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Category: Asia

  • MIL-Evening Report: Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul O’Hare, Lecturer in Human Geography and Urban Development, Manchester Metropolitan University

    John_T/Shutterstock

    Climate breakdown poses immense threats to global economies, societies and ecosystems. Adapting to these impacts is urgent. But many cities and countries remain chronically unprepared in what the UN calls an “adaptation gap”.

    Building climate resilience is notoriously difficult. Economic barriers limit investment in infrastructure and technology. Social inequities undermine the capacity of vulnerable populations to adapt. And inconsistent policies impede coordinated efforts across sectors and at scale.

    My research looks at how cities can better cope with climate change. I have identified five ways to catalyse more effective – and ultimately more progressive – climate adaptation and resilience.

    1. Don’t just ‘bounce back’ after a crisis

    When wildfires, storms or floods hit, all too often governments prioritise rebuilding as rapidly as possible.

    Though understandable, resilience doesn’t just entail coping with the effects of climate change. Instead of “bouncing back” to a pre-shock status, those in charge of responding need to encourage “bouncing forward”, creating places that are at less risk in the first place.

    After the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011, the New Zealand authorities “built back better”, improving building codes and regulations and relocating vulnerable communities. Critics suggested reconstruction provided too much uncertainty and failed to acknowledge private property rights. But the rebuild did encourage better integration of planning policies and land use practices.



    Read more:
    ‘Build back better’ sounds great in theory, but does the government really know what it means in practice?

    Swales and sustainable urban drainage in Gorton climate resilient park, Manchester, UK.
    Paul O’Hare, CC BY-NC-ND

    2. Informed by risk

    It can be difficult to predict what the consequences of a crisis might be. Cities are complex, interconnected places. Transboundary risks – the consequences that ripple across a place – must be taken into account.

    The best climate adaptation plans recognise that vulnerability varies across places, contexts and over time. The most effective are holistic: tailored to specific locations and every aspect of society.

    Assessments must also consider both climatic and non-climatic features of risk. In 2015, in the UK, a flood affected one of Lancaster’s electrical substations, causing a city-wide power failure that took several days to rectify. In this instance, as with so many others, people had to deal not just with the direct impacts of flooding, but the ‘cascading’ or knock-on impacts of infrastructure damage.



    Read more:
    Giving rivers room to move: how rethinking flood management can benefit people and nature

    Many existing assessments have limited scope. But others do acknowledge how ageing infrastructures and pressures to develop land to accommodate ever intensifying urban populations exacerbate urban flood risk. Others too, such as the recently published Cambridge climate risk plan, detail how climate risk intersects with the range of services provided by local government.

    Systems thinking – an approach to problem-solving that views problems as part of wider, interconnected systems – can be applied to identify interdependencies with other drivers of change.

    Good risk assessments will, for example, take note of demographics, age profiles and the socio-economic circumstances of neighbourhoods, enabling targeted support for particularly vulnerable communities. This can help ensure communities and systems adapt to evolving challenges as climate change intensifies, and as society evolves over time.

    Complex though this might be, city leaders can access advice about improving risk assessments, including from the C40 network, a global coalition of 100 mayors committed to addressing climate change.

    3. Transformative action

    There is no such thing as a natural disaster. The effects of disasters including floods and earthquakes are influenced by pre-existing, often chronic, social and economic conditions such as poverty or poor housing.

    Progressive climate resilience looks beyond the immediacy of shocks, attending to the underlying root causes of vulnerability and inequality. This ensures that society is not only better prepared to withstand adverse events in the future, but thrives in the face of uncertainty.

    Progressive climate resilience therefore demands tailored responses depending on the population and place. In Bangladesh, for instance, communities are building floating gardens to grow crops during floods. These enhance food security and provide a sustainable livelihood option in flood-prone areas.

    Floating vegetable gardens in Bangladesh.
    Mostafijur Rahman Nasim/Shutterstock



    Read more:
    Climate change isn’t fair but Tony Juniper’s new book explains how a green transition could be ‘just’

    4. Collective approaches

    Effective climate resilience demands collective action. Sometimes referred to as a “whole of society” response, this entails collaboration and shared responsibility to address the multifaceted challenges posed by a changing climate.

    The most effective initiatives avoid self-protection, of people, buildings and cities alike, and consider both broader and longer-term risks. For instance, developments not at significant risk should still incorporate adaptation measures including rainwater harvesting or enhanced greening to lower a city’s climate risk profile and benefit local communities, neighbouring authorities and surrounding regions.

    So, progressive resilience is connected, comprehensive and inclusive. Solidarity is key, leveraging resources to address common challenges and fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support.

    Solar panels on the surface of a reservoir not only provide a source of renewable energy but also provide shade and therefore help conserve water.
    Tom Wang/Shutterstock

    5. Exploiting co-benefits

    The most effective resilience projects exploit co-benefits – what the UN calls “multiple resilience dividends” – to leverage additional benefits across sectors and policies, reducing vulnerability to shocks while addressing other social and environmental challenges.

    In northern Europe, for example, moorlands can be restored to retain water helping alleviate downstream flooding, but also to capture carbon and provide vital habitats for biodiversity.

    In south-East Asia solar panels installed on reservoirs generate renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing shade to reduce evaporation and conserve water resources during droughts.

    In short, adaptation is obviously crucial for tackling climate change across the globe. But the real challenge is to deal with the impacts of climate change while simultaneously creating communities that are fairer, healthier, and better equipped to face any manner of future risks.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Paul O’Hare receives funding from the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Award reference NE/V010174/1.

    – ref. Five ways to make cities more resilient to climate change – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-make-cities-more-resilient-to-climate-change-252853

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Investing in American leadership in quantum technology: the next frontier in innovation

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Investing in American leadership in quantum technology: the next frontier in innovation

    Artificial intelligence has captured the public imagination—and with good reason. It’s transforming how we work, create, learn, and navigate the world. But as AI carries the headlines, we also are on the cusp of another technological frontier: quantum computing. Long the domain of theory, quantum technologies are edging closer to reality, with profound implications for the world and American national competitiveness and security. As basic research and private sector advancements accelerate, a new global race is picking up steam. Now is the time for the United States and its allies to double down and invest in their strengths to claim the quantum frontier.

    Quantum technologies harness the mysterious and powerful behaviors of particles at the atomic level, offering unprecedented capabilities in computing, communication, and sensing. A single quantum computer at scale could offer more computing power than collectively exists in all of today’s computers. And like AI, quantum computing not only has the potential to transform entire sectors of our economy, but tackle previous insurmountable problems, opening pathways in science, medicine, and technology. The possibilities for chemistry, drug discovery, materials, energy, and agriculture provide promise in solving some of the defining challenges of our time.

    Microsoft’s recent quantum breakthrough adds to the breadth and pace of quantum science innovation. The development of our Majorana quantum chip leverages the unique properties of so-called “Majorana quasiparticles,” creating qubits that are more stable and less prone to decoherence. This approach promises to overcome one of the biggest challenges in quantum computing, enabling the construction of scalable and more efficient quantum systems. We believe it’s the type of advancement that can help accelerate the timeline for practical quantum applications.

    Countries around the world understand the criticality of quantum technology to their own economic competitiveness and security. During his confirmation hearing earlier this year, Michael Kratsios, the White House Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), rightfully emphasized that the shape of the global order “will be defined by whomever leads across AI, quantum, nuclear, and other critical and emerging technologies.” It is no surprise that over the past decade, governments around the world have poured resources into the fiercely competitive global quantum race. China, in particular, seeks to challenge American leadership in quantum through significant investments in infrastructure, research, and workforce skilling.

    The Trump administration’s long-standing leadership in quantum science

    Since the earliest days of quantum sciences, the United States has led the research and development of this technology. While most believe that the United States still holds the lead position, we cannot afford to rule out the possibility of a strategic surprise or that China may already be at parity with the United States. Simply put, the United States cannot afford to fall behind, or worse, lose the race entirely.

    The Trump administration understands well the national imperative and the risks of falling behind. During his first term, President Trump set the foundation for sustained leadership in the quantum sciences. This included the passage of the National Quantum Initiative Act in December 2018 (currently up for reauthorization), which accelerated quantum research and development. The Trump administration inaugurated the National Quantum Coordination Office (NQCO) within the OSTP. This office was empowered to oversee interagency coordination, serve as a central point of contact for federal quantum activities, and promote public outreach and early application of quantum technologies. These initiatives underscored the administration’s commitment to maintaining the American leadership and fostering quantum innovation.

    Last month, President Trump emphasized that actions during his first term “established the foundation for national quantum supremacy” and tasked newly confirmed Director Kratsios to “blaze a trail to the next frontiers of science.” Meeting the moment demands another round of decisive action—one that must be rooted in the very principles that gave rise to the past century of American primacy in the sciences.

    Harnessing America’s heritage of scientific innovation

    For the last 80 years, the United States has led the world with its scientific and technological prowess, resulting in transformative products and capabilities. This federally funded science and technology ecosystem is essentially America’s golden goose. It generates immense wealth and benefits for society by supporting scientific progress that in turn drives economic growth, extends life expectancy, and boosts national power. In many respects, it is the envy of the world.

    The United States has not always prioritized federal funding in scientific research. In fact, before World War II, the United States played a minor role in supporting research at U.S. colleges and universities. Instead, research institutions relied on philanthropic endowments or funding from private companies, often with vested interests. “Curiosity-driven” science, a cornerstone of discovery and innovation, was stymied in the process.

    This limitation changed dramatically after World War II when the federal government recognized the strategic importance of scientific research. In November 1944, thinking ahead to the end of the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote to Director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, Vannevar Bush, asking how the successful application of scientific knowledge to wartime problems could be carried over into peacetime—and requesting recommendations on a national policy for science. This initiative led to the creation of many of the research institutions and funding mechanisms that have driven American innovation for decades.

    For 80 years, American innovation has been driven by two critical ingredients. The first is basic research. This is based on curiosity rather than a profit motive, supported by federal funding, and pursued mostly by scientists at our universities and national labs. The second is private sector investment in product development by companies of all sizes. The United States, more than any other country, has mastered the process of bringing these together.

    This combination has led to spectacular discoveries with profound implications for our health, safety, and quality of life. Innovative cancer treatments, the laser, MRI, touchscreens, GPS, the internet, and even artificial intelligence are just a few of the successes from federal investment in research. These innovations have not only advanced science and improved lives but have also created entirely new industries and millions of jobs.

    The United States will need this extraordinary combination of resources more than ever to sustain its quantum leadership, especially as China invests more in its own quantum work.

    China’s focus on gaining quantum supremacy

    Since at least 2000, China has made quantum technology a cornerstone of its national technological strategy and has invested heavily to assert dominance in the quantum sciences. Over this time, China’s public spending on overarching R&D has grown 16-fold, placing it second in the world behind the United States for total spending. It surpassed Japan in 2009 and the combined R&D expenditures of the European Union countries over a dozen years ago, in 2013.

    The scale and focus of China’s efforts continue to accelerate. Last year alone, China announced a 10 percent increase in R&D with public reports indicating that China has increased government spending in quantum research to approximately $15 billion. This represents more than double what the European Union has pledged in quantum spending and eight times what the U.S. government previously planned to allocate. And earlier this year, China launched a government-backed venture fund worth 1 trillion yuan (approximately $138 billion) to support high-risk, long-term projects across various sectors, including quantum computing.

    In addition to state-directed quantum R&D funding, China has prioritized quantum infrastructure and domestic capabilities. The creation of the National Laboratory for Quantum Information Sciences, backed by over $1 billion, alongside a separate $10 billion investment in key projects such as the Micius satellite[1], and the Beijing–Shanghai backbone, underscores China’s ambition to dominate quantum technology—with the Chinese government hoping this institutional infrastructure will provide it with a significant advantage in developing and deploying quantum technologies at scale.[2] Moreover, during the last five years, China has methodically nationalized quantum efforts to pursue strategic, government-coordinated efforts that transition scientific breakthroughs into practical applications.[3]

    The importance of the federal research triad

    Given these coordinated efforts in China, sustained American quantum leadership will require continuing support across the federal government. Coordinated in substantial part by OSTP, American strength rests in substantial part on three federal agencies that collectively serve as the driving force of this leadership. The Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Science Foundation (NSF) possess the legislative authority and institutional capability to advance quantum technology research and development under existing Congressional mandates. This “research triad” provides a resilient science and technology research infrastructure as a bulwark against threats to our technological superiority. Indeed, perhaps more than any military capability, this American research triad is largely responsible for the preeminence of the United States’ global leadership over the past century.

    Each prong of this triad uniquely and collectively contributes to ensuring American technological superiority.

    For example, DOD, through the military labs and defense industrial base, provides a strong and reliable foundation for military readiness and battlefield dominance. There are several notable examples of research efforts funded by DOD for military applications that eventually found enormous civilian uses—the internet, GPS, and voice recognition are among countless other breakthrough technologies.

    DOE, through the network of national laboratories and university partnerships, provides a vital link to state and local communities across a range of national security priorities, such as maintenance of our strategic weapons (e.g., our nuclear weapons arsenal), energy security and innovation, and high-performance computing.

    And the NSF is perhaps the most robust frontline agency that supports workforce development goals in addition to promoting hugely important translational research through federal grants. Specifically, the NSF provides critical incentives for U.S. students to enter STEM fields from early education through post-graduate schooling by way of subsidizing their apprenticeships in research laboratories in colleges and institutions so they can learn from leading scientists and engineers who otherwise would not have the funds or resources to take on students.

    Three strategic actions to ensure American quantum leadership

    Winning the quantum race will require us to deploy and reinvest in our greatest American strengths: our intellect, our curiosity, and our drive to innovate and build. All these qualities are carried forward by the three great and enduring federal agencies that comprise our research triad. We will need to activate all three to succeed in the race to develop next-generation quantum technologies. More specifically, to win this race, we must deploy our research triad in three key areas: driving innovation through robust government-funded quantum research and innovation; developing quantum talent and a skilled quantum workforce; and directing efforts to secure the quantum supply chain.

    These strategic actions—described more fully below—will require DOD, DOE, and the NSF to work together to ensure our competitive edge in the face of intense global competition.

    1. Increase funding for quantum research and development

    To ensure leadership in quantum research, the U.S. government should consider prioritizing federal funding in quantum technologies through a directed approach. A survey by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a Washington-based think tank, suggested that China’s centralized funding approach might offer comparative advantages over the fragmented approach in the United States, where competing priorities can hinder systemic progress.

    To start with, the United States cannot win the quantum race without significant and sustained federally funded quantum research. While federal funding in quantum sciences more than doubled between 2019 and 2022 (from $456M in FY 2019 to $1,041M in FY2022), this funding started to decline during the last three years of the Biden Administration (from $1,041M in FY2022 to $998M in President Biden’s requested budget authority for FY25).[4] This means that the United States is not keeping pace—either with itself or with our global competitors.

    The first and most important step this Administration must take is fully funding research and grant programs in the basic and fundamental sciences across DOD, DOE national labs, and the NSF. As noted above, this research triad has been largely responsible for the sustained period of American technological leadership. We cannot make strides in the quantum race without reinvesting and building on these critical capabilities.

    Specific to the quantum sciences, Congress can begin by reauthorizing the National Quantum Initiative Act and this administration should work to ensure that all its programs are fully funded. This must include the Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes funded through the NSF, as well as the important work being led by the DOE’s National Quantum Initiative Centers. These initiatives were established through the National Quantum Initiative Act and are already demonstrating results, with each dollar of federal funding typically leveraging additional private sector investment. Expanding these proven programs would spur innovation in every region of the country while advancing American leadership in critical technologies of strategic importance.

    But even as we expand federal funding for the basic sciences and quantum research, the administration must simultaneously increase funding for government evaluation and validation programs that are focused on identifying scientific breakthroughs and supporting their continued development. DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) is the nation’s flagship program and must be expanded as public and private sector investments in quantum technology begin to bear fruit and achieve tangible results.

    2. Promote workforce and talent development

    Winning the quantum race requires the world’s best talent. While the United States and its institutions—both public and private—have thus far been able to leverage unique, highly skilled technical talent, the state of the domestic talent pipeline is alarming and requires immediate action. At a topline level, the U.S. science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce is comprised of 36.8 million people of which foreign-born individuals make up 43 percent of doctorate-level scientists and engineers. That number is likely to increase given the wide gap between the United States and global competitors at the undergraduate level. In 2000, for example, the United States awarded 900,000 undergraduate degrees in STEM fields, compared to 2 million degrees in China and 2.5 million in India.[5]

    It is therefore no surprise that, when including all education levels, India and China were the leading birthplaces of foreign-born STEM workers in the United States, accounting for 29 percent and 12 percent respectively. The good news is that many international students have chosen to stay in the United States after completing their studies, contributing to the country’s technology innovation ecosystem. For example, according to the 2024 State of U.S. Science and Engineering Report, from 2018-2021, temporary visa holders—primarily from China or India—represented 37 percent of U.S. science and engineering research doctorate recipients. Over 70 percent of these doctorate recipients expressed an intention to reside in the United States following graduation. The same report indicated that when these doctorate recipients were surveyed in 2021 across all countries of citizenship and degree fields, the 5-year stay rate for those who were on temporary visas at graduation was 71 percent and the 10-year stay rate was 65 percent.

    In the quantum fields specifically, the number of quantum job postings globally outstrips qualified talent by as much as three to one. Currently, the European Union has the highest concentration of quantum talent, followed by India, China, and then the United States.[6] The United States faces a critical shortage of quantum-ready talent, particularly as other nations invest significant resources in their own national quantum programs and quantum research capabilities. Without concerted action by the federal government to address this skilling gap, even the most advanced quantum research programs will fail to translate into practical capabilities or economic benefits.

    The Trump administration can begin by launching a series of concerted efforts to expand the domestic pipeline. One historical analog is the National Defense Education Act of 1958, enacted in response to the Sputnik challenge. The NDEA provides a useful precedent for how targeted federal investment in technical education can rapidly address strategic workforce gaps.

    For starters, comprehensive STEM education programs must be introduced at all levels of education, from primary schools to universities, to develop a robust domestic pipeline of talent. Research has shown that elementary and secondary education in mathematics and science are the foundation for entry into postsecondary STEM majors and STEM-related occupations. To develop this pipeline, the Trump administration can leverage the existing strength and reach of the NSF. NSF programs, such as those specifically focused on the quantum sciences like the National Q-12 Education Partnership, are ready-made vehicles to promote awareness of STEM and quantum technology in K-12 institutions.

    Second, the United States can provide grants for quantum research and education to encourage students to pursue careers in this field, focusing not only on traditional four-year colleges but also community colleges and vocational programs that are often entry points for many Americans pursuing higher education. In 2021, the U.S. government supported 15 percent of full-time STEM graduate students (mostly doctoral degree students), a decline from the most recent high of 21 percent in 2004. Here, again, the administration should activate and expand NSF research initiatives, including the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) and Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) programs,[7] as well as those focused specifically on the quantum sciences such as the Next Generation Quantum Leaders Pilot Program envisioned by the CHIPS and Science Act. The National Quantum Virtual Laboratory is another promising initiative that would create shared research infrastructure and make quantum education more accessible to students and researchers across the country. Collectively, these national incentives enable the best and brightest of the world to conduct their cutting-edge research in the labs of the United States as opposed to the labs of our adversaries.

    Beyond looking to the NDEA to attract and develop the unique talent to lead the world in quantum development, the Trump administration can focus on three additional priorities.

    First, building on the themes described above, the administration should address the current talent gap in the current STEM workforce. Although there is no substitute for graduate degree programs to drive innovation in the quantum sciences, the broader quantum ecosystem would benefit greatly from an increase in the STEM workforce. To this end, the administration can again utilize the reach of the NSF to promote adult education, retraining, and professional development programs to facilitate current workers’ transition into quantum-related roles.

    Second, research universities also play a pivotal role as powerful economic engines in their communities, often ranking among the largest employers in their congressional districts while generating high-tech spin-off companies that create well-paying jobs. The presence of federally-funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) and university-affiliated research centers (UARCS)—which are not-for-profit organizations established to meet special long-term engineering, research, development, or other analytic needs—also attract private sector investment and create innovation clusters. But most importantly, these entities lead to organic skilling initiatives to up-level the existing labor market.

    Finally, with regard to foreign talent, it’s imperative that the United States continue to attract the world’s best and brightest. This requires developing fast-track immigration pathways for highly skilled individuals with unique technical expertise in the quantum sciences, and expanding the number of visas available to employ quantum STEM PhDs trained at American institutions. This also requires the United States to promote, coordinate, and potentially fund international research initiatives with strategic allies to facilitate cross-pollination of expertise and develop the talent pool within a sphere of select, like-minded countries.

    This includes deepening ties with strategic allies to advance our collective success in the quantum race. Denmark, for example, has continued the great legacy of Niels Bohr by creating a vibrant hub for quantum innovation—one that benefits not only Denmark, but the entire Nordic region and the United States. Through a steady, long-term strategy that has brought together the government, academic, private sector, and startup communities—including multilateral institutions, such as NATO’s Deep Tech Lab-Quantum hosted at the Niels Bohr Institute—Denmark has become a hotbed for quantum talent, as well as quantum research and early commercialization. For our part, Microsoft has benefited greatly from this rich ecosystem of talent and innovation through the Microsoft Quantum Lab on the outskirts of Copenhagen, where later this year we will expand our presence by opening a new state-of-the-art quantum research center.

    3. Ensure supply chain security for quantum technologies

    Securing our leadership in quantum technology requires a reliable supply chain and onshoring of key capabilities within the United States. This is a complex task that cannot be achieved without direct action by the federal government that tightly aligns to specific strategic objectives. To that end, the Trump administration could task the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee or another board of advisors to develop a detailed national strategy and execution plan aimed at de-risking the quantum supply chain. This strategy would focus on making the supply chain more independent, increasing the availability of quantum components, lowering prices, and introducing incentives to encourage the private sector to make the necessary investments in the United States for chip fabrication and assembly.

    More specifically, the U.S. strategy to secure the quantum supply chain must include at least three critical action items. First, the federal government can take a direct role through the Departments of Commerce and Energy to promote the diversification of essential quantum components and materials. This can be achieved through government-organized long-term purchase agreements and the deployment of strategic capital for widely needed components such as dilution refrigerators, superconducting cables, amplifiers, circulators, attenuators, lasers, and fiber at frequencies relevant for quantum technologies.

    Second, the administration should work to establish specialized facilities dedicated to the fabrication, packaging, prototyping, and manufacturing of quantum systems and their essential components, such as cryogenic systems, lasers, and advanced chips. By developing, testing, and ultimately producing essential components domestically, this initiative would reduce our dependence on foreign sources and work to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruptions.

    Finally, and most importantly, it is imperative to onshore domestic manufacturing of advanced technologies tailored for quantum devices and additional capabilities needed by American companies and research organizations. This includes design and fabrication of advanced lasers and optics, amplifiers, and advanced chip design and fabrication. It also includes critical capabilities for domestic cryogenic electronics fabrication and design, advanced metrology to characterize chips for quantum computing, and advanced packaging and 3D integration for quantum components.

    The way forward

    At the start of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order to advance American leadership in artificial intelligence. President Trump should now do the same with quantum by setting national priorities that support robust funding, promote a skilled workforce, and protect supply chain security through incentivized onshoring. Taken together, these strategic actions will not only bolster our nation’s security and competitive edge against competitors and adversaries, but it will also drive innovation and economic growth at home towards a new frontier of American prosperity.

    [1] Karen Kwon, “China Reaches New Milestone in Space-Based Quantum Communications,” Scientific American, June 29, 2020, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-reaches-new-milestone-in-space-based-quantum-communications.

    [2] One likely goal of these massive projects is undoubtedly to signal that the People’s Republic of China backs these investments, thereby attracting and retaining skilled professionals. According to the 2024 State of U.S. Science and Engineering Report developed, a regular report mandated by Congress, China is the top overall producer of science and engineering publications and international patents. For decades, the United States was the unparalleled leader in science and engineering doctorate awards until 2019 when we were surpassed by China. That being said, the United States remains the destination of choice for internationally mobile students, hosting 15% of all international students worldwide in 2020. National Science Board, The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2024, March 2024, https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20243/talent-u-s-and-global-stem-education-and-labor-force.

    [3] Hodan Omaar and Martin Makaryan, How Innovative is China, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, September 2024, https://www2.itif.org/2024-chinese-quantum-innovation.pdf.

    [4] National Science and Technology Council:  Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science, National Supplement to the President’s FY 2025 Budget, April 24, 2025, https://nqi.gov/supplement-fy2025-budget.

    [5] National Science Board, “The State of U.S. Science and Engineering 2024,” March 2024, https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20243/talent-u-s-and-global-stem-education-and-labor-force.

    [6] McKinsey & Company, “Quantum Technology Monitor,”  April 2023,  https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business functions/mckinsey digital/our insights/quantum technology sees record investments progress on talent gap/quantum-technology-monitor-april-2023.pdf (defining quantum talent as “[g]raduates of master’s level or equivalent in 2019 in biochemistry, chemistry, electronics and chemical engineering, information and communications technology, mathematics and statistics, and physics.”).

    [7] National Science Foundation, “NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates,” accessed April 24, 2025, https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/reu; National Science Foundation, “NSF 24-503: Research Experiences for Teachers in Engineering and Computer Science,” accessed April 24, 2025, https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/research-experiences-teachers-engineering-computer-science/nsf24-503/solicitation.

    Tags: AI, quantum, STEM, Technology, United States

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Christopher J Waller: Welcoming remarks – “Fed Listens”

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Thank you, Alberto, it is great to be back in St. Louis. And thank you to everyone here for this great turnout, which is itself a big part of what we are trying to accomplish today.1

    Fed Listens is about hearing from the public on the Federal Reserve’s approach to monetary policy, and that begins with active and broad participation. Your interest and engagement in the work of the Fed is an essential first step in this process of consultation. In addition to the valuable information that Fed policymakers receive at these events, engagement with the public contributes to a broader understanding of the important role that monetary policy plays in the economy.

    As we have heard from President Musalem, the Federal Reserve was, in important ways, actually designed to promote this kind of engagement and input from the public. Unusually among agencies of the federal government, the Fed is located in and part of every region of the United States. Reserve Banks such as the St. Louis Fed carry out a number of important functions, but among the most important is ensuring that the concerns and priorities of the communities each Reserve Bank serves are reflected in monetary policy decisions made in Washington.

    This is something I know very well, having served here as executive vice president and research director for nearly a dozen years. I advised on monetary policy while engaging with people throughout the Eighth District, hearing their concerns about how they were faring in the economy, and how they were affected by inflation, interest rates, and the state of the job market. I learned a lot about the economies of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas (see, I haven’t forgotten!). But I learned just as much about how important it is to hear from people directly about their experiences as well as their perceptions, which are sometimes just as consequential for the economy. We call this part of the “soft” data that supplements the hard numbers of the government statistics that policymakers eagerly await. The “hard” data is indispensable for setting monetary policy, but we can’t get a full and detailed picture of the economy without the soft data you can provide.

    Fed Listens is directly connected to the Fed’s review of our long-run goals and strategy for monetary policy, referred to as our framework, which was last updated five years ago. But in a larger sense, it is part of a broader process of consultation with the public that never stops. We know that individuals, families, businesses, and communities are significantly affected by decisions we make to promote a healthy economy. We want-in fact, we need-to know how you have been impacted. We need to know how inflation and interest rates are affecting consumers. We need to know how rates are affecting the cost and access to credit by businesses small and large. We need to know how you expect the economy to evolve over the coming months and years, and how that is influencing your plans for the future.

    In conclusion, I will say again how great it is to be back in St. Louis, and I look forward to hearing from all of you.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: François Villeroy de Galhau: Preserving our transatlantic values, beyond present unpredictability

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and Gentlemen, 

    It is my pleasure to be here in New York City; and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Noel Lateef and the Board of Directors of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) for organising this event and awarding me the FPA medal. It really strikes a chord with me, as I will explain, and even more today when our transatlantic ties are so unfortunately under stress. 

    I. A very special gratitude to the FPA, and to your country

    I am both honoured and humbled to be included among the distinguished recipients of the FPA medal. These include prominent central bankers, such as Paul Volcker of the Federal Reserve or Jean-Claude Trichet of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Banque de France. This medal also has a personal resonance. I discovered in depth your beautiful country in March 1990, during a month-long trip of 15 so called “Young European leaders” invited by the German Marshall Fund. The United States welcomed us with open arms, taking us from New York City to Seattle, and from Detroit to Raleigh (NC). This was a time of hope, four months after the fall of the Berlin Wall; this was a time of mutual trust across the Atlantic built on the victory of freedom and democracy. This trip left me with a lasting friendship and admiration for the American people. 

    In a more collective dimension, I like to think that this medal is a testament to the common values and principles that this Association and the central banking community both strive to uphold. Your Association was founded at the end of the First World War by Americans committed [with President Woodrow Wilson] to creating closer ties between nations. It has since worked tirelessly to foster meaningful dialogue on the most pressing international issues, notably through its famous World Leadership Forum. This is especially important at a time when multilateralism is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. 

    Another common value, beside dialogue, is the importance of public engagement. For more than a century, the FPA and its Great Decisions programme have successfully promoted a more effective participation by American citizens in international affairs. Greater knowledge is indeed the key to informed opinion, and thus to a stronger democracy. At both the Banque de France and the ECB, fostering engagement with the wider public is also a priority. We regularly organise events directly involving the public such as the “Rencontres de la politique monétaire” [Monetary Policy Forums] similar to the “US Fed listens”. Greater clarity and transparency for our fellow citizens also helps to better anchor inflation expectations and thus to better ensure our price stability mandate.

    II. How to restore trust?

    Hence, let me please speak here not only as the French Governor, but as a committed friend of your country and a dedicated European. It is more crucial than ever, across the Atlantic, (1) to tell the truth, (2) to fully assess the damage of a trade war, and (3) to open the way for a possible positive dialogue.

    1) Telling the truth

    We, Europeans, heard with surprise some weeks ago that “the EU was created to screw the US”. With due respect, let me recall history. The European Union was constructed after WWII to lastingly establish peace, democracy and the market economy in Europe. These are three key American values, and this Union was legitimately founded with American support, as was the Franco-German reconciliation – so difficult, yet so decisive. 

    Furthermore, it is important to set the record straight on economics. No, international trade is not a zero-sum game, where one country’s gain is necessarily another country’s loss. On the contrary, it is the most effective way to prosper together by exchanging goods and services, ideas, talent, and innovation. And yes, our transatlantic bond is deep, balanced and mutually beneficial. The United States and the EU are the world’s two largest economies, maintaining one of the largest bilateral economic relationships, which amounted to around USD 900 billion in goods and USD 800 billion in services in 2023i. While the EU runs a trade in goods surplus with the United States (USD 234 billion in 2023), the services deficit has widened substantially in the last years (USD 125 billion in 2023)ii. Net primary income flows in favor of US firms – mostly composed of investment income such as profits and asset returns – also offset the trade in goods surplus, ultimately leading to a balanced current account (USD 19 billion in 2023). The effective applied tariffs between the EU and the United States were close before recent developments, with the EU imposing a 3.95% tariff on US products, while the United States applied a 3.5% tariff on EU productsiii. And let me remind here the obvious: value-added tax (VAT) is not a customs duty; it is levied on the final value of imported and domestically produced goods equally, like the sales tax in the US. EU and US firms have long established a robust investment presence in each other’s markets. European majority-owned affiliates directly employed an estimated 5.3 million US workers in 2023iv. European-based investors play a crucial role in the strength of the US economy, representing close to 50% of all foreign holdings of US securities in 2023v. 

    2) The possible damage of a trade war is huge

    The new measures announced as well as the increasing unpredictability, constitute a major negative shock to the global economy, but first and foremost to the US economy. 

    According to convergent analyses by several US and international banks and today by the IMF, the United States could suffer in 2025 from an average estimated loss of around one percentage point in annual growth and a similar-sized rise in underlying inflation. But bad news for the US is bad news for all, and for Europe. According to preliminary assessments, there could be a direct negative impact of at least a quarter of a percentage point to euro area GDP growth in 2025. Nevertheless, this depends on the outcome of the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. The impact on inflation remains more uncertain but could be as a whole negative. Our baseline scenario for France and the euro area remains however that of an exit from inflation – returning to our 2% target this year – without a recession.

    Financial markets reacted very negatively to these trade announcements with the unusual combination of a sharp drop in US equity indexes, a rise in US long term bond yields, and a broad-based decline in the US dollar value. The economic uncertainty may possibly threaten financial stability. Such deeply negative financial effects would also result from attacks on the independence and credibility of central banks, as we saw very recently. 

    I don’t mean that the latest globalisation wave was a fairy tale: it had its problems and its imbalances, both social and financial. But the current lose-lose game will obviously increase them, and in no way solve them.

    3) Is there a way for a possible positive dialogue?

    I still hope there is, and let me share three more positive reflections to conclude with:

    a) Let us use the 90-day pause to seriously talk. The least economically harmful option would be indeed to negotiate – a bold European proposal, zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods, is already on the table – and then de-escalate the situation rather than setting off a transatlantic spiral of tariff hikes. So far, Europeans have reacted in a remarkably united and calm manner. The European Commission has prepared a series of retaliatory measures – in case it would be unfortunately needed – but deferred its application. It is also in Europe’s interest to maintain open trade ties with a maximum amount of partners from the Americas to Asia: increasing the number of balanced free trade agreements – including Mercosur – is a strategic priority.

    b) Europe and France also need to become stronger. The only positive I see in this situation, as I said already last November with my German colleague Joachim Nagel , it is a wake-up call for Europe. This is of course the case in terms of defence. But also, in economic matters, where we have the duty and the means to better master our own destiny. We need a “general mobilisation” focusing on three imperatives, 3 ‘i’s taking the best of the impressive economic success of America, or if you prefer, size multiplied by muscle multiplied by speed. First, we need to integrate the single market more. This means playing on its size – as large in GDP terms as the United States – by removing internal barriers in several areas such as services and energy. We also need to invest better, giving priority to the most promising breakthrough innovations, and particularly those related to AI. To succeed, we need to build financial muscle through a genuine Savings and Investments Union (SIU) fostering more our abundant private savings towards equity and venture capital. Finally, we need to innovate faster. Europe needs simplification: less bureaucracy, fewer procedures and shorter deadlines. But simplification is not deregulation, the European approachvii  will remain firm on the objectives, but be more nimble in design. And to successfully implement these three imperatives, we urgently need a binding, visible and not too distant calendar: such a calendar will mobilise all our political and economic forces, as did in the past the 1 January 1993 for the single market and the 1 January 1999 for the single currency.

    c) Europe and the United States can still commit to a “pragmatic multilateralism”, more focused on some practical themes of common interest, to name just a few: financial stability, cross-border payments and crypto-assets, cybersecurity, the fight against financial crime and the prevention of extreme climate events. Let us preserve the multilateral institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, born and hosted in this great country, with more focused ambitions.

    I will conclude by quoting Alexis de Tocqueville, a famous Frenchman – you may recall his influential work “Democracy in America” – who also had the privilege of discovering America during a memorable study trip two hundred years ago. “There is nothing more fruitful in wonders than the art of being free”.viii I mentioned shared transatlantic values: one cardinal value, freedom, is the driving force behind America’s outstanding economic performance. Let us continue as much as possible to cultivate it together, through trade, innovation and robust dialogue! Thank you for your attention. 

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chia Der Jiun: Charting a steady course in a changing world

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    IMAS EXCO
    Ms Carmen Wee, IMAS CEO
    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Good morning. I am delighted to join you today at the 28th IMAS Annual Investment Conference.

    This year’s conference theme – “Navigating an Evolving Landscape” – is apt but may be understating the environment we are in today. Fundamental shifts in trade policy and the geo-strategic landscape have led us into a period of heightened uncertainty in the global economy and volatility in financial markets. In this new landscape of uncertainty and volatility, the asset management industry plays an important role in sustaining investor confidence and contributing to the resilience of markets.

    Role of Asset Management Industry to Manage Uncertainty 

    Let me focus on 3 areas that the asset management industry can help in:

    a. One, build more resilient markets;
    b. Two, provide products and portfolios that meet investors’ diversification and retirement needs; and
    c. Three, support better informed investors.

    Resilient Markets

    There are several components that contribute towards more resilient markets. Transparency, market integrity and settlement efficiency are fundamental. Regulators have a role in putting these right. Market infrastructure operators also have a role. Trading venues should be liquidity enhancing rather than liquidity fragmenting. Margin requirements should be set at levels that avoid amplifying funding stresses.

    Market participants too play a role. Leverage needs to be deployed carefully to mitigate procyclical deleveraging. To be clear, market functionality has generally remained resilient through stress episodes, including through the sharp market repricing of risks and uncertainty in April. But we are also all aware of episodes where volatility spiked and market functionality deteriorated. In August last year, Japanese equities fell sharply and VIX spiked following the unwinding of leveraged carry trades. Earlier this month, 10-year Treasuries rose 50bps over a short period of time, while the dollar weakened. A commonly heard attribution has been the unwind of leveraged trades. Crowded leveraged trades are vulnerable to changing policy, economic and market conditions. Market resilience is better assured through a diversity of market participants, employing a myriad of strategies which provides depth and two-way flows. Let me give the example of Singapore’s FX market, where MAS had sought to foster a diverse ecosystem of market participants to support depth and stability.

    a. In FX markets, we made efforts since 2018 via our Foreign Exchange E-Trading (“FXET”) initiative, to strengthen infrastructure capabilities. This has improved pricing and trade-fill efficiency while reducing latency. Over time, a diverse group of FX players have anchored their matching and pricing engines in Singapore to serve regional market participants. This enhancement of FX capabilities and infrastructure has supported FX price discovery and market functionality in this region during both Business-as-Usual and under stressed periods. Our eFX ecosystem continues to grow well with a diversity of market participants including platforms, banks, real money, hedge funds, and corporate treasuries. This has contributed to Singapore’s continued growth as a leading FX hub in Asia, with the average daily traded volumes crossing US$ 1 trillion in 2024.1

    At this time of heightened uncertainty, MAS is closely watching that Singapore’s foreign exchange and S$ money markets continue to function in an orderly manner. We also monitor the functionality of key funding markets in coordination with central banks globally.

    Products and Portfolios that Meet Diversification and Retirement Needs

    Let me turn to my second point. Asset managers are key to providing fund products that serve the savings and retirement needs for our region. Their products should contribute to portfolio diversification and help investors manage market volatility while investing for the long term. In building and delivering such products,:

    a. Asset managers must have in place an effective liquidity and market risk management framework. There is a need to run regular stress testing on your portfolio risks under conditions when volatility spikes and correlations break down. Funds should also stress your ability to handle redemption spikes amidst adverse market movements. Global regulatory bodies such as the FSB and IOSCO have made calls for further enhancements to strengthen the industry’s resilience in both normal and stressed market conditions, by reinforcing consistency between the funds’ investment strategy and liquidity of fund assets, with redemption terms. In line with this, MAS will study the need to review the current framework for liquidity risk management by asset managers, and will engage the industry when ready.
    b. Product distributors and providers should also ensure that marketing and advertisements are fair and balanced. Marketing should not over-emphasise product features that are not sustainable across a robust range of scenarios. A sudden withdrawal of such product features could cause a loss of confidence and a redemption spike.
    c. Clear and timely disclosures should be provided to investors, to enable them to make well-informed investment decisions in fast-changing market conditions.

    To provide retail investors with a wider set of investment choices, MAS is also currently consulting on a framework for private market investment funds for retail investors.

    a. Private market investments, such as private equity and infrastructure, generally have longer investment horizons and a differentiated set of risk factors that are different than public market investments. Retail investors may be interested in gaining exposure to this asset class as part of a well-diversified investment portfolio.
    b. We welcome feedback from all IMAS members as we work towards developing a balanced and risk-calibrated framework that can support the growth of a robust and sustainable market for such retail funds.

    Support Better Informed Investors

    Third, asset managers support better informed investors, through continued partnership with MAS and the MoneySense community on investor education.

    When MAS launched the national financial education programme MoneySense in 2003, one of its goals was to support consumers in becoming more self-reliant in financial affairs. This was important as consumers needed to exercise their judgement, evaluate the suitability of investments for their own needs, even as more complex and varied products entered the financial markets.

    Over the years, industry associations, including IMAS, community organisations and consumer bodies have been valuable partners. Together, MoneySense’s activities and programmes were launched to enhance consumers’ understanding of financial affairs, whether it is in managing money, insurance protection, or investing and planning for retirement.

    IMAS’ Contributions to Industry

    Let me say a few words of appreciation for IMAS’ role in galvanizing the industry.

    I am happy to see IMAS’ continued efforts to bring partners together to uplift the asset management sector. As I mentioned earlier, IMAS has played an important role in improving public education through your ongoing partnerships with MoneySense, SGX and FundSingapore. IMAS has also contributed efforts towards reskilling and upskilling for industry professionals by developing the iLEARN platform since 2019 as a one-stop platform for relevant training programmes in line with market shifts.

    I am also encouraged to know that IMAS has taken the lead to support its members to deepen expertise in sustainable finance. I am happy today to be part of a significant milestone – the launch of the IMAS Climate Handbook in partnership with Amundi. This practical guide will enable asset managers to integrate climate considerations into risk assessments as well as investment frameworks.

    In closing, as regulator and developer of the asset management industry, we share a common goal with market participants to keep our markets stable and vibrant and to ensure its sustainable growth in the face of global headwinds. MAS will continue to partner with IMAS and its members to build a more resilient, competitive, and innovative asset management ecosystem.

    Thank you and wishing you all a fulfilling Conference ahead.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Southern Lightning: NIWC Atlantic, NSWC Crane Advance Navy’s Unmanned Mission

    Source: United States Navy

    SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. — Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic completed a week of intensive research and communications testing on April 18 involving unmanned autonomous systems off the coast of Sullivan’s Island in partnership with Indiana-based Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: BexBack Introduces 100x Leverage, No KYC, and Exclusive Bonuses Amid Crypto Market Volatility

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin has surged to new highs, reaching $95,000, BexBack, a fast-growing cryptocurrency derivatives platform, is positioning itself to help traders capitalize on market opportunities. Offering up to 100x leverage and no KYC, BexBack is redefining what it means to trade freely in today’s volatile market.

    In light of U.S. economic policies, such as recent tax adjustments and fiscal concerns, cryptocurrency has remained an attractive hedge. BexBack offers a suite of features that empower traders, including high leverage and enticing bonuses, to navigate the uncertain market with greater flexibility.

    Leverage Trading Made Simple

    With up to 100x leverage, BexBack enables traders to open larger positions with smaller capital. A small price movement in Bitcoin could result in significant gains, especially for those utilizing high leverage. However, traders are advised to manage risk carefully, as higher leverage also increases potential risks.

    Exclusive Bonuses to Maximize Profits

    1. $100 Welcome Bonus: Available to new users who deposit at least 0.01 BTC or 1000 USDT and complete their first trade. This bonus can help offset potential losses, offering a cushion as you start trading.
    2. 100% Deposit Bonus: Double your funds by applying for the 100% deposit bonus. While this bonus can’t be withdrawn, it can be used as margin, helping you open larger positions and trade with greater flexibility. Profits generated from trading with this bonus are fully withdrawable.

    Why Choose BexBack?

    • No KYC Requirements: BexBack prioritizes privacy, offering anonymous trading without the need for identity verification.
    • No Slippage, No Spread: Trades are executed at the set price, even with large positions, ensuring better price certainty.
    • Global Access: Available to users in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and more, with 24/7 customer support.
    • High-Leverage Trading: Trade with up to 100x leverage, maximizing your capital’s potential.

    About BexBack

    Launched in May 2024 and headquartered in Singapore, BexBack has quickly attracted over 500,000 users worldwide. The platform offers 100x leverage on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and more, with no deposit fees and powerful promotional offers.

    Sign up on BexBack now, claim your exclusive bonus and start accumulating more BTC today!

    Website: www.bexback.com

    Contact: business@bexback.com

    Contact:
    Amanda
    business@bexback.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4b71c86-c6be-4be1-9564-7a837253637d

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    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fd260378-e7b1-46fa-a657-925c5dff1c0b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Hedge Funds Down-shifted on Pro-Growth Positions During Q1 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Unlimited, an asset management firm and ETF sponsor that uses proprietary technology to provide low-cost, alternative strategies to a variety of investors, today published its Q1 2025 Hedge Fund Barometer, which showed a significant reversal of pro-growth positions in both U.S. equities and corporate bonds over the quarter as well as an increase in bets on gold.

    According to Unlimited’s proprietary technology, hedge fund managers came into the year with relatively low conviction and modest views but subsequently ramped up pro-growth positions including long the U.S. dollar, and credit spread and equity bets in line with increased expectations of U.S. growth from the new administration. The majority of those positions were reversed starting in February with the exception of extending bullish positions on gold.

    “Hedge fund positioning shows some of the lowest conviction in the direction of asset prices that we have seen in decades,” said Bob Elliott, CEO and CIO of Unlimited and portfolio manager of actively-managed ETFs. “Those positions were a dramatic transition from the beginning of the quarter when hedge funds were ramping up their bullish bets on the U.S. economy. The prominence of policy volatility likely triggered managers’ reluctance to hold significant directional positions.”

    Hedge funds eked out modestly positive performance in the first quarter with the mix of sub-strategy returns largely reversing the moves of the previous quarter. Emerging Market funds outperformed meaningfully as Chinese stocks surged meanwhile Equity Long/Short and Event Driven strategies came in weak.

    1Q25 Hedge Fund Strategy Performance, Gross of Fees

    • Industry Return: 1.7%
    • Best Performing Fund Style: Emerging Markets 6.3%
    • Worst Performing Fund Style: Event Driven -0.8%

    Unlimited’s Hedge Fund Barometer showed other notable moves during the quarter included:

    • Bearish outlook on oil shifted towards neutral bullish positioning in Chinese and Japanese equities
    • Notable underweight in U.S. biotech
    • Equity Long/Short managers remain bearish on U.S. small and mid-cap companies

    Click here to view a video on how Unlimited’s technology works.

    About Unlimited
    Founded in 2022 by Bob Elliott, Bruce McNevin and Matt Salzberg, Unlimited is an investment firm using proprietary technology to create strategies that offer lower-cost access to 2 & 20-style alternative investment strategies, such as hedge funds, to a wide variety of investors. Mr. Elliott has built innovative hedge fund strategies for more than two decades, including at Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. Mr. McNevin is a Professor of Economics at New York University and has held various data science positions at hedge funds Clinton Group and Midway Group, along with positions at Bank of America and BlackRock. Mr. Salzberg serves as a Managing Partner at Material and Board Director of Unlimited. Learn more at unlimitedfunds.com.

    For informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. The data shown herein represents past performance and should not be construed as providing any assurance or guarantee as to returns that may be realized in the future. No representation is being made that any investment will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown herein. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in any market environment.

    Media Contacts:  
    Sarah Lazarus Zach Kouwe
    Dukas Linden Public Relations Dukas Linden Public Relations
    +1 617-335-7823 +1 551-655-4032
    sarah@dlpr.com zkouwe@dlpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Winning hearts and power: how Mali’s military regime gained popular support

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Morten Bøås, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

    Mali’s interim president, Colonel d’Armée Assimi Goïta, who came to power in a coup on 18 August 2020, enjoys remarkably strong public support. Survey data from pan-African research network Afrobarometer and the Mali-Métre survey, run by Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung since 2012, indicate high levels of satisfaction with junta rule. In the 2024 Mali-Métre, nine out of ten respondents considered the country to be moving in the right direction.

    Yet economic conditions are worsening for Malians. In a recent analysis the World Bank pointed out that the junta was finding it difficult to deliver services amid sluggish growth, high inflation and extreme poverty.

    That Malians still seem to be very satisfied with their leader needs some explanation.

    In a recent paper, we draw on our extensive fieldwork experience in Mali. We argue that Goïta has crafted a new social contract based on a strongman narrative, portraying himself as Mali’s defender. The regime has used dissatisfaction with international interventions to frame Goïta as an “exceptional man” in “exceptional times”, in ways that resonate with Malian myths and traditions.

    We show how the regime’s new social contract is based not on public services but on the idea of Goïta as Mali’s defender and liberator. In this way, the regime has established a social bond with the population that places dignity above all.

    A new social bond

    In 2012, Mali experienced a severe crisis triggered by a separatist rebellion in the northern regions of the country. Jihadist insurgent groups took over the rebellion, leading to a military coup. International interventions followed. The regional grouping Ecowas, the UN and France made efforts to restore security, stability and peace.

    But the deployment of 5,000 French troops and 15,000 UN peacekeepers failed to prevent a deterioration in security.

    At the same time, Mali’s democratic institutions failed to restore territorial control and address corruption and poverty, despite regular elections being held.

    Mass protests calling for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta paved the way for the 2020 military takeover.

    These failures offered the junta a rich repertoire to draw on for its own legitimacy. With Goïta came a new narrative, not about liberal state-building and development, but about restoring Malian sovereignty and dignity.

    These ideas are conveyed through speeches at forums like the UN general assembly and public addresses shared through the media, along with an organised network of online influencers.

    Public debates about fighting the forces of neocolonialism and reclaiming sovereignty predate the junta. The regime has harnessed these sentiments. It contrasts decades of indignity, weakness, and dependence on France with a glorified vision of Mali’s ancient past.

    Popular protest movements such as Yerewolo Debout sur le Remparts have long done the same.

    Now, so the narrative goes, Goïta has emerged as a hero capable of leading his people towards a new age in which Mali is treated with respect.

    This framing has rekindled the legacy of Thomas Sankara, the late military leader of Burkina Faso (1983–1987). Often dubbed Africa’s Che Guevara, Sankara was a charismatic revolutionary known for his passionate speeches, bold stance against corruption, and efforts to challenge former colonial powers. He was assassinated in a coup in 1987, but his legacy continues to inspire young Africans.

    Regime figures, particularly foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop, often refer to legends and historical narratives as part of this myth-making:

    According to recent survey data from the Mali-Mètre, 70% of Malians identified combating insecurity as their highest priority. This indicates how many Malians feel they face a threat similar to the one that existed when the Malinke people pleaded with Sunjata to be their saviour.

    Thus, in an environment of chaos, war, confusion and despair, a hunter-warrior hero is needed. This agent can not only save society, but re-set it in an orderly and just manner, bringing dignity to his people if they undergo the necessary sacrifices.

    This story requires a villain. Finding culprits in Mali was not difficult. All it required was harnessing of social frustrations already directed against France and other external forces failing to combat insurgents and restore security.

    A unifying enemy

    As shown by Afrobarometer and Mali-Mètre, many Malians, as poor and destitute as they may be, take comfort from the regime’s confrontations with and – as it is presented to them – victories over such formidable adversaries as France and the UN.

    With nearly 60% of its population under the age of 25, Mali is one of the youngest countries in the world. The Malian case shows a youthful African population that is desperate for social change and willing to endure hardship to reach their promised land.

    The current political landscape in Mali, and in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger where conditions are similar, is an invitation to reconsider local agency. Citizens actively and rationally respond to their political contexts. Writing off people as ignorant or stupid will not advance understanding of the new political terrain.

    Our journal article is part of a forthcoming special issue in the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding.

    – Winning hearts and power: how Mali’s military regime gained popular support
    – https://theconversation.com/winning-hearts-and-power-how-malis-military-regime-gained-popular-support-254518

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Winning hearts and power: how Mali’s military regime gained popular support

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Morten Bøås, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

    Mali’s interim president, Colonel d’Armée Assimi Goïta, who came to power in a coup on 18 August 2020, enjoys remarkably strong public support. Survey data from pan-African research network Afrobarometer and the Mali-Métre survey, run by Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung since 2012, indicate high levels of satisfaction with junta rule. In the 2024 Mali-Métre, nine out of ten respondents considered the country to be moving in the right direction.

    Yet economic conditions are worsening for Malians. In a recent analysis the World Bank pointed out that the junta was finding it difficult to deliver services amid sluggish growth, high inflation and extreme poverty.

    That Malians still seem to be very satisfied with their leader needs some explanation.

    In a recent paper, we draw on our extensive fieldwork experience in Mali. We argue that Goïta has crafted a new social contract based on a strongman narrative, portraying himself as Mali’s defender. The regime has used dissatisfaction with international interventions to frame Goïta as an “exceptional man” in “exceptional times”, in ways that resonate with Malian myths and traditions.

    We show how the regime’s new social contract is based not on public services but on the idea of Goïta as Mali’s defender and liberator. In this way, the regime has established a social bond with the population that places dignity above all.

    A new social bond

    In 2012, Mali experienced a severe crisis triggered by a separatist rebellion in the northern regions of the country. Jihadist insurgent groups took over the rebellion, leading to a military coup. International interventions followed. The regional grouping Ecowas, the UN and France made efforts to restore security, stability and peace.

    But the deployment of 5,000 French troops and 15,000 UN peacekeepers failed to prevent a deterioration in security.

    At the same time, Mali’s democratic institutions failed to restore territorial control and address corruption and poverty, despite regular elections being held.

    Mass protests calling for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta paved the way for the 2020 military takeover.

    These failures offered the junta a rich repertoire to draw on for its own legitimacy. With Goïta came a new narrative, not about liberal state-building and development, but about restoring Malian sovereignty and dignity.

    These ideas are conveyed through speeches at forums like the UN general assembly and public addresses shared through the media, along with an organised network of online influencers.

    Public debates about fighting the forces of neocolonialism and reclaiming sovereignty predate the junta. The regime has harnessed these sentiments. It contrasts decades of indignity, weakness, and dependence on France with a glorified vision of Mali’s ancient past.

    Popular protest movements such as Yerewolo Debout sur le Remparts have long done the same.

    Now, so the narrative goes, Goïta has emerged as a hero capable of leading his people towards a new age in which Mali is treated with respect.

    This framing has rekindled the legacy of Thomas Sankara, the late military leader of Burkina Faso (1983–1987). Often dubbed Africa’s Che Guevara, Sankara was a charismatic revolutionary known for his passionate speeches, bold stance against corruption, and efforts to challenge former colonial powers. He was assassinated in a coup in 1987, but his legacy continues to inspire young Africans.

    Regime figures, particularly foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop, often refer to legends and historical narratives as part of this myth-making:

    According to recent survey data from the Mali-Mètre, 70% of Malians identified combating insecurity as their highest priority. This indicates how many Malians feel they face a threat similar to the one that existed when the Malinke people pleaded with Sunjata to be their saviour.

    Thus, in an environment of chaos, war, confusion and despair, a hunter-warrior hero is needed. This agent can not only save society, but re-set it in an orderly and just manner, bringing dignity to his people if they undergo the necessary sacrifices.

    This story requires a villain. Finding culprits in Mali was not difficult. All it required was harnessing of social frustrations already directed against France and other external forces failing to combat insurgents and restore security.

    A unifying enemy

    As shown by Afrobarometer and Mali-Mètre, many Malians, as poor and destitute as they may be, take comfort from the regime’s confrontations with and – as it is presented to them – victories over such formidable adversaries as France and the UN.

    With nearly 60% of its population under the age of 25, Mali is one of the youngest countries in the world. The Malian case shows a youthful African population that is desperate for social change and willing to endure hardship to reach their promised land.

    The current political landscape in Mali, and in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger where conditions are similar, is an invitation to reconsider local agency. Citizens actively and rationally respond to their political contexts. Writing off people as ignorant or stupid will not advance understanding of the new political terrain.

    Our journal article is part of a forthcoming special issue in the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding.

    Morten Bøås receives funding for the research that this article is based on from the Research Council of Norway – grant number 325236

    Viljar Haavik receives funding from the Research Council of Norway: Grant Number 325236.

    – ref. Winning hearts and power: how Mali’s military regime gained popular support – https://theconversation.com/winning-hearts-and-power-how-malis-military-regime-gained-popular-support-254518

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: HYPR Continues Global Expansion with New Belgrade Office Amid Shift to Passkeys and Rising Deepfake Threats

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, HYPR, the Identity Assurance Company, announced a significant acceleration of its global growth strategy with the opening of a new European Center of Excellence in Belgrade, Serbia. This strategic second physical office will amplify the company’s capacity to serve its rapidly expanding worldwide customer base while leveraging the region’s deep reservoir of technical talent. Further fueling this global momentum, HYPR also announced the promotion of Douglas McLaughlin to Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales, a strategic appointment that underscores the company’s response to the surging demand for its passwordless authentication and identity verification solutions across key sectors like financial services and healthcare, where cyber threats are reaching critical levels.

    Identity Renaissance Drives Market Demand

    HYPR’s recently released 2025 State of Passwordless Identity Assurance Report, conducted in partnership with S&P Global Market Intelligence 451 Research, reveals a critical inflection point in authentication security driven by a concerning reality. In 2024, nearly half (49%) of organizations suffered a breach, with an overwhelming 87% attributed to identity vulnerabilities. These breaches resulted in substantial financial losses averaging $2.5 million per incident, alongside legal ramifications forcing many organizations to reduce headcount and implement executive changes. Adding to this challenging landscape, the report also uncovers one of the most alarming findings: nearly 40% of organizations experienced a GenAI-related security incident in the past year, with a staggering 95% encountering some form of deepfake attack—including altered static imagery (50%) and manipulated live (44%) and recorded (41%) audio/video. However, amidst these escalating threats, the report highlights a historic shift in the authentication landscape. For the first time in its five-year history, FIDO passkeys and hardware keys are on track to become the dominant authentication method by 2027, offering a potential pathway to a more secure future.

    Global Expansion and Hiring Initiatives

    To better equip organizations for the escalating battle against identity-based attacks and to fuel its ambitious growth trajectory, HYPR has strategically expanded its operational footprint with a new European Center of Excellence in Belgrade, Serbia. This critical addition will significantly enhance the company’s ability to serve its increasing global customer base with localized expertise while tapping into the region’s robust technical talent market.

    “Our new Belgrade office represents a strategic investment in HYPR’s future,” added Simic. “As threats like sophisticated phishing campaigns and the alarming trend of North Korean hackers infiltrating IT departments continue to make headlines, organizations worldwide are recognizing that robust identity assurance is non-negotiable. We’re actively hiring across multiple functions in both the US and internationally to meet this surging demand.”

    The company’s HYPR Affirm identity verification solution has seen strong adoption across organizations of all sizes, from nimble SMBs to large enterprises, as identity fraud and verification challenges affect businesses regardless of scale. Organizations are leveraging HYPR Affirm to address critical identity challenges including employee onboarding fraud prevention, detection of fake workers, secure account recovery for helpdesks, and verification during high-risk transactions. This growth aligns with the report’s finding that identity verification tools are now the most widely deployed IAM tool (63%) and a top choice for post-breach implementation (68%).

    When combined with HYPR’s passwordless authentication capabilities, customers create a comprehensive identity assurance framework that significantly reduces risk across the identity lifecycle.

    Leadership for Hypergrowth

    Douglas McLaughlin has been named SVP of Worldwide Sales. Over the last six years, McLaughlin has been instrumental in HYPR’s growth trajectory, personally cultivating strategic partnerships with one of the top four US banks, a top five healthcare organization, and one of the nation’s largest credit unions, among other marquee accounts. His leadership has been pivotal in establishing HYPR as the trusted identity assurance partner for enterprises seeking to eliminate credential-based attacks. Additionally, Doug has played a crucial role in building and enhancing HYPR’s channel partner program, significantly expanding the company’s market reach and creating mutually beneficial relationships with strategic technology and service providers.

    “Doug has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and an unwavering commitment to our customers’ success,” said Bojan Simic, co-founder, CEO and CTO of HYPR. “His deep understanding of the evolving threat landscape and ability to translate our technical innovations into tangible business value for customers makes them the ideal leader to scale our global sales operations. This promotion reflects not only Doug’s individual achievements but also our company’s commitment to recognizing and elevating top talent.”

    Customers consistently cite McLaughlin’s ability to guide them through complex digital transformations, providing the confidence needed to undertake significant authentication modernization initiatives that deliver both enhanced security and improved user experiences.

    About HYPR

    HYPR, the Identity Assurance Company, helps organizations create trust in the identity lifecycle. The HYPR solution provides the strongest end-to-end identity security, combining modern passwordless authentication with adaptive risk mitigation, automated identity verification and a simple, intuitive user experience. With a third-party validated ROI of 324%, HYPR easily integrates with existing identity and security tools and can be rapidly deployed at scale in the most complex environments.

    Media Contact:
    Fabienne Dawson
    fabienne@hypr.com 
    917.374.6860

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Dispensation of ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes through ATMs

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    RBI/2025-26/33
    DCM.RMMT.No.S312/20-02-001/2025-2026

    April 28, 2025

    The Chairman / Managing Director/
    Chief Executive Officer
    All Banks

    Madam / Dear Sir,

    Dispensation of ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes through ATMs

    As part of an endeavour towards enhancing public access to frequently used denominations of banknotes, it has been decided that all banks and White Label ATM Operators (WLAOs) shall ensure that their ATMs dispense ₹100 and ₹200 denomination banknotes on a regular basis as per following milestones:

    1. By September 30, 2025: 75% of all ATMs shall dispense either ₹100 or ₹200 denomination banknotes from at least one cassette.

    2. By March 31, 2026: 90% of all ATMs shall dispense either ₹100 or ₹200 denomination banknotes from at least one cassette.

    Yours faithfully

    (Suman Nath)
    Chief General Manager

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Law Library Publishes New Report on Corporate Criminal Liability in Selected Jurisdictions

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    The following is a guest post by Sayuri Umeda, a foreign law specialist who covers Japan and other countries in East and Southeast Asia in the Global Legal Research Directorate of the Law Library of Congress. Sayuri has previously authored numerous posts for In Custodia Legis, including, The History of the Elimination of Leaded Gasoline; The Law Library’s New Report on Public Prosecution Reform in South Korea; Law Library’s New Report Reviews Foreign Ownership of Land Restriction in Major Economies; FALQs: The Conscription System of South Korea; and many more!

    In criminal law, an act combined with intent constitutes a crime. Corporations are legal persons who cannot act and do not have a mind, independent of their officers, managers, and employees. In most jurisdictions, corporations can be held responsible for the criminal actions of their officers and employees, particularly when those actions are committed within the scope of their employment and benefit the corporation. However, jurisdictional approaches vary.

    The Global Legal Research Directorate (GLRD) of the Law Library of Congress surveyed the law governing corporate criminal liability in selected jurisdictions from around the world, focusing on how certain categories of crime are punished. The report covers 60 jurisdictions, including 11 in the Americas, 18 in Europe (including the European Union), 15 in the Middle East, 3 in Africa, and 13 in Asia and the Pacific.

    The jurisdictional surveys reveal four approaches: A. corporations may be punished for the same crimes as natural persons; B. corporations may be punished for crimes only when specific provisions so prescribe; C. corporations are not subject to criminal liability, but administrative punishments may be imposed; and D. the criminal liability of corporations is covered in special legislation addressing this topic. Most of the jurisdictions surveyed for this report fall within the first or second categories.

    You can read the entire report or for a summary, you can look at the informative table included with the report. Read the report here.

    This report is an addition to the Law Library’s Legal Reports (Publications of the Law Library of Congress) collection, which includes over 4,000 historical and contemporary legal reports covering a variety of jurisdictions, researched and written by foreign law specialists with expertise in each area. To receive alerts when new reports are published, you can subscribe to email updates and the RSS feed for Law Library Reports (click the “subscribe” button on the Law Library’s website). The Law Library also regularly publishes articles related to corporations in the Global Legal Monitor.

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA – “We must go to Asia.” What prompted Pope Francis to look East?

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Catholic Bishop Conference of Myanmar

    by Paolo Affatato(Fides Agency) – Universality, inculturation, mercy, and reference to the Sacraments: throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has recognized in the dynamic spread and living of the Gospel in Asian countries an example of authenticity and a valid paradigm for the Church throughout the world.“We must go to Asia,” Pope Francis said in 2013, at the beginning of his pontificate, upon his return from Brazil, and the trips to Asia that followed immediately (to Korea in 2014, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in 2015) quickly fulfilled his desire to follow this path and meet the peoples of the East. This desire also took shape with trips to Myanmar and Bangladesh (2017), Thailand and Japan (2019), Kazakhstan (2022), Mongolia (2023), and most recently Indonesia, East Timor, and Singapore (2024).Pope Francis’ view of the diverse reality of Asian peoples and their civilizations is light years away from the traps of Western-style neocolonialism. On the contrary, his attitude is always one of learning, of grasping signs and lessons that can also be useful for believers living in countries with an ancient Christian tradition.“I was in the heart of Asia and it did me good. It is good to enter into dialogue with this great continent, to understand its messages, to get to know its wisdom, its way of looking at things, of embracing time and space,” said Pope Francis on his return from his apostolic journey to Mongolia. Francis recalled that the Mongolian people are a “humble and joyful” Catholic community, and revealed one of its defining characteristics: “It is far from the limelight, where the signs of God’s presence are often found.” “The Lord,” he explained, ”does not seek the center stage, but the simple heart of those who long for him and love him, without appearing, without wanting to elevate themselves above others.”On the largest and most pluralistic continent, the cradle of the great religions, where Catholic communities are often tiny, hidden, and completely insignificant, Pope Francis recognized the importance of catholicity, “an inculturated universality that takes up the good where it lives and serves the people with whom it lives.” The Pope praised the exemplary witness of missionaries who, often in contexts where Christ had not yet arrived, sowed the seeds “not of a universalism that is homologous, but of a universalism that is inculturated.” In Central Asia, “the missionaries went to live like the Mongolian people, to speak the language of this people, to adopt the values of this people, and to preach the Gospel in the Mongolian way. They went and inculturated themselves: they adopted the Mongolian culture in order to inculturate the Gospel in that culture.”Precisely because of their structural condition as a “small flock,” the Catholic communities in various Asian countries have been able to develop their mission as “works and places of mercy,” that is, to present themselves as “open, welcoming places where the misery of every human being can come into contact, without shame, with the mercy of God, which uplifts and heals.” In these contexts, the Pope added, “it is crucial to see and recognize the good. It is important, like the Mongolian people, to look upward, toward the light of goodness. Only in this way, starting from the recognition of the good, can we contribute to making it better.” ”Let us remember how many seeds of goodness are hidden in the garden of the world, while we usually only hear the sound of falling trees!” And, also referring to the Mongolian people, but with a remark that is valid in many other contexts, he remarked: “What kind of people cherish their roots and traditions, respect their elders, and live in harmony with their environment? It is a people who search the heavens and feel the breath of creation. When we think of the boundless and silent expanses of Mongolia, we should be guided by the need to broaden the horizons of our vision.”From this experience, Francis drew the universal lesson that “we must expand the limits of our gaze so that we can see the good in others and broaden our horizons. And we must also expand our hearts: expand our hearts to understand, to be close to every person and every civilization.” This is a key that expresses and sums up the sometimes troubled gaze of the Successor of Peter on the small Catholic communities in Asian countries. These communities rely more on the power and grace of the Holy Spirit than on their economic, political, or media power. And they continue to have two strengths for their mission: the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Confession, which Francis has always considered and described as the sources of all missionary work.The Eucharist, the sacrament in which God offers himself, his flesh and blood, thereby breaking the cycle of violence and death. The cycle of life and death is a central theme in religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism, all of which originated on the Asian continent: hence, the sacrament of the Eucharist has a very special power and meaning for Asian peoples. This power and significance can be found, for example, in communities immersed in a reality—think of Afghanistan—where the political situation does not allow for the full exercise of religious freedom: there, it is still possible to celebrate the sacrament of the Eucharist, the living presence of Christ. A second strength of the Church’s mission is the sacrament of Confession, which enables believers to enter into a relationship with God and, through a human mediator, to receive forgiveness and reconciliation, an existential gift that comes from above and is not merely the fruit of a commitment to prayer or a path of personal purification. That is why “our Eucharistic celebrations are full of non-Christians,” explains Father Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang in predominantly Buddhist Cambodia, “and among them many are beginning the journey toward baptism.”(PA) ( Fides Agency 28/4/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN meet with Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong SAR

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    The Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community (DSG APSC) met with Ms Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), on 24 April 2025. Discussions focused on strengthening the connectivity between the two sides as well as advancing cooperation in areas such as transport infrastructure development, cross-border facilitation, and capacity building programmes to share expertise in transport and connectivity development.
     
    The day before, on 23 April, the ACJCC delegation visited Super Terminal 1 at Hong Kong International Airport. The tour provided insights into the latest innovations and future trends in terminal design, airport construction, and master planning, showcasing Hong Kong’s advancements in aviation infrastructure.

     
    The post The Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN meet with Secretary for Transport and Logistics of Hong Kong SAR appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE meets Slovak Deputy PM

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Executive John Lee today met Slovak Republic Deputy Prime Minister for the European Union Recovery Plan & the Knowledge Economy Peter Kmec and the governments of the two places signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in Science, Research & Innovation.

    Mr Kmec and Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong signed the MOU on behalf of the Slovak Republic Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government respectively.

    Mr Lee noted that the MOU is an important milestone in strengthening the ties between Hong Kong and the Slovak Republic on the innovation and technology (I&T) front, encouraging exchanges among scientific research organisations, scientific and technological talent and enterprises of the two places, and promotes co-operation in scientific research and innovation as well as the transfer of technology and innovation outcomes, contributing to the high-quality development of the two economies.

    While Hong Kong is striving to become an international I&T centre and the Slovak Republic has announced various long-term digital transformation development strategies in recent years, Mr Lee said he believes that there is ample room for future co-operation between Hong Kong and the Slovak Republic in the application of I&T.

    In terms of economic and trade development, Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong SAR Government will maintain close ties with the Slovak business community, and will organise promotion activities of various natures to keep them abreast of the latest developments and opportunities in Hong Kong.

    The Hong Kong SAR Government will also promote Hong Kong’s strengths and development potential, including the city’s close connections with international and Mainland markets, as well as the tremendous development opportunities brought by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and the Belt & Road Initiative.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Moomoo Foundation Celebrates 2025 Financial Literacy Month

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Partnered with Working in Support of Education (W!se)
    • Continued Campus Tour with Columbia University and New Jersey City University (NJCU)
    • Published Financial Literacy Survey with moomoo’s North America users

    JERSEY CITY, N.J., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The intuitive global trading platform moomoo and its Moomoo Foundation with the dedication to boosting financial literacy, are excited to announce its 2025 plan to celebrate the financial literacy month with its North American users and communities worldwide.

    This year, the moomoo foundation is partnering with the New York city-based educational nonprofit Working in Support of Education (W!se) to recognize the 100 Best W!se High Schools Teaching Personal Finance at Touro College in Midtown New York. Moomoo’s US CEO Neil McDonald presented awards to representatives from the 100 highest ranking high schools whose students excelled on W!se’s Financial Literacy Certification Test in the 2023-24 school year. Always held during April -Financial Literacy Month – the 100 best ceremony, is the first and only national ranking award to honor outstanding schools from W!se’s national network whose students performed well on the Test.

    In addition, Moomoo Foundation will host a series of financial literacy seminars across the New York and New Jersey area. Moomoo Technology’s Vice President of Strategy Justin Zacks spoke about stock market fundamentals and equity trading at Columbia University on April 25 and will conduct a seminar at NJCU’s business school on May 2. Working with Columbia’s GCC and NJCU’s Student Development & Community Engagement team, moomoo continues its efforts of bringing financial inclusion to empower individual investors of all kinds, irrespective of ethnicity, age or gender, with the tools they need to make informed investment decisions.

    Zacks said, “we are thrilled to extend our educational mission to the diverse academic audience in the Tri-State Area. These events reflect our long-term mission to inspire financial literacy at an early age and strengthen our community engagement with underserved demographics at every level of learning.”

    To understand investors’ financial health and their personal finance behaviors and habits, moomoo also conducted a quarterly survey with its North American users. As the U.S. markets notched a second consecutive year of over 20% price appreciation. Many retail investors gained a positive return financially, but a new tariff policy and signs of an economic slowdown made some of them concerned.

    The majority of moomoo users are better off than last year and many are able to save a consistent amount some of which is going into stocks. Low income and housing is a headwind for some and is preventing them from saving.

    Moomoo’s users in Canada are closely watching political developments both at home and in the US in order to help them adjust their spending plans.

    For more details, please download the moomoo North America financial literacy whitepaper here.

    About Moomoo Foundation

    Moomoo Foundation is a non-profit initiative launched by Moomoo, an intuitive investment and trading platform dedicated to financial empowerment. The foundation seeks to further Moomoo’s mission by promoting financial literacy, advancing economic equality, and fostering technological innovation.

    Through strategic partnerships and targeted grants, Moomoo Foundation focuses on nurturing fintech startups that share its vision, working to build a more inclusive and forward-thinking financial landscape.

    Our commitment goes beyond traditional philanthropy. At Moomoo Foundation, we are dedicated to establishing a sustainable, long-term approach that ensures our efforts make a lasting impact. We believe in equipping those we support with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to shape their own financial journey and thrive as active participants in the investment world. For more information, please visit moomoo’s official website at

    https://www.moomoo.com/us/moomoofoundation 

    About the Survey

    The survey included approximately 1200 registered moomoo users in North America (1000 U.S. users, 200 Canada users) from March 14 to March. 23, 2025. The data shown in the survey represents the opinion of those surveyed and may change based on the market and other conditions. The survey results provided herein may not represent other customers’ experience, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success and should also not be construed as investment advice. Experiences may differ than the ones represented here. Investing involves risks regardless of the strategy selected.

    This whitepaper is for informational and educational use only and is not a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment or investment strategy. Past investment performance does not indicate or guarantee future success. You should consider the appropriateness of this information having regard to your relevant personal circumstances before making any investment decisions.

    We do not provide tax advice and any tax-related information provided is general in nature and should not be considered tax advice. Consult a tax professional regarding your specific tax situation.

    Moomoo is a financial information and trading app offered by Moomoo Technologies Inc. In the U.S., Investment products and services on Moomoo are offered by Moomoo Financial Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

    About moomoo
    Moomoo is a leading global investment and trading platform dedicated to empowering investors with user-friendly tools, data, and insights. Our platform is designed to provide essential information and technology, enabling users to make more-informed investment decisions. With advanced charting tools, pro-level analytical features, moomoo evolves alongside our users, fostering a dynamic community where investors can share, learn, and grow together.

    Founded in the U.S., moomoo operates globally, serving investors in countries such as the US, Singapore, Australia, Japan, Canada and Malaysia. As a subsidiary of a Nasdaq-listed Futu Holdings (FUTU), we take pride in our role as a global strategic partner of the Nasdaq, earning numerous international accolades from renowned industry leaders such as Benzinga and Fintech Breakthrough. Moomoo has also received multiple awards in the US, Singapore, and Australia for its innovative, inclusive approach to investing.

    For more information, please visit moomoo’s official website at www.moomoo.com or feel free to email us: pr@us.moomoo.com.

    Moomoo is a financial information and trading app offered by Moomoo Technologies Inc. In the U.S., Investment products and services on Moomoo are offered by Moomoo Financial Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.

    Investing is risky. Securities offered through Moomoo FInancial Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC

    W!se and Nasdaq are independent third parties, not affiliated with Moomoo Financial Inc., Moomoo Technologies Inc., or its affiliates.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5a4ba7f-fa71-4fad-8fb2-6066d1f2c32c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Oshikatsu, the fandom phenomenon Japan hopes can boost its flagging economy

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Fabio Gygi, Senior Lecturer in Anthropology, SOAS, University of London

    Posters in Tokyo’s enormous Shinjuku railway station are normally used for advertising commodities like cosmetics and food, as well as new films. But occasionally you may happen across a poster with a birthday message and a picture of a young man, often from a boy band and typically with impeccable looks.

    These posters are created by specialised advertising companies and are paid for by adoring fans. They are part of a phenomenon called oshikatsu, a term coined in recent years that is made from the Japanese words for “push” and “activity”.

    Oshikatsu refers to the efforts fans engage in to support their favourite oshi, which can mean an entertainer, an anime or manga character, or a group they admire and want to “push”.

    A considerable part of this support is economic in nature. Fans attend events and concerts, or buy merchandise such as CDs, posters and other collectables. Other forms of oshikatsu are meant to spread the fame of their idol by sharing content about their oshi, engaging in social media campaigns, and writing fan fiction or drawing fan art.

    A birthday message for Kogun, a South Korean singer trying to make it in Japan, in 2022.
    Fabio Gygi, CC BY-NC-ND

    Oshikatsu developed out of the desire of fans to have a closer link to their idols. The combination of oshi and katsu first appeared on social media networks in 2016 and became widespread as a hashtag on Twitter in 2018. In 2021, oshikatsu was nominated as a candidate for Japan’s word of the year, a sign that its use had become mainstream.

    Now, it has appeared on the radar of corporate Japan. The reason for this is a burst of inflation in recent years, caused by pandemic supply chain disruption and geopolitical shocks, that has caused Japanese consumers to reduce their spending.

    However, with wages set to rise again for the third time in three years, the government is cautiously optimistic that economic growth can be rekindled through consumer-driven spending. Entertainment and media companies are looking to oshikatsu as a potential driver of this, although it is unclear whether the upcoming pay hikes will be sufficient.

    A widespread phenomenon

    Contrary to popular perception, oshikatsu is no longer the purview solely of subcultures or young people. It has made inroads with older age groups in Japan as well.

    According to a 2024 survey by Japanese marketing research company Harumeku, 46% of women aged in their 50s have an oshi that they support financially. Older generations tend to have more money to spend, especially after their own children have finished education.

    Oshikatsu also signifies an interesting reversal in terms of gender. While husbands in the traditional Japanese household are still expected to be breadwinners, in oshikatsu it is more often women who financially support young men.

    How much fans spend on their oshi depends. According to a recent survey by Japanese marketing company CDG and Oshicoco, an advertising agency specialising in oshikatsu, the average amount fans spend on activities related to their oshis is 250,000 yen (about £1,300) annually.

    This contributes an estimated 3.5 trillion yen (£18.8 billion) to the Japanese economy each year, and accounts for 2.1% of Japan’s total annual retail sales.

    Oshikatsu will drive up consumer spending. But I doubt it will have the impact on the Japanese economy that the authorities are hoping for. For the younger fans, the danger is that government approval will kill any kind of cool clout, making oshikatsu less appealing to these people in the long run.

    And if you support an oshi who has not yet made it, you may have a stronger sense that your support matters. Hence some of the spending will go directly to individuals, rather than to established corporate superstars. But it’s also possible that struggling young oshis may spend more of this money than established celebrities.

    Japan hopes that fandom can help revitalise its economy.
    amri48 / Shutterstock

    The international press is focusing either on the economic side of oshikatsu, or on the quirkiness of “obsessive” fans who get second jobs to support their oshi and mothers spending large sums on a man half their age. But what such coverage misses is the slow yet profound societal transformation that oshikatsu is a sign of.

    Research from 2022 on people engaging in oshikatsu makes clear that “fan activities” address a deep wish for connection, validation and belonging. While this could be satisfied by friendship or an intimate partnership, an increasing number of Japanese young adults feel that such relationships are “bothersome”.

    Young men are leading in this category, especially those who do not work as white-collar corporate workers with relatively stable jobs, the so-called salarymen. Many who work part time or in blue-collar jobs are finding it difficult to imagine a future in which they have families.

    The tertiary sector is thus changing to accommodate an increasing number of services that turn intangible things such as friendship, companionship and escapist romance fantasies into paid-for services.

    From non-sexual cuddling to renting a friend for the day or going on a date with a cross-dressing escort, temporary respite from loneliness can be sought on a per-hour basis. As a result, human connection itself is becoming something that can be consumed for a fee.

    On the other hand, sharing oshikatsu activities can create new friendships. Fans coming together to worship their idols collectively is a powerful way of creating new communities. It remains to be seen how these shifts in the way people relate to each other will shape the future of Japan’s economy and society.

    Fabio Gygi 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. Oshikatsu, the fandom phenomenon Japan hopes can boost its flagging economy – https://theconversation.com/oshikatsu-the-fandom-phenomenon-japan-hopes-can-boost-its-flagging-economy-253853

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Pamela McElwee, Professor of Human Ecology, Rutgers University

    During the Vietnam War, the U.S. bombed and defoliated vast areas of forest and protective mangroves. AP Photo

    When the Vietnam War finally ended on April 30, 1975, it left behind a landscape scarred with environmental damage. Vast stretches of coastal mangroves, once housing rich stocks of fish and birds, lay in ruins. Forests that had boasted hundreds of species were reduced to dried-out fragments, overgrown with invasive grasses.

    The term “ecocide” had been coined in the late 1960s to describe the U.S. military’s use of herbicides like Agent Orange and incendiary weapons like napalm to battle guerrilla forces that used jungles and marshes for cover.

    Fifty years later, Vietnam’s degraded ecosystems and dioxin-contaminated soils and waters still reflect the long-term ecological consequences of the war. Efforts to restore these damaged landscapes and even to assess the long-term harm have been limited.

    As an environmental scientist and anthropologist who has worked in Vietnam since the 1990s, I find the neglect and slow recovery efforts deeply troubling. Although the war spurred new international treaties aimed at protecting the environment during wartime, these efforts failed to compel post-war restoration for Vietnam. Current conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East show these laws and treaties still aren’t effective.

    Agent Orange and daisy cutters

    The U.S. first sent ground troops to Vietnam in March 1965 to support South Vietnam against revolutionary forces and North Vietnamese troops, but the war had been going on for years before then. To fight an elusive enemy operating clandestinely at night and from hideouts deep in swamps and jungles, the U.S. military turned to environmental modification technologies.

    The most well-known of these was Operation Ranch Hand, which sprayed at least 19 million gallons (75 million liters) of herbicides over approximately 6.4 million acres (2.6 million hectares), of South Vietnam. The chemicals fell on forests, and also on rivers, rice paddies and villages, exposing civilians and troops. More than half of that spraying involved the dioxin-contaminated defoliant Agent Orange.

    A U.S. Air Force C-123 flies low along a South Vietnamese highway spraying defoliants on dense jungle growth beside the road to eliminate ambush sites during the Vietnam War.
    AP Photo/Department of Defense

    Herbicides were used to strip the leaf cover from forests, increase visibility along transportation routes and destroy crops suspected of supplying guerrilla forces.

    As news of the damage from these tactics made it back to the U.S., scientists raised concerns about the campaign’s environmental impacts to President Lyndon Johnson, calling for a review of whether the U.S. was intentionally using chemical weapons. American military leaders’ position was that herbicides did not constitute chemical weapons under the Geneva Protocol, which the U.S. had yet to ratify.

    Scientific organizations also initiated studies within Vietnam during the war, finding widespread destruction of mangroves, economic losses of rubber and timber plantations, and harm to lakes and waterways.

    A photo at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, historically known as Saigon, shows the damage at Cần Giờ mangrove forest. The mangrove forest was destroyed by herbicides, bombs and plows.
    Gary Todd/Flickr

    In 1969, evidence linked a chemical in Agent Orange, 2,4,5-T, to birth defects and stillbirths in mice because it contained TCDD, a particularly harmful dioxin. That led to a ban on domestic use and suspension of Agent Orange use by the military in April 1970, with the last mission flown in early 1971.

    Incendiary weapons and the clearing of forests also ravaged rich ecosystems in Vietnam.

    The U.S. Forest Service tested large-scale incineration of jungles by igniting barrels of fuel oil dropped from planes. Particularly feared by civilians was the use of napalm bombs, with more than 400,000 tons of the thickened petroleum used during the war. After these infernos, invasive grasses often took over in hardened, infertile soils.

    Fires from napalm and other incendiary weapons cleared stretches of forest, in some cases scorching the soil so badly that nothing would regrow.
    AP Photo

    “Rome Plows,” massive bulldozers with an armor-fortified cutting blade, could clear 1,000 acres a day. Enormous concussive bombs, known as “daisy cutters”, flattened forests and set off shock waves killing everything within a 3,000-foot (900-meter) radius, down to earthworms in the soil.

    The U.S. also engaged in weather modification through Project Popeye, a secret program from 1967 to 1972 that seeded clouds with silver iodide to prolong the monsoon season in an attempt to cut the flow of fighters and supplies coming down the Ho Chi Minh Trail from North Vietnam. Congress eventually passed a bipartisan resolution in 1973 urging an international treaty to prohibit the use of weather modification as a weapon of war. That treaty came into effect in 1978.

    The U.S. military contended that all these tactics were operationally successful as a trade of trees for American lives.

    Despite Congress’ concerns, there was little scrutiny of the environmental impacts of U.S. military operations and technologies. Research sites were hard to access, and there was no regular environmental monitoring.

    Recovery efforts have been slow

    After the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese troops on April 30, 1975, the U.S. imposed a trade and economic embargo on all of Vietnam, leaving the country both war-damaged and cash-strapped.

    Vietnamese scientists told me they cobbled together small-scale studies. One found a dramatic drop in bird and mammal diversity in forests. In the A Lưới valley of central Vietnam, 80% of forests subjected to herbicides had not recovered by the early 1980s. Biologists found only 24 bird and five mammal species in those areas, far below normal in unsprayed forests.

    Only a handful of ecosystem restoration projects were attempted, hampered by shoestring budgets. The most notable began in 1978, when foresters began hand-replanting mangroves at the mouth of the Saigon River in Cần Giờ forest, an area that had been completely denuded.

    Mangroves have been replanted in the Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve near Ho Chi Minh City, but their restoration took decades.
    Tho Nau/Flickr, CC BY

    In inland areas, widespread tree-planting programs in the late 1980s and 1990s finally took root, but they focused on planting exotic trees like acacia, which did not restore the original diversity of the natural forests.

    Chemical cleanup is still underway

    For years, the U.S. also denied responsibility for Agent Orange cleanup, despite the recognition of dioxin-associated illnesses among U.S. veterans and testing that revealed continuing dioxin exposure among potentially tens of thousands of Vietnamese.

    The first remediation agreement between the two countries only occurred in 2006, after persistent advocacy by veterans, scientists and nongovernmental organizations led Congress to appropriate US$3 million for the remediation of the Da Nang airport.

    That project, completed in 2018, treated 150,000 cubic meters of dioxin-laden soil at an eventual cost of over $115 million, paid mostly by the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. The cleanup required lakes to be drained and contaminated soil, which had seeped more than 9 feet (3 meters) deeper than expected, to be piled and heated to break down the dioxin molecules.

    Large amounts of Agent Orange had been stored at the Da Nang airport during the war and contaminated the soil with dioxin. The cleanup project, including heating contaminated soil to high temperatures, was completed in 2018.
    Richard Nyberg/USAID

    Another major hot spot is the heavily contaminated Biên Hoà airbase, where local residents continue to ingest high levels of dioxin through fish, chicken and ducks.

    Agent Orange barrels were stored at the base, which leaked large amounts of the toxin into soil and water, where it continues to accumulate in animal tissue as it moves up the food chain. Remediation began in 2019; however, further work is at risk with the Trump administration’s near elimination of USAID, leaving it unclear if there will be any American experts in Vietnam in charge of administering this complex project.

    Laws to prevent future ‘ecocide’ are complicated

    While Agent Orange’s health effects have understandably drawn scrutiny, its long-term ecological consequences have not been well studied.

    Current-day scientists have far more options than those 50 years ago, including satellite imagery, which is being used in Ukraine to identify fires, flooding and pollution. However, these tools cannot replace on-the-ground monitoring, which often is restricted or dangerous during wartime.

    The legal situation is similarly complex.

    In 1977, the Geneva Conventions governing conduct during wartime were revised to prohibit “widespread, long term, and severe damage to the natural environment.” A 1980 protocol restricted incendiary weapons. Yet oil fires set by Iraq during the Gulf War in 1991, and recent environmental damage in the Gaza Strip, Ukraine and Syria indicate the limits of relying on treaties when there are no strong mechanisms to ensure compliance.

    Remediation work to remove dioxin contamination was just getting started at the former Biên Hoà Air Base in Vietnam when USAID’s staff was dismantled in 2025.
    USAID Vietnam, CC BY-NC

    An international campaign currently underway calls for an amendment to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to add ecocide as a fifth prosecutable crime alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

    Some countries have adopted their own ecocide laws. Vietnam was the first to legally state in its penal code that “Ecocide, destroying the natural environment, whether committed in time of peace or war, constitutes a crime against humanity.” Yet the law has resulted in no prosecutions, despite several large pollution cases.

    Both Russia and Ukraine also have ecocide laws, but these have not prevented harm or held anyone accountable for damage during the ongoing conflict.

    Lessons for the future

    The Vietnam War is a reminder that failure to address ecological consequences, both during war and after, will have long-term effects. What remains in short supply is the political will to ensure that these impacts are neither ignored nor repeated.

    Pamela McElwee receives funding from the Carnegie Corporation, National Science Foundation, and National Endowment for the Humanities.

    – ref. 50 years later, Vietnam’s environment still bears the scars of war – and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/50-years-later-vietnams-environment-still-bears-the-scars-of-war-and-signals-a-dark-future-for-gaza-and-ukraine-254971

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis filled the College of Cardinals with a diverse group of men – and they’ll be picking his successor

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross

    The Catholic Church’s 115 cardinal-electors take part in a mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on March 12, 2013, ahead of entering the conclave for a papal election. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Following the death of 88-year-old Pope Francis on Easter Monday, several cardinals who were already in Rome, or who traveled only short distances to arrive, held the first of several meetings – general congregations – to discuss preparations for the papal funeral and the election to follow.

    The College of Cardinals – which will elect the next pope – has 252 members, but only 135 can vote. Only those younger than 80 as of the day of a pope’s death may cast a ballot. Theoretically, church law allows the College of Cardinals to elect any Catholic man in the world to become the next pope – but in reality, as has been the case for more than 600 years, one of those cardinal-electors will almost certainly be Francis’ successor.

    As a specialist on medieval Catholicism and worship, I have studied how the role of cardinals has developed over time and how it has changed in the 20th and 21st centuries.

    How role of cardinals evolved

    During the early centuries of Christianity, three classes of ordained minsters came about to lead and serve Christian communities: bishops, priests and deacons.

    Bishops supervised local church communities and presided at liturgical ceremonies in the main churches – cathedrals. Priests advised the bishops and led individual communities – parishes. Deacons tended to the needs of the poor, widows and orphans and took care of community finances. They also had a special role during some worship services and often acted as the bishop’s secretaries.

    Over time, seven of these deacons in key Roman churches served as special advisers to the bishop of Rome, the pope. They came to be called cardinals, from Latin “cardo” – meaning hinge – and “cardinalis” meaning key or principal. Later popes would choose priests and bishops to be cardinals as well.

    Electing the pope

    In the earlier centuries, popes would be elected by the clergy and people of the city of Rome. As time went on, these elections could be manipulated by local civic leaders, wealthy families and political leaders outside of Rome and Italy.

    It was not until the 11th century that Pope Nicholas II formulated a process for selecting a new pope: election by an assembly of cardinals. However, it was not always possible for all the cardinals – known as the College of Cardinals – to come together, due to age, illness or distance. Those who had to travel long distances might arrive too late to vote.

    In order to avoid continued outside interference, Pope Gregory X in the 13th century adopted a new procedure: the conclave. Cardinals would remain in a locked location – from the Latin cum clave, “with a key” – in isolation from outside influences until the election concluded.

    The rules governing the conclave changed slightly over the years. The leader of the College of Cardinals is called the dean of the college. Over the centuries, his duties have come to include organizing the conclave, assisted by other Vatican officials. The size of the college has also varied over time but has steadily increased despite efforts to limit its size.

    Starting in the 19th century, popes began expanding the size and geography of the college. Once dominated by European and especially Italian cardinals, popes began to choose new cardinals from different areas of the globe. For example, the first cardinals born in North America were named: John McClosky, archbishop of New York, was named cardinal in 1875; James Gibbons, archbishop of Baltimore in 1886, and Elzéar-Alexandre Taschereau, archbishop of Quebec, also in 1886.

    The College of Cardinals receives final instructions from the Grand Marshal before adjourning to the Sistine Chapel to begin voting for a new pope in 1922.
    Bettmann via Getty Images

    The expansion of the college gathered momentum in the mid-20th century. The first native-born bishops from Asia were named at this time – for example, from China in 1946, Japan and the Philippines in 1960, and Sri Lanka in 1965. The first native-born cardinals of both Mexico and Uruguay were named in 1958, and the first native-born African of modern times, from Tanzania, was named in 1960. Popes continued this trend through the later 20th and early 21st centuries.

    Different visions

    By the time of his death, Francis had named a large number of new, non-European cardinals, especially from the Global South, where Catholicism is expanding. Currently, out of a total of 252 cardinals, 138 are non-European. Importantly, out of a total 135 cardinals eligible to vote, 82 are not from Europe, which makes a record number of non-Europeans eligible to vote.

    In addition, at this conclave, 80% of the cardinal-electors have been named by Francis: that is 108 cardinals out of 135. This is an overwhelming number, representing a wide variety of Catholic communities from several different cultures. A new pope must be elected with a two-thirds majority of the votes: a total of 90 votes. If no candidate receives 90 votes, balloting continues as scheduled.

    As I see it, there are several issues likely to arise and influence the vote for the upcoming election. Some of the cardinal-electors may want to choose a cardinal with more progressive views. But other cardinals, even if chosen by Francis, still might prefer to choose a more conservative candidate, to moderate what they see as the progressive agenda of the past 12 years. Their appointment by Francis doesn’t mean that they automatically agree with all of his ideas.

    In addition, specific issues facing the church will also shape opinions. Perhaps the most important include dealing with the scandal of clergy sexual abuse cases; the role of women in the church; and the treatment of immigrants and other instances of economic and social injustice.

    Catholics around the world will be praying for the Holy Spirit to guide the hearts and minds of the cardinals as they fill out their ballots. Many will hope for a pope as inspiring as his predecessor, one who can face the challenging problems of an increasingly complex world.

    Joanne M. Pierce 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. Pope Francis filled the College of Cardinals with a diverse group of men – and they’ll be picking his successor – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-filled-the-college-of-cardinals-with-a-diverse-group-of-men-and-theyll-be-picking-his-successor-254976

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: POET Technologies Announces US$25 Million Offering Priced at a Premium to Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Corporation“) (TSXV: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), a leader in the design and implementation of highly-integrated optical engines and light sources for artificial intelligence networks today announces its intention to complete a non-brokered public offering of 5,000,000 units of the Corporation (the “Units“) at a price of US$5.00 per Unit (the “Issue Price“) for aggregate gross proceeds to the Corporation of US$25 million (the “Offering“). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Corporation (each, a “Common Share“) and one common share purchase warrant of the Corporation (each, a “Warrant“), with each Warrant being exercisable to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$8.32 for a period of five years from the date of issuance.

    The Issue Price represents a premium of approximately 21.8% over the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on Friday, April 25, 2025. The Corporation anticipates using the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    The Offering will be made by way of a prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement“) to the short form base shelf prospectus of the Corporation dated September 6, 2024, which Prospectus Supplement will be prepared and filed by the Corporation prior to the closing of the Offering with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, as well as with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the Corporation’s U.S. registration statement on Form F-10 (“Form F-10“) (Registration No. 333-280553) under the U.S.-Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System, with such additions thereto and deletions therefrom as may be permitted or required by Form F-10. The Offering is expected to be fully subscribed by a single institutional investor in Canada that qualifies as an “accredited investor” under National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

    The consummation of the Offering remains subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange“), and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. No commission or finder’s fee will be paid in connection with the Offering.

    The Corporation had announced the terms of a similar offering on December 12, 2024. However, the Corporation decided to postpone such offering in order to prioritize the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Quanzhou San’an Optical Communication Technology Co., Ltd.’s 24.8% interest in Super Photonics Integrated Circuit Xiamen Co., Ltd. (“SPX“) and meet key milestones related to establishing assembly and manufacturing capabilities in Malaysia. With the SPX acquisition now complete and the Malaysia expansion well underway, the Corporation and the investor have agreed to revised offering terms and anticipate completing the Offering on or about May 15, 2025. With an already robust cash position, the completion of the current offering will be used to further establish the Corporation as a leading supplier of optical engines and light sources that power connectivity in artificial intelligence systems and networks.

    This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About POET Technologies Inc.

    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical engines, light source products and custom optical modules to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers.  POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical Interposer™, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET’s Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems.  POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges across a broad range of communication, computing and sensing applications.  POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Singapore, Penang, Malaysia and Shenzhen, China.  More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include, without limitation, the Corporation’s expectations with respect to consummation of the Offering, the Corporation’s ability to complete the Offering on the announced terms, the Corporation’s products, the scalability of the POET Optical Interposer and the success of the Corporation’s products, the Corporation’s ability satisfy all closing conditions and close the Offering within the announced timeline, the investor acquiring all of the Units under the Offering on the terms announced, the Corporation’s use of proceeds for the Offering, the Corporation’s ability to complete the Malaysia expansion, the Corporation’s ability to obtain the final approval of the Exchange, the Corporation being well-capitalized upon the closing of the Offering and the Corporation being able to advance its business objectives. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management’s expectations regarding the size of the market for its products, the capability of SPX to produce products on time and at the expected costs, the performance and availability of certain components, and the success of its customers in achieving market penetration for their products. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the attractiveness of the Corporation’s product offerings, performance of its technology, the performance of key components, and ability of its customers to sell their products into the market. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Corporation’s filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Corporation’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Corporation can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by applicable securities laws.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

    120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Hallador Energy Company Schedules First Quarter 2025 Conference Call for May 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TERRE HAUTE, Ind., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hallador Energy Company (Nasdaq: HNRG) (“Hallador” or the “Company”), will host a conference call on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. The Company’s results will be reported in a press release prior to the call.

    Hallador’s management will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer period. Interested parties may submit questions prior to the call by emailing the Company’s investor relations team, Elevate IR, at HNRG@elevate-ir.com.

    Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
    Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
    Dial-in registration link: here
    Live webcast registration link: here

    The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.halladorenergy.com.

    About Hallador Energy Company

    Hallador Energy Company (Nasdaq: HNRG) is a vertically-integrated Independent Power Producer (IPP) based in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Company has two core businesses: Hallador Power Company, LLC, which produces electricity and capacity at its one-Gigawatt (GW) Merom Generating Station, and Sunrise Coal, LLC, which produces and supplies fuel to the Merom Generating Station and other companies. To learn more about Hallador, visit the Company’s website at www.halladorenergy.com.

    Company Contact

    Marjorie Hargrave
    Chief Financial Officer
    MHargrave@halladorenergy.com

    Investor Relations Contact

    Sean Mansouri, CFA
    Elevate IR
    (720) 330-2829
    HNRG@elevate-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Enphase Energy Enters the Solar Market in Japan with IQ8 Microinverters

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FREMONT, Calif., April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enphase Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: ENPH), a global energy technology company and the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems, today announced production shipments of IQ8™ Microinverters in Japan through a distribution agreement with ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU), one of the largest trading companies in the country.

    Starting April 1, 2025, Tokyo became the first Japanese city to mandate rooftop solar on all new homes built by large-scale homebuilders. Tokyo’s residences typically have smaller roof areas, making rooftop solar system design challenging. Enphase IQ8 Microinverters enable flexible and scalable systems, enhancing solar production and reliability for optimized rooftop solar systems in Tokyo. Enphase microinverters feature an AC architecture that provides enhanced protection for customers in Japan.

    “Enphase has solidified its position as a frontrunner in home energy management globally, and we are excited to announce that ITOCHU will now provide Enphase’s cutting-edge IQ8 Microinverters in Japan,” said Shunsuke Kawashima, general manager of the Sustainable Energy Business Department at ITOCHU. “This collaboration is a win for everyone involved, especially as Tokyo begins implementing its rooftop solar mandate on all new homes. Today, many homeowners with small roofs can’t access the benefits of solar energy due to a lack of quality solutions. Enphase IQ8 Microinverters provide a safer, reliable solution for the unique design challenges of Tokyo’s smaller roof areas, making solar possible for many more people. We’re also pleased to facilitate the Tokyo metropolitan government’s 20 yen-per-watt subsidy for homeowners who install Enphase products.”

    Enphase will be launching IQ8HC™ Microinverters in Japan initially, which can manage a continuous DC current of 14 amperes and feature a peak output power of 350 VA. All Enphase IQ8 Microinverters activated in Japan come with a 25-year warranty.

    “ITOCHU is an invaluable customer, and we’re thrilled to enter the market in Japan, which is a large residential solar market that values quality and service,” said Ken Fong, senior vice president and general manager of the Americas and APAC at Enphase Energy. “Microinverters will provide homeowners with excellent energy production, safety, and warranty — perfect for compact roofs even if there is partial shading. We feel confident in our collaboration with ITOCHU and look forward to the positive impact we can make together in promoting sustainable energy solutions for homeowners across the country.”

    For more information, please visit the Enphase Japan website.

    About Enphase Energy, Inc.

    Enphase Energy, a global energy technology company based in Fremont, CA, is the world’s leading supplier of microinverter-based solar and battery systems that enable people to harness the sun to make, use, save, and sell their own power — and control it all with a smart mobile app. The company revolutionized the solar industry with its microinverter-based technology and builds all-in-one solar, battery, and software solutions. Enphase has shipped approximately 81.5 million microinverters, and approximately 4.8 million Enphase-based systems have been deployed in over 160 countries. For more information, visit https://enphase.com/.

    ©2025 Enphase Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. Enphase Energy, Enphase, the “e” logo, IQ, and certain other marks listed at https://enphase.com/trademark-usage-guidelines are trademarks or service marks of Enphase Energy, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Other names are for informational purposes and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements related to the expected capabilities and performance of Enphase Energy’s technology and products, including safety, quality, and reliability; and statements regarding the timing and availability of Enphase Energy’s products in Japan. These forward-looking statements are based on Enphase Energy’s current expectations and inherently involve significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements as a result of such risks and uncertainties including those risks described in more detail in Enphase Energy’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other documents filed by Enphase Energy from time to time with the SEC. Enphase Energy undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations, except as required by law.

    Contact:

    Enphase Energy

    press@enphaseenergy.com

    This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: StepStone Real Estate Closes Record-Breaking $3.77 Billion Real Estate Secondaries Fund, Surpassing $4.5 Billion in Total Investment Capacity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — StepStone Real Estate (SRE), the real estate arm of StepStone Group (Nasdaq: STEP), today announced the final closing of StepStone Real Estate Partners V (SREP V), its fifth flagship fund dedicated to GP-led secondaries and recapitalizations of real estate vehicles. With $3.77 billion in primary commitments, SREP V represents the largest real estate secondaries fund raised to date. Including co-investments completed and discretionary vehicles raised to invest alongside the fund, the total investment program exceeds $4.5 billion in capacity.

    Despite challenging market conditions and a slowdown in fundraising across the real estate sector, SREP V was significantly oversubscribed, reflecting strong investor confidence in SRE’s differentiated strategy and past performance. To date, SREP V and related separate accounts have committed $1.7 billion across 8 investments, with a large pipeline of transactions currently closing, underscoring the significant demand for liquidity solutions from real estate GPs.

    Founded in 2009, SRE was established by Jeff Giller, Partner and Head of StepStone Real Estate, Josh Cleveland, Partner and Head of EMEA, and Brendan MacDonald, Partner and Chief Operating Officer. Since inception, the firm has focused on providing liquidity to real estate funds and their investors during times of market dislocation.

    “We believe the combination of value declines, historically low transaction volume, increased borrowing costs, and a slow fundraising environment has created unprecedented illiquidity across real estate markets,” said Giller. “Our strategy—providing liquidity solutions to real estate vehicles and investors when traditional liquidity avenues are challenged—has proven resilient through all phases of the market cycle, and it’s especially compelling today.”

    “SREP V attracted a diverse global investor base, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies, and wealth management platforms,” said Cleveland. “The fund saw notably higher participation from North American institutions compared to prior vintages, along with increased commitments from investors in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America,” he added.

    The success of the fundraise was also driven by the strength of SRE’s broader platform.   “Our advisory practice, which oversees roughly $170 billion in real estate assets under advisement, continues to play a pivotal role in sourcing and evaluating secondaries transactions,” said MacDonald. “We conduct over 1,000 manager meetings annually and have allocated approximately $17 billion per year across primary investments in funds, secondaries, and co-investments. This level of engagement gives us a distinct vantage point in the market—and a strong edge in deal sourcing and diligence.”

    SREP V continues a strategy pioneered by SRE’s founders following the Global Financial Crisis, shifting from traditional secondaries focused on passive limited partner interests to control-oriented, GP-led secondaries and recapitalizations.

    Latham & Watkins LLP advised on the formation of the fund and Threadmark Partners Limited provided placement agent services.

    About StepStone and StepStone Real Estate

    StepStone Group Inc. (Nasdaq: STEP) is a global private markets investment firm focused on providing customized investment solutions and advisory and data services to its clients. As of December 31, 2024, StepStone was responsible for $698 billion of total capital, including $179 billion of assets under management. StepStone’s clients include some of the world’s largest public and private defined benefit and defined contribution pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies, as well as prominent endowments, foundations, family offices and private wealth clients, which include high-net-worth and mass affluent individuals. StepStone partners with its clients to develop and build private markets portfolios designed to meet their specific objectives across the real estate, private equity, infrastructure, and private debt asset classes.

    Contacts

    Shareholder Relations:
    Seth Weiss
    shareholders@stepstonegroup.com
    +1 (212) 351-6106

    Media:
    Brian Ruby / Chris Gillick / Matt Lettiero, ICR
    StepStonePR@icrinc.com
    +1 (203) 682-8268

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neag School Alums Take Their Teaching Skills Abroad, Changing Students’ Lives Around the World

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn Neag School of Education alumni Jessica Stargardter ’16 (ED), ’17 MA; Gabriel Castro ’14 (ED), ’15 MA; Nicole Holland Kew ’09 (ED), ’10 MA; and Yurah Robidas Emmenegger ’09 (ED), ’09 (CLAS), ’10 MA; have each embarked on remarkable journeys as educators, spanning continents and cultures. From their foundations at UConn to classrooms across the world, their careers highlight the transformative power of teaching beyond borders.

    “Time after time, our UConn participants have told me that studying and teaching abroad has been one of the most profound experiences of their lives,” says Doug Kaufman, the Neag School’s director of global education and an associate professor of curriculum and instruction. “I see it, too. Moving away from familiar and comfortable contexts has taught them how to recognize the diverse and powerful gifts that their students at home bring into the classroom.

    “Working abroad develops cultural awareness, empathy, humility, and an expanded sense of possibility when working with students. Our teachers learn how to learn from their students and advocate for them all.”

    Stargardter’s passion for gifted education led her from Connecticut to Panama, Singapore, and Finland, shaping her global perspective. She says her experiences reinforce her belief in education as a universal force for change, transcending cultural and linguistic differences.

    Working abroad develops cultural awareness, empathy, humility, and an expanded sense of possibility when working with students. Our teachers learn how to learn from their students and advocate for them all. &#8212 Doug Kaufman, Neag School’s director of global education

    Castro’s path to teaching went from Puerto Rico to Colombia, Costa Rica, and Taiwan, and he has embraced each opportunity with curiosity and openness. His teaching philosophy is rooted in adaptation and connection, ensuring meaningful relationships with students regardless of geography. As he prepares for fatherhood, he looks forward to the next chapter of his journey.

    For Kew, London became home. A study abroad trip led to a life-changing move across the Atlantic, where she has spent over a decade teaching and raising a family. Balancing work and her personal life, she cherishes her role as an educator in a diverse, evolving community.

    Emmenegger’s love for language and culture brought her from Connecticut to France, Portugal, and Switzerland. Teaching French and German in international schools, she exemplifies resilience and adaptability, proving that a commitment to education can create opportunities in unexpected places.

    Together, their stories illustrate the boundless impact of teaching, and the unique paths educators take to inspire students worldwide.

    Reconnecting with Family Roots

    From Connecticut to Puerto Rico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and now Taiwan, every step of Gabriel Castro’s ’14 (ED), ’15 MA journey has been driven by curiosity, a love for teaching, and an openness to change. (Photo courtesy of Gabriel Castro)

    Education wasn’t Castro’s first choice — he entered UConn as a psychology major, uncertain of his career path. However, a mentorship role in a First-Year Experience course changed everything. Standing before a classroom, guiding new college students, he realized teaching was what he was meant to do.

    After graduating from the Neag School, he took his first teaching position in Puerto Rico, reconnecting with his roots. His mother had spent much of her childhood moving between Puerto Rico and Connecticut, and teaching at a K-12 school immersed him in a close-knit community.

    Three years in Puerto Rico deepened his love for international teaching and inspired him to explore the other half of his heritage. His father had emigrated from Colombia, and Castro wanted to experience the country firsthand. Moving to Colombia, he found a vibrant culture, rich with music festivals, soccer, and breathtaking landscapes. It was there he met his wife, Kismeth, a fellow international teacher from New York. He says their shared passion for education and adventure brought them together.

    They had intended to take a sabbatical year traveling through South America, but the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped their plans. With borders closing, they found temporary teaching positions in Costa Rica. Castro stepped in as a last-minute math teacher, navigating virtual classes, hybrid schedules, and masked interactions. Despite the challenges, Costa Rica was a paradise.

    My years of adapting to different educational environments had prepared me well. &#8212 Gabriel Castro ’14 (ED), ’15 MA

    “With tourism at a standstill, nature thrived,” he says. “Sloths and monkeys roamed undisturbed, and sunsets painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson.”

    As the world reopened, they faced their next big decision. Asia had always intrigued them, and Taiwan offered everything they wanted — an excellent school, a safe environment, and a strong culture of hiking, cycling, and running.

    Moving to Taiwan was a leap of faith but quickly felt like home. While the language barrier existed outside the classroom, Castro found his ability to connect with students transcended words.

    “My years of adapting to different educational environments had prepared me well,” he says.

    From Connecticut to Puerto Rico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and now Taiwan, every step of his journey has been driven by curiosity, a love for teaching, and an openness to change. His classroom now extends beyond four walls, spanning countries, cultures, and languages, and he is preparing for an exciting new personal chapter: fatherhood.

    “I have an 11-month-old puppy, so I feel like I’ve been practicing in a way,” he says. “It’s a steep learning curve! But I’m excited to see how we can continue traveling with a baby and incorporating her into our adventures.”

    Finding Love While Abroad

    “It’s the children, really. Seeing them progress, mature, but still retain that spark of who they are — it’s special,” says Nicole Holland Kew ’09 (ED), ’10 MA. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Holland Kew)

    Fourteen years into her teaching career — first in Connecticut and then in London — Kew still finds joy in watching her students grow.

    “It’s the children, really,” she says. “Seeing them progress, mature, but still retain that spark of who they are — it’s special.”

    Having spent 10 years at the same London school, she has become deeply embedded in the community. She gets to know families, watches siblings pass through her classroom, and shares their triumphs and struggles.

    “Teaching wasn’t just a job; it was a life woven into the fabric of so many others,” she says.

    Her path to teaching began in high school when she worked at an after-school program at her former elementary school in Connecticut. Later, as a camp director at a nature center, she solidified her love for mentoring. Her mother had always dreamed of being a teacher but never pursued it.

    Teaching wasn’t just a job; it was a life woven into the fabric of so many others. &#8212 Nicole Holland Kew ’09 (ED), ’10 MA

    “Maybe in a way, I was fulfilling that dream for both of us,” Kew says.

    A single decision changed her trajectory. Studying abroad in London while at the Neag School was supposed to be an adventure — an opportunity to explore a city she had loved since a family trip at 13. She hadn’t expected to meet her future husband just weeks into the program.

    They met in a pub, a chance encounter that turned into a long-distance relationship. After navigating time zones and transatlantic flights, they decided to marry. With her husband’s career established in London and the UK actively recruiting teachers, it made sense for Kew to move.

    Adjusting to teaching in England came with challenges. In Connecticut, Kew had more autonomy in her teaching, while curriculum and behavior management were standardized in London. Leadership opportunities came more readily, and she briefly considered administration but loved being in the classroom too much.

    Balancing work and family was another challenge. With four children — two daughters, 6 and 4, and toddler twins — her hands are full.

    “Honestly,” she says, “going to work feels like a break compared to being home!”

    London has become home in ways she never expected. During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband considered moving to the U.S. to be closer to her family, but something always held them back. London has given her a life she cherishes, a career she loves, a community she belongs to, and — most importantly — a family she has built from the ground up.

    Focused on All Things French

    Yurah Robidas Emmenegger ’09 (ED), ’09 (CLAS), ’10 MA says her Neag School education instilled adaptability, an open-minded approach to curricula, and a hands-on teaching philosophy. These lessons help her navigate unfamiliar school systems and cultural differences with confidence. (Photo courtesy of Yurah Robidas Emmenegger)

    Emmenegger, who taught for 15 years in Connecticut and now teaches in France, first became interested in education while teaching piano and tutoring in high school. With a mother who was also a teacher, it felt natural.

    “It just made sense that I would become a teacher,” she says.

    Growing up in Bristol and Plainville, Emmenegger developed a love for French through her mother, who had lived in Switzerland and Portugal.

    “She sang to us in French as kids,” Emmenegger says. “In high school, I jumped at the chance to study it.”

    A summer program in France in 2007 and the Neag School’s study abroad program in London during her master’s year of the Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s teacher education program deepened her passion for language and curriculum planning.

    My marriage, career, and worldview have all been shaped by this journey. While I still hope for a French teaching position, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be. &#8212 Yurah Robidas Emmenegger ’09 (ED), ’09 (CLAS), ’10 MA

    After graduating, she taught French in Ellington, for three years but longed to live in France. She joined the French government’s teaching assistant program and was placed in Monté, where she lived with international assistants and did a weekly language exchange with another teacher. She spoke in English for half an hour for the language exchange to help the other teacher improve his English communication skills. Then, the other half specifically worked on improving her grammar.

    Since she couldn’t teach French in France, Emmenegger explored other opportunities. Her mother’s past in Portugal led her there for Christmas, where she fell in love with the country and found a teaching job. But her journey took an unexpected turn — she met her future husband in Switzerland. When the world shut down in 2020, they spent months apart. Determined to be together, they married in May 2021, and, by July, she had moved to Switzerland.

    Finding a teaching job there was challenging. She took a role at a private school, but it wasn’t the right fit.

    She joined the International School of Basel (ISB), but no French positions were available. Expanding her search, she took a six-month role at a Swiss public school, but left after half a year.

    ISB welcomed her back with an unexpected offer: teaching beginner German. Having learned German just two years earlier through Duolingo and night classes, she thought the interview offer was a joke. But ISB encouraged her. She took the leap and found herself in a supportive, engaging environment. ISB promised her priority for the next French opening, but no one wanted to leave — a testament to the school’s quality.

    Despite career uncertainties, Emmenegger and her husband were building a life together. He was teaching while finishing his studies, and they navigated the challenges of being an international couple.

    “You have to be open to moving,” she says. “Each time I relocated, I rebuilt my support system, making me appreciate my deep connections back home even more.”

    She says her Neag School education instilled adaptability, an open-minded approach to curricula, and a hands-on teaching philosophy. These lessons helped her navigate unfamiliar school systems and cultural differences with confidence.

    For those who love studying abroad, Emmenegger encourages taking the next step and teaching internationally, as she has no regrets.

    “My marriage, career, and worldview have all been shaped by this journey,” she says. “And while I still hope for a French teaching position, I know I am exactly where I am meant to be.”

    From UConn to Global Classrooms

    Jessica Stargardter’s ’16 (ED), ’17 MA teaching journey included a year in Finland as a Fulbright Scholar, during which time she researched teacher evaluations in the country’s globally recognized education system. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Stargardter)

    Stargardter’s journey as an educator has been extraordinary, spanning continents and shaping her perspective on the transformative power of teaching. After graduating from the Neag School, she began her career in Connecticut, teaching in Greenwich Public Schools before moving to Norwalk. There, she discovered her passion for gifted and talented education, an interest sparked during her time at UConn, where she worked at the Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development.

    “I started filing papers at first, but then I received a grant to conduct research,” she says, which ignited a lifelong commitment to student potential.

    Stargardter’s dedication led her to teach abroad at the International School of Panama.

    “It was my first experience in a traditional classroom after working across grade levels,” she says. “I felt like a first-year teacher again, but it taught me so much about myself and the world.”

    She later moved to Singapore, where she found a more manageable cultural transition.

    “I was in a classroom with students from all over the world, each bringing something unique,” she says. “It was challenging but incredibly rewarding.”

    Teaching is more than just a profession. It’s a way to change lives, one student at a time, no matter where I teach. &#8212 Jessica Stargardter ’16 (ED), ’17 MA

    Teaching abroad reinforced her belief in education’s universal impact, transcending borders and backgrounds. Reflecting on what initially drew her to teaching, Stargardter credits her third-grade teacher, Mr. Simeone.

    “He gamified everything,” she says. “Learning was fun and engaging. I remember thinking I wanted to do the same for my students.”

    Her teaching journey also included a year in Finland as a Fulbright Scholar, during which time she researched teacher evaluations in the country’s globally recognized education system. Initially considering a career in academia, she realized how much she missed teaching, leading her back to the classroom and eventually to her move to Panama.

    Stargardter’s foundation for success was built at the Neag School, where extensive classroom experiences prepared her for any teaching environment.

    “Neag gave me the tools to step into my first classroom ready to succeed,” she says, crediting the program’s diverse placements for shaping her adaptable teaching philosophy.

    During her master’s year, Stargardter interned in London through one of the Neag School’s study abroad programs, working at a school for adolescents with mental health challenges. She says this experience reshaped her understanding of education, teaching her that learning extends beyond traditional classrooms.

    Her journey abroad has reinforced her belief in cross-cultural education’s power to broaden perspectives.

    “Teaching is more than just a profession,” she says. “It’s a way to change lives, one student at a time, no matter where I teach.”

    To learn more about the Neag School’s teacher education programs, visit teachered.education.uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Cardinal Parolin to young people at the “Jubilee for Adolescents”: may Pope Francis’ legacy become a way of life

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    VaticanMedia

    Vatican City (Fides Agency) – In times of darkness, “the Lord comes to us with the light of the Resurrection to illuminate our hearts.” This is what happened to Jesus’ disciples when they encountered the Risen One, who after Jesus’ death on the cross had felt “ orphaned, alone, lost, threatened and helpless”. This is happening again today, with the light of Easter illuminating even the sadness over the end of Pope Francis’ earthly life.On the sun-drenched St. Peter’s Square, Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the approximately 200,000 young people who had come to Rome from all over the world to participate in the Holy Year of Youth with words of hope and Easter joy during the funeral Mass for the late Pope on the second day of the “Novendiale.”Easter joy, the Venetian cardinal told the boys and girls, “ can almost be touched in this square today; you can see it etched above all in your faces, dear children and young people who have come from all over the world to celebrate the Jubilee. You come from so many places: from all of the dioceses of Italy, from Europe, from the United States to Latin America, from Africa to Asia, from the United Arab Emirates… with you here, the whole world is truly present!”Cardinal Parolin recalled that Pope Francis, quoting the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, placed the joy of the Gospel at the center of his pontificate, which “fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus”. “Never forget,” the cardinal urged, ‘to nourish your lives with the true hope that has the face of Jesus Christ’ with whom ‘you will never be abandoned or alone,’ He ”who comes to meet you where you are, to give you the courage to live.” On the second Sunday of Easter, Dominica in Albis, when the Church also celebrates the Feast of Divine Mercy, Cardinal Parolin also recalled that “it is precisely the Father’s mercy, likewise the eagerness to proclaim and share God’s mercy with all – the proclamation of the Good News, evangelisation – was the principal theme of his pontificate. He reminded us that “mercy” is the very name of God, and, therefore, no one can put a limit on his merciful love with which he wants to raise us up and make us new people.” The affection manifested for Pope Francis after the end of his earthly life, the Cardinal emphasized in his homily, “must not remain a mere emotion of the moment; we must welcome his legacy and make it part of our lives, opening ourselves to God’s mercy and also being merciful to one another”. Mercy, added the cardinal, “brings us back to the heart of faith,” “heals and creates a new world, putting out the fires of distrust, hatred and violence: this is the great teaching of Pope Francis.” ( Fides Agency 27/4/2025).
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDIA – Tension between India and Pakistan after attack in Kashmir: a Catholic among the victims

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Srinagar (Fides Agency) – The Parliament of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir passed a resolution today, April 28, expressing its dismay at the terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam (Kashmir), which killed 26 people, mostly Indian tourists. The resolution pledges to resolutely combat “plans to disrupt harmony between communities and hinder progress.” Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the border between India and Pakistan following the attack by Pakistan-based terrorist groups, which India has described as an “act of war.” Violations of the ceasefire were reported for the fourth consecutive day along the Line of Control (LoC), the temporary border dividing Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled areas of Kashmir.Meanwhile, the Indian government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative content and disinformation against India.On the Pakistani side, the government in Islamabad banned Indian airlines from using its airspace due to escalating tensions between the two countries. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan “seeks peace in the region”: “Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism and has nothing to do with the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam in the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir,” he said. He reiterated that Pakistan was ready to “cooperate in a transparent and impartial investigation into the terrorist attack.” He recalled that the Pakistani people themselves had been victims of terrorism over the past two decades, with thousands of their citizens losing their lives. Commenting on India’s decision to suspend cooperation with Pakistan under the Indus Water Treaty, he said, “Using water as a weapon is unacceptable.”There is only one Catholic diocese (with about 7,000 faithful) in the Indian state of Kashmir, which covers the entire territory. The Bishop of Jammu-Srinagar, Ivan Pereira, expressed his deep shock and condemned the “horrific terrorist attack against innocent tourists.” “This senseless act of violence,” said Bishop Pereira, ‘casts a dark shadow on our collective conscience’ and constitutes ‘an attack on the sanctity of human life and a betrayal of the values we hold dear as a nation: peace, harmony, and the dignity of every human being.’ He assured that he would pray unceasingly for peace.Meanwhile, in central India, the Catholic community of the Diocese of Indore paid their respects and celebrated the funeral of Sushil Nathaniel, a 57-year-old Catholic who was one of the tourists killed in Kashmir. Nathaniel, regional director of an insurance company, was on vacation in Kashmir with his wife and two children, who managed to escape. According to his wife Jennifer, the terrorists stopped Nathaniel and asked him what his faith was. Nathaniel admitted he was Catholic. They then asked him to kneel and recite the “Kalima” (the six phrases that are the foundation of the Islamic faith, a declaration of loyalty to Allah), and Nathaniel confessed he did not know them. So they shot him in the head in cold blood. The Bishop of Indore, Monsignor Thomas Kuttimackal, celebrating the funeral, praised Nathaniel’s “courage in not hiding his faith even under threat of arms,” calling him “a martyr.” (PA) (Fides Agency 28/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: EBC Financial Group Deepens Commitment to United to Beat Malaria with Renewed Global Partnership and First-Ever 5K Run Sponsorship

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, April 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the world marks World Malaria Day 2025 under the theme “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renewing its global partnership with the United Nations Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign. Now entering its second year of collaboration, EBC is scaling up its impact through increased corporate sponsorship, cross-border employee mobilisation to raise awareness, and direct investment in frontline health tools that save lives.

    From a shared belief that no child should die from a mosquito bite, EBC is transforming its role from ally to active advocate—supporting both the global systems that drive malaria eradication and the grassroots initiatives that protect the world’s most vulnerable communities. As part of this commitment, EBC is stepping up as a first-time corporate sponsor of the Move Against Malaria 5K 2025 event, mobilising many in a global movement to raise awareness for one of the world’s deadliest—yet entirely preventable—diseases.

    “In 2024, we stood in solidarity. In 2025, we stand in action,” said David Barrett, CEO of EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd. “This campaign is now embedded into our leadership strategy and employee culture. This is not a moment, it’s a movement.”

    EBC’s Commitment to Global Health Equity is a Shared Mission
    To mark this renewed partnership, Barrett sat down with Margaret McDonnell, Executive Director of United to Beat Malaria, for a candid 40-minute fireside chat. Their conversation explored the urgent need for global solidarity, the personal and professional impact of the campaign, and why EBC has chosen to walk alongside this cause—literally and figuratively.

    “The first year for me was a complete revelation in terms of how advocacy for this mission worked—not only in America but globally,” said Barrett. “This year, it was different. The politics have shifted, and the challenges have changed. But if anything, that makes this mission even more important.”

    As a global financial institution with operations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia—regions disproportionately affected by malaria—EBC views this fight as both urgent and deeply personal.

    “We have offices in Africa, Latin America, and Asia where malaria is a very real, on-ground problem. Supporting this campaign is a natural progression, resonating with our people and the communities we work in,” Barrett said. “At the beginning, it was something of interest. But the more you learn about the lives this movement has saved, the more you realise you’ve got to keep going.”

    McDonnell echoed the importance of having private sector allies like EBC on board, praising the company’s commitment to both the summit and the broader mission. “We appreciate that a company like EBC—though not in public health—recognises the impact of malaria on your workforce, clients, and communities,” said McDonnell. “Malaria isn’t just a health issue. It’s an economic issue, a workforce issue, and a strategic global issue.”

    Barrett also emphasised the ripple effect of even small funding disruptions: “If you break that chain, the progress and investment just unravel. These initiatives require macro thinking. If we keep looking only at the next quarter, we risk losing decades of momentum,” he added.

    Raising Voices at the 2025 United to Beat Malaria Annual Leadership Summit
    In March 2025, Barrett and EBC’s APAC Director of Operations, Samuel Hertz, joined over 120 passionate advocates at the United to Beat Malaria Annual Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.—a three-day gathering of Champions, policymakers, scientists, students, and private sector leaders united by a common goal: ending malaria for good.

    The summit culminated in direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, where Barrett and Hertz met with members of Congress to push for full funding of the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the UN’s malaria-related programs. EBC stood with a network of global partners, amplifying the message that stable investment and strategic collaboration are essential to driving continued progress, alongside Beat Malaria Champions, a highlight of the summit.

    “What stood out most was the passion of the Champions,” said Barrett. “From students to scientists, their energy is contagious. They’re not just learning—they’re leading. And that gives me hope that a healthier, more just world is truly possible.”

    Hertz added, “Being able to walk into the halls of Congress alongside these dedicated Champions—people who are educating communities, building coalitions, and pushing policy forward—was a powerful reminder that advocacy works. EBC was proud to represent the private sector in this movement, and even prouder to walk beside the changemakers driving it.”

    More Than a Run: EBC Rallies a Worldwide Workforce to Move Against Malaria
    EBC is once again joining the global Move Against Malaria 5K—a virtual challenge running from April 25 to May 10 that invites participants around the world to walk, run, cycle, or move in any way to support malaria prevention efforts.

    While EBC actively participated in the campaign last year, 2025 marks the company’s first year as an official corporate sponsor, highlighting its deepened commitment to both advocacy and action. This step forward reflects EBC’s evolving role in supporting frontline initiatives and raising awareness, with more than 200 EBC employees across the UK, Asia, Africa, and Latin America pledging to take part—mobilising teams, engaging their communities—and helping to raise vital funds.

    Fuelling Frontline Impact through Purposeful Investment
    EBC is directing its investment toward life-saving malaria interventions, including insecticide-treated bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests, and antimalarial treatments. These contributions will be directed toward frontline health programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean regions that bear the highest burden of malaria worldwide.

    “This partnership goes beyond corporate philanthropy, it reflects a shared mission to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations,” said McDonnell.

    Aligned with its broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, EBC continues to explore deeper collaborations with UN-affiliated organisations and global health partners to maximise its impact in the developing world. “As a global financial institution, we recognise that sustainable growth is inseparable from global well-being,” added Hertz. “In the fight against malaria, we are not only donors—we are advocates, allies, and catalysts for change.”

    In 2024 alone, United to Beat Malaria helped protect over 1.67 million people from malaria across vulnerable communities worldwide—an achievement made possible through the collective support of partners like EBC Financial Group. Registrations and donations are available via https://fundraise.unfoundation.org/event/move-against-malaria-5k-2025/e654861.

    These efforts spanned five high-risk African nations—DR Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Uganda—and supported malaria elimination programs across 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries, where vulnerable populations continue to face daily risks due to limited healthcare access, displacement, and ongoing conflict.

    Yet the fight is far from over. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s World Malaria Report 2024, malaria sickened an estimated 263 million people and claimed more than 597,000 lives—most of them children under the age of five. These are lives we can save—with continued global action, private sector leadership, and unwavering support from the international community.

    Together, with the United to Beat Malaria campaign, EBC is proud to stand at the forefront of a global movement to end malaria for good. For more information about EBC Financial Group’s CSR initiatives, please visit www.ebc.com/ESG.

    About EBC Financial Group

    Founded in London’s esteemed financial district, EBC Financial Group (EBC) is renowned for its expertise in financial brokerage and asset management. With offices in key financial hubs—including London, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Cayman Islands, Bangkok, Limassol, and emerging markets in Latin America, Asia, and Africa—EBC enables retail, professional, and institutional investors to access a wide range of global markets and trading opportunities, including currencies, commodities, shares, and indices.

    Recognised with multiple awards, EBC is committed to upholding ethical standards and these subsidiaries are licensed and regulated within their respective jurisdictions. EBC Financial Group (UK) Limited is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); EBC Financial Group (Cayman) Limited is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA); EBC Financial Group (Australia) Pty Ltd, and EBC Asset Management Pty Ltd are regulated by Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC); EBC Financial (MU) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Commission Mauritius (FSC).

    At the core of EBC are a team of industry veterans with over 40 years of experience in major financial institutions. Having navigated key economic cycles from the Plaza Accord and 2015 Swiss franc crisis to the market upheavals of the COVID-19 pandemic. We foster a culture where integrity, respect, and client asset security are paramount, ensuring that every investor relationship is handled with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

    As the Official Foreign Exchange Partner of FC Barcelona, EBC provides specialised services across Asia, LATAM, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Through its partnership with the UN Foundation and United to Beat Malaria, the company contributes to global health initiatives. EBC also supports the ‘What Economists Really Do’ public engagement series by Oxford University’s Department of Economics, helping to demystify economics and its application to major societal challenges, fostering greater public understanding and dialogue.

    https://www.ebc.com/

    About UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria

    For over 25 years, the UN Foundation has built novel innovations and partnerships to support the United Nations and help solve global problems at scale. As an independent charitable organization, the Foundation was created to work closely with the United Nations to address humanity’s greatest challenges and drive global progress. Learn more at www.unfoundation.org.

    The UN Foundation’s United to Beat Malaria campaign brings together key and diverse partners and supporters to take urgent action to end malaria and create a healthier, more equitable world. Since 2006, United to Beat Malaria has worked to equip and mobilize citizens across the U.S. and around the world to raise awareness, funds and voices. The campaign works with partners in endemic countries to channel life-saving resources to protect the most marginalized and vulnerable populations. By championing increased leadership, political will and resources from the U.S. and beyond, as well as more holistic, innovative tools and strategies, we can be the generation that ends malaria once and for all.

    Learn more at www.beatmalaria.org.

    Media Contact:
    Savitha Ravindran
    Global Public Relations Manager
    savitha.ravindran@ebc.com

    Chyna Elvina
    Global Public Relations Manager
    chyna.elvina@ebc.com

    Michelle Siow
    Brand Director
    michelle.siow@ebc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d08d69f6-099b-47e6-a289-c4c8b0630935
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2b4f4ac8-593b-417c-89c8-286a1b0f9731
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6d511c0-f811-4390-88b0-321f0bb04158

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Vanuatu communities growing climate resilience in wake of Cyclone Lola

    Communities in Vanuatu are learning to grow climate resilient crops, 18 months after Cyclone Lola devastated the country.

    The category 5 storm struck in October 2023, generating wind speeds of up to 215 kmph, which destroyed homes, schools, plantations, and left at least four people dead.

    It was all the worse for following twin cyclones Judy and Kevin earlier that year.

    Save the Children Vanuatu country director Polly Banks said they have been working alongside Vanuatu’s Ministry of Agriculture and local partners, supporting families through the Tropical Cyclone Lola Recovery Programme.

    “It really affected backyard gardening and the communities across the areas affected – their ability to pursue an income and also their own nutritional needs,” she said.

    She said the programme looked at the impact of the cyclone on backyard gardening and on people’s economic reliance on what they grow in their gardens, and developed a recovery plan to respond.

    “We trained community members and also provided them with the equipment to establish cyclone resilient nurseries.

    Ready for harsh weather
    “So for example, nurseries that can be put up and then pulled down when a harsh weather event – including cyclones but even heavy rainfall — is arriving.

    “There was a focus on these climate resilient nurseries, but also through that partnership with the Department of Agriculture, there was also a much stronger focus than we’ve had before on teaching community members climate smart agricultural techniques.”

    Banks said these techniques included open pollinating seed and learning skills such as grassing; and another part of the project was introducing more variety into people’s diets.

    She said out of the project has also come the first seed bank on Epi Island.

    “That seed bank now has a ready supply of seeds, and the community are adding to that regularly, and they’re taking those seeds from really climate-resilient crops, so that they have a cyclone secure storage facility,” she said.

    “The next time a cyclone happens — and we know that they’re going to become more ferocious and more frequent — the community are ready to replant the moment that the cyclone passes.

    Setting up seed bank
    “But in setting the seed bank up as well, the community have been taught how to select the most productive seeds, the seeds that show the most promise; how to dry them out; how to preserve them.”

    Banks said they were also working with the Department of Agriculture in the delivery of a community-based climate resilience project, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund.

    Rolled out across 282 communities across the country, a key focus of it is the creation of more climate-resilient backyard gardening, food preservation and climate resilient nurseries.

    “We’re also setting up early warning systems through the provision of internet to really remote communities so that they have better access to more knowledge about when a big storm or a cyclone is approaching and what steps to take.

    “But that particular project is still just a drop in the ocean in terms of the adaptation needs that communities have.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 4.25.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 25, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Suzanne Martindale, of Oakland, has been appointed Chief Deputy Commissioner at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Martindale has been the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Consumer Financial Protection at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation since 2021, and a Lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law since 2019. Martindale was a Student Loan Justice Fellow at the Student Borrower Protection Center from 2018 to 2021. She held multiple positions at Consumer Reports from 2010 to 2021, including Senior Policy Counsel and Western States Legislative Manager, Senior Attorney, and Staff Attorney. She was a Pro Bono Attorney at the East Bay Community Law Center from 2015 to 2018. She is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Martindale earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from University of Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $207,600. Martindale is registered without party preference.

    Yvonne Hsu, of Washington D.C., has been appointed Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs at the California Civil Rights Department. Hsu was the Chief of Staff of Rural Housing Service at the United State Department of Agriculture from 2023 to 2025. She was the Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer at the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum from 2021 to 2023. Hsu was a Senior Housing Policy Specialist at the National Council of State Housing Agencies from 2020 to 2021. She was a Senior Advisor at the Office of United States Representative Katherine Clark in the United States House of Representatives from 2019 to 2020. Hsu was an Independent Consultant from 2018 to 2019. She held multiple positions at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2017, including Policy Advisor at the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and Special Assistant for Public Engagement at the Office of Public Affairs. Hsu held multiple positions in the Office of United States Representative Adam Schiff in the United States House of Representatives from 2008 to 2014, including Senior Legislative Assistant and District Representative. Hsu was the Outreach Coordinator at the Housing Rights Center from 2006 to 2008. She earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Sociology and History from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $160,200. Hsu is a Democrat.

    Jaimie Huynh, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Strategic Engagement, Equity and Partnerships at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Huynh has been Acting Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice and Equity at the California Environmental Protection Agency since 2025, where she has held multiple roles since 2022, including Environmental Justice Scientific Advisor and Climate Change Advisor. She was an Environmental Justice Enforcement Liaison at the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery from 2018 to 2022. Huynh was a California Sea Grant Fellow at the California State Lands Commission from 2017 to 2018. She earned a Master of Advanced Studies degree in Climate Science and Policy and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Environmental Systems – Policymaking from the University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $144,972. Huynh is a Democrat. 

    Robert Jenkins, of Victorville, has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Barstow at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Jenkins has been Acting Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Barstow since 2024, where he has held multiple roles since 2012, including Staff Services Manager II and Health and Safety Officer. Jenkins was a Firefighter/Security Officer Captain at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville, at the California Department of Veterans Affairs from 2010 to 2012. He was a Structural Firefighter at the Tule River Tribal Reservation Fire Department from 2009 to 2010. Jenkins was a Paid Call Firefighter/Engineer at the San Bernardino County Fire Department from 2009 to 2010. He was a Correctional Facility Fire Captain at the California Institution for Men-Chino Fire Department from 1997 to 2008. Jenkins was a Correctional Facility Firefighter at the Centinela Fire Department from 1993 to 1997. He was a Paid Call Firefighter/Captain at the San Bernardino County Fire Department from 1986 to 1997. Jenkins was a GS-06 Firefighter/Driver Operator at the Barstow Logistics Marine Base Fire Department from 1992 to 1993. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $160,428. Jenkins is a Democrat.

    Joseph “Joe” Nation, of South Lake Tahoe, has been appointed to the Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee. Nation has been a Professor of the Practice in the Public Policy and Human Biology Programs at Stanford University since 2007. He was the Principal at Joe Nation Consulting from 1992 to 2024. Nation was the Senior Advisor to the President at the RAND Corporation from 1991 to 2024. He was an Assemblymember for District 6 in the California State Assembly from 2000 to 2006. He was an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of San Francisco from 1992 to 2000. Nation is a member of the Economic Advisory Board, Bay Area Council, and Climate Cabinet Action. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Public Policy Analysis from Pardee RAND Graduate School, a Master of Science degree in Diplomacy and Security from Georgetown University, and Bachelor of the Arts degrees in Economics, German, and French from University of Colorado, Boulder. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Nation is a Democrat.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: More Californians than ever are connecting with earthquake warning services as the MyShake app reaches over 4 million downloads. SACRAMENTO – During Earthquake Preparedness Month, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a major milestone: the…

    Apr 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is working with state, local, and federal agencies in a historic project to repopulate the North Yuba River with native fish and help protect the state’s waterways and ecosystems.  MARYSVILLE – Governor Gavin Newsom announced a…

    Apr 24, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Leia Bailey, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Bailey has been Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach…

    MIL OSI USA News –