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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Landmark government trial shows AI could save civil servants nearly 2 weeks a year

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Landmark government trial shows AI could save civil servants nearly 2 weeks a year

    More than 20,000 civil servants took part in a government-led trial using generative AI to support their daily work – with early results showing time savings equivalent to nearly 2 working weeks per person, per year.

    • Over 20,000 civil servants were given the latest AI tech for 3 months, using it to draft documents, summarise meetings and more
    • from policy officials using it to cut through jargon and streamline consultations, to Work Coaches speeding up support for job seekers – officials said the tech boosted their ability to deliver the Plan for Change
    • comes as expansive research shows half of office work can be helped by AI, as government continues push to save £45 billion by creating a lean, modern state using tech

    AI can significantly reduce time spent on government tasks – freeing up time, capacity and boosting productivity, with a landmark trial of 20,000 civil servants showing they could save nearly 2 weeks each annually by using the technology. 

    This is the equivalent of giving 1,130 people a full year back – every year – to focus on higher-value tasks, innovation or public service impact, rather than admin-based work – with the potential for this to rise significantly if used across the entire civil service, transforming productivity and public service delivery at scale.  

    The findings show the use of AI across the Civil Service will directly support the government’s Plan for Change by driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and modernising how public services operate. 

    The trial found that using generative AI such as Microsoft 365 Copilot to assist with everyday tasks – including drafting documents, summarising lengthy emails, updating records, and preparing reports – saved users an average of 26 minutes per day. That adds to nearly 2 weeks of time saved per year per person, delivering a significant productivity boost when scaled across the public workforce.  

    At Companies House, staff use Copilot to handle routine customer queries and speed up tasks like drafting responses and updating records. At the Department for Work and Pensions, work coaches are using it to personalise advice for jobseekers – helping them get faster, more tailored support.   

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle highlighted the findings in a keynote discussion at SXSW London today, where he joined former Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss reimagining government and public service delivery in the age of AI.

    Commenting on the results he said:  

    These findings show that AI isn’t just a future promise – it’s a present reality. Whether it’s helping draft documents, preparing lesson plans, or cutting down on routine admin, AI tools are saving civil servants time every day. That means we can focus more on delivering faster, more personalised support where it really counts.  

    As we deliver our Plan for Change, we’re backing innovation like this to boost productivity and growth – not just in the private sector, but in public services too. AI is changing the way government operates, helping us work smarter, reduce red tape, and make better use of taxpayers’ money.

    Darren Hardman, CEO, Microsoft UK said:  

    AI is the most transformative technology of our time and we’re already seeing its potential to reshape public service delivery. Whether that’s DWP work coaches helping more jobseekers into work, local authorities improving social care for the most vulnerable in society or NHS clinicians with more time to see patients, the potential is profound. 

    As a strategic technology partner to the UK government, we have an amazing opportunity to help improve both the quality of the services people receive and the way they access them. This could unlock new levels of growth, efficiency, and innovation for the country.  

    The government’s Microsoft 365 Copilot experiment shows what’s possible when people are empowered with the right tools: 26 mins per day (almost 2 weeks per year) less time on admin, more time delivering what matters. And the really exciting part is, this is just the beginning.

    A DWP Work Coach involved in the trial said:

    Using Copilot, I was able to help a self-employed customer – Customer X – revitalise her small business. Together, we created tailored social media posts to boost her online presence and used AI to identify cost-saving opportunities. Within a week, she’d secured 7 new client bookings. She’s now using Copilot to streamline admin and manage bookings – freeing up time to grow her business. It’s a powerful example of how AI can deliver real results for the people we support.

    Complementing these findings, research from the Alan Turing Institute published today finds that AI could support up to 41% of tasks across the public sector, offering significant time savings. In schools, for example, teachers spend nearly 100 minutes a day on lesson planning – up to 75% of which could be supported by AI, freeing more time for the classroom. Civil servants spend around 30 minutes daily on emails, where AI could cut this effort by over 70%. From drafting documents to updating records, the research shows AI is well-placed to handle routine admin – supporting public servants across departments.  

    This forms part of the government’s broader effort to modernise the state and achieve £45 billion in savings by making public services faster, simpler, and more accessible—across health, education, and beyond – while rolling out digital tools like the GOV.UK App, Chat, and Wallet, and tackling outdated legacy systems that currently cost billions in lost productivity.

    Notes to editors

    Figures are derived from self-reported daily time savings provided by participants, averaged across the full cohort of 20,000 individuals.

    The £45 billion figure is composed of 3 main levers:

    1. Simplify and automate delivery across public sector (£36 billion)
    2. Migrate service processing to cheaper online channels (£4billion)
    3. Reduce fraud and error with digital compliance solutions (£6 billion)

    For further context and detailed analysis, please refer to:

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Canada should apply labour protections to the rental housing sector

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Elliot Goodell Ugalde, Phd Student, Queen’s University, Ontario

    Gregor Robertson, Canada’s new housing minister, was likely tapped for the job on the basis of his decade as Vancouver’s mayor, where he introduced zoning changes, incentives for rental construction and the country’s first empty-homes tax.

    Those moves nudged supply but fell short: housing designed specifically for renting trickled in slowly and the city’s homeless count hit a 13-year high of 2,181 in 2018.

    Robertson once blamed the housing shortfall on tight-fisted provincial and federal budgets. Now that he controls part of that money, he can test his claim. He can plug a hole his municipal toolkit never could by being, as he vowed in 2018, “more abrasive and more vocal”, and by coupling fresh federal dollars with legal protections that empower tenants to bargain collectively.

    The urgency is clear: one-third of Canadians rent, yet tenant unions, though legal to form, have no right to negotiate.

    This absence of statutory protection for tenants is often treated as a policy oversight. By withholding legal recognition, lawmakers preserve a model that allows landlords to negotiate from a position of structural dominance as tenants confront systemic harms — rent hikes, unsafe conditions and evictions — all on their own.

    Canada’s rental ‘crisis’

    Soaring rents and evictions have been described as a temporary “housing crisis.”

    But researchers at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives counter that the market is not broken; it works exactly as designed. Calling it a crisis justifies “extraordinary” fixes — most often lower interest rates that lure first time home-buyers to take on debt larger than they should, according to Canadian policy scholar Ricardo Tranjan in his book The Tenant Class.

    The results are structural, not temporary: median national rent for a one-bedroom dwelling now tops $2,000, vacancy rates sit below two per cent and 33.1 per cent of renters spend more than 30 per cent of income on shelter. That’s the rent-burden line — the threshold used to determine if a household is struggling to afford housing — of the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC).

    Since the 1990s, the CMHC has replaced public construction with mortgage-insurance programs that flood markets with credit, kicking the can down the road. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s choice of Robertson as housing minister has advanced a familiar credit-led package: GST rebates for first-time buyers.

    When asked whether housing prices should fall, Robertson said “no,” arguing that wages will eventually catch up — an adjustment economists project would take roughly 20 years even if prices stopped rising today.

    Expanding credit under these conditions is more likely to swell asset values than improve affordability, trading a housing emergency for an indebtedness emergency.

    Collective action without collective rights

    Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) typifies Canada’s token approach to renter power. It affirms tenants’ right to form associations but, in the very next clause, excuses landlords from any obligation to meet or negotiate with them. The result is performative legality: tenants can speak but landlords are free to ignore them.

    The chilling effect resembles pre-industrial labour markets, where organizing invited dismissal. Recent history confirms the weakness.

    In 2023, the tenants of 33 King Street in northwest Toronto mounted a five-month rent strike and won partial rollbacks, but the tribunal still refused to recognize their union; every renter had to sign a separate settlement. By settling disputes that way, the system drains collective power and drags cases through attritional timelines that encourage capitulation.

    Canada confronted a parallel power imbalance during industrialization. Early 20th-century governments criminalized picketing and blacklisted organizers. The upheavals of the Great Depression forced Ottawa to adopt the Wartime Labour Relations Regulations (1944) and the Industrial Relations and Disputes Investigation Act (1948).

    Those statutes codified three enduring principles:

    1. Workers may unionize free from employer interference;
    2. Employers must bargain in good faith with a certified union;
    3. Violations trigger meaningful remedies, including reinstatement and damages.

    Legislators acted not from moral awakening, but to temper exploitation and preserve social stability.

    Housing now mirrors that earlier asymmetry: corporate landlords command capital, legal expertise and mobility, while tenants have none of that power. Extending labour-style protections to tenant unions would simply apply a proven regulatory formula to rental housing.

    Counter-arguments

    Landlord associations often voice four main objections to statutory tenant-union rights: the anticipated administrative burden, the spectre of disinvestment, purported constitutional limits and a moral claim that responsible owners don’t need to be legally compelled to act in good faith.

    Labour history suggests these concerns are overstated.

    As Tranjan recalls, reputable employers already paid decent wages and offered sick leave before such standards were legislated. Regulation merely imposed a baseline on those profiting from exploitation.

    In housing, conscientious landlords who maintain units, honour rent control and eschew predatory fees wouldn’t require mandatory bargaining or anti-retaliation clauses. But those enriching themselves through vacancy decontrol, renovictions or steep rent hikes would. Their resistance to tenant protections underscores their necessity.

    Empirical evidence further weakens objections.

    First, administrative overload is improbable: collective bargaining consolidates individual grievances into a single agreement, dramatically reducing repeat hearings, and the system would work the same in landlord-tenant tribunals.

    Second, claims that stronger tenant rights deter investment clash with comparative experience. In Vienna, where nearly half of all dwellings fall under tenant councils wielding union-like powers and stringent rent regulation, construction activity remains robust and affordability stable;

    Third, constitutional concerns are overstated. Although landlord–tenant law is chiefly provincial, the federal government already shapes rental markets through CMHC insurance, targeted tax expenditures and the National Housing Strategy Act, which recognizes adequate housing as a human right.

    Ottawa could condition financing on tenant-union recognition or incentivize provinces to harmonize standards, echoing its mid-20th century push for uniform labour legislation.

    Historical precedent and evidence across the country make clear that formalizing tenant-union protections is constitutional, would streamline dispute resolution and sustain construction — substantially benefiting the one-third of Canadians who rent without destabilizing the housing market.



    Read more:
    How corporate landlords are eroding affordable housing — and prioritizing profits over human rights

    Collective rights for collective problems

    To make housing genuinely affordable, Robertson must see Canada’s rental sector not as a malfunctioning “crisis” but as a lucrative system of organized inequality.

    Legislators once recognized that individual workers could not bargain fairly with industrial adversaries and created the collective-bargaining framework that undergirds labour relations today. Housing demands the same logic.

    Tenant unions already operate in neighbourhoods such as Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park, Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant and Montréal’s Rosemont. But without legal status, landlords can simply ignore them.

    Federal legislation could correct this imbalance. Automatic certification would follow when a simple majority of tenants in a building sign membership cards, triggering a duty for landlords to bargain in good faith over rent increases, maintenance schedules, security of tenure and essential services.



    Read more:
    Financial firms are driving up rent in Toronto — and targeting the most vulnerable tenants

    Anti-retaliation clauses would bar eviction or harassment of organizing tenants, with remedies mirroring labour law: reinstatement, damages and arbitration to deter stalling.

    Negotiated standards could be applied across neighbourhoods while still allowing investors reasonable but socially responsible returns.

    Granting labour-style protections to tenant unions is hardly radical; it simply extends a principle Canada embraced nearly a century ago: collective problems require collective rights.

    Renters cannot wait for market forces to self-correct. Recognizing and regulating tenant unions is the most direct route to balancing power, safeguarding homes and treating housing as a human right rather than an asset class.

    Elliot Goodell Ugalde is affiliated with The Kingston and District Labour Council.

    Natalie Braun 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 Canada should apply labour protections to the rental housing sector – https://theconversation.com/why-canada-should-apply-labour-protections-to-the-rental-housing-sector-257208

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Our trans health study was terminated by the government – the effects of abrupt NIH grant cuts ripple across science and society

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jae A. Puckett, Associate Professor of Psychology, Michigan State University

    Funding cuts to trans health research are part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to medically and legally restrict trans rights. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

    Given the Trump administration’s systematic attempts to medically and legally disenfranchise trans people, and its abrupt termination of grants focused on LGBTQ+ health, we can’t say that the notice of termination we received regarding our federally funded research on transgender and nonbinary people’s health was unexpected.

    As researchers who study the experiences of trans and nonbinary people, we have collectively dedicated nearly 50 years of our scientific careers to developing ways to address the health disparities negatively affecting these communities. The National Institutes of Health had placed a call for projects on this topic, and we had successfully applied for their support for our four-year study on resilience in trans communities.

    However, our project on trans health became one of the hundreds of grants that have been terminated on ideological grounds. The termination notice stated that the grant no longer fit agency priorities and claimed that this work was not based on scientific research.

    Termination notice sent to the authors from the National Institutes of Health.
    Jae A. Puckett and Paz Galupo, CC BY-ND

    These grant terminations undermine decades of science on gender diversity by dismissing research findings and purging data. During Trump’s current term, the NIH’s Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office was dismantled, references to LGBTQ+ people were removed from health-related websites, and datasets were removed from public access.

    The effects of ending research on trans health ripple throughout the scientific community, the communities served by this work and the U.S. economy.

    Studying resilience

    Research focused on the mental health of trans and nonbinary people has grown substantially in recent years. Over time, this work has expanded beyond understanding the hardships these communities face to also study their resilience and positive life experiences.

    Resilience is often understood as an ability to bounce back from challenges. For trans and nonbinary people experiencing gender-based stigma and discrimination, resilience can take several forms. This might look like simply continuing to survive in a transphobic climate, or it might take the form of being a role model for other trans and nonbinary people.

    As a result of gender-based stigma and discrimination, trans and nonbinary people experience a range of health disparities, from elevated rates of psychological distress to heightened risk for chronic health conditions and poor physical health. In the face of these challenges and growing anti-trans legislation in the U.S., we believe that studying resilience in these communities can provide insights into how to offset the harms of these stresses.

    Studies show anti-trans legislation is harming the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth.

    With the support of the NIH, we began our work in earnest in 2022. The project was built on many years of research from our teams preceding the grant. From the beginning, we collaborated with trans and nonbinary community members to ensure our research would be attuned to the needs of the community.

    At the time our grant was terminated, we were nearing completion of Year 3 of our four-year project. We had collected data from over 600 trans and nonbinary participants across the U.S. and started to follow their progress over time. We had developed a new way to measure resilience among trans and nonbinary people and were about to publish a second measure specifically tailored to people of color.

    The termination of our grant and others like it harms our immediate research team, the communities we worked with and the field more broadly.

    Loss of scientific workforce

    For many researchers in trans health, the losses from these cuts go beyond employment.

    Our project had served as a training opportunity for the students and early career professionals involved in the study, providing them with the research experience and mentorship necessary to advance their careers. But with the termination of our funding, two full-time researchers and at least three students will lose their positions. The three lead scientists have lost parts of their salaries and dedicated research time.

    These NIH cuts will likely result in the loss of much of the next generation of trans researchers and the contributions they would have made to science and society. Our team and other labs in similar situations will be less likely to work with graduate students due to a lack of available funding to pay and support them. This changes the landscape for future scientists, as it means there will be fewer opportunities for individuals interested in these areas of research to enter graduate training programs.

    The Trump administration has directly penalized universities across the country for ‘ideological overreach.’
    Zhu Ziyu/VCG via Getty Images

    As universities struggle to address federal funding cuts, junior academics will be less likely to gain tenure, and faculty in grant-funded positions may lose their jobs. Universities may also become hesitant to hire people who work in these areas because their research has essentially been banned from federal funding options.

    Loss of community trust

    Trans and nonbinary people have often been studied under opportunistic and demeaning circumstances. This includes when researchers collect data for their own gains but return little to the communities they work with, or when they do research that perpetuates theories that pathologize those communities. As a result, many are often reluctant to participate in research.

    To overcome this reluctance, we grounded our study on community input. We involved an advisory board composed of local trans and nonbinary community members who helped to inform how we conducted our study and measured our findings.

    Our work on resilience has been inspired by feedback we received from previous research participants who said that “[trans people] matter even when not in pain.”

    Abruptly terminating projects like these can break down trust between researchers and the populations they study.

    Loss of scientific knowledge

    Research that focuses on the strengths of trans and nonbinary communities is in its infancy. The termination of our grant has led to the loss of the insights our study would have provided on ways to improve health among trans and nonbinary people and future work that would have built off our findings. Resilience is a process that takes time to unfold, and we had not finished the longitudinal data collection in our study – nor will we have the protected time to publish and share other findings from this work.

    Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services released a May 2025 report stating that there is not enough evidence to support gender-affirming care for young people, contradicting decades of scientific research. Scientists, researchers and medical professional organizations have widely criticized the report as misrepresenting study findings, dismissing research showing benefits to gender-affirming care, and promoting misinformation rejected by major medical associations. Instead, the report recommends “exploratory therapy,” which experts have likened to discredited conversion therapy.

    Transgender and nonbinary people continue to exist, regardless of legislation.
    Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

    Despite claims that there is insufficient research on gender-affirming care and more data is needed on the health of trans and nonbinary people, the government has chosen to divest from actual scientific research about trans and nonbinary people’s lives.

