The Isle of Wight Council is seeking to expand its SEND provisions across the Island.
The proposed additional SEND provision will help manage an increase in the number of children (with an education health and care plan (EHCP)) and ensure we are able to meet the needs of children requiring specialist provision).
The proposed programme seeks to provide specialist education placement for additional children from September 2025 and beyond.
Subject to approval from Cabinet on Thursday 24 April, a consultation period will begin on Friday 2 May and will run until Monday 9 June 2025.
This report, being presented to Cabinet seeks approval to consult on the following expansion of places:
Expansion of places at Medina House School from 138 places to 168, with 30 places being provided at a satellite provision located at the site of the former Chillerton & Rookley Primary School, Chillerton IOW.
Expansion of the resourced provision at Hunnyhill Primary School from 8 places to 12 places for children for Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).
Expansion of the resourced provision at Brading CE Primary School from 8 places to 12 places for children with Autism Spectrum (AS) and/or Complex Learning.
Expansion of the resourced provision at The Bay CE Primary School (Secondary site) from 15 places to 20 places for children with Autism Spectrum (AS).
Expansion of Lionheart School from 60 places to 120 places, with 60 places for children with complex high anxiety mental health (Non- EHCP/Section 19 children) being provided at the Cowes Primary School site, Cowes (subject to closure on the 31/8/2025).
Expansion of St Georges School from 208 places to 228 places, with 40 places being provided at the satellite site located in East Cowes.
Creation of a new 12 place primary resourced provision at Brighstone CE Primary School for children with Autism Spectrum (AS) and/or Speech Language Communication Need (SLCN).
Ashley Whittaker, Strategic Director of Children’s Services said: ‘‘The additional SEND places are essential for us to develop and improve our education offering across the Island. Contrary to the declining birth rate, the Island has seen a significant growth in the need for additional special educational needs provision.’’
‘‘Without adequate support, children with SEND may struggle to access the curriculum, leading to gaps in their learning and development. This can result in lower academic achievement and hinder their ability to develop essential life skills
Should we move ahead to consultation the notices will be published on Friday 2 May. The consultation will be accessible online . Details of the consultation are to be shared with all schools across the Island to ensure a full engagement in the process and meetings held at all schools named.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The State University held a summing up and awarding ceremony for the winners of the open competition of projects by students in grades 9-11, “If I were the head of the city (district).”
The competition included the completion of a project on the topic “If I were the head of the city (district)” in the following areas:
Social complex. Housing and communal services complex. Urban studies and urban development initiatives. System of interaction with civil society institutions.
The works were assessed by an expert committee on a 10-point scale. The winners of the competition in each of the areas were the participants whose works scored the highest amount of points.
In the nomination “Social Complex”, the best was recognized as a student of grade 11 “B” of the State Budgetary Educational Institution “Moscow International School” Stanislava Frolova, the topic of the work was “Donation of blood and its components as a way to save a life”, scientific supervisor – Elena Pluzhnik, teacher of social studies and law.
The winners of the Housing and Utilities Complex nomination were:
Polina Arkhipova and Polina Ignatyeva, students of class 11B of the Pre-University of the State University of Management, with the topic of their work being “Creation of a vacuum underground waste sorting system in Moscow”, supervisor – Marina Grigorieva, director of the Pre-University of the State University of Management; Darya Zotova, student of class 11B of the Pre-University of the State University of Management, with the topic of their work being “”Smart Light” in a “Smart City”: a study of the possibilities for managing street lighting in Moscow”, supervisor – Marina Grigorieva, director of the Pre-University of the State University of Management.
The first place in the nomination “Urbanism and urban development initiatives” was awarded to students of grade 11 “A” of the Pre-University of the State University of Management, Maxim Galiguzov, Elina Gusakova, Maria Podpalko, the topic of the work was “Development of green areas and sports infrastructure in the urban district of Balashikha, Moscow region”, scientific supervisor – Marina Grigorieva, director of the Pre-University of the State University of Management.
The winner of the nomination “System of interaction with civil society institutions” was Maria Goncharova, a student of grade 10 “B” of the State Budgetary Educational Institution “Moscow International School”, the topic of the work was “The problem of choosing a profession among modern teenagers”, scientific supervisor – Elena Pluzhnik, a teacher of social studies and law.
We express our sincere gratitude to the participants and scientific supervisors for their high professionalism, great personal contribution to attracting the attention of students to issues of career guidance, the work of state authorities and local governments, the development of social activity of the younger generation, and the formation of project management skills.
We wish you professional achievements, creative ideas and prosperity! We hope for further fruitful cooperation!
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025
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Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina received the national award “Vice-Rector of the Year for Research” in the nomination “Economic Universities”.
The winners of the award were announced at the Scientific Professorial Forum, organized by the Russian Professorial Assembly, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Russian Academy of Education as part of the Decade of Science and Technology in the Russian Federation.
For over 100 years, the State University of Management has not only been a leader in management education, but also actively participates in the development of science, the formation of new methods and developments, making discoveries and implementing scientific developments in practice.
Under the supervision of Maria Yuryevna, the volume of R&D carried out by our university has increased threefold, and the goal for 2025 is to double this figure.
On the basis of the State University of Management, work is being carried out on a major scientific project in the field of agro-industrial complex, an Advanced Engineering School was created jointly with the M.D. Millionshchikov State Petroleum Technical University, developments are being carried out in the field of UAVs, state assignments are being carried out, projects with the support of the Russian Science Foundation and fundamental research are being carried out.
The student design bureau of the State University of Management became one of the winners of the Competition of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia in the nomination “Creation and Development of a Student Design Bureau”, the projects of the Engineering Project Management Center were presented to the Chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee Andrey Kartapolov, young scientists of our university were recognized as the best in several major competitions, and these are far from all the victories and achievements of the State University of Management in the field of science in 2024.
