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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Are artificial sweeteners okay for our health?

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    By Havovi Chichger and Caray A Walker, Anglia Ruskin University

    Artificial sweeteners are being added to a growing number of foods to reduce their sugar content while maintaining their appealing taste. But a growing body of research suggests these non-nutritive sweeteners may not always be a healthier and safer option. So what is our best option if we want to enjoy sweet-tasting foods without the harms of eating sugar?

    Artificial sweeteners were originally developed as chemicals to stimulate our sweet-taste sensing pathway. Like sugar molecules, these sweeteners act directly on our taste sensors in the mouth. They do this by sending a nerve signal to the body that a high-carbohydrate food source has been consumed – telling the body to break it down to use for energy.

    In the case of sugar consumption, this also stimulates our dopaminergic system. This is the part of the brain responsible for motivation and reward, linked to sugar cravings. From an evolutionary perspective, this means we’re hardwired to seek out high-sugar food for a source of energy and to ensure our survival. However, excessive consumption of sugar is well known to lead to health problems, such as metabolic disruption which can cause obesity and diabetes.

    Similarly, when artificial sweeteners, rather than sugar, cause this stimulation, there’s increasing evidence of similar metabolic imbalances. This happens despite the fact that artificial sweeteners do not seem to stimulate the dopamine system.

    Indeed, a study published earlier this year showed that within two hours of consuming sucralose (an amount equivalent to the sugar in two cans of soft drink), participants exhibited increased physiological hunger responses. The research measured blood flow to the hypothalamus, the region of our brain responsible for appetite control. They found that sucralose increased blood flow to this area of the brain.

    Studies have also shown that sweeteners can stimulate the same neurons as the appetite hormone, leptin. Over time, this could cause our hunger threshold to increase – meaning we need to eat more food to feel full. This suggests that consuming artificial sweeteners makes us more hungry, which could ultimately make us consume more calories.

    And it doesn’t stop with feeling hungrier. A large study, which was conducted over 20 years, found a link between sweetener consumption and greater accumulation of body fat. Interestingly, the study found that people who regularly consumed large amounts of sweeteners (equivalent to three or four cans of diet soda per day) had a nearly 70% greater incidence of obesity compared to those who consumed minimal amounts of artificial sweeteners (equivalent to half a can of diet soda per day).

    The study also considered this response to be independent of the amount of calories the participants consumed each day. To verify this, they reviewed food questionnaires to assess self-reported dietary intake. While self-reported consumption can have discrepancies, the study also used a coding nutrition data system to verify dietary intake. The results indicate that artificial sweeteners may be making us more likely to form fat in our body – regardless of what we’re consuming alongside the artificial sweeteners.

    A study published earlier this month also found that daily consumption of artificially sweetened drinks positively correlated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes. But given these drinks contain a range of additives – including acidifiers, dyes, emulsifiers and sweeteners – it’s uncertain if this link can be entirely attributed to artificial sweeteners.

    What you need to know

    So is it time to give up sweeteners completely? Maybe not. There are many studies showing that short-term substitution of sugar with artificial sweeteners reduces body weight and body fat.

    Numerous studies have also shown that artificial sweetener consumption has no association with the development of diabetes or even with indicators of diabetes, such as fasting glucose or insulin levels. However, many of these studies were performed over relatively short time periods (up to 12 months) and only compared people consuming artificial sweeteners versus sugar. This makes it hugely confusing for all of us to know what we should do.

    To address this, earlier this month, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), which advises the UK government on nutrition, released a position statement on the use of non-sugar sweeteners. This was in response to the World Health Organization, which suggested that sweeteners shouldn’t be used as a means of weight control due to their low-level association with risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes.

    The SACN similarly concluded that non-sugar sweetener intake be minimised, especially for children. But they also stated that intake of sugars in general needs to be reduced. This is really at the heart of the issue. Artificial sweeteners may have significant negative health impacts, but are they as bad for us as sugar? The overwhelming literature on the negatives of excess sugar consumption currently suggests no – but our understanding of artificial sweeteners is still not as extensive as that for sugar.

    We need more research on artificial sweeteners to better understand their effects. Work is currently ongoing to collate a database of all clinical trials investigating sweetener use. This will allow us to better understand the sweetener research landscape and highlight areas where more work is needed.

    Until then, what should we do if we have a sweet-tooth? Unfortunately, like everything with nutrition, it’s best to only consume artificial sweeteners in moderation.

    There are no clear guidelines on the amounts of sweeteners we should or shouldn’t be consuming yet. But one of the guidelines from the recent SACN review is that the industry clearly label the amount of artificial sweeteners in food and drink. So hopefully it will be easier for us to make these choices in the future.

    Havovi Chichger, Professor, Biomedical Science, Anglia Ruskin University and Caray A Walker, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Anglia Ruskin University

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

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

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor Welcomes The Worshipful Company of Educators to City for Engagement on Regional Growth and Edu

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Mayor Welcomes The Worshipful Company of Educators to City for Engagement on Regional Growth and Edu

    19 May 2025

    The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council welcomed The Worshipful Company of Educators into the Guildhall for a special meeting as part of their weekend-long trip to the city.

    The delegation of 36 from The Worshipful Company of Educators visited the city region, stopping off at The Guildhall for a meeting with Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr on Friday evening, hearing all about the city and district and enjoying a tour of the Guildhall’s various exhibitions.

    Mayor Barr said she was delighted to welcome the group and hoped they enjoyed their overall trip to the city and wider North-West Region.

    “It was fantastic to meet with The Worshipful Company of Educators and hear all about the work they do, and advocate for. It gave us an amazing opportunity to create connections with the group and raise awareness of all the amazing projects and programmes that are going on in this part of the world. It was also great to highlight the transformative work that is ongoing within the city and increase our own profile on a wider scale.”

    Catherine McGuiness CBE, Master, Worshipful Company of Educators stated, “I’m delighted to be back in Derry, and to bring a delegation from the Educators to see some of the exciting educational and cultural initiatives in the city, hear plans for the future, and visit some of the amazing local sights. As ever, we’ve received a very warm welcome and feel honoured to have been greeted by the mayor”

    During their time in the city, the delegation visited Foyle College, Ulster University and The Playhouse Theatre. The aim of the visit was to learn more about the City Region Growth Deal projects, the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) and the work the Playhouse is doing to deliver creative, innovative, and accessible arts, education and peacebuilding programmes that enrich the lives of many people within the city and district.

    The Worshipful Company of Educators is the 109th livery company of the City of London. Established to raise awareness of and promote the education profession, the Company upholds standards of excellence and integrity within the field. Its membership comprises professionals from all sectors of education, including teachers, trainers, and administrators, providing a forum for members to discuss and exchange views on matters of topical interest.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Delegation of Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Transport Branch visited Polytech

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    A delegation from Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Transport Branch visited Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to discuss cooperation with the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” and to get acquainted with the competencies of the Higher School of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU.

    The Norilsk Nickel Polar Transport Branch (the successor to the Dudinka Sea Port) is the main regional transport hub, providing for the vital functions of the entire Taimyr Dolgano-Nenets and Norilsk industrial regions. The branch processes 95% of all incoming cargo for the Norilsk Nickel Group of Companies and consumers on the Taimyr Peninsula, and ships its finished products to ships bound for ports in Russia and around the world. The port’s cargo turnover is about four million tons.

    Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation of SPbPU, Head of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” Alexey Borovkov told the guests aboutestablished interaction with the Norilsk Nickel group of companies. Deputy Director for Improvement and Development of Production Activities of the Polar Transport Branch of Norilsk Nickel Sergey Lyashenko gave a presentation of the branch, presenting the main areas of its work and infrastructure.

    Sergey Lyashenko outlined potential areas of cooperation with the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” based on the tasks and challenges facing the Polar Transport Branch of Norilsk Nickel in the context of the development of the Northern Sea Route by the Norilsk Nickel group of companies and the corresponding increase in port cargo turnover. Among the key tasks, he noted the use of technologies to increase labor productivity and optimize the transfer of operational data to ensure the smooth operation of equipment along the entire port line, taking into account temperature restrictions and terrain. The guest also spoke about the existing barriers to the digitalization of the branch’s activities and the experience of overcoming them.

    Sergey Vladimirovich emphasized the interest in the competencies of the SPbPU PISh in the field of mathematical and computer modeling to solve the problems of automating all processes of the activities of the Polar Transport Branch of Norilsk Nickel, taking into account different scenarios and the state of technological equipment.

    We are interested in establishing cooperation with an authoritative scientific center represented by the Advanced Engineering School of the Polytechnic University, which has experience and knowledge in the field of advanced digital and production technologies, including big data management, mathematical and computer modeling, and can ensure the formation of correct data that we can use to justify certain management decisions, analyze the effectiveness of selected approaches and measures, as well as medium-term and long-term planning, said Sergey Kolesnik, Deputy Director for Commercial Activities of Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Transport Branch.

    Then the meeting participants discussed the vision of the final result of the interaction in the context of building visual analytics for production automation and data management on the state of the branch’s technological infrastructure, and also considered the predicted economic effect of the cooperation. Speaking about lost profits and ways to reduce the economic risks of enterprises, SPbPU Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation Alexey Borovkov gave an example of the work of SPbPU PISh specialists for the Gazprom Pererabotka Blagoveshchensk company following the accident at the Amur Gas Processing Plant on January 5, 2022.

    Every day of the plant’s downtime after the accident brought multimillion-dollar losses to Gazprom. Employees of the SPbPU PISh were involved in the accident investigation, and they prepared a scientific and technical report on its causes. This work not only made a significant contribution to the development of the fuel and energy complex of Russia in terms of preventing similar emergencies at high-tech facilities in the industry, but also proved that the use of advanced digital and production technologies has a positive economic effect, reducing the risk of accidents and preventing lost profits and costs of enterprises, – noted Alexey Ivanovich.

    Deputy Director of the Engineering Center (CompMechLab®) of SPbPU Nikolay Efimov-Soini briefly spoke about the technology of digital twins — the main technology of system digital engineering developed by the PISh SPbPU. Nikolay Konstantinovich described the technology and outlined its key advantages, demonstrated within the framework of joint R&D with representatives of ten industries.

    The participants of the working meeting defined further steps for interaction taking into account competencies and current tasks. They also considered the possibilities of corporate training in production organization technologies and the basics of the Lean Manufacturing concept using the computer simulator of the same name and other products. rulers, developed by specialists of the SPbPU PISh on the CML-Bench®.EDU Digital Platform, which is gradually developing as a separate area of the Digital Platform for the Development and Application of Digital Twins CML-Bench®.

    At the end of the working visit, the guests assessed the capabilities and infrastructure of the Polytechnic Supercomputer Center, which ensures the implementation ofDigital platform for the development and application of digital twins CML-Bench® science-intensive projects of the SPbPU Technological Development Ecosystem with leading high-tech companies and corporations of our country.

    After visiting the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering”, the delegation of the Polar Transport Branch of Norilsk Nickel got acquainted with the competencies and achievements of specialists of the Higher School of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU and discussed possible areas of cooperation in educational and scientific activities in the field of logistics.

    Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education at SPbPU Dmitry Tikhonov spoke about the possibility of effective cooperation in creating and implementing advanced training programs for employees of Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Transport Branch, including in a distance learning format, as well as preparing specialized classes of schoolchildren for the company.