    Loss of taxpayer dollars

    The termination of our grant means we are no longer able to achieve the aims of the project, which depended on the collection and analysis of data over time. This wastes the three years of NIH funding already spent on the project.

    Scientists and experts who participated in the review of our NIH grant proposal rated our project more highly than 96% of the projects we competed against. Even so, the government made the unscientific choice to override these decisions and terminate our work.

    Millions of taxpayer dollars have already been invested in these grants to improve the health of not only trans and nonbinary people, but also American society as a whole. With the termination of these grants, few will get to see the benefits of this investment.

    Jae A. Puckett has received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

    Paz Galupo has received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

    – ref. Our trans health study was terminated by the government – the effects of abrupt NIH grant cuts ripple across science and society – https://theconversation.com/our-trans-health-study-was-terminated-by-the-government-the-effects-of-abrupt-nih-grant-cuts-ripple-across-science-and-society-254021

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Max Moritz, Wildfire Specialist, University of California Cooperative Extension; Adjunct Professor at the Bren School, University of California at Santa Barbara, University of California, Santa Barbara

    Photos after the Los Angeles fires in January 2025 show many yards where vegetation didn’t burn while neighboring houses did. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

    One of the most striking patterns in the aftermath of many urban fires is how much unburned green vegetation remains amid the wreckage of burned neighborhoods.

    In some cases, a row of shrubs may be all that separates a surviving house from one that burned just a few feet away.

    As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”

    Photos before and after the 2025 Palisades Fire show thick green vegetation between two closely spaced homes. The arrow shows the direction of the fire’s spread.
    Max Moritz; CAL FIRE Damage Inspection photos, CC BY

    Wildfire safety guidelines have long encouraged homeowners to avoid having flammable materials next to their homes. But the state’s plan for an “ember-resistant zone,” being expedited under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom, goes further by also prohibiting grass, shrubs and many trees in that area.

    If that prohibition remains in the final regulation, it’s likely to be met with public resistance. Getting these rules right also matters beyond California, because regulations that originate in California often ripple outward to other fire-prone regions.

    Lessons from the devastation

    Research into how vegetation can reduce fire risk is a relatively new area of study. However, the findings from plant flammability studies and examination of patterns of where vegetation and homes survive large urban fires highlight its importance.

    When surviving plants do appear scorched after these fires, it is often on the side of the plant facing a nearby structure that burned. That suggests that wind-blown embers ignited houses first: The houses were then the fuel as the fire spread through the neighborhood.

    We saw this repeatedly in the Los Angeles area after wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in January 2025. The pattern suggests a need to focus on the many factors that can influence home losses.

    Shrubs in Zone 0 of a home did not ignite during the Eaton Fire, despite the home burning.
    Max Moritz

    Several guides are available that explain steps homeowners can take to help protect houses, particularly from wind-blown embers, known as home hardening.

    For example, installing rain gutter covers to keep dead leaves from accumulating, avoiding flammable siding and ensuring that vents have screens to prevent embers from getting into the attic or crawl space can lower the risk of the home catching fire.

    However, guidance related to landscaping plants varies greatly and can even be incorrect.

    For example, some “fire-safe” plant lists contain species that are drought tolerant but not necessarily fire resistant. What matters more for keeping plants from becoming fuel for fires is how well they’re maintained and whether they’re properly watered.

    How a plant bursts into flames

    When living plant material is heated by a nearby energy source, such as a fire, the moisture inside it must be driven off before it can ignite. That evaporation cools the surrounding area and lowers the plant’s flammability.

    In many cases, high moisture can actually keep a plant from igniting. We’ve seen this in some of our experimental work and in other studies that test the flammability of ornamental landscaping.

    With enough heat, dried leaves and stems can break down and volatilize into gases. And, at that point, a nearby spark or flame can ignite these gases and set the plant on fire.

    Plant flammability testing shows how quickly twigs, grasses, plants and leaves will burn at different moisture levels. The images on the right are from an experiment at the University of California’s South Coast Research and Extension Center to test flammability of a living but overly dry plant.
    Max Moritz (left); Luca Carmignani (right)

    Even when the plant does burn, however, its moisture content can limit other aspects of flammability, such as how hot it burns.

    Up to the point that they actually burn, green, well-maintained plants can slow the spread of a fire by serving as “heat sinks,” absorbing energy and even blocking embers. This apparent protective role has been observed in both Australia and California studies of home losses.

    How often vegetation buffers homes from igniting during urban conflagrations is still unclear, but this capability has implications for regulations.

    California’s ‘Zone 0’ regulations

    The Zone 0 regulations California’s State Board of Forestry is developing are part of broader efforts to reduce fire risk around homes and communities. They would apply in regions considered at high risk of wildfires or defended by CAL FIRE, the state’s firefighting agency.

    Many of the latest Zone 0 recommendations, such as prohibiting mulch and attached fences made of materials that can burn, stem from large-scale tests conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. These features can be systematically analyzed.

    But vegetation is far harder to model. The state’s proposed Zone 0 regulations oversimplify complex conditions in real neighborhoods and go beyond what is currently known from scientific research regarding plant flammability.

    Green lawns, trees and shrubs were still visible after the Eaton Fire burned homes in Altadena, Calif., in January 2025.
    Mario Tama/Getty Images

    A mature, well-pruned shrub or tree with a high crown may pose little risk of burning and can even reduce exposure to fires by blocking wind and heat and intercepting embers. Aspen trees, for example, have been recommended to reduce fire risk near structures or other high-value assets.

    In contrast, dry, unmanaged plants under windows or near fences may ignite rapidly and make it more likely that the house itself will catch fire.

    As California and other states develop new wildfire regulations, they need to recognize the protective role that well-managed plants can play, along with many other benefits of urban vegetation.

    We believe the California proposal’s current emphasis on highly prescriptive vegetation removal, instead of on maintenance, is overly simplistic. Without complementary requirements for hardening the homes themselves, widespread clearing of landscaping immediately around homes could do little to reduce risk and have unintended consequences.

    Max Moritz has nothing to disclose.

    Luca Carmignani has nothing to disclose.

    – ref. California plan to ban most plants within 5 feet of homes for wildfire safety overlooks some important truths about flammability – https://theconversation.com/california-plan-to-ban-most-plants-within-5-feet-of-homes-for-wildfire-safety-overlooks-some-important-truths-about-flammability-257109

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 3 ways the government can silence opinions it disagrees with, without using censorship

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory P. Magarian, Thomas and Karole Green Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis

    The government can make you silence yourself — out of fear. Deepak Sethi, iStock/Getty Images Plus

    When most people think of how governments stifle free speech, they think of censorship. That’s when a government directly blocks or suppresses speech. In the past, the federal government has censored speech in various ways. It has tried to block news outlets from publishing certain stories. It has punished political dissenters. It has banned sales of “obscene” books.

    Today, however, the federal government rarely tries to censor speech so crudely. It has less blatant but very effective ways to suppress dissent. The current actions of the Trump administration show how government can silence speakers without censoring them.

    My quarter century of research and writing about First Amendment rights has explored the varied tools that governments use to smother free expression. Among the present administration’s chosen tools are making institutions stop or change their advocacy to get government benefits; inducing self-censorship through intimidation; and molding the government’s own speech to promote official ideology.

    A page from the CDC’s website, where the Trump administration states that it rejects the ‘gender ideology’ presented on the page.
    CDC.gov

    Using benefits to coerce speech

    The Supreme Court has made clear that the First Amendment bars the government from conditioning benefits on the sacrifice of free speech.

    Government employers may not refuse to hire employees of the opposing political party, nor may they stop employees from speaking publicly about political issues. The government may not stop funding nonprofits because they refuse to endorse official policies, or because they make arguments the government opposes.

    The First Amendment, however, works only if someone asks a court to enforce it, or at least threatens to do so.

    The Trump administration has issued orders that withdraw security clearances, cancel government contracts and bar access to government buildings for law firms that have opposed the administration’s policies or have advocated diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. Some law firms have sued to block the orders. More firms, however, have made deals with the administration, agreeing to end DEI programs and to do free legal work for conservative causes.

    The administration similarly has withheld funding from universities that embrace DEI or that, by the administration’s account, have fomented or tolerated antisemitism. Harvard University has resisted that pressure. But Columbia University has capitulated to President Donald Trump’s demands that include cracking down on protests, giving university officials more control over controversial academic programs and hiring more conservative professors.

    The Supreme Court may ultimately declare the administration’s gambits unconstitutional, but it has already succeeded in leveraging government benefits to make major institutions change their speech.

    Intimidating speakers into silence

    First Amendment law also restricts government actions that deter or “chill” expression rather than squarely banning it.

    That means the government may not regulate speech through vague laws that leave lawful speakers uncertain whether the regulation reaches them. For example, the Supreme Court in 1971 struck down a Cincinnati, Ohio, ordinance that criminalized any public assembly the city deemed “annoying.”

    Likewise, the government may not make people disclose their identities as a requirement for acquiring controversial literature or for supporting unpopular causes. In the classic case, the Supreme Court during the civil rights era blocked Alabama from making the NAACP disclose its membership list.

    Chilling of speech is hard to detect, but the current public climate strongly suggests that the Trump administration has plunged the thermostat.

    College and university campuses, which rumbled in spring 2024 with protests against the Gaza war, have gone largely quiet. Large corporations that challenged the first Trump presidency have fallen into line behind the second. Big liberal donors have folded up their wallets.

    Some of that dampening likely reflects fatigue and resignation. Much of it, though, appears to reveal successful intimidation.

    The administration has proclaimed that it is deporting noncitizen students, using their lawful speech as justification. While those expulsions themselves are classic censorship, their hidden reach may stifle more speech than their immediate grasp. Noncitizens are legally attractive targets for government censorship because courts largely defer to the president on matters of national security and immigration.

    The Trump administration could not lawfully treat U.S. citizens as it is treating, lawfully or not, foreign nationals. But most citizens don’t know that. The vivid spectacle of punished dissenters seems likely to chill other dissenters.

    Whitewashing government speech

    The First Amendment only bars the government from controlling private speech. When the government speaks, it can say what it wants. That means people who speak for the government lack any First Amendment right to replace the government’s messages with their own.

    In theory, then, every new federal administration could sweepingly turn government institutions’ speech into narrow propaganda. That hasn’t happened before, perhaps because most governments realize they are just temporary custodians of an abiding republic.

    The Trump administration has broken this norm. The administration has ordered the purging of ideologically disfavored content from the Smithsonian museums, implemented book bans in military libraries and installed political supporters to run cultural institutions.

    None of those actions likely violates the First Amendment. All of them, however, have significant implications for free speech. In what may be the most quoted line in the First Amendment legal canon, Justice Robert Jackson declared in 1943 that government should never “prescribe what shall be orthodox … in matters of opinion.”

    A 21st-century federal government can dramatically skew public discourse by honing government speech with the flint of official ideology. Trump has assigned Vice President JD Vance, who sits on the Smithsonian’s board, the role of “seeking to remove improper ideology.” If Vance decides what the Smithsonian can and cannot say about slavery and Jim Crow, then the Smithsonian will teach people only what Vance wants them to learn about those subjects. That influential source of knowledge will push public discussion toward the government’s ideology.

    When government beneficiaries agree to say what the president wants, when the government intimidates speakers to silence themselves, and when the government sharpens its own speech into propaganda, no censorship happens.

    But in all those scenarios, the government is doing exactly what justifies fear of censorship and what First Amendment law exists to prevent: using official power to make speech less free.

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

    – ref. 3 ways the government can silence opinions it disagrees with, without using censorship – https://theconversation.com/3-ways-the-government-can-silence-opinions-it-disagrees-with-without-using-censorship-254249

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Apai, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona

    Some ‘water worlds’ like Jupiter’s moon Europa could potentially be habitable for life. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SETI Institute

    The search for life beyond Earth is a key driver of modern astronomy and planetary science. The U.S. is building multiple major telescopes and planetary probes to advance this search. However, the signs of life – called biosignatures – that scientists may find will likely be difficult to interpret. Figuring out where exactly to look also remains challenging.

    I am an astrophysicist and astrobiologist with over 20 years of experience studying extrasolar planets – which are planets beyond our solar system.

    My colleagues and I have developed a new approach that will identify the most interesting planets or moons to search for life and help interpret potential biosignatures. We do this by modeling how different organisms may fare in different environments, informed by studies of limits of life on Earth.

    New telescopes to search for life

    Astronomers are developing plans and technology for increasingly powerful space telescopes. For instance, NASA is working on its proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory, which would take ultrasharp images that directly show the planets orbiting nearby stars.

    My colleagues and I are developing another concept, the Nautilus space telescope constellation, which is designed to study hundreds of potentially Earthlike planets as they pass in front of their host stars.

    Future telescopes, like the proposed Nautilus, could help search the skies for habitable planets.
    Katie Yung, Daniel Apai /University of Arizona and AllThingsSpace /SketchFab, CC BY-ND

    These and other future telescopes aim to provide more sensitive studies of more alien worlds. Their development prompts two important questions: “Where to look?” and “Are the environments where we think we see signs of life actually habitable?”

    The strongly disputed claims of potential signs of life in the exoplanet K2-18b, announced in April 2025, and previous similar claims in Venus, show how difficult it is to conclusively identify the presence of life from remote-sensing data.

    When is an alien world habitable?

    Oxford Languages defines “habitable” as “suitable or good enough to live in.” But how do scientists know what is “good enough to live in” for extraterrestrial organisms? Could alien microbes frolic in lakes of boiling acid or frigid liquid methane, or float in water droplets in Venus’ upper atmosphere?

    To keep it simple, NASA’s mantra has been “follow the water.” This makes sense – water is essential for all Earth life we know of. A planet with liquid water would also have a temperate environment. It wouldn’t be so cold that it slows down chemical reactions, nor would it be so hot that it destroys the complex molecules necessary for life.

    However, with astronomers’ rapidly growing capabilities for characterizing alien worlds, astrobiologists need an approach that is more quantitative and nuanced than the water or no-water classification.

    A community effort

    As part of the NASA-funded Alien Earths project that I lead, astrobiologist Rory Barnes and I worked on this problem with a group of experts – astrobiologists, planetary scientists, exoplanet experts, ecologists, biologists and chemists – drawn from the largest network of exoplanet and astrobiology researchers, NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science, or NExSS.

    Over a hundred colleagues provided us with ideas, and two questions came up often:

    First, how do we know what life needs, if we do not understand the full range of extraterrestrial life? Scientists know a lot about life on Earth, but most astrobiologists agree that more exotic types of life – perhaps based on different combinations of chemical elements and solvents – are possible. How do we determine what conditions those other types of life may require?

    Second, the approach has to work with incomplete data. Potential sites for life beyond Earth – “extrasolar habitats” – are very difficult to study directly, and often impossible to visit and sample.

    For example, the Martian subsurface remains mostly out of our reach. Places like Jupiter’s moon Europa’s and Saturn’s Moon Enceladus’ subsurface oceans and all extrasolar planets remain practically unreachable. Scientists study them indirectly, often only using remote observations. These measurements can’t tell you as much as actual samples would.

    Mars’ hot, dusty surface is hostile for life. But scientists haven’t been able to study whether some organisms could lurk beneath.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

    To make matters worse, measurements often have uncertainties. For example, we may be only 88% confident that water vapor is present in an exoplanet’s atmosphere. Our framework has to be able to work with small amounts of data and handle uncertainties. And, we need to accept that the answers will often not be black or white.

    A new approach to habitability

    The new approach, called the quantitative habitability framework, has two distinguishing features:

    First, we moved away from trying to answer the vague “habitable to life” question and narrowed it to a more specific and practically answerable question: Would the conditions in the habitat – as we know them – allow a specific (known or yet unknown) species or ecosystem to survive?

    Even on Earth, organisms require different conditions to survive – there are no camels in Antarctica. By talking about specific organisms, we made the question easier to answer.

    Second, the quantitative habitability framework does not insist on black-or-white answers. It compares computer models to calculate a probabilistic answer. Instead of assuming that liquid water is a key limiting factor, we compare our understanding of the conditions an organism requires (the “organism model”) with our understanding of the conditions present in the environment (the “habitat model”).

    Both have uncertainties. Our understanding of each can be incomplete. Yet, we can handle the uncertainties mathematically. By comparing the two models, we can determine the probability that an organism and a habitat are compatible.

    As a simplistic example, our habitat model for Antarctica may state that temperatures are often below freezing. And our organism model for a camel may state that it does not survive long in cold temperatures. Unsurprisingly, we would correctly predict a near-zero probability that Antarctica is a good habitat for camels.

    A hydrothermal vent deep in the Atlantic Ocean. These vents discharge incredibly hot plumes of water, but some host hearty microorganisms.
    P. Rona / OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP); NOAA

    We had a blast working on this project. To study the limits of life, we collected literature data on extreme organisms, from insects that live in the Himalayas at high altitudes and low temperatures to microorganisms that flourish in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor and feed on chemical energy.

    We explored, via our models, whether they may survive in the Martian subsurface or in Europa’s oceans. We also investigated if marine bacteria that produce oxygen in Earth’s oceans could potentially survive on known extrasolar planets.

    Although comprehensive and detailed, this approach makes important simplifications. For example, it does not yet model how life may shape the planet, nor does it account for the full array of nutrients organisms may need. These simplifications are by design.