We congratulate Maria Karelina on her well-deserved award and wish her further success in her professional development, endless energy to bring all her ideas to life, and a loyal team that will support her along the way.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025
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Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Netherlands: Chris Rampling
Mr Chris Rampling has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in succession to Ms Joanna Roper CMG. Mr Rampling will take up his appointment during July 2025.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The outstanding sculptor, President of the Russian Academy of Arts (RAA) Zurab Tsereteli was born on January 4, 1934 in Tbilisi. The boy began to draw in early childhood, pencils were given to him by his uncle, the famous Georgian artist Georgiy Nizharadze. He also taught him to appreciate nature, to notice the beauty around him. Famous artists David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili, Sergo Kobuladze gathered in Nizharadze’s studio, they talked a lot about art. According to Zurab Konstantinovich’s memoirs, as a child he understood little of their conversations, but he was very interested in listening and observing.
Tsereteli graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts (now the Apollon Kutateladze Tbilisi State Academy of Arts) in 1958, specializing in monumental painting. There he studied (and called it a great fortune) with the artist Vasily Shukhaev, whom he considered a brilliant draftsman and an outstanding teacher. After completing his studies, he began working as an artist-architect at the Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography of the Georgian Academy of Sciences (now the Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology).
In the 1960s, he was a senior master of the design workshop of the Tbilisi Art and Production Plant of the Art Fund of Georgia and the chief artist of the resorts of Georgia (he decorated buildings in Sukhumi, Gagra, Pitsunda, Borjomi). In 1967, Zurab Tsereteli’s first personal exhibition took place.
In the 1970s and 1980s, he was the chief artist of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1979, Tsereteli was elected a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Arts. In 1980, he was appointed chief artist of the XXII Olympic Games in Moscow. Since 1992, he has held the post of president of the Moscow International Foundation for Assistance to UNESCO. Since 1997, he has headed the Russian Academy of Arts.
Zurab Tsereteli’s first solo exhibition in Moscow was held in 1998, and he dedicated it to his late wife Inessa Andronikashvili. In 2007, his exhibition was held at UNESCO headquarters (Paris). Tsereteli’s solo exhibitions were also held in Palermo, Rome, Ancona (2011), Zurich (2014), Verona (2016), Cannes (2017) and many other cities around the world. In September 2023, Tsereteli’s exhibition “More Than Life” was held in China.
Zurab Konstantinovich initiated the creation of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art (1999) and donated his personal collection of 20th century works to the new institution. In 2001, he opened the Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery in Moscow.
The Legacy of Zurab Tsereteli
The artist’s most important works are probably familiar to almost all residents and guests of Moscow. In particular, he worked on the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Zurab Tsereteli called himself a believer – he became acquainted with church art during numerous expeditions to Georgia, and this experience, according to him, seriously helped him in his work.
The artist was responsible for the sculptural part of the bronze obelisk as part of the Victory Memorial Complex on Poklonnaya Hill — in an interview, he said that this work would always be in his heart as a special stage in his life. In 1996, a sculptural composition appeared in the Moscow Zoo, which the zoo’s management called the “Tree of Fairy Tales”. The famous monument to Peter I on the artificial island at the division of the Moscow River and the Vodootvodny Canal was erected in 1997. That same year, Zurab Tsereteli developed the overall artistic and design solution for Manezhnaya Square.
The sculptor’s monumental works adorn cities in different countries. Among the most famous are “Happiness for Children of the World” (Brockport, USA, 1979), “Good Conquers Evil” (New York, 1990), “Birth of a New Man” (Seville, Spain, 1995), monuments to Nikolai Gogol (Rome, 2002), Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker (Bari, Italy, 2003), Princess Olga (Pskov, 2003), Pope John Paul II (Ploermel, France, 2006), Marina Tsvetaeva (Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France, 2012), a monument dedicated to the fight against international terrorism (Bayonne, USA, 2006), the compositions “Saint George” (Tbilisi, 2005) and “Fathers of the European Union”. (Metz, France, 2012).
People’s Artist of the USSR (1980) and the Russian Federation (1994), he was awarded many other awards and honorary titles: the Lenin Prize (1976), USSR State Prizes (1970, 1981-1982), the State Prize of the Russian Federation in Literature and Art (1995), the Order of Merit for the Fatherland of the 3rd (1996), 2nd (2006), 1st (2010) and 4th (2014) classes, the Order of Friendship of Peoples (1994). Zurab Tsereteli was awarded, in particular, the Picasso Gold Medal (2007), the Order of the Legion of Honor (2010) and Carl Faberge (2016).
The sculptor’s daughter and grandson also connected their lives with art. According to Zurab Konstantinovich, he always tried to support their interest in creativity. Elena Tsereteli is a graphic artist, academician of the Russian Academy of Arts, Vasily Tsereteli is an artist, vice-president of the Russian Academy of Arts, executive director of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art.
Zurab Tsereteli worked fruitfully almost until the very last days of his life – according to him, even when busy with administrative tasks, he always found time to approach the canvas or go to the foundry, and he carried an album and an ink pen with him everywhere. In an interview, the artist noted that all his works are about love – for the world, people, life.
Among his recent creations are a monument to Alexander Pushkin (Apatity, 2017), a bust of the first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin (Moscow, 2018), monuments to dancer Rudolf Nureyev (Kazan, 2018), writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn (Kislovodsk, 2018), scientist Zhores Alferov (Saint Petersburg, 2019) and poet Andrei Dementyev (Moscow, 2020), a bust of Alexander Nevsky (Saint Petersburg, 2021), and a monument to composer Tikhon Khrennikov (Yelets, 2023).
The artist passed away on April 22, 2025.
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Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In the north-east, a sports complex of boarding school No. 1 has opened. This was reported in on your telegram channel Sergei Sobyanin said.