    Director of the Higher School of Management of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Olga Kalinina presented the experience of implementing educational projects related to logistics at the Higher School. In addition to training in the bachelor’s degree programs “International Logistics” and master’s degree program “International Logistics Systems”, Olga Vladimirovna noted the additional professional education program “Fundamentals of the Organization and Economics of Production in Metallurgy for Purchasing Management at Mechanical Engineering Enterprises”, successfully implemented jointly with the Higher School of Physics and Materials Technology of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University for the Purchasing Directorate of JSC “Power Machines”, as well as the creation of educational cases for the disciplines “Transport Logistics” and “Inventory Management” based on the results of internships of teachers in the Beaton group of companies.

    Deputy Director of the Higher School of Management of the Institute of Mechanics and Technology of Economics and Technology for educational and methodological work Zoya Simakova presented the results of the work carried out in 2023 and 2024 within the framework of project “Harmonization of production needs with the provision of components and materials” by order of JSC Power Machines – the Electrosila plant, andproject “Transformation of purchasing activities of an industrial enterprise”, implemented to reduce the slow-turnover inventory of JSC Power Machines – Leningrad Metal Plant.

    Head of the research laboratory “Management of production systems and business processes” of the Higher School of Management of IPMEiT Dmitry Metkin demonstrated the team’s experience in terms of performing contractual work for industrial customers on technical and economic justification, forming investment activity programs when planning new projects, as well as developing strategies for introducing industrial products to new markets.

    After the working meeting, Sergey Lyashenko, Deputy Director for Improvement and Development of Production Activities of the Polar Transport Branch of Norilsk Nickel, held an interactive master class for students of the Higher School of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU on the subject “Fundamentals of Logistics of Oil and Gas Enterprises”.

    In conclusion, representatives of the Higher School of Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade invited the delegation of the Polar Transport Branch of Norilsk Nickel to a tour. The guests inspected the classrooms and laboratories of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade, and assessed the capabilities of the computer classes equipped with programs for studying specialized disciplines in logistics.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lagos slum evictions don’t work: 6 ways city planners can actually help the poor

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Oluwaseyi Omowunmi Popogbe, Lecturer I, Crawford University

    Millions of people in Lagos live in slums. Slums typically have poor housing infrastructure and sanitation, and limited access to education, health facilities and clean drinking water.

    These challenges make the people who live in slums vulnerable to health crises, high illiteracy rates and poor standards of living.

    A central element of the city authorities’ efforts to address the issue has been to evict people. Over the past decade, more than 50,000 people have been evicted from their homes in Lagos slums.

    As a development economist who has carried out studies on urban poverty in Lagos State and social exclusion of slum dwellers from full communal participation, I have observed some notable patterns.

    Despite their efforts to contribute to national productivity, these low-income communities are often marginalised and denied access to basic public amenities and a dignified living environment. Instead of addressing their needs, policy and development priorities tend to focus on displacing them. Thereafter, provisions are made for affluent groups, replacing informal settlements with high-rise buildings.

    Sadly, survivors of forced eviction usually move to other slum communities as they cannot afford the high cost of living in the city. This shows that forced eviction is not a solution to slum proliferation.

    I argue that if Lagos wants to solve the problems faced by the city’s vast population of slum dwellers, it should focus on six things. These are:

    • community-led regeneration processes

    • communal engagement

    • upgrading communities without displacement

    • obeying court orders

    • inclusivity in regeneration

    • adequate compensation to the displaced.

    This would help restore trust that the city has all its people’s interests at heart, not just those of the super rich.

    Forced evictions are seen as benefiting the rich

    In March 2025, a demolition exercise was carried out in the Otumara slum, displacing over 10,000 residents at short notice.

    Despite a 2017 Lagos State High Court ruling which condemned forced evictions carried out without due consultation, they have continued.

    Known cases are the Otodo-Gbame waterfront eviction (shortly before the court ruling), where over 30,000 residents were displaced, Ilubirin waterfront community, Orisunmibare in Apapa, Otto communities, Ayetoro, and Oko Baba communities.

    Mid-April 2025, the Lagos State government revealed plans to regenerate the Otumara slum. Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (Lasura) then met with community leaders and other stakeholders to discuss how it would be done. That step should have been taken before the demolition.

    The idea behind the meeting was to ensure inclusiveness and reduce any challenge to the project. Lasura assured the community representatives of a fair hearing throughout the implementation process. They were told the benefits of the regeneration would extend to the entire community.

    As a development economist who has carried out a number of studies on urban vulnerability and inclusion, I’ve found that slum dwellers don’t always trust the government. This lack of trust stems from experiences other slum dwellers have had.

    Urban regeneration does not always favour slum dwellers. So government interventions are not seen as a genuine effort to improve their living conditions, but as a mechanism to displace them to make way for the elite.

    For instance, Maroko slum residents were forcefully evicted under the guise of improving infrastructural amenities and because the area was below sea level. Now the Oniru Estate, Lekki Phase 1 and other notable residential and commercial buildings are located there.

    Luxury apartments on the Lagos lagoon have replaced the former Ilubirin waterfront slum. Lekki foreshore development continues at the former Otodo-Gbame waterfront community.

    Survivors of forced eviction usually move to other slum communities as they can’t afford to live in the city.

    The attainment of Lagos as a “fair shared city” has been proposed by the Fabulous Urban Foundation in partnership with Heinrich Böll Foundation. These organisations advocate urban inclusiveness and community-driven initiatives. They envision Lagos as an inclusive place where everyone (irrespective of social class or status) has equitable access to amenities and decision-making processes.

    The pattern of forced displacement under the guise of urban regeneration, without adequate compensation or resettlement, contradicts the principle of fairness.

    Development plans in Lagos follow western ideas and keep widening the gap between the rich and the poor, as amenities are often developed to be accessible by the middle and upper classes.

    Specifically, the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP 2052) contains many lofty ideas and opportunities to make Lagos “Africa’s Model Mega City”. But it’s not clear how the city’s multidimensionally poor population fits into the plan.

    Solutions

    To include residents of slums marked for regeneration, a more proactive approach would be:

    1. Continuous communal engagement, to reaffirm that government and other stakeholders are committed to including all residents.

    2. Community-led redesign and regeneration processes. Slum conditions are deplorable and dehumanising, but evicting residents to make way for the high class is unacceptable. The redesign should aim to favour the community.

    3. Abiding by court rulings which warn against forced eviction. Lagos courts have often ruled against forced evictions, especially when carried out without due process or resettlement arrangements. The Lagos State government ought to uphold human rights by ceasing all forced eviction procedures, as they are unlawful.

    4. Upgrading instead of displacement. Regeneration within existing settlements should be encouraged where feasible, so that livelihoods and social cohesion are not disrupted.

    5. Regeneration should include all income groups. It should not only focus on physical infrastructure, but also social and economic issues. It would make affordable housing and basic amenities available for all income groups.

    6. Adequate compensation. Where relocation cannot be avoided, a resettlement plan must be in place that will ensure fair treatment and avoid disruption to livelihood.

    – Lagos slum evictions don’t work: 6 ways city planners can actually help the poor
    – https://theconversation.com/lagos-slum-evictions-dont-work-6-ways-city-planners-can-actually-help-the-poor-255341

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Terrorists use food as a weapon: how Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab exploit hunger

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Simone Papale, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Parma

    Over the last decade, there has been growing international focus on the role of food in conflict, particularly in Africa. The continent has seen an increase in jihadist terrorism in several regions.

    Violence, like that exercised by terrorist organisations, is linked with food security conditions, causing a vicious circle of hunger and conflict.

    Terrorism generates food disruptions. It undermines production systems and supply routes.

    At the same time, growing food shortages intensify tensions and competition over essential resources at the margins of vulnerable societies. This increases the risk of mobilisation into violence.

    We are researchers in international security and contemporary warfare. In a recent article, we explored the role of food in Africa’s terrorist insurgencies. We focused on Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

    We show how food is not only a driver or victim of violence. It is also central to how terrorist groups fight, govern and survive.

    Terrorists use food as a tool to challenge national authorities and increase their followers. In parallel, they exploit food insecurity to control communities and confront counter-terrorism forces, pushing the state out of contested areas.

    Read more: How crime is closely linked to Al-Shabaab’s survival strategy

    This has major implications. The use of food as a weapon worsens humanitarian conditions. It causes the displacement of people in vulnerable settings. As a result, it sets in motion dangerous mechanisms of instability that can even undermine militants themselves, reducing their resources and operational capabilities.

    State responses need to address these challenges and promote more comprehensive approaches to counter terrorism.

    Weaponising supplies

    Since the late 2000s, Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab have engaged African security forces in a strenuous fight. Both groups have sought to overthrow local governments and establish their power.

    They have expanded their networks in regions where food security is low. These are Nigeria’s Borno State and southern Somalia.

    These areas have witnessed historical frictions between the population and government authorities. Local communities have lamented socioeconomic marginalisation, shortages of essential resources and high levels of unemployment.

    Both Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab have sought to capitalise on inequalities to gain appeal among aggrieved populations, seeking to replace the state in the delivery of essential resources.

    Read more: Nigeria’s growing security crisis: 6 essential reads

    Boko Haram militants have reportedly provided supplies, such as biscuits, rice and spaghetti, to marginalised villages. As a Borno State resident put it, the militants have shown “love and concern” while addressing local needs.

    Al-Shabaab has resorted to similar practices to win the hearts and minds of southern Somalis and enlarge its pool of recruits. The group has supplied struggling communities with meals and goods, and promoted local agricultural activities.

    In parallel to these activities, both terrorist groups have adopted more aggressive measures to counter the advance of anti-terrorism forces. They have used food denial to punish civilian insubordination and cooperation with the state, relying on starvation tactics.

    Boko Haram has systematically targeted food infrastructures. The group has burned crops, banned farming and fishing activities, and even poisoned water sources. This has happened particularly in places where militants suspected collusion between communities and national authorities.

    Likewise, Al-Shabaab has interrupted trade routes. It has destroyed food imports to isolate southern Somali villages controlled by security forces and deprive them of popular support. During Somalia’s 2011–2012 famine, Al-Shabaab militants blocked humanitarian agencies. This was aimed at preventing the distribution of food aid to curb western influence in territories under their control.

    The repercussions

    The use of food as a weapon has had major repercussions in Borno State and southern Somalia. It is a primary cause of the deterioration of food security in these regions over the last 15 years.

    Attacks on food resources and infrastructure have disrupted supply routes. They have pushed people to abandon their crops and pastures. This has decreased the production and availability of essential goods.

    As a result, humanitarian conditions have worsened, local economies have weakened and displacement flows have intensified.

    This has had detrimental effects for Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, depriving militants of key assets to sustain their activities and attract new recruits.

    The two terrorist groups have become victims of the emergencies they have helped generate. They have increasingly struggled to supply nourishment for their troops and supporters. Consequently, they have witnessed a growing number of defections motivated by unsustainable conditions.

    Reports highlight increasing cases of jihadists surrendering to security forces while requesting food.

    To address these challenges, Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab have intensified raids on villages, looting goods and livestock.

    Read more: What drives Al-Shabaab in Somalia: foreign forces out, Sharia law in and overthrow the government

    However, growing frictions with the population have undermined the groups’ operational capabilities, even opening up new fronts of resistance.

    Boko Haram has been forced to transfer part of its resources and operations to the Lake Chad area. The group has intensified incursions to capture food in Nigeria’s neighbouring countries.

    In Somalia, tensions with farming and pastoralist communities have led to the creation of militias mobilising against Al-Shabaab.

    What next

    The relocation of Boko Haram’s operations and the mobilisation of communities against Al-Shabaab have not eradicated the terrorist threat. However, these events further highlight food as a crucial factor shaping insurgencies.

    African and international authorities need to tackle the dynamics of food weaponisation. They need to refine their approach to enhance local resilience, addressing the inequalities that insurgents exploit.