    In most of the environments we currently study, we know too little about the conditions to meaningfully attempt such models – except for some solar system bodies, such as Saturn’s Enceladus.

    The quantitative habitability framework allows my team to answer questions like whether astrobiologists might be interested in a subsurface location on Mars, given the available data, or whether astronomers should turn their telescopes to planet A or planet B while searching for life. Our framework is available as an open-source computer model, which astrobiologists can now readily use and further develop to help with current and future projects.

    If scientists do detect a potential signature of life, this approach can help assess if the environment where it is detected can actually support the type of life that leads to the signature detected.

    Our next steps will be to build a database of terrestrial organisms that live in extreme environments and represent the limits of life. To this data, we can also add models for hypothetical alien life. By integrating those into the quantitative habitability framework, we will be able to work out scenarios, interpret new data coming from other worlds and guide the search for signatures of life beyond Earth – in our solar system and beyond.

    Daniel Apai receives funding from NASA, Heising-Simons Foundation, Department of Defense, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the University of Arizona, and leads the NASA-funded Alien Earths astrobiology research team that developed the framework described here. He is affiliated with the Steward Observatory and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of The University of Arizona.

    – ref. New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life – https://theconversation.com/new-model-helps-to-figure-out-which-distant-planets-may-host-life-256427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Debunking 5 myths about when your devices get wet

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rachel Plotnick, Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies, Indiana University

    Consumer technologies get wet as a regular part of everyday life. Shuvro Mojumder/Unsplash , CC BY-SA

    Nearly everyone has encountered the unthinkable: Your smartphone landed in the toilet. Or you forgot to take off your smartwatch before jumping into the pool. Or maybe you meant to take those earbuds out of your pocket before running the laundry. What now?

    Internet forums are chock-full of advice to dry out that drenched device, but problematic myths about liquid protection and repair make it hard for consumers to separate fact from fiction.

    I’m a researcher who studies how technologies play a part in people’s everyday practices and experiences. My new book, “License to Spill: Where Dry Devices Meet Liquid Lives,” explores the wet-dry boundary in how people perceive and treat their electronic devices.

    Here are five common myths about getting devices wet:

    Myth 1: My device turned back on! It’s fine

    While it’s a relief to see your technology rise from the dead, what you can’t see are subtle processes occurring inside, like corrosion. The breakdown of your device’s metal parts due to moisture often happens over time, in a period that can take place days, weeks or months after the offending incident.

    That’s why even humidity from moist climates or your steamy shower can make a long-term impact, despite the fact that everything booted up right away after a splash or dunk.

    Myth 2: My ‘waterproof’ device can tolerate any kind of wetness

    The term “waterproof” is a controversial one – so controversial, in fact, that the Federal Trade Commission has strict rules about using the term in advertising, once even banning it from ad copy selling wristwatches.

    Given the vagueness of the term, it’s better to examine different water resistance standards, such as ingress protection, or IP, ratings and MIL-SPEC, or ISO in the case of watches, and to read the fine print about what those standards actually cover.

    Myth 3: My device has a great IP rating, so it’s been tested under real-world conditions

    Companies often advertise IP ratings as a way to entice consumers to purchase their products, but it’s important to know that these ratings are based on contact with fresh water. If you’re worried about Jacuzzi suds or that tipped-over can of beer, there’s no guarantee that a manufacturer has tested your device in these – often sticky – situations, and an IP rating won’t account for them.

    Myth 4: I’ve got some rice in the kitchen. I can fix this myself!

    It’s natural to panic and seek out the quickest household solution when a spill or dunk happens, and a cup of rice is still a commonly sought-out option.

    However, the rice hack doesn’t work very well, and rice particles can enter the device to cause even further damage. Aside from bringing your device to a professional repairer, you’re better off immediately powering down your product, removing its battery and plug if you can, and letting all the components dry over a day or two.

    Myth 5: Well, this device is broken, but I’ve got a warranty to replace it

    While you’re pulling your product from its watery grave, you might find relief in the fact that it came with a warranty. Not so fast.

    Most traditional consumer technology limited warranties don’t cover liquid damage. These days, you usually need to purchase an add-on warranty, often called Accidental Damage from Handling. Beware, though: Even those policies may limit how many wetness “incidents” or “events” you’re allowed per year.

    Air flow is the best way to dry a device that’s taken a dunk. Don’t expose your device directly to rice, cat litter or other particles.

    Keeping it realistic

    Water resistance features on devices like laptops, tablets, smartphones and smartwatches have recently improved, but the deck is still often stacked against consumers who must wade through the hype of advertising claims, mystifying classification systems and penalizing policies.

    That’s why it’s critical for manufacturers to think carefully and ethically about how their products are designed, marketed and serviced. In terms of design, water resistance is no longer a niche feature meant solely for industrial workers or outdoor adventurers. While it’s unrealistic to expect a device that’s designed to resist every hazard, it’s also unreasonable to ask consumers to tiptoe around the products that provide them with access to critical resources and social support.

    It’s important for manufacturers to avoid promising consumers the Moon. Samsung Australia, for instance, paid AU$14 million in penalties for exaggerating its phones’ protection for swimming. It’s certainly fun to watch commercials with Lil Wayne spray a smartphone with champagne or see him dunk it in a fish tank, but if manufacturers are advising against these practices, then they shouldn’t be romanticizing them.

    Sure, it’s probably common sense that your phone shouldn’t take a bath in champagne. Yet life is constantly happening around – and with – our devices, from the shower and the kitchen to the gym and the beach. This means that fairer policies around repair, like those promoted by the right-to-repair movement, and warranties should stop treating consumers like they’re “bad” users.

    After all, we’re each just one splash away from crying over spilled milk.

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

    – ref. Debunking 5 myths about when your devices get wet – https://theconversation.com/debunking-5-myths-about-when-your-devices-get-wet-257205

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Robots run out of energy long before they run out of work to do − feeding them could change that

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By James Pikul, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Robots can run, but they can’t go the distance. AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

    Earlier this year, a robot completed a half-marathon in Beijing in just under 2 hours and 40 minutes. That’s slower than the human winner, who clocked in at just over an hour – but it’s still a remarkable feat. Many recreational runners would be proud of that time. The robot kept its pace for more than 13 miles (21 kilometers).

    But it didn’t do so on a single charge. Along the way, the robot had to stop and have its batteries swapped three times. That detail, while easy to overlook, speaks volumes about a deeper challenge in robotics: energy.

    Modern robots can move with incredible agility, mimicking animal locomotion and executing complex tasks with mechanical precision. In many ways, they rival biology in coordination and efficiency. But when it comes to endurance, robots still fall short. They don’t tire from exertion – they simply run out of power.

    As a robotics researcher focused on energy systems, I study this challenge closely. How can researchers give robots the staying power of living creatures – and why are we still so far from that goal? Though most robotics research into the energy problem has focused on better batteries, there is another possibility: Build robots that eat.

    Robots move well but run out of steam

    Modern robots are remarkably good at moving. Thanks to decades of research in biomechanics, motor control and actuation, machines such as Boston Dynamics’ Spot and Atlas can walk, run and climb with an agility that once seemed out of reach. In some cases, their motors are even more efficient than animal muscles.

    But endurance is another matter. Spot, for example, can operate for just 90 minutes on a full charge. After that, it needs nearly an hour to recharge. These runtimes are a far cry from the eight- to 12-hour shifts expected of human workers – or the multiday endurance of sled dogs.

    The issue isn’t how robots move – it’s how they store energy. Most mobile robots today use lithium-ion batteries, the same type found in smartphones and electric cars. These batteries are reliable and widely available, but their performance improves at a slow pace: Each year new lithium-ion batteries are about 7% better than the previous generation. At that rate, it would take a full decade to merely double a robot’s runtime.

    Robots such as Boston Dynamic’s Atlas are remarkably capable – for relatively short amounts of time.

    Animals store energy in fat, which is extraordinarily energy dense: nearly 9 kilowatt-hours per kilogram. That’s about 68 kWh total in a sled dog, similar to the energy in a fully charged Tesla Model 3. Lithium-ion batteries, by contrast, store just a fraction of that, about 0.25 kilowatt-hours per kilogram. Even with highly efficient motors, a robot like Spot would need a battery dozens of times more powerful than today’s to match the endurance of a sled dog.

    And recharging isn’t always an option. In disaster zones, remote fields or on long-duration missions, a wall outlet or a spare battery might be nowhere in sight.

    In some cases, robot designers can add more batteries. But more batteries mean more weight, which increases the energy required to move. In highly mobile robots, there’s a careful balance between payload, performance and endurance. For Spot, for example, the battery already makes up 16% of its weight.

    Some robots have used solar panels, and in theory these could extend runtime, especially for low-power tasks or in bright, sunny environments. But in practice, solar power delivers very little power relative to what mobile robots need to walk, run or fly at practical speeds. That’s why energy harvesting like solar panels remains a niche solution today, better suited for stationary or ultra-low-power robots.

    Why it matters

    These aren’t just technical limitations. They define what robots can do.

    A rescue robot with a 45-minute battery might not last long enough to complete a search. A farm robot that pauses to recharge every hour can’t harvest crops in time. Even in warehouses or hospitals, short runtimes add complexity and cost.

    If robots are to play meaningful roles in society assisting the elderly, exploring hazardous environments and working alongside humans, they need the endurance to stay active for hours, not minutes.

    New battery chemistries such as lithium-sulfur and metal-air offer a more promising path forward. These systems have much higher theoretical energy densities than today’s lithium-ion cells. Some approach levels seen in animal fat. When paired with actuators that efficiently convert electrical energy from the battery to mechanical work, they could enable robots to match or even exceed the endurance of animals with low body fat. But even these next-generation batteries have limitations. Many are difficult to recharge, degrade over time or face engineering hurdles in real-world systems.

    Fast charging can help reduce downtime. Some emerging batteries can recharge in minutes rather than hours. But there are trade-offs. Fast charging strains battery life, increases heat and often requires heavy, high-power charging infrastructure. Even with improvements, a fast-charging robot still needs to stop frequently. In environments without access to grid power, this doesn’t solve the core problem of limited onboard energy. That’s why researchers are exploring alternatives such as “refueling” robots with metal or chemical fuels – much like animals eat – to bypass the limits of electrical charging altogether.

    Robots could one day harvest energy from high-energy-density materials such as aluminum through synthetic digestive and vascular systems.
    Yichao Shi and James Pikul

    An alternative: Robotic metabolism

    In nature, animals don’t recharge, they eat. Food is converted into energy through digestion, circulation and respiration. Fat stores that energy, blood moves it and muscles use it. Future robots could follow a similar blueprint with synthetic metabolisms.

    Some researchers are building systems that let robots “digest” metal or chemical fuels and breathe oxygen. For example, synthetic, stomachlike chemical reactors could convert high-energy materials such as aluminum into electricity.

    This builds on the many advances in robot autonomy, where robots can sense objects in a room and navigate to pick them up, but here they would be picking up energy sources.

    Other researchers are developing fluid-based energy systems that circulate like blood. One early example, a robotic fish, tripled its energy density by using a multifunctional fluid instead of a standard lithium-ion battery. That single design shift delivered the equivalent of 16 years of battery improvements, not through new chemistry but through a more bioinspired approach. These systems could allow robots to operate for much longer stretches of time, drawing energy from materials that store far more energy than today’s batteries.

    In animals, the energy system does more than just provide energy. Blood helps regulate temperature, deliver hormones, fight infections and repair wounds. Synthetic metabolisms could do the same. Future robots might manage heat using circulating fluids or heal themselves using stored or digested materials. Instead of a central battery pack, energy could be stored throughout the body in limbs, joints and soft, tissuelike components.

    This approach could lead to machines that aren’t just longer-lasting but more adaptable, resilient and lifelike.

    The bottom line

    Today’s robots can leap and sprint like animals, but they can’t go the distance.

    Their bodies are fast, their minds are improving, but their energy systems haven’t caught up. If robots are going to work alongside humans in meaningful ways, we’ll need to give them more than intelligence and agility. We’ll need to give them endurance.

    James Pikul receives funding from the Office of Naval Research. He is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Metal Light Inc.

    – ref. Robots run out of energy long before they run out of work to do − feeding them could change that – https://theconversation.com/robots-run-out-of-energy-long-before-they-run-out-of-work-to-do-feeding-them-could-change-that-255940

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 5 tips for hurricane disaster planning with aging parents starting now, before the storms

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota

    When I lived in Florida, I had a neighbor named Ms. Carmen. She was in her late 70s, fiercely independent and lived alone with her two dogs and one cat, which were her closest companions.

    Each hurricane season, she would anxiously ask if I would check on her when the winds began to pick up. She once told me: I’m more afraid of being forgotten than of the storm itself. Her fear wasn’t just about the weather; it was about facing it alone.

    When hurricanes hit, we often measure the damage in downed power lines, flooded roads and wind-torn homes. But some of the most serious consequences are harder to see, especially for older adults who may struggle with mobility, chronic health problems and cognitive decline.

    Emergency preparedness plans too often overlook the specific needs of elders in America’s aging population, many of whom live alone. For people like Ms. Carmen, resilience needs to start long before the storm.

    The number of older adults in the U.S. and the percentage of the population age 65 and older have been rising.
    US Census Bureau

    I study disaster preparations and response. To prepare for hurricane season, and any other disaster, I encourage families to work with their older adults now to create an emergency plan. Preparing can help ensure that older adults will be safe, able to contact relatives or others for help, and will have the medications, documents and supplies they need, as well as the peace of mind of knowing what steps to take.

    Recent hurricanes show the gaps

    In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton put a spotlight on the risks to older adults.

    The storms forced thousands of people to evacuate, often to shelters with little more than food supplies and mattresses on the floor and ill-equipped for medical needs.

    Flooding isolated many rural homes, stranding older adults. Power was out for weeks in some areas. Emergency systems were overwhelmed.

    A tornado tore into a senior community in Port St. Lucie, Florida, during Milton, killing six people. Some long-term care facilities lost power and water during Helene.

    At the same time, some older adults chose to stay in homes in harm’s way for fear that they would be separated from their pets or that their homes would be vandalized.

    At least 700 people stayed in chairs or on air mattresses at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Port Richey, Fla., during Hurricane Milton.
    AP Photo/Mike Carlson

    These events are not just tragic, they are predictable. Many older adults cannot evacuate without assistance, and many evacuation centers aren’t prepared to handle their needs.

    How to prepare: 5 key steps

    Helping older adults prepare for emergencies should involve the entire family so everyone knows what to expect. The best plans are personal, practical and proactive, but they will contain some common elements.

    Here are five important steps:

    1. Prepare an emergency folder with important documents.

    Disasters can leave older adults without essential information and supplies that they need, such as prescription lists, financial records, medical devices and – importantly – contact information to reach family, friends and neighbors who could help them.

    Many older adults rely on preprogrammed phone numbers. If their phone is lost or the battery dies, they may not know how to reach friends or loved ones, so it’s useful to have a hard copy of phone numbers.

    Consider encouraging the use of medical ID bracelets or cards for those with memory loss.

    Critical documents like wills, home deeds, powers of attorney and insurance records are frequently kept in physical form and may be forgotten or lost in a sudden evacuation. Use waterproof storage that’s easy to carry, and share copies with trusted caregivers and family members in case those documents are lost.

    2. Have backup medications and equipment.

    Think about that person’s assistive devices and health needs. Having extra batteries on hand is important, as is remembering to bring chargers and personal mobility aids, such as walkers, canes, mobility scooters or wheelchairs. Do not forget that service animals support mobility, so having supplies of their food will be important during a hurricane or evacuation.

    Ask doctors to provide an emergency set of medications in case supplies run low in a disaster.

    If the person is staying in their home, prepare for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency in case the power goes out. That means having enough bottled water, extra pet food and human food that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking.

    3. Map evacuation routes and shelter options.

    Identify nearby shelters that will likely be able to support older adults’ mobility and cognitive challenges. If the person has pets, make a plan for them, too – many areas will have at least one pet-friendly shelter, but not all shelters will take pets.

    An older woman crosses a street flooded by torrential rain from Tropical Storm Hilary on Aug. 20, 2023, in Thousand Palms, Calif.
    AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

    Figure out how the person will get to a shelter, and have a backup plan in case their usual transportation isn’t an option. And decide where they will go and how they will get there if they can’t return home after a storm.

    If your loved one lives in a care facility, ask to see that facility’s hurricane plan.

    4. Create a multiperson check-in system.

    Don’t rely on just one caregiver or family member to check on older adults. Involve neighbors, faith communities or local services such as home-delivered meals, transportation assistance, support groups and senior centers. Redundancy is crucial when systems break down.

    5. Practice the plan.

    Go through evacuation steps in advance so everyone knows what to do. Executing the plan should be second nature, not a scramble during a disaster or crisis.

    Planning with, not just for, older adults

    Emergency planning isn’t something done for older adults – it’s something done with them.

    Elders bring not only vulnerability but also wisdom. Their preferences and autonomy will have to guide decisions for the plan to be successful in a crisis.

    That means listening to their needs, honoring their independence and making sure caregivers have realistic plans in place. It’s an important shift from just reacting to a storm to preparing with purpose.