“This unique educational institution on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street has been teaching and rehabilitating children with severe visual impairments for over 140 years. Thanks to the talent of teachers, the work of parents and their own persistence, many of the school’s graduates achieve great success in life. Now the children have even more opportunities to improve their health and play sports,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.
Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin
The construction of the sports complex on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street (building 5, building 6) was completed in December 2024. It has all the necessary conditions for sports and rehabilitation of people with special needs – blind and visually impaired students of boarding school No. 1.
The sports complex’s exterior finish is made of blue and white aluminum panels, complemented by vertical slats and pylons. Decorative screens made of perforated aluminum protect the space from sunlight, ensuring comfortable exercise at any time of day. The stained glass windows on the first floor create a feeling of lightness and spaciousness. The façade is decorated with the name of the specialized Moscow boarding school No. 1 for the education and rehabilitation of the blind, written in Braille.
The four-story building with an area of 4.7 thousand square meters houses:
— a swimming pool for recreational swimming 25 by 11 meters with four lanes and stands for spectators; a stationary lift has been installed for comfortable immersion in the water for students with disabilities;
— a universal sports hall with spectator space: with the help of special partitions it can be divided into several sections, which allows for simultaneous training and competitions in various sports, including mini-football, basketball and volleyball;
– gym;
— a recreational space with a salt cave and a showdown table (a game for the visually impaired that combines elements of table tennis and air hockey).
In addition, the new complex has comfortable changing rooms, storage facilities for equipment and a medical center.
A barrier-free environment has been created inside the sports complex. In particular, tactile tiles for the visually impaired are laid on the floor throughout the building – not on the right or left, as in standard sports complexes, but as a central path. The buttons of the information terminal at the entrance are equipped with inscriptions made in Braille.
An elevator with a lifting capacity of up to a thousand kilograms has been installed. At the second floor level, a covered heated passage has been arranged, which will allow comfortable and safe movement between the main building of the boarding school and the sports complex without going outside.
The area next to the sports complex was landscaped and greened. Sports and playgrounds were equipped here, and small architectural forms were installed.
The new sports complex on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street will host physical education classes and additional training, as well as competitions in swimming, goalball, mini-football (group B1, sports for the blind), track and field, judo and other sports.
Individual lessons are provided for children with severe and multiple developmental disabilities outside of school hours. It is expected that up to 150 students will visit the swimming pool weekly, and up to 300 schoolchildren will visit the gym.
In addition, from May, from Monday to Saturday in the evening (from 18:00 to 22:00), the sports complex will be open for training to all those who wish to do so by prior appointment.
Boarding school No. 1 for the education and rehabilitation of the blind
The history of Moscow Boarding School No. 1 for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind dates back more than 140 years, when in the fall of 1882, on the first floor of a three-story building in Sokolovsky (now Elektrichesky) Lane, the Moscow Educational and Upbringing Institution for Blind Children (20 people) was opened, under the patronage of Empress Maria Feodorovna. Blind children received primary education in accordance with the program of a two-year primary school for sighted children and were taught accessible crafts: weaving baskets, straw rugs, edge carpets and chair seats, making brushes, knitting stockings and scarves, and needlework.
In October 1918, the institution was renamed Children’s Home No. 1 for the Blind, where children received free primary education and were fully supported by the state. Nine years later, it was transformed into the Moscow Institute for Blind Children, which switched to eight-year education in 1932.
During the Great Patriotic War, the institute was evacuated to the city of Menzelinsk in the Tatar ASSR. Graduates who remained in Moscow worked at the educational and production enterprises of the All-Russian Society of the Blind and prepared products for the front: boxes for anti-tank mines, iron stoves for trenches and dugouts, various brushes. A group of graduates, led by the blind teacher of Russian language and literature Maria Ksenofontova, organized patronage over military hospitals in Moscow. They taught blind soldiers to read and write using Braille.
In 1948, the institute was transformed into Secondary General Education Boarding School No. 1 for blind children with 11 years of education.
In 1956, the institution moved to a new four-story building on Novoalekseevskaya Street (now 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street, Building 5), where it remains to this day. Throughout its history, Boarding School No. 1 has been an important scientific and methodological center, conducting scientific research in the field of typhlopedagogy and typhlopsychology, developing educational programs and scientific and methodological manuals, and holding thematic events to improve the qualifications of specialists working with blind and visually impaired children. In particular, the school was a pioneer in the introduction of computer technology for blind users and programmers, programs for special types of labor training, special training for admission to universities, and the integration of the blind into society.
Over the years of its work, more than 1.6 thousand people have graduated from the school. Among them are scientists, teachers, lawyers and attorneys, musicians and composers, writers and journalists, poets, programmers, computer system operators, managers and foremen of enterprises of the All-Russian Society of the Blind, outstanding athletes (masters of sports, winners of world and European championships) and other specialists.
Today, Boarding School No. 1 is a modern specialized educational institution, where 352 children study, 80 percent of whom are totally blind. The children undergo adapted programs of preschool, primary, basic and secondary general education.
The boarding school has created all the conditions for the harmonious development of children with special needs, and this is largely due to the team of highly qualified typhlopedagogic teachers and educators who generously give the children their knowledge, rich experience and boundless love. The school’s workforce consists of 267 employees, including 62 teachers, 50 educators and 40 teaching staff.
The education is based on the reading and writing system of the French typhlopedagogue Louis Braille and lasts one year longer than in regular schools – 12 years, because the primary school course takes five years.
A nine-year course of study has been developed for children with combined diseases and severe developmental disabilities. Since 2017, there have been work rehabilitation groups for such school graduates. The children are engaged in carpentry, knitting from wool on their fingers and weaving string bags with a fishing shuttle.
In addition to the main educational building on 3rd Mytishchinskaya Street (building 5), boarding school No. 1 includes:
— a preschool department with 24-hour care on Raketny Boulevard (building 14);
— a rehabilitation department on Kosmonavtov Street (building 4), where work rehabilitation groups are organized;
— the health resort and recreational structural unit “Solnyshko” in the village of Kostino in the Moscow region, where children receive comprehensive rehabilitation services in an inpatient setting.
