Encrypted Militancy: China’s Technological Enablement Of Militancy In Kashmir – Analysis

 July 5, 2025  0 Comments

By Observer Research Foundation

Chinese encrypted tech and telecom systems are reshaping militancy in Kashmir—amplifying cross-border ops and eroding India’s surveillance edge.

By Soumya Awasthi

The evolving militancy in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has moved far beyond the contours of conventional insurgency. While weapons and ideology remain central, the current phase is characterised by an integrated, sophisticated digital battlefield interwoven with international support. At the heart of this transformation lies China’s silent but strategic footprint, discernible via its high-grade military exports to Pakistan, dual-use surveillance and communication technologies, and digital infrastructure that enables anonymity, coordination, and logistical support for militant operations. This subtle yet impactful participation is altering the very fabric of cross-border militancy and cyber-insecurity in the region.

Chinese Visibility in Kashmir’s Conflict Ecosystem

The China-Pakistan defence partnership has deepened considerably over the past decade.  According to the 2025 annual report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China accounted for 81 percent of Pakistan’s arms imports—approximately US$5.28 billion—between 2019 and 2023. These imports extend beyond traditional armaments to include dual-use technology, such as encrypted communication tools, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellite systems, and surveillance technologies. Much of this equipment has increasingly been recovered from encounters with militants in Kashmir.

For instance, during the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, militants were reportedly found using Huawei satellite phones and Chinese-manufactured Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. These, along with body cameras and ultra sets, suggest a marked shift from rudimentary tactics to coordinated, tech-assisted operations, such as handheld radios, Garmin GPS devices, Pakistani SIM-based burner phones, topographic maps, and Handycam video recorders. Chinese-origin equipment—including assault rifles and encrypted communication systems—has been recovered in multiple counter-terrorism operations in Kupwara, Handwara, and Bandipora.

Furthermore, an even more alarming facet of this trend is its intersection with the decaying control mechanisms within Pakistan’s military-intelligence apparatus. Despite the formal nature of Sino-Pak defence deals, the porous and often corrupt channels within Pakistan’s security agencies enable the subterfuge and leakage of sophisticated Chinese hardware to non-state actors. UAVs such as the Wing Loong II and CH-4A, which are reportedly part of Pakistan’s inventory, are believed to be used for reconnaissance, supply drops, and surveillance over the Line of Control (LoC), blurring the lines between state and proxy engagement.

Pakistani ISR Capabilities and Their Strategic Utility

Pakistan’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities have expanded substantially through Chinese assistance. Telecom towers operated by China Mobile Pakistan (Zong) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) umbrella provide digital coverage across the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), particularly in border districts adjacent to India. These installations—coupled with Chinese radar systems such as the JY and HGR series—provide real-time situational awareness to Pakistani agencies and their militant proxies. This digital scaffold enables coordinated infiltration and disrupts Indian surveillance dominance along the Line of Control (LoC).

Migration to Chinese Apps and Platforms

An equally significant component of Chinese involvement unfolds in the digital domain. Indian intelligence agencies have documented over 50 cases where terrorists used Chinese-origin platforms—such as WeChat, IMO, GPS Faker, and Location Changer—to communicate during or ahead of operations. Despite formal bans on these apps in India, militants exploit Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), spoofed Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, and Pakistani SIM cards to circumvent restrictions.

These digital tools are often pre-installed in training camps in PoK, with smartphones loaded with GPS spoofers and Android Application Package (APKs) via third-party app stores such as APKPure and Aptoide. These platforms operate outside Indian jurisdiction, making it virtually unfeasible to regulate access effectively. Moreover, many of these communications take place over China’s Tiantong-1 satellite network—managed by China Telecom—which offers uninterrupted service in remote terrains with limited mobile coverage.

Chinese-built telecom infrastructure in PoK further complicates the challenge. Telecom signals from Zong and Telenor routinely penetrate Indian territory in districts such as Kupwara, Rajouri, Poonch, and Uri, enabling cross-border communication that often evades Indian monitoring systems.

The Attribution Challenge and Legal Constraints

While Western apps are subject to compliance under international agreements, specifically the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), Chinese platforms remain immune/exempt due to digital ambiguity. This isolation enables them to function as safe havens for illicit communication. Additionally, Chinese cybersecurity regulations create a technological smokescreen that disables user attribution, allowing terrorists to operate in a digital sanctuary. For example, the real-name registration requirements are easily circumvented using fake IDs or VPNs, rendering user identities unverifiable. App providers must retain user data; however, access is limited to Chinese authorities, which restricts external investigations. Furthermore, strict data localisation laws and barriers to cross-border information sharing prevent Indian agencies from accessing critical metadata or communication logs. These structural barriers hamper India’s ability to trace and attribute digital activity linked to cross-border militancy, offering operational cover for state-enabled non-state actors.

Bridging the Digital Sovereignty Deficit

India struggles to counter digital terrorism because of its fragmented cyber laws, limited international cooperation frameworks, and China’s deliberate digital opacity. The absence of bilateral mechanisms or meaningful cooperation from China further impedes proactive surveillance.

Several significant gaps in India’s current legal and policy framework must be bridged, considering the evolving threat landscape. The present approach primarily targets specific platforms rather than addressing the broader problem of cross-border digital interoperability and device-level intrusions. In Kashmir, where foreign telecom infrastructure distorts sovereignty, this is a critical blind spot.

A recalibration of India’s strategic posture is essential. To counter Pakistan–China digital collusion—particularly in the context of Kashmir—the Government of India must adopt a holistic strategy that encompasses surveillance, policy reform, and international diplomacy.  First, surveillance must shift towards pattern recognition, metadata analytics, and behavioural tracking using Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning tools adapted to Indian regional and linguistic contexts. Second, the government must create a National Digital Forensics Council to unify efforts among intelligence agencies, private cybersecurity firms, and academia. Third, threat indicators, including not just blacklisted apps, must be shared across platforms using nodes facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Finally, India should leverage international collaborations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nationscountries, the European Union, and the Five Eyes alliance to pressure Chinese app intermediaries and hosting services, particularly in Southeast Asia, to enhance visibility and transparency. The promotion of digital sovereignty norms, regional data mirroring agreements, and legal reciprocity frameworks must be integrated into this effort. This approach would also align with India’s evolving data diplomacy—which utilises digital regulations and app bans as a strategic tool to counter foreign surveillance—a key concern underscored in debates on data sovereignty and economic security.

Conclusion

The Chinese telecom ecosystem’s entrenchment in Kashmir’s militancy is no longer a theoretical possibility—it is an operational reality. Through military-grade hardware, ISR augmentation, and digital anonymity, China has enabled Pakistan-backed proxies to enhance their effectiveness. If India is to preserve its digital sovereignty and national security, it must invest in legal reforms, technological countermeasures, and international coordination to confront this multilayered challenge.

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• About the author: Soumya Awasthi is a Fellow with the Centre for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Observer Research Foundation.
• Source: The article was published by Observer Research Foundation.

Observer Research Foundation

ORF was established on 5 September 1990 as a private, not for profit, ’think tank’ to influence public policy formulation. The Foundation brought together, for the first time, leading Indian economists and policymakers to present An Agenda for Economic Reforms in India. The idea was to help develop a consensus in favour of economic reforms.

NOT JUST CHINA

Where startups are born, global firms grow and capital flows - Asia in 2025

/ Wesley Pribadi - Unsplash

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By bno - Taipei Office July 4, 2025

Over the past decade, Asia has cemented its position not merely as the world’s manufacturing base, but as a vibrant hub for global corporations, high-growth startups, and dynamic capital flows. With a combination of favourable demographics, expanding consumer markets, and digital innovation, the continent has become an increasingly attractive destination for entrepreneurs, investors, and multinational firms alike.

From 2017 to 2023, private equity and venture capital assets under management (AUM) in Asia surged by an astonishing 130%, significantly outpacing growth in Western markets. This upswing has transformed the region into a breeding ground for innovative startups and unicorns, while simultaneously attracting the attention of global financial players.

As a result, the combination of local entrepreneurial talent and international capital has produced a powerful ecosystem that is reshaping the global business map.

Global corporations move East

The presence of global companies in Asia is no longer limited to manufacturing or back-office operations. Increasingly, multinational firms are locating strategic decision-making centres, R&D hubs, and innovation labs across Asian capitals. Tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have all expanded their operations in countries like India, Singapore, and South Korea, capitalising on access to skilled talent and growing digital markets.

At the same time, Asia is home to its own formidable cohort of global firms, many of which have established themselves as household names beyond their home markets. Corporations such as Samsung, Toyota, Alibaba, and Tata have demonstrated Asia’s capacity not just to follow, but to lead in sectors ranging from consumer electronics and automotive manufacturing to e-commerce and telecommunications.

What sets these Asian giants apart is their deep integration into both domestic and wider international markets. Their supply chains span continents, their customers cross cultural lines, and their innovation pipelines rival and often surpass those of their Western peers. This cross-border footprint has helped draw capital and talent into the region, further energising its startup environment.

Asia’s startup ecosystem

With this strong corporate infrastructure as a backdrop, Asia’s startup scene has exploded. Cities such as Bengaluru in India, Jakarta in Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Shenzhen in China have become synonymous with tech innovation and disruptive entrepreneurship. Because of this, Asia now accounts for a significant proportion of the world’s unicorns - privately held companies valued at over $1bn - and new ventures continue to emerge at a pace not seen elsewhere.

The rise of mobile internet, coupled with youthful populations and high urbanisation rates, has created ideal conditions for tech adoption and experimentation. Startups in Asia are not merely replicating Western models; many are innovating to meet the specific demands of their markets, such as super apps, QR-based payments, social commerce, and AI-driven language tools tailored to non-English speakers.

In India, startups like Byju’s (edtech), Zomato (foodtech), and Razorpay (fintech) have scaled nationally and internationally within a few years. In Indonesia, Gojek began as a ride-hailing platform and evolved into a multi-service ecosystem. China, meanwhile, has produced global leaders such as ByteDance and Shein - companies that have redefined global trends from content to fashion.

These success stories are underpinned by a powerful combination of homegrown talent and increasingly sophisticated funding mechanisms.

Surge in capital flows and investment

To this end, with private equity and venture capital AUM in Asia increasing so rapidly - 130% as mentioned previously - this surge is driving global investors to seek exposure to Asia’s high-growth markets and local investment ecosystems.

Traditionally dominated by Western investment houses, the region has seen a rapid rise in homegrown PE and VC firms. In China, Hillhouse Capital and Sequoia China have played pivotal roles in funding tech and healthcare ventures. India has seen the rise of funds such as Kalaari Capital and Blume Ventures, while Southeast Asia has attracted major international players including SoftBank’s Vision Fund and Tiger Global, alongside regional funds such as East Ventures and Insignia Ventures.

Much of this capital is not only directed at late-stage funding rounds but also at seed and Series A investments, supporting innovation from the ground up. Crucially, Asia’s funding landscape is no longer concentrated in just one or two cities. While Beijing, Shanghai, and Bengaluru remain dominant, the likes of Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, and Manila are also emerging as alternative innovation centres, reflecting the broader geographic diversification of investment opportunities.

This growth in funding has resulted in a significant improvement in startup quality, scalability, and global ambition. Startups are increasingly able to attract top talent, develop world-class products, and enter international markets with competitive offerings.

Outpacing the West

While Western economies, notably the United States and parts of Europe, still play a central role in global finance and innovation, Asia’s trajectory has been markedly steeper. The 130% increase in private equity and venture capital assets under management in Asia during the six-year period from 2017 to 2023 far outpaces the growth rate in the West, where maturing markets, regulatory complexity, and economic stagnation in certain sectors have slowed the pace of investment.

Moreover, Asian governments have been quick to capitalise on this momentum. Policy frameworks across Singapore, South Korea, and India have actively encouraged innovation through tax incentives, startup visas, and funding schemes. Regulatory sandboxes in fintech and healthtech have allowed entrepreneurs to pilot new solutions with minimal red tape - something still difficult in many Western jurisdictions.

The future is Asia

Asia, for all these reasons, has become far more than a manufacturing powerhouse or outsourcing destination. It is now a key driver of global business, defined by ambitious startups, deepening capital markets, and corporate giants with international influence.

As the continent continues to attract talent, investment, and innovation, it is poised to define the next chapter of global enterprise. With an increasingly confident entrepreneurial class and the capital to support it, the region is no longer catching up - it is setting the pace.

UAE aviation authority issues world's first hybrid operations regulations for flying taxis

Emirates to allow flying taxis as part of aviation overhaul. / bne IntelliNews

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By bne IntelliNews July 2, 2025

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has issued the world's first regulatory framework for hybrid operations, enabling electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) and traditional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure on July 2.

The innovative regulatory framework represents a qualitative leap in integrating advanced air mobility solutions within existing aviation systems. It provides a cost-effective model for infrastructure development, accelerates operational readiness, and aligns with UAE government directives for implementing highly efficient, non-bureaucratic solutions across sectors.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the General Civil Aviation Authority, said the UAE has always been at the forefront of aviation excellence, state media Wam reported.

The pioneering regulatory framework not only enables new technology but redefines how aviation evolves, translating the country's commitment to innovation in developing a supportive ecosystem for this vital sector's growth.

Al Suwaidi added that regulating hybrid operations results from close cooperation with international partners in the advanced air mobility sector and fully aligns with the UAE's national vision for sustainability, smart mobility and improved infrastructure utilisation.

He noted that by enabling dual use between traditional heliports and electric vertical aircraft landing pads, this measure accelerates implementation schedules, achieves optimal sector infrastructure deployment, and ensures the UAE's position as a leader in embracing an integrated system supporting aviation's future.

Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs, said the framework represents a strategic enabler not only for new transport modes but for a smarter, more flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with emerging technologies without compromising safety standards.

The Emirati ruling comes as regional rival Saudi Arabia also cleared the way for eVTOLs in its Neom developments along the Red Sea Coast.

Turkey lynching local humour mag LeMan over alleged prophet Mohammed cartoon

The magazine says that the man who says “Hello, I am Mohammed” is not the Prophet Mohammed but an ordinary man named Mohammed. / bne IntelliNews

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By bne IntelliNews July 4, 2025

Radical Islamist mobs attacked Istanbul-based satirical magazine LeMan’s office. Police beat its personnel while detaining them. All politicians led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan targeted the magazine.

MPs at the parliament sang a gospel. LeMan’s cafes were attacked. Turkish media and civil society organisations are still targeting the magazine…

A Mohammed, not the Prophet

It was all due to a cartoon, published on July 1, that allegedly depicts Islam’s prophet, Mohammed, together with the Jewish prophet Moses.

In the cartoon, two men that have wings fly over the ruins of buildings amid falling missiles and greet each other. It looks like the scene depicts Gaza.

Selam – Shalom

“Hello, I am Mohammed,” one man says.

“Hello, I am Moses,” the other one replies.

The Arabic greeting word “selam”, which is also used in Turkish, and the Jewish greeting word “shalom” depict their common ground in a carton that calls for peace.

“Would never take such a risk”

After a pogrom was launched targeting the magazine, its editor in chief said that they would never take such a risk if the cartoon was really depicting the Prophet Mohammed.

French cartoonists at Charlie Hebdo were not aware of the level of ‘sensitivity’ when it comes to depicting prophet Mohammed. However, LeMan is a Turkish magazine and they are aware of the outcomes.

Bipartisan lynch

The X account and website of the magazine were blocked. The magazines were pulled off the shelves. Interior minister shared videos of police officers beating and detaining four personnel of the magazine.

Ankara and Istanbul mayors, both members of main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), joined the lynching campaign with condemning the magazine.

Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is currently in jail. His participation in the government-led pogrom, to put it mildly, added comedy value in the events.

CHP chair Ozgur Ozel was the only politician in the country who defended the magazine.

Local author Tanil Bora has a book entitled “Turkiye’nin Linc Rejimi / Turkey’s Lynch Regime” that lists and discusses the Turkish state-led lync operations across history.

Outrage after Serbian president pardons men who broke student’s jaw

Outrage after Serbian president pardons men who broke student’s jaw. / X/ @MolitvaDuse

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By bne IntelliNews July 4, 2025

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has sparked national outrage by pardoning four men accused of assaulting a student protester in Novi Sad earlier this year – one of whom broke her jaw.

The controversial decision has ignited fresh momentum among student protesters, who have taken to the streets for six consecutive days. Road blockades and demonstrations have continued since July 29, despite sweltering heat and a heavy-handed response from police. 

Students, faculty and opposition leaders have condemned the pardon, arguing it legitimises violence against peaceful demonstrators. The Academic Plenum said in a statement: "By pardoning four thugs who broke the jaw of a female student, Vucic is sending a clear message to his supporters and criminals that violence against students is acceptable."

The protests, which began more than eight months ago in response to a deadly infrastructure collapse in Novi Sad, have entered a new and unpredictable phase.

A recent rally on Slavija Square drew an estimated 140,000 participants and ended in violent clashes with the police – the first time this year that protests seemed to spiral out of control. 

Students have responded by organising daily campaigns of civil disobedience, blocking streets and roundabouts in Belgrade and other towns and cities. The police have responded with force. 

Tensions escalated on July 2 when members of the Gendarmerie entered the University of Belgrade’s Law Faculty, reportedly injuring several students. One student sustained a broken collarbone.

In Belgrade, traffic ground to a halt on the morning of July 4 due to large-scale blockades. At least 18 people were detained, including minors and university staff. Demonstrations were also reported in Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac, with students joined by professors, parents and other citizens.

Despite temperatures reaching 40°C, demonstrators are still on the streets. Organisers have urged protesters to bring sunscreen, water and ven water guns to stay cool. Music, dancing and playful tactics have added a lighter tone, prompting some critics to describe the events as street parties.

Still, the demands remain serious: an end to police violence, release of detained students and early elections.

Opposition politicians are also ramping up pressure. Democratic Party leader Srdjan Milivojevic announced he would submit the names of police officers accused of excessive force to the EU, requesting travel bans.

"They won’t be able to travel to Europe – and when the regime falls, they won’t be able to escape," Milivojevic said.

Can The Large Hadron Collider Snap String Theory?

Event display in the signal region from data taken in 2018. The pixel tracklet candidate with pT = 1.2 TeV is shown by the red solid line and other inner detector tracks by the thin orange lines. Jets are shown by the transparent yellow, blue, and red cones. The missing transverse momentum is shown by the white dotted line. The green and yellow bars indicate energy deposits in the liquid argon and scintillating tile calorimeters respectively. The event is common to both the electroweak and strong production signal regions. Event and run numbers are shown in the bottom left corner. CREDIT: ATLAS Collaboration CERN

July 4, 2025 

By Eurasia Review

In physics, there are two great pillars of thought that don’t quite fit together. The Standard Model of particle physics describes all known fundamental particles and three forces: electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force, and the weak nuclear force. Meanwhile, Einstein’s general relativity describes gravity and the fabric of spacetime.

However, these frameworks are fundamentally incompatible in many ways, says Jonathan Heckman, a theoretical physicist at the University of Pennsylvania. The Standard Model treats forces as dynamic fields of particles, while general relativity treats gravity as the smooth geometry of spacetime, so gravity “doesn’t fit into physics’ Standard Model,” he explains.

In a recent paper, Heckman; Rebecca Hicks, a Ph.D. student at Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences; and their collaborators turn that critique on its head. Instead of asking what string theory predicts, the authors ask what it definitively cannot create. Their answer points to a single exotic particle that could show up at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). If that particle appears, the entire string-theory edifice would be, in Heckman’s words, “in enormous trouble.”

String theory: the good, the bad, the energy-hungry

For decades, physicists have sought a unified theory that can reconcile quantum mechanics,and, by extension, the behavior of subatomic particles, with gravity—which is described as a dynamic force in general relativity but is not fully understood within quantum contexts, Heckman says.

A good contender for marrying gravity and quantum phenomena is string theory, which posits that all particles, including a hypothetical one representing gravity, are tiny vibrating strings and which promises a single framework encompassing all forces and matter.

“But one of the drawbacks of string theory is that it operates in high-dimensional math and a vast ‘landscape’ of possible universes, making it fiendishly difficult to test experimentally,” Heckman says, pointing to how string theory necessitates more than the familiar four dimensions— x, y, z, and time—to be mathematically consistent.

“Most versions of string theory require a total of 10 or 11 spacetime dimensions, with the extra dimensions being sort of ‘curled up’ or folding in on one another to extremely small scales,” Hicks says.

To make matters even trickier, string theory’s distinctive behaviors only clearly reveal themselves at enormous energies, “those far beyond what we typically encounter or even generate in current colliders,” Heckman says.

Hicks likens it to zooming in on a distant object: at everyday, lower energies, strings look like regular point-like particles, just as a faraway rope might appear to be a single line. “But when you crank the energy way up, you start seeing the interactions as they truly are—strings vibrating and colliding,” she explains. “At lower energies, the details get lost, and we just see the familiar particles again. It’s like how from far away, you can’t make out the individual fibers in the rope. You just see a single, smooth line.”

That’s why physicists hunting for signatures of string theory must push their colliders—like the LHC—to ever-higher energies, hoping to catch glimpses of fundamental strings rather than just their lower-energy disguises as ordinary particles.

Why serve string theory a particle it likely won’t be able to return?

Testing a theory often means searching for predictions that confirm its validity. But a more powerful test, Heckman says, is finding exactly where a theory fails. If scientists discover that something a theory forbids actually exists, the theory is fundamentally incomplete or flawed.

Because string theory’s predictions are vast and varied, the researchers instead asked if there’s a simple particle scenario that string theory just can’t accommodate.

They zeroed in on how string theory deals with particle “families,” groups of related particles bound together by the rules of the weak nuclear force, responsible for radioactive decay. Typically, particle families are small packages, like the electron and its neutrino sibling, that form a tidy two-member package called a doublet. String theory handles these modest particle families fairly well, without issue.

However, Heckman and Hicks identified a family that is conspicuously absent from any known string-based calculation: a five-member particle package, or a 5-plet. Heckman likens this to trying to order a Whopper meal from McDonald’s, “no matter how creatively you search the menu, it never materializes.”

“We scoured every toolbox we have, and this five-member package just never shows up,” Heckman says.
But what exactly is this elusive 5-plet?

Hicks explains it as an expanded version of the doublet, “the 5-plet is its supersized cousin, packing five related particles together.”

Physicists encapsulate this particle family in a concise mathematical formula known as the Lagrangian, essentially the particle-physics cookbook. The particle itself is called a Majorana fermion, meaning it acts as its own antiparticle, akin to a coin that has heads on both sides.

Identifying such a particle would directly contradict what current string theory models predict is possible, making the detection of this specific particle family at the LHC a high-stakes test, one that could potentially snap string theory.  

Why a 5-plet hasn’t been spotted and the vanishing-Track clue

Hicks cites two major hurdles for spotting these 5-plet structures: “production and subtlety.”
In a collider, energy can literally turn into mass; Einstein’s E = mc² says that enough kinetic oomph (E) can be converted into the heft (m) of brand-new particles, so the heavier the quarry the rarer the creation event.

“The LHC has to slam protons together hard enough to conjure these hefty particles out of pure energy,” Hicks explains, citing Einstein’s E = mc², which directly links energy (E) to mass (m). “As the masses of these particles climb toward a trillion electron volts, the chance of creating them drops dramatically.”

Even if produced, detection is challenging. The charged particles in the 5-plet decay very quickly into nearly invisible products. “The heavier states decay into a soft pion and an invisible neutral particle, zero  (X0),” Hicks says. “The pion is so low-energy it’s basically invisible, and X0 passes straight through. The result is a track that vanishes mid-detector, like footprints in snow suddenly stopping.”

Those signature tracks get picked up by LHC’s ATLAS (short for A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS) and CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid), house-sized “digital cameras” wrapped around the collision center. They sit at opposite collision points and operate independently, giving the physics community two sets of eyes on every big discovery. Penn physicists like Hicks are part of the ATLAS Collaboration, helping perform the searches that look for quirky signals like disappearing tracks.

Why a 5-plet matters for dark matter

Hicks says finding the 5-plet isn’t only important for testing string theory, pointing to another exciting possibility: “The neutral member of the 5-plet could explain dark matter, the mysterious mass shaping up most of our universe’s matter.

Dark matter constitutes roughly 85 percent of all matter in the universe, yet scientists still don’t know what exactly it is.
“If the 5-plet weighs around 10 TeV—about 10,000 proton masses—it neatly fits theories about dark matter’s formation after the Big Bang,” Hicks says. “Even lighter 5-plets could still play a role as part of a broader dark matter landscape.”

“If we detect a 5-plet, it’s a double win,” says Hicks. “We’d have disproven key predictions of string theory and simultaneously uncovered new clues about dark matter.”

What the LHC has already ruled out

Using existing ATLAS data from collider runs, the team searched specifically for 5-plet signals.“We reinterpreted searches originally designed for ‘charginos’—hypothetical charged particles predicted by supersymmetry—and looked for 5-plet signatures,” Hicks says of the team’s search through the repurposed ATLAS disappearing-track data. “We found no evidence yet, which means any 5-plet particle must weigh at least 650–700 GeV, five times heavier than the Higgs boson.”

For context, Heckman says, “this early result is already a strong statement; it means lighter 5-plets don’t exist. But heavier ones are still very much on the table.”

Future searches with upgraded LHC experiments promise even sharper tests. “We’re not rooting for string theory to fail,” Hicks says. “We’re stress-testing it, applying more pressure to see if it holds up.”
 

“If string theory survives, fantastic,” Heckman says. “If it snaps, we’ll learn something profound about nature.”

 

Antarctic cold wave triggers energy crisis across South America

The contrast between Latin America's arctic conditions and scorching temperatures in Europe underscores the global nature of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns fuelled by climate change.

By bnl editorial staff July 4, 2025

South America is grappling with an unprecedented energy crisis as record-breaking cold temperatures have forced governments to ration gas supplies and activate emergency protocols across Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

The extreme weather event, driven by an Antarctic air mass that has swept across the continent, has claimed at least 15 lives and exposed the vulnerability of regional infrastructure to climate extremes.

Argentina's energy grid buckled under exceptional demand, with authorities suspending gas supplies to industries and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations on July 2 to preserve household heating. The government subsequently lifted price controls on gas cylinders as the crisis deepened, then moved to fully deregulate the liquefied petroleum gas market through Decree 446/2025 on July 3.

Buenos Aires recorded its coldest temperature since 1991 at -1.9°C, whilst areas on the capital's outskirts plummeted to -7.4°C in El Palomar - the second-coldest reading since 1935. The unusual demand for electricity caused widespread power cuts, leaving thousands without electricity for over 24 hours. According to Ambito, gas cylinder sales have surged 30% compared to last winter, whilst CNG stations across the country have run out of fuel, creating problems for vehicles powered by compressed natural gas.

The human cost has been particularly stark amongst vulnerable populations. Project 7, an NGO assisting homeless individuals, reported nine deaths from exposure in Argentina alone, including a 67-year-old man found dead at a garage entrance in Mar del Plata where neighbours had regularly provided assistance, DW reported.

Additional fatalities occurred in Paraná, where a man was discovered dead on a park bench, and in Catamarca, where a baby was found in a rubbish dump, presumably deceased from hypothermia.

Uruguay declared a nationwide "red alert" following six deaths, granting President Yamandu Orsi's government powers to forcibly relocate homeless individuals to shelters. Montevideo registered its lowest maximum temperature since 1967 at 5.8°C on June 30.

"July 2 was Uruguay's coldest day in the last 20 years," meteorologist Nubel Cisneros told El Observador. "Temperatures were around -7 and -8°C in the northern part of the country."

The meteorological phenomenon has created unusual scenes across the region. Snow fell in Mar del Plata for the first time in 34 years, whilst parts of the Atacama Desert - the world's driest region - experienced snowfall for the first time in over a decade.

Transportation and schooling were disrupted in cities unaccustomed to such conditions, with schools and public buildings remaining closed to conserve energy supplies. In Argentina's Mar del Plata, classes and municipal activities were suspended due to gas shortages, whilst the unusual cold snap has affected the distribution of natural gas used primarily for heating.

The World Meteorological Organisation reported that temperatures dropped dramatically across lower South America, reaching -15° Celsius in some places. On June 30, both Chile and Argentina ranked among the coldest locations on Earth outside polar regions.

The governments of both countries issued early warnings and cold alerts in response to what the WMO described as a "polar-derived anticyclone" driving the extreme conditions.

Air quality deteriorated significantly in Chilean cities including Santiago, Rancagua and Talca, where stagnant cold air caused the accumulation of pollutants and deteriorated air quality. Chile activated homeless shelter protocols as temperatures in Chillan dropped to -9.3°C.

Meanwhile, agricultural sectors face mounting concerns as farmers in central Chile and northern Patagonia report crop damage from early frosts, threatening fruit crops and winter harvests. The economic implications extend beyond immediate energy costs to potential food supply disruptions.

"What happened this week in Chile and the Southern Cone in general is a cold wave caused by an escape of a polar air mass from Antarctica," climatologist Raul Cordero from the University of Santiago told AFP.

The extreme cold has raised questions about climate change's role in such weather events. "It is not so common for these cold air masses to extend so far north, so we cannot rule out that this is also caused by climate change," meteorologist Arnaldo Zuniga told AFP.

A respite is expected in the coming days as temperatures slowly warm up. But the dramatic swing has caught residents off guard, causing nationwide disruptions across services and industries.

The temperature volatility reflects broader climate patterns that have seen extreme weather become increasingly common. Climatologists argue that heatwaves have become more frequent than cold spells in recent years.

The contrast between South America's arctic conditions and scorching temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, underscores the global nature of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, which climate experts widely attribute to human-induced climate change.

Record cold grips Argentina, Chile and Uruguay

“It is not so common for these cold air masses to extend so far north, so we cannot rule out that this is also caused by climate change”

By AFP
July 4, 2025


The three South American countries have all recorded sharply below-zero temperatures as the polar air originated from Antarctica and swept across the region 

- Copyright AFP SEBASTIAN LOSADA

A polar air mass has brought record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay, causing at least 15 deaths and forcing governments to restrict gas supplies and activate emergency shelters.

The three South American countries have all recorded sharply below-zero temperatures as the polar air originated from Antarctica and swept across the region.

In Argentina, at least nine homeless people have died from the cold this winter, according to NGO Proyecto 7.

The capital Buenos Aires recorded its lowest temperature since 1991 at -1.9 degrees Celcius (28.6 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, while the coastal city of Miramar saw snow for the first time in 34 years. Further south, the town of Maquinchao recorded -18C on Tuesday.

Electricity demand caused cuts across Buenos Aires, leaving thousands without power for over 24 hours in some areas.

The government suspended gas supplies to industries and petrol stations Wednesday to ensure household supplies, and removed price controls on gas cylinders Thursday.

– Desert snow –

Uruguay declared a nationwide “red alert” after six people died, allowing President Yamandu Orsi’s government to forcibly move homeless people to shelters.

Montevideo recorded its lowest maximum temperature since 1967 at 5.8C on June 30, according to meteorologist Mario Bidegain.

Chile also activated homeless shelter plans during the coldest days. The city of Chillan, 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Santiago, hit -9.3C, according to the Chilean Meteorological Directorate.

“What happened this week in Chile and the Southern Cone in general is a cold wave caused by an escape of a polar air mass from Antarctica,” climatologist Raul Cordero from the University of Santiago told AFP.

Snow even fell in parts of the Atacama Desert, the world’s driest, for the first time in a decade.

“It is not so common for these cold air masses to extend so far north, so we cannot rule out that this is also caused by climate change,” meteorologist Arnaldo Zuniga told AFP.

The region expects relief in the coming days, with Buenos Aires reaching 12C on Thursday, Montevideo 14C and Santiago 24.7C.

“I was quite surprised by the change from cold to hot — the change was very drastic,” student Dafne Naranjo, 18, said in Santiago.

Climatologist Cordero said heatwaves have become more frequent than cold spells in recent years.

“The frequency of heatwaves has tripled, whether in summer or winter, not only in the Southern Cone but throughout the world,” he said.

 

Water levels drop in Europe’s main rivers as heatwave hits cargo traffic

Both the Vistula in Poland and the Danube in Hungary – two of Europe's biggest rivers – have seen their water levels fall to record-low levels, rendering them unnavigable as the heatwave continues to hit economies. / bne IntelliNews

By bne IntelliNews July 4, 2025

Both the Vistula in Poland and the Danube in Hungary, two of Europe’s biggest rivers, have reached record-low water levels as Europe’s unprecedented heatwave intensifies and starts to cause major economic damage.

The low water levels in the two rivers have disrupted transport, agriculture and ecosystems across central Europe, national weather agencies said on July 4, reports Reuters.

In Warsaw, the Vistula fell to just 18 centimetres at one monitoring station, breaking the previous record by two centimetres, according to the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), reports AFP. The agency forecasts levels could drop further to as low as 12 cm – around 200 cm below the seasonal average.

“There has not been such a severe hydrological drought in Poland at this time of the year since measurements began,” said Grzegorz Walijewski, a hydrologist at IMGW, speaking to AFP. He attributed the conditions to climate change, noting that higher temperatures and fewer rainfall days were accelerating water depletion across the region.

The extreme conditions are not limited to Poland. In Hungary, the Danube – Europe’s second-longest river – is experiencing a similar radical fall in water levels, usually only seen in late summer, affecting inland shipping and regional supply chains.

“Cargo ships must leave behind more than half of their cargo and can only operate at 30-40% capacity,” said Attila Bencsik, deputy president of the Hungarian Shipping Association. Shipping rates may increase by as much as 100% due to surcharges applied when vessels are unable to sail fully loaded, he added.

The disruption comes as much of Europe endures an unusually early and severe heatwave. Temperatures reached 35°C in Budapest and 36°C in Warsaw this week, with at least eight heat-related fatalities reported across the continent. In Germany, the Rhine is also flowing at well below average levels.

The Hungarian meteorological agency HungaroMet reported that June rainfall was only 17% of the long-term average, making it the driest June since records began in 1901.

Attila Szegi of the Hungarian General Directorate of Water Management said rain was forecast next week in the Danube catchment area, which could slightly raise water levels and improve navigability.

Walijewski warned of far-reaching consequences: “The drought affects every branch of the economy.” Agricultural yields are already under pressure, which could push food prices higher across the region.

The annual disaster season is now well underway, driven by the accelerating Climate Crisis. However, in the previous two years the problems have been largely limited to storms and wildfires. This year has reached a new level after the Iberian Peninsula blackout in April, when power stations across the region were shut down by extreme temperatures. Likewise, this week France was forced to shut down two nuclear reactors after the water in the rivers became too hot to be used to cool the reactors. And on July 4, half of Czechia suffered a blackout for as yet undetermined reasons.