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

    – ref. 5 tips for hurricane disaster planning with aging parents starting now, before the storms – https://theconversation.com/5-tips-for-hurricane-disaster-planning-with-aging-parents-starting-now-before-the-storms-254917

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wolfgang Messner, Clinical Professor of International Business, University of South Carolina

    The Industrial Revolution mechanized production. Today, there’s a similar risk with the automation of thought. kutaytanir/E+ via Getty Images

    Artificial Intelligence began as a quest to simulate the human brain.

    Is it now in the process of transforming the human brain’s role in daily life?

    The Industrial Revolution diminished the need for manual labor. As someone who researches the application of AI in international business, I can’t help but wonder whether it is spurring a cognitive revolution, obviating the need for certain cognitive processes as it reshapes how students, workers and artists write, design and decide.

    Graphic designers use AI to quickly create a slate of potential logos for their clients. Marketers test how AI-generated customer profiles will respond to ad campaigns. Software engineers deploy AI coding assistants. Students wield AI to draft essays in record time – and teachers use similar tools to provide feedback.

    The economic and cultural implications are profound.

    What happens to the writer who no longer struggles with the perfect phrase, or the designer who no longer sketches dozens of variations before finding the right one? Will they become increasingly dependent on these cognitive prosthetics, similar to how using GPS diminishes navigation skills? And how can human creativity and critical thinking be preserved in an age of algorithmic abundance?

    Echoes of the Industrial Revolution

    We’ve been here before.

    The Industrial Revolution replaced artisanal craftsmanship with mechanized production, enabling goods to be replicated and manufactured on a mass scale.

    Shoes, cars and crops could be produced efficiently and uniformly. But products also became more bland, predictable and stripped of individuality. Craftsmanship retreated to the margins, as a luxury or a form of resistance.

    Mass production strips goods of their individuality.
    Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Today, there’s a similar risk with the automation of thought. Generative AI tempts users to conflate speed with quality, productivity with originality.

    The danger is not that AI will fail us, but that people will accept the mediocrity of its outputs as the norm. When everything is fast, frictionless and “good enough,” there’s the risk of losing the depth, nuance and intellectual richness that define exceptional human work.

    The rise of algorithmic mediocrity

    Despite the name, AI doesn’t actually think.

    Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini process massive volumes of human-created content, often scraped from the internet without context or permission. Their outputs are statistical predictions of what word or pixel is likely to follow based on patterns in data they’ve processed.

    They are, in essence, mirrors that reflect collective human creative output back to users – rearranged and recombined, but fundamentally derivative.

    And this, in many ways, is precisely why they work so well.

    Consider the countless emails people write, the slide decks strategy consultants prepare and the advertisements that suffuse social media feeds. Much of this content follows predictable patterns and established formulas. It has been there before, in one form or the other.

    Generative AI excels at producing competent-sounding content – lists, summaries, press releases, advertisements – that bears the signs of human creation without that spark of ingenuity. It thrives in contexts where the demand for originality is low and when “good enough” is, well, good enough.

    When AI sparks – and stifles – creativity

    Yet, even in a world of formulaic content, AI can be surprisingly helpful.

    In one set of experiments, researchers tasked people with completing various creative challenges. They found that those who used generative AI produced ideas that were, on average, more creative, outperforming participants who used web searches or no aids at all. In other words, AI can, in fact, elevate baseline creative performance.

    However, further analysis revealed a critical trade-off: Reliance on AI systems for brainstorming significantly reduced the diversity of ideas produced, which is a crucial element for creative breakthroughs. The systems tend to converge toward a predictable middle rather than exploring unconventional possibilities at the edges.

    I wasn’t surprised by these findings. My students and I have found that the outputs of generative AI systems are most closely aligned with the values and worldviews of wealthy, English-speaking nations. This inherent bias quite naturally constrains the diversity of ideas these systems can generate.

    More troubling still, brief interactions with AI systems can subtly reshape how people approach problems and imagine solutions.

    One set of experiments tasked participants with making medical diagnoses with the help of AI. However, the researchers designed the experiment so that AI would give some participants flawed suggestions. Even after those participants stopped using the AI tool, they tended to unconsciously adopt those biases and make errors in their own decisions.

    What begins as a convenient shortcut risks becoming a self-reinforcing loop of diminishing originality – not because these tools produce objectively poor content, but because they quietly narrow the bandwidth of human creativity itself.

    Navigating the cognitive revolution

    True creativity, innovation and research are not just probabilistic recombinations of past data. They require conceptual leaps, cross-disciplinary thinking and real-world experience. These are qualities AI cannot replicate. It cannot invent the future. It can only remix the past.

    What AI generates may satisfy a short-term need: a quick summary, a plausible design, a passable script. But it rarely transforms, and genuine originality risks being drowned in a sea of algorithmic sameness.

    The challenge, then, isn’t just technological. It’s cultural.

    How can the irreplaceable value of human creativity be preserved amid this flood of synthetic content?

    The historical parallel with industrialization offers both caution and hope. Mechanization displaced many workers but also gave rise to new forms of labor, education and prosperity. Similarly, while AI systems may automate some cognitive tasks, they may also open up new intellectual frontiers by simulating intellectual abilities. In doing so, they may take on creative responsibilities, such as inventing novel processes or developing criteria to evaluate their own outputs.

    This transformation is only at its early stages. Each new generation of AI models will produce outputs that once seemed like the purview of science fiction. The responsibility lies with professionals, educators and policymakers to shape this cognitive revolution with intention.

    Will it lead to intellectual flourishing or dependency? To a renaissance of human creativity or its gradual obsolescence?

    The answer, for now, is up in the air.

    Wolfgang Messner receives funding from Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at the University of South Carolina.

    – ref. Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity? – https://theconversation.com/is-ai-sparking-a-cognitive-revolution-that-will-lead-to-mediocrity-and-conformity-256940

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2025: Learn all about Application, Eligibility, Program Structure & More with these FAQs

    Source: Samsung

    The fourth edition of Samsung’s flagship CSR program, Solve For Tomorrow (SFT) 2025, a nationwide education and innovation competition for GenZ, is inviting ambitious innovators to solve real-world issues.
     
    If you too want to apply, then check out these quick FAQs that will help you with your program application.

    What is Samsung Solve for Tomorrow?
    Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a global CSR initiative present in more than 65 countries. In India, this innovation competition empowers young minds to develop solutions for real-world challenges. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2025 is now accepting applications from participants who are keen to solve for challenges in any of the four themes:

    AI for safer, smarter & inclusive Bharat
    Future of health, hygiene & wellbeing in India

    Social Change through Sport & Tech: For Education & Better
    Environmental Sustainability via Technology

     
    Who can participate in the competition?
     
    The competition is open to Indian residents only between 14-22 years of age as on the last day of the competition.
    Individuals or teams of up to three people can apply with an original concept in terms of science and technology or a wholly new product with a social consequence. Without any innovation, new business models may not make it to consideration.
    The team/individual should not have previously obtained funds/awards for the identical proposal from any agency or through other competitions for more than INR five lakhs.
     
    Is there any participation fee?
     
    No, the competition is completely free to enter.
     
    Can I apply for more than one theme?
     
    No, each individual or team is allowed to apply for only one theme. Submitting applications for multiple themes may result in disqualification. Please ensure you carefully select the theme that best aligns with your ides before applying.
     
    What are the key stages of the competition?
     
    The competition consists of multiple stages, and each stage is an elimination stage:

    Application & Idea Submission – Submit your ideas in one of the four themes. Experts from Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi, will review all the applications and 100 teams will be selected to qualify for the next stage. These 100 teams represent 25 teams from each of the theme.
    Top 100 teams – Selected teams receive training from Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi experts and need to submit their video pitches. A panel of experts from Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi, will evaluate the video pitches and 40 shortlisted teams will qualify to the next stage. These 40 teams represent 10 teams from each of the theme.
    Innovation Bootcamp & National Pitch Event for Top 40 teams (semi-finalists) – The Top 40 teams will be invited to an Innovation Bootcamp and will visit Samsung offices in BLR & NCR followed by hands-on training & access to prototyping labs at IIT Delhi. All the Top 40 teams will pitch to a jury panel consisting of experts from Samsung at the National Pitch Event at IIT Delhi. Only 20 teams will be selected to qualify for the last stage. These 20 teams represent 5 teams from each of the theme.
    Grand Finale for Top 20 teams (Finalists) – The Top 20 teams will get 1 on 1 mentoring from Industry experts, IIT Delhi and Samsung to help them prepare for the Grand Finale. At the Grand Finale, the Top 20 teams will get access to prototyping labs at IIT Delhi. The teams will pitch their ideas & prototypes one last time to a grand jury over a period of two days in Delhi NCR. The 4 Winning teams, each representing one theme, will be announced at the end of the Grand Finale in the Awards Ceremony.

     
    Can one participant participate in two different teams?
    No. Please note that any such applications with same participants in each team may lead to disqualification.
     
    Can a school or college apply on the behalf of students?
    No, students must apply individually or as a team with their own registered accounts. In case of minors, parental consent is mandatory to participate in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2025.
     
    Can overseas students participate in the competition?
    This competition is open to Indian nationals only.
     
    How do I choose the right theme for my idea?

    AI for safer, smarter & inclusive Bharat – AI-driven solutions improving safety, accessibility and inclusion in India.
    Future of health, hygiene & wellbeing in India – Ideas focused on improving healthcare, nutrition and mental well-being.
    Social Change through Sport & Tech: For Education & Better Futures – to improve education & the way of making a living through Sports and Tech.

    Environmental Sustainability via Technology – Sustainable management approaches to minimize waste and pollution while maximizing reuse, recycling and material regeneration.

     
    Does my idea have to be a working prototype?
     
    No, you can submit a concept or an early-stage idea. All the shortlisted teams will be guided to develop prototypes.
     
    What are the different stages the project can be at?
     

    Idea/Concept – The initial stage where participants identify a problem and propose innovative solutions under the four themes.
    Early Development – The phase where the idea is researched, refined, and a basic plan or model is created.
    Advanced Stage – The solution takes shape with detailed designs, feasibility studies and initial testing.
    Prototype Ready – A functional prototype is developed, demonstrating the solution’s practicality and effectiveness.

     
    Will my idea be made public?
    If your proposal gets selected for further consideration, the issue description and other components will be published on our website, utilized as publicity materials by media partners, and presented at various phases of the program, including the final pitch event. Technical details will be confidential while IP filing is in progress.
     
    How are ideas evaluated, and by whom?
    In the first round, applications will be screened basis their relevance to a social problem, technical feasibility, market potential, and team competence by subject matter experts from the “Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi.” Your idea will fall under examination using the following criteria:

    Innovation and creativity: Uniqueness and originality of the idea
    Impact and Feasibility: Potential to solve real-world challenges.
    Scalability: Ability to expand and benefit a larger audience.
    Technical and Execution capability: Clarity in implementation and development.

    Jury comprising of industry veterans from Samsung and Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi, will screen your ideas in the second, third and fourth rounds.
     
    How will I know if I am successful?
    Samsung will communicate the results to participants through the following channels:

    Official Website: Shortlisted individuals/teams will be announced on the Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow website for each stage.
    Email Notification: Successful participants will receive direct communications regarding the selection and next steps to the team leads email id.
    Social Media Announcement: Key Competition milestones and winners will be highlighted on the Samsung’s official social media channels.

    Participants are advised to regularly check their emails and the official website for updates.
     
    If I am shortlisted, are there specific dates I need to be available?
    As a part of the competition, shortlisted participants will receive online training covering design thinking, advanced digital masterclasses, and business skills to help them refine their ideas.
    If you progress to Stage 2, you will be required to attend online training sessions on design thinking methodology, digital technologies and mentorship, starting in July 2025.
    For those advancing to Stage 3(Top 40 teams), attendance will be mandatory for Samsung site visits and a residential bootcamp at IIT Delhi in September 2025.
    Finalists (Top 20 teams) moving to Grand Finale will need to be available for additional training sessions on innovation, entrepreneurship, prototyping, intellectual property rights (IPR), and other relevant topics, beginning September 2025.
    Additionally, all finalists must be available to attend the awards ceremony in October 2025.
    Samsung and Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi will provide the exact dates at a later stage.
     
    What activities will be there during the Innovation Bootcamp and National Pitch event?
    The 11-day bootcamp and national pitch event will provide the Top 40 teams with an opportunity to explore Samsung offices and receive specialized training.

    Day 0: Top 40 teams arrive at Bangalore.
    Day 1: Top 40 teams visit Samsung Research Institute Bangalore
    Day 2: Top 40 teams visit Samsung Research Institute Delhi and Noida
    Day 3: Top 40 teams visit Samsung Soutwest Asia Office, Gurugram
    Day 4 to Day 6: Top 40 teams will undergo three days of on-site training at IIT Delhi focused on refining the ideas and identifying effective problem-solving approaches.
    Day 7: Rest day
    Day 8 and Day 9: Top 40 teams get two days of lab access to further develop and enhance their prototypes.
    Day 10 and Day 11: Top 40 teams pitch their ideas to the Jury members from Samsung and Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi.
    Day 12: Participants return to their respective home locations.

     
    Who will bear the travel and accommodation cost for the boot camp?
    Samsung will take care of your accommodation and travel requirements (Selected teams will receive all the details and guidelines). For participants below 18, Samsung will provide accommodation & travel for a parent/guardian.
     
    What to expect at Grand Finale?
     
    Prototyping Day at IIT Delhi (1 day):
     

    Finalists will have a dedicated day to refine and enhance their prototypes before the finale at IIT-Delhi.
    Access to the prototyping labs will be provided to all the Top 20 teams.

    Grand Finale in Delhi-NCR (2 days):

    Final presentations and pitches to a panel of industry leaders and experts.
    Evaluation based on innovation, feasibility, and impact.
    Networking opportunities with Samsung and Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi, investors and other dignitaries.
    Investor Meet-up on day 1 of Grand finale.
    Announcement of winners and award ceremony on day 2 of the Grand Finale.

    Will Samsung or Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi own my idea?
    No, you will be the sole owner of the concept and the intellectual property. The role of Samsung and Foundation of Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT) – IIT Delhi will be to assist you only in developing it.
    Will the competition provide incubation support for the selected teams?
    Yes, the 4 winning teams will be provided incubation at IIT Delhi and funding of INR 1 Crore to further develop and scale their ideas. This includes mentorship from industry experts, guidance on business strategies, and access to resources that can assist in turning innovative concepts into viable solutions.
    Participants will receive mentorship from experienced professionals in fields such as technology, business strategy, design thinking and entrepreneurship. The support will help refine their solutions and prepare them for real-world implementation.
    Are there any grants or financial awards for winners?
    Yes, the competition offers financial support at different stages to help teams enhance their projects:
    Funding for Shortlisted Teams:

    Top 40 Teams: Each team will receive INR 20,000 to further develop their project.
    Top 20 Teams: Each team will receive INR 100,000 enhance their prototype and project.

    Grant Prize for Winners:
     

    Winning 4 teams: A total grant of INR 1 Crore will be awarded across the winners.
    The winning teams will also receive incubation support at FITT, IIT Delhi to refine their project and make it market-ready.

     
    Special awards:
    In addition to the main grants, four special awards will be given:
     

    Social Media Champion Award – INR 50,000
    Awarded to one team from the Top 20 for the highest number of posts and engagement across social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, LinekdIn, and Instagram)
    Goodwill Award / Audience Choice ward – INR 100,000 each

    Two teams from the top 20 will receive INR 100,000 each, based on maximum audience votes during the Grand Finale.

    Young Innovators Award / Women in Innovation Award – INR 100,000 each

    The jury for their outstanding innovation and contribution will select two teams from the Top 20. Each team will receive INR 100,000.
     
    Where can I read the competition Terms & Conditions?
    You can read the full terms and conditions and privacy notice for Solve for Tomorrow 2025 here.
     
    My question is not answered here
    Contact us at solvefortomorrow@samsung.com if you have any further queries or require assistance.
     
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Freehold Royalties Announces Appointment of Chief Financial Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freehold Royalties Ltd. (Freehold or the Company) (TSX:FRU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shaina Morihira as its Chief Financial Officer, effective June 4, 2025. Ms. Morihira will succeed David Hendry who, as previously announced, is retiring.

    Shaina brings more than 20 years of experience in the energy industry, with the past nine years spent at Enerplus Corporation. In her most recent role as Vice President, Finance, she led the treasury, corporate reporting, tax and risk management functions and worked closely with the senior leadership team to support the company’s strategic objectives. She is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Masters of Professional Accounting from the University of Saskatchewan and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary.

    “We are excited to welcome Shaina to the Freehold team. Her recent experience with cross-border portfolios, combined with her extensive financial expertise and leadership abilities, complement our initiatives to advance our business in both Canada and the United States,” said David Spyker, President and CEO of Freehold. “I would also like to thank David Hendry for his valuable contributions to the Company over the past six years. We wish him the very best in retirement.”

    Freehold is uniquely positioned as a leading North American energy royalty company with approximately 6.1 million gross acres in Canada and approximately 1.2 million gross drilling acres in the United States. Freehold’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada under the symbol FRU.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: John C Williams: On the optimal supply of reserves

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    As prepared for delivery 

    Let me start by personally welcoming you to the New York Fed. We have enjoyed a long and productive relationship with Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, or SIPA, and it’s great to be here to discuss timely and important issues.