    – Terrorists use food as a weapon: how Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab exploit hunger
    – https://theconversation.com/terrorists-use-food-as-a-weapon-how-boko-haram-and-al-shabaab-exploit-hunger-256162

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: AI-driven motion capture is transforming sports and exercise science

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Habib Noorbhai, Professor (Health & Sports Science), University of Johannesburg

    In sport, the margin between success and failure is often measured in milliseconds. It could be a cricketer adjusting their foot positioning, a runner refining their sprint start or a footballer perfecting their passing.

    This is where motion capture comes in – among the many approaches being used for athletic performance and movement analysis.

    Conventional motion capture tracks a person’s movements by using sensors or reflective markers linked to cameras. This provides data that helps sport scientists analyse how to improve an athlete’s performance, personalise their training programme and prevent possible injury.

    But for decades, motion capture in sport has been done using cumbersome suits and complex camera systems. These technologies offer high precision, but have remained out of reach for many because of their cost, technical demands and rigid laboratory constraints.

    As sport evolves, so too must the technology that analyses it. The way we measure human movement is experiencing a major transformation. Markerless motion capture (enabled by artificial intelligence, computer vision, depth sensors and multiple-camera systems) is set to revolutionise sports performance analysis.

    As a health and sports scientist with a focus on data, innovation and technology, I co-authored a study on markerless motion capture in sports and exercise. We reviewed and compared various motion capture options so that users can choose what system is best for their needs and budgets.

    This matters because markerless motion capture provides a practical alternative that’s accessible, scalable and adaptable to real-world settings. It’s a shift that promises to transform how athletes train, how they move, how injuries are assessed and how coaches refine performance.

    The problem with traditional motion capture

    Marker-based motion capture has long been considered the gold standard for analysing movement. Various systems use optoelectronic (devices that emit or detect light) tracking. They’ve provided researchers and coaches with precise three-dimensional (3D) data on joint angles, movement efficiency and biomechanical load. But these systems come with challenges.

    Traditional motion capture in a research laboratory, with screen analysis. Courtesy Habib Noorbhai

    Firstly, the need for reflective markers placed on the body introduces variability. Even slight misplacements can compromise data accuracy.

    Secondly, these systems are largely confined to laboratory environments. While they work well for controlled studies, they can’t always capture the dynamics of real-world sports performance.

    Thirdly, the cost of such setups, often reaching tens of thousands of dollars, limits their use to elite teams and well-funded research labs. This financial barrier places the technology out of reach for grassroots sport, where talent development is crucial.

    The rise of markerless motion capture

    Markerless motion capture, driven by deep learning and computer vision, allows movement to be tracked directly from video footage, without requiring physical markers. Models such as OpenPose, TensorFlow Pose Estimate and MeTRAbs can now identify and analyse human joint positions in 3D, all from a single video feed.

    A cricket bowler in action using pose estimation (markerless motion capture) in Plotly. Courtesy Habib Noorbhai

    This approach has profound implications. It means that coaches can capture real-time movement data from training sessions without interrupting the natural flow of play. Athletes can analyse their technique with nothing more than a smartphone camera. It opens the door for motion capture to move beyond the lab and onto the field, the court or the gym floor.

    Where markerless motion capture works best

    The ability to track movement in real-world environments makes markerless motion capture particularly valuable in high-speed and dynamic sports.

    In football, tracking player movement during passing drills can inform tactical decisions. In sprinting, coaches can analyse stride length and ground contact time without disrupting training sessions. In baseball and cricket, batting mechanics can be assessed without requiring players to wear cumbersome tracking suits or markers.

    Beyond performance analysis, the implications for injury management and rehabilitation are just as compelling.

    By integrating markerless motion capture into injury rehabilitation programmes, physiotherapists can monitor movement deficiencies in real time. A player recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, for example, can have their gait and knee valgus angles monitored remotely. This reduces the need for repeated clinic visits.

    Barriers

    Despite its potential, markerless motion capture is not without its challenges. While deep learning models are improving, they still struggle with occlusion: where body parts become temporarily hidden from view. Variations in lighting, camera angles and player body types can affect tracking accuracy too.

    To improve robustness across diverse sports settings, these issues need ongoing refinement in pose estimation algorithms. (These are computer vision techniques used to locate and track key points of the body on a person in a video.)

    Read more: Supershoes have transformed competitive distance running, but they remain controversial

    Another key limitation is validation. Traditional motion capture systems have been extensively tested for accuracy, but markerless models are still undergoing further validation in sport-specific contexts.

    Ensuring consistency and reliability will be crucial in convincing elite teams to transition away from marker-based setups.

    A future without markers?

    The question remains: will markerless motion capture completely disrupt and replace traditional systems? The reality is likely to be more nuanced.

    While marker-based motion capture will retain its place in highly controlled research settings, markerless alternatives will dominate practical, field-based applications. The accessibility, ease of use and real-time capabilities of markerless systems make them a game-changer.

    Read more: VAR and peace? Why tech-assisted refereeing won’t do away with disputed decisions at the World Cup

    As AI models become more sophisticated and sensor technology advances, the precision of markerless systems will continue to improve. The future of motion capture lies not in replacing one method with another, but in integrating multiple approaches to create a seamless, scalable and accurate framework for movement analysis.

    It’s no longer a question of whether markerless motion capture will take over, but when. And as the technology matures, the benefits for coaches, athletes and scientists alike will only continue to grow. It’s set to play an integral role in shaping the next generation of athletic performance and movement analysis.

    – AI-driven motion capture is transforming sports and exercise science
    – https://theconversation.com/ai-driven-motion-capture-is-transforming-sports-and-exercise-science-254646

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Amplify Energy Appoints Clint Coghill to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amplify Energy Corp. (NYSE: AMPY) (“Amplify” or the “Company”) today announced that it has appointed Clint Coghill to its Board of Directors (the “Board”) as Lead Independent Director, effective May 16, 2025. In connection with Mr. Coghill’s appointment, the Company entered into a cooperation agreement with Mr. Coghill and his affiliates Stoney Lonesome HF, LP and The Drake Helix Holdings, LLC (collectively, “Stoney Lonesome”), the beneficial owners of approximately 7% of the Company’s outstanding shares.

    Mr. Coghill will serve as a member of the Board’s Compensation Committee and be included in the Board’s slate of nominees up for election at the Company’s upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

    “We appreciate the constructive dialogue we have had with Clint and are pleased to welcome him to the Board,” said Chris Hamm, Chairman of Amplify. “We believe Clint’s business and financial expertise and strong shareholder perspective will be invaluable assets to the Company and we look forward to working with him.”

    Clint Coghill, the Chief Investment Officer of Stoney Lonesome, said, “I’m pleased to join the Board of Amplify and look forward to working with Amplify’s Board and management team to help the Company achieve its potential and drive shareholder value.”

    In connection with the cooperation agreement, Stoney Lonesome has agreed to a customary standstill, voting and other provisions. The cooperation agreement will be included as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K, which the Company will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Amplify.

    About Clint Coghill

    Clint Coghill brings more than 30 years of experience as a successful money manager, software entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Mr. Coghill is the Founder of Backstop Solutions Group, LLC, an industry-leading service company redefining the way firms operate in private markets and reshaping the institutional investment industry. From 2003 to 2021, Mr. Coghill served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Backstop Solutions Group, LLC from 2013 until its sale to ION Analytics in 2021, where he then was the Head of the Investor Segment until early 2025. Prior to that, he served as President and Chief Investment Officer of Coghill Capital Management, LLC. Mr. Coghill currently serves as the chairman of the board of the Coghill Family Foundation and serves on the board of directors of New Moly, LLC. Mr. Coghill holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Arizona and an M.B.A. from the London Business School.

    About Amplify Energy

    Amplify Energy Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas properties. Amplify’s operations are focused in Oklahoma, the Rockies (Bairoil), federal waters offshore Southern California (Beta), East Texas / North Louisiana, and the Eagle Ford (Non-op). For more information, visit www.amplifyenergy.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Terminology such as “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the Company’s upcoming 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, expectations of plans, goals, strategies (including measures to implement strategies), objectives and anticipated results with respect thereto. These statements address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including things such as projections of results of operations, plans for growth, goals, future capital expenditures, competitive strengths, references to future intentions and other such references. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results or financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance of the Company and its affiliates. Please read the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and if applicable, the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are available on the Company’s Investor Relations website at https://www.amplifyenergy.com/investor-relations/default.aspx or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements in this press release are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

    Contacts

    Amplify Energy

    Jim Frew — Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    (832) 219-9044
    jim.frew@amplifyenergy.com

    Michael Jordan — Director, Finance and Treasurer
    (832) 219-9051
    michael.jordan@amplifyenergy.com

    FTI Consulting

    Tanner Kaufman / Brandon Elliott / Rose Zu
    amplifyenergy@fticonsulting.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Qorvo® Announces Intent to Nominate Peter Feld of Starboard Value for Election to the Board at the 2025 Annual Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENSBORO, N.C., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qorvo® (NASDAQ: QRVO), a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has resolved to increase the size of the Board from nine to ten directors and to include Peter Feld as one of the Company’s director nominees in its proxy statement for the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).

    The Board has also resolved to recommend that stockholders vote in favor of all Company director nominees, including Mr. Feld, at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

    Given the Company’s intention to nominate Mr. Feld, Starboard has agreed to rescind its nomination notice.

    Bob Bruggeworth, President and CEO of Qorvo, said, “Peter shares our goal of driving value for Qorvo shareholders and will bring additional technology industry knowledge and complementary perspectives, adding to our very qualified and experienced Board.”

    “We invested in Qorvo because of the tremendous potential we see in the Company’s strong product portfolio and leading industry position, which provide the foundation for Qorvo to drive continued improvement in growth, profitability, and value creation,” said Peter Feld, Managing Member of Starboard Value LP. “I am pleased to be nominated to the Board and look forward to working collaboratively with my fellow directors and the management team to help Qorvo capitalize on opportunities to drive long-term shareholder value.”

    About Peter A. Feld

    Peter A. Feld is a Managing Member, Portfolio Manager and Head of Research of Starboard Value LP since April 2011 and has significant expertise serving as a shareholder representative on numerous technology company boards that have created substantial value for shareholders. Mr. Feld has substantial experience in corporate finance, best-in-class corporate governance, and a deep understanding of capital markets. Prior to founding Starboard in 2011, Mr. Feld was a Managing Director and Head of Research at Ramius LLC for funds that comprised the Value and Opportunity investment platform. Prior to joining Ramius in February 2005, Mr. Feld was an analyst in the Technology Investment Banking group at Banc of America Securities LLC. Previously, he served as a member of the boards of directors of Gen Digital Inc., a global leader dedicated to powering Digital Freedom through its family of consumer brands, from September 2018 to May 2025; Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology company, from March 2022 to October 2023; GCP Applied Technologies, Inc., a technology company, from June 2020 until it was acquired by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. in September 2022; Magellan Health, Inc., a healthcare company, from March 2019 until it was acquired by Centene Corporation in January 2022; AECOM, a multinational infrastructure firm, from November 2019 to June 2020; Marvell Technology Group Ltd., a storage, networking and connectivity semiconductor solutions company, from May 2016 to June 2018; The Brink’s Company, a global leader in security-related services, from January 2016 to November 2017; Insperity, Inc., an industry-leading HR services provider, from March 2015 to June 2017; Darden Restaurants, Inc., a full-service restaurant company, from October 2014 to September 2015; Tessera Technologies, Inc. (n/k/a Xperi Corporation), a leading product and technology licensing company, from June 2013 to April 2014; and Integrated Device Technology, Inc., a company that designed, developed, manufactured and marketed a range of semiconductor solutions for the advanced communications, computing and consumer industries, from June 2012 to February 2014. Mr. Feld received a B.A. degree in Economics from Tufts University.