In 2022, an all-Russian center for gifted visually impaired children was opened on the school’s premises, where talented children from other regions of our country can enroll based on the results of testing in mathematics, Russian and English, as well as an interview. Currently, 23 children from 14 subjects of the Russian Federation (Khabarovsk and Krasnoyarsk territories, Nizhny Novgorod, Orenburg, Ryazan and other regions) are studying here as part of this project.
The socio-cultural rehabilitation of children is facilitated by additional education, represented by programs of various focus areas: physical education and sports, artistic and aesthetic, cultural and natural science. In particular, since 2018, a branch of the E.F. Svetlanov Children’s Art School (Equal Opportunities Department) has been operating at Boarding School No. 1, where 70 people with profound visual impairments study. 95 percent of children attend clubs and sections.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, 17 eleventh-graders graduated from the school. Five of them were awarded federal and Moscow medals for outstanding academic achievements. Based on the results of the Unified State Exam, 44 graduates (37 percent) received more than 220 points in three subjects, of which 20 people (17 percent) received more than 250 points. Six people received 100 points in one subject.
In addition, last academic year, 18 students received diplomas of winners and prize winners of the municipal stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad. Two students became prize winners of the regional stage, 44 students became prize winners of the city Olympiad “Museums. Parks. Estates”, and one student became the winner of the Moscow championship “Abilympics” in the “Vocal” competence. In the 2024/2025 academic year, two students became prize winners of the Moscow School Olympiad.
Thanks to its high educational results, the school is annually a laureate of the Moscow Mayor’s grants (first and second degree).
The capital’s education system for people with disabilities
For children with various developmental disabilities, the Moscow city social protection system has eight rehabilitation and educational centers, where about two thousand children undergo comprehensive rehabilitation and receive a quality education.
Highly qualified doctors, psychologists, teachers, speech therapists and other specialists work with the children, and the centers themselves are equipped with modern innovative equipment. For example, today VR helmets are used to teach children with disabilities: thanks to augmented reality, teachers simulate situations that are only available in the laboratory or in special conditions. Students try themselves in the role of chefs or interns in chemical laboratories. Visualization and immersion in a specific situation help children understand the processes taking place, and thanks to the game form, the knowledge gained during classes is absorbed much better.
Based on the results of the 2023/2024 academic year, 15 graduates of boarding schools were awarded federal and Moscow medals for outstanding academic achievements.
It is planned to build a new rehabilitation and educational center for 800 students in the territory of TiNAO.
At the same time, the majority of children with special needs (over 42 thousand) study in regular city schools, where the most favorable conditions for social adaptation have been created for them.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, inclusive practices were implemented in 478 educational organizations in Moscow.
It is possible to choose the form of training:
– in groups or classes together with students who do not have special educational needs;
– in separate groups or classes with small occupancies;
— in special correctional schools implementing adapted educational programs for various nosological groups.
Every year the number of students with disabilities who are winners and prize winners of the All-Russian and Moscow School Olympiads is growing.
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Pope Francis’ journey from the streets of Flores, a neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to the Vatican, is a remarkable tale.
Born in 1936, Jorge Bergoglio was raised in a middle-class family of Italian Catholic immigrants.
Bergoglio defied his mother’s wish for him to become a medical doctor and chose instead to pursue priesthood, a calling he felt during confession. The young man joined the Jesuits in the 1950s, attracted to the order’s vow of poverty and its ethos of serving others and living simply.
He became a priest in 1969, Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and took on the papacy in 2013. As Pope Francis, his dedication to social justice was deeply rooted in the Latin American context.
The region’s history of inequality, poverty and political upheaval greatly influenced his perspective.
The young Argentinian priest
Bergoglio, a devoted supporter of the San Lorenzo soccer team, was also a confident tango dancer, mate drinker, and an unconditional admirer of his compatriot, Jorge Luis Borges, one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
In 1965, the two men collaborated on the publication of short stories written by Bergoglio’s literature students. The students had been inspired by a seminar led by Borges, organised by the young priest.
Borges thought highly of Bergoglio, finding him charming and intelligent. For Borges, Bergoglio was a Jesuit through and through, noting the clerics of that order had been historically transgressive as well as possessors of a good sense of humour.
While Borges never saw him transformed into Pope Francis, his observations somehow fit with the respect Bergoglio earned as a global leader.
Theology of the people
As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, he lived modestly, often taking public transport and dedicating himself to the poor and disenfranchised. He personally attended the needs of underprivileged neighbourhoods known as villas miseria (literally “misery towns”) in Argentine Spanish.
He was a vocal opponent to economic inequality. During the 2001 Argentine economic crisis he advocated for the rights and dignity of impoverished citizens.
Pope Francis hails from a region deeply influenced by the progressive movements of Catholic priests and nuns, who were significantly inspired by liberation theology during the 1960s in Latin America.
Liberation theology developed in Latin America during the latter part of the 20th century, as a reaction to significant political and theological transformations in the area. It believed in political liberation for the oppressed, inspired by the Cuban Revolution and Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII, both in 1959.
While Francis did not fully subscribe to the tenets of liberation theology, much of his dedication to social justice aligns with its ideals. Pope Francis’ social awareness was deeply shaped by the “theology of the people”.
Distinct to Argentina, and emerging in the 1960s, the theology of the people shared liberation theology’s focus on social justice, but is devoid of Marxist ideology, and emphasises the dignity and agency of the marginalised and the impoverished.
During Argentina’s dictatorial regime from 1976–83, Bergoglio led the Jesuits. But he did not adopt the highly dangerous stance of full opposition typical among liberation theologians elsewhere in Argentina and other parts of Latin America.
Commenting on Latin American affairs
In his early years as the Pope, he resonated with progressive Catholics across Latin America, because of his grounding in Argentinian theology and his focus on social justice. But in recent years, his popularity in some Latin American countries declined.
In Argentina, this dip in enthusiasm is partly attributed to his decision not to visit, despite travelling to neighbouring nations.
More profoundly, the decline likely stems from his fixed stance against contentious issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. To the disappointment of many Argentines and other Latin American citizens, he refused to compromise.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis received all Argentine presidents – even those who were previously critical of him, such as Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.
He maintained a strong connection to his Buenos Aires roots and remained engaged with Argentina’s social and political landscape, often commenting on situations that provoke strong reactions from politicians.
He was a critic of policies instituted by the current President of Argentina, Javier Milei, particularly Milei’s libertarian model of economy and the government’s brutal response to public dissent and opposition. In September 2024, the Pope famously said:
the government put its foot down: instead of paying for social justice, it paid for pepper spray.
An alternative model of leadership
By reflecting on how Pope Francis’ theology is rooted in the Argentina he grew up in, we can better understand his actions as Pope.
He appointed clergymen from non-European countries, enhancing representation from Asia, Africa and Latin America and increased the participation of women within the Church’s leadership structures.
His landmark encyclical, Laudato Si’, underscored the moral imperative to address climate change, inspiring accolades from global leaders. His critique of Israel and the conflict in Gaza underscored his consistent opposition to war and advocacy for peace.
Despite existing tensions and contradictions within his papacy – particularly regarding the Church’s stance on LGBTQIA+ issues and women’s rights – Pope Francis’s approach to global issues remained steadfast and aligned with his core values, and the Buenos Aires he came of age in.
Francis’s leadership is a product of his upbringing and a catalyst for regional and global dialogue on social justice.
The profound influence of the Latin American region on him is well captured by long time friend, Uruguayan lawyer and activist, Guzman Carriquiry who described the Pope as:
Priest, and profoundly priest; Jesuit and profoundly Jesuit; Latin American, and profoundly Latin American.
Fernanda Peñaloza 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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2025 opens for enrolment today (April 22). Entries of locally developed information and communications technology (ICT) products and solutions are invited to compete for the Grand Awards in the eight award categories and the top accolade of the competition – the Award of the Year. Enrolment is free of charge and the deadline is July 14, 2025.
The HKICTA 2025 is organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) with each award category to be led by a local industry association or professional body. The award categories and respective leading organisers are listed below:
Award categories
Leading organisers
Digital Entertainment Award
Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association
FinTech Award
Institute of Financial Technologists of Asia
ICT Startup Award
Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association
Smart Business Award
Hong Kong Computer Society
Smart Living Award
Hong Kong Information Technology Federation
Smart Mobility Award
GS1 Hong Kong
Smart People Award
The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
Student Innovation Award
Hong Kong Education City
A Grand Award will be granted in each category, and the Award of the Year will be selected by a Grand Judging Panel from the eight Grand Awardees.
In a bid to foster the innovative use of AI, the Best Use of AI award winner will be selected in each of the eight categories to magnify and honour outstanding achievements in harnessing the power of AI in respective areas.
Established in 2006, the HKICTA is an annual signature event of the local ICT industry which aims to recognise and promote outstanding ICT inventions and applications, thereby encouraging the pursuit of innovation and excellence among Hong Kong’s ICT professionals and enterprises to develop innovative applications meeting business and social needs, use innovation and technology (I&T) to bring benefits to the community, and foster Hong Kong’s I&T and smart city development. Through concerted efforts of the ICT sector, academia and the Government, the HKICTA has always been highly regarded by the information technology industry, and the winners may also be nominated to compete in other regional and international competitions on behalf of Hong Kong and be sponsored to participate in overseas I&T exhibitions. The award acts as an encouragement and recognition to the winners, and enables their access to both Mainland and overseas markets.
Based on the result of the written part of Civil Services Examination, 2024 held by the Union Public Service Commission in September, 2024 and the interviews for Personality Test held in January-April, 2025, following is the list, in order of merit, of candidates who have been recommended for appointment to:
(i) Indian Administrative Service;
(ii) Indian Foreign Service;
(iii) Indian Police Service; and
(iv) Central Services, Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’.
2. A total number of 1009 candidates have been recommended for appointment as per following break-up:
GENERAL
EWS
OBC
SC
ST
TOTAL
335
(incl.
10 PwBD-1,
05 PwBD-2,
11 PwBD-3 & 05 PwBD-5)
109
(incl.
Nil PwBD-1,
01 PwBD-2,
Nil PwBD-3 &
Nil PwBD-5)
318
(incl.
02 PwBD-1,
02 PwBD-2,
03 PwBD-3 &
03 PwBD-5)
160
(incl.
Nil PwBD-1,
Nil PwBD-2,
Nil PwBD-3 & 01 PwBD-5)
87
(incl.
Nil PwBD-1,
Nil PwBD-2, 02 PwBD-3 & Nil
PwBD-5)
1009
(incl.
12 PwBD-1,
08 PwBD-2,
16 PwBD-3 & 09 PwBD-5)
3. In accordance with Rule 20 (4) & (5) of the Civil Services Examination Rules 2024, the Commission is maintaining a consolidated Reserve List of candidates as under:
GENERAL EWS OBC SC ST PwBD-1 TOTAL 115 35 59 14 06 01 230
4. Appointment to the various Services will be made according to the number of vacancies available with due consideration to the provisions contained in the Rules for the Examination. The number of vacancies reported by the Government to be filled is as under:
5. The candidature of 241 recommended candidates has been kept provisional.
6. Result of 01 candidate has been kept withheld.
7. UPSC has a “Facilitation Counter” near Examination Hall in its campus. Candidates can obtain any information / clarification regarding their examinations / recruitments on the working days between 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours in person or over telephone Nos. 23385271 / 23381125 / 23098543. Result will also be available on the U.P.S.C. website i.e. http//www.upsc.gov.in. Marks will be available on the website within 15 days from the date of declaration of result.
Highlights
The final result of Civil Services Examination (CSE), 2024 has been declared today, the 22 nd April, 2025.
Highlights of the result are following:
The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2024 was conducted on 16th June, 2024. A total of 9,92,599 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,83,213 candidates actually appeared in the examination.
A total of 14,627 candidates qualified for appearance in the Written (Main) Examination which was held in September, 2024. Out of these, 2,845 candidates qualified for the Personality Test of the examination.
Eventually, a total of 1009 candidates (725 men and 284 women) have been recommended by the Commission for appointment to various Services.
Among the finally qualified candidates, the top five comprise three women and two men. Ms. Shakti Dubey (Roll No. 0240782) has secured the first position in the Civil Services Examination, 2024. She qualified the examination with Political Science & International Relations as her optional subject. She has done her graduation (B.Sc.) in Biochemistry from the University of Allahabad.
Ms. Harshita Goyal (Roll No. 0101571), a graduate (B.Com.) from MS University of Baroda, secured second rank with Political Science & International Relations as her optional subject.
Sh. Dongre Archit Parag (Roll No. 0867282), a graduate (B.Tech.) in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from VIT, Vellore stood third in the rank with Philosophy as his optional subject.
Ms. Shah Margi Chirag (Roll No. 0108110), B.E. in Computer Engineering from Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad, secured fourth rank with Sociology as her optional subject.
Sh. Aakash Garg (Roll No. 0833621), B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, secured fifth rank with Sociology as his optional subject.
The top 25 candidates comprise 11 women and 14 men. Their educational qualifications range from graduation in Engineering, Humanities, Science, Commerce, Medical Science, and Architecture from premier institutions of the country such as IIT, NIT, VIT, JNU, University of Delhi, and University of Allahabad.
The top 25 successful candidates have opted for a wide range of optional subjects in the Written (Main) Examination, including Anthropology, Commerce & Accountancy, Geography, Mathematics, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science & International Relations, Public Administration, Sociology, and Literature of Tamil Language.
The recommended candidates also include 45 Persons with Benchmark Disability, comprising 12 Orthopedically Handicapped, 08 Visually Challenged, 16 Hearing Impaired, and 09 with Multiple Disabilities.
Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced Mike Dreitzer as the incoming Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Dreitzer will replace Chairman Kirk Hendrick, who earlier this year announced his plans to resign following the 2025 Legislative Session.
“As he prepares to step down, I’m exceptionally grateful to Chairman Hendrick for his partnership and service to our state,” noted Governor Lombardo. “Under his leadership, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has eliminated bureaucratic hurdles and made tremendous progress in gaming modernization and innovation in Nevada.”
“I’m pleased to announce Mike Dreitzer as the incoming Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” said Governor Lombardo. “Mike has an extensive background in gaming compliance and brings decades of industry experience to the role. I’m confident that Mike will lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board with integrity and honor, while furthering its recent innovation and progress.”
“I’m deeply honored by this appointment to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and I’m grateful to Governor Lombardo for his confidence in me,” said incoming Chairman Mike Dreitzer. “I look forward to furthering the essential mission of the Board, while supporting its agents and staff to ensure the highest quality gaming regulation for our state.”
“I cannot thank Governor Lombardo enough for allowing me to lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Working with my fellow Board members and all the dedicated Board agents and employees has been the highlight of my public service career. With time left until the end of the legislative session, I am eager to get much more accomplished for the State of Nevada,” said outgoing Chairman Kirk Hendrick. “Handing over the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer will be a smooth transition. Mike and I have known each other for almost 30 years going back to our days in the Attorney General’s Office. Mike is the perfect choice by Governor Lombardo based on Mike’s long career in gaming law, government, regulatory compliance, and business.”
Dreitzer most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of Gaming Arts, LLC, a full-service gaming equipment supplier with over 150 gaming licenses. Dreitzer is resigning from the company and will provide transition services until he can begin his role at the Board. Merkur Gaming, which is acquiring the interests of Gaming Arts, expects to appear before Nevada’s gaming regulators next month.
Dreitzer previously served as the President of the North America Division for Ainsworth Game Technology, Inc, Chief Operating Officer of BMM Americas, a global gaming test lab and consultancy, and Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of G3, a gaming content company.
Dreitzer additionally served in a variety of compliance roles for Progressive Gaming International Corporation, following his tenure as a Deputy Attorney General in the Nevada Office of the Attorney General. As a Deputy Attorney General, Dreitzer provided legal representation for the Nevada Gaming Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Dreitzer earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and his law degree from Emory University.
Hendrick’s resignation is expected to be effective June 22, 2025. Dreitzer’s anticipated start date is June 23, 2025.
The day was still alive when a group of Abui people danced in a circle around the ‘maasang’ – the central altar of their village – alternating coordinated movements with rhythmic pauses. The drums were played, marking each step with their sounds, believed to connect the world of the gods with the world of humans.
They were performing the ‘lego-lego’ dance, an integral part of ancestral rituals. The dance was directed by the cadenced rhythm produced by the ‘Moko’ drums, distinctive musical instruments that are also prestigious heirlooms and sacred tools, mostly found in the Alor-Pantar archipelago, in East Nusa Tenggara.
Recently, with Shiyue Wu, my Research Assistant at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (Suzhou, Jiangsu, China), I developed and published research about the names of the ‘Moko’ drums and bronze gongs from Alor in three representative Papuan languages spoken in the island: Abui (Central Alor), Sawila (Eastern Alor), and Kula (Eastern Alor).
This research aims to increase our knowledge on the ‘Moko’ drums and their significance and sanctity for the cultural identity and heritage of the peoples living in the Alor-Pantar archipelago.
Among the many ancestral traditions and ritual objects attested in Southeastern Indonesia, the ‘Moko’ drums represent a unique blend of symbolic and religious values and practical functions in the social life of the local Papuan communities. Technically, they are bronze kettle-drums, specifically membranophones, instruments that produce their sounds by being hit on their vibrating skins, or membranes.
Despite their widespread use and cultural significance among indigenous communities in Alor, Pantar and beyond — like in Timor and among the Austronesian and Papuan groups of Flores —, the history and origins of these musical instruments are still relatively obscure and seem to fade into the mists of time.
The ‘bronze gongs’ from the Alor-Pantar archipelago vary in size and are typically round, flat metal discs played with a mallet. They are equivalent to the ‘Moko’ drums, at the level of musical and social functions.
The indigenous peoples believe that the drums and gongs have no local origins from the islands, but their possible place of production is unknown. We recently confirmed this through fieldwork conversations with our Abui local consultant.
‘Moko’ drums’ unique attributes
Each ‘Moko’ drum (and bronze gong) is characterised by physical (size, shape, and the produced sounds) and aesthetic (iconography and decorations) features, which make it unique. The uniqueness of the drums and gongs is strengthened by the fact that each type of these membranophones has an ‘individual’ name, which indicates a specific category, with its dedicated musical and iconographic attributes.
For example, there are ‘fiyaai futal’ (in Abui), the “candlenut-flower” drum, and ‘bileeqwea / bileeq-wea‘ (in Abui), the “lizard-blood” drum.
All the ethnic groups in Alor, Pantar and surrounding areas use their own local variants for the names of the different drums. This nomenclature reflects specific ritual and trading features of each musical instrument.
Despite this, the native speakers cannot explain the name ‘Moko’ in itself, with its etymological and semantic origins. They agree upon the likely foreign origin of the instruments, but no one can pinpoint a possible location for their production (some say Java, Makassar, India, Vietnam, or even China, but without any conclusive evidence) or the trade routes across which they were likely imported to the islands.
Some local myths and origin stories) tell about the unexpected discovery, by local people, of ‘Moko’ drums buried in the ground, adding a veil of mystery to their enigmatic roots. Being treasured items, the drums were actually buried under the ground by locals, to avoid the risk to fall into the hands of colonisers or to be taken away by outsiders.
The term ‘Moko’ is universally attested and used in everyday conversations by the Alor-Pantar speakers, independently of their languages and villages. However, nobody, among the locals, can explain the roots of the name or propose an interpretation for its possible meaning. The ‘Moko’ drums are, therefore, an unsolved puzzle in the context of the material culture and linguistic landscape of the Alor-Pantar archipelago.
It is possible that the name ‘Moko’ was coined ‘internally’, in Alor and Pantar, perhaps in the ‘Alor Malay’ language, which is commonly spoken in the archipelago since the 14th century. The denomination would have, then, spread towards external areas.
However, this hypothesis cannot be proven with incontrovertible evidence, and the direction of the naming process could have also been the opposite, from outside into Alor and Pantar.
Our paper presents systematic lists of the names of drums and gongs, with the original denominations in the three different above-mentioned languages, the related translations, name-by-name, synthetic notes on the possible origins of their nomenclature, a catalogue of the instruments by categories (based on fieldwork and direct observation), and a set of pictures reproducing a small selection of drums according to their cultural significance.
Beyond musical functions
The ‘Moko‘ drums are relatively ancient ritual objects commonly used, in the past, in generally pre-Christian worship ceremonies performed by the indigenous communities. The traditions survived until today, through local folklore and public celebrations.
The path towards a full understanding of the historical dynamics of the production and spread of the ‘Moko’ drums and gongs — as well as their provenance and the etymologies of their names — might still be long. However, this does not diminish their cultural and material significance among the Alor-Pantar peoples.
Despite their obscure origins, ‘Moko’ drums and bronze gongs are meticulously catalogued, described and rated by the local communities in the islands. Periodically, a multi-ethnic council gathers to assess, update and validate the different values and levels of social prestige and rarity of every single instrument.
This safeguarding effort, combined with the collection and systematisation of ‘first hand’ data, which we are currently developing, may considerably help in shedding light on the nature and origins of these enigmatic instruments.
Francesco Perono Cacciafoco received funding from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU): Research Development Fund (RDF) Grant, “Place Names and Cultural Identity: Toponyms and Their Diachronic Evolution among the Kula People from Alor Island”, Grant Number: RDF-23-01-014, School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), Suzhou (Jiangsu), China, 2024-2025.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
At Bauman Moscow State Technical University, as part of the competition of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, projects of Student Design Bureaus were defended. One of the participants was the team of SKB “System Engineering” of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Polytechnic University scientists demonstrated a strategy for training young engineers capable of solving breakthrough problems in the interests of industry and technological development of the country. The project was presented in the direction of “Student Design Leadership”. It was among the five winning universities in its nomination. Grant support in the amount of 20 million rubles will be used to develop the educational ecosystem of SKB, as well as to purchase materials and components for prototypes of products created by students.
“Highly qualified engineers capable of contributing to the country’s technological leadership are trained at youth design bureaus. Students, postgraduates and young scientists develop competitive technologies, solve specific scientific, technical and engineering problems, and are widely involved in work on orders from industrial enterprises. It is important that the initiative has shown high demand – 178 universities from 81 regions of the country submitted applications for the first competition. 15 winning universities will receive support for the creation of new and development of existing sites, including the purchase of modern equipment,” said Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov.
SKB “System Engineering” is being implemented within the framework of the university’s development strategy and program to achieve technological leadership and integrate education, science and industry. The main goal of the project is to form a cross-cutting trajectory for training engineering personnel – from early career guidance for schoolchildren to the inclusion of senior students in real research and design activities commissioned by industry. Interest in the project results was expressed by 12 partners, including JSC Power Machines, which will provide co-financing for the SKB’s work in the amount of almost 15.5 million rubles in 2025.
Speaking at the defense, the project manager, director of the Higher School of Power Engineering, deputy director of the Scientific and Educational Center “Aircraft Engines and Power Plants” of the PISH “Digital Engineering” Alena Aleshina emphasized that the work of the SKB directly corresponds to the national development goals of Russia until 2036 and is aimed at training highly motivated specialists capable of working to overcome modern technological challenges.
In 2025, the SKB’s main focus is on two key areas that correspond to national projects of technological leadership: “new nuclear and energy technologies” and “unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)”. In the future, it is planned to integrate other strategically significant areas into the SKB structure.
Oleg Rozhdestvensky, Head of the SPbPU Office of Technological Leadership, emphasized: “As part of the SKB, we introduce schoolchildren to engineering, invite them to continue their education at the Polytechnic, where we give them the opportunity, already as students, to find themselves and try their hand at different areas during their 1st and 2nd years, during general engineering training. And in their 3rd and 4th years, we select the most qualified students to work at the request of our industrial partners.”
A special feature of the Polytechnic University’s approach is the creation of a three-level educational ecosystem covering different age categories of students, formed on the basis of the methodological and scientific-technical background of the SPbPU PIS “Digital Engineering”.
School design bureaus — early career guidance, development of engineering thinking and involvement in the technological environment already at the stage of school education. In March 2025, with the support of the government of St. Petersburg and the Academy of Talents, 12 agreements were signed on the opening of new school design bureaus. Youth design bureaus — work with students in grades 10–11 and students of secondary vocational education, including them in project activities with real tasks from partners. Thus, a laboratory is already operating at the Institute of Secondary Vocational Education of SPbPU, where students create small series of antennas ordered by the enterprise. Student design bureaus — focus on general engineering training of 1st–2nd year students and a gradual transition to conscious engineering practice and participation in R&D from the 3rd year.
The development program of the SKB “System Engineering” will be implemented on the basis of the Office of Technological Leadership of the Polytechnic University. It is integrated into the University Development Strategy until 2030, with a perspective until 2036 and will be based on the principles of network interaction of various SPbPU divisions, including: the Student Design Bureau “Power Machines – Polytechnic”, operating since 2020, the SKB of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering”, participating in the implementation of a large project on drones since 2024, as well as the Center for Youth Trajectories and others.
Director of the Engineering Center of JSC Power Machines Konstantin Savichev noted the importance of the project in terms of training qualified engineering personnel at the company’s request and said that students are already being trained in the process of working on R&D commissioned by the company. The SKB team has already signed a contract for R&D worth 12 million rubles, in which students are participating. By the end of 2025, it is planned to attract more than 25 million rubles for the implementation of projects and the development of prototypes.
“The key objective of our SKB is to give each student the opportunity to find their place in engineering. We strive not only to transfer knowledge, but also to develop skills, teach how to work with advanced digital and production technologies, so that young specialists can make a real contribution to achieving technological leadership in the country,” noted Alena Aleshina.
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.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
Students of SPbGASU demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill at the final stage of the Open International Student Internet Olympiad in the discipline “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”, profile “Specialized (with in-depth study of the discipline)”. Our students took prizes, confirming the high level of training that they receive at the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics.
Gold medals of the Olympiad were awarded to Alexander Korobov (first-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, majoring in Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation) and Matvey Matveyev (first-year student of the Faculty of Construction, majoring in Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures). Victoria Dreeva (second-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, majoring in Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation) was awarded a silver medal.
“We are proud of our students, who have once again confirmed their high level of training in descriptive geometry. The victory in the Olympiad is a natural result of our joint work aimed at developing students’ spatial thinking, design skills and engineering culture,” noted Elena Denisova, Head of the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics at SPbGASU.
“Participation in the Olympiad is a great opportunity to test your knowledge and skills, as well as communicate with other students who are passionate about engineering. I am very glad that I was able to represent my university with dignity!” – shared his impressions Alexander Korobov.
Congratulations to the winners!
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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, April 22 — China’s Ministry of Education has introduced 29 new majors to advanced education institutions in response to the evolving needs of national strategies and the pursuit of high-quality development.
The ministry on Tuesday announced updates to the catalog of undergraduate majors in general colleges and universities, adding majors such as carbon neutrality science and engineering and international cruise management.
Among the new additions serving strategic areas of national interest are majors such as marine science and technology and health and medical security.
In recognition of technological trends, majors including smart molecular engineering, medical device and equipment engineering, and spatiotemporal information engineering have been included.
To cater to emerging market trends, the catalog now includes majors such as international cruise management and aviation sports.
Reflecting the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern society, the ministry has introduced majors such as AI education, smart audio-visual engineering, and digital drama.
To facilitate a more agile response to national strategies, the ministry has implemented a new mechanism allowing swift adjustments to the curriculum in response to newly prioritized strategic areas.
Addressing the rapid development needs of the low-altitude economy, six universities, including Beihang University, have been guided to add a major in low-altitude technology and engineering.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University team, led by ISI teachers, won prizes in the international student Internet Olympiad in the discipline “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”. The event brought together 166 students from 35 universities in Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.
In the second round of the open international student Internet Olympiad, the participants demonstrated a high level of knowledge and professional training in these subject areas. Polytechnicians performed for the third year in a row. During this time, the university team has established itself as one of the strongest, winning prizes every year.
This time, the achievements of the Polytechnic University were once again impressive: each participant was awarded medals of various degrees.
Silver medal – Aidar Ibragimov, Arseniy Belashev and Mikhail Bogdanov; Bronze medal – Anastasia Kuskova, Kirill Kulinushkin and Ulyana Morenko.
The students were prepared and accompanied by associate professors of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Civil Engineering Institute, Tatyana Markova and Elena Knyazeva.
“All the polytechnics who participated in the Olympiad returned with medals. And our team has shown such a result for the third year in a row. The success of our students at the Olympiads is the tip of the iceberg, which