several ways.

He began his presidency by issuing what was called a “Muslim ban” to restrict the entry into the U.S. of noncitizens from predominantly Muslim nations.

Early in Trump’s first administration, federal agents expanded immigration operations to include raids at courthouses, which previously had been off-limits.

In 2017, Trump tried to rescind DACA, but the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s effort in 2020.

In 2019, Trump implemented the Remain in Mexico policy that for the first time forced noncitizens who came to the U.S. border seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while their claims were being decided. He also invoked Title 42 in 2020 to close U.S. borders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump succeeded in reducing legal immigration numbers during his first term. However, there is no evidence that his enforcement policies reduced the size of the overall undocumented population.

President Joe Biden sought to relax – although not abandon – some immigration enforcement measures implemented during Trump’s first term.

His administration slowed construction of the border wall championed by Trump. Biden also stopped workplace raids in 2021, and in 2023, he ended Title 42.

In 2023, Biden sought to respond to migration surges in a measured fashion, by temporarily closing ports of entry and increasing arrests.

In attempting to enforce the borders, his administration at times pursued tough measures. Biden continued deportation efforts directed at criminal noncitizens. Immigrant rights groups criticized his administration when armed Border Patrol officers on horseback were videotaped chasing Haitian migrants on the U.S.-Mexico border.

As of 2022, the middle of the Biden’s term, an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants lived in the U.S.

Immigration-rights activists stage a rally outside President Barack Obama’s Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraiser in Los Angeles, after the president signed a bill that tightened security at the Mexico border in August 2010.
Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

A second chance

Since his second inauguration, Trump has pursued a mass deportation campaign through executive orders that are unprecedented in their scope.

In January 2025, he announced an expanded, expedited removal process for any noncitizen apprehended anywhere in the country – not just the border region, as had been U.S. practice since 1996.

In March, Trump issued a presidential proclamation to deport Venezuelan nationals who were members of the Tren de Aragua gang, designated a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department. In doing so, he invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 – an act used three times in U.S. history during declared wars that empowers presidents to remove foreign nationals from countries at war with the U.S.

Declaring an “invasion” of migrants into the U.S. in June, Trump deployed the military to assist in immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.

Trump also sought to dramatically upend birthright citizenship, the Constitutional provision that guarantees citizenship to any person born in the U.S. He issued an executive order in January that would bar citizenship to people born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.

California National Guard members stand in formation during a protest in Los Angeles on June 14, 2025.
David Pashaee/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

The birthright executive order has been challenged in federal court and is mostly likely working its way up to the Supreme Court.

Under the second Trump administration, immigration arrests are up, but actual deportation numbers are in flux.

ICE in June arrested the most people in a month in at least five years, roughly 30,000 immigrants. But deportations of noncitizens – roughly 18,000 – lagged behind those during the Obama administration’s record-setting year of 2013 in which more than 400,000 noncitizens were deported.

The gap between arrests and deportations shows the challenges the Trump administration faces in making good on his promised mass deportation campaign.

Undocumented immigrants often come to the U.S. to work or seek safety from natural disasters and mass violence.

These issues have not been seriously addressed by any modern U.S. president. Until it is, we can expect the undocumented population to remain in the millions.

Kevin Johnson 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. Deportation tactics from 4 US presidents have done little to reduce the undocumented immigrant population – https://theconversation.com/deportation-tactics-from-4-us-presidents-have-done-little-to-reduce-the-undocumented-immigrant-population-261640

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Fears that falling birth rates in US could lead to population collapse are based on faulty assumptions

Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Leslie Root, Assistant Professor of Research, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder

Unfortunately for demographers, birth rates are hard to predict far into the future. gremlin/E+ via Getty Images

Pronatalism – the belief that low birth rates are a problem that must be reversed – is having a moment in the U.S.

As birth rates decline in the U.S. and throughout the world, voices from Silicon Valley to the White House are raising concerns about what they say could be the calamitous effects of steep population decline on the economy. The Trump administration has said it is seeking ideas on how to encourage Americans to have more children as the U.S. experiences its lowest total fertility rate in history, down about 25% since 2007.

As demographers who study fertility, family behaviors and childbearing intentions, we can say with certainty that population decline is not imminent, inevitable or necessarily catastrophic.

The population collapse narrative hinges on three key misunderstandings. First, it misrepresents what standard fertility measures tell us about childbearing and makes unrealistic assumptions that fertility rates will follow predictable patterns far into the future. Second, it overstates the impact of low birth rates on future population growth and size. Third, it ignores the role of economic policies and labor market shifts in assessing the impacts of low birth rates.

Fertility fluctuations

Demographers generally gauge births in a population with a measure called the total fertility rate. The total fertility rate for a given year is an estimate of the average number of children that women would have in their lifetime if they experienced current birth rates throughout their childbearing years.

Fertility rates are not fixed – in fact, they have changed considerably over the past century. In the U.S., the total fertility rate rose from about 2 births per woman in the 1930s to a high of 3.7 births per woman around 1960. The rate then dipped below 2 births per woman in the late 1970s and 1980s before returning to 2 births in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Since the Great Recession that lasted from late 2007 until mid-2009, the U.S. total fertility rate has declined almost every year, with the exception of very small post-COVID-19 pandemic increases in 2021 and 2022. In 2024, it hit a record low, falling to 1.6. This drop is primarily driven by declines in births to people in their teens and early 20s – births that are often unintended.

But while the total fertility rate offers a snapshot of the fertility landscape, it is not a perfect indicator of how many children a woman will eventually have if fertility patterns are in flux – for example, if people are delaying having children.

Picture a 20-year-old woman today, in 2025. The total fertility rate assumes she will have the same birth rate as today’s 40-year-olds when she reaches 40. That’s not likely to be the case, because birth rates 20 years from now for 40-year-olds will almost certainly be higher than they are today, as more births occur at older ages and more people are able to overcome infertility through medically assisted reproduction.

A more nuanced picture of childbearing

These problems with the total fertility rate are why demographers also measure how many total births women have had by the end of their reproductive years. In contrast to the total fertility rate, the average number of children ever born to women ages 40 to 44 has remained fairly stable over time, hovering around two.

Americans continue to express favorable views toward childbearing. Ideal family size remains at two or more children, and 9 in 10 adults either have, or would like to have, children. However, many Americans are unable to reach their childbearing goals. This seems to be related to the high cost of raising children and growing uncertainty about the future.

In other words, it doesn’t seem to be the case that birth rates are low because people are uninterested in having children; rather, it’s because they don’t feel it’s feasible for them to become parents or to have as many children as they would like.

The challenge of predicting future population size

Standard demographic projections do not support the idea that population size is set to shrink dramatically.

One billion people lived on Earth 250 years ago. Today there are over 8 billion, and by 2100 the United Nations predicts there will be over 10 billion. That’s 2 billion more, not fewer, people in the foreseeable future. Admittedly, that projection is plus or minus 4 billion. But this range highlights another key point: Population projections get more uncertain the further into the future they extend.

Predicting the population level five years from now is far more reliable than 50 years from now – and beyond 100 years, forget about it. Most population scientists avoid making such long-term projections, for the simple reason that they are usually wrong. That’s because fertility and mortality rates change over time in unpredictable ways.

The U.S. population size is also not declining. Currently, despite fertility below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, there are still more births than deaths. The U.S. population is expected to grow by 22.6 million by 2050 and by 27.5 million by 2100, with immigration playing an important role.

Despite a drop in fertility rates, there are still more births than deaths in the U.S.
andresr/E+ via Getty Images

Will low fertility cause an economic crisis?

A common rationale for concern about low fertility is that it leads to a host of economic and labor market problems. Specifically, pronatalists argue that there will be too few workers to sustain the economy and too many older people for those workers to support. However, that is not necessarily true – and even if it were, increasing birth rates wouldn’t fix the problem.

As fertility rates fall, the age structure of the population shifts. But a higher proportion of older adults does not necessarily mean the proportion of workers to nonworkers falls.

For one thing, the proportion of children under age 18 in the population also declines, so the number of working-age adults – usually defined as ages 18 to 64 – often changes relatively little. And as older adults stay healthier and more active, a growing number of them are contributing to the economy. Labor force participation among Americans ages 65 to 74 increased from 21.4% in 2003 to 26.9% in 2023 — and is expected to increase to 30.4% by 2033. Modest changes in the average age of retirement or in how Social Security is funded would further reduce strains on support programs for older adults.

What’s more, pronatalists’ core argument that a higher birth rate would increase the size of the labor force overlooks some short-term consequences. More babies means more dependents, at least until those children become old enough to enter the labor force. Children not only require expensive services such as education, but also reduce labor force participation, particularly for women. As fertility rates have fallen, women’s labor force participation rates have risen dramatically – from 34% in 1950 to 58% in 2024. Pronatalist policies that discourage women’s employment are at odds with concerns about a diminishing number of workers.

Research shows that economic policies and labor market conditions, not demographic age structures, play the most important role in determining economic growth in advanced economies. And with rapidly changing technologies like automation and artificial intelligence, it is unclear what demand there will be for workers in the future. Moreover, immigration is a powerful – and immediate – tool for addressing labor market needs and concerns over the proportion of workers.

Overall, there’s no evidence for Elon Musk’s assertion that “humanity is dying.” While the changes in population structure that accompany low birth rates are real, in our view the impact of these changes has been dramatically overstated. Strong investments in education and sensible economic policies can help countries successfully adapt to a new demographic reality.

Leslie Root receives funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development (NICHD) for work on fertility rates.

Karen Benjamin Guzzo has received funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in the United States.

Shelley Clark receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

– ref. Fears that falling birth rates in US could lead to population collapse are based on faulty assumptions – https://theconversation.com/fears-that-falling-birth-rates-in-us-could-lead-to-population-collapse-are-based-on-faulty-assumptions-261031

MIL OSI –

July 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: How bachata rose from Dominican Republic’s brothels and shantytowns to become a global sensation

Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Wilfredo José Burgos Matos, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies, Lehman College, CUNY

Once viewed by elites with disdain, bachata has become popular worldwide. Erika Santelices/AFP via Getty Images

What began as songs about heartbreak in the brothels and barrios of the Dominican Republic in the 1960s has become a worldwide sensation.

Even the Bee Gees have gotten a bachata spin. Prince Royce’s bilingual take on the 1977 hit “How Deep Is Your Love” has topped the Latin music charts this summer and proves bachata is no longer chasing the mainstream but reimagining the pop canon.

Bachata dance classes, parties and festivals have sprung up across the U.S. in recent years, everywhere from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, and Omaha, Nebraska, to Oklahoma City.

It’s easy to find abroad as well. Upcoming bachata festivals are happening in cities in Austria, Egypt, Australia and China.

Instructors teach a bachata class in Warsaw, Poland, in July 2025.
Neil Milton/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

I’m a scholar of Dominican culture and the senior researcher for the History of Dominican Music in the U.S. project at the City University of New York’s Dominican Studies Institute. I see bachata as a revealing window into modern post-1960s Dominican history – and one that spotlights the emotional truths and everyday experiences of poor and Black Dominicans in particular.

Music from the margins

Bachata was born in the Dominican countryside and later developed in the shantytowns of Santo Domingo, the capital. In most Latin American dictionaries, the word “bachata” is loosely defined as “revelry” or “a spree.”

The distinctive sound is formed from guitars, bongos, bass and the güira – a percussion instrument also used in merengue music – and accompanied by typically romantic or bittersweet lyrics.

The music was long associated with the lower classes and Black Dominicans.

The genre’s first recording came in 1962, just over a year after Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, a brutal dictator who ruled the island for 31 years, was assassinated. Trujillo’s death marked the beginning of a new cultural and political era in the Dominican Republic, although democratic hopes were soon shattered by a military coup, civil war and a second U.S. intervention following an earlier one between 1916-1924.

Urban and middle-class Dominicans looked down on bachata as the music played in brothels and favored by poor, rural people who started to migrate to urban areas in large numbers in the 1960s. It was played almost exclusively on Radio Guarachita, a Santo Domingo station run by Radhamés Aracena, a key promoter of the genre.

Amid a country reeling from political upheaval, bachata emerged as a soundtrack to working-class survival. The guitar-based rhythms were shaped by Cuban bolero and son and Mexican ranchera music, while the lyrics chronicled daily struggles, grief and marginalization.

In most Latin American dictionaries, the word ‘bachata’ is loosely defined as ‘revelry’ or ‘a spree.’ This reflects its early development in informal social spaces where friends gathered to sing their hearts out, share drinks and escape daily hardships.
CUNY Dominican Studies Institute Library, The Deborah Pacini Hernández Bachata Music Collection

Bachata’s shifting language

In the 1960s, bachata lyrics centered on heartache and were often directed at a romantic partner.

“Understand me, you know I love only you. Don’t deny me the hope of kissing you again,” Rafael Encarnación sang in Spanish in his 1964 song “Muero Contigo,” or “I Die With You.”

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, sexual innuendos were common, adding to the genre’s low standing among Dominican elites.

“I gave you everything you ever wanted, but it was all useless because you went looking for another man,” Blas Durán sang in 1985. “I was left like the orange vendor – peeling so someone else could suck the fruit.”

To reclaim respect for bachata, some artists, such as Luis Segura and Leonardo Paniagua, in the mid-1980s began calling their music música de amargue, or “music of romantic bitterness.”

What began as a genre label gradually transformed into a sensibility. “Amargue” came to name a feeling marked by longing, loss and quiet introspection – akin to “feeling the blues” in the U.S.

American blues similarly emerged from the hardships faced by Black Americans in the South and expressed themes of sorrow, resilience and reflection.

By the 1990s, the stigma surrounding bachata began to fade, partly due to the international success of Dominican star Juan Luis Guerra and his album Bachata Rosa. The album sold more than 5 million copies worldwide by 1994, earned Guerra a Grammy Award for best tropical Latin album, and was certified platinum in the U.S.

As acceptance of the genre grew, traditional bachateros in the Dominican Republic continued releasing bachata albums. However, Dominican pop, rock and other artists also began recording bachatas – such as 1990’s “Yo Quiero Andar” by Sonia Silvestre and 1998’s “Bufeo” by Luis “El Terror” Días.

Aventura performs for a crowd in Madrid in 2024. It was the group’s first tour since their split in 2011.
Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images

Bachata goes mainstream

Migration to the U.S. is a pivotal chapter in Dominican history after the 1960s. The U.S. Immigration Act of 1965 functioned as a de facto immigration policy and encouraged a large-scale exodus from the Dominican Republic.

By the mid-1990s, a strong and vibrant Dominican diaspora was firmly established in New York City. The Bronx became the birthplace of Grupo Aventura, a group that revolutionized bachata by blending its traditional rhythms with urban genres such as hip-hop.

“Obsesión,” released in 2002, was an international hit.

Their music reflected the bicultural diaspora, often torn between nostalgia for their homeland and everyday challenges of urban American life. Against the backdrop of city life, bachata found a new voice that mirrored the immigrant experience. The genre shifted from a shared feeling of loss and longing to a celebration of cultural community.

In 2002, the song “Obsesión” by Aventura and featuring Judy Santos topped music charts in France, Germany, Italy, the U.S. and elsewhere. The group Aventura and, later, lead singer Romeo Santos as a solo artist sold out Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium, respectively.

As they rose in fame, Aventura became global ambassadors for Dominican culture and made bachata mainstream.

Puerto Rican bachatero Toby Love performs during an event held by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on April 9, 2016, in New York City.
Andrew Renneisen via Getty Images

Global spin on bachata

Bachata’s popularity has also spread to other countries in Latin America, and especially among working-class and Afro-descendant communities in Central America that see their own realities reflected in the music.

At the same time, Dominican diasporic communities in countries such as Spain and Italy carried the genre with them, where it continued to evolve.

In Spain, for example, bachata experienced a creative transformation. By the mid-2000s, bachata sensual had emerged as a dance style influenced by zouk and tango, emphasizing smooth, body-led movements and close partner connection.

Around the same time, modern bachata also developed between Spain and New York City. This style is a departure from traditional bachata, which focuses on the box step and fast footwork, and incorporates more turns and other elements from salsa.

In 2019 bachata was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which also lists Jamaican reggae and Mexican mariachi.

Today, bachata’s influence is truly global. International conferences dedicated to the genre attract dancers, musicians and scholars from around the world. Puerto Rican, Colombian and other artists from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds continue to nurture and reinvent bachata.

At the same time, more women, such as Andre Veloz, Judy Santos and Leslie Grace, are building careers as bachata performers and challenging a traditionally male-dominated genre.

Natti Natasha performs at an album release party for ‘En Amargue,’ her 2025 album produced by bachata icon and former Aventura singer Romeo Santos.
John Parra/WireImage via Getty Images

Bachata holds a place not only on the world stage but in the hearts of Latino, Black, Asian and many other communities in the U.S. that recognize the genre’s power to tell stories of love, loss, migration and resilience.

Wilfredo José Burgos Matos 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. How bachata rose from Dominican Republic’s brothels and shantytowns to become a global sensation – https://theconversation.com/how-bachata-rose-from-dominican-republics-brothels-and-shantytowns-to-become-a-global-sensation-260886

MIL OSI –

July 26, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump’s push for more deportations could boost demand for foreign farmworkers with ‘guest worker’ visas

Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Scott Morgenstern, Professor of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh

Mexican farmworkers with H-2A visas weed a North Carolina tobacco field in 2016. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

The U.S. has an important choice to make regarding agriculture.

It can import more people to pick crops and do other kinds of agricultural labor, it can raise wages enough to lure more U.S. citizens and immigrants with legal status to take these jobs, or it can import more food. All three options contradict key Trump administration priorities: reducing immigration, keeping prices low and importing fewer goods and services.

The big tax-and-spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4, 2025, included US$170 billion to fund the detention and deportation of those living in the U.S. without authorization. And about 1 million of them work in agriculture, accounting for more than 40% of all farmworkers.

As the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants ramps up, one emerging solution is to replace at least some deported farmworkers with foreigners who are given special visas that allow them to help with the harvest but require them to go home after their visas expire.

Such “guest worker” programs have existed for decades, leading to today’s H-2A visa program. As of 2023, more than 310,000 foreigners, around 13% of the nation’s 2.4 million farmworkers, were employed through this program. About 90% of the foreign workers with these visas come from Mexico, and nearly all are men. The states where the largest numbers of them go are California, Florida, Georgia and Washington.

As a professor of Latin American politics and U.S.-Latin American relations, I teach my students to consider the difficult trade-offs that governments face. If the Trump administration removes a significant share of the immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission from the agricultural labor force to try to meet its deportation goals, farm owners will have few options.

Few options available

First, farm owners could raise wages and improve working conditions enough to attract U.S. citizens and immigrants who are legal permanent residents or otherwise in the U.S. with legal status.

But many agricultural employers say they can’t find enough people to hire who can legally work – at least without higher wages and much-improved job requirements. Without any undocumented immigrant farmworkers, the prices of U.S.-sourced crops and other agricultural products would spike, creating an incentive for more food to be imported.

Second, farm owners could employ fewer people. That would require either growing different crops that require less labor or becoming more reliant on machinery to plant and harvest. But that would mean the U.S. could have to import more food. And automation for some crops is very expensive. For others, such as for berries, it’s currently impossible.

It’s also possible that some farm owners could put their land to other uses, ceasing production, but that would also necessitate more imported food.

Trump administration’s suggested fixes

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has predicted that farm owners will soon find plenty of U.S. citizens to employ.

She declared on July 8 that the new Medicaid work requirements included in the same legislative package as the immigration enforcement funds would encourage huge numbers of U.S. citizens to start working in the fields instead of losing their health insurance through that government program.

Farm trade groups say this scenario is far-fetched.

For one thing, most adults enrolled in the Medicaid program who can work already do. Many others are unable to do so due to disabilities or caregiving obligations.

Few people enrolled in Medicaid live close enough to a farm to work at one, and even those who do aren’t capable of doing farmwork. When farm owners tried putting people enrolled in a welfare program to work in the fields in the 1990s, it failed. Another experiment in the 1960s, which deployed teenagers, didn’t pan out either because the teens found the work too hard.

It seems more likely that farm owners will try to hire many more foreign farmworkers to do temporary but legal jobs through the H-2A program.

Although he has not made it an official policy, Trump seems to be moving toward this same conclusion.

In June, for example, Trump said his administration was working on “some kind of a temporary pass” for immigrants lacking authorization to be in the U.S. who are working on farms and in hotels.

Farmworkers with H-2A visas spend time in their employer-provided dormitory on April 28, 2020, in King City, Calif.
Brent Stirton/Getty Images

Established in 1952, numbers now rising quickly

The guest worker system, established in 1952 and revised significantly in 1986, has become a mainstay of U.S. agriculture because it offers important benefits to both the farm owners who need workers and the foreign workers they hire.

There is no cap on the number of potential workers. The number of H-2A visas issued is based only on how many employers request them. Farm owners may apply for visas after verifying that they are unable to locate enough workers who are U.S. citizens or present in the U.S. with authorization.

To protect U.S. workers, the government mandates that H-2A workers earn an “adverse effect wage rate.” The Labor Department sets that hourly wage, which ranges from $10.36 in Puerto Rico to about $15 in several southern states, to more than $20 in California, Alaska and Hawaii. These wages are set at relatively high levels to avoid putting downward pressure on what other U.S. workers are paid for the same jobs.

After certification, farm owners recruit workers in a foreign country who are offered a contract that includes transportation from their home country and a trip back – assuming they complete the contract.

The program provides farm owners with a short-term labor force. It guarantees the foreign workers who obtain H-2A visas relatively high wages, as well as housing in the U.S. That combination has proven increasingly popular in recent years: The annual number of H-2A visas rose to 310,700 in 2023, a more than fivefold increase since 2010.

Possible downsides

Boosting the number of agricultural guest workers would help fill some gaps in the agricultural labor force and reduce the risk of crops going unharvested. But it seems clear to me that a sudden change would pose risks for workers and farm owners alike.

Workers would be at risk because oversight of the H-2A program has historically been weak. Despite that lax track record, some unscrupulous farmers have been fined or barred from participating in the H-2A program because of unpaid wages and other abuses.

Relying even more on guest farmworkers than the U.S. does today would also swap workers who have built lives and families north of the border with people who are in the U.S. on a temporary basis. Immigration opponents are unlikely to object to this trade-off, but to immigrant rights groups, this arrangement would be cruel and unfair to workers with years of service behind them.

What’s more, the workers with guest visas can be at risk of exploitation and abuse. In 2022, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia described conditions for H-2A workers at an onion farm the government had investigated as “modern-day slavery.”

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has researched the H-2A visa program and observed many problems it recommends be fixed.

For farm owners, the downside of ramping up guest worker programs is that it could increase costs and make production less efficient and more costly. That’s because transporting Mexican farmworkers back and forth each year is complicated and expensive. Farm groups say that compliance with H-2A visa requirements is cumbersome. It can be particularly difficult for small farms to participate in this program.

Some farm owners have objected to the costs of employing H-2A workers. Rollins has said that the Trump administration believes that the mandatory wages are too high.

To be sure, these problems aren’t limited to agriculture. Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses, which rely heavily on undocumented workers, can also temporarily employ some foreigners through the H-2B visa program – which is smaller than the H-2A program, limits the number of visas issued and is available only for jobs considered seasonal.

Home health care providers and many other kinds of employers who rely on people who can’t legally work for them could also struggle. But so far, there is no temporary visa program available to help them fill those gaps.

If the U.S. does deport millions of workers, the price of tomatoes, elder care, restaurant meals and roof repairs would probably rise substantially. A vast increase in the number of guest workers is a potential but partial solution, but it would multiply problems that are inherent in these temporary visa programs.

Scott Morgenstern 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. Trump’s push for more deportations could boost demand for foreign farmworkers with ‘guest worker’ visas – https://theconversation.com/trumps-push-for-more-deportations-could-boost-demand-for-foreign-farmworkers-with-guest-worker-visas-259868

MIL OSI –

July 26, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Student with rare disorder graduates after nine years

Source: Anglia Ruskin University

Theo Hanson on the day of his ARU graduation ceremony

Theo Hanson, an Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) student who suffers from a rare genetic disorder, is celebrating his graduation after first beginning his degree in 2016.

Theo, 28, has lived with hereditary sensory neuropathy (HSN) all his life, leaving him unable to feel pain or touch. This lack of feeling in his body puts him at risk of accidental injury or infections.

Despite the risks associated with his condition, his parents encouraged him to try and live independently, and he joined ARU in 2016 through Clearing.

Theo, who lives in Cambridge, initially found that living away from home threw up challenges he had not anticipated. In 2018, his tutors encouraged him to take a year out and he flourished on rejoining ARU.

He became a course representative and even took on a “parental” role to students during the Covid pandemic, helping students who were struggling with the restrictions.

There were further personal and health challenges to overcome. The death of someone who helped look after him when he was young impacted Theo’s studies, and he needed to have his toes amputated due to a severe bone infection.

However, Theo has now finally crossed the stage to formally receive his BA (Hons) degree in Computer Games Design – and he did so on the very same day his younger brother graduated from his degree in History at ARU.

“Most people with HSN don’t even get to enter higher education, let alone to complete it. The main reason for that is that, by my age, they are usually too injured or impaired. Luckily, my version of the condition has manifested itself in a way that my brain function and level of injury is not as impaired or as severe as some others that have the condition.

“There are two ways of dealing with someone like me, you either coddle them completely or, as my parents did, treat me like the rest of my brothers and I was encouraged to live independently. University seemed a natural step.

“Finally finishing my degree feels incredible – I didn’t think I would ever get here. I have seen friends go on to become lecturers and I have had other friends come back to do a Masters.

“Socially I have learned a lot. I lived in student accommodation and so I met new people every year, and the course was amazing. The lecturers were really helpful and always on hand to provide advice, and all the support staff too who helped me with submissions were lovely.”

ARU Computer Games Design graduate Theo Hanson

Theo has already had some of his work highlighted in PC Gamer magazine and following graduation, he’s keen to pursue work to improve accessibility in gaming.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Launch from Vostochny: Russian scientists receive a new tool for studying the ionosphere

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On July 25, at 08:54 Moscow time, the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle with the Fregat upper stage was launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, which delivered two heliogeophysical spacecraft Ionosfera-M No. 3 and No. 4, as well as a group of 18 small space satellites, to their calculated orbits.

The launch of the Ionosfera-M series satellites completed the formation of a group of four devices of the Ionozond space complex, which will monitor the geophysical environment to conduct fundamental scientific research and solve applied problems.

The complex was created in the interests of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Federal Service of Russia for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring. The Ionosfera-M satellites are designed for a comprehensive study of the upper layers of the Earth’s atmosphere. They will observe various physical processes in the ionosphere, including natural and man-made impacts, changes in electromagnetic fields, atmospheric composition, and ozone distribution. The data obtained will be used by Roshydromet in combination with ground-based observations. The Russian Academy of Sciences plans to conduct ground-space experiments to study the ionosphere’s response to natural phenomena such as hurricanes and volcanic eruptions.

Also, 18 small satellites have been launched into orbit. Nine of them were created by Geoscan and will be engaged in photographing the Earth, tracking the movement of ships and aircraft, exploring near space and much more. Some of the devices are intended for educational purposes.

Ivan Bortnik, Advisor to the General Director of the Foundation for Assistance to Innovations, highly appreciated the significance of today’s launch: “This is a great achievement for Roscosmos – the completion of the formation of the Ionosfera-M satellite group for research by our scientists, representatives of fundamental science. Also in this launch are many devices from private satellite-building companies. One of the devices from the Geoscan company is included inSpace Pi project, this is important for the Innovation Promotion Fund and for the Polytechnic University as the founder and leader of the project. This is the first of a series of satellites with which schoolchildren will be able to hunt for supernovae. We, as the Innovation Promotion Fund, held a competition and determined the winners who will begin to manufacture such devices; I hope that they will fly next year.”

According to Ivan Bortnik, the nanosatellite “239Alferov” of the Presidential Physics and Mathematics Lyceum No. 239 and the Lyceum “Physics and Technology School named after Zh. I. Alferov” will open a new direction of the Space Pi project – the launch of target devices. This is the first of a series of satellites equipped with X-ray sensors that will hunt for supernovae. This will be possible thanks to the network of ground stations created by the company “Geoscan”, covering almost the entire territory of Russia.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytech and the Young Industrialists Club in St. Petersburg strengthen technological partnership

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Polytechnic University received a delegation from the regional branch of the Young Industrialists Club in St. Petersburg. The visit included a rich program aimed at developing sustainable professional ties between the university and representatives of the industrial sphere.

The key event was the signing of a cooperation agreement, which secured the course for long-term cooperation between the Polytechnic University and the club.

“Today, it is especially important not only to maintain ties between the university and industry, but also to translate them into a format of real joint action. Signing an agreement with the Young Industrialists Club is a step towards strengthening mutual understanding, sharing experience and project cooperation. We view this cooperation as long-term and strategically important for both parties,” shared SPbPU First Vice-Rector Vitaly Sergeev.

“Cooperation with the Polytechnic University is an important stage in the implementation of our ambitious goals. I am confident that live interaction with the engineering and scientific community of SPbPU will become a solid foundation for further development,” said Ilya Vinogradov, head of the regional branch of the Young Industrialists Club in St. Petersburg, co-founder of ZD Vision Distribution, and a Polytechnic University graduate.

The guests visited the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport, including the laboratory of lightweight materials and structures and the laboratory of “Design of materials and additive manufacturing”. The delegates also inspected the site of the research laboratory “Laser and additive technologies” (NRL “LiAT” IMMiT).

During the tour, the polytechnicians paid special attention to technological solutions in the field of additive manufacturing and laser welding, which are actively developing at the university.

“We see the club not just as partners, but as allies in the implementation of advanced technological solutions in the real sector of the economy. Such cooperation is a resource that strengthens both sides,” emphasized Mikhail Kuznetsov, head of the Research Laboratory “LiAT” of IMMiT.

At the end of the visit, the parties discussed areas of future cooperation, including the implementation of joint projects and the integration of scientific solutions into business practice.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Anne-Solenne de Roux Appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs

Source: Universities – Science Po in English

Students in front of the entrance at 1 St-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel)

Virtual Undergraduate Open House day 2025

Come meet our teams and students at our campuses.

Sign-up

Virtual Graduate Open House day 2025

Meet faculty members, students and representatives and learn more about our 30 Master’s programmes.

Sign-up

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The third issue of the video digest “Polytech in Priority” has been released

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The third episode of the video digest “Polytech in Priority” is dedicated to the key scientific and technological direction “Artificial Intelligence for Solving Cross-Industry Problems”. Its host was the chief designer of KNTN-3, Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU Yuri Fomin.

In the episode, Yuri Fomin talked about what tasks are solved with the help of AI and in what areas the Polytechnic teams work. Yuri Fomin presented the latest data on the progress of five projects included in the KNTN-3 and shared plans for the future. The projects cover various areas of activity: the transport sector, pharmacology, enterprise management and other areas.

The video digest series was created by the Office of Technology Leadership of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to provide information on key scientific and technical areas (KNTA) and projects supported by the Priority 2030 program. Thanks to this, employees and interested people receive comprehensive information on the program areas, funded projects and their implementation.

The hosts are the project managers and chief developers. The first episode was hosted by Head of the Office of Technological Leadership Oleg Rozhdestvensky, second – Head of the Project and Research School “Digital Engineering” SPbPU Alexey Borovkov.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Beijing’s ‘plausible deniability’ on arms supply is quickly becoming implausible – and could soon extend to Iran

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Linggong Kong, Ph.D. Candidate in Political Science, Auburn University

Could longtime allies have a closer relationship than meets the eye? Thomas Peter/Pool Photo via AP

China has long maintained that it does not supply arms to any party at war – a central tenet of its “noninterference” foreign policy. But in recent years, Beijing has repeatedly faced accusations of doing the opposite: providing direct military assistance to nations engaged in conflict, while publicly denying doing so and even adopting a position of diplomatic neutrality.

That has seemingly been the case for two of China’s closest allies: Russia in its war against Ukraine and Pakistan during its recent armed standoff with India in May.

Now, Beijing is facing scrutiny over alleged military links to Iran – a country engaged in a long-running shadow conflict with Israel that recently tipped into a short-lived hot war.

After the ceasefire that followed the 12-day war in the Middle East, China reportedly supplied batteries for surface-to-air missiles to Iran in exchange for oil. Such parts are a critical military need for Tehran after its air defense network was severely damaged by Israeli missiles.

The Chinese Embassy in Israel denied the reports, stating that China firmly opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and does not export arms to countries at war. But China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official statement on the alleged transfer.

As an expert specializing in China’s grand strategy, I think it is highly possible that China would offer Iran military support while denying it publicly. Such plausible deniability would allow Beijing to assert military influence and showcase some of its hardware, while deflecting international criticism and preserving diplomatic flexibility.

But the tactic works only so far. As indirect evidence accumulates, as many suggest it is, such covert action may gradually develop into an open secret – leading to what scholars term “implausible deniability,” where denial is no longer credible even if it is still officially maintained.

An air-to-air missile on display at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in November 2024.
Shen Ling/VCG via Getty Images

China’s support for Russia’s war

Although Beijing has consistently said it is neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war that broke out in 2022, China has, in practice, quietly supported Russia. In part, that is because China shares the same strategic goal of challenging the Western-led international order.

Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing cannot afford to see Russia lose the war in Ukraine. He was said to have warned that a Russian defeat would likely bring the full force of U.S. strategic pressure to bear on China.

From Beijing’s perspective, Moscow plays a vital role in keeping the West preoccupied, offering China valuable strategic breathing room by diverting American attention and resources away from the Asia-Pacific region.

Beyond deepening trade relations that have become a lifeline for Moscow’s economy under Western sanctions, China has reportedly supplied Russia with large quantities of dual-use goods – goods that can be used for civilian and military purposes – to enhance both Moscow’s offensive and defensive capabilities, as well as to boost China’s military-industrial production. Beijing has also allegedly provided satellite imagery to assist Russia on the battlefield.

While the U.S. and Europe have repeatedly tried to call out China for aiding Russia militarily, Beijing has consistently denied such claims.

Most recently, on April 18, 2025, Ukraine formally accused China of directly supporting Russia and slapped sanctions on three Chinese-based firms that Kyiv said was involved in weapons production for the Russian war effort.

In what has become a common refrain, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Ukrainian accusation, reaffirming that China has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict and reiterating its official stance of promoting a ceasefire and peace negotiations.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson gestures for questions during a daily briefing in Beijing in 2020.
AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

China’s quiet backing of Pakistan

Beijing has long presented itself as a neutral party in the India-Pakistan conflict, too, and has called for restraint on both sides and urged peaceful dialogue.

But in practice, China is allied with Pakistan. And the direct military support it has provided to Lahore appears driven by China’s desire to curb India’s regional influence, counterbalance the growing U.S.–India strategic partnership and protect the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, a massive bilateral infrastructure project.

In the latest flare-up between India and Pakistan in May, Pakistan deployed Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets in combat for the first time, reportedly downing five Indian aircraft.

Pakistan’s air defense relied heavily on Chinese equipment during the short conflict, deploying Chinese-made surface-to-air missile systems, air-to-air missiles, advanced radar systems and drones for reconnaissance and strike operations. Overall, more than 80% of Pakistan’s military imports have come from China in the past five years.

In what would be a far more stark example of military support if proven true, the deputy chief of India’s army alleged that China had provided Pakistan with real-time intelligence on Indian troop movements during the conflict.

When asked to respond, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they had no knowledge of the matter. They reaffirmed that China’s ties with Pakistan are not directed against any third party and reiterated Beijing’s long-standing position in favor of a peaceful resolution to any India–Pakistan dispute.

Extending ‘deniability’ to Iran?

Like with Russia and Pakistan, Iran has increasingly been seen as a partner to China.

In 2021, China and Iran signed a 25-year, US$400 billion comprehensive cooperation agreement that covered trade, energy and security, signaling the depth of their strategic relationship.

The accord was indicative of the strategic value Beijing places on Iran. From Beijing’s perspective, Tehran presents a counterbalance to the influence of the U.S. and its allies – especially Israel and Saudi Arabia – in the region and helps divert Western resources and attention away from China.

But recently, Tehran’s position in the region has become far weaker. Not only has its air defense infrastructure suffered badly in the confrontations with Israel, but its regional proxies and allies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria – have either been devastated by Israel or collapsed altogether.

Smoke rises over Tehran, Iran, following an Israeli strike on June 23, 2025.
Nikan/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Under these circumstances, it is strategically compelling for Beijing to provide support to Tehran in order to maintain regime stability.

Indeed, Beijing has frequently circumvented sanctions on Iranian energy, with an estimated 90% of Iran’s oil exports still going to China.

Although Beijing did not extend any substantive support to Iran during the 12-day war, reports have abounded since that Iran is looking to China as an alternative supplier of its defense needs. The thinking here is that Russia, Tehran’s traditional military partner, is no longer able to provide sufficient, quality defense equipment to Iran. Some influential social media posters in China have gone as far as advocating for direct military sales by Beijing.

If China does do this, I believe it is likely to follow the same playbook it has used elsewhere by denying involvement publicly while covertly providing assistance.

Doing so allows China to maintain diplomatic ties with Iran’s regional rivals, such as Israel and Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously benefiting from a turbulent Middle East that distracts Washington and grants Beijing strategic breathing room.

China’s use of plausible deniability reflects a broader strategic ambition. Namely, it wants to assert influence in key regional conflicts without triggering open backlash. By quietly supporting partners while maintaining a facade of neutrality, Beijing aims to undermine Western dominance, stretch U.S. strategic focus and secure its own interests – and all while avoiding the risks and responsibilities of open military alignment.

Linggong Kong 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. Beijing’s ‘plausible deniability’ on arms supply is quickly becoming implausible – and could soon extend to Iran – https://theconversation.com/beijings-plausible-deniability-on-arms-supply-is-quickly-becoming-implausible-and-could-soon-extend-to-iran-261148

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ambow Launches HybriU Global Learning Network, Connecting U.S. Universities with Students Worldwide

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New Phygital Infrastructure Empowers U.S. Universities to Expand Globally Through AI-powered Hybrid Classrooms

CUPERTINO, Calif., July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO), a U.S.-based innovator of AI-powered phygital (physical + digital) solutions for education, corporate collaboration and live events, today announced the launch of its HybriU Global Learning Network (HGLN), a two-pronged initiative designed to help U.S. universities scale international enrollment and deliver immersive, borderless education.

Ambow’s HGLN initiative integrates two core components: the HybriU University Alliance and a network of HybriU Global Learning Centers. Together, these form a comprehensive system that allows U.S. institutions to extend in-person classroom experiences to international students while providing localized academic and enrollment support to preserve the quality and rigor of individual institutions’ on-campus instruction.

Through the HybriU University Alliance, U.S. universities can enroll international students who can begin earning credit immediately, without requiring travel or visas, by using Ambow’s HybriU phygital (physical + digital) learning platform. This next-generation system delivers an immersive remote classroom experience that bridges the gap between in-person and online instruction. Students engage in real-time with U.S. faculty through AI-powered digital classrooms featuring live instruction, adaptive learning tools, immersive 3D environments, and automatic real-time translation.

HybriU Global Learning Centers support the University Alliance with tech-enabled international hubs. On-site teams staff each center, providing hybrid learning support, academic services, and regional enrollment infrastructure. These centers help universities maintain visibility and continuity across borders while extending their global reach.

“The future of education is one without boundaries—no boundaries between online and on-site, no boundaries between languages and regions, no boundaries between academia and industry,” said Dr. Jin Huang, CEO of Ambow Education. “Why should students keep chasing campuses when campuses can reach students anywhere? Why let visas, geography or cost block access to world-class education? HybriU and our HGLN initiative are changing the face of global education. We’re redefining what international learning looks like––it’s flexible, inclusive and built to scale. We envision a world where every university has a teaching presence wherever its students are. HGLN offers a future-ready model for global enrollment that institutions need to lead in the next era of education.”

As part of Ambow’s long-term vision, HGLN aims to create a truly global learning ecosystem—seamlessly linking students, universities and regional hubs through the HybriU platform to unlock worldwide access to higher education. By removing physical and bureaucratic barriers to international learning, HGLN enables universities to preserve growth momentum, deepen global collaboration and reach students in new and accessible ways.

The HGLN’s partner-driven model enables universities to scale globally without building new infrastructure. Institutions can license the HybriU platform or enter revenue-sharing partnerships, while Ambow’s regional operators handle implementation and on-ground support. Initial HybriU Global Learning Centers are being established in Singapore and China, key strategic regions for U.S. higher education growth.

Ambow invites accredited U.S. universities to join its HybriU University Alliance and establish a presence through its Global Learning Center network. HGLN is built to scale, with local support teams, shared infrastructure and a growing footprint across Asia and beyond.

If your institution is interested in joining the HybriU University Alliance to expand international enrollment and global reach, we invite you to contact us at UPartner@HybriU.com .

For global organizations exploring partnership opportunities to establish a HybriU Global Learning Center, we welcome your inquiries at GLC@HybriU.com.

To learn more about HybriU, please visit www.HybriU.com.

About Ambow

Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a U.S.-based, AI-driven technology company offering phygital (physical + digital) solutions for education, corporate conferencing and live events. Through its flagship platform, HybriU, Ambow is shaping the future of learning, collaboration and communication—delivering immersive, intelligent, real-time experiences across industries. For more information, visit Ambow’s corporate website at https://www.ambow.com/.

Follow us on X: @Ambow_Education
Follow us on LinkedIn: Ambow-education-group

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Ambow and the industry. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and Ambow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Ambow believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

For more information, please contact:

Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
E-mail: ir@ambow.com
or
Piacente Financial Communications
Tel: +1 212 481 2050
E-mail: ambow@tpg-ir.com

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI: Ambow Launches HybriU Global Learning Network, Connecting U.S. Universities with Students Worldwide

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

New Phygital Infrastructure Empowers U.S. Universities to Expand Globally Through AI-powered Hybrid Classrooms

CUPERTINO, Calif., July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO), a U.S.-based innovator of AI-powered phygital (physical + digital) solutions for education, corporate collaboration and live events, today announced the launch of its HybriU Global Learning Network (HGLN), a two-pronged initiative designed to help U.S. universities scale international enrollment and deliver immersive, borderless education.

Ambow’s HGLN initiative integrates two core components: the HybriU University Alliance and a network of HybriU Global Learning Centers. Together, these form a comprehensive system that allows U.S. institutions to extend in-person classroom experiences to international students while providing localized academic and enrollment support to preserve the quality and rigor of individual institutions’ on-campus instruction.

Through the HybriU University Alliance, U.S. universities can enroll international students who can begin earning credit immediately, without requiring travel or visas, by using Ambow’s HybriU phygital (physical + digital) learning platform. This next-generation system delivers an immersive remote classroom experience that bridges the gap between in-person and online instruction. Students engage in real-time with U.S. faculty through AI-powered digital classrooms featuring live instruction, adaptive learning tools, immersive 3D environments, and automatic real-time translation.

HybriU Global Learning Centers support the University Alliance with tech-enabled international hubs. On-site teams staff each center, providing hybrid learning support, academic services, and regional enrollment infrastructure. These centers help universities maintain visibility and continuity across borders while extending their global reach.

“The future of education is one without boundaries—no boundaries between online and on-site, no boundaries between languages and regions, no boundaries between academia and industry,” said Dr. Jin Huang, CEO of Ambow Education. “Why should students keep chasing campuses when campuses can reach students anywhere? Why let visas, geography or cost block access to world-class education? HybriU and our HGLN initiative are changing the face of global education. We’re redefining what international learning looks like––it’s flexible, inclusive and built to scale. We envision a world where every university has a teaching presence wherever its students are. HGLN offers a future-ready model for global enrollment that institutions need to lead in the next era of education.”

As part of Ambow’s long-term vision, HGLN aims to create a truly global learning ecosystem—seamlessly linking students, universities and regional hubs through the HybriU platform to unlock worldwide access to higher education. By removing physical and bureaucratic barriers to international learning, HGLN enables universities to preserve growth momentum, deepen global collaboration and reach students in new and accessible ways.

The HGLN’s partner-driven model enables universities to scale globally without building new infrastructure. Institutions can license the HybriU platform or enter revenue-sharing partnerships, while Ambow’s regional operators handle implementation and on-ground support. Initial HybriU Global Learning Centers are being established in Singapore and China, key strategic regions for U.S. higher education growth.

Ambow invites accredited U.S. universities to join its HybriU University Alliance and establish a presence through its Global Learning Center network. HGLN is built to scale, with local support teams, shared infrastructure and a growing footprint across Asia and beyond.

If your institution is interested in joining the HybriU University Alliance to expand international enrollment and global reach, we invite you to contact us at UPartner@HybriU.com .

For global organizations exploring partnership opportunities to establish a HybriU Global Learning Center, we welcome your inquiries at GLC@HybriU.com.

To learn more about HybriU, please visit www.HybriU.com.

About Ambow

Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a U.S.-based, AI-driven technology company offering phygital (physical + digital) solutions for education, corporate conferencing and live events. Through its flagship platform, HybriU, Ambow is shaping the future of learning, collaboration and communication—delivering immersive, intelligent, real-time experiences across industries. For more information, visit Ambow’s corporate website at https://www.ambow.com/.

Follow us on X: @Ambow_Education
Follow us on LinkedIn: Ambow-education-group

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Ambow and the industry. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and Ambow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Ambow believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

For more information, please contact:

Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
E-mail: ir@ambow.com
or
Piacente Financial Communications
Tel: +1 212 481 2050
E-mail: ambow@tpg-ir.com

The MIL Network –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: How to support and strengthen your pelvic floor
Source: Anglia Ruskin University

By Holly Ingram, Anglia Ruskin University

Did you know that around one in two women in the UK will experience symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction at some point in their lives? And for women who engage in high-intensity exercise, that figure rises to 63%.

The female pelvic floor is a remarkable yet often overlooked structure: a complex “hammock” of muscles and ligaments that stretches from the front of the pelvis to the tailbone.

These muscles support the bladder, bowel and uterus, wrap around the openings of the urethra, vagina and anus, and work in sync with your diaphragm, abdominal and back muscles to maintain posture, continence and core stability. It’s not an exaggeration to say your pelvic floor is the foundation of your body’s core.

Throughout a woman’s life, various events can challenge the pelvic floor. Pregnancy, for example, increases the weight of the uterus, placing added pressure on these muscles. The growing baby can cause the abdominal muscles to stretch and separate, naturally increasing the load on the pelvic floor. Childbirth, particularly vaginal delivery, may result in perineal trauma, directly injuring pelvic floor tissues.

However, contrary to popular belief, pelvic floor problems aren’t only caused by pregnancy and childbirth. In fact, research shows that intense physical activity, even in women who have never been pregnant or given birth, can contribute to dysfunction.

Exercise is essential for overall health and is often recommended to ease symptoms of menopause and menstruation. But one side effect that’s not talked about enough is the effect that repeated strain, such as heavy lifting or high impact movement, can have on the pelvic floor. The increased intra-abdominal pressure during these activities can gradually weaken the pelvic floor muscles, especially if they’re not trained to cope.

Pelvic floor dysfunction often results when these muscles aren’t strong enough to match the workload demanded of them, whether from daily life, exercise, or other core muscles. And it’s a growing issue, affecting more women than ever before.

Common symptoms include leaking urine or faeces when coughing, sneezing or exercising, a dragging or heavy sensation in the lower abdomen or vaginal area, painful sex, changes in bowel habits, and visible bulging in the vaginal area (a sign of prolapse). The emotional toll can also be significant, leading to embarrassment, anxiety, low confidence and a reluctance to stay active – all of which affect quality of life.

Prevention

The good news? Help is available and, better yet, pelvic floor dysfunction is often preventable.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, speak to your GP. You may be referred to a women’s health physiotherapist, available through both the NHS and private services. But whether you’re managing symptoms or hoping to avoid them in the first place, there are practical steps you can take:

Stay active and maintain a healthy weight

Drink enough water to encourage healthy bladder function

Go to the toilet only when your body signals the need; avoid going “just in case”

Prevent constipation through a high-fibre diet and good bowel habits

Don’t hold your breath when lifting or exercising

Most importantly, build strength with regular pelvic floor exercises. Here’s how to do a basic pelvic floor contraction:
1. Imagine you’re trying to stop yourself passing wind – squeeze and lift the muscles around your back passage.
2. Then, imagine stopping the flow of urine mid-stream – engage those muscles too.
3. Now, lift both sets of muscles upwards inside your body, as if pulling them into the vagina.
4. Hold the contraction for a few seconds, then fully relax. Repeat.
If you’re just starting, it may be easier to practise while sitting. With time and consistency, you’ll be able to hold contractions for longer and incorporate them into your daily routine, like brushing your teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil.

[embedded content]

Like any muscle, the pelvic floor gets stronger with training, making it more resilient to strain from childbirth, ageing, or strenuous activity. Research shows that a well-conditioned pelvic floor recovers faster from injury.

So be proud of your pelvic floor. Support it, strengthen it – and don’t forget to do those squeezes.

Holly Ingram, Midwifery Lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University

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

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

If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: About two thousand managers will undergo training under the Presidential program in 2025–2026

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The competitive selection of participants in the Presidential Management Training Program has been completed. The training will begin in September 2025 and will help strengthen the human resources potential of the regions of Russia.

“The presidential program is aimed at training highly qualified personnel for the real sector of the economy in order to solve key problems of the country’s socio-economic development. During the competitive selection, about 2.5 thousand applications were received from 62 subjects of the Russian Federation. More than 1.7 thousand specialists will undergo the educational program,” noted Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Tatyana Ilyushnikova.

The Presidential Program studies various aspects of enterprise development: financial management, strategic management, marketing, logistics. Participants apply the knowledge they gain when developing their own project, which they defend at the end of their studies.

This year, 78 leading educational organizations of the country are participating in the implementation of the program. The largest number of participants will be hosted by RANEPA, as well as the Southern Federal University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Penza State University and Siberian Federal University.

The program participants represent 21 sectors of the economy, among which the most widely represented are manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical activities, wholesale and retail trade, and construction.

Upon successful completion of their studies, graduates will have the opportunity to undergo internships in friendly countries, including China, Egypt, India, Belarus, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Yuri Trutnev: Volcanoes, ocean and man: Kamchatka is preparing for the exhibition “Far East Street” within the framework of the VEF

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Kamchatka Krai will present its exposition at the exhibition “Far East Street”, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth, anniversary Eastern Economic Forum. The exhibition is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the Office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Far Eastern Federal District.

The central zone of the space – “The Will of Man” – will be dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan, and in particular to the legendary Kuril landing operation. It will act as an interactive museum of Kamchatka military glory, and will harmoniously weave in stories about the Great Patriotic War and the special military operation.

“We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. I believe that it is impossible not to touch upon the topic of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War. Kamchatka made a significant contribution to the victory. This is not only the supply of products, but also the mobilization of human resources, the heroic defense of borders and preparation for strategically important operations. It is important to always remember and honor the heroic and selfless feat of home front workers, soldiers and officers, indigenous peoples – all who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the Motherland. It is necessary to show what heroic feats and efforts were needed to create the victory,” said Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

“80 years ago, ordinary residents of the Kamchatka Region played a decisive role in ending World War II by conquering, as it seemed then, the impregnable islands of the Kuril Ridge. Then 306 Kamchatka residents gave their lives in the fight against Japanese militarism. We will never forget the price of this victory. And the main task that we set for ourselves is not to allow the events of those years to be distorted: every young resident of our region and the country as a whole should know and honor the pages of history that turned the tide of the war. That is why, on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, an open-air museum will be opened on Shumshu Island, and young people from all over the country, including Kamchatka guys, will go on a search expedition to the places of glory of our soldiers. The play “Ballad of the Kuril Landing” will be staged in Kamchatka, which will be presented to viewers on August 18,” said Vladimir Solodov, Governor of the Kamchatka Region.

The exhibition will introduce guests and participants of the EEF-2025 to the unique features of Kamchatka, including its natural beauty.

“Kamchatka is a unique region, the pearl of our country. It is truly a land of fire and ice. Active volcanoes, geysers, thermal springs form a unique landscape. This is one of the most promising territories of our country for tourism development. New hotels open every year. Thanks to the implementation of the master plan, the urban environment of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky is gradually changing. A new modern airport welcomes guests of the peninsula,” concluded Yuri Trutnev.

The pavilion will feature a “Traveler’s Passport” zone, designed in the style of a travel agency. At the entrance to the pavilion, visitors will receive a personal traveler’s passport with information about tours, discounts from Kamchatka operators, and gifts from restaurants and shops.

A separate zone, “The Power of the Ocean”, will be dedicated to demonstrating the natural and economic potential of Kamchatka as a unique oceanic territory. The big screen will systematize and present such areas as marine logistics, the fishing industry, scientific ocean research, tourism, sea cruises and yachting, and Pacific cuisine.

In the “Volcano Energy” space, visitors will be able to get acquainted with the region’s potential for implementing projects in the fields of tourism, construction, agriculture, education and science. In the “New Kamchatka Facilities in 360” zone, it will be possible to take a full 3D tour of the Kamchatka Regional Hospital, airport and greenhouse complex.

The “Specially Protected Natural Areas” area will feature the heroes of the documentary “Fire Fox”. Visitors to the stand will also be able to familiarize themselves with information about the “Far East – Land of Adventure” competition and learn about new tourist routes in the region. In addition, the area will display images from street cameras, supplemented with elements of wild nature.

A souvenir pavilion and a stage will be opened next to the main exposition of the Kamchatka Territory. In addition, the Falcon House will be open, where the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia will prepare its own exposition.

The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Mikhail Mishustin appointed Vladimir Komarov as the head of the Department of Expertise and Planning of the Government of Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has appointed Vladimir Komarov as head of the Department of Expertise and Planning of the Government of Russia. The order to this effect has been signed.

Vladimir Komarov was born in 1985. In 2008 he graduated from the Lomonosov Moscow State University, PhD in Economics.

He worked in various positions at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and the Ministry of Economic Development. He participated in the development of the Russia Development Strategy 2018–2024, the Strategy for Innovative Development of Russia until 2020, the Strategy for the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Entrepreneurship until 2030, the preparation of state programs, national and federal projects, as well as initiatives for the socio-economic development of Russia until 2030.

Until now, he held the position of head of the strategic group of the Center for National Projects of the ANO “Analytical Center under the Government of the Russian Federation”.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK visits UK to forge stronger Hong Kong-UK partnerships on sustainability and green tech innovation (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     â€‹Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) completed a fruitful visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from July 13 to 20, championing Hong Kong as a premier international green technology hub for UK companies seeking growth and collaboration opportunities in Asia and beyond.

     During the visit, the Senior Vice President (Sustainability) for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InvestHK, Ms Olivia To, engaged with key stakeholders in London and Cambridge to foster two-way business opportunities and deepen co-operation in sustainability and green tech innovation.

     In London, Ms To held extensive discussions with leading UK’s new energy, new materials and digital companies, as well as UK Research and Innovation, the national funding agency investing in science and research, Sustainable Ventures, a leading green tech hub and ecosystem provider, Generation Investment Management, a sustainable investment management firm, London & Partners, London’s business growth and destination agency, and London GreenCity, a clean technology entrepreneurs accelerator providing prototyping lab and collaborative community.

     In Cambridge, Ms To spoke at the event titled “Powering Tomorrow: Deep Tech Innovations for a Sustainable Energy Future”, co-organised by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and Full Vision Capital, highlighting the competitive advantages Hong Kong offers energy and technology companies to grow and thrive across the region. The conference featured dynamic keynotes on growth strategies for clean energy start-ups, panel discussions on disruptive energy innovations, and a start-up demo where over 30 start-ups showcased their cutting-edge solutions. The event culminated in the announcement of the 4th TERA-Award Winner receiving a prize of US$1 million and a celebratory Gala Dinner, fostering further global networking and collaboration opportunities.

     Ms To said, “Hong Kong’s unparalleled status as a global financial powerhouse connects the East and West markets, bolstered by its dynamic green tech ecosystem and visionary government initiatives like the Green Tech Fund, the Innovation and Technology Fund and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation’s GreenTech Hub, and positions it as the premier gateway for UK companies to amplify green innovations across Asia. This visit underscores our dedication to fostering collaboration in sustainability and green technology between Hong Kong and the UK. We look forward to supporting more UK companies in establishing and expanding their presence in Hong Kong, utilising our robust financial infrastructure to facilitate financing and IPO listings that attract international capital.”

     The Executive Chairman of the TERA-Award, Mr Alan Chan, stated, “It was our pleasure to have InvestHK’s participation in our TERA-Award event. Together, we are building a stronger global innovation ecosystem that connects investors, start-ups, and green organisations, fostering groundbreaking solutions in smart energy. We look forward to working closely with InvestHK to further expand our promotion of the TERA-Award to the global market and establish a bridge between the international energy contexts.”

     The Chief Innovation Officer from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Mr James Cole, said, “We are delighted to welcome InvestHK’s participation in our event, enhancing the collaboration between the UK and Hong Kong economies, supporting sustainability start-ups and strengthening the ecosystem. This collaboration ignites our commitment to forge global partnerships that will propel deep tech innovations, fostering a greener and more resilient future. Together, we anticipate to deepen our collaboration to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future and empower the next generation of innovators.”

     Co-Founder of London GreenCity Mr Laith Anezi said, “Both Hong Kong and the UK share a strong commitment to driving innovation in green technology. InvestHK’s visit has forged a robust foundation for strengthening ties between Hong Kong and British sustainability and green tech companies. We are excited to deepen our partnership with InvestHK, driving innovation to shape a sustainable world together.”

     Hong Kong, as the world’s third-largest financial hub, is well positioned to be the global leader in green tech and finance. The city is transitioning to cleaner energy sources, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050, supported by the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong and significant investments in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

     In green mobility, Hong Kong’s roadmap for electric vehicles has seen 70 per cent of newly registered private cars in 2024 be electric, with plans to establish the city as a green maritime fuel bunkering centre.

     This visit to the UK is a testament to Hong Kong’s dedication to fostering international collaboration and driving the global transition to a sustainable future. By attracting more UK companies in sustainable technology and innovation, Hong Kong aims to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions that address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.



MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Landscaping of the territory at the second stage of the new NSU campus has begun

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the facilities of the educational and scientific center Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (UNC IMMT) and the Scientific Research Center (SRC) of NSU, which belong to the second stage new campus of NSU, which is being built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, began to improve the territory. They are laying paving slabs, asphalt concrete pavement, and also decorating lawns. The improvement will be completed by the start of the winter season.

In addition, the installation of stained glass windows has been completed at the second stage facilities, and the façade installation work is almost complete. The installation of external utility networks, including sewerage and water supply, is one third complete, and the finishing of the premises is also actively underway – plastering, cladding work, etc. In general, the construction readiness of the NSU IMMT UNC is 50%, and that of the NSU NRC is 45%.

— The new NSU campus will become a center of attraction for innovations. The premises of the NSU IMMT URC will house modern laboratories, the new building will accommodate up to 700 students. Also, based on the infrastructure of the new campus, we will develop network educational programs, such as Medical Cybernetics and Industrial Pharmacy. This will become the basis for transforming medical education and bringing it to a new level. At the NSU NRC, we will develop promising research areas, such as biotechnology and biomedical research, artificial intelligence and big data processing, space and special instrumentation, etc., — commented NSU Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk.

Work is also being completed on equipping the new building of flow classrooms with furniture and technical equipment, permission for commissioning of which was received at the end of 2024. The educational process in the building will begin in September 2025.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Landscaping of the territory at the second stage of the new NSU campus has begun

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the facilities of the educational and scientific center Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies (UNC IMMT) and the Scientific Research Center (SRC) of NSU, which belong to the second stage new campus of NSU, which is being built within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”, began to improve the territory. They are laying paving slabs, asphalt concrete pavement, and also decorating lawns. The improvement will be completed by the start of the winter season.

In addition, the installation of stained glass windows has been completed at the second stage facilities, and the façade installation work is almost complete. The installation of external utility networks, including sewerage and water supply, is one third complete, and the finishing of the premises is also actively underway – plastering, cladding work, etc. In general, the construction readiness of the NSU IMMT UNC is 50%, and that of the NSU NRC is 45%.

— The new NSU campus will become a center of attraction for innovations. The premises of the NSU IMMT URC will house modern laboratories, the new building will accommodate up to 700 students. Also, based on the infrastructure of the new campus, we will develop network educational programs, such as Medical Cybernetics and Industrial Pharmacy. This will become the basis for transforming medical education and bringing it to a new level. At the NSU NRC, we will develop promising research areas, such as biotechnology and biomedical research, artificial intelligence and big data processing, space and special instrumentation, etc., — commented NSU Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk.

Work is also being completed on equipping the new building of flow classrooms with furniture and technical equipment, permission for commissioning of which was received at the end of 2024. The educational process in the building will begin in September 2025.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Summer Internship in STB Format

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

On July 21, Huang Yi, a student at China Agricultural University (CAU), operates an agricultural drone to carry out precision fertilization of corn at the Science and Technology Backyard (STB) experimental field in Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province. She explained that creating a precision fertilization scenario using a drone involves several steps, including collecting spectral data and dividing into cells for trajectory planning. After data processing, flexible adjustments are also required based on actual soil moisture. During the summer holidays, Huang Yi and her classmates will be busy working in the fields, learning about agricultural technology and helping farmers reduce costs and increase yields. China Agricultural University, Jilin Agricultural University, and Lishu County government jointly developed the STB in 2009. And for more than ten years now, many students studying in agricultural specialties have come here to conduct field research, experiments and popularize advanced agricultural technologies.

Zhao Gang (center), chairman of Xinyuan Professional Agricultural Production Cooperative, talks to students about the current growth status of corn at the STB experimental field in Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province, July 21. Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Zhang Nan

Huang Yi, a student at China Agricultural University, adjusts the parameters of an agricultural drone at an STB experimental field in Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province, July 21. Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Zhang Nan

An agrodron applies fertilizer to corn with high precision at an STB experimental field in Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province, July 21 (photo by drone). Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Zhang Nan

Huang Yi, a student at China Agricultural University, operates an agricultural drone to carry out precision fertilization of corn at an STB experimental field in Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province, July 21. Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Zhang Nan

An agrodron applies fertilizer to corn with high precision at an STB experimental field in Lishu County, Siping City, Jilin Province, July 21 (photo by drone). Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Zhang Nan

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
White House touts Columbia deal, critics see dangerous precedent

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Columbia University’s agreement to pay more than $220 million to the U.S. government to resolve federal probes was not capitulation but a means to restore vital public funding, the university’s acting president said on Thursday.

But critics expressed concern about a harmful precedent in what they see as President Donald Trump’s push for greater control over elite U.S. colleges.

Trump has targeted Columbia and other universities over the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled college campuses last year.

Harvard University is fighting the Trump administration in court and critics have likened the Columbia deal to extortion.

Columbia faced the loss of billions of dollars in future federal funds and the potential revocation of the visa status of thousands of international students, said Acting President Claire Shipman.

“This was not capitulation,” Shipman told CNN, adding that the deal protected the university’s “academic integrity.”

Under the settlement, Columbia will pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury and a further $21 million to a fund to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, senior administration officials said.

In return, the university regained access to some $1.7 billion in federal funding and grants, Shipman said.

The deal comes after the Trump administration in March penalized Columbia over how it handled last year’s protests by canceling $400 million in federal funding. It contended that Columbia’s response to alleged antisemitism and harassment of Jewish and Israeli members of the university community was insufficient.

The school later acquiesced to a series of demands that included scrutiny of departments offering courses on the Middle East and other concessions that were widely condemned by U.S. academics.

Wednesday’s deal formalized many of those concessions in what Education Secretary Linda McMahon called an “incredible win” for the government.

“It is our hope this is going to be a template for other universities around the country,” McMahon told cable network NewsNation. “We’re already seeing other universities taking these measures before investigation.”

McMahon said Columbia agreed to discipline student offenders for severe disruptions of campus operations, bring viewpoint diversity to their Middle Eastern studies programs, eliminate race preferences from their hiring and admissions practices, and end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.

Columbia law professor David Pozen called the agreement a “shakedown” and said it set a precedent for “pay-to-play” deals the Trump administration is seeking with other schools.

“The agreement gives legal form to an extortion scheme,” Pozen said in a blog post, calling it the first time antisemitism and DEI have been invoked as the basis for a government-enforced restructuring of a private university.

Shipman said the agreement contained no provisions that “shall be construed as giving the United States authority to dictate faculty hiring, university hiring, admissions decisions, or the content of academic speech.”

(Reuters)

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointments to the Board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

Appointments to the Board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Three new appointments and two reappointments made
A series of appointments and reappointments have been made to the Board of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Dame Dervilla Mitchell, Dr Fiona Pathiraja and Sarah Greasley have been appointed as Trustees. Dervilla and Fiona’s four-year terms commenced on 1 July 2025. Sarah’s four-year term will commence on 1 October 2025.

Steve Almond and Kate Priestman have been reappointed as Trustees for a second term of four years from 2 October 2025 to 1 October 2029.

These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Biographies

Dame Dervilla Mitchell

Dervilla is an experience engineering leader who has been involved in significant infrastructure programmes at Heathrow, Dublin and Abu Dhabi airports. She has also led the design of a range of new build and renovation projects in different sectors. She spent the majority of her career at Arup, a trust-owned organisation, latterly serving as Global Deputy Chair and Ethics Director.

She became involved in the decarbonisation agenda whilst a member of the Council for Science and Technology and subsequently took on the role of Chair of the National Engineering Policy Centre’s decarbonisation working group. Her non-executive experience has been gained through Trustee roles as Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and serving as a school governor at three different girls’ schools in London.

She was awarded a DBE for Services to Engineering in 2024, having previously received a CBE in 2014. She has received Honorary Doctorates from University College Dublin, as well as Imperial College London, where she now sits on the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Dr Fiona Pathiraja

Fiona is an investor and philanthropist. She is Managing Partner of Crista Galli Ventures, a pan-European healthtech venture capital firm. She serves on several boards and is currently a trustee of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Arts. Fiona leads philanthropic endeavours at IPQ Capital, her Family Office, and is vice-chair of London Business School’s fundraising board.

A former NHS consultant radiologist at University College London Hospital, Fiona has held a range of strategic and leadership roles across healthcare, including Clinical Advisor to the Department of Health and Social Care. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists, a Member of the Faculty of Public Health, and holds Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health degrees. Fiona is an advocate for greater diversity in technology and investment.

Sarah Greasley

Sarah is an accomplished technology leader with more than 40 years’ expertise working in both the technology and financial services industries. She was Solutions Architecture Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Amazon Web Services, and prior to that, she was Group Chief Technology Officer at Direct Line Group and a Distinguished Engineer at IBM. She has a broad range of leadership experience across new technologies, strategy, risk and resilience. She also has a strong focus on increasing diversity, equity and inclusion.

She has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge and is a Chartered Fellow of the British Computing Society, as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. Sarah is a Trustee of the British Exploring Society and a Governor at Charterhouse School.

Steve Almond

After obtaining a BA in History at Royal Holloway College, University of London, Steve trained as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte and spent much of his career there as an Audit Partner specialising in the financial services industry. He worked in a variety of roles for 16 years on the Deloitte UK Executive and, concurrently, eight years on the Global Executive. He has a wealth of experience advising large company boards and audit committees and served for 10 years on the board of Deloitte UK. In 2011, he was elected Chairman of Deloitte’s Global Board. In that capacity, he represented Deloitte on various external bodies, including the Accounting for Sustainability Advisory Board; International Integrated Reporting Council; Social Progress Index Advisory Board; and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Kate Priestman

Kate has worked in the biopharma industry for over 25 years and is currently Chief Corporate and External Affairs Officer at CSL. Before joining CSL, Kate served as Senior Vice-President of R&D Strategy and Portfolio at GlaxoSmithKline, focused on the development of transformational medicines and vaccines. Kate also serves as a Non-Executive Director at Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC. Kate’s career has spanned roles in commercial, corporate governance, communications and government affairs, following an early career at the BBC as a presenter and documentary maker. In her spare time, Kate is an artist and creator of a popular design blog; her work inspired an installation in the Chicago Botanic Garden in 2016 and is used in schools as part of the creative arts curriculum.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 25 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ECB appoints Isabel Vansteenkiste as Counsellor to President Lagarde
Source: European Central Bank

25 July 2025
- Isabel Vansteenkiste to become Principal Counsellor to the President and Coordinator of the Counsel to the Executive Board
- Her predecessor Roland Straub to become Deputy Director General Market Operations
- Both appointments effective as of 15 September 2025
The Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB) has appointed Isabel Vansteenkiste, currently Director General International and European Relations, as Principal Counsellor to the President and Coordinator of the Counsel to the Executive Board. Ms Vansteenkiste will take up her new role on 15 September 2025. In this role, she will advise the President on a wide range of economic and strategic policy matters and support preparations for Executive Board and Governing Council meetings, as well as for high-level international engagements. She will also oversee the work of the Counsel to the Executive Board. Ms Vansteenkiste succeeds Roland Straub, who has been appointed Deputy Director General Market Operations as of the same date.

“I am very much looking forward to working with Isabel Vansteenkiste in her new role and would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Roland Straub for his hugely valuable contributions and unwavering commitment over many years, which I know will continue in his new role,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde.

As Deputy Director General Market Operations, Mr Straub will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategy and work agenda of the Directorate General Market Operations. The Directorate General is responsible for preparing and implementing monetary policy and foreign exchange operations, managing the ECB’s foreign reserves and monitoring market developments. Mr Straub joined the ECB in 2007 and previously served as Counsellor to former ECB President Mario Draghi and former Executive Board member Benoît Cœuré, as well as holding positions in the areas of research and international and European relations. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Goethe University Frankfurt and a PhD in economics from the European University Institute in Florence.

Ms Vansteenkiste has been at the ECB for 23 years, holding various professional and senior managerial roles in areas including international and European relations, economics and monetary policy. In her current position, she oversees monitoring and analysis of global economic trends and supports the Executive Board in formulating policy positions on international, EU and euro area matters. She holds a PhD in economics from KU Leuven.

For media queries, please contact Eszter Miltényi-Torstensson, tel.: +49 171 7695305.

Notes
MIL OSI Europe News –
July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Large-scale summer school “Cryptography and information security” ended in St. Petersburg

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

For more than two weeks, “Boiling Point – St. Petersburg. GUAP” was truly “boiling”, despite the midsummer. In each of the halls, the participants of the summer school “Cryptography and Information Security” were working. The traditional event, organized by the Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk), International Mathematical Center in Akademgorodok, this year the GUAP venue hosted the event. The summer school was held for the seventh time, it brought together more than 35 teachers and over 165 students, postgraduates and schoolchildren from 35 cities of Russia. The geography of the participants is extensive: Tver, Novosibirsk, Voronezh, Khanty-Mansiysk, Sevastopol, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Ufa, Rostov-on-Don, Tyumen, Kaliningrad and other cities of our country.

The head of the school is Natalia Tokareva, associate professor of the Department of Theoretical Cybernetics. Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU, head of the Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk). The organizers and partners of the summer school in 2025 were the St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, Southern Federal University, Special Technology Center LLC, Practical Security Systems LLC, Infotex JSC, Enseucrypto-lab LLC and NeoQUEST. Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Youth Policy Larisa Nikolaeva and the GUAP team were responsible for the organizational issues of the large-scale event.

Participants received knowledge from leading experts in the scientific and business fields, visited key enterprises in St. Petersburg and interesting excursions, and also united through training and sports games.

The event’s partners — universities and companies working in the field of cryptography and information security — provided the summer school participants with not only new and useful knowledge, expert lectures, but also career opportunities and development prospects in the profession. The students were able to learn everything about internships and future careers in companies such as OOO Special Technology Center, OOO Systems of Practical Security, AO Infotex, OOO Enseucrypto-lab and NeoQUEST. Representatives of these organizations personally talked to the students, answered all their questions and told them what steps they should take to take their first career steps in the field of information security.

The basis of the summer school was work on projects. Divided into teams, in which scientific research was carried out under the supervision of curators, the guys were preparing to present each of the projects at the final conference. The topics of the projects touched upon various issues of modern cryptography and information security: algorithms of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, issues of constructing cryptographic protocols for solving authentication, identification, key transfer, and messaging problems. The topics of the projects were suitable for both beginners in the field of cryptography and information security, and for advanced students who had already acquired knowledge as part of their studies.

On July 21, the summer school’s final conference took place, where the teams presented the results of their work. 23 research projects developed by the participants were combined by the organizers into a collection of papers. It can be found on the event website.

Participants shared what projects they worked on and what new things they learned during these two busy weeks.

Daria Severukhina, Novosibirsk:

— Our project was dedicated to the topic of post-quantum cryptography. We were engaged in the analysis of the vulnerability of a cryptosystem based on the “lattice theory”, namely, the study of side-channel attacks. Post-quantum cryptography is very relevant now, and the topic we were working on is one of the most promising in this area. I study at the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics and I study cryptography only in special courses that are held at our university. Therefore, this summer school is a great start to skills and knowledge in this area. In these two weeks, I learned so much information, met leading scientists in this area, I managed to work with them, which is very valuable. I am very glad that I got the opportunity to acquire this knowledge in practice.

Alina Skibina, Saint Petersburg:

— In our project on the topic of “Development of a prototype of a cryptographic hash function,” we developed a prototype of a hash function called “Gorynych.” We tried to create a hash function based on the Russian standard “Stribog,” inspired by the SURF function of Bernstein. This function has a simple design, high stability, and speed. These are the properties that modern hash functions should have. The team turned out to be friendly, well-coordinated, I enjoyed our interaction, I did not feel discomfort. There were many jokes, funny moments that diluted the intense work. I am very pleased with my participation in the summer school. This is not my first participation in such an event, so I was ready for intensive work. The most important skill is experience working in a team. And the lectures are very informative and interesting in that they touch on many areas of cryptography, and perhaps I will work in some of them in the future.

Anna Kozubova, Novorossiysk

— I finished the 9th grade and got to the summer school. Thanks to my participation, I decided on the direction that I would choose to study at GUAP — “Information Security”. Many useful lectures were held for us, and although they were more focused on people who were already studying in this specialty, I was able to study this topic additionally and become interested in it. I want to thank my team, where friendly and working relationships were formed over these two weeks. It was precisely because we united that we were able to prepare such a wonderful project. But none of this would have happened if it were not for our mentor — a true master of his craft — Bezzateev Sergey Valentinovich. In a word, the summer school became an important event for me.

Kirill Gromov, Tver:

— Our project was dedicated to electronic signatures of documents. We considered post-quantum algorithms, which have a higher complexity and are designed so that with the next stage of computer technology development they will not be hackable. We also considered vulnerabilities that are better known at the moment. This is a very good experience to find out what will change in this area now. The scientific community, the experts who supported our projects are, first of all, our like-minded people and people who are interested in the development of this area. To communicate and work with such people almost on equal terms is a very good experience. A wonderful team, new knowledge, a beautiful city, and, despite the fatigue, there was strength for communication.

Artem Kolbeev, Sevastopol:

— This is my second time participating in the summer school “Cryptography and Information Security” and working with the same scientific supervisor — Oleg Sergeevich Zaikin. He guides the team in the right direction. We managed to choose a promising topic for study. I really liked the organization of the summer school — everything was organized competently, and we were given time not only for work, but also for excursions, recreation, and sports. The venue is suitable for comfortable work. We were given a number of very interesting lectures. And several ideas for further scientific developments arose.

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Media and think tanks strengthen the construction of the SCO community of common destiny

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

ZHENGZHOU, July 25 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit is being held in Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan Province, from July 23 to 27, where building a community with a shared future for the SCO has become an important topic among leading media outlets and well-known think tanks from the SCO countries.

Irina Akulovich, Director General of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BELTA), said that according to calculations, in recent months their agency has already published several hundred articles about the SCO, for the latest of which the key word has become “building a just world.”

“The countries of the organization have different visions of solving many problems, but it is China that is becoming the center that helps strengthen dialogue, hear each other and develop solutions,” noted Irina Akulovich, adding that “when we talk about the SCO, we talk about it as an organization that is capable of influencing a new, fair construction of the world thanks to the initiatives that China is taking, and I am confident that Belarus will also have its say as a full member of the organization.”

Director of the Institute of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Sun Zhuangzhi noted that humanitarian cooperation within the SCO plays a particularly important role. The difference between the SCO community of common destiny and traditional regional cooperation is that its formation is promoted not only by the government, but also with the active participation of non-governmental organizations, especially the media and youth.

Sun Zhuangzhi said that through various cultural and humanitarian exchange activities, the influence and prestige of the SCO as a whole has been enhanced, and the sense of accomplishment and confidence of ordinary people has been strengthened, which has laid a favorable foundation for public opinion in building a community with a shared future for the SCO.

“The SCO is, without exaggeration, a unique association in which not only states but also civilizations have met. And the “Shanghai spirit” is not just recorded on paper. It manifests itself in trust,” noted Marina Dmitrieva, Deputy Director of the Oriental Institute for Science at the Far Eastern Federal University.

In her opinion, in modern conditions, cooperation between representatives of the journalistic community and academic experts is becoming especially relevant in the formation of a community of common destiny for the SCO.

“This helps to convey to the general public the goals and objectives of the organization, the principles of its work and the results of its interaction. Thanks to this, the idea of common challenges and mutual interest in sustainable development is beginning to take root in the public discourse of the SCO countries,” she added.

“When we talk about the SCO, it is important to realize that we are not just talking about a regional security or economic cooperation structure, but an emerging civilizational platform,” said Professor Saida Agzamkhodjaeva of the Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan, noting that Uzbekistan, acting within the SCO framework, is contributing to the formation of a community of common destiny for the SCO.

According to her, the uniqueness of the SCO lies in the fact that it unites states representing different cultures and systems of thought, but at the same time striving for common foundations of interaction – trust, prevention of conflicts and ensuring sustainable development.

“The media and think tanks play a huge role in properly conveying objectivity,” said Cholpon Koichumanova, director of the E. Zh. Maanaev Institute of History and Social and Legal Education at the I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University.

“The political and economic core of the SCO is China, which became one of the initiators of the creation and co-founder of the organization,” noted Denis Mukha, director of the Institute of Economics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

According to him, the SCO format opens up opportunities for developing and implementing new forms of Belarusian-Chinese economic cooperation with the participation of other partners of the organization, launching the process of creating favorable conditions in the field of trade and investment and forming a new economic macroregion as an element of a multipolar world order. -0-

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 25, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

Efforts to end the relentless siege of Gaza have been set back by the abrupt end to peace talks in Qatar.

Both the United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiating teams, accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff says it would appear Hamas never wanted a deal:

While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people in Gaza

State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott reads Steve Witkoff’s statement on the collapse of the Gaza peace talks.

The disappointing development coincides with mounting fears of a widespread famine in Gaza and a historic decision by France to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

French President Emmanuel Macron says there is no alternative for the sake of security of the Middle East:

True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine

What will these developments mean for the conflict in Gaza and the broader security of the Middle East?

‘Humanitarian catastrophe’

The failure to reach a truce means there is no end in sight to the Israeli siege of Gaza which has devastated the territory for more than 21 months.

Amid mounting fears of mass starvation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Gaza is in the grip of a “humanitarian catastrophe”. He is urging Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law:

Israel’s denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored.

According to the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, more than 100 people – most of them children – have died of hunger. One in five children in Gaza City is malnourished, with the number of cases rising every day.

Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini says with little food aid entering Gaza, people are

neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses […] most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying if they don’t get the treatment they urgently need.

The UN and more than 100 aid groups blame Israel’s blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.

Lazzarini says UNRWA has 6,000 trucks of emergency supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt. He is urging Israel – which continues to blame Hamas for cases of malnutrition – to allow the humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

Proposed ceasefire deal

The latest ceasefire proposal was reportedly close to being agreed by both parties.

It included a 60-day truce, during which time Hamas would release ten living Israeli hostages and the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian aid to Gaza would be significantly increased.

During the ceasefire, both sides would engage in negotiations toward a lasting truce.

While specific details of the current sticking points remain unclear, previous statements from both parties suggest the disagreement centres on what would follow any temporary ceasefire.

Israel is reportedly seeking to maintain a permanent military presence in Gaza to allow for a rapid resumption of operations if needed. In contrast, Hamas is demanding a pathway toward a complete end to hostilities.

A lack of mutual trust has dramatically clouded the negotiations.

From Israel’s perspective, any ceasefire must not result in Hamas regaining control of Gaza, as this would allow the group to rebuild its power and potentially launch another cross-border attack.

However, Hamas has repeatedly said it is willing to hand over power to any other Palestinian group in pursuit of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders. This could include the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which governs the West Bank and has long recognised Israel.

Support for a Palestinian state

Israeli leaders have occasionally paid lip service to a Palestinian state. But they have described such an entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus” – a formulation that falls short of both Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

In response to the worsening humanitarian situation, some Western countries have moved to fully recognise a Palestinian state, viewing it as a step toward a permanent resolution of one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East.

Macron’s announcement France will officially recognise a full Palestinian state in September is a major development.

France is now the most prominent Western power to take this position. It follows more than 140 countries – including more than a dozen in Europe – that have already recognised statehood.

While largely symbolic, the move adds diplomatic pressure on Israel amid the ongoing war and aid crisis in Gaza.

However, the announcement was immediately condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed recognition “rewards terror” and

risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel – not to live in peace beside it.

Annexing Gaza?

A Palestinian state is unacceptable to Israel.

Further evidence was recently presented in a revealing TV interview by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak who stated Netanyahu had deliberately empowered Hamas in order to block a two-state solution.

Instead there is mounting evidence Israel is seeking to annex the entirety of Palestinian land and relocate Palestinians to neighbouring countries.

Given the current uncertainty, it appears unlikely a new ceasefire will be reached in the near future, especially as it remains unclear whether the US withdrawal from the negotiations was a genuine policy shift or merely a strategic negotiating tactic.

Ali Mamouri 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. Ceasefire talks collapse – what does that mean for the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza? – https://theconversation.com/ceasefire-talks-collapse-what-does-that-mean-for-the-humanitarian-catastrophe-in-gaza-261942

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Birds use hidden black and white feathers to make themselves more colourful

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Simon Griffith, Professor of Avian Behavioural Ecology, Macquarie University

The green-headed tanager (_Tangara seledon_) has a hidden layer of plumage that is white underneath the orange feathers and black underneath the blue and green feathers. Daniel Field

Birds are perhaps the most colourful group of animals, bringing a splash of colour to the natural world around us every day. Indeed, exclusively black and white birds – such as magpies – are in the minority.

However, new research by a team from Princeton University in the United States has revealed a surprising trick in which birds use those boring black and white feathers to make their colours even more vivid.

Male golden tanagers (Tangara arthus) have hidden layers of white which make their plumage brighter, while females have hidden layers of black which make their plumage darker.
Daniel Field

In the study, published today in Science Advances, Rosalyn Price-Waldman and her colleagues discovered that if coloured feathers are placed over a layer of either white or black underlying feathers, their colours are enhanced.

A particularly striking discovery was that in some species the different colour of males and females wasn’t due to the colour the two sexes put into the feathers, but rather in the amount of white or black in the layer underneath.

Why birds are so bright – and how they do it

Typically, male birds have more vivid colours than females. As Charles Darwin first explained, the most colourful males are more likely to attract mates and produce more offspring than those that aren’t as vivid. This process of “sexual selection” is the evolutionary force that has resulted in most of the colours we see in birds today.

Evolution is a process that rewards clever solutions in the competition among males to stand out in the crowd. Depositing a layer of black underneath patches of bright blue feathers has enabled males to produce that extra vibrancy that helps them in the competition for mates.

The blue feathers of a red-necked tanager (Tangara cyanocephala) stand out against a black underlayer.
Rosalyn Price-Waldman

The reason the black layer works so well is that it absorbs all the light that passes through the top layer of coloured feathers. The colour we see is blue because those top feathers have a fine structure that scatters light in a particular way, and reflects light in the blue part of the spectrum.

The feathers appear particularly vivid blue because the light in other wavelengths is absorbed by the under-layer. If the under-layer was paler, some of the light in the other parts of the light spectrum would bounce back and the blue would not “pop out” as much.

Different tricks for different colours

Interestingly, in the new study, the researchers found that for yellow feathers the opposite trick works. Yellow feathers contain yellow pigments – carotenoids – and in this case they are enhanced if they have a white under-layer.

The white layer reflects light that passes through the yellow feathers, and this increases the brightness of these yellow patches, making them more striking in contrast to surrounding patches of colour.

The red feather tips of a scarlet-rumped tanager (Ramphocelus passerinii) are enhanced by the white feathers beneath them.
Rosalyn Price-Waldman

A surprisingly common technique

The authors focused most of their work on species of tanager, typically very colourful fruit-eating birds that are native to Central and South America.

However, once they had discovered what was happening in tanagers, they checked to see if it was occurring in other birds.

The vivid blue colouring of the Australian splendid fairy wren (Malurus splendens) is enhanced by an underlayer of colourless feathers.
Robbie Goodall / Getty Images

This additional work revealed that the use of black and white underlying feathers to enhance colour is found in many other bird families, including the Australian fairy wrens which have such vivid blue colouration.

This widespread use of black and white across so many different species suggests birds have been enhancing the production of colour in this clever way for tens of millions of years, and that it is widely used across birds.

The color of the vibrant red crown of this red-capped manakin (Ceratopipra mentalis) is magnified by a hidden layer of white plumage.
Daniel Field

The study is important because it helps us to understand how complex traits such as colour can evolve in nature. It may also help us to improve the production of vibrant colours in our own architecture, art and fashion.

Simon Griffith receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

– ref. Birds use hidden black and white feathers to make themselves more colourful – https://theconversation.com/birds-use-hidden-black-and-white-feathers-to-make-themselves-more-colourful-261567

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: As seas rise and fish decline, this Fijian village is finding new ways to adapt

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Celia McMichael, Professor in Geography, The University of Melbourne

Celia McMichael, CC BY-NC-ND

In the village of Nagigi, Fiji, the ocean isn’t just a resource – it’s part of the community’s identity. But in recent years, villagers have seen the sea behave differently. Tides are pushing inland. Once abundant, fish are now harder to find. Sandy beaches and coconut trees have been washed away.

Like many coastal communities, including those across the Pacific Islands region, this village is now under real pressure from climate change and declining fish stocks. Methods of fishing are no longer guaranteed, while extreme weather and coastal erosion threaten homes and land. As one villager told us:

we can’t find fish easily, not compared to previous times […] some fish species we used to see before are no longer around.

When stories like this get publicity, they’re often framed as a story of loss. Pacific Islanders can be portrayed as passive victims of climate change.

But Nagigi’s experience isn’t just about vulnerability. As our new research shows, it’s about the actions people are taking to cope with the changes already here. In response to falling fish numbers and to diversify livelihoods, women leaders launched a new aquaculture project, and they have replanted mangroves to slow the advance of the sea.

Adaptation is uneven. Many people don’t want to or can’t leave their homes. But as climate change intensifies, change will be unavoidable. Nagigi’s experience points to the importance of communities working collectively to respond to threats.

Unwelcome change is here

The communities we focus on, Nagigi village (population 630) and Bia-I-Cake settlement (population 60), are located on Savusavu Bay in Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Fishing and marine resources are central to their livelihoods and food security.

In 2021 and 2023, we ran group discussions (known as talanoa) and interviews to find out about changes seen and adaptations made.

Nagigi residents have noticed unwelcome changes in recent years. As one woman told us:

sometimes the sea is coming further onto the land, so there’s a lot of sea intrusion into the plantations, flooding even on land where it never used to be

Tides are pushing ashore in Nagigi, threatening infrastructure.
Celia McMichael, CC BY-NC-ND

In 2016, the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston destroyed homes and forced some Nagigi residents to move inland to customary mataqali land owned by their clan.

As one resident said:

our relocation was smooth because […] we just moved to our own land, our mataqali land.

But some residents didn’t have access to this land, while others weren’t willing to move away from the coast. One man told us:

leave us here. I think if I don’t smell or hear the ocean for one day I would be devastated.

Adaptation is happening

One striking aspect of adaptation in Nagigi has been the leadership of women, particularly in the small Bia-I-Cake settlement.

In recent years, the Bia-I-Cake Women’s Cooperative has launched a small-scale aquaculture project to farm tilapia and carp to tackle falling fish stocks in the ocean, tackle rising food insecurity and create new livelihoods.

Women in the cooperative have built fish ponds, learned how to rear fish to a good size and began selling the fish, including by live streaming the sale. The project was supported by a small grant from the United Nations Development Programme and the Women’s Fund Fiji.

Recently, the cooperative’s women have moved into mangrove replanting to slow coastal erosion and built a greenhouse to farm new crops.

As one woman told us, these efforts show women “have the capacity to build a sustainable, secure and thriving community”.

The community’s responses draw on traditional social structures and values, such as respect for Vanua – the Fijian and Pacific concept of how land, sea, people, customs and spiritual beliefs are interconnected – as well as stewardship of natural resources and collective decision-making through clans and elders, both women and men.

Nagigi residents have moved to temporarily close some customary fishing grounds to give fish populations a chance to recover. The village is also considering declaring a locally-managed marine area (known as a tabu). This is a response to climate impacts as well as damage to reefs, pollution and overfishing.

For generations, village residents have protected local ecosystems which in turn support the village. But what is new is how these practices are being strengthened and formalised to respond to new challenges.

A women’s cooperative have built aquaculture ponds to raise and sell fish.
Celia McMichael, CC BY-NC-ND

Adaptation is uneven

While adaptation is producing some successes, it is unevenly spread. Not everyone has access to customary land for relocation and not every household can afford to rebuild damaged homes.

What Nagigi teaches us, though, is the importance of local adaptation. Villagers have demonstrated how a community can anticipate risks, respond to change and threats, recover from damage and take advantage of new opportunities.

Small communities are not just passive sites of loss. They are collectives of strength, agency and ingenuity. As adaptation efforts scale up across the Pacific, it is important to recognise and support local initiatives such as those in Nagigi.

Sharing effective adaptation methods can give ideas and hope to other communities under real pressure from climate change and other threats.

Many communities are doing their best to adapt often undertaking community-led adaptation, even despite the limited access Pacific nations have to global climate finance.

Nagigi’s example shows unwelcome climatic and environmental changes are already arriving. But it’s also about finding ways to live well amid uncertainty and escalating risk by using place, tradition and community.

The authors acknowledge the support of the people of Nagigi and Bia-I-Cake, and especially the Bia-I-Cake Women’s Cooperative, for sharing their time and insights.

Celia McMichael receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

Merewalesi Yee 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. As seas rise and fish decline, this Fijian village is finding new ways to adapt – https://theconversation.com/as-seas-rise-and-fish-decline-this-fijian-village-is-finding-new-ways-to-adapt-261573

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Is sleeping a lot actually bad for your health? A sleep scientist explains

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Charlotte Gupta, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia

Walstrom, Susanne/Getty

We’re constantly being reminded by news articles and social media posts that we should be getting more sleep. You probably don’t need to hear it again – not sleeping enough is bad for your brain, heart and overall health, not to mention your skin and sex drive.

But what about sleeping “too much”? Recent reports that sleeping more than nine hours could be worse for your health than sleeping too little may have you throwing up your hands in despair.

It can be hard not to feel confused and worried. But how much sleep do we need? And what can sleeping a lot really tell us about our health? Let’s unpack the evidence.

Sleep is essential for our health

Along with nutrition and physical activity, sleep is an essential pillar of health.

During sleep, physiological processes occur that allow our bodies to function effectively when we are awake. These include processes involved in muscle recovery, memory consolidation and emotional regulation.

The Sleep Health Foundation – Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation that provides evidence-based information on sleep health – recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep per night.

Some people are naturally short sleepers and can function well with less than seven hours.

However, for most of us, sleeping less than seven hours will have negative effects. These may be short term; for example, the day after a poor night’s sleep you might have less energy, worse mood, feel more stressed and find it harder to concentrate at work.

In the long term, not getting enough good quality sleep is a major risk factor for health problems. It’s linked to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease – such as heart attacks and stroke – metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes, poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety, cancer and death.

So, it’s clear that not getting enough sleep is bad for us. But what about too much sleep?

Could too much sleep be bad?

In a recent study, researchers reviewed the results of 79 other studies that followed people for at least one year and measured how sleep duration impacts the risk of poor health or dying to see if there was an overall trend.

They found people who slept for short durations – less than seven hours a night – had a 14% higher risk of dying in the study period, compared to those who slept between seven and eight hours. This is not surprising given the established health risks of poor sleep.

However, the researchers also found those who slept a lot – which they defined as more than nine hours a night – had a greater risk of dying: 34% higher than people who slept seven to eight hours.

This supports similar research from 2018, which combined results from 74 previous studies that followed the sleep and health of participants across time, ranging from one to 30 years. It found sleeping more than nine hours was associated with a 14% increased risk of dying in the study period.

Research has also shown sleeping too long (meaning more than required for your age) is linked to health problems such as depression, chronic pain, weight gain and metabolic disorders.

This may sound alarming. But it’s crucial to remember these studies have only found a link between sleeping too long and poor health – this doesn’t mean sleeping too long is the cause of health problems or death.

Read more:
If ‘correlation doesn’t imply causation’, how do scientists figure out why things happen?

So, what’s the link?

Multiple factors may influence the relationship between sleeping a lot and having poor health.

It’s common for people with chronic health problems to consistently sleep for long periods. Their bodies may need additional rest to support recovery, or they may spend more time in bed due to symptoms or medication side effects.

People with chronic health problems may also not be getting high quality sleep, and may stay in bed for longer to try and get some extra sleep.

Additionally, we know risk factors for poor health, such as smoking and being overweight, are also associated with poor sleep.

This means people may be sleeping more because of existing health problems or lifestyle behaviours, not that sleeping more is causing the poor health.

Put simply, sleeping may be a symptom of poor health, not the cause.

What’s the ideal amount?

The reasons some people sleep a little and others sleep a lot depend on individual differences – and we don’t yet fully understand these.

Our sleep needs can be related to age. Teenagers often want to sleep more and may physically need to, with sleep recommendations for teens being slightly higher than adults at eight to ten hours. Teens may also go to bed and wake up later.

Older adults may want to spend more time in bed. However, unless they have a sleep disorder, the amount they need to sleep will be the same as when they were younger.

But most adults will require seven to nine hours, so this is the healthy window to aim for.

It’s not just about how much sleep you get. Good quality sleep and a consistent bed time and wake time are just as important – if not more so – for your overall health.

The bottom line

Given many Australian adults are not receiving the recommended amount of sleep, we should focus on how to make sure we get enough sleep, rather than worrying we are getting too much.

To give yourself the best chance of a good night’s sleep, get sunlight and stay active during the day, and try to keep a regular sleep and wake time. In the hour before bed, avoid screens, do something relaxing, and make sure your sleep space is quiet, dark, and comfortable.

If you notice you are regularly sleeping much longer than usual, it could be your body’s way of telling you something else is going on. If you’re struggling with sleep or are concerned, speak with your GP. You can also explore the resources on the Sleep Health Foundation website.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Is sleeping a lot actually bad for your health? A sleep scientist explains – https://theconversation.com/is-sleeping-a-lot-actually-bad-for-your-health-a-sleep-scientist-explains-259991

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 25, 2025