    About Qorvo

    Qorvo (Nasdaq:QRVO) supplies innovative semiconductor solutions that make a better world possible. We combine product and technology leadership, systems-level expertise and global manufacturing scale to quickly solve our customers’ most complex technical challenges. Qorvo serves diverse high-growth segments of large global markets, including automotive, consumer, defense & aerospace, industrial & enterprise, infrastructure and mobile. Visit www.qorvo.com to learn how our diverse and innovative team is helping connect, protect and power our planet.

    Qorvo is a registered trademark of Qorvo, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

    About Starboard Value LP

    Starboard Value LP is an investment adviser with a focused and fundamental approach to investing in publicly traded companies. Starboard seeks to invest in deeply undervalued companies and actively engage with management teams and boards of directors to identify and execute on opportunities to unlock value for the benefit of all shareholders. 

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations and contentions, and are not historical facts and typically are identified by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. You should be aware that the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations as of the date the statement is first made, but our actual results, events and performance could differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements or publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as is required under U.S. federal securities laws. Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those relating to fluctuations in our operating results on a quarterly and annual basis; our substantial dependence on developing new products and achieving design wins; our dependence on several large customers for a substantial portion of our revenue; a loss of revenue if defense and aerospace contracts are canceled or delayed; our dependence on third parties; risks related to sales through distributors; risks associated with the operation of our manufacturing facilities; business disruptions; poor manufacturing yields; increased inventory risks and costs, due to timing of customers’ forecasts; our inability to effectively manage or maintain relationships with chipset suppliers; our ability to continue to innovate in a very competitive industry; underutilization of manufacturing facilities; unfavorable changes in interest rates, pricing of certain precious metals, utility rates and foreign currency exchange rates; our acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic investments failing to achieve financial or strategic objectives; our ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees; warranty claims, product recalls and product liability; changes in our effective tax rate; enactment of international or domestic tax legislation, or changes in regulatory guidance; changes in the favorable tax status of certain of our subsidiaries; risks associated with social, environmental, health and safety regulations, and climate change; risks from international sales and operations; economic regulation in China; changes in government trade policies, including imposition of tariffs and export restrictions; we may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our debt; restrictions imposed by the agreements governing our debt; our reliance on our intellectual property portfolio; claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property rights; security breaches, failed system upgrades or regular maintenance and other similar disruptions to our IT systems; theft, loss or misuse of personal data by or about our employees, customers or third parties; provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law may discourage takeovers and business combinations that our stockholders might consider to be in their best interests; and volatility in the price of our common stock. These and other risks and uncertainties, which are described in more detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2024, and Qorvo’s subsequent reports and statements that we file with the SEC, could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any of these forward-looking statements.

    At Qorvo®
    Doug DeLieto
    VP, Investor Relations
    1.336.678.7968

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “REcathon: Rough Code”: Polytechnic students modified robots

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The Polytechnic Tower hosted the engineering and robotics hackathon “REcathon: Draft Code”, organized by the Higher School of Automation and Robotics of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport together with the student engineering association “PoliRoboTech” and PROF.IMMiT. The general partner of the event was the company “Ingriatech”.

    Opening the hackathon, Denis Kozlikin, Deputy Director for Research at IMMiT, wished the participants good luck and thanked the organizers for holding this important and necessary event, the fourth in a row.

    This year, 10 student teams competed. The jury included associate professors of the Higher School of Architecture and Rural Affairs Svetlana Kerpeleva, Mikhail Ananyevsky, Dmitry Polyakhov, Dmitry Tretyakov and Dmitry Shabanov, as well as an invited expert from the Almaz-Antey Air Defense Concern Alexey Saibel.

    This time, the hackathon became a platform for testing a new idea that was planned to be implemented. Participants had to work not with fully finished robots, but with unfinished designs. They had to not only program, but also analyze, correct errors in mechanics and electronics, and modify the product for an unknown task. This solution brought the hackathon conditions closer to real engineering practice, where specialists often have to deal with someone else’s code and unstable technical solutions.

    Another innovation was the new platforms with two drive wheels instead of four — this increased the maneuverability of the robots, but complicated the control and required more fine-tuning of the algorithms for movement and balancing. The final task was kept secret, which forced the teams to work in conditions of uncertainty and adapt to rapidly changing requirements. Two weeks were allocated for all preparation and debugging.

    The task for the hackathon was developed by the student engineering association “PoliRoboTech”. Its leader Andrey Klinovitsky noted that it is precisely such formats that teach students flexibility, engineering thinking and the ability to combine programming with mechanics, which is especially in demand in modern technological projects.

    According to the results of the tests, the winner was the Error404: Bots Not Found team consisting of: Egor Meshkov, Sofia Sokolova, Vladimir Yulik, Amir Sharif’yanov and Elizaveta Skornyakova. The second place was taken by the Termistor team: Artem Tabunshchik, Vadim Berko, Alexander Timofeev, Alexander Travin and Mikhail Orlov. The third place went to the Skrepyshi team, which included Alina Arifullina, Aidar Ibragimov, Violetta Khomenko, Ilnaz Abitov and Kirill Sultanov. All the winners are third-year students of the Higher School of Architecture and R&D.

    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: Forewarned is forearmed: lecture on combating telephone fraud held at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On May 16, 2025, the State University of Management held a relevant, important and useful lecture on combating telephone fraud.

    The lecture was given by security experts: acting Kuzminsky interdistrict prosecutor Ruslan Utegenov and head of the department for protection against illegal encroachments of the Moscow SBER Security Department Dmitry Chernov.

    The lecture discussed: – The most common fraud schemes; – How not to become a victim of fraudsters; – What to do if someone has already tried to deceive you.

    The knowledge gained during the lecture will help students of the State University of Management to protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal activity.

    We thank the speakers for their valuable knowledge, and our partner, SBER, for organizing a useful event!

    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: HSE MBA: Chinese experience for Russian managers

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The visiting module of the MBA program of the Higher School of Business of the National Research University Higher School of Economics was successfully held in Shanghai. It was attended by 94 students: top managers of large Russian companies, entrepreneurs, heads of departments of state-owned companies.

    The module was organized jointly with Fudan University, one of the leading centers of business education in Asia. The university is among the best universities in China and Asia, widely recognized for its high level of teaching, quality of scientific research and international programs in the field of economics and management.

    The theoretical part of the module covered key aspects of the economy and business of modern China. The classes were taught by Fudan University lecturers – recognized experts in their fields, experienced specialists who are engaged in research projects in the areas of global and digital economy, fintech, corporate governance, blockchain technologies, big data and cybersecurity. Many of them are graduates of leading universities around the world, publish in authoritative scientific journals and actively consult businesses and government agencies. During the week, they immersed listeners in the specifics of the financial system of the PRC, discussed challenges to the country’s competitiveness in the international arena, compared approaches to the digital transformation of industry in China and in other countries.

    The practical part of the program was no less interesting and important for the audience. The organizers of the module offered a rich plan of visits to leading Chinese companies from key industries. Among them were COSCO Shipping, one of the world’s largest operators in the field of maritime logistics; NIO Inc, a developer and manufacturer of intelligent electric vehicles and autonomous driving technologies; SAIC Motor, a Chinese automobile manufacturing corporation actively working in the direction of new energy sources and autonomous transport.

    According to the manager MBA programs Vladimir Koptsev, Higher School of Business at the National Research University Higher School of Economics, international modules allow students not only to expand their professional horizons, but also to see key global economies in dynamics.

    Koptsev Vladimir Sergeevich

    Head of the MBA program at the Higher School of Business, National Research University Higher School of Economics

    Today, China is not just an important player, but one of the world’s leading economies, influencing global processes in business, finance and technology. It is fundamentally important for us that students are not limited to theory, but personally come into contact with this reality: through visits to companies, dialogue with experts and direct immersion in the country’s economic environment.

    The reaction of the participants of the visiting module themselves is indicative; they saw from the inside how the economy of one of the largest and rapidly developing countries in the world functions, and what management models are used by business leaders of the PRC.

    “Shanghai exceeded all expectations – it is a truly technologically advanced metropolis. I especially remember the lectures with Chinese professors about how the country became a global technological leader in 40 years. I was amazed by the number of electric cars – about 80% of cars on the roads, thanks to which the city of its size remains surprisingly quiet. A visit to a robotics company left a great impression. And, of course, it was nice to meet MBA students from parallel groups. I would like to separately thank the HSE Graduate School of Business for organizing the module at such a prestigious university as Fudan, and for the excellent organization of visits to leading Chinese enterprises. This trip will be remembered for a long time – a lot of new knowledge and vivid emotions!” – assessed the results Sergey Bespalov, Manager of Consulting in the field of production and operational management, Accenture AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

    The Chinese partners highly appreciated the cooperation with the HSE Graduate School of Business: “We are sincerely glad that the students not only visited Fudan University, but also benefited from this intercultural exchange. I hope that our program opened up new perspectives for the students, contributed to the development of their communication skills and broadened their horizons. We tried to tell as much as possible about the economic and cultural characteristics of China and demonstrate them during visits to various companies. We hope to continue fruitful cooperation with the HSE Graduate School of Business in the future, so that we can host MBA students within the walls of our university more than once,” Shuang Zhang, Manager of International Programs at Fudan University.

    Upon completion of the module, all students MBA programs received an official certificate from Fudan University confirming their participation and academic achievements.

    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: Polytechnic University is first in the category “Materials Science: Metallurgy” in the rating of the “Expert” center

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The results of the rating of scientific productivity of Russian universities by the analytical center “Expert” have been announced. In the category “Materials Science: Metallurgy” (Metals and Alloys), SPbPU soared to first place (plus six positions) and headed the list of universities, beating such competitors as St. Petersburg State University, MISiS, and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

    In the comprehensive engineering rating, Polytechnic showed a sharp increase, taking 6th place (up 9 positions) and entering the first group of technical universities. Overall, the university showed high positive dynamics in almost 13 subject areas: materials science, metallurgy, renewable energy, engineering sciences, mathematics, energy, chemical technology, management, economics, computer science, ecology, social sciences, biochemistry.

    In the field of materials science, engineering sciences, social sciences, economics and management, the Polytechnic University entered the top ten universities in the country. In engineering sciences – Arost by nine positions, in materials science (plus seven positions), in management (growth by four positions).

    Such bright results confirm the importance of focus and the chosen model of technological leadership. As a leading engineering university in Russia, we are proud to train professionals for key industries of the country and contribute to world science, – emphasizes the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy.

    This is a well-deserved success – the success of our scientists and scientific and technological teams of the Polytechnic University, who actively participate not only in grants, but also in federal programs of the NCMU, Priority and PIS and wisely focus resources. Such a breakthrough growth of the university was influenced by systematic and long-term work aimed at increasing the effectiveness and quality of research work, – noted Vice-Rector for Personnel Policy of SPbPU Maria Vrublevskaya.

    The University has demonstrated steady growth in such indicators as scale, demand for scientific activity and excellence. These criteria show to what extent scientific achievements and ideas created at the University are used and applied in the technological structure and economy of the country, as well as the unique scientific competencies and results of the higher education institution, determining its leading position in various branches of science and technology.

    The Expert Analytical Center has been conducting a study of the publication activity of Russian universities since 2016. The ranking evaluates universities based on indicators of scientific productivity in subject areas over the previous four years, relying on publications in the Scopus database.

    The calculation methodology is based on four semantic blocks:

    “Demand for scientific activity” (the level of citation of the university in the region); “Scale, sustainability of scientific activity” (the share of the university’s publications in the total volume of publications in the country and the Hirsch index of researchers); “Quality of growth” (concentration of articles in journals); “Excellence” (representation among the best publications in international databases).