    The topic of my talk today is the optimal supply of central bank reserves. Prior to the global financial crisis, this issue was more or less settled. Then, in response to that crisis and the ensuing economic downturn-and again following the COVID-19 pandemic-many central banks expanded their balance sheets through various quantitative easing programs funded for the most part by large-scale increases in central bank reserves. These increases resulted in fundamental changes in ways central banks have approached the provision of reserves while maintaining control of short-term interest rates set by the monetary policymaking body. As a result of these experiences in managing large balance sheets, many central banks have reviewed, and in some cases modified, their strategies for supplying reserves and controlling interest rates. Although their approaches have differed in specifics, they share common elements that reflect the fundamental factors that shape the supply and demand for reserves.

    Central banks have multiple goals in supplying reserves to the banking system that frequently involve trade-offs. First and foremost, they target a level of the policy interest rate and aim to minimize the variability of the policy rate around that target. In addition, they have goals related to supporting the functioning of financial markets and financial stability. For example, central banks may see advantages or disadvantages to interbank lending in money markets, as well as costs and benefits related to central bank lending into markets.

    In this talk, I will consider this question using a relatively simple analytical framework for the supply and demand of reserves that can be applied to various jurisdictions with differences in institutional arrangements and policy objectives. I see this exercise as being in the spirit of William Poole’s seminal analysis of the optimal instrument for monetary policy. My goal is to provide a useful background for the rich discussion ahead of us at this conference and elsewhere.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Robert Holzmann: Monetary policy and structural tectonic shifts

    Source: Bank for International Settlements

    Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests!

    Welcome to this year’s OeNB Annual Economics Conference in cooperation with SUERF.

    I would like to start by warmly welcoming everyone – whether you are joining us in person here at the OeNB or online. My sincere thanks go to our esteemed speakers, panelists and researchers for sharing their time and expertise. I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those behind the scenes, whose hard work and dedication are making this event possible and enjoyable for us all.

    At last year’s conference, we explored the theme “The central bank of the future: opportunities and challenges.” And our discussions then laid important groundwork for the issues we are facing today. Over the past year, we have witnessed a series of substantial challenges, each with the potential to reshape the global economic landscape and, in turn, the very framework in which monetary policy must operate.

    It is in this context that we are approaching this year’s theme: “Monetary policy and structural tectonic shifts.” Much like how we feel and see tectonic shifts through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, our world has recently experienced economic and geopolitical tremors – disruptions that have shaken long-held assumptions and institutions. In my opening remarks, I will briefly highlight three key developments that reflect these shifts, offering insights into their implications and addressing the critical questions they pose for the future of monetary policy.

    Some reflections on the past twelve months

    Let me start by looking back. Since our last conference, the inflation landscape has shifted significantly. Following a period of sharp price increases, we took decisive monetary policy action that helped to stabilize the situation. Encouragingly, these efforts were fruitful, and in June 2024, we began a process of gradually reducing key interest rates. With seven consecutive rate adjustments, we brought the deposit facility rate down to its current level of 2.25%.

    However, the inflation surge and subsequent developments have also revealed new layers of complexity in maintaining price stability. Today, central banks must navigate an environment that is more intricate than ever before. Traditional tools often behave in unpredictable ways when used in times of global disruptions. During the recent inflationary period, the factors at the forefront of our concerns included disrupted supply chains, volatile energy markets and the ongoing unwinding of unconventional monetary policy instruments.

    As we look ahead, I believe we must approach the current challenges in two distinct blocks. First, what emerging trends would have shaped the economic and financial landscape if the current tectonic shifts originating in the United States had not occurred? In this context, I will touch on artificial intelligence, financial innovation and new insights into the natural rate of interest or r-star. Second, now, a couple of months into the second term of the Trump presidency, we find ourselves facing new challenges in truly uncharted territory. Frequently shifting economic signals from the United States continue to inject an added layer of unpredictability, further complicating the already complex task of policymaking.

    Three big challenges shaping the future of money and policy

    Let me briefly point out three big challenges we were already dealing with before Donald Trump got reelected. First, I would like to draw your attention to an innovation in the cryptocurrency sphere that has gained growing relevance and with a potential systemic impact: stablecoins. Unlike highly volatile crypto assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins are pegged to reference assets like the US dollar, offering greater price stability and edging closer to meeting the traditional functions of money. Dollar-pegged stablecoins such as Tether and USDC have grown substantially in both market capitalization and global reach. Yet, as highlighted by Fed Board Governor Christoph Waller, this rapid growth brings with it serious regulatory and monetary policy implications.1

    Second, also in the realm of technology, recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to fundamentally alter the way we live – and, by extension, the structure of the global economy. I suspect that most of today’s audience has already interacted with AI in some form, whether for highly productive purposes or perhaps for more casual experimentation. Yet, the broader implications of AI extend far beyond personal use. From reshaping entire industries to transforming the very nature of work, AI introduces both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. One critical issue is that traditional economic indicators may fall short in capturing the true impact of AI-driven innovation, especially in knowledge-based sectors (see Baily, Brynjolfsson and Korinek, 2023).

    Third, and this is where many of the points I have raised are coming together, the natural rate of interest, or r-star, has returned to center stage, with recent estimates suggesting a modest upward shift. In a recent paper, we examined the key factors influencing r-star. While overall productivity remains a fundamental driver, demographic trends also play a crucial role. Here, the outlook remains largely unchanged: our societies continue to age, and uncertainty persists about the long-term economic impact of migration. Therefore, pension reforms, such as raising the retirement age, could generate meaningful, and potentially lasting, upward effects on r-star (Breitenfellner et al., 2024).

    Let me now briefly touch on the enormous global investment needed to fight climate change and how this connects to r-star. According to the International Energy Agency, annual investment in clean energy must reach USD 4.5 trillion by 2030 so that we stay on track for the 1.5-degree target.2 Closing this gap through targeted public and private investment is not just a moral imperative butcan also raise the global natural rate of interest. Productive, climate-aligned capital deepens investment demand and improves growth prospects, especially in regions with untapped potential. In this way, the green transition can contribute not only to achieving climate goals but also to ensuring macroeconomic sustainability.

    Finally, central banks are very aware of the changing world and thus regularly engage in thorough reviews of their strategies. The Federal Reserve’s current review, for instance, focuses on two main areas: an analysis of its policy approach, and its tools for communicating policy. Notably, the Federal Open Market Committee’s 2% long-run inflation target is not part of this review. The Bank of Canada has reviewed its extraordinary policy actions during the COVID-19 crisis (ranging from emergency rate cuts to quantitative easing and forward guidance) and found that they had been crucial in stabilizing financial markets, supporting economic recovery.3 Also, the Eurosystem is currently engaged in an intermediate strategy review, incorporating the lessons of recent years to refine and enhance our policy decisions. This ongoing process underscores our commitment to continuously improving decision-making in a rapidly evolving environment. While some of these reviews are still ongoing, I expect that many of the topics we are discussing today will be part of them.

    A new US administration and the dramatic shifts it has unleashed

    In my view, these were the pressing issues of our time even before US President Trump was reelected. And now, in his new term, we have already seen an unprecedented series of tectonic shifts, not only economically, but also in terms of global organization and institutional dynamics. To make sense of where we stand today, let me offer some structure, outlining four key challenges that have emerged since President Trump took office.

    First, current US foreign and trade policies have triggered a series of events that continue to reverberate across Europe and the global economy. Frequent shifts in trade policy have fueled economic uncertainty, undermining stability and resulting in tangible losses for all parties involved. Yet, there is currently no clear consensus in the academic literature on how monetary policy should best respond to such persistent and politically driven uncertainty.

    Second, the Trump administration has decided to withdraw from important supranational initiatives and bodies, like the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization. Even membership in the International Monetary Fund is currently under question. The US leaving the IMF would drastically reduce the international role of the USA and the US dollar even more. When a major global economy becomes an unreliable partner, it puts significant additional strain on already fragile global markets, making economic forecasts more complex and policy decisions even more challenging in an already uncertain environment.

    Third, given this heightened uncertainty, the international role of the euro can be expected to grow. Amid erratic tariff decisions and threats to the Federal Reserve, global investors have shifted away from US assets toward gold, which leads to a depreciation of the US dollar. While this shift presents an opportunity for the euro to emerge as a more reliable and stable reserve currency, it also raises new questions for monetary policy. The well-known Triffin dilemma reminds us that countries issuing global reserve currencies are faced with the structural tension that builds when they must run trade deficits to provide global liquidity, even at the expense of long-term economic stability at home. For central banks, this creates a complex balancing act.

    Fourth, a United States that appears less committed to Western security significantly weakens the military capabilities of NATO and leaves Europe more vulnerable to external threats. In response to these shifting dynamics, European countries have initiated a review of their common defense strategy and announced substantial increases in defense spending. As these fiscal impulses begin to unfold across the economy, the Eurosystem must remain highly vigilant, closely monitoring any inflationary pressures and responding with determination if needed.

    How can we rethink monetary policy in a period of tectonic shifts?

    Central banks must constantly adapt to a changing environment. That is why the Eurosystem has committed to regularly reviewing its strategy. Indeed, as I have mentioned before, we are currently undertaking an intermediate strategy review. This process draws on the lessons of recent years to refine and strengthen our approach to policymaking. It reflects our firm commitment to continuously improving how we assess, decide and act in a rapidly evolving environment.

    In today’s sessions, we will hear from keynote speakers Daniel Gros of Bocconi University and Huw Pill of the Bank of England, alongside a panel of distinguished experts. Their insights will help bring together academic perspectives and policy practice, enriching our collective understanding. Tomorrow, we will delve deeper into recent academic research and consider its implications for the future of monetary policy.

    With that, I wish all of us a stimulating, thought-provoking and productive conference. I am confident that our discussions will not only deepen our understanding of the challenges ahead but also spark fresh ideas. Let us approach today’s tectonic shifts not merely as threats, but as opportunities to shape a more resilient and forward-looking monetary policy.

    Thank you!

    Bibliography

    Baily, M., E. Brynjolfsson and A. Korinek. 2023. Machines of mind: The case for an AI-powered productivity boom. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/machines-of-mind-the-case-for-an-ai-powered-productivity-boom/ (accessed on May 13, 2025).

    Bloom, N. 2009. The impact of uncertainty shocks. In: Econometrica, 77 (3). 623–685.

    Bloom, N., M. Floetotto, N. Jaimovich, I. Saporta-Eksten and S. J. Terry. 2018. Really uncertain business cycles. In: Econometrica. 86 (3). 1031–1065.

    Breitenfellner, A., R. Holzmann, W. Pointner, A. Raggl, R. Sellner, M. Silgoner, A. Stelzer and A. Stiglbauer. 2024. How can a decline in R* be reversed? Productivity,  retirement age, and the green transition. OeNB Occasional Paper No. 9.

    Holston, K., T. Laubach and J. C. Williams. 2023. Measuring the Natural Rate of Interest after COVID-19 (No. 1063). Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Mizoram schools shut for third day due to rain

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    All the government and private schools in Mizoram remained closed on Monday due to heavy rains that triggered landslides, rockfalls, and waterlogging in different parts of the mountainous state, officials said.

    A senior official of the School Education Department said that Deputy Commissioners of all 11 districts issued separate notifications closing the schools on Monday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the students.

    After the beginning of the current spell of heavy rain, earlier, schools were closed across the state for two days on May 29 and May 30.

    However, there was no rain in the state capital, Aizawl, till Monday afternoon.

    Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner Lalhriatpuia, in a notification, said that due to torrential rainfall in the past few days, which resulted in mudflows, landslides, rockfalls and other calamities at various locations within the district, the district authority deems it appropriate to suspend attendance of school-going students for their safety and well-being. This decision has been arrived at after perusing the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) district-wise warning for June 2 (Monday) and appropriate consultation with relevant stakeholders of the Aizawl District Disaster Management Authority (ADDMA).

    Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Sunday held a review meeting with the ministers concerned and senior officials.

    According to a preliminary report of the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DMR) Department, 60 houses have collapsed and 69 families have been evacuated from their houses due to the risk of collapse.

    A total of 211 landslides have been reported in different parts of the state till Sunday evening, highways blocked at 83 locations, and four retaining walls have collapsed, the report said. Additionally, rising water levels in riverside habitation areas were reported.

    All the Deputy Commissioners also submitted detailed status reports from their respective districts.

    During Sunday’s meeting, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to all those working tirelessly across the state, including first responders, support teams, and personnel involved in evacuation and relief operations. He lauded the resilience of the Mizo people and urged continued support for affected individuals and families.

    A key priority highlighted in the meeting was ensuring that access to district headquarters and the airport remains uninterrupted by keeping essential roads operational.

    Lalduhoma also directed that adequate funds be allocated to all District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and that relief funds for victims be released at the earliest. It was resolved that disaster-affected areas must be continuously monitored under the supervision of the Department of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation (DM&R). Comprehensive and timely reports are to be submitted to the central government to ensure proper coordination and response.

    The meeting was attended by Home Minister K. Sapdanga, PWD Minister Vanlalhlana, DM&R Minister Prof. Lalnilawma, Public Health Engineering Minister F. Rodingliana, and several senior government officials.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Democratic Members call on Appropriators to protect ILAB funding, American workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON – Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force and Congressman Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), co-chair of the Labor Caucus, led 68 of their colleagues in calling on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to protect Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) funding in fiscal year 2026 funding bill.

    ILAB promotes a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards and combating international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking.

    “ILAB plays a critical role in helping U.S. workers compete in a global economy,” the members wrote. “No other U.S. government agency has the expertise and mandate to effectively carry out this mission. We urge you to provide no less than the FY25 enacted level for ILAB so the Bureau can continue its mission to improve the working conditions and rights of workers around the world.”

     In addition to Sánchez, Omar, Scholten and Horsford, the letter was signed by Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Nev.), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), André Carson (D-Ill.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Suzi LeVine DelBene (D-Wash.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Chuy García (D-Ill), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.C.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), Thomas Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.) and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

     Full text of the letter is available is available HERE and follows:

     

    May 22, 2025

     

    The Honorable Robert Aderholt

    Chair

    Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,

    Education, and Related Agencies

    House Committee on Appropriations

    H-310, The Capitol

    Washington, DC 20515

     

    The Honorable Rosa DeLauro

    Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services,

    Education, and Related Agencies

    House Committee on Appropriations

    1036 Longworth House Office Building

    Washington, DC 20515

     

    Dear Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member DeLauro,

    As the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies develops its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill, we write to ask for your support in funding the Department of Labor (DOL)’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). We request no less than the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level for ILAB to ensure that it can continue to carry out its congressionally mandated mission. We also urge you to encourage ILAB to continue allocating balanced funding for programs that address labor rights and promote freedom of association, as well as exploitative child labor and forced labor internationally.

    As you know, ILAB’s mission is to promote a fair global playing field for workers in the United States and around the world by enforcing trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. ILAB works to ensure that fully enforceable labor standards are at the core of our trade agreements and programs, and that trade partners’ laws and practices align with those commitments. The need to continue increasing these capacities across international supply chains and in workplaces around the world remains evident.

    The Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 2014 found that limited resources have prevented DOL from more proactively monitoring trade partner compliance under 14 U.S. free trade agreements with 20 countries and monitoring of trade preference programs with about 120 countries (GAO 15-160). As a result, GAO found that DOL “systematically monitor[s] and enforce[s] compliance with FTA labor provisions for only a few priority countries.” Moreover, GAO also found that ILAB lacks sufficient capacity to carry out the timely investigation of formal submissions regarding violations of trade agreements. The requested funding aims to continue to remedy the weaknesses identified by GAO and to address the historical imbalance in the allocation of ILAB programming activity.

    We also want to stress our support for ILAB’s work enforcing the USMCA. Through the novel Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM), ILAB has taken labor enforcement actions and worked to ensure compliance of our USMCA partners, especially Mexico, with the commitments of the agreement. Further, ILAB’s labor attaché program is crucial in monitoring working conditions on the ground and ensuring trading partners uphold internationally recognized labor rights and comply with labor-related trade obligations. We hope ILAB will continue to spend at least $30 million annually of USMCA appropriated funds on worker organizing and union capacity building in Mexico. 

    USMCA’s implementing legislation included $180 million for ILAB over four years to support unprecedented reform of the labor justice system in Mexico, worker-focused capacity building, and other implementation efforts in addition to $30 million over eight years for ILAB to monitor compliance with USMCA labor obligations. Given this four-year annual appropriation expired in December 2023 and the increased workload for ILAB expected with the upcoming 2026 USMCA review, we stress the importance of robust funding for ILAB.

    We also reject attempts to cut ILAB’s program funding and reaffirm the critical role that ILAB plays in ensuring our trade relationships strengthen and uphold worker rights around the world. Gutting ILAB does not put America first. It undermines American workers, distorts markets in favor of unscrupulous businesses and regimes, strips our trade and customs officials of critical enforcement tools, and accelerates a global race to the bottom on workers’ rights. ILAB is one of the only U.S. government entities with the infrastructure, expertise, and on-the-ground partnerships necessary to effectively counter forced labor

    ILAB must continue to fulfill the various aspects of mission—enforcing our trade commitments, strengthening labor standards, and combating international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. Accordingly, we request inclusion of the following language in the committee report that will accompany the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill:

    Of amounts appropriated to the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), the Secretary is directed that the amount allocated in grants to promote labor rights and freedom of association, and to build the capacity of independent trade unions and countries to enforce labor rights and to promote a more level playing field for U.S. workers shall be at least equal to the amount allocated in grant funding for combatting child labor. ILAB is directed to continue its work on three key reports including DOL’s Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor; the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor; and the List of Products Produced by Forced or Indentured Child Labor.

    ILAB plays a critical role in helping U.S. workers compete in a global economy. No other U.S. government agency has the expertise and mandate to effectively carry out this mission. We urge you to provide no less than the FY25 enacted level for ILAB so the Bureau can continue its mission to improve the working conditions and rights of workers around the world.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

     ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Challenges that AI poses for the culture and the creative sectors in Europe and the US

    Source: European Parliament 3

    During a delegation to Los Angeles, Culture Committee MEPs discussed copyright rules, fair pay, and working conditions in a changing digital environment.

    A delegation of MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) travelled to Los Angeles, from 26 to 29 May, to learn first-hand about the impact of AI and other digital transformative technologies and innovations on the culture and creative industries and the news media sector.

    The delegation met with representatives of film and music studios, streaming platforms, labour unions representing writers, directors, actors and other industry professionals, public media representatives and Congresswoman Laura Friedman.

    “Our constructive meetings shed light on a broad range of common concerns with our US interlocutors, such as possible incentive systems for the film making industry to produce locally,” MEPs said in a joint statement.

    Making the most of disruptive technological advancements or tackling the potential risks brought on by the use of AI – in particular deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and threats to creators’ interests – are common challenges the EU and US culture and creative industries face. MEPs also observed a willingness to put in place solutions allowing the sectors to thrive mutually on both continents.

    The interlocutors the MEPs met referred to the fact that the major film studios prefer contractual relationships on copyright, rather than privileging a regulatory approach. In addition, they learned about the new protections for creative workers brought about by the 2023 writers’ strike, the Human Artistry Campaign, and the NO FAKES Act aimed at preventing the unauthorised use of faces and voices.

    Concerning the music sector, MEPs discussed how to better support and protect artists against possible AI-generated threats, improve the exposure of their work, investment, and representation of diverse musical works across platforms. The challenges brought on by transformative digital technologies, MEPs said, need to be tackled through fit-for-purpose regulatory provisions, clarifying guidelines, and efficient enforcement tools.

    “Our meetings clearly showed that the EU provides best practices in the field and has a leading legislative role in addressing these challenges, notably with the AI Act that has been welcomed by numerous stakeholders,” MEPs said. ”In the current evolving digital landscape, we consider our visit to Los Angeles as a highly useful and enriching way to foster transatlantic collaboration based on open and constructive dialogue in the culture and creative sectors. United, we are stronger in facing the challenges AI poses for culture and the creative sectors.”

    The delegation was led by Nela Riehl (Greens, Germany), and included Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski (EPP, Poland), Manuela Ripa (EPP Germany), Hannes Heide (S&D, Austria), Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D, ES), Catherine Griset (PfE, France), Ivaylo Valchev (ECR, Bulgaria), and Laurence Farreng (Renew, France).

    Read the full statement by the CULT delegation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic students present development ideas for the Grand Canyon

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The final defense of projects prepared by students of the Polytechnic University took place in the Grand Canyon. They presented to the customer and received feedback from managers and curators.

    At the beginning of this year, SPbPU and the Grand Canyon development area signed a cooperation agreement. The parties agreed to develop programs that help students obtain relevant knowledge and skills that are in demand in the real sector of the economy.

    The project defense was attended by the creator of the Grand Canyon Mussa Ekzekov, manager Andrey Atamas and the owner’s advisor Larisa Magero. The curators of the student groups were the head of the Project Office Anastasia Bukhtina, the HR Director Ekaterina Kozlova, the manager of the Grand Canyon Hotel Oksana Grishaeva and the deputy chief engineer Sergey Cherepanov.

    It is always useful and important to get a fresh perspective from the outside, especially from young people who are not yet bound by rules and patterns, noted Musa Ekzekov.

    The Polytechnic University was represented by Vice-Rector for Educational Activities Lyudmila Pankova and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Elmira Kutyeva.

    Over the course of three months, student groups and their supervisors developed comprehensive proposals for the development of Grand Canyon. The work was conducted in four areas: marketing research for the shopping center, management of the Grand Canyon Hotel, a product for recording requests from the dispatch group for the real estate group operation unit, and administration of the complex.

    The main result of the internship is that the students applied their knowledge in practice and gained real experience working with a customer.

    The guys are great, they managed to study our work processes in a short period of time and immerse themselves in the specifics of the business, propose and defend their ideas, – shared Anastasia Bukhtina.

    Anastasia Zyablitseva from the Marketing Research team said that she was interested in feeling part of the corporate culture of a big business. The guys are sure that the experience they gained will help them in the future.

    After the presentation defenses, all participants received certificates of appreciation and gift sets.

    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: Contribution to Victory: Polytechnic Library Receives Commemorative Sign

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    On St. Petersburg’s birthday, May 27, librarians celebrate their professional holiday. At a gala evening in the State Academic Chapel, the city’s governor, Alexander Beglov, and the chairman of the Legislative Assembly, Alexander Belsky, congratulated St. Petersburg librarians.

    At the festive ceremony, St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov emphasized that as long as people read books in living language, they are invincible, just as our country is invincible. 25 libraries of besieged Leningrad, which did not stop working for a single day, were awarded a commemorative sign “Leningrad Libraries: Contribution to Victory.” Among them is the Fundamental Library of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute.

    Alexander Beglov also presented the book “Libraries of Blockaded Leningrad”, one of the authors of which was the director of the Fundamental Library of LPI Ninel Plemnek. The commemorative sign was presented to her successor – the director of the Information and Library Complex Alexander Plemnek. He said that the honorary sign will be stored together with the collection of blockade books.

    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: Educational seminar “NOISE.Regions”: find yourself in the media sphere

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The State University of Management invites students to take part in the District Educational Seminar “SHUM.Regions” for specialists in the field of media and journalism of the Central Federal District, which will be held in Moscow from June 23 to 25, 2025.

    The event is aimed at improving the professional skills of participants and forming a local professional community.

    The program includes theoretical training and practical lessons from experts. Particular attention will be paid to the topics of positioning, popularization of activities, maintaining a unified information agenda and creating patriotic content.

    Media and journalism specialists, students in relevant fields, content center employees, as well as current press secretaries of government and public organizations aged 16 to 35 years old, living in the regions of the Central Federal District, can take part in the three-day intensive course.

    Accommodation and meals for participants at the seminar venue are provided by the host party.

    Registration for participants is open until June 6, 2025.

    Additional information about the event can be obtained in the SHUM Center community on VKontakte or by calling the hotline: 8(800)301-14-68.

    The project is being implemented by the ANO “Youth Center “SHUM” with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs as part of the implementation of the federal project “Russia – the Country of Opportunities” of the national project “Youth and Children” and the Government of the Kaliningrad Region.

    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: How the USSR switched from a tachanka to a T-34

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Nikita Melnikov, a leading specialist in the history of Soviet tank building, spoke at the HSE Faculty of Economic Sciences. He told how, between the world wars, the USSR proposed producing 100,000 tanks a year, how American and European experience helped Soviet industry, and how, in the end, the Soviet Union built a powerful tank industry that helped turn the tide of the war.

    Production of T-34

    Press service of Uralvagonzavod

    Nikita Nikolaevich Melnikov, PhD in history, senior research fellow at the Center for Political and Sociocultural History of the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, gave two lectures on May 13 at the campus on Pokrovsky Boulevard. The first was devoted to the development of Soviet tank building in the interwar and wartime, the second to the modernization of industry during the Great Patriotic War. These are stories not so much about the armored vehicles themselves, but about the entire industrial complex, without studying which it is impossible to understand the logic of economic decisions of those years.

    Soviet industry, how it developed and transformed — these are the questions, the answers to which help us understand how we live today. The answers to these questions lie in the past, including the history of the Great Patriotic War. If we want to know and understand the features of modern Russian industry, past experience is important to us. Economists sometimes lack their own tools, and therefore we have to turn to historians in the hope that they will have answers to the questions of interest.

    Tank production began in Soviet Russia in 1920–1921. The young republic tried to establish serial production of armored vehicles at the Sormovo plant. It was the “Russian Renault” — a copy of the French FT-17. 15 vehicles were produced, but guns were installed on only 11: there was not enough compact armament. Soviet artillery could not offer a gun of the appropriate size. Production was semi-artisanal. Parts were supplied by the Putilov and Izhora plants.

    Already in the late 1920s, the creation of its own industry began. The T-18 that was produced became a modernized copy of the same FT-17. The Bolshevik Plant (formerly Obukhov) itself produced castings and engines. However, many components – bearings, electrical equipment, spark plugs, carburetors – were still imported. The main problem of the era: the lack of civil engineering in the USSR. Parts that were produced in large quantities in Europe for tractors and cars were in short supply in the USSR.

    For example, there was only one large bearing plant in the entire Union, GPZ-1, which supplied more than 90% of bearings. But its capacity was insufficient, as was quality production. This is what prompted the creation of a special model. Within each civilian plant, for example, the Kharkov Locomotive Plant or the Kirov Plant, separate sections were created where tanks were manufactured. They were not connected with the main production. These “islands” of armored vehicles existed in parallel with the production of locomotives and tractors.

    At the same time, there were ambitious plans to expand tank production within the USSR. Thus, in 1930, the commander of the Leningrad Military District, Mikhail Tukhachevsky, presented a project to modernize the army, in which he proposed producing 100 thousand tanks per year – a fantastic figure. The logic was simple: according to the calculations of engineer Magdesiev from the Bolshevik plant, one tank requires as much effort as two tractors. It was the tractor factories that were considered the foundation of the tank industry. But this idea was not realized.

    As a result, in the 1930s, two groups of factories were formed. Specialized (No. 174 and No. 37) produced light and amphibious tanks, and machine-building giants, where tanks were a by-product (KhPZ, Kirov, STZ). Each factory built its own chains, from the production of individual parts to final assembly. There was almost no cooperation between them. This provided autonomy, but slowed down scaling.

    In case of war, the USSR planned to build up to 30 thousand tanks. But the industry itself was capable of producing about three thousand vehicles per year. After the start of the Great Patriotic War, the USSR had to seriously restructure its production. The industry was evacuated to the Urals, where a new tank-building cluster was formed.

    Production was transferred to civilian factories, which faced a new challenge. Enterprises had to reorganize to produce military products, and new production chains were created for each type of armored vehicle. Work on orders for the civilian sector was stopped, which allowed the production of tanks to be increased in the shortest possible time. And by the end of 1942, the Soviet Union was able to reach a relatively stable level of production of 1,500 medium tanks per month, those same “thirty-fours” that largely became the weapon of victory.

    Nikita Melnikov in his lecture spoke in detail about the creation of the Soviet tank industry and the specifics of its formation. He drew attention to many rarely mentioned aspects of the tank industry. Thus, he pointed out that in the conditions of insufficient development of certain branches of mechanical engineering, some components for the production of tanks in the early 1930s were purchased abroad. The prototypes of the most mass-produced models of Soviet tanks T-26 and BT were purchased abroad and then adapted to the conditions of production of the Soviet industry. In addition, during the war, the industry partly switched to the American model of organization, when tanks were produced at large machine-building plants, receiving components from outside. Answering questions from the audience, Nikita Melnikov noted the negative impact of the repressions on tank production, which fell by 2.4 times in 1937 compared to 1936, from 3,800 to 1,600. During the Great Patriotic War, the strain of forces and concentration of resources made it possible to overcome the decline in the production of military equipment and the deterioration of its quality and provide the front with enough tanks.

    The second lecture was devoted directly to the restructuring of industry during the war years.

    By June 1941, almost half of the USSR’s ferrous metallurgy was concentrated in Ukraine. The loss of the southern regions meant, in essence, an industrial catastrophe. Already in August, the USSR Academy of Sciences Commission began working in Sverdlovsk under the leadership of Academician V.L. Komarov, whose task was to develop projects for mobilizing the Urals’ resources and evacuating industry.

    By 1943, a third of all rolled steel in the USSR was used for ammunition, and almost another 10% was used for armored rolled steel. Factories were working at their limits: firebricks needed for steel smelting had to be made with double the intensity, but their durability in wartime was half that of the pre-war period. By the end of 1942, metallurgists and power engineers were faced with equipment wear and tear, the freezing of civilian projects, and total concentration on the needs of the front.

    One of the most important systems was energy. Without it, it was impossible to establish industrial production. At the same time, there was a constant energy deficit. The Sverdlovenergo system operated at a reduced frequency of below 49 Hz from October 1941 to March 1943, sometimes even down to 45. Losses during energy transfers over long distances reached 50%. The main industrial facilities consumed up to 77% of all electricity in the region, housing and communal services and the social sphere found themselves in strict isolation. Cement and glass factories received half the required capacity at best. Many worked for several hours a day or stopped completely. The copper industry received half as much energy as before the war.

    Against the background of a shortage of electricity, refractory materials and fuel, resources were concentrated on the production of weapons. The volumes of building materials and products for the civilian sector were sharply reduced. Construction was either frozen or transferred to an extremely simplified mode. In the Urals, round timber was used en masse as the most accessible building material.

    The industry was forced to rely on women and teenagers. At UZTM in 1945, women accounted for 34.6%, and teenagers under 18 accounted for more than 11%, including girls under 16. It was these efforts of the rear that helped achieve victory at the front.

    At the same time, the shortage of production, energy, lack of time and experience led to a decrease in the quality of products. For example, many T-34s produced in 1942 had their gearbox gears completely worn out after several hundred kilometers of running. In 1942, to check the batch, each tank was tested for five kilometers of running before being delivered to the troops. In fact, it was necessary to check whether the tank could start at all, and this was enough to send it to the front. The warranty period for the V-2 engine in 1943 was only 200 engine hours. At the same time, up to 90% of the engine life was depleted by idling the engine at night to warm the tankers in winter. But in war conditions, it was more important to establish mass production, which the USSR successfully managed.

    At the same time, after the end of the war, it was necessary to abandon mass military production. However, the established production chains could not be quickly transferred to civilian rails; the factories had been focused only on the production of military goods for several years. This led to a post-war conversion crisis and a revision of plans for the production of armored vehicles.

    Nikita Melnikov’s reports aroused keen interest among the audience. Despite the tight program, both students and faculty members came to the lecture. Answering questions from the audience and exchanging opinions took almost as much time as the reports themselves.


    Nikita Nikolaevich Melnikov

    Candidate of Historical Sciences, Senior Researcher at the Center for Political and Sociocultural History of the Institute of History and Archaeology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences

    This experience was extremely valuable and educational for me. For the first time, I gave a lecture to fellow economists, whose questions and comments allowed me to better understand the processes being studied and identify new aspects. The economic model of the USSR’s development is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that requires detailed analysis and systematic study. In this study, I sought to examine the key factors and mechanisms that determined the dynamics and trajectory of the economic development of the Soviet Union during the Great Patriotic War. I express my sincere gratitude to the Higher School of Economics and Ilya Voskoboinikov for the opportunity to present the results of my research.

    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 USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Signs Bills to Advance Educational and Developmental Success for Keiki

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Signs Bills to Advance Educational and Developmental Success for Keiki

    Posted on May 30, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 

     
    GOVERNOR GREEN SIGNS FIVE BILLS TO ADVANCE EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUCCESS FOR KEIKI

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 30, 2025

    HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., today signed five bills strengthening access to educational opportunities and supporting student success both in the classroom and beyond.

    “This group of bills represents our state’s active commitment to finding real solutions and protecting the fundamental right every keiki has to quality education,” stated Governor Green. “Thanks to the critical work of educators and students alike, as well as countless community advocates, our state is poised to reduce childhood food insecurity and increase access to academic and extracurricular educational opportunities.”

    The newly enacted bills include the following:

    SB 1300: EXPANDING ACCESS TO FREE SCHOOL MEALS

    Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, Senate Bill 1300 expands access to free school meals for students who qualify for reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program. To further support ‘ohana classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), SB 1300 will expand again in the 2026-27 school year, providing free school meals to any public school student whose family income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill appropriates more than $3.3 million to the Department of Education over the two school years to cover the cost of free meals.

    “Investing in our keiki is an investment in our future,” said Governor Green. “Food insecurity in our state is a serious issue, affecting one in three households. Signing Senate Bill 1300 will help ease the burden on our Hawai‘i ʻohana and improve the lives of keiki across the islands.”

    Senate Bill 1300 aims to improve educational outcomes by ensuring every child in Hawai‘i has access to the consistent nutrition they need to succeed in school. In addition to providing free school meals to eligible students, SB 1300 prohibits an academic institution from denying a student a school meal due to an inability to pay.

    “Senate Bill 1300 removes the financial barrier to accessing school meals, supporting students’ health and well-being, as well as their academic and developmental success said First Lady Jaime Kanani Green. “If students aren’t hungry, they can better focus on their studies, extracurricular activities and personal growth.”

    “Students should come to class hungry for knowledge, not hungry for food,” Governor Green concluded.

    Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, Education Committee chair, was lead introducer of the bill. “Too many students face hunger in silence and it impacts their ability to learn. By expanding access to free school meals, this bill helps ensure all our keiki have the nourishment they need to succeed. I’m grateful to Governor Green for signing it into law and to all who worked to make it happen,” said Kidani (District 18, Mililani Town, Waipi‘o Gentry, Crestview, Waikele, portion of Waipahu, Village Park, Royal Kunia).

    “Ensuring that our keiki have access to nutritious school meals supports their well-being and success both in and beyond the classroom. At the same time, we are easing the burden on Hawai‘i’s working families, and this is a win for our community,” said House Committee on Education Chair, Justin H. Woodson (District 9, Kahului, Pu‘unēnē, portion of Wailuku.

    HB 862: ADDRESSING SCHOOL BUS SHORTAGES

    Due to a nationwide bus driver shortage, a number of school bus routes were suspended during the 2024–2025 academic school year. To reverse these suspensions and ensure transportation is not a barrier to education, Governor Green issued an emergency proclamation in August 2024, authorizing, among other provisions, the use of alternative vehicles to transport students to and from school. House Bill 862 codifies into statute this authorization and requires Department of Education staff to accompany students between drop-off and pick-up locations to ensure student safety. Using alternative vehicles such as small buses, motorcoaches and vans to transport students, will help maintain existing bus routes, supporting students’ continued access to a quality education.

    “Hawai‘i continues to face a school bus crisis, and we’ve heard from countless parents, families and educators about the urgent need to expand transportation options, while keeping safety front and center,” said House Committee on Education Vice Chair Trish La Chica (District 37, Portions of Mililani Town, Mililani Mauka, Koa Ridge, Waipi‘o Gentry). “This new law paves the way for our students to thrive, by expanding the department’s options to secure reliable transportation and ensuring that transportation barriers don’t stand in the way of our keiki and their opportunities to succeed.”

    HB 133: FUNDING FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC SURFING PROGRAMS

    Due to its deep cultural, social, and economic significance in Hawaiʻi, the Board of Education approved surfing for interscholastic competition in 2016. Since then, only one of the five local athletic leagues has sponsored a surfing program, leaving the majority of the state’s students without competitive surfing opportunities. House Bill 133 appropriates $685,870 for both fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2027 to support the establishment of interscholastic surfing programs. These programs will provide students the opportunity to gain competitive experience and further pursue the sport they love.

    “Hawai‘i is the birthplace of surfing, and that’s something we should take great pride in. By recognizing surfing as an interscholastic sport, we are expanding access in Hawai‘i schools — allowing students to build ocean safety skills, connect with our cultural heritage and participate in a sport that has produced champions from our own shores,” said Representative Sean Quinlan, (District 47, Waialua, Hale‘iwa, Kawailoa Beach, Waimea, Sunset Beach, Waiale‘e, Kawela Bay, Kahuku, Lā‘ie, Hau‘ula, Punalu‘u, Kahana), introducer of the bill.

    The complete list of bills signed includes the following. Click links to see full details of the bills enacted into law.

    HB110 HD1 SD2 RELATING TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

    HB1170 HD1 SD1 CD1 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE

    Photos from today’s bill signing, courtesy Office of the Governor, are available here.
    Video from the event can be viewed here.
    The slide deck presented at today’s bill signing can be found here.

    # # #


    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Foster Care Month 2025

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2025, as “Foster Care Month.”

    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    During Foster Care Month, we reaffirm to the more than 35,000 foster children and youth in California that we stand in unwavering support of them, and we show gratitude to the thousands of foster families across the state who offer stability and care during critical development stages.

    All children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent home. Foster youth face extraordinary challenges: separation from their biological families at a young age, frequent uprooting from placements, and exposure to adverse childhood experiences. As a result, foster youth are more likely to face difficulties in both the short and long term, with lower graduation rates and higher rates of homelessness as adults. All too often, children of color and LGBTQ youth – who are overrepresented in the system – bear the brunt of these difficulties.

    California is committed to doing right by all our young people, and we are working to ensure that the most vulnerable youth have all they need to not just survive but thrive. To keep families together and reduce foster care entries, the state has created programs to support and educate parents and families to keep their children safely and happily with them. However, if kids must enter the system, we prioritize home-based family care above group homes, recognizing the importance of a stable and loving support system. Consistency and care are critical to a healthy childhood, and foster families offer kids safe haven.

    Although half of all foster children are reconnected with their families, and about a quarter are adopted, some foster kids ultimately age out of the system. In 2023, California launched two pilot programs that provide guaranteed income to foster youth aging out in order to support basic needs and disrupt the cycle of poverty. All kids, regardless of circumstance, deserve the opportunity to pursue their dreams. To support foster youth, the state is creating pathways to careers through the Master Plan for Career Education and making financial supports more accessible for those attending college, including investing in the CalKIDS program to set up child savings accounts of up to $1,500 for every foster child. The Middle Class Scholarship has expanded to cover tuition and fees for UC and CSU students with experience in foster care. Community colleges, CSUs, and UCs all have established programs to help former foster youth successfully transition to college life and adulthood.

    Every foster child deserves to grow up happy, healthy, and loved. We are indebted to the many foster families across the state who have answered the call, as we also recognize the need for more loving families to open their homes and change kids’ lives for the better. It takes a village to raise a child, and California is proud to play its part in doing so.

    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim May 2025 as “Foster Care Month.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 29th day of May 2025.

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Stomp Into Some Prehistoric Learning! Lingokids and BBC Earth Launch New Walking With Dinosaurs Lesson to Bring a Love of Dinosaurs to a New Generation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Get ready to dig, discover, and roar with excitement. Lingokids and BBC Earth are launching an exclusive Walking with Dinosaurs Lesson in the Lingokids app just in time for Dinosaur Day and the premiere of the latest landmark series from BBC Studios’ Science Unit Walking with Dinosaurs later this month in the US. This playful new learning experience is made for families with young kids who want to keep the dino-discovery going long after the credits roll.

    More than just a passive activity, the Lingokids Dinosaur Lesson is a journey through time where kids don’t just learn about dinosaurs—they stomp through their world. This action-packed adventure invites kids to explore the age of dinosaurs through interactive instruction, hands-on games, and exciting challenges. Each unit in the multi-lesson curriculum is packed with play-based learning moments that teach kids about paleontology, dinosaur diets, habitats, and even big-picture concepts like extinction and fossilization. Kids will dig for fossils, match footprints, hatch eggs, and unlock secrets from millions of years ago—all while reinforcing real-life scientific knowledge.

    “We all know that kids are entertained by dinosaurs, and, through a Lingokids study in collaboration with University of Central Lancashire, we know that when kids are entertained, they learn more, faster,” said Lingokids Founder & CEO Cristóbal Viedma. “This collaboration with BBC Earth lets us bring that spark to life in a way that’s fun, active, and educational. Together, we’re giving families a way to keep exploring their favorite prehistoric creatures long after the show ends.”

    The new Walking with Dinosaurs series is a revival of the iconic and award-winning BBC series that first premiered in 1999. And now Lingokids is bringing the prehistoric era to life in a new way for a new generation. But don’t worry—this isn’t homework disguised as fun. It is fun. The Dinosaur Lesson was built around Lingokids’ core belief that kids learn best through play. It’s not a chore—it’s an epic mission. Each activity is carefully designed to boost curiosity and build confidence, while keeping kids engaged, giggling, and coming back for more.

    “Given the huge popularity of dinosaurs among younger audiences, we know families will be coming together to watch Walking With Dinosaurs,” said Monica Hayes, VP Content Marketing, at BBC Studios. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with Lingokids to give families a chance to go beyond the TV screen and continue the adventure through interactive learning. Who knows, we might even inspire the next generation of paleontologists!”

    Walking with Dinosaurs is now available in the UK and will be available in the US on June 16, 2025 on PBS. So grab your explorer hats—this is one journey your little learners won’t want to miss.

    About Lingokids

    Lingokids is an EdTech and media company behind the #1 interactive app for kids aged 2-8.

    With more than 165M+ downloads around the world, the Lingokids app is packed with thousands of shows, songs and interactive games kids love—all fun, safe and educational.

    Its unique Playlearning™ methodology puts kids at the center of the Lingokids universe. As they explore, they’ll pick up academic knowledge and modern life skills in a safe, age-appropriate, ad-free environment designed for independent exploration. For more information, please visit www.lingokids.com.

    About BBC Studios

    The main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd, BBC Studios generated revenues in the last year of £1.8 billion and a third consecutive year of profits of over £200 million. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide selection of public service and commercial broadcasters and platforms, both in the UK and across the globe. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.

    BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e690af33-9b40-440a-9d3c-4948c97ae2bc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Liquidia Schedules First Commercial Shipment of YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder for Patients with PAH and PH-ILD

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • YUTREPIA now available to be prescribed to patients via specialty pharmacies
    • FDA approved YUTREPIA on May 23, 2025
    • Court denies United Therapeutics’ request for preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order, clearing the path for full commercial launch

    MORRISVILLE, N.C., June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liquidia Corporation (NASDAQ: LQDA), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced that Liquidia is scheduled to make its first commercial shipment of YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, marking the first time YUTREPIA will be available to be prescribed to patients at specialty pharmacies. This milestone was achieved only five business days following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of YUTREPIA on May 23, 2025, for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD).

    Dr. Roger Jeffs, CEO, Liquidia said: “We have moved with exceptional speed to provide a new and differentiated therapeutic alternative to the marketplace. In just over one week, our sales force hit the ground running with the promotion of YUTREPIA, the product was listed with compendia, and commercial product was shipped to specialty pharmacies. This extraordinary pace is a direct result of our rigorous preparation and the strategic urgency driving our desire to provide patients immediate access to the unique attributes of YUTREPIA as we look to position it as the prostacyclin of first choice for patients with PAH and PH-ILD.”

    On May 30, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina denied United Therapeutics’ (UTHR) request for a preliminary injunction and a temporary restraining order in its complaint filed against Liquidia (Case No. 1:25-cv-00368) alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 11,357,782 (the ‘782 patent). UTHR sought to enjoin Liquidia from commercializing YUTREPIA for the treatment of patients with PAH and PH-ILD. The Court denied the request, in part, based on its conclusion that UTHR is not likely to succeed on the merits of its claims. Liquidia has also filed a motion to dismiss, stay or transfer UTHR’s claims regarding the ‘782 patent. That motion remains pending with the Court. With this denial, UTHR no longer has any motions pending that seek emergency relief to enjoin the launch of YUTREPIA.

    About Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
    Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, chronic, progressive disease caused by narrowing, thickening or stiffening of the pulmonary arteries that can lead to right heart failure and eventually death. Currently, an estimated 45,000 patients are diagnosed and treated in the United States. There is currently no cure for PAH, so the goals of existing treatments are to alleviate symptoms, maintain or improve functional class, delay disease progression, and improve quality of life.

    About Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Interstitial Lung Disease (PH-ILD)
    Pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) includes a diverse collection of up to 200 different pulmonary diseases, including interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, connective tissue disease-related ILD, and chronic pulmonary fibrosis with emphysema (CPFE) among others. Any level of PH in ILD patients is associated with poor 3-year survival. A current estimate of PH-ILD prevalence in the United States is greater than 60,000 patients, though population size in many of these underlying ILD diseases is not yet known due to factors including underdiagnosis and lack of approved treatments until March 2021, when inhaled treprostinil was first approved for this indication.

    About YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder
    YUTREPIA is an inhaled dry-powder formulation of treprostinil delivered through a convenient, low-effort, palm-sized device. YUTREPIA was designed using Liquidia’s PRINT® technology, which enables the development of drug particles that are precise and uniform in size, shape and composition, and that are engineered for enhanced deposition in the lung following oral inhalation. Liquidia has completed the INSPIRE trial (NCT03399604), or Investigation of the Safety and Pharmacology of Dry Powder Inhalation of Treprostinil, an open-label, multi-center phase 3 clinical study of YUTREPIA in patients diagnosed with PAH who are naïve to inhaled treprostinil or who are transitioning from Tyvaso® (nebulized treprostinil). YUTREPIA is currently being studied in the ASCENT trial (NCT06129240), or An Open-Label ProSpective MultiCENTer Study to Evaluate Safety and Tolerability of Dry Powder Inhaled Treprostinil in PH, with the objective of informing YUTREPIA’s dosing and tolerability profile in patients with PH-ILD. YUTREPIA was previously referred to as LIQ861 in investigational studies.

    INDICATION
    YUTREPIA (treprostinil) inhalation powder is a prostacyclin analog indicated for the treatment of:

    • Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; WHO Group 1) to improve exercise ability. Studies establishing effectiveness predominately included patients with NYHA Functional Class III symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (56%) or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (33%).
    • Pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD; WHO Group 3) to improve exercise ability. The study establishing effectiveness predominately included patients with etiologies of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) (45%) inclusive of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) (25%), and WHO Group 3 connective tissue disease (22%).

    SELECTED SAFETY INFORMATION: WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

    • Treprostinil is a pulmonary and systemic vasodilator. In patients with low systemic arterial pressure, treatment with Treprostinil may produce symptomatic hypotension.
    • Treprostinil inhibits platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding.
    • Co-administration of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 enzyme inhibitor (e.g., gemfibrozil) may increase exposure (both Cmax and AUC) to treprostinil. Co-administration of a CYP2C8 enzyme inducer (e.g., rifampin) may decrease exposure to treprostinil. Increased exposure is likely to increase adverse events associated with treprostinil administration, whereas decreased exposure is likely to reduce clinical effectiveness.
    • Like other inhaled prostaglandins, YUTREPIA may cause acute bronchospasm. Patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other bronchial hyperreactivity, are at increased risk for bronchospasm. Ensure that such patients are treated optimally for reactive airway disease prior to and during treatment.
    • Most common adverse reactions with YUTREPIA (≥10%) are cough, headache, throat irritation and dizziness.

    Prescribing Information and Instructions for Use for YUTREPIA (treprostinil) inhalation powder are available at YUTREPIA.com.  

    About Liquidia Corporation
    Liquidia Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease. The company’s current focus spans the development and commercialization of products in pulmonary hypertension and other applications of its proprietary PRINT® Technology. PRINT enabled the creation of YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, a drug that has been approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PHILD). The company is also developing L606, an investigational sustained-release formulation of treprostinil administered twice-daily with a next-generation nebulizer and currently markets generic Treprostinil Injection for the treatment of PAH. To learn more about Liquidia, please visit www.liquidia.com.

    Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
    This press release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our strategic and financial initiatives, our business strategy and plans and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including statements regarding clinical trials, clinical studies and other clinical work (including the funding therefor, anticipated patient enrollment, safety data, study data, trial outcomes, timing or associated costs), regulatory applications and related submission contents and timelines; our ability to successfully commercialize our products, including YUTREPIA, for which we obtain FDA or other regulatory authority approval; the acceptance by the market of our products, including YUTREPIA, and their potential pricing and/or reimbursement by third-party payors, if approved (in the case of our product candidates) and whether such acceptance is sufficient to support continued commercialization or development of our products; the successful development or commercialization of our products, including YUTREPIA; our revenue from product sales and whether or not we may become profitable in the near term, or at all; future competitive or other market factors that may adversely affect the commercial potential for YUTREPIA; and our ability to execute on our strategic or financial initiatives, involve significant risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Despite the approval of YUTREPIA by the FDA, it is possible that commercialization of YUTREPIA may be blocked or delayed in connection with legal proceedings that have been initiated or that may in the future be initiated, or we may be required to pay damages, including royalties, in connection with our commercial launch, as a result of these legal proceedings. The denial of the motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in United Therapeutics’ lawsuit against Liquidia in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina does not conclude the lawsuit and is not determinative of the final outcome of the lawsuit. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “would,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks discussed in our filings with the SEC, as well as a number of uncertainties and assumptions. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment and our industry has inherent risks. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that these goals will be achieved, and we undertake no duty to update our goals or to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Company Contacts

    Investors:
    Jason Adair
    Chief Business Officer
    919.328.4350
    jason.adair@liquidia.com

    Media Inquiries:
    Patrick Wallace
    Director, Corporate Communications
    919.328.4383
    patrick.wallace@liquidia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foyle Cup Launch 2025 at St. Joseph’s Boys School

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Foyle Cup Launch 2025 at St. Joseph’s Boys School

    2 June 2025

    The Press Launch of the ONeills Foyle Cup took place on Friday at St Joseph’s Boys’ School Westway, Derry – a most appropriate venue as St. Joseph’s are not only the present holders of Northern Ireland Under 18 Schools’ Cup but also host the Manchester United Foundation and the Stephen Gerrard 17-19 Academy, organised by Derry City F.C. on their school campus. 

     School Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane, in introducing the large attendance at the launch, said: ‘It is a huge pleasure to support the Derry & District Youth F.A., organisers of the ONeills Foyle Cup and I  commend the work done by this organisation, not just for the kids of this city and district but for all the kids who have had a memorable experience of competing in the event over the thirty plus years of its existence, since  its humble beginnings in 1992.’ 

     The St. Joseph’s Principal continued: ‘I am delighted to hear that no fewer than 950 teams will compete in the 2025 event, resulting in over 20,000 actual participants creating lifelong memories and I’m even more delighted that our school premises will host some of the 3,300 fixtures scheduled this year!’ 

    John Murphy, on behalf of ONeills Sports, Title Sponsors, spoke proudly of what sponsorship of the Foyle Cup meant to his organisation. 

    ‘We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the ONeills Foyle Cup, a tournament that captures the very best of youth football, community spirit, and international connection. 

    ‘With 950 teams competing this year from places as far afield as South Africa, Australia, the USA, Canada, Spain, Finland, and across the UK and Ireland, the ONeills Foyle Cup is a powerful reminder of how sport brings people together. At ONeills, we’re committed to supporting young athletes from the grassroots up, and this event truly reflects our passion for helping them grow in confidence, skill, and love for the game. We hope every player, coach, and supporter has a fantastic tournament experience and enjoys every moment on and off the pitch.” 

    The Deputy Mayor of Derry Strabane District Council, Darren Guy expressed his delight in how the event delivers for the city and district. 

     ‘I am proud to attend the formal launch of the 2025 Foyle Cup. The tournament is rightly regarded as one of the biggest and best celebrations of youth football in Europe and is a place where players, coaches and supporters make lifelong memories. 

    ‘As a Council, we are delighted to sponsor the tournament each year and provide playing pitches for games as part of our commitment to bring high level sporting events to our City and District.  We believe sport can play a key role in promoting friendship, team skills and social cohesion. Good luck to all the teams as they finalise their preparations for what will be an unforgettable week of football in July.’ 

    Chief Executive Officer of Derry Credit Union, Joan Gallagher also expressed delight in being invited to sponsor the mini soccer events during the Foyle Cup week and spoke of the excitement the whole city, – kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, experience during the week of the tournament. A fantastic week for the city and district and we are so proud to be supporting this wonderful, exciting, colourful event.  

    Cyril Moorhead, Good Relations Officer at Choice Housing, praised the organisers, not just on the success of the event in terms of numbers registered but more  importantly, the tremendous work that has been done on a cross-community basis, actively promoting good relations and friendliness and welcome afforded to all visitors which is synonymous with the city and district. 

      

    ‘It is most pleasing to see how the Foyle Cup has grown into such a large international event and how much support the event has from local communities, schools, colleges, Ulster University and Northwest Regional College. 

      

    ‘The impact of the Foyle Cup is significant, from its contribution to the local economy to the impact it has on young people’s lives, their communities and the positive community relations that it builds. As a housing association, Choice is committed not only to building quality affordable homes but contributing positively to the communities that we operate in, this partnership is a prime example of this. 

      

    ‘I wish the organisers continued success this year and, in the years, ahead.’ 

      

    Special Guest of Honour, Rory Holden, a player who participated in the Foyle Cup for many years with his local team, Top of the Hill Celtic, said he was ever thankful to the organisers and his own junior club, for without the effort of so many, it is doubtful if he would be having the enriching experience of  playing with his own professional club, All Saints from Wales, having played in Champions’ League and Europa league competitions this year. 

    ‘This event continues to thrive, grow and delivers for all our youth – boys, girls and those with sports disabilities. It is a real pleasure to be here to celebrate the success of this superb tournament.’ 

    Philip Devlin, Foyle Cup committee member, in taking charge of the live draw, advised all that details of the draw were available on the tournament website www.foylecup.com and he expected that fixtures for the full week would be on site within 36 hours of launch.  He also thanked all teams for their support and co-operation and wished them well in the tournament, from July 21-26. 

    Diolain Ward, of Foyle Cup committee member, concluded the launch event. 

    ‘Thank you to everyone who gave of their time to be here this evening. In particular, I would like to thank our sponsors – Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, ONeills, Derry Credit Union, Choice Housing, Seagate, Inner City Trust, Brunswick Moviebowl, Ulster University and North West Regional College.  Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Rory Holden for spending some of his much-valued time at home, with us, this afternoon and I wish him, on behalf of the member clubs of the Derry & District Youth Football Association, even more success in his football career.’ 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New sports hall to be developed at Lyng Hall Secondary School

    Source: City of Coventry

    L to R: Colin McVeigh – GEDA GB Director, Paul Melia – Clerk of Works at Coventry City Council, Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu – Cabinet Member for Education and Skills at Coventry City Council, Sam Parker – Education Sufficiency Lead at Coventry City Council

    The development of a new sports hall has got underway at Lyng Hall Secondary School.

    Following discussions between Lyng Hall School and Coventry City Council, it was agreed that additional sports facilities are needed to accommodate the growing number of students. As a result, a new four-court sports hall will be built.

    The new court will be a standalone sports area which will be home to four badminton sized courts, associated changing rooms, a weights room and a fitness suite.

    The new facility will be an excellent addition to the school PE curriculum and able to serve the wider community better.

    Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said: “Every child in the city deserves to have the best education. That’s why we agreed to this new sports facility for pupils at Lyng Hall School. The new development will offer advanced facilities for students to learn and for staff to teach at the school.

    “It’s going to be a huge asset for whole school community upon completion. I’m looking forward to seeing the development work progress.”

    Contractor, GEDA, an award-winning, multifaceted Construction, Civil Engineering, and Development company will be completing the works.

    Colm McVeigh, Build Director at GEDA said: “At GEDA, we recognise the significant impact that sports facilities have on schools and their communities. We are excited to continue collaborating with Coventry City Council to expand the sporting opportunities available to students, ensuring the school’s long-term needs are met by providing pupils with access to top-tier sports resources.”

    The new sports hall is estimated to cost around £2.3m and is due to be completed by late 2025.

    To keep up to date with the latest news, sign up for our Your Coventry email newsletter or follow the Council on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

    Monday, 2nd June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Finland helps WPF provide hot meals to children in northern Mozambique

    Source: World Food Programme

    MAPUTO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a generous contribution of EUR 500,000 from the Government of Finland to provide tens of thousands of children with daily hot meals as part of Mozambique’s ongoing National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (PRONAE).

    The initiative, which will be immediately rolled out, reinforces the shared commitment of the Government of Mozambique, WFP, and partners to improve education, nutrition, and food security in some of the most vulnerable areas of the country.  Finland’s contribution will enable WFP to provide daily hot meals to more than 56,000 students over the next three months in primary schools located along the Nacala Corridor in Nampula Province, northern Mozambique. 

    “School meals are more than just a plate of food; they are a vital investment in the future of Mozambican children”, said Satu Lassila, Ambassador of Finland to Mozambique. “Finland has a long-standing partnership with Mozambique, including in education. I am delighted that we can now support Mozambican children also in this way.” 

    Mozambique is currently facing one of the most severe food insecurity crises in recent years, with nearly 40 percent of children under the age of five suffering from stunted growth and a record 5 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The situation is especially dire in the northern region, where conflict and recurrent climate shocks continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods.

    “Investing in school meals is one of the smartest and most impactful ways to support the next generations in Mozambique,” said Antonella D’Aprile, WFP Country Director in Mozambique. “Thanks to Finland’s generous contribution, thousands of children will receive the nourishment they need to learn and build a better future—not only for themselves but for the country as a whole.”

    Evidence shows that school feeding programmes not only improve children’s nutrition and learning but also help reduce poverty and inequality by increasing school attendance and building human capital over time.

    As a founding member and co-chair of the Global School Meals Coalition, Finland remains a steadfast provider and supporter of school meals around the world. This latest contribution builds on Finland’s longstanding collaboration with WFP to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach.

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media and @wfp_mozambique

    Follow the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs on X, formerly Twitter, via @Ulkoministerio, and the Embassy of Finland in Maputo on Facebook (@Embaixada da Finlândia Maputo – Suomen suurlähetystö Maputo) and Instagram (@finlandinmozambique).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Daniel Cash, Reader in Law, Aston University

    For governments, a credit rating is more than a financial signal. It is a verdict that can influence the cost of borrowing, access to markets and, ultimately, the ability to provide for their citizens.

    Rating decisions are made behind closed doors in a private process that isn’t open to assessment or scrutiny.

    For African countries, this opacity can be especially damaging. When rating decisions lack transparency, it’s impossible to challenge potential biases or inconsistencies in methodology that put developing economies at a disadvantage. The result is higher borrowing costs that drain resources from healthcare, education and infrastructure investment.

    Africa’s new credit rating agency has the chance to change this. The African Credit Rating Agency is an initiative under development by the African Union and its partners. It is more than a new entrant; it is an attempt to rethink how financial authority is earned, exercised and scrutinised. The new agency plans to introduce transparent governance structures that could revolutionise rating methodology.

    As a researcher who has looked closely at the working of rating agencies, I believe this opportunity to bring transparency to financial governance isn’t just about better ratings. It’s a step towards economic sovereignty.

    Success for the African Credit Rating Agency shouldn’t be measured by whether it displaces the “big three” rating agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch). The real question isn’t whether an African agency can compete, but rather whether it can show the world how to rate credit differently.

    A flawed process

    The three big agencies do publish their methodologies – their criteria and risk models. This creates an illusion of transparency. Yet the final judgments emerge from committee meetings that produce no public record, no accountability, and no right of meaningful appeal.

    These rating committees typically comprise five to 10 analysts who meet in closed sessions to make each sovereign rating decision. S&P, Moody’s and Fitch each operate internal rating committees for every sovereign rating decision. The deliberations, dissenting views, and specific reasoning behind final votes remain confidential. Only a brief summary is provided with a rating decision.

    Research has shown that credit rating agencies are more accurate at assessing the creditworthiness of advanced economies than developing economies. There have also been studies on the discrepancy between what is expected when the public methodologies are applied and what the agencies actually rate. These studies have been done for economies like Hong Kong and China, but no equivalent research has yet been undertaken for African sovereigns.

    This discrepancy exposes an accountability void. When methodology-based predictions miss the mark, we must question what happens in those committee rooms. Especially when African nations are being assessed by analysts stationed continents away, with limited understanding of local economic and political realities.

    The African Credit Rating Agency could make three changes to the way ratings are done:

    • through public deliberations

    • by forming hybrid committees

    • with technological intervention.

    First, it could release committee transcripts within 30 days of each decision. This would give markets and governments unprecedented insight into rating rationales. This isn’t radical – central banks already publish meeting minutes, and courts publish opinions with dissenting views.

    Second, it could pioneer panels that include not only rating analysts, but regional economists, sectoral specialists, and even civil society observers. All with recorded votes. This diversified expertise would disrupt “group think” while capturing nuances of African economies that traditional agencies overlook.

    I have examined this idea from the perspective of injecting climate and sustainability-related expertise into credit rating committees. I believe this is a crucial step to take to evolve the concept of the credit rating committee.

    Third, the agency could use artificial intelligence to analyse patterns across committee discussions, flagging potential regional biases or inconsistent methodology application. It might be able to use secure digital ledgers to create unchangeable records of decisions.

    Why the big three keep it closed

    The industry thrives on privacy – protecting proprietary methodologies and shielding decisions from external challenge. And the natural oligopoly (a market dominated by a few large players due to high entry barriers, reinforced by market preference for predictability) helps it stay that way.

    The sovereign credit ratings of the three big agencies are built on quantitative and qualitative factors. But research shows that sovereign ratings are subjected to qualitative understandings. This puts developing economies at a disadvantage when agencies demonstrate pro-western biases because they lack data or knowledge.

    The impact of a credit rating downgrade for a sovereign borrower is usually multifaceted. Research shows that a single-notch downgrade can raise borrowing costs by more than 100 basis points, equivalent to an extra US$100 million annually on a US$10 billion bond.

    Investors prefer fewer, stronger signals rather than many competing views. So there’s little incentive for established players to change. The African Credit Rating Agency, as a new entrant, can offer something the incumbents won’t: governance innovation that serves both markets and nations.

    Radical openness will shake markets, at least at first. Committee members might face political pressure. Transparency alone doesn’t guarantee fair outcomes.

    But the world already demands transparency from central banks and constitutional courts. Why accept anything less from institutions that shape sovereign destiny?

    Next steps

    By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African. The financial architecture serving them must evolve towards systems that recognise the continent’s unique strengths.

    Opening the rating committee to view represents more than technical reform – it’s about shifting who holds power in global finance. If it does this, the African agency won’t just deliver better ratings; it will model how global finance can be governed more justly.

    Daniel Cash 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. Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how – https://theconversation.com/africas-new-credit-rating-agency-could-change-the-rules-of-the-game-heres-how-257138

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

    At The Conversation, we are big believers in the health benefits of being near the sea. In fact, we have a whole series dedicated to how our health is intrinsically linked with that of the ocean, called Vitamin Sea. The idea of how the coast can heal is explored in the bestselling memoir The Saltpath, which has been adapted for the screen, and stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.

    Anderson plays Raynor Winn who documented the whirlwind period that began with her husband Moth being given a terminal diagnosis. In the same week, they also lost their home. In the face of this, the couple made a wild decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.

    The South West Coast Path has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent, which is equivalent to scaling Mount Everest four times. In this piece, lecturer in the history of science and the environment, Lena Ferriday explores how this decision might not have been as mad as it might seem.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    The Winns’ decision to walk the path is part of a long history of people seeking wellness and recovery on England’s south-west coast. From taking in the clean air on long gentle walks to bathing in cold waters, it was common for the sickly to be prescribed a trip to the sea. And, as the Winns discover in this beautiful film, they find respite and connection in that history.

    Reply to this email to let us know if you have any thoughts on the healing qualities of the coast. We would also love you to answer our poll letting us what you think is the best nature memoir of our of favourite five. If your favourite isn’t there, email us its name.

    The Saltpath is in select cinemas now



    Read more:
    The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast

    The first season of The Handmaid’s Tale aired in 2017 in the early months of the first Trump presidency. Now in its sixth season, the drama is ending in the early months of the second Trump presidency. In that time, the show and its iconography have become synonymous with feminist resistance.

    When the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood first wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985, Donald Trump was a mere real estate mogul. Some say it is eerie how she foresaw rising authoritarianism in the United States as well as the erosion of women’s rights. However, Atwood didn’t see the tale as science fiction, everything she wrote, she stressed, had already happened or was happening somewhere.

    In this piece, Canadian literature expert Sharon Engbrecht writes about Atwood has made many similar educated predictions about where the roots laid in history will come up in the future. While the last series does deviate somewhat from Atwood’s follow-up The Testaments, it is very much in-line with her view of the world. Hopefully, this last season ends in a much more hopeful place.

    The Handmaid’s Tale is airing on channel 4



    Read more:
    _The Handmaid’s Tale_ reflects Margaret Atwood’s eerie talent for reading the palm of power

    If you’re looking for something a bit more low stakes and whimsical then can we recommend checking out the film The Phoenician Scheme. Wes Anderson is a director with a very distinct vision, you can spot a work by him a mile away. This is what makes a director an auteur.

    Fans of his work have come to expect a few things from his films. The first is a star-studded ensemble. The second, a distinct colour palette. The third, boundless whimsy. The Phoenician Scheme has all of this, which as our expert in film Daniel O’Brien notes, will make some of you love it and others hate it.

    I like Wes Anderson films. They are incredibly charming and visually delicious. The Phoenician Scheme has more solid narrative than some of his recent films, which I, for one, welcome. It follows wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) after he makes his only daughter (Mia Threapleton), a nun, the sole heir to his estate before embarking on a new money-making scheme. Andersonian hijinks and shenanigans ensue as the pair dodge danger in the form of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.

    The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now

    The Coin by Yasmin Zaher is a bold debut novel about a young Palestinian woman who is struggling to keep it together. On the surface of things she has it all: she is a teacher at a New York city middle school, she is rich, stylish and meticulously clean. However, buried within her sits history that won’t leave her alone. To be precise, inside her sits an Israeli shekel that she accidentally swallowed on a family road trip during which her parents were killed.

    The knowledge of the coin and all it represents tears at the narrator, not letting her know peace. She is pushed to desperate acts in order to gain some sort of control over mind and body. But the coin does not relent. It won’t let her be. She is neither here nor there, in the US or Palestine. In this piece, literature expert Daniel G. Williams explains why he and his fellow judges awarded this debut the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize.



    Read more:
    The Coin by Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher wins the Dylan Thomas Prize – an expert from the judging panel explains why

    I love Pulp. One of my formative festival memories is watching a lanky Jarvis Cocker hump a giant neon Pulp sign while singing Disco 2000 at Reading festival. I was at a liberal arts uni at the time and the lyrics of Common People had never made more sense to me.

    As expert in popular music Mark Higgins writes, it’s a common misconception that Pulp were Brit Pop. In fact, they were founded in 1978 and their sound and whole shtick were quite a part from the 60’s mania of Britpop boy bands. Listening to the first single of this album Higgins notes, however, that the nostalgia for a better time seems to have hit Pulp belatedly as they wax lyrical about 90s.

    Next week, the band release their first album since 2001’s We Love Life. In the lead up to the release of their album More, I have been rediscovering their back catalogue and I would highly recommend you all do the same this sunny weekend.

    More by Pulp is out June 6



    Read more:
    Pulp are back and more wistfully Britpop than before

    – ref. A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week – https://theconversation.com/a-film-about-long-healing-walk-by-the-sea-the-end-of-a-dystopian-series-and-a-whimsical-comfort-watch-what-to-see-watch-read-and-listen-to-this-week-257849

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –