Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Area Inclusion Plan: Supporting Derby’s young people to live their best life

    Source: City of Derby

    Inclusion is at the heart of our work at the council, and this week we’ve published our new Local Area Inclusion Plan, setting out clearly how we’re tackling important issues such as health, community, and job opportunities for Derby’s children and young people, particularly for those who with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those in Alternative Provision (AP). 

    Following consultation with over 2,000 Derby stakeholders, including schools, children and young people, parent/carers and families, we’ve set out three core aims, underpinned with objectives and practical plans to make sure that children and young people ages 0-25 are supported to achieve strong outcomes and positive destinations. 

    The three interconnected aims are:

    • Aim 1 – Champion an ambitious and inclusive city
    • Aim 2 – Meet the needs of our children at the right time and place
    • Aim 3 – A strong, collaborative system that helps our children live their best life.

    Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, describes the importance of this collaborative approach to strategy:

    Our children and young people deserve the very best from those who are making decisions on their behalf. Through co-production with these youngsters, this plan sets out how we effectively prepare them for the future and get them closer to the labour market, developing clear pathways with support from businesses.

    This ensures that Derby’s young people feel supported, empowered and included, and that their voice has been heard and acted upon.

    At its core, the Local Area Inclusion Plan promotes inclusion across the community and in mainstream settings, finding ways to support young people earlier and reducing the pressures on specialist services. In consultation with young people, the plan sets out six key outcomes that Derby’s young people have stated are vital to living their best life.

    These are:

    • I have real-life experiences, learning opportunities, good careers advice and guidance, and insight into the world of work
    • I have a plan for my future
    • I am active, independent and take part in my local community
    • I enjoy good physical and mental health and live a healthy lifestyle 
    • I am supported to dream big
    • Those that care for me understand how they can help me and realise my potential.

    Andy Smith CBE, Strategic Director of People Services, explains:

    Every child in Derby deserves to be seen, heard, and supported to thrive. This plan is our commitment—to work together across services so children, young people, and their families get the right help at the right time, for the brightest futures possible.

    Sharon Buckby, Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills, is confident that this plan will lead to better outcomes for Derby’s children and young people. She said:

    Our holistic approach to inclusion means that we are supporting children and young people at the right time, in the right place with a focus on early intervention.

    We do also understand that there is a need for specialist intervention in some cases, and this plan looks to address some of those challenges with long waits for assessment.  We are passionate about supporting every young person to achieve their potential.

    Jo Hunter, Deputy Chief Nurse, highlighted the collaborative nature of the work:

    Collaborative working across the local area, knowledge exchange and an understanding of experiences of the system has really strengthened our approach to inclusion.

    Taking a multi-disciplinary approach to areas of need means our response can be strengths based, insightful and targeted, leading to the effective use of resources and best possible outcomes for young people with physical disabilities and special educational needs.

    The Local Area Inclusion Plan is available to read on our website, in an easily digestible, at-a-glance format.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE held the fifth School on Financial Technologies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    At the beginning of June Faculty of Computer Science HSE held its fifth anniversary Fintech School, organized basic department of PJSC Sberbank “Financial technologies and data analysis”More than 200 students, teachers and practitioners gathered in the HSE building on Pokrovsky Boulevard to listen to presentations by experts from major companies.

    On the first day, Yevgeny Solovyov, Deputy Director of the Innovation Department of the National Payment Card System, and bachelor’s degree graduates presented their reports. “Software Engineering” Timofey Looze, Head of Product Analytics Group for Factoring at Ozon Bank, and Ekaterina Karavaeva, Research Intern Cloud and Mobile Technologies Labs Faculty of Computer Science at the Higher School of Economics, engineer-developer of the platform solutions department at T-Bank.

    The second day of the school was opened by Sber’s Senior Vice President, Head of the Risks Block, Dzhangir Dzhangirov. He told how Sber makes decisions around the clock, what technologies operate “under the hood” of the company and what role AI plays in this. Sber was also represented by Evgeny Sokolovsky, Executive Director, Leader of the Antifraud in Lending to Individuals product and a Master’s degree teacher “Financial Technologies and Data Analysis” HSE Faculty of Computer Science. He gave a lecture entitled “Antifraud in the Age of AI Accomplices.”

    At the end of the school, the participants listened to lectures from Fedor Pakhurov, a research intern project-training laboratory “Artificial Intelligence in Mathematical Finance” HSE Faculty of Computer Science, and speakers from Alfa-Bank – Victoria Baykova, head of the LLM development projects program, and Artem Karavaev, head of advanced analytics projects.

    The presentations focused on the most relevant topics — financial innovations and technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and APIs in fintech. Experts spoke about low-code solutions for accelerating business processes and data approaches that transform traditional banking. Special attention was paid to combating fraud in the AI era, as well as diffusion generative models and RAG systems. Automatic machine learning and its role in automating data analysis for business monetization were also discussed.

    During the breaks between lectures, participants had the opportunity to get to know each other better, discuss the knowledge they had gained, and ask questions to industry experts.

    Speakers and participants shared their impressions of the school.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Jamie Elkaleh Appointed as Bitget Wallet’s CMO After Doubling User Base, Leading Major Rebrand

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has appointed Jamie Elkaleh as Chief Marketing Officer following a period of accelerated growth and brand transformation. The platform has expanded its global user base from 40 million to over 80 million in under a year, supported by a brand transformation that redefined Bitget Wallet as a comprehensive platform for trading, earning, payments, and Web3 discovery.

    The rebrand was anchored in a clear vision that crypto should be intuitive, usable, and relevant to everyday life, not just to early adopters. Elkaleh helped shift Bitget Wallet’s focus to practical experiences, aiming to lower the barrier to entry for a wider, more global user base. This product direction now serves as the foundation of the company’s long-term movement: Crypto for Everyone. “We’re building more than a wallet—we’re building a starting point for millions to engage with crypto in a way that feels simple, secure, and seamless,” said Elkaleh. “The future of crypto will be shaped by how accessible and usable we make it for everyday people.”

    Bitget Wallet’s product roadmap introduced major new capabilities, including Bitget Wallet Alpha, a trading interface offering onchain signal alerts and token intelligence. The wallet also launched Fomo Thursdays, a weekly campaign that gives users early access to new token launches across Solana, Base, and other ecosystems, positioning the platform as a discovery hub for emerging assets. Bitget Wallet now supports over 130 blockchains and millions of assets, positioning it as a central portal for multi-chain participation.

    On the payments front, Bitget Wallet advanced its PayFi vision, launched in early 2025, which aims to turn stablecoins into a practical medium for real-world spending, remittances, and peer-to-peer transactions. With a focus on delivering maximum flexibility in how users pay and interact across ecosystems, the initiative supports Bitget Wallet’s long-term vision of connecting decentralized assets to everyday commerce.

    Elkaleh brings cross-sector experience to the role, having started his career as a performance analyst in professional sports before transitioning into blockchain education and growth strategy. As a member of the Forbes Council, he contributes to broader industry conversations around accessibility, user adoption, and the future of Web3, reinforcing his commitment to making crypto more approachable for mainstream audiences.

    As CMO, Elkaleh will focus on scaling Bitget Wallet’s international presence, refining its product narrative, and leading its education initiatives. Following his recent presentation at Cambridge University on crypto accessibility, he plans to expand engagement with academic institutions and developer communities through research programs, hackathons, and long-term partnerships—advancing Bitget Wallet’s goal of onboarding the next generation of Web3 users and builders.

    Read more on the Bitget Wallet blog.

    About Bitget Wallet

    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Jamie Elkaleh Appointed as Bitget Wallet’s CMO After Doubling User Base, Leading Major Rebrand

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, the leading non-custodial crypto wallet, has appointed Jamie Elkaleh as Chief Marketing Officer following a period of accelerated growth and brand transformation. The platform has expanded its global user base from 40 million to over 80 million in under a year, supported by a brand transformation that redefined Bitget Wallet as a comprehensive platform for trading, earning, payments, and Web3 discovery.

    The rebrand was anchored in a clear vision that crypto should be intuitive, usable, and relevant to everyday life, not just to early adopters. Elkaleh helped shift Bitget Wallet’s focus to practical experiences, aiming to lower the barrier to entry for a wider, more global user base. This product direction now serves as the foundation of the company’s long-term movement: Crypto for Everyone. “We’re building more than a wallet—we’re building a starting point for millions to engage with crypto in a way that feels simple, secure, and seamless,” said Elkaleh. “The future of crypto will be shaped by how accessible and usable we make it for everyday people.”

    Bitget Wallet’s product roadmap introduced major new capabilities, including Bitget Wallet Alpha, a trading interface offering onchain signal alerts and token intelligence. The wallet also launched Fomo Thursdays, a weekly campaign that gives users early access to new token launches across Solana, Base, and other ecosystems, positioning the platform as a discovery hub for emerging assets. Bitget Wallet now supports over 130 blockchains and millions of assets, positioning it as a central portal for multi-chain participation.

    On the payments front, Bitget Wallet advanced its PayFi vision, launched in early 2025, which aims to turn stablecoins into a practical medium for real-world spending, remittances, and peer-to-peer transactions. With a focus on delivering maximum flexibility in how users pay and interact across ecosystems, the initiative supports Bitget Wallet’s long-term vision of connecting decentralized assets to everyday commerce.

    Elkaleh brings cross-sector experience to the role, having started his career as a performance analyst in professional sports before transitioning into blockchain education and growth strategy. As a member of the Forbes Council, he contributes to broader industry conversations around accessibility, user adoption, and the future of Web3, reinforcing his commitment to making crypto more approachable for mainstream audiences.

    As CMO, Elkaleh will focus on scaling Bitget Wallet’s international presence, refining its product narrative, and leading its education initiatives. Following his recent presentation at Cambridge University on crypto accessibility, he plans to expand engagement with academic institutions and developer communities through research programs, hackathons, and long-term partnerships—advancing Bitget Wallet’s goal of onboarding the next generation of Web3 users and builders.

    Read more on the Bitget Wallet blog.

    About Bitget Wallet

    Bitget Wallet is a non-custodial crypto wallet designed to make crypto simple and secure for everyone. With over 80 million users, it brings together a full suite of crypto services, including swaps, market insights, staking, rewards, DApp exploration, and payment solutions. Supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges. Backed by a $300+ million user protection fund, it ensures the highest level of security for users’ assets. Its vision is Crypto for Everyone — to make crypto simpler, safer, and part of everyday life for a billion people.

    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook

    For media inquiries, contact media.web3@bitget.com

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Improving Resiliency in Westchester County

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $21 million to support flood protection and vital resilient infrastructure projects in Westchester County that will help prevent flooding in communities along Blind Brook. The projects will fix inadequately sized stream crossings by replacing two undersized bridges and restore portions of the stream to a more natural, stable condition to help better prepare for future extreme weather events in flood prone areas.

    “Communities in Westchester are all too familiar with the devastating and deadly effects of storm surges and flash flooding. That’s why New York is investing in projects that improve resiliency, advance sustainability and protect our residents from severe weather driven by climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “Providing funding and resources to help local governments get shovels in the ground for these projects is a top priority, and we’ll continue working together to modernize our infrastructure and provide common sense solutions that best position our communities for the future.”

    The $21 million provided through the ‘Restoration and Flood Risk’ category of the historic $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 will support the replacement of two Westchester County-owned bridges that cross Blind Brook in Rye. Westchester County will design the Playland Parkway and Oakland Avenue bridges with significantly larger spans to address current and future hydrologic flows anticipated from climate change. The bridges will be designed to allow better flow during heavy rainfall, alleviating flooding upstream.

    In addition, Westchester County will ‘daylight,’ or uncover, a channeled portion of the East Blind Brook in Rye Brook using natural stream design techniques and expand floodplain areas with nature-based solutions, including the creation of a properly sized, multistage channel and floodplain, installation of grade control structures and scour protection measures along the restored channel to prevent channel incision and protect upstream infrastructure, and installation of native plantings.

    In Westchester, DEC is undertaking comprehensive stream studies in flood prone areas at no cost to municipalities. The studies will help protect public health and safety, habitat, and natural resources by improving community resilience to extreme weather events driven by climate change. In addition to Blind Brook, studies of the Bronx and Hutchinson Rivers, Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers, and Beaver Swamp and Grassy Sprain Rivers have all been completed.

    Through Resilient New York, flood studies are also being conducted across the state, resulting in the development of flood and ice jam hazard mitigation alternatives to help guide implementation of mitigation projects.

    In addition, DEC is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mamaroneck and other partners in neighboring municipalities along the Long Island Sound to implement similar projects that improve resilience, protect New Yorkers, and safeguard vital community infrastructure from future flooding.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Communities across New York State are facing the increasingly devastating impacts of extreme weather and flooding driven by climate change, with low-lying Westchester County towns along waterways like Blind Brook particularly vulnerable to tidal surge flooding. Through Governor Hochul’s leadership and historic investments from the Environmental Bond Act and State resources, New York is leveraging our state and local partnerships to help build more resilient communities, reduce flood risk, and restore natural resources.”

    Representative George Latimer said, “This is great news for Westchester County as we all work to plan for future extreme weather events driven by climate change. It is critical that we invest in aging infrastructure to meet the current challenges due to rain events and flooding, and plan for future risks. This is an important investment in my backyard, and I thank Governor Hochul and her team for recognizing th

    State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, “I am so pleased that Westchester County will receive $21 million from the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 for flood mitigation investments identified by the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Blind Brook Watershed Study. This study was conducted shortly after the devastating impact of Hurricane Ida on the communities of Harrison, Rye Brook, Port Chester and Rye, as well as other communities in Westchester, and identified infrastructure investments to mitigate and reduce the likelihood of damage from future floods and additional resiliency efforts to meet the challenges of climate change. This funding will enable essential updates to key bridges and other portions of the Blind Brook watershed, reducing likely water flow during storms and ensuring safe travel for New Yorkers. DEC has been an extraordinary partner in our efforts to actively address flooding in Westchester, and I would personally like to thank them for their determination to anticipate that future storms will threaten serious damage to our region. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for allocating this funding for Westchester. In addition, I express my gratitude to every New Yorker who voted in favor of this ballot proposition in 2022, which made this funding possible.”

    Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “Governor Hochul and DEC have focused on the flooding challenges we face here in Westchester County and the resiliency needs throughout the state. The Environmental Bond Act included a major focus on storm mitigation and these Blind Brook projects are the types of infrastructure work we need to better protect lives and property. We are pleased to welcome DEC Commissioner Lefton to the Sound Shore for this announcement and to thank DEC for their ongoing commitment to Westchester flooding issues. DEC’s Resilient NY Streams Study Program has provided analysis of six stream areas in our county that is a valuable tool for local governments and state agencies in prioritizing projects such as those announced today. This work is assisting the planning for projects in the communities across the Sound Shore.”

    Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Westchester County is deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation for this transformative investment in our infrastructure and our future. These projects will not only help protect families and neighborhoods along Blind Brook from devastating flooding, but also advance our shared commitment to building a more resilient, climate-ready Westchester. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment the Environmental Bond Act was designed to support.”

    On Nov. 8, 2022, New Yorkers overwhelmingly approved the Environmental Bond Act ballot proposition to make $4.2 billion available for environmental and community projects. The Bond Act supports new and expanded projects across the state to safeguard drinking water sources, reduce pollution, and protect communities and natural resources from climate change. State agencies, local governments, and partners can access this historic funding to protect water quality, help communities adapt to climate change, improve resiliency, and create green jobs.

    The projects announced today complement other State investments and opportunities to protect communities from flood damage. In May, Governor Hochul announced more than $78 million in funding available through the Water Quality Improvement Project Program and $22 million in Climate Smart Community grants, which both support projects that include flood risk reduction.

    Applications for these latest rounds of funding are due by July 31, 2025. In April, the Governor also announced $60 million in Environmental Bond Act funding for the next round of Green Resiliency Grants. The program supports vital stormwater management and resilient infrastructure projects in flood-prone communities across New York State. Applications for this program are due by Aug. 15, 2025. To learn more about resources available for resilient Bond Act-supported projects, visit

    environmentalbondact.ny.gov.

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure. With an additional $500 million for clean water infrastructure in the 2025-2026 enacted State Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $6 billion in water infrastructure since 2017. The budget also maintains a strong commitment to environmental conservation with a $425 million Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). This funding bolsters a wide array of vital programs, including land acquisition for habitat and open space preservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives, and water quality improvement projects.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Student Aid Applications Now Open for Post-Secondary Students

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 25, 2025

    The 2025-26 Saskatchewan Student Aid applications are now available for students pursuing post-secondary education this fall. 

    Students interested in taking advantage of Saskatchewan Student Aid can fill out an online application to be assessed for a variety of provincial and federal grants and loans. They can also apply for several other student aid programs including scholarships, bursaries, grants and student loan forgiveness.

    “The Saskatchewan Student Aid Fund helps students access post-secondary education from their first year through to joining Saskatchewan’s workforce,” Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “The Government of Saskatchewan remains committed to investing in financial support to enable students to complete their post-secondary education and build rewarding lives and careers in Saskatchewan.”

    In 2025-26, the province will provide $46.5 million in direct financial support to over 24,000 students. This includes $34.4 million in loans and grants and $12.1 million in scholarships and bursaries.

    Through both Canada and Saskatchewan Student Grants and the Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship, students could receive up to $5,850 in non-repayable funding.

    In addition, the Saskatchewan Student Grant for Students with Dependants is available to lower income students who qualify for student aid. They may receive up to $950 in additional funding per dependant per year.

    Sky Southwind, 2025 Business Diploma graduate:

    “Accessing financial aid made a huge difference in my education journey. I was grateful to have so many options for support, including scholarships and awards, that helped me cover my every day and unexpected expenses while studying full time. The support lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and motivated me to show up, work hard, and overcome challenges. I am proud of what I accomplished so far and truly grateful for the help that kept me on track to build a strong foundation for my future.”

    Post-secondary graduates who live and work in Saskatchewan can also benefit from the newly expanded Graduate Retention Program, which now provides up to $24,000 in tax credits. Since 2008, the Graduate Retention Program has benefited more than 85,000 graduates.

    By accessing the Saskatchewan Student Aid Fund, students are making a valuable investment in themselves and their futures, paving the way for personal and professional growth.

    To learn more about student aid, visit: Saskatchewan.ca/student-aid.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council identifies surplus sites to support new housing in the city

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Wednesday, 25th June 2025

    Land and buildings owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council have been reviewed to help pick out areas where new homes could be built.

    As a result, the council has identified a number of surplus sites across the city that can now be put forward for consideration in terms of future development – for potential new homes or other purposes – as part of the forthcoming public consultation on Local Plan.

    Following a cabinet meeting yesterday (Tuesday, 24th June), 11 sites have been deemed surplus to requirements and will be put forward for consultation.

    They are a mix of vacant commercial buildings, former council service properties and industrial land. This includes the former Ball Green High School site, which has been vacant since closing in 1988.

    Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning and governance at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’re reviewing the land and property we own across the city to identify areas that could support the building of new homes and other purposes.

    “The council currently owns around 500 buildings and pieces of land, all of which cost a significant amount to maintain – and many are no longer needed. Reviewing these sites is an important part of our plans to save money, run more efficiently and unlock new opportunities for communities.

    “We want to make better use of brownfield land and provide more homes for local people, and we are committed to listening to the views of residents and other stakeholders before making any decisions about the future of these sites.”

    Once a site is declared surplus to requirements it does not mean a decision has been taken on its future use. The council is considering a number of options for each of the sites including regeneration, disposal or letting out its assets.

    After the public consultation on the Local Plan, planned to start later in 2025, council officers will use the feedback from residents, developers and other groups to investigate different uses for the land and property to best meet the council’s priorities for the city.

    The full list of sites is contained in the cabinet report: Committee Report

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Report concludes Scotland must break its silence on state-enforced ‘Tinker Experiments’ Research into 20th century policies affecting Gypsy/Traveller communities across Scotland – including the forced and permanent removal of children from their families – has found clear evidence of widespread institutional discrimination amounting to ‘cultural genocide’.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Shamus, Bridget, Chic and Roseanna at Bobbin Mill circa 1975 (credit Roseanna and Shamus McPhee)

    Research into 20th century policies affecting Gypsy/Traveller communities across Scotland – including the forced and permanent removal of children from their families – has found clear evidence of widespread institutional discrimination amounting to ‘cultural genocide’.
    The report was led by the University of St Andrews with contribution from the University of Aberdeen’s Dr Bennett Collins, into the controversial ‘Tinker Experiments’. It was commissioned by the Scottish Government in 2023 in response to a campaign led by Scottish Gypsy/Traveller activists calling for a formal apology to recognise the historic injustice.
    Published today (Wednesday 25 June 2025) the 104-page document, compiled by the Third Generation Project at St Andrews’ School of International Relations, which was cofounded by lead author Professor Ali Watson and Dr Collins when he was based at the University of St Andrews.
    The report demonstrates that institutions across Scotland were complicit in the creation of an environment that allowed the Gypsy/Traveller community to be marginalised and persecuted to the extent that it should be considered cultural genocide.
    It also recommends that the Scottish Government should issue an apology to Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland and initiate reparations for survivors and victims of the ‘Tinker Housing Experiments’.
    The Third Generation Project team, which also included researchers from the London School of Economics and McMaster University in Canada, analysed hundreds of documents and visited archival sites across Scotland in its quest to gather information on key events, key legislation and the role of institutions, as well as the extent to which policies employed as part of the ‘Tinker Experiments’ were implemented and when.
    The researchers, experienced in investigating similar historical injustices, found that between 1940 and the late 1980s and beyond, organisations including the Scottish Office, Church of Scotland, charities, and the police, were complicit in facilitating policies like forced assimilation, settlement and the removal of children including sending them abroad.”
    In its conclusions, the report states that the evidence found shows three significant patterns; the dehumanisation of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland; systematic control including segregation and surveillance; and forced assimilation into wider settled society.
    The report states: “The very nature of assimilation presumes cultural dominance of one group over another, and in the case of the ‘Tinker Experiments’ and the intent to erode the collective cultural identity of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland, there is a need to consider and to recognise that the context in which it occurred is best characterised as cultural genocide.”
    Lead author and director of the Third Generation Project, Professor Ali Watson OBE said: “We ultimately found that the intentions of the Tinker Experiments (TE) were not to support the cultural ways of life of Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland. It was the exact opposite.”
    Dr Bennett Collins, Lecturer, Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen said: “Our remit was to document and analyse what the archives had to say about this dark chapter in Scotland’s history. Given the overwhelming amount of material, and the need to hear from survivors themselves, this report and the events of today should be understood as the beginning of a journey rather than a conclusion.”
    The report notes how the TE included four key pieces of legislation that directly impacted the social, economic, and cultural welfare of Gypsy/Traveller communities in Scotland, creating a mandate for government and civil society to manage and intervene in the lives of Gypsy/Travellers.
    Professor Watson explained, “For example, changes in legislation created the possibility that Gypsy/Traveller children could be taken from their families if they did not ‘settle’. We also found evidence that Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland were referred to as ‘a problem’ during debates in both Houses of Parliament.”
    The report outlines that the Tinker Experiments were pervasive across Scotland, demonstrating that this was a national set of policies and actions.
    “Overall, this research found evidence of at least one of three forms of forced and/or discriminatory housing policy used in 27 of the 32 present day council areas in Scotland,” she said.
    Along with an official apology, the report makes recommendations for key stakeholders in the report, including the Scottish government, local councils, specific churches, the police, and media, to begin a journey of truth-seeking and reconciliation with Gypsy/Traveller communities.
    “Moving forward, significant takeaways from this report must be not only to continue this inquiry, but also for Scotland to break the silence and begin addressing the legacies of the Tinker Experiments and their impact on Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland today.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Area Inclusion Plan: How we’re tackling important issues for Derby’s children

    Source: City of Derby

    Inclusion is at the heart of our work at the council, and this week we’ve published our new Local Area Inclusion Plan, setting out clearly how we’re tackling important issues such as health, community, and job opportunities for Derby’s children and young people, particularly for those who with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those in Alternative Provision (AP). 

    Following consultation with over 2,000 Derby stakeholders, including schools, children and young people, parent/carers and families, we’ve set out three core aims, underpinned with objectives and practical plans to make sure that children and young people ages 0-25 are supported to achieve strong outcomes and positive destinations. 

    The three interconnected aims are:

    • Aim 1 – Champion an ambitious and inclusive city
    • Aim 2 – Meet the needs of our children at the right time and place
    • Aim 3 – A strong, collaborative system that helps our children live their best life.

    Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, describes the importance of this collaborative approach to strategy:

    Our children and young people deserve the very best from those who are making decisions on their behalf. Through co-production with these youngsters, this plan sets out how we effectively prepare them for the future and get them closer to the labour market, developing clear pathways with support from businesses.

    This ensures that Derby’s young people feel supported, empowered and included, and that their voice has been heard and acted upon.

    At its core, the Local Area Inclusion Plan promotes inclusion across the community and in mainstream settings, finding ways to support young people earlier and reducing the pressures on specialist services. In consultation with young people, the plan sets out six key outcomes that Derby’s young people have stated are vital to living their best life.

    These are:

    • I have real-life experiences, learning opportunities, good careers advice and guidance, and insight into the world of work
    • I have a plan for my future
    • I am active, independent and take part in my local community
    • I enjoy good physical and mental health and live a healthy lifestyle 
    • I am supported to dream big
    • Those that care for me understand how they can help me and realise my potential.

    Andy Smith CBE, Strategic Director of People Services, explains:

    Every child in Derby deserves to be seen, heard, and supported to thrive. This plan is our commitment—to work together across services so children, young people, and their families get the right help at the right time, for the brightest futures possible.

    Sharon Buckby, Director of Learning, Inclusion and Skills, is confident that this plan will lead to better outcomes for Derby’s children and young people. She said:

    Our holistic approach to inclusion means that we are supporting children and young people at the right time, in the right place with a focus on early intervention.

    We do also understand that there is a need for specialist intervention in some cases, and this plan looks to address some of those challenges with long waits for assessment.  We are passionate about supporting every young person to achieve their potential.

    Jo Hunter, Deputy Chief Nurse, highlighted the collaborative nature of the work:

    Collaborative working across the local area, knowledge exchange and an understanding of experiences of the system has really strengthened our approach to inclusion.

    Taking a multi-disciplinary approach to areas of need means our response can be strengths based, insightful and targeted, leading to the effective use of resources and best possible outcomes for young people with physical disabilities and special educational needs.

    The Local Area Inclusion Plan is available to read on our website, in an easily digestible, at-a-glance format.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI: Embassy Bank Appoints Adrienne Kwiatek-Holub to Vice President of Business Banking

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BETHLEHEM, Pa., June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Embassy Bank is proud to announce the appointment of Adrienne Kwiatek-Holub to Vice President of Business Banking. A seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in commercial banking, Adrienne brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and a deep commitment to the Lehigh Valley community.

    A native of Lehigh Valley, Adrienne earned her bachelor’s degree from Franklin & Marshall College, and her MBA from Lehigh University. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for local businesses and a dedicated community leader.

    Adrienne is a former President of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Lehigh Valley and currently serves on the Legacy and Inclusion Committees. She is actively involved in several nonprofit boards and is known for her enthusiastic support of youth programs as a proud “Band Parent” and “Scout Mom.”

    Her professional and community contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the SUITS Award from Equi-librium Inc., and recognition as a 2024 Women of Influence by Lehigh Valley Business. She has written articles that have been featured in Network Magazine and Lehigh Valley Business.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Adrienne to the Embassy Bank team,” said David M. Lobach, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO, Embassy Bank. “Her experience, leadership, and deep roots in the Lehigh Valley make her an outstanding addition to our business banking group.”

    About Embassy Bank

    Embassy Bank For the Lehigh Valley is a full-service community bank operating ten branch offices in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. The Bank is the largest Lehigh Valley headquartered community bank and, as of June 30, 2024, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s Summary of Deposits indicates that the Bank holds the 4th spot in deposit market share in Lehigh and Northampton Counties combined. For more information, visit www.embassybank.com.

    Contact:
    David M. Lobach, Jr.
    Chairman, President and CEO
    (610) 882-8800

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e688509f-3896-4118-8a63-9f9dedaf06be

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public Release of Micron Draft Environmental Impact Statement

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today marked a major step forward for the Micron project in Central New York with the public release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), a required component of both the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The approximately 20,000-page document, jointly prepared by the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, the US Commerce Department and Micron, reflects one of the most thorough analyses ever conducted for a project in New York State, befitting the historic nature and transformative impact of Micron’s plan to invest up to $100 billion and support the creation of nearly 50,000 jobs over the next 20-plus years and will include the nation’s largest clean room space at approximately 2.4 million square feet.

    “We’re transforming Upstate New York’s economy one microchip at a time,” Governor Hochul said. “This marks a major milestone in Micron’s commitment to New York, showing how economic growth and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. This project is set to transform Central New York — and we’re moving full speed ahead.”

    Micron Executive Vice President of Global Operations Manish Bhatia said, “We appreciate the local, state, and federal agencies whose assistance and review have been instrumental in helping us reach this important milestone. Micron remains focused on bringing leading-edge memory manufacturing to New York. We’ve taken great care to prepare comprehensive draft environmental impact statement materials for review by the public and by local, state, and federal government agencies. As we move toward ground preparation later this year, we look forward to working closely with the lead agencies to ensure the process meets all regulatory requirements and provides meaningful opportunities for community input.”

    The public release of the DEIS is the latest milestone marking the ongoing partnership between Micron and New York State that was forged in October 2022 when Micron chose Central New York for its megafab. Governor Hochul has worked closely with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Micron’s arrival and make continued investments in the community and the region. As part of the Governor’s Green CHIPS incentive program, Micron will work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand water restoration, reuse, and recycling efforts and target carbon-free energy, aligning with New York’s goal of achieving a clean energy economy. Over the next 45 days, the public will be able to comment on the findings in the DEIS. Within the comment period, an in-person public hearing will be held on July 24 at Liverpool High School. The comment period closes on August 11. Instructions on how to comment are available on the Onondaga County Office of Economic Development website.

    This $100 billion investment by Micron is the largest private investment in New York’s history and will contain the largest cleanroom in the United States. And by the end of the decade, one in four U.S. made chips will be produced within 350 miles of Upstate New York — no other region in the country will manufacture a greater share.

    Micron’s presence in Central New York, represents transformative growth in Upstate New York. This includes:

    • 9,000 new, good paying jobs at all levels of education on site
    • Up to 50,000 new permanent jobs in the region over next 30 years and tens of thousands of construction jobs over the next 20 years to build the campus
    • An additional $9.5 billion in regional economic output annually starting in 2027, ramping up to over $16 billion annually by 2041
    • An additional $3.3 billion in annual disposable income for Central New Yorkers by 2035, averaging to $5.4 billion annually in 30 years
    • Nearly $20 billion in revenue for state and local governments to improve schools and other public services

    After decades of stagnation, the Central NY population is expected to increase. Micron’s project is expected to attract upwards of 84,000 people to New York — the vast majority of them (76,000+) to the Central New York Region. To handle this growth, planned investments include:

    • Long-term infrastructure investments to support regional growth, including expanded water, wastewater, gas, electric and transportation systems
    • The $500 million Community Investment Fund developed to ensure inclusive economic growth, workforce development & quality of life enhancements for Central New York
    • The flagship location of the state’s new $200 million ON-RAMP workforce development program on the South Side of Syracuse
    • Governor Hochul’s historic housing policies include multiple initiatives and funding programs at the state level, and local policies are being developed to stimulate the regional market to increase the supply of affordable, high quality housing choices to meet high demand

    Senator Charles Schumer said, “This is a major step forward in getting shovels in the ground and bringing to life Micron’s transformational investment in Central NY. Thanks to my bipartisan CHIPS & Science Law, tens of thousands of good-paying jobs are on the horizon for our community and we are bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to America, with Upstate NY leading the way. I’m grateful for Governor Hochul’s partnership in bringing manufacturing investments and jobs back to Upstate New York.”

    Representative John W. Mannion said, “Micron’s historic investment continues to move forward with the transparency, environmental responsibility, and community engagement that Central New Yorkers expect and deserve. As the co-prime sponsor of New York’s Green CHIPS legislation, I worked with Governor Hochul and partners across all levels of government to help lay the groundwork for this transformational project. I remain committed to building on the record investments I’ve secured for workforce training — including MACNY apprenticeships, ON-RAMP, K-12 education, and career pathways — that are preparing NY-22 residents for a high-tech future full of opportunity and promise in every corner of our community.”

    Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said, “The Micron project will have a transformational impact on the City of Syracuse and our entire region. We welcome the release of the DEIS as a major step forward for the project and as an essential action to ensure our region’s natural resources and environment are safeguarded. I thank Governor Hochul, County Executive McMahon, Micron and all our partners for continuing their efforts to make Syracuse and Central New York a global leader in the semi conductor industry.”

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Responsible economic development starts with rigorous environmental review to fully evaluate and mitigate potential impacts to natural resources. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, this critical step in the review process will provide for robust public review of this once-in-a-generation project. DEC is proud to work with our federal, state, and local partners to help safeguard Central New York’s air, water, and lands as the Micron project advances.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Today’s milestone represents the latest step in Micron’s historic commitment to Central New York. The DEIS is an important piece in any economic development project – especially for one of this size and scope – and demonstrates that this project is advancing through the critical approval process. New York State and Micron continue to work together to ensure that this unprecedented megafab, which will produce generational changes that benefit the region and the state, advances, and succeeds.”

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “This is truly an exciting time for Central New York, and the State Department of Transportation is playing a major role in the transformation of this entire region. As we continue to transform the transportation network on a scope and scale not seen in upstate New York while also righting the wrongs of the past and connecting communities across Syracuse through our historic I-81 Viaduct Project, we are helping prepare Central New York for the influx of jobs and growth that Micron will generate across the region. With Governor Hochul’s targeted investments and support, the state transportation system will be ready to accommodate Micron and the generational impact it will have on all facets of life in Central New York. We look forward to continuing to work with the Central New York community and Micron and as we begin to consider the next round of infrastructure investments in the near future.”

    New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Micron’s historic investment in the Empire State is poised to bring thousands of new opportunities to New Yorkers across all skill levels. In releasing their Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Micron is showing what it means to lead by example — powering the technology of the future with zero-emission electricity while driving real economic growth for future generations.”

    New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Micron’s arrival in New York will reshape the local economy, bringing thousands of good-paying construction, manufacturing and tech jobs to Central New York. NYPA is proud to support Micron’s historic investment in the state with significant allocations of low-cost power that will spur lasting economic growth in the region.”

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Pro Tem Randy Simons said, “The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks a significant achievement in this major initiative to create thousands of new jobs in Central New York. Our agency looks forward to working with our state and federal partners to preserve important resources while advancing economic development and quality of life in the region.”

    New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Micron’s remarkable commitment to social and environmental sustainability is on full display with this impressive document, which can serve as a blueprint for corporate responsibility. Right from the start, Micron has proven itself to be a good corporate neighbor and is fast becoming a foundational part of the fabric of Upstate economic development and quality of life.”

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement illustrates the company’s strong environmental values and marks a pivotal step forward in our shared vision for a prosperous, inclusive Central New York. As we prepare for the unprecedented benefits of Micron’s $100 billion investment in the region, we look forward to putting Governor Hochul’s historic housing policies to work creating homes for a growing workforce and helping to ensure the long-term success of Micron, and of Central New York and its residents.”

    New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “While the partnership between New York State and Micron has been an integral step toward bringing good-paying advanced manufacturing careers to Upstate New York, workforce development cannot come at the cost of our crucial natural resources. The DEIS will help to ensure our environment and communities are being safeguarded as we work to extend greater economic opportunities to New Yorkers and make our state a safe, affordable place to live and work.”

    State Senator Rachel May said, “This report has been a long time in the making and I hope many others in CNY will join me in reading it carefully and engaging in the public comment process. We have heard a lot about the benefits this project will bring. Now we need to consider the impact it will have on our natural systems and how best to join economic growth to careful preservation of the precious resources that support us and define our region.”

    State Senator Chris Ryan said, “The release of the DEIS is greeted with anticipation and excitement because this is a moment of great importance. The findings of this historical report, and the planned investments in Central New York, will help ensure the region can take the needed steps to prepare for this generationally transformative project, and the thousands of jobs it will bring. I encourage residents to participate in the public comment and public hearing process. All of us, working together as a region, will benefit from this monumental opportunity.”

    Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “Governor Hochul’s success thus far in securing Micron’s investment in New York is impressive, and I am thrilled to see further progress with the DEIS release. Not only will Micron’s investment create up to 50,000 new permanent jobs in the region over the next 30 years, it will also benefit our economy by increasing regional economic output by $9.5 billion starting in 2027 and contribute to efforts toward clean energy by using 100% carbon-free electrical power. I will keep supporting efforts to bring chip manufacturing to New York so our state can continue to lead the nation on innovation.”

    Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “Micron has the potential to transform not only the local community, but the regions’ employment forecast. The release of the DEIS is the most recent development that emphasizes the continual progress and investment required to prepare for its arrival.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “The promise of Micron is one step closer with the public release of the Draft Environmental impact Statement. One step closer to the economic prosperity that comes along with tens of thousands of tech jobs, 20 years of non-stop construction work, as well as improved water, wastewater and transportation infrastructure. All done with a commitment to high environmental standards. Our region has waited for two generations for an opportunity like this, and now it’s right on our doorstep.”

    Assemblymember Pamela Hunter said, “The release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks real progress in bringing transformational change to Central New York. Micron’s investment is not only creating jobs—it’s building opportunity for veterans, MWBEs, and communities that have historically been left behind. I’m proud to support this bold and inclusive vision for our region’s future.”

    CenterState CEO President and CEO Rob Simpson said, “The release of Micron’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement marks an important step forward for the company’s plans to expand and create thousands of good paying jobs in Central New York. We welcome the release of this report as a clear sign that the work is moving ahead for this critically important project. This DEIS reflects years of collaboration and diligence. Every step has been — and continues to be — shaped by public agencies working with Micron to protect our community’s vital natural resources. Transparency, accountability, and public input remain central to every stage, and this is no different. At the same time, we want to underscore the need for timeliness and momentum. Our region and our country need this project to come online as soon as possible to ensure our national security and economic competitiveness. We encourage the business community to get involved by reviewing the DEIS and advocating for this generational investment in our community.”

    Evergreen Action VP for States Justin Balik said, “Governor Hochul’s leadership has paved the way for Micron’s groundbreaking investment in New York, a project set to redefine sustainable economic development thanks to the state’s Green CHIPS incentive program and the federal CHIPS and Science law. Clean energy deployment is an integral component of economic development, creating new good paying jobs for New Yorkers, while simultaneously developing the technology of tomorrow with zero-emission electricity, ensuring sustainable economic growth for generations.”

    Central New York Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair Tim Penix said, “The release of this draft Environmental Impact Statement marks a significant milestone in bringing Micron’s historic investment to fruition. As Co-Chair of the Community Engagement Committee, I’ve witnessed firsthand the excitement and commitment of Central New Yorkers who see this as more than just economic development — it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a more equitable and prosperous future for our entire region. The comprehensive community engagement process we completed ensured that as this project moves forward, the voices and priorities of all Central New Yorkers will continue to guide how we maximize the benefits of this transformative moment.”

    MACNY President Randy Wolken said, “With today’s release, we are one step closer to breaking ground on Micron’s manufacturing facilities in Central New York. This project will create thousands of manufacturing jobs and will further elevate New York’s profile as a global hub for high-tech manufacturing and innovation. As we celebrate this critical milestone, the MACNY Team is excited, ready, and committed to collaborating with our members and community partners to help realize the full potential of this opportunity.”

    Governor Hochul has prioritized the semiconductor industry as a major part of her Executive Budgets since taking office. The Governor secured an additional $500 million capital investment for NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex with total State investment of $1 billion to jumpstart a $10 billion partnership that will bring a cutting-edge High NA EUV Lithography Center to the Complex. The Governor also announced the partnership with IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other leaders from the semiconductor industry last year as part of her commitment to establishing a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing in New York. Once completed, this new center will build on other semiconductor-related investments to make New York home to the first publicly owned High NA EUV Lithography Center in North America, support the long-term growth of New York’s tech economy and create and retain thousands of direct, indirect and union construction jobs.

    Governor Hochul has secured $100 million in additional funding for the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) program. Launched in December 2022, FAST NY has awarded more than $175 million to prepare more than 2,500 acres across 20 sites in every Upstate region for shovel-readiness, a key feature businesses seek when looking to locate. Awards to improve sites have attracted companies such as Edwards Vacuum, Siemens Mobility, Chobani and fairlife.

    Additionally, in October 2023, Governor Hochul unveiled plans for the $15 million, 5,000 square-foot Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab at Onondaga Community College, which will help to train students in Central New York for jobs at Micron.

    Most recently, Governor Hochul introduced a new, enhanced benefit tier for semiconductor supply chain companies; a new program to provide tax credits for large-scale semiconductor R&D investments of $100 million or more in qualified expenditures; a new semiconductor manufacturing workforce training incentive; and an overall 5-year extension of the Excelsior program.

    Semiconductors are vital to the nation’s economic strength, serving as the brains of modern electronics, and enabling technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security and global competitiveness. The industry directly employs over 300,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector — from farming to manufacturing.

    New York is home to a robust semiconductor industry of 156 semiconductor and supply chain companies that employ over 34,000 New Yorkers. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the industry is continuing to expand with major investments from semiconductor businesses and supply chain companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, Edwards Vacuum, Menlo Micro and TTM Technologies to expand their presence in New York.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Superconducting material stabilized at everyday pressure, another step toward real-world applications

    Source: US Government research organizations

    New technique maintains a particular material’s superconducting properties outside high pressure environments

    U.S. National Science Foundation-funded researchers have stabilized a composite material in a superconducting state at ambient or normal, everyday pressure. Their technique, called the “pressure-quench protocol,” offers a new approach for exploring and developing superconducting materials. Superconducting materials have the potential to enable highly efficient electronic devices and minimal energy loss in power grids.

    Superconducting materials typically exhibit zero electrical resistance only at very low temperatures or very high pressures, depending on the material. Researchers at the University of Houston overcame these limitations by using their pressure-quench technique to stabilize a composite of bismuth, antimony and tellurium in a superconducting state under ambient pressure. This study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also included contributions from researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Illinois Chicago.

    Credit: Liangzi Deng and Ching-Wu Chu

    A multi-purpose measurement device used in the pressure-quenching experiments can reach a temperature of 1.2 degrees Kelvin (-457 degrees Fahrenheit).

    The new protocol also opens up a new way to explore material phases that usually exist only under extreme pressure. “It should help our search for superconductors with higher transition temperatures,” says Paul Ching-Wu Chu, a study author and professor of physics at the University of Houston.

    “The technique used in this study not only demonstrates potential for understanding how materials can be superconductive in everyday conditions — it’s a new way to create states of matter that we have not seen before in particular materials,” says John Schlueter, program director in the NSF Division of Materials Research, which supported the work.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Superconducting material stabilized at everyday pressure, another step toward real-world applications

    Source: US Government research organizations

    New technique maintains a particular material’s superconducting properties outside high pressure environments

    U.S. National Science Foundation-funded researchers have stabilized a composite material in a superconducting state at ambient or normal, everyday pressure. Their technique, called the “pressure-quench protocol,” offers a new approach for exploring and developing superconducting materials. Superconducting materials have the potential to enable highly efficient electronic devices and minimal energy loss in power grids.

    Superconducting materials typically exhibit zero electrical resistance only at very low temperatures or very high pressures, depending on the material. Researchers at the University of Houston overcame these limitations by using their pressure-quench technique to stabilize a composite of bismuth, antimony and tellurium in a superconducting state under ambient pressure. This study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also included contributions from researchers at the University at Buffalo and the University of Illinois Chicago.

    Credit: Liangzi Deng and Ching-Wu Chu

    A multi-purpose measurement device used in the pressure-quenching experiments can reach a temperature of 1.2 degrees Kelvin (-457 degrees Fahrenheit).

    The new protocol also opens up a new way to explore material phases that usually exist only under extreme pressure. “It should help our search for superconductors with higher transition temperatures,” says Paul Ching-Wu Chu, a study author and professor of physics at the University of Houston.

    “The technique used in this study not only demonstrates potential for understanding how materials can be superconductive in everyday conditions — it’s a new way to create states of matter that we have not seen before in particular materials,” says John Schlueter, program director in the NSF Division of Materials Research, which supported the work.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stephanie Otts, Director of National Sea Grant Law Center, University of Mississippi

    Filming ‘The Perfect Storm’ in Gloucester Harbor, Mass.
    The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection, Salem State University Archives and Special Collections, CC BY

    Twenty-five years ago, “The Perfect Storm” roared into movie theaters. The disaster flick, starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, was a riveting, fictionalized account of commercial swordfishing in New England and a crew who went down in a violent storm.

    The anniversary of the film’s release, on June 30, 2000, provides an opportunity to reflect on the real-life changes to New England’s commercial fishing industry.

    Fishing was once more open to all

    In the true story behind the movie, six men lost their lives in late October 1991 when the commercial swordfishing vessel Andrea Gail disappeared in a fierce storm in the North Atlantic as it was headed home to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

    At the time, and until very recently, almost all commercial fisheries were open access, meaning there were no restrictions on who could fish.

    There were permit requirements and regulations about where, when and how you could fish, but anyone with the means to purchase a boat and associated permits, gear, bait and fuel could enter the fishery. Eight regional councils established under a 1976 federal law to manage fisheries around the U.S. determined how many fish could be harvested prior to the start of each fishing season.

    Fishing has been an integral part of coastal New England culture since its towns were established. In this 1899 photo, a New England community weighs and packs mackerel.
    Charles Stevenson/Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

    Fishing started when the season opened and continued until the catch limit was reached. In some fisheries, this resulted in a “race to the fish” or a “derby,” where vessels competed aggressively to harvest the available catch in short amounts of time. The limit could be reached in a single day, as happened in the Pacific halibut fishery in the late 1980s.

    By the 1990s, however, open access systems were coming under increased criticism from economists as concerns about overfishing rose.

    The fish catch peaked in New England in 1987 and would remain far above what the fish population could sustain for two more decades. Years of overfishing led to the collapse of fish stocks, including North Atlantic cod in 1992 and Pacific sardine in 2015.

    As populations declined, managers responded by cutting catch limits to allow more fish to survive and reproduce. Fishing seasons were shortened, as it took less time for the fleets to harvest the allowed catch. It became increasingly hard for fishermen to catch enough fish to earn a living.

    Saving fisheries changed the industry

    In the early 2000s, as these economic and environmental challenges grew, fisheries managers started limiting access. Instead of allowing anyone to fish, only vessels or individuals meeting certain eligibility requirements would have the right to fish.

    The most common method of limiting access in the U.S. is through limited entry permits, initially awarded to individuals or vessels based on previous participation or success in the fishery. Another approach is to assign individual harvest quotas or “catch shares” to permit holders, limiting how much each boat can bring in.

    In 2007, Congress amended the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to promote the use of limited access programs in U.S. fisheries.

    Ships in the fleet out of New Bedford, Mass.
    Henry Zbyszynski/Flickr, CC BY

    Today, limited access is common, and there are positive signs that the management change is helping achieve the law’s environmental goal of preventing overfishing. Since 2000, the populations of 50 major fishing stocks have been rebuilt, meaning they have recovered to a level that can once again support fishing.

    I’ve been following the changes as a lawyer focused on ocean and coastal issues, and I see much work still to be done.

    Forty fish stocks are currently being managed under rebuilding plans that limit catch to allow the stock to grow, including Atlantic cod, which has struggled to recover due to a complex combination of factors, including climatic changes.

    The lingering effect on communities today

    While many fish stocks have recovered, the effort came at an economic cost to many individual fishermen. The limited-access Northeast groundfish fishery, which includes Atlantic cod, haddock and flounder, shed nearly 800 crew positions between 2007 and 2015.

    The loss of jobs and revenue from fishing impacts individual family income and relationships, strains other businesses in fishing communities, and affects those communities’ overall identity and resilience, as illustrated by a recent economic snapshot of the Alaska seafood industry.

    When original limited-access permit holders leave the business – for economic, personal or other reasons – their permits are either terminated or sold to other eligible permit holders, leading to fewer active vessels in the fleet. As a result, the number of vessels fishing for groundfish has declined from 719 in 2007 to 194 in 2023, meaning fewer jobs.

    A fisherman unloads a portion of his catch for the day of 300 pounds of groundfish, including flounder, in January 2006 in Gloucester, Mass.
    AP Photo/Lisa Poole

    Because of their scarcity, limited-access permits can cost upward of US$500,000, which is often beyond the financial means of a small businesses or a young person seeking to enter the industry. The high prices may also lead retiring fishermen to sell their permits, as opposed to passing them along with the vessels to the next generation.

    These economic forces have significantly altered the fishing industry, leading to more corporate and investor ownership, rather than the family-owned operations that were more common in the Andrea Gail’s time.

    Similar to the experience of small family farms, fishing captains and crews are being pushed into corporate arrangements that reduce their autonomy and revenues.

    Consolidation can threaten the future of entire fleets, as New Bedford, Massachusetts, saw when Blue Harvest Fisheries, backed by a private equity firm, bought up vessels and other assets and then declared bankruptcy a few years later, leaving a smaller fleet and some local business and fishermen unpaid for their work. A company with local connections bought eight vessels from Blue Harvest along with 48 state and federal permits the company held.

    New challenges and unchanging risks

    While there are signs of recovery for New England’s fisheries, challenges continue.

    Warming water temperatures have shifted the distribution of some species, affecting where and when fish are harvested. For example, lobsters have moved north toward Canada. When vessels need to travel farther to find fish, that increases fuel and supply costs and time away from home.

    Fisheries managers will need to continue to adapt to keep New England’s fisheries healthy and productive.

    One thing that, unfortunately, hasn’t changed is the dangerous nature of the occupation. Between 2000 and 2019, 414 fishermen died in 245 disasters.

    Stephanie Otts receives funding from the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program through the U.S. Department of Commerce. Previous support for fisheries management legal research provided by The Nature Conservancy.

    ref. Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie – https://theconversation.com/checking-in-on-new-england-fisheries-25-years-after-the-perfect-storm-movie-255076

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stephanie Otts, Director of National Sea Grant Law Center, University of Mississippi

    Filming ‘The Perfect Storm’ in Gloucester Harbor, Mass.
    The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection, Salem State University Archives and Special Collections, CC BY

    Twenty-five years ago, “The Perfect Storm” roared into movie theaters. The disaster flick, starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, was a riveting, fictionalized account of commercial swordfishing in New England and a crew who went down in a violent storm.

    The anniversary of the film’s release, on June 30, 2000, provides an opportunity to reflect on the real-life changes to New England’s commercial fishing industry.

    Fishing was once more open to all

    In the true story behind the movie, six men lost their lives in late October 1991 when the commercial swordfishing vessel Andrea Gail disappeared in a fierce storm in the North Atlantic as it was headed home to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

    At the time, and until very recently, almost all commercial fisheries were open access, meaning there were no restrictions on who could fish.

    There were permit requirements and regulations about where, when and how you could fish, but anyone with the means to purchase a boat and associated permits, gear, bait and fuel could enter the fishery. Eight regional councils established under a 1976 federal law to manage fisheries around the U.S. determined how many fish could be harvested prior to the start of each fishing season.

    Fishing has been an integral part of coastal New England culture since its towns were established. In this 1899 photo, a New England community weighs and packs mackerel.
    Charles Stevenson/Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

    Fishing started when the season opened and continued until the catch limit was reached. In some fisheries, this resulted in a “race to the fish” or a “derby,” where vessels competed aggressively to harvest the available catch in short amounts of time. The limit could be reached in a single day, as happened in the Pacific halibut fishery in the late 1980s.

    By the 1990s, however, open access systems were coming under increased criticism from economists as concerns about overfishing rose.

    The fish catch peaked in New England in 1987 and would remain far above what the fish population could sustain for two more decades. Years of overfishing led to the collapse of fish stocks, including North Atlantic cod in 1992 and Pacific sardine in 2015.

    As populations declined, managers responded by cutting catch limits to allow more fish to survive and reproduce. Fishing seasons were shortened, as it took less time for the fleets to harvest the allowed catch. It became increasingly hard for fishermen to catch enough fish to earn a living.

    Saving fisheries changed the industry

    In the early 2000s, as these economic and environmental challenges grew, fisheries managers started limiting access. Instead of allowing anyone to fish, only vessels or individuals meeting certain eligibility requirements would have the right to fish.

    The most common method of limiting access in the U.S. is through limited entry permits, initially awarded to individuals or vessels based on previous participation or success in the fishery. Another approach is to assign individual harvest quotas or “catch shares” to permit holders, limiting how much each boat can bring in.

    In 2007, Congress amended the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to promote the use of limited access programs in U.S. fisheries.

    Ships in the fleet out of New Bedford, Mass.
    Henry Zbyszynski/Flickr, CC BY

    Today, limited access is common, and there are positive signs that the management change is helping achieve the law’s environmental goal of preventing overfishing. Since 2000, the populations of 50 major fishing stocks have been rebuilt, meaning they have recovered to a level that can once again support fishing.

    I’ve been following the changes as a lawyer focused on ocean and coastal issues, and I see much work still to be done.

    Forty fish stocks are currently being managed under rebuilding plans that limit catch to allow the stock to grow, including Atlantic cod, which has struggled to recover due to a complex combination of factors, including climatic changes.

    The lingering effect on communities today

    While many fish stocks have recovered, the effort came at an economic cost to many individual fishermen. The limited-access Northeast groundfish fishery, which includes Atlantic cod, haddock and flounder, shed nearly 800 crew positions between 2007 and 2015.

    The loss of jobs and revenue from fishing impacts individual family income and relationships, strains other businesses in fishing communities, and affects those communities’ overall identity and resilience, as illustrated by a recent economic snapshot of the Alaska seafood industry.

    When original limited-access permit holders leave the business – for economic, personal or other reasons – their permits are either terminated or sold to other eligible permit holders, leading to fewer active vessels in the fleet. As a result, the number of vessels fishing for groundfish has declined from 719 in 2007 to 194 in 2023, meaning fewer jobs.

    A fisherman unloads a portion of his catch for the day of 300 pounds of groundfish, including flounder, in January 2006 in Gloucester, Mass.
    AP Photo/Lisa Poole

    Because of their scarcity, limited-access permits can cost upward of US$500,000, which is often beyond the financial means of a small businesses or a young person seeking to enter the industry. The high prices may also lead retiring fishermen to sell their permits, as opposed to passing them along with the vessels to the next generation.

    These economic forces have significantly altered the fishing industry, leading to more corporate and investor ownership, rather than the family-owned operations that were more common in the Andrea Gail’s time.

    Similar to the experience of small family farms, fishing captains and crews are being pushed into corporate arrangements that reduce their autonomy and revenues.

    Consolidation can threaten the future of entire fleets, as New Bedford, Massachusetts, saw when Blue Harvest Fisheries, backed by a private equity firm, bought up vessels and other assets and then declared bankruptcy a few years later, leaving a smaller fleet and some local business and fishermen unpaid for their work. A company with local connections bought eight vessels from Blue Harvest along with 48 state and federal permits the company held.

    New challenges and unchanging risks

    While there are signs of recovery for New England’s fisheries, challenges continue.

    Warming water temperatures have shifted the distribution of some species, affecting where and when fish are harvested. For example, lobsters have moved north toward Canada. When vessels need to travel farther to find fish, that increases fuel and supply costs and time away from home.

    Fisheries managers will need to continue to adapt to keep New England’s fisheries healthy and productive.

    One thing that, unfortunately, hasn’t changed is the dangerous nature of the occupation. Between 2000 and 2019, 414 fishermen died in 245 disasters.

    Stephanie Otts receives funding from the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program through the U.S. Department of Commerce. Previous support for fisheries management legal research provided by The Nature Conservancy.

    ref. Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ movie – https://theconversation.com/checking-in-on-new-england-fisheries-25-years-after-the-perfect-storm-movie-255076

    MIL OSI Analysis

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Potential for the development of Russian business education: a meeting with representatives of the VkusVill company was held at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On June 25, 2025, an introductory meeting of the university management with representatives of the VkusVill Joint Stock Company was held at the State University of Management.

    During the meeting, the founder and co-owner of the Vkusvill retail chain Andrey Krivenko briefly spoke about the company’s history and its main principles, cooperation with Roskachestvo and clients among medium-sized businesses, which today is about 500-600 companies. The guest expressed interest in cooperation with universities in the field of business education.

    Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev expressed a reciprocal interest and spoke about the history of the business school at our university, in particular about the Business Games Center, which operated in the 1980s, about the outstanding economists Dmitry Lvov, Georgy Kleiner and Sergey Glazyev, who always focused on the domestic economy in their work.

    “Unfortunately, many universities of the new era that were engaged in business education were oriented towards the West. GUU was always against such a scheme, although it established strong partnerships. For example, we had a Russian-Dutch faculty for a long time. But we never worked for the brain drain,” the rector said.

    Vice-Rector Dmitry Bryukhanov also recalled that it was at our university that the first Russian textbook on business management was written. Dmitry Yuryevich spoke about the foreign internships that the State University of Management offers to graduates of the presidential management training program, and expressed interest in opening a master’s program taking into account the VkusVill methodology.

    The parties exchanged contacts and agreed to define working groups to specify areas of potential cooperation in the development of Russian business education. After which the guests were given an introductory tour of the SUM territory.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Uganda: Supplementary can resolve teacher pay disparity – Ssenyonyi

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    Download logo

    The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, has advised government to table a supplementary request to Parliament to address the pay disparities between science and arts teachers.

    He offered the advice during plenary on Tuesday, 24 June 2025, wherein he warned that arts and humanities teachers across the country had gone on strike, demanding pay equity and the matter needs to be addressed.

    Ssenyonyi also said that curbing public corruption would unlock the much needed funds. “The IGG says we lose over Shs 10 trillion to corruption every year. Stop stealing taxpayers’ money and there will be money to pay the teachers,” he said.

    Arts subject teachers began striking in early June over salary disparities, earning less than half of what their colleagues in other subjects receive. 

    “They are saying they are teachers too, just like the science teachers, but they have been discriminated against severely. They have warned that they are not going to carry out assessments, and that is a big concern for our young people who are in school,” Ssenyonyi said.

    According to available information, graduate science teachers earn Shs4 million while diploma holders earn Shs3 million. Most arts teachers meanwhile earn below Shs1 million.

    Teachers with similar qualifications and workloads, the leader of the Opposition noted, were being paid grossly unequal salaries, with arts teachers earning up to four times less than their science counterparts.

    “We are happy science teachers got a raise. But you cannot do it for some and not others,” he argued.

    He further pointed to absurd situations where headteachers with arts qualifications supervise science teachers who earn more than them, calling it a “management crisis.”

    He also cited the Auditor General’s report for the year ending 2024, which revealed that retired science teachers receive pensions higher than the monthly net pay of currently serving arts teachers.

    In response, the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, confirmed that engagements between the education ministry and the leadership of arts teachers were ongoing.

    “There is no intimidation at all, we believe in dialogue and consensus,” he assured the House.

    Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa who chaired the House acknowledged the urgency of the matter and asked the sector minister to update the House once negotiations conclude.

    The Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. Chrysostom Muyingo, said the ministry had held a number of meetings with the teachers and that their leadership had agreed to suspend the strike.

    “Government is committed to raise the salaries of all our public servants in a fair manner,” Muyingo said, promising feedback from consultations by Thursday.

    Meanwhile Hon. Sarah Opendi (NRM, Tororo District Woman Representative) added her voice to the debate, highlighting equally pressing concerns about pay disparities among government lawyers.

    “There is a serious pay disparity among the lawyers working in the police force and other lawyers in government,” Opendi said.

    She warned that the discrepancy was fueling an exodus of legal officers from the Uganda Police Force to other departments, particularly the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General’s Chambers, where pay is significantly higher.

    “This matter was presented here. The last time, the Attorney General said they had appealed. I want to confirm, there is no active appeal,” she said.

    The Deputy Speaker backed her call and directed that the Attorney General update the House on the issue. 

    – on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies in Rabat, on 25 June 2025, on the latest developments in ASEAN and the challenges and opportunities for ASEAN-Morocco relations. SG Dr. Kao also engaged in Q & A with the participants, particularly on emerging regional and global developments.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The building of the Baltic Higher School of Musical and Theatre Arts as part of the cultural cluster was put into operation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Marat Khusnullin at a meeting with the President on the progress of creating cultural, educational and museum complexes.

    On Oktyabrsky Island in Kaliningrad, as part of a cluster, a building of the branch of the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts – the Baltic Higher School of Musical and Theatre Arts – was put into operation. Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported this to President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the progress of creating cultural, educational and museum complexes.

    “In general, the project, in terms of its parameters – the size of the area, the number of objects, architectural solutions, the geography of implementation, the latest multimedia and technological equipment – is the largest cultural construction project in the history of the country. We hope that all the objects that are being created within the cluster will become new cultural symbols of Russia. One of such clusters is being developed in Kaliningrad. Another building, a branch of RGISI – the Baltic Higher School of Musical and Theatre Arts, has been put into operation there. It will soon begin accepting its first students,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    Earlier, a branch of the Tretyakov Gallery opened as part of the cluster in Kaliningrad. In addition, branches of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and the Central Music School – the Baltic Academy of Performing Arts, a comprehensive school with a swimming pool, two boarding schools for students and a dormitory for students, as well as five apartment buildings for teachers and artists of the cultural cluster are ready. Construction of a branch of the Bolshoi Theater with a production and warehouse complex is ongoing. All cluster facilities with a total area of about 127 thousand square meters will create a single urban space with a zone for walking and recreation.

    The customer for the construction of the clusters is the National Cultural Heritage Foundation for Social and Cultural Projects, and the general contractor is the Stroytransgaz group of companies.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: ADF graduate Igor Mikhnevich is among the best graduates of St. Petersburg universities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    On June 25, the traditional ceremony of honoring the best graduates of higher educational institutions of St. Petersburg took place in the atrium of the Commandant’s House of the Peter and Paul Fortress. Among them was Igor Mikhnevich, a graduate of the Automobile and Road Faculty of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

    Recognition Ceremony

    Let us recall that this event has been held since 2003 to recognize the merits of university graduates. Its organizers are the Committee on Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations and the Council of Rectors of Universities of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

    This year, 60 universities in the city selected their best graduate to participate in the ceremony. The selection criteria included academic, scientific and social success, as well as initiative and leadership qualities.

    The gathering was greeted by the Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Natalia Chechina. The graduates were presented with letters of gratitude and commemorative bronze statues in the form of a sphinx – a symbol of wisdom, intelligence and fortitude.

    In honor of the graduates, a midday shot was fired from the Naryshkin Bastion cannon.

    Igor Mikhnevich: “A favorite thing always leads to success”

    Igor Mikhnevich admits that four years ago he chose his future profession and university consciously: he realized that he wanted to work and develop in the transport sector, and SPbGASU is the best specialized university that will give him the opportunity to obtain all the necessary professional competencies.

    “I chose the “Transport Process Technology” program based on my experience: I have been working at the St. Petersburg State Institution “Transport Organizer” since my first year and have worked my way up from a motor transport dispatcher to a specialist in the transport infrastructure department, so I plan to dedicate my work to the passenger transport of St. Petersburg. I got into this organization after winning the first grant competition of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. Then my academic supervisor suggested taking statistical data from the “Transport Organizer”, where the head of the department where I now work not only provided me with the data, but also offered me a job. During my studies, I combined my studies with work: it was often not easy, but over the years I was able to grow professionally,” Igor said.

    The student also managed to engage in scientific work related to urban passenger transport, including rapid bus transportation and on-demand transport. Both topics are very relevant, since such services are just beginning to appear in our country. The essence of his research was to study foreign experience in implementing such transport systems, to derive certain dependencies and to assess the feasibility of implementing them in our country and in St. Petersburg in particular.

    “High-speed bus transportation is a “metro” on the ground, where instead of the usual trains, a bus rolling stock is used. This is convenient in the conditions of a modern metropolis, since less money needs to be spent on the infrastructure for such transport. The essence of on-demand transport is fast and convenient delivery of passengers by buses without a fixed route, a kind of symbiosis of taxi services and a regular bus. Such a service is convenient in suburban areas, where the frequency of public transport is low, but the demand for transportation is quite high,” Igor explained.

    He is sure that you just need to love your work, perceive it not as something due, but as a hobby, because when you do what you love, it is much easier to achieve results. And he will remember his studies for their eventful semesters and the acquisition of many new friends.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nova Scotia Partners with Lebanese Universities to Recruit More Family Doctors

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Nova Scotia is working with two universities in Lebanon to bring more family doctors to the province.

    The Province and Lebanese American University in Beirut have signed a memorandum of agreement outlining a five-year pilot program that will see 10 ready-to-practise family physicians come to Nova Scotia, two in each year of the agreement.

    The government also has a strong relationship with Lebanon’s American University of Beirut. It has already supported two physicians trained there who are now practising in Nova Scotia, with another set to arrive shortly.

    “We have doctors who want to make Nova Scotia their home, and we have opportunities to help them do what they do best – provide care to patients,” said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. “These partnerships will further strengthen ties between our province and Lebanon and create a unique opportunity to bring highly skilled family physicians to Nova Scotia.”

    The government has been working with the Honorary Consulate of Lebanon in Halifax and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia to support doctor recruitment from Lebanon.

    The Province will invest $5 million over the length of the agreement with Lebanese American University, covering expenses related to funding two medical school residency positions each year, licensing exams, and immigration and relocation costs. The doctors will be required to sign a three-year return-of-service agreement.

    Becoming a magnet for health providers is the first solution in Action for Health, the Province’s plan to improve healthcare.


    Quotes:

    “This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when governments, institutions and communities come together with purpose. By tapping into the strength and talent of our diverse society, we are not only addressing urgent healthcare needs, but also building a more inclusive, resilient and compassionate Nova Scotia.”
    Wadih Fares, Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Halifax

    “When a government and an institution unite with a shared vision, they transform ambition into lasting impact. The common good becomes the common goal.”
    Dr. Kamal Badr, Executive Vice Dean, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut

    “At the heart of this collaboration is something deeply human: the need for care, and the people who provide it. Family doctors are the backbone of any healthcare system, and the growing need for them is felt around the world. Partnerships like this remind us that when collaboration is driven by purpose, medicine knows no borders.”
    Dr. Sola Aoun Bahous, Dean and professor of medicine, Lebanese American University

    “This agreement not only recognizes the excellence of family medicine training at the Lebanese American University, it also reflects the extraordinary strength of the Lebanese-Nova Scotian community and the willingness of the provincial government to invest in innovative solutions to our access to care challenge.”
    Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar and CEO, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia


    Quick Facts:

    • the partnerships stem from a 2023 recruitment mission to Lebanon and meetings with Lebanese American University and American University of Beirut
    • the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia has a streamlined licensure process for Lebanese physicians
    • Lebanese American University and American University of Beirut are accredited American universities; graduates are ready to practise in Nova Scotia as if they had been educated in the United States
    • Nova Scotia welcomed 253 new doctors between April 2024 and March 2025, a net gain of 187 doctors; 32 per cent were internationally trained

    Additional Resources:

    Action for Health, the government’s plan to improve healthcare in Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/actionforhealth/

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI: IBFD Expands Access to Critical Tax Research for over 11,500 Institutions in Low- and Middle-income Countries through New Partnership with Research4Life

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Amsterdam, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) has joined Research4Life as a contributing publisher, providing free or low-cost access to a selection of its leading tax publications for eligible institutions in low- and middle-income countries.

    Fostering Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity in Scholarly Communication

    Research4Life supports more than 11,500 institutions across over 125 countries, working to empower research, teaching, and policymaking through equitable access to high-quality academic content. Since its establishment, Research4Life has facilitated access to millions of peer-reviewed sources across various disciplines, strengthening academic and professional communities around the world. By joining this global initiative, IBFD reinforces its commitment to fostering sound tax policy and capacity-building worldwide. As part of the partnership, Research4Life users will gain access to IBFD’s World Tax Journal, International Tax Studies Journal, and its extensive Open Archive Books collection, all recognized as authoritative resources in the field of international taxation.

    “Joining Research4Life as a contributing publisher is a natural step for IBFD.” said Belema Obuoforibo, Director of the IBFD Knowledge Centre, and Member of the IBFD Executive Board. “Our books and journals are trusted by tax researchers and practitioners around the world to support their work and deepen their expertise. This partnership opens the door for a wider audience, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to access and apply our resources meaningfully in their own research and practice. We are proud to support Research4Life’s mission to ‘foster inclusivity, diversity, and equity in scholarly communication’.”

    Promoting Global Tax Education and Research

    This partnership is part of IBFD’s broader mission to promote global tax education and research, furthering efforts to make specialized tax knowledge accessible in underserved regions. The impact of this initiative is far-reaching. A university in a developing country, for example, may now have access to IBFD’s tax publications, enabling faculty members and students to develop informed research and recommendations that strengthen tax systems and drive economic growth. Similarly, policymakers in developing economies can leverage IBFD’s research to support fair taxation and improve compliance measures, fostering sustainable fiscal governance.

    Craig West, Principal Associate of IBFD Academic, emphasized the significance of the collaboration: “At IBFD, our mission is to promote and disseminate the understanding of cross-border taxation at the highest level. Through Research4Life, academics in supported regions can now access high-quality research on international tax matters – enhancing their work, encouraging engagement with IBFD, and contributing fresh perspectives to our platforms. We look forward to sharing knowledge and learning from these communities in return.”

    Now Available in the GOALI Collection

    The selection of IBFD’s publications are available within Research4Life’s ‘GOALI’ collection, which focuses on academic and peer-reviewed journals, publications and databases on law and social sciences. Institutions subscribed to Research4Life can now explore IBFD’s tax resources to strengthen research and policymaking efforts worldwide.

    Looking ahead, IBFD remains committed to expanding the accessibility of specialized tax research and continuing to support initiatives that promote fair and effective tax policy. This partnership marks a significant milestone in IBFD’s efforts, and the organization looks forward to exploring further ways to enhance global tax education and research collaboration. Learn more at www.IBFD.org.

    About IBFD

    The International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) is a leading independent, non-profit organization specializing in tax research and education. With its high-quality research, training and information services, IBFD serves governments, international organizations, academia and the business sector in over 150 countries. www.ibfd.org

    About Research4Life

    Research4Life is a partnership of five UN agencies, WHO, FAO, UNEP, WIPO, ILO, Cornell and Yale Universities, the International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers and over 200 international publishers. Research4Life‘s mission is to build an inclusive, diverse and equitable scholarly communications environment by delivering free or low-cost access and user-focused training and resources to researchers in low- and middle-income countries. https://www.research4life.org

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: POET Wins AI Hardware Innovation Award in 2025 AI Breakthrough Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), light sources and optical modules for the AI and data center markets, today announced that it has been selected as the winner of the “AI Hardware Innovation Award” in the 8th annual AI Breakthrough Awards. The awards program recognized POET Teralight™, the Company’s ultra-high-performance line of optical engines that power AI and hyperscale data-center connectivity. It is the second consecutive year that the AI Breakthrough Awards has recognized POET for its groundbreaking, commercially available technology. This is the sixth notable award the Company has won in the past 12 months.

    POET Teralight™ features a highly integrated chip-scale design that is produced entirely at wafer level. The complete optical system-on-chip consists of a 1.6T transmit optical engine and a 1.6T receive optical engine, each approximately 12×12 mm in size. Without wire bonds, Teralight’s chip-scale architecture delivers unparalleled low signal-to-noise ratios and high energy efficiency. Unlike conventional design and development team efforts, with POET’s optical engines, a single design team can build both 1.6T DR8 and 2xFR4 pluggable modules using the identical board design and manufacturing process.

    The Teralight transmit optical engine incorporates 2x200G EML lasers from Mitsubishi Electric, enabling a 1.6T engine with only four laser chips instead of the conventional 8-laser alternative. The transmit engines also include a DC-coupled EML driver that is flip-chip attached to the POET Optical Interposer™. The integrated high-speed electrical traces and optical waveguides on the optical interposer platform enable enhanced performance by minimizing crosstalk and maximizing coupling efficiency. Those features and the overall elegance of the optical interposer-based design were key factors that convinced AI Breakthrough’s jury of industry leaders to select Teralight as this year’s top AI Hardware Innovation.

    “We introduced Teralight at the OFC Conference in April knowing it would create substantial customer interest because of the cost reduction and simplified module design. Our product demos have shown impressive results and have led to multiple new customer engagements. We are working with major companies to make Teralight an essential component in their transceiver module designs,” said Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, Chairman and CEO of POET. “This latest recognition by AI Breakthrough is an important validation of our technology and the innovations we continue to bring to the marketplace. Teralight’s elegant architecture makes it ready to accommodate future generations of compute devices, particularly those that drive AI connectivity.”

    This year’s AI Breakthrough Awards program attracted more than 5,000 nominations from over 20 countries, underscoring the explosive growth and global importance of AI as a defining technology of the 21st century. POET’s recognition in such a crowded field punctuates the enormity of its victory in such a competitive category.

    “I congratulate POET on being our pick for the ‘AI Hardware Innovation Award.’ Teralight puts POET at the forefront of optical-engine design and breaks through the crowded transceiver space because of its size, scalability, ease of adoption, functionality, value and performance,” said Steve Johansson, managing director, AI Breakthrough.

    The AI Breakthrough Awards are conducted by AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market. The awards shine a spotlight on the boldest innovators and most impactful technologies leading the charge in AI across a comprehensive set of categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Agentic AI, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry-specific AI applications and many more.

    About POET Technologies Inc.

    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products 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 in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in, Shenzhen, China, Penang, Malaysia and Singapore.  More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

    About AI Breakthrough

    Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com.

    Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    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 the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, including the Teralight product line, the expected results of its operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets.

    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, the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers, management’s expectations regarding the success and timing for completion of its development efforts, the introduction of new products, including the Teralight product line, financing activities, future growth, recruitment of personnel, plans for and completion of projects by the Company’s consultants, contractors and partners, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Company’s products to meet performance requirements for AI and datacom networks, the failure of the Teralight product line to perform as anticipated, a lack of sales in its products, lack of sales by its customers to end-users, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s projects, risks affecting the Company’s ability to complete its products, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, the ability of its customers to generate sales for products that incorporate the Company’s products, the ability to attract key personnel, and the ability to raise additional capital when needed. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company 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 Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    Neither 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 release.
    120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: POET Wins AI Hardware Innovation Award in 2025 AI Breakthrough Awards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — POET Technologies Inc. (“POET” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), light sources and optical modules for the AI and data center markets, today announced that it has been selected as the winner of the “AI Hardware Innovation Award” in the 8th annual AI Breakthrough Awards. The awards program recognized POET Teralight™, the Company’s ultra-high-performance line of optical engines that power AI and hyperscale data-center connectivity. It is the second consecutive year that the AI Breakthrough Awards has recognized POET for its groundbreaking, commercially available technology. This is the sixth notable award the Company has won in the past 12 months.

    POET Teralight™ features a highly integrated chip-scale design that is produced entirely at wafer level. The complete optical system-on-chip consists of a 1.6T transmit optical engine and a 1.6T receive optical engine, each approximately 12×12 mm in size. Without wire bonds, Teralight’s chip-scale architecture delivers unparalleled low signal-to-noise ratios and high energy efficiency. Unlike conventional design and development team efforts, with POET’s optical engines, a single design team can build both 1.6T DR8 and 2xFR4 pluggable modules using the identical board design and manufacturing process.

    The Teralight transmit optical engine incorporates 2x200G EML lasers from Mitsubishi Electric, enabling a 1.6T engine with only four laser chips instead of the conventional 8-laser alternative. The transmit engines also include a DC-coupled EML driver that is flip-chip attached to the POET Optical Interposer™. The integrated high-speed electrical traces and optical waveguides on the optical interposer platform enable enhanced performance by minimizing crosstalk and maximizing coupling efficiency. Those features and the overall elegance of the optical interposer-based design were key factors that convinced AI Breakthrough’s jury of industry leaders to select Teralight as this year’s top AI Hardware Innovation.

    “We introduced Teralight at the OFC Conference in April knowing it would create substantial customer interest because of the cost reduction and simplified module design. Our product demos have shown impressive results and have led to multiple new customer engagements. We are working with major companies to make Teralight an essential component in their transceiver module designs,” said Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, Chairman and CEO of POET. “This latest recognition by AI Breakthrough is an important validation of our technology and the innovations we continue to bring to the marketplace. Teralight’s elegant architecture makes it ready to accommodate future generations of compute devices, particularly those that drive AI connectivity.”

    This year’s AI Breakthrough Awards program attracted more than 5,000 nominations from over 20 countries, underscoring the explosive growth and global importance of AI as a defining technology of the 21st century. POET’s recognition in such a crowded field punctuates the enormity of its victory in such a competitive category.

    “I congratulate POET on being our pick for the ‘AI Hardware Innovation Award.’ Teralight puts POET at the forefront of optical-engine design and breaks through the crowded transceiver space because of its size, scalability, ease of adoption, functionality, value and performance,” said Steve Johansson, managing director, AI Breakthrough.

    The AI Breakthrough Awards are conducted by AI Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) market. The awards shine a spotlight on the boldest innovators and most impactful technologies leading the charge in AI across a comprehensive set of categories, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, AIOps, Agentic AI, Robotics, Natural Language Processing, industry-specific AI applications and many more.

    About POET Technologies Inc.

    POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products 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 in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained “Edge” computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in, Shenzhen, China, Penang, Malaysia and Singapore.  More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com.

    About AI Breakthrough

    Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AI Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in Artificial Intelligence technologies, services, companies and products. The AI Breakthrough Awards provide public recognition for the achievements of AI companies and products in categories including Generative AI, Machine Learning, AI Platforms, Robotics, Business Intelligence, AI Hardware, Computer Vision and more. For more information visit AIBreakthroughAwards.com.

    Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    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 the Company’s expectations with respect to the success of the Company’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, including the Teralight product line, the expected results of its operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Company’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Company’s technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets.

    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, the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers, management’s expectations regarding the success and timing for completion of its development efforts, the introduction of new products, including the Teralight product line, financing activities, future growth, recruitment of personnel, plans for and completion of projects by the Company’s consultants, contractors and partners, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Company’s products to meet performance requirements for AI and datacom networks, the failure of the Teralight product line to perform as anticipated, a lack of sales in its products, lack of sales by its customers to end-users, operational risks in the completion of the Company’s projects, risks affecting the Company’s ability to complete its products, the ability of the Company to generate sales for its products, the ability of its customers to generate sales for products that incorporate the Company’s products, the ability to attract key personnel, and the ability to raise additional capital when needed. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company 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 Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

    Neither 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 release.
    120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 – Fax: 416-322-5075

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow: Inspiring Young Innovators in Maharashtra and Gujarat

    Source: Samsung

     
    From the dynamic classrooms of Pune to the imaginative spaces of Kolhapur and the inquisitive minds of Vadodara, the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow roadshows have sparked a surge of creativity and purpose across Maharashtra and Gujarat.
     
    Launched on April 29, 2025, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a pan-India competition that empowers students with tools, mentorship, and resources to address real-world challenges through technology. With guidance from Samsung leaders, IIT Delhi faculty, and support for prototyping, the programme awards INR 1 crore to the top four teams. However, its true essence lies in motivating young minds to dream ambitiously and act decisively.
     
    Recent roadshows at DPS School and Munsukhbhai Kothari School in Pune, SPSMBH College of Architecture and NIT Sabhagruh in Kolhapur, and New Era School and Anand Vidya Vihar School in Vadodara highlighted the programme’s transformative influence.
     
    In Pune, Aakash, a class 11 student, arrived with a vague concept but left with a clear vision for sustainable packaging. “Samsung Solve for Tomorrow showed me I can turn this idea into reality,” he expressed.
     
    In Vadodara, Rohan from Anand Vidya Vihar designed wireframes for a mobile app aimed at making education accessible for remote learners. “I want to ensure children like my cousin aren’t left behind,” he shared.
     
    In Kolhapur, architecture student Ishan found inspiration in leveraging technology to revive local crafts. “It’s about connecting the past with the future,” he explained.
     
    Throughout the sessions, students proposed innovative solutions — from smart agriculture tools to mental health platforms and affordable solar innovations. What united them was a shared commitment to driving change and a belief in their potential.
     
    “These ideas are driven by empathy,” remarked a teacher at the Pune event. “They’re creating solutions to help others, not for recognition.”
     
    The roadshows introduced design thinking, encouraging students to question, empathise, define, and prototype. It was about understanding the ‘why’ behind the ‘what.’
     
    As Samsung Solve for Tomorrow continues to grow, its impact is evident: it’s not just fostering innovation but shaping a future where classroom ideas can transform the world.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of National Education, Pre-school Learning and Sports of Morocco

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met with Minister of National Education, Pre-school Learning and Sports of Morocco, Mohamed Saad Berrada, in Rabat, on 25 June 2025. Both sides exchanged views on ASEAN-Morocco relations and explored ways to further enhance cooperation in the areas of education, youth development and sports, in support of the ASEAN-Morocco Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Minister of National Education, Pre-school Learning and Sports of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why queer-themed shows evoke a bittersweet nostalgia for missed childhood moments

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Rena Bivens, Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies, Carleton University

    A scene from Heartstopper — Charlie (played by Joe Locke), left, is a gay teen boy who falls in love with classmate Nick (played by Kit Connor), right.

    Imagine suddenly longing for a past you’ve only seen in a show filmed before you were born. Or, reverse that: Imagine wishing you could re-do your childhood while watching a brand new show like Heartstopper, set in the present day.

    Heartstopper is a Netflix hit series, jam-packed with queer and trans teens finding love, accented by cute cartoon leaves fluttering across the screen.

    Sounds adorable? Yes, but if you came out later in life, grew up in an unsupportive environment or never had a teen romance, the anemoia you feel may be intense.

    If you’ve yet to hear the word anemoia, forgive yourself. Anemoia was only recently defined by The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows as “nostalgia for a time you never experienced.” The growing obsession with what’s known as Y2K core — fashion, music and culture inspired by the 90s and early 2000s — by Gen Z is an example of this kind of intergenerational envy.

    Unlike other forms of nostalgia, neuroscientist Felipe De Brigard tells us that anemoia “doesn’t need real memories.” De Brigard explores the darker side of these complex feelings. He says propaganda can misinform people about the past to elicit a longing for a time that may never have existed.

    According to De Brigard, given the right material, we can create simulations of possible scenarios in our minds. We might imagine a different present or an alternative past.

    Imagining what could have been

    While watching Heartstopper’s love story unfold in our living rooms, we feel happy for the fictional characters, but anger, grief and a dash of betrayal can creep in as well.

    For many Heartstopper viewers, the series blends into memories from our real life. Watching queer and trans teens portrayed as ordinary people can feel like a breath of fresh air, especially if these scenes are inconsistent with our own adolescence. According to media studies professor Frederik Dhaenens, Heartstopper also uses cute esthetics that amplify these positive depictions while “soften[ing] the blow of negative experiences” faced by the characters.

    The season 3 cast of Heartstopper.
    (Netflix)

    Memories from our past start to flood through our minds as we watch. We may find ourselves wishing for the queer childhood we never had. If only I was born later, we might think. Viewers may imagine how their lives could have unfolded differently, if only they had better media representation or were surrounded by more liberal perspectives.

    Enter queer anemoia: nostalgia for a do-over of an earlier stage of your life in a different time or place. While commonly expressed by queer and trans folks over 40, anyone who harbours some grief over their coming-out process or the lack of acceptance they had growing up may find themselves riding this emotional rollercoaster.

    A moment of recognition

    Queer anemoia is a moment of recognition. It is the contrast between our imagined teen love and — for many, but of course not all — the real past — lonely and isolated.

    The sight of a thriving trans teen like Heartstopper’s Elle could elicit strong feelings for a viewer who transitioned later in life and missed their own girlhood.

    Maybe the word trans wasn’t even accessible to help them make sense of their identity.

    Thinking about the past is not unusual for queer and trans folks. With some sarcasm, you could call it a hobby. Hey, want to hang out tonight and subject our adolescence and coming-out stories “to the judgment of hindsight?” Media push this exercise further by helping us visualize what could have been.

    ‘I Kissed a Girl’

    Another show described similarly to Heartstopper is the reality TV show I Kissed A Girl. The Guardian described it as “a celebratory, joyful love letter to queerness” and “the sweetest, most touching” show.

    A scene from ‘I Kissed A Girl’ reunion show.
    I Kissed A Girl

    Among a surplus of straight couples in reality TV, I Kissed A Girl is one of only a handful of shows with queer cast members. But perhaps this is shifting. Sociologist Róisín Ryan-Flood and queer historian Amy Tooth Murphy argue that we are undergoing “one of the most dramatic transformations of gender and sexuality in social life in recent decades.”

    By portraying lesbians as ordinary people with ordinary desires, I Kissed A Girl contributes to this transformation. Some viewers’ might find their own ideas about what is possible, desirable and even aspirational beginning to change.

    Media can model these possibilities for us, which contributes to our identity formation. Feminist and queer theorists agree, arguing that our gender and sexual identities are collectively created, not self-made.

    For example, gender studies professor Amira Lundy-Harris explains how when we encounter others in media — novels, film, television — they can help us recognize something about ourselves.

    Therefore these mediated identities — these characters on TV — are not just ours. We co-create our identities with a variety of different forms of media, including social media and memoirs. We also do this with other people, including our families and friends. The cultural and political moment we are living in is also part of this collaborative identity-making process.

    Late bloomers may feel more anemoia

    Queer anemoia is a politically useful feeling. When we compare different cultural moments we may also recognize that we did not learn about our identity in isolation from the rest of the world. Feminist philosopher Sue Campbell has said our feelings require others to help us interpret and make sense of them. Through their characters and stories, media offer us an interpretive context for our feelings to emerge.

    Some late bloomers — especially those left feeling confused or surprised by their sexual or gender identities — may blame themselves for going along with a mainstream, heteronormative or cisnormative cultural script without stopping to ask themselves who they really are. It may be hard, at first, to see that our identities are co-created.

    A recently released film, Am I Ok? portrays a late bloomer, Lucy, who is 32 when she finally realizes she’s a lesbian. She’s frustrated and disappointed in herself as she tells her best friend, “I should have figured this out by now.”

    Unfortunately, the film does not explore other reasons for her predicament — like compulsory heterosexuality — that are no fault of her own.

    Dakota Johnson stars in a film about discovering your sexuality later in life.
    (Rotten Tomatoes)

    Naming the ‘nostalgia’

    British education professor Catherine Lee, who previously taught secondary school under the homophobic Section 28, wrote in The Conversation about how she was filled with regret as she watched the queer teachers in Heartstopper give their students the supportive environment she never could.

    Even Heartstopper director Andy Newbery felt queer anemoia before working on the third season. He said:

    “I’ve heard it many, many times since, especially from people sort of my age really, about how they wish they’d had a show like this when they were growing up.”

    Naming queer anemoia gives us language for these complex, bittersweet feelings. In today’s political climate, cute portrayals of queer and trans love may not continue to grace our screens, but taking our feelings seriously and asking what they tell us about the role of media in our lives must never stop.

    Rena Bivens 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. Why queer-themed shows evoke a bittersweet nostalgia for missed childhood moments – https://theconversation.com/why-queer-themed-shows-evoke-a-bittersweet-nostalgia-for-missed-childhood-moments-259341

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Protocol to improve safety in schools

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    When schools are unsafe, when learners, educators and support staff live in fear, it robs learners of the very essence of learning and development, says Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

    “Our country’s future rests in the hands of our children. And as parents, first and foremost, we all desire the same thing – that our children live good, meaningful lives. We know that a solid education is the foundation of that good life,” Mchunu said.

    He was speaking at the launch of the Collaborative Implementation Protocol between SAPS and the Department of Basic Education in Cape Town on Tuesday.

    Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Mchunu jointly unveiled the Collaborative Implementation Protocol, pledging to create safer, child-friendly learning environments amid high statistics of violence.

    The Collaborative Implementation Protocol between SAPS and the Department of Basic Education is aimed at improving safety in schools around the country.

    This document will be a practical guide to bring urgent action in every district, in every province and in every school.

    The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the SAPS, in 2011, formed a partnership to safeguard schools from crime and violence to protect learners and teachers.

    A new implementation protocol was necessary to clarify each party’s roles, ensure a proper division of work plan activities and to ensure the protocol’s objectives are executed effectively at local level. This will also include implementing joint SAPS and DBE led crime prevention programmes within schools.

    The protocol focuses on the following goals: promoting collaboration between the DBE and SAPS to implement pillar two of the Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS) for early violence prevention and connecting schools with local police stations for swift responses to crime and violence. 

    In addition, the protocol includes conducting searches and seizures in line with the South African Schools Act (SASA), when there is a reasonable suspicion of illegal substances or weapons; combatting social ills such as school-related Gender-Based Violence, sexual abuse, alcohol and drug use among learners; and addressing gangsterism in schools and surrounding communities.

    Mchunu said there was a need to supplement the existing minimum safety standards in schools and that the Protocol served as one of those measures to strengthen safety and security in schools.

    “During school holidays especially, we see a rise in burglary and vandalism. These are not victimless crimes. They rob our children of resources, time, and opportunity,” Mchunu said.

    Criminal elements disrupt the education process and destabilise the very environments meant to nurture growth.

    “As government leaders, elected by the people of this country, we carry a constitutional duty to realise the rights enshrined in our Constitution. The right to safety, the right to dignity and the right to education are not negotiable. 

    “These rights must be protected and upheld in every schoolyard, in every classroom and in every community. 

    “For us in the SAPS, our mandate is clear, to ensure that South Africans are and feel safe. But policing is not a one-department responsibility. It requires what we call a whole of government, whole of society approach. 

    “That means government institutions must work hand in hand. It means that communities, parents, civil society organisations and schools must come together and actively participate in efforts to make our environments safe and resilient,” Mchunu said.

    Mchunu said the Protocol was designed to promote a community-based, inclusive approach to school safety.

    “There is a need to establish functional communication lines between schools and police stations. 

    “To this end, the Protocol formalises the linkage between schools and their nearest police stations, ensuring that we have timeous, coordinated responses to incidents and proactive interventions to prevent crime,” he said.

    To fully give effect, there is a need to recognise the urgent need to ensure that police stations are well resourced to adequately respond to incidents and that policing is proactive, responsive, efficient and effective.

    “We cannot do this without parents, they must be active participants in the fight against crime starting in their own homes, in their streets and in their communities.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa

  • CBSE to hold Class 10 Board exams twice a year from 2026

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year starting from the 2026 academic session, allowing students to improve their scores in up to three subjects.

    The move, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is aimed at reducing exam stress and offering students more flexibility.

    According to an official circular issued by CBSE Controller of Examinations Sanyam Bhardwaj, all students must appear for the first board exam in mid-February. Those who wish to improve their scores can take the second exam in May. The first set of results will be announced in April, followed by the second in June.

    Students will have the option to retain the better score in each subject. Internal assessments will only be held once, before the first exam.

    Special provisions have been made for sportspersons, students from winter-bound schools, and children with special needs, allowing them to choose the most suitable exam session.

    CBSE had first proposed the two-exam format in February and sought feedback from stakeholders. While the new system will begin for Class 10 in 2026, CBSE has indicated that a similar plan could be considered for Class 12 as well.

    The reform is expected to ease academic pressure, reduce dependency on coaching centres and encourage a more inclusive and student-centric approach to education.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Announces $1.12 Million HHS Grant to St. Charles Health Council Inc.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded St. Charles Health Council Inc., located in Lee County, Virginia, a $1,122,356 grant. The funding supports the organization’s black lung clinic program. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “Southwest Virginia coal miners and their families benefit from specialized health services administered by clinics like those in St. Charles.

    “This grant for nearly $1.2 million helps St. Charles Health Council Inc. continue its important work treating those affected by Black Lung Disease.” 

    BACKGROUND

    Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, or Black Lung, is a disease that impacts our nation’s miners. Miners who are diagnosed with the disease are entitled to certain federal monetary and medical benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Program.

    Congressman Griffith has visited facilities in Southwest Virginia that treat black lung disease, including Stone Mountain Health Services Black Lung Clinic in St. Charles, Virginia.

    In 2019 and 2020, Congressman Griffith waived onto hearings held by the House Committee on Education & the Workforce to discuss protecting black lung benefits.

    Earlier this week, Congressman Griffith engaged with HHS Secretary Kennedy in a Health Subcommittee hearing. Congressman Griffith reiterated his support to work with the Administration to help fight black lung disease.

    Congressman Griffith serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News