    The combination of these measures will allow optimizing the management of the process of forming the scientific policy of the university, achieving positive changes in the structure of scientific research and bringing the university to a new qualitative level. In total, experts analyzed 143 universities in subject rankings this year.

    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 China: China’s 11th military medical expert team to Ethiopia leaves for Addis Ababa 2025-05-19 17:38:14 The 11th Batch of Medical Aid Team of Chinese PLA to Ethiopia departed in the early morning of May 17 for Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, to perform a year-long medical aid mission.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      By Liu Dan

      The Chinese PLA Army Medical University holds a setting-out ceremony for the 11th Batch of Medical Aid Team of Chinese PLA to Ethiopia. (Photo by Wei Hongping)

      BEIJING, May 19 — The 11th Batch of Medical Aid Team of Chinese PLA to Ethiopia departed in the early morning of May 17 for Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, to perform a year-long medical aid mission.

      The 11th medical expert team, the largest military medical expert team ever sent to Ethiopia, consists of 14 military doctors. These military doctors are mainly selected from the First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA Army Medical University (AMU), covering disciplines such as clinical medicine, medical technology, hospital management, and logistic support. All the members have rich experience in clinical treatment or management.

      During domestic training, the team members received intensive targeted training on emotion management, critical illness treatment, infectious disease prevention and control, among others, which further enhanced their capabilities in carrying out overseas medical aid tasks.

      During the mission, the military medical expert team will continue to help the general hospital of the Ethiopian armed forces improve its medical support capabilities, comprehensively promote the construction of the Ethiopian national army’s newly opened specialized referral hospital, and provide support for the development of local medical and health services.

      Since 2015, the Chinese PLA Army Medical University has sent 11 batches of more than 100 medical experts to Ethiopia to perform medical support tasks for military operations other than war (MOOTW).

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: At a Glance – Choose Europe for Science – 19-05-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    During the May II plenary session, MEPs will debate the ‘Choose Europe for Science’ initiative that Ursula von der Leyen unveiled at an event held at La Sorbonne University in Paris on 5 May 2025. With investment in fundamental, free, and open research being questioned in many parts of the world, as seen recently in the United States, this initiative aims to attract scientists, researchers, academics and highly skilled professionals to Europe.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plymouth City Council Children’s Services extending contact hours

    Source: City of Plymouth

    The ‘front door’ to Council teams providing a first response to children and families when professionals and members of the public ask for more help for a family or report a safeguarding concern about a child or young person, is undergoing some changes. 

    The multi-disciplinary service is extending its hours and operating seven days a week, which means it will be more responsive and effective at dealing with all concerns and enquiries.  

    Previously, the ‘front door’ to children’s social care teams (the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub – MASH) was only open 9am to 5pm on weekdays, with all other new contacts out of these hours being dealt with by an ‘out of hours’ team.  

    From Monday 2 June 2025, the new multi-disciplinary team will respond to concerns and referrals between 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. 

    The newly extended hours will mean children, families and vulnerable adults are supported with the right help at the right time.  

    It will also mean that professionals – including teachers, police officers and healthcare staff – are able to get advice and support at a time that better suits their work patterns. 

    Outside of these hours, an Emergency Duty Service will always be on-call to review any overnight enquiries and respond to children at immediate risk of significant harm, urgent adult safeguarding risks and immediate risk of homelessness.    

    Ultimately, the changes will mean that children, families and vulnerable residents will receive more consistent help and support, with their needs being met in a timely way, and the staff team will be ready to respond proactively to issues and provide advice.  

    If you need to contact our team to get more help for a family or because you have a safeguarding concern about a child or young person, call 01752 668000 and select option 2.  

    Families and professionals who need support that is not an urgent safeguarding concern, can book a call with one of our Family Support Workers via the Early Help and SEND Advice line.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The impact of climate change is felt long before adulthood The key to understanding how climate change affects the local biodiversity might lie with the youth, scientists have recently discovered.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Close-up of an adult dragonfly, the Brown Hawker (Aeshna grandis), one of the European species featured in the new study. Researchers found that the traits developed during the dragonfly’s juvenile aquatic stage play a major role in shaping biodiversity patterns observed in the adults across Europe. Photo credit: Erland Refling NielsenThe key to understanding how climate change affects the local biodiversity might lie with the youth, scientists have recently discovered.
    A new study from the University of Aberdeen and McGill University Canada, and published in Global Ecology and Biogeography, has found that the impact of climate change on adult animals is strongly affected by the impact they experienced as juveniles.
    The scientists studied dragonflies, and found that, across Europe, the conditions in lakes, streams, and wetlands that shape the morphological diversity of aquatic juveniles (nymphs) are more important in explaining the diversity of terrestrial adults than conditions on land. These findings challenge conventional biodiversity models that focus only on the adult stage and provide a new framework for understanding the cascading effects of climate and habitat changes across life stages.
    Study author Dr Lesley Lancaster from the University of Aberdeen’s School of Biological Sciences said: “This is a really important study, as many predictions for how climate might impact diversity are based on observations of adult stages, because these tend to be more active, visible, and larger. However, we find that the observed climate impacts are actually largely indirect consequences of processes impacting juveniles – but we did find that direct impacts of climate on adults becomes more important at higher latitudes.

    This is a really important study, as many predictions for how climate might impact diversity are based on observations of adult stages, because these tend to be more active, visible, and larger.” Dr Lesley Lancaster

    Lead author Dr. Lars L. Iversen, from McGill University, added: “This is really useful going forward, as the results will provide a new general rule to guide how biodiversity scientists forecast climate responses – depending on juvenile or adult characteristics. The results can also help members of the public to understand how life stage is important in driving climate responses.
    “Finally, scientists and policy makers will be able use the data to determine whether they should target juveniles or adults for active climate adaptation and mitigation practices.”
    The study was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), and the Leibniz Association.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • We Can No Longer Afford, By Travel Or Import, To Empower Countries That Are Inimical To Our Interests And Positioned Against Us In Times Of Crisis: Vice-President

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Every Individual Is Empowered To Help The Nation In Security; Trade, Business, Commerce, And Industry In Particular Have A Pivotal Role, Says VP
    Nation First; Everything Has To Be Reckoned On The Fulcrum Of Deep Commitment And Dedication To Nationalism, Stresses VP
    This Country Cannot Afford Commercialisation And Commodification Of Education; These Are Areas To Give Back To Society, Not To Make Money, Highlights VP
    Operation Sindoor Was A Remarkable Retaliation, Befitting Our Ethos Of Peace And Tranquility To The Barbarity That Happened At Pahalgam, Says VP
    Vice-President Addressed The Annual Convocation Of Jaipuria Institute Of Management In New Delhi

    The Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today said, “Can we afford to empower countries that are inimical to our interests? Time has come when each one of us must deeply think about economic nationalism,” he said. He emphasized that, “We no longer can afford, by travel or import, to improve the economies of those countries because of our participation. And those countries, in times of crisis, are positioned against us.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1923650435002359975

    Addressing the Annual Convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today, Shri Dhankhar said, “Every individual is empowered to help the nation in security. Trade, business, commerce, and industry in particular can play a pivotal role in security issues. Therefore I firmly believe that we must always keep one thing in mind, and that is: Nation first. Everything has to be reckoned on the fulcrum of deep commitment, unflinching commitment, dedication to nationalism. And that mindset we must teach our toddlers right from day one.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1923643506263728383

    He also lauded the ongoing Operation Sindoor and paid tribute to India’s Armed Forces. “I must, on this occasion—since I am addressing youth of the country in particular—offer my salutations to all Armed Forces and the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the remarkable success of the ongoing Operation Sindoor.”

    Calling the operation a befitting response to the barbaric attack at Pahalgam, he added, “It was a remarkable retaliation, befitting our ethos of peace and tranquility to the barbarity that happened at Pahalgam—the deadliest attack on our civilians since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Prime Minister of this country, Shri Narendra Modi, sent a message from India’s heartland of Bihar to the entire global fraternity. Those were not empty words. The world now has realized: what is said is reality. “No one is asking for proof now. The world has seen and acknowledged. We have seen this saga—how that country is deeply engrossed in terrorism. “When coffins are taken with armed forces and military power and political power accompanying them, justice is done by Bharat to Sindoor in sublimity.”

    Shri Dhankhar affirmed that a new standard has been set in India’s counterterrorism efforts. “In the mechanics of war and the fight against terrorism, a new benchmark has been set. Indian Armed Forces targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed at Bahawalpur, deep inside Pakistan territory. Beyond the international border—headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, also Lashkar-e-Taiba base, Muridke. No one is asking for proof now. No one is asking for it. The world has seen and acknowledged.”

    He further added, “It is India’s deepest ever cross-border strike. Strike that was carefully, precisely calibrated to cause no damage except to the terrorist.”

    Shri Dhankhar recalled the U.S. operation on May 2nd, 2011. “This happened on May 2nd, 2011, when a global terrorist who planned, supervised, executed the September 11 attack inside the US in 2001. He was dealt with by the US similarly. Bharat has done it and done it to the knowledge of the global community.”

    Reflecting on India’s civilisational uniqueness, Shri Dhankhar noted, “We as a nation are unique. No nation in the world can take pride in having 5,000 years of civilisational ethos. We need to bridge, not breach, the divide between the East and the West.”

    Shri Dhankhar said, “How can we countenance or overlook narratives that are anti-national? Foreign universities coming to this country is something which requires filtration. It requires deep thinking. It is something we have to be extremely careful about.”

    On education and research, the Vice-President cautioned against commercialization. “This country cannot afford commercialisation and commodification of education. It is undeniable, it is present. Education and health as per our civilization ethos are not areas to make money. These are areas to give back to society. We have to discharge our obligation to society.”

    Calling upon industry leaders, he stressed the importance of research. “Educational institutions must be fully funded by corporates. CSR funds must take priority because investment in research is fundamental.”

    He concluded with a powerful reminder: “Gone are the days when we could wait for others to develop technology. If we do that, we are handicapped right from the beginning, we must avoid that.”

     

    Shri Sharad Jaipuria, Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Smt. Anjali Jaipuria, Spouse of Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Shri Shreevats Jaipuria, Vice Chairman, Jaipuria Institute of Management and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The popular science Smart Quest was held for the first time at NSU as part of the Smart Picnic

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    This format of participation of Novosibirsk State University in the traditional spring popular science festival “Smart Picnic” from Akadempark is new. The organizers tried to hold an interesting event that would introduce schoolchildren and their parents to the best university of the Multiverse a little closer.

    36 schoolchildren aged 7 to 19 took part in the Smart Quest. There were 8 teams in total, whose task was to complete a special route. The groups of participants for two hours seemed to become NSU students, who had to pass “all the tests” of the semester session and pass a total of 10 tests and exams on interactive platforms of NSU faculties and institutes.

    The grades were recorded in a real record book, which, following the quest, was given to the “commission” to sum up the results and calculate the total number of points received by the children in each game. All those who became excellent or good students received gifts from partners – Rostelecom and T-Bank (secret: absolutely all participants received prizes for participating in the quest).

    The winning teams of Smart Quest were:

    1st place – team “Roll’s Theorems”.

    2nd place – Smart team.

    3rd place – team “We know everything, but remember nothing.”

    — I decided to participate because I am planning to enter NSU in the future, I wanted to learn more about the programs. The most interesting thing was talking to the volunteers, they told me about the faculties and life at the university in general. The tasks were also interesting, for example, building a “bridge” out of noodles. We were rooting for every 100 g that the bridge would withstand.

    Our team consisted of six people, three guys from my school and two eighth-graders from Novokuznetsk. The guys were proactive. One of them was doing engineering shifts, which was very helpful in some tasks. Despite the fact that we are from different cities, we became very close with the guys, there were no disagreements, we are especially grateful to the volunteer Maria, who tried to bring us together.

    The name for the team was chosen as “Roll’s Theorems” because they had recently taken a session and the theorem was one of the questions.

    We are very happy about the victory, it was unexpected for us, because there were teams of guys that initially seemed stronger to us. We were also pleased with the prizes from the sponsors! – Vasilisa Bedareva, a student of grades 11-10, shared her impressions SUNC NSU and a member of the Rolle’s Theorems team.

    Almost all faculties and institutes of NSU took part in the Smart Quest; interactive platforms were organized in three buildings of the university – the main building, the laboratory building and the educational building.

    — I participated in Smart Quest as a volunteer headman who helped his group of newly minted “students” cope with the quest tasks. I decided to participate because I wanted to be a small part of NSU for a while. Most of all, of course, I liked showing new people our university, which looks like a small amusement park with its own zones.

    I was on the Pink team, because of their age and small number of participants they had no advantage, but they weren’t interested in winning. The little girls wanted to learn more, see more and leave more memories for the future, – said Timofey Dolgov, a fourth-year student Physics Department of NSU.

    We thank the schoolchildren who decided to get to know NSU better, and the volunteers of the Humanities Institute, the Faculty of Information Technology, the General Medicine department of the Faculty of Medicine and Medical Technology, the Faculty of Physics, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, the Faculty of Economics and the Advanced Engineering School for their help in organizing and lively communication with our guests!

    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: 500 winners of the second competitive selection for the appointment of the Russian Presidential Scholarship for postgraduate and adjunct students have been determined

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The 500 winners of the second competitive selection for the appointment of the Russian Federation Presidential Scholarship for postgraduate and adjunct students have been announced. The monthly scholarship is 75 thousand rubles. The payment is assigned for a period of 1 to 4 years.

    “I congratulate the graduate students and adjuncts who won the competitive selection. The Russian President’s scholarship is awarded for the second time, and it is received by the truly worthy – those who advance the field of research and development and help achieve the national goal set by the head of state – technological leadership. We are proud and appreciate your contribution to the scientific development of our country!” – said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The research of scholarship applicants must be based on the priorities defined by the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation, approved by Vladimir Putin on February 28, 2024.

    “The presidential scholarship is awarded to talented young researchers who will have to solve large-scale problems. We are talking about creating technologies and products that will surpass foreign analogues, will ensure technological leadership of our country in key, promising areas. For this, our scholarship holders have the main thing – talent, knowledge, daring, as well as the support of mentors and the state,” said the head of the Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov.

    Candidates for such support were nominated by their scientific supervisors.

    In total, more than 4.6 thousand applications from 73 subjects of Russia were received for the competition. Representatives of all federal districts became winners, including 2 postgraduate students from new regions.

    The largest number of applications were submitted in the field of “Technical Sciences”.

    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: Science and education in the prism of agro-industrial complex: State University of Management and Holding Company Elinar signed a cooperation agreement

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On May 19, 2025, a ceremonial signing of an agreement on cooperation in the field of higher education and science was held between the State University of Management and JSC Holding Company Elinar.

    On behalf of the State University of Management, the agreement was signed by Rector Vladimir Stroyev, and on behalf of Elinar, by General Director Igor Kuimov.

    After signing the agreement, the high-ranking guest admitted that in 1985 he took advanced training courses at the State University of Management, which later helped him a lot. The year was a turning point, when many scientific discussions were held about the path the Soviet Union’s economy should take.

    Vladimir Stroyev recalled that at that time, the Center for Business Games was functioning at the State University of Management, where many successful entrepreneurs and managers came from. And graduates of those years have not forgotten their native university to this day – on Fridays they gathered for an evening meeting at the initiative of Vasily Golubev, Member of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs.

    Continuing the theme of turning points, Vladimir Vitalyevich noted that during the restructuring of the education system in the 1990s, the State University of Management managed to preserve elements of the Soviet system focused on management in the industrial sectors. And today, when higher education and science are being reformed again, the State University of Management is doing everything to quickly restore clear connections with various sectors of the economy.

    “Modern graduates are very ambitious and will definitely become managers. But without an industry base, it will be difficult for them to meet the demands of the time. In addition, they have a new clip-based thinking that quickly switches between tasks. Accordingly, educational programs need to be rebuilt for this perception. The cooperation of our university with large manufacturers will help them become truly skilled and competent managers. Therefore, I am glad that we have started contacting you and signed this agreement,” Vladimir Stroyev addressed Igor Kuimov.

    After the official part, representatives of GUU and Elinar went to discuss working proposals. Vice-Rector Dmitry Bryukhanov headed the section on education, Vice-Rector Maria Karelina – the section on science.

    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 United Kingdom: Childminding Recruitment Campaign

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    A call is going out for Dundee people to consider taking up a career in childminding.  

    The City Council is supporting the Scottish Childminding Association’s (SCMA) recruitment campaign, which a senior councillor calls an “investment in the future of the city”.  

    Advantages of flexible employability opportunities for local people to work from their own home, as well as the potential growth of childcare options for city families are being highlighted as benefits.  

    Funded training and support would be provided to successful applicants, who will also be able to access employability and Business Gateway support throughout the programme and into their self-employment journey.  

    Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure convener Cllr Steven Rome said: “We are acutely aware in the drop of the number of childminders across Scotland, which is reflected in our city.  

    “I think that this campaign will provide an investment in the future of the city, for those who set up childminding businesses and for the children and families themselves.”  

    Children, Families and Communities convener Cllr Stewart Hunter added: “We fully support this SCMA campaign which will help develop flexible and exciting employment opportunities for local people.  

    “It will also help provide more childcare options for families to allow them to take on more training or employment themselves.”  

    The campaign features Dundee childminder Elaine Bruce, who runs Elaine’s Amazing Spaces

    Elaine worked in child education for 38 years and previously worked in a senior position in a nursery. She realised she could be a professional childminder, working from home with small numbers of children.    

    She said: “I’d thoroughly recommend childminding as a career. If you’ve got a passion for working with children, the opportunity is there to make a really great business.”  

    “I felt really supported by SCMA, particularly throughout the process of registration. I thought the one-to-one support available from SCMA was invaluable. Any problem or question, no matter how small, I received help so quickly. It’s really reassuring to have experts in childminding to refer to.”  

    Elaine explains that childminding brings great benefits for the children who take part.  

    “With smaller numbers involved in childminding, there’s lots of opportunity for the younger ones to learn together to share and play in wee groups. It’s an important part of learning – things like waiting their turn – and I believe being around children that aren’t their siblings is important.”  

    A dedicated SCMA Workforce Officer is assigned to each candidate to provide expert, one-to-one support through the process of registration with the Care Inspectorate. Personalisation of the process is integral to the progression of candidates, ensuring they feel fully informed about their future career in childminding, and means they are less likely to drop out.  

    Childminders provide high-quality childcare from their home that is nurturing and safe and also provides the flexibility for childminders and their ‘mindees’ to ‘get out and about so that children have chances to learn from real life experiences.  

    As with other childcare providers such as nurseries, childminders are guided by the Curriculum for Excellence and are required to follow the values and principles of the ‘Getting It Right for Every Child’ (GIRFEC) framework, which supports the health and wellbeing of children.  

    Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, Scottish Childminding Association, said: “Childminding is a vital community asset providing local flexible childcare and family support which is so important in remote and rural communities.  The Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future is an important step towards addressing the urgent demand for high-quality childcare from parents and carers and recruiting childminders in areas where they are most needed. This is a fantastic opportunity for those living in these areas to access a wealth of support in setting up their own sustainable childminding business and to undertake a rewarding new career.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of burn out

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Addyman, Associate Professor in Project Management, UCL

    Kittirat Roekburi/Shutterstock

    The pressure of decarbonising industrial sectors is weighing on workers.

    The UK’s Labour government seeks a low-carbon and homegrown energy supply by 2030. The scale and pace of this transformation is unprecedented in the country’s power sector, and will involve building twice as much transmission infrastructure (pylons, cables, substations) in the next five years as was built over the last decade.

    Much of the workforce will be drawn from the construction sector, which employs 2.3 million people. Construction forms the dominant supply chain to the 17 major infrastructure projects involved in an overhaul of the electricity grid that will connect new wind farms in the North Sea and northern Scotland to homes and businesses across Great Britain.

    The workers “on the tools” who will carry out much of this transformation are struggling. The latest analysis from the Office for National Statistics suggests that the suicide risk of construction workers is three times higher than the male national average. Scholars of construction project management have identified a toxic workplace culture in the industry, citing aggressive market competition and demanding performance metrics.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    This is a problem that is largely being ignored. When planners at the National Energy System Operator assessed the UK’s capacity to build a clean power sector by 2030, they considered the absolute number of workers needed, the skills required and how employment is changing in the sector.

    Their assessment failed to consider the broader implications for workforce mental health and wellbeing of such a quick and comprehensive upgrade – but it is people who are going through a rapid transition, not just infrastructure.

    Expect more of these in years to come.
    J R Patterson/Shutterstock

    Going green, feeling blue

    Construction workers already endure long hours and stress due to tight deadlines. A rapid transition to green power will substantially increase their workload, unless managed carefully.

    Our report, published July 2024, looked into wellbeing and suicide in the construction industry. We concluded that the UK government, major infrastructure owners such as National Grid and their supply chain partners who provide specialist design and construction services, must work together to solve this problem.

    Major infrastructure owners offer mental health services, such as confidential counselling, legal advice and financial guidance, to help their own employees manage personal or work-related issues. But most workers on the tools are not directly employed by these owners. Most are self-employed, or hired by construction firms, of which 99% are small- and medium-sized enterprises.

    More than 96% of construction firms have fewer than 15 employees. Smaller suppliers of specialist trade skills, like electrical and mechanical installation, have fewer employment protections and more compressed schedules, and are even less likely to have the capacity to provide these services.

    Some infrastructure owners and big construction companies extend their health and wellbeing services to these smaller suppliers. However, in an industry that is dominated by competitive tendering, which favours suppliers that keep costs low, it is no surprise that uptake has been low.

    Owners of infrastructure assets like electricity pylons and substations can drive workplace improvements by adopting procurement models that prioritise suppliers that are offering measures to improve worker wellbeing.

    Research from one of us (Jing Xu) and fellow project management expert Yanga Wu, has shown that the top-down prescriptive approach traditionally applied to health and safety in construction does not work for wellbeing. This requires a bottom-up approach, that makes it easy for workers to tell managers what they are struggling with and what they think would help.

    The construction sector also faces a shortage of workers and skills required for the green transition. The industry training board forecasts that the industry must attract the equivalent of 50,300 extra workers a year to meet expected levels of work over the next five years.

    The UK is not training enough workers to achieve net zero.
    Paya Mona/Shutterstock

    In the power sector, however, there is the additional complication of an ageing workforce, as well as differences in employment conditions between permanent and contract staff. Key expertise is at risk of being lost with retirements. Older workers often face additional pressure, not only to meet performance targets but also to compensate for gaps in expertise, and all within a fast-paced environment.

    To improve mental health and wellbeing among a diverse workforce requires engaging with workers directly and ensuring their voices are heard. This involves more than upgrading technical skills. Research to better understand how organisations can care for their workforce in the context of increasing pressures due to achieving net zero is also vital.

    Further research and collaboration with infrastructure owners and major construction contractors could help manage the risks and provide valuable insights for other sectors that will need to follow suit, such as heating, transport and agriculture.

    It is imperative to consider what a transition means: the technical transition of replacing outmoded technology, as well as the social transition, which prioritises not only skills but workplace mental health. Without a focus on both policy and people, clean power will not be delivered.

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

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Simon Addyman receives funding from University College London.

    Jing Xu receives funding from University College London.

    – ref. Britain’s net zero construction workforce is already at risk of burn out – https://theconversation.com/britains-net-zero-construction-workforce-is-already-at-risk-of-burn-out-249328

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata Congratulates ASCC Graduates

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

    Amata Congratulates ASCC Graduates

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is congratulating the 2025 graduates of the American Samoa Community College. 

    ASCC Commencement

    “My warmest congratulations to each graduate in the several collegiate programs, and congratulations also to each proud parent or mentor! I’m so happy for each one of our graduates, and it was a pleasure to be there to see you graduate,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I want to say thank you to each teacher for investing in these lives that will strengthen our islands for years to come, and President Dr. Rosevonne Pato for her leadership. Thank you especially to Adrian Fa’amalolo Vasai for her excellent commencement address, and I appreciate the Most Reverend Kolio Tuimanuvao Etuale, Bishop of the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago.”

    “To our graduates, as you start your next steps, keep your faith strong—that’s what we Sāmoans do!” continued Aumua Amata. “As you go forward, you have all you need most in your family right here, and your values, and our Samoan way — respect for others, kindness, decency, and prayer. So pray through your upcoming decisions, and have wonderful lives!”

    See Photo Gallery Here

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 May 2025 Departmental update World No Tobacco Day 2025 Awards – meet the winners

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Each year, WHO honours individuals and organizations from each of the six WHO regions for their outstanding contributions to tobacco control. These accolades include the WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Awards, the World No Tobacco Day Awards, and, in 2025, one WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition Certificate.

    The recipients of the 2025 awards are:

    WHO Director-General Special awards:

    • Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President, Republic of Maldives
    • The Ministry of Health and Wellness, Republic of Mauritius

    WHO Director-General’s Special Recognition certificate:

    • Global Center for Good Governance in Tobacco Control (GGTC)

    African Region

    • Programme National de Lutte contre le Tabagisme, l’Alcoolisme, la Toxicomanie et les autres Addictions (PNLTA), Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
    • Dr Brou Dieudonne Koffi, Secretary, Organization of the Network of NGOs Engaged in Tobacco Control (ROCTACI), Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
    • Labram Massawudu Musah, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development, Republic of Ghana
    • Elvina Majiwa, Student, United States International University-Africa, Republic of Kenya
    • Charity Aienobe-Asekharen, Health Promotion, Education and Community Development Initiative (HPECDI), Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Region of the Americas

    • Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA), Federative Republic of Brazil
    • Lisa Lu, CEO, International Youth Tobacco Control, United States of America

    Shared award:

    • Ministry of Finance, Federative Republic of Brazil
    • Ministry of Health, Federative Republic of Brazil

    Shared award:

    • Denis Choinière, Retired Director, Tobacco Products Regulatory Office, Health Canada
    • Clifton Curtis (in memoriam), Environmental Lawyer, United States of America

    Shared award:

    • Colectivo Todas y Todos por la Vida, Republic of Ecuador
    • Acción Jurídica Popular, Republic of Ecuador

    Shared award:

    • Asociación de Periodismo con Lupa, Republic of Peru
    • Cooperativa de Trabajo Sudestada, Eastern Republic of Uruguay
    • Proyecto sobre Organización, Desarrollo, Educación e Investigación (PODER), United Mexican States

    Eastern Mediterranean Region

    • Dr Seyed Morteza Khatami, Deputy for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Islamic Republic of Iran
    • Mr Lhassane Hallou, Director of Studies and International Cooperation, Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes, Kingdom of Morocco
    • Hamad Medical Corporation Tobacco Control Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre, State of Qatar

    European Region

    • Dr Lena Nanushyan, First Deputy Minister of Health, Republic of Armenia
    • Dr Franz Pietsch, Head of Directorate, Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Republic of Austria
    • Mr Frank Vandenbroucke, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Social Affairs and Public Health, Kingdom of Belgium
    • Professor Constantine Vardavas, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
    • Dr Shukhrat Shukurov, Chief Specialist, Institute of Health and Strategic Development, Republic of Uzbekistan

    South-East Asia Region

    • National Board of Revenue, People’s Republic of Bangladesh
    •  State Tobacco Control Cell, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, Republic of India
    •  Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal
    •  Mr Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, Chairman of Bangkok Tobacco Products Control Committee, Kingdom of Thailand

    Western Pacific Region

    • Professor Emily Banks AM, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, Senior Principal Research Fellow, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Australia
    • Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health, Cook Islands
    • Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Republic of the Philippines
    • Ms Dao Hong Lan, Minister of Health, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

    Shared award:

    • YB Datuk Seri Dr Haji Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Minister of Health, Malaysia
    • Dr Noraryana Binti Hassan, Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
    • Dr Murallitharan Munisamy, Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control, Malaysia

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Apply now to get 30 hours funded childcare from September

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The expansion means eligible working families in Wolverhampton can now apply for 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.

    The changes being rolled out by the Government are designed to support a child’s early education and help families better balance work and family life.

    To qualify, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at national minimum or living wage, and have an income of less than £100,000 per year. Applications must be made by 31 August, 2025 to access funded childcare from September, with the window for applications now open.

    To find out more, including how to apply, please visit the Childcare Choices website.  

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Every year hundreds of families in Wolverhampton benefit from funded childcare schemes at participating nurseries, schools and childminders around the city, and its great news that this is being extended to offer 30 hours of funded childcare per week to children from the term they turn 9 months right through until they reach school age.

    “Accessing early education gives your child the chance to learn, play and make new friends and the opportunity to develop and master new skills. It supports them as they prepare for school by helping them to communicate, explore new experiences, be active and healthy – and of course, it also helps parents juggle careers and childcare.

    “I would encourage eligible working parents who are not yet accessing funded childcare but would benefit from doing so to sign up at Childcare Choices today.”

    Apart from funded childcare for eligible working parents, people in receipt of certain benefits are also eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare for 2 year olds, known as Terrific for Twos in Wolverhampton.

    Meanwhile, eligible working parents and carers with children aged 11 or under can get up to £2,000 per child each year towards their childcare costs, or up to £4,000 for children with a disability aged 16 or under, though the tax free childcare scheme. 
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Russia is labelling Oscar Jenkins a ‘mercenary’, not a prisoner of war. What’s the difference – and why does this matter?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University

    Oscar Jenkins, a 33-year-old former teacher from Melbourne, was one of many foreigners who responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call in 2022 for volunteers to join Ukraine’s armed forces to help repel Russia’s invasion.

    In early 2024, Jenkins joined Ukraine’s International Legion of Territorial Defence, which has attracted some 20,000 fighters from 50 countries since the war began. He had no previous military experience, but this wasn’t a requirement to join.

    In December, Jenkins was captured by Russian forces in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine and accused of serving as a “mercenary” in Ukraine’s 66th Mechanised Brigade’s 402nd Rifle Battalion. He was tried in a Russian court and sentenced on May 16 to 13 years imprisonment in a maximum-security penal colony.

    When a foreigner volunteers to fight in a war, their legal status under international law can be complicated.

    Are they a soldier with the full authorisation of one of the warring parties to engage in hostilities? Or are they an illegal mercenary?

    And what happens if they are captured?

    Why legal status matters

    The answers to these questions have very real importance to the thousands of foreigners who have joined Ukraine’s International Legion since 2022.

    Russian authorities have classified all of Ukraine’s foreigner fighters as “mercenaries”. They’ve used this label to deny foreign fighters the status of “prisoner of war” (POW), with the requisite protections that come along with that under international humanitarian law.

    While foreigners are permitted under international law to enlist in the armed forces of a state for political or moral reasons, mercenaries have historically been outlawed due to their sole motivation being financial gain.

    International humanitarian law (the rules that govern war) define mercenaries as individuals who are not nationals or residents of a state engaged in war and are recruited to fight outside that state’s official armed forces.

    They are motivated solely by private gain (like money or promises of reward), often well in excess of what the traditional armed forces are paid. Mercenaries are essentially professional soldiers who sell their services to a state without any real ties to that country.

    Once a fighter is classified as a “mercenary”, they lose all the legal protections that are traditionally afforded lawful combatants.

    This includes prisoner of war status if they are captured and immunity from prosecution for fighting in a conflict. Prisoners of war are also entitled to humane treatment and access to food and medical care. And they cannot be subjected to sham trials or torture.

    According to my research, many of the foreign nationals who joined the International Legion were motivated by a desire to defend Ukraine against Russia’s aggression. They were sworn into Ukraine’s armed forces and paid the same as a Ukrainian soldier of equal rank.

    Once enlisted in the armed forces, they were immediately exempt from “mercenary” status, irrespective of their motivation for joining.

    As such, these foreign fighters should be entitled to the full range of protections guaranteed to members of Ukraine’s armed forces under the Geneva Conventions.

    Labelling lawful foreign members of the Ukrainian armed forces as “mercenaries”, and denying them their protections, is an abuse of international law.

    How can Australia protect its nationals?

    If an Australian enlists in Ukraine’s armed forces and is captured by Russian forces, there is a limited toolkit the Australian government can use to help him or her. However, it is not powerless.

    Through its embassy in Moscow, Australia can request access to detainees to assess their welfare while in prison. Russia can, however, decline this access. Details of a detainee’s capture may also be withheld.

    Australia can also apply diplomatic pressure to ensure humane treatment of prisoners and their full POW rights.

    This can be done by working with international bodies, such as the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention or organisations like the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), which can request access to detainees.

    It appears the government is already doing some of these things. According to Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the government has been working with Ukraine and the ICRC to advocate for Jenkins’ welfare and release, and providing consular support to Jenkins’ family.

    Australia also has an obligation to warn its citizens they will likely face severe consequences if they travel to Ukraine to fight and are captured by Russian forces, given Russia’s misuse of the “mercenary” label.

    Through back-channel negotiations, Australia could also push Ukraine or its allies to include Australians being held by Russia in future prisoner swaps.

    In January of this year, Ukraine and Russia carried out such an exchange of 470 prisoners from both nations. And in talks last week in Turkey, both sides agreed to release another 1,000 prisoners on each side.

    Such exchanges have involved foreign fighters in the past. In 2022, 10 foreign citizens were included in a prisoner swap, including five Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, a Swede and a Moroccan. Several of them had been convicted of being mercenaries and sentenced to death after a Russian sham trial.

    There is no guarantee Jenkins would qualify for such an exchange, however, if Russia continues to classify him as a mercenary.

    Shannon Bosch 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. Russia is labelling Oscar Jenkins a ‘mercenary’, not a prisoner of war. What’s the difference – and why does this matter? – https://theconversation.com/russia-is-labelling-oscar-jenkins-a-mercenary-not-a-prisoner-of-war-whats-the-difference-and-why-does-this-matter-256996

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politics, protest and some seriously inappropriate songs: who gets censored at Eurovision, and who doesn’t?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Strong, Associate Professor, Music Industry, RMIT University

    As always, Eurovision 2025 was full of glitter, costume reveals, divas, spectacle and, of course, controversy. From ongoing calls to ban Israel from participating, to one song that had to be edited since it was too inappropriate, here’s what you may have missed from this year’s contest.

    A milkshake meltdown

    For Australian viewers, the final may have been a bit of a letdown because, for the second year in a row, our contestant failed to get past the semis.

    Go-Jo’s Milkshake Man seemed like a strong offering, with its daft and suggestive lyrics, huge energy and oversized blender prop – but some weak vocals on the night left us in the cold.

    Other wacky entries of the uniquely Eurovision variety fared better, though. Sweden’s ode to saunas, Bara Bada Bastu, started the night as the favourite to win and ended high with a fourth placing, just behind Estonia’s rubbery-legged Tommy Cash, whose love song to coffee may have just been more relatable to voters.

    Serving what?

    More controversial was Miriana Conte’s song for Malta, originally titled Serving Kant, with kant being the Maltese word for singing. But this thinly disguised attempt to celebrate “serving cunt” was deemed inappropriate by the European Broadcasting Union, and reworked as simply Serving.

    This performance is part of a long Eurovision tradition of celebrating queer culture. Each year, multiple entries use LGBTQIA+ imagery, tropes and lyrics to celebrate the theme of being who you are.

    Last year’s event marked the first time two non-binary performers were featured in the contest. One of them, Switzerlans’s Nemo, won. As a side note, Nemo’s return performance this year may be one of the best things to ever grace the Eurovision stage.

    But it seems Malta’s cheeky play on the theme didn’t pay off, as it landed them in 17th place by the end of the voting.

    Other stand-out performances included Finland’s Erika Vikman, who outperformed a whole crop of big-voiced divas in sparkly body suits by riding a giant flaming microphone to the roof of the stadium during the, ahem, climax to Ich Komme (which translates to “I’m coming”).

    Less in your face, yet strangely compelling, were the women of Latvia’s folk band Tautumeitas. In their forest-nymph-axolotl (?) costumes, they delivered a flawless and gentle performance.

    A heated, close race to the top

    The winner was, as is often the case at Eurovision, a more serious song that showcased a high level of musicianship and vocal ability. Austria’s JJ performance of Wasted Love was stripped-back compared to most of the rivals.

    JJ took to the stage alone, using a completely black and white palette that stood out against the reds that dominated the rest of the night. The way he used his body onstage, and the dynamism of his soprano voice – moving from a conventional pop vocal style to a more operatic delivery – was compellingly dramatic, and was rewarded by the juries and public voters.

    It was a close race for the top spot however. I imagine the broadcasting union breathed a sigh of relief when Austria knocked Israel into second place at the last moment.

    Israel’s presence in the contest has been a source of division and conflict since the events of October 7. For two years there have been highly publicised calls to expel Israel from the competition, in light of the extreme atrocities and human rights abuses taking place on the ground in Gaza.



    Read more:
    1 in 5 Gazans face starvation. Can the law force Israel to act?

    Multiple pro-Palestinian rallies took to the streets in the host city, Basel, and protesters trying to disrupt the Israeli performance found their way into the arena during the rehearsals and final. While they did not make it into the broadcast, there were reports of audience members being removed, staff being hit with paint, and violent clashes with security and police.

    Beyond this, 70 ex-competitors and, separately, more than 4,000 Nordic music workers put their names on open letters protesting Israel’s inclusion in the contest. But these attempts failed, partly because the countries involved did not threaten to withdraw themselves if Israel participated (which was how Russia was expelled from the 2022 contest, in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine).

    What can we expect moving forward

    It’s worth considering what Israel’s inclusion in the contest does allow. In recently published work, my coauthors and I consider what it means to face up to some of the uglier aspects of music and music-making – and to sit with the discomfort, rather than ignore it.

    If Israel had been excluded, those calling for its exclusion may have achieved a sense that a certain wrong had been righted, and the Eurovision party could go on, free from worry.

    Yet the realities of events in Gaza would not have disappeared. Viewers at home would simply not have to think about them.

    Israel’s inclusion – and the opposition to it – forces us to ask what role, if any, cultural institutions can play in helping put a stop to what the International Court of Justice has said can plausibly be called a genocide.

    While the broadcasting union could perhaps put pressure on Israel with a ban, the fissures of Israel’s continued inclusion have shone a spotlight on other types of pressure and resistance – and the power music has in bringing people together for the explicit purpose of being political.

    Catherine Strong 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. Politics, protest and some seriously inappropriate songs: who gets censored at Eurovision, and who doesn’t? – https://theconversation.com/politics-protest-and-some-seriously-inappropriate-songs-who-gets-censored-at-eurovision-and-who-doesnt-256447

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team checking Dunedin student rentals comply with tenancy law

    Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment MBIE (2)

    The visits will identify any breaches of the Act and prompt action by landlords who are found to be not complying with their legal obligations.

    Acting TCIT National Manager, Clare Lyons-Montgomery, says landlords must provide rental homes that are warm, safe and dry.

    “Young people are a priority population for our team, as they can be vulnerable and unaware of their rights because they are new to renting.

    “Landlords have obligations and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act and must provide a rental home that complies with all building, health and safety requirements in additional to tenancy law,” Clare Lyons-Montgomery said.

    Landlords have responsibilities throughout the life of each rental, including at the commencement. This includes attending to maintenance and repairs in a timely manner.

    All rental properties must also comply with the healthy homes standards by 1 July 2025. Landlords are responsible for ensuring their properties meet the healthy homes standards and continue to do so over time. All new tenancies from 1 July must comply with the standards immediately.

    “This visit is an opportunity to change the perception that living in a run-down student flat is a ‘rite of passage’ and just part of university life. We want to make it clear to landlords what their responsibilities are and what the consequences of non-compliance are,” Clare Lyons-Montgomery said.

    “MBIE regularly engages with student associations, including those at the University of Otago. This visit is another opportunity to encourage them to speak with their landlords about issues in their rental homes and then if they cannot resolve issues between themselves they can speak with us.”

    Otago University Students Association (OUSA) President Liam White say many Otago students are forced to live in cold, old, and mouldy flats and their landlords must be held to account.

    “We’re proud to support MBIE’s flat inspections and hope to send a clear message: if you rent a flat, you must meet legal standards or face the consequences,” Liam White said.

    “Students often tell us they hesitate to raise issues with landlords or property managers out of fear — fear of jeopardising future references or creating more problems for themselves. Even when they do speak up, many face radio silence or endless delays.

    “Otago students deserve better. Warm, healthy homes aren’t optional — they’re the legal minimum. We back every move to ensure these standards are enforced, and through OUSA Student Support, we continue to empower students with advice, advocacy, and education across the academic year,” Liam White said.

    If a tenant thinks the property they are renting is not up to standard they should speak to their landlord. If they are still not satisfied they should put their concerns in writing to the landlord giving them a reasonable time to fix any problems, or issue a 14-day notice to their landlord.

    If the landlord still doesn’t fix the issue or satisfy the tenants’ concerns they can make a complaint on the Tenancy Services website or apply to the Tenancy Tribunal to make a decision on the dispute.

    MBIE’s Tenancy Services website provides information and tools to assist tenants and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities at every stage of their tenancy.

    Tenancy Services(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China and Uzbekistan have created a joint archaeological center

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — The Archaeological Institute of North China’s Shanxi Province, the Shanxi Province Museum and Fergana State University (Uzbekistan) recently established a joint archaeological center in Uzbekistan.

    The opening ceremony of the Fergana-Shanxi Archaeological Center and the Laboratory for the Protection and Restoration of Cultural Monuments was held at the Fergana State University in the city of Fergana. At the same time, a multimedia exhibition “The Age of Yu Hong /533-592/” was opened at the said university, according to the website of the Cultural Heritage Protection Department of Shanxi Province.

    Yu Hong is a native of Central Asia. He was sent on a mission to the Celestial Empire and then stayed and held a high position.

    The exhibition is said to allow visitors to deepen their understanding of the cultural landscape of the Silk Road and Central Asia.

    The Great Silk Road, formed more than 2,000 years ago as a trans-Eurasian highway, facilitated economic and cultural exchanges between China and the West. The Sogdians, who inhabited the territory of Sogdiana from the middle of the 1st millennium BC, actively participated in trade along this route. One of the representatives of the Sogdians is considered to be Yu Hong, who came to the Celestial Empire more than 1,400 years ago and “established roots” in its territory, shared the director of the Archaeological Institute of Shanxi Province Fan Wenqian.

    Both sides, according to him, will cooperate in the field of joint archaeological research, training of specialists, protection of cultural monuments and organization of exhibitions.

    Rector of Fergana State University Bakhodirjon Shermukhammadov noted the ancient history of contacts between Central Asia and China. He expressed confidence that cooperation with China will contribute to the development of archaeological research at the university.

    The interaction between the two sides clearly demonstrates the modern significance of the Great Silk Road. Fergana State University is trying to serve as an example of Uzbek-Chinese cultural exchanges and cooperation, he added.

    Let us recall that in 1999, an ancient tomb was discovered in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province. According to the epitaph, a native of Central Asia was buried there, who bore the Chinese surname and name Yu Hong.

    It became one of the sensational events in the archaeological community. Yu Hong’s tomb was listed as one of the top 10 archaeological discoveries in China that year. The white marble sarcophagus and other exquisite cultural relics unearthed during the excavation were displayed in many countries and regions around the world, including the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New fleet fortifies Auckland Emergency Management capability

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Auckland Emergency Management’s ability to deliver urgent response operations has been further enhanced, with eight new vehicles and three catering trailers ready to hit the road.

    Each highly specialised vehicle in the new emergency response fleet is purpose-built and equipped with tools and provisions that allow teams to go off-road and safely undertake a wide range of activities.

    The upgraded fleet supplements existing equipment and resources and is a big step forward in strengthening AEM’s local coordination capabilities and ability to help Aucklanders in emergencies like flooding, particularly in remote and rural areas. 

    “The new fleet gives us the tools to get where we need to go, stay there as long as we’re needed, and support the communities who need us most,” says John Cranfield, Head of Operations, Auckland Emergency Management. “It’s about being ready for anything—today and into the future.”

    One of the new class 2 trucks equipped with a wide range of specialist tools and gear to support response activities.

    The new equipment also enhances AEM’s ability to support wider civil defence needs across the country. Whether delivering supplies, supporting civil defence centres, or managing field operations in remote areas, the enhanced fleet will help our responders deploy to impacted areas and remain self-sufficient whilst there, so as not to place further strain on local resources.

    The fleet includes two new 4×4 class 2 trucks with a raised chassis, which enables operations in and around floodwaters when it’s safe to do so. These trucks are equipped with hydraulic ladder systems, winches, and specialised search-and-rescue lights. They will be used by response teams in the North and West to undertake response activities as needed, says John.

    Three new 4×4 command vans will provide invaluable situational awareness to coordinate response efforts from out in the field. Each specialised van is equipped with computers, Low Earth Orbit satellite internet capability and radio repeaters, enabling the vans to function as a small mobile office. The vans are fully self-sufficient, with a generator and fridge, making them particularly useful in isolated areas.

    Three Ford Ranger Wildtrak utes have also joined the AEM fleet, providing further capacity to navigate floodwaters and off-road terrain. With searchlights, winches, and specialised tools and equipment onboard, the utes will be used in rescue activities and everyday operations.

    To help deliver hot meals and drinks to New Zealand response teams and community members in need, three new catering trailers have been acquired to boost AEM’s capability at Civil Defence Centres and in remote or isolated areas.

    “We are ready to respond wherever these new vehicles are needed. The additional capability means we have more opportunity to assist when there are multiple events occurring across the region at the same time,” says John.

    The new fleet has been blessed at a ceremony, led by local iwi Ngāti Tamaoho and attended by councillors, emergency services personnel, New Zealand response teams, and other key partners.

    Funding for the vehicles came through Auckland Council’s storm recovery fund and AEM’s capital expenditure budget and is a critical part of the region’s ongoing commitment to build resilience to manage severe weather events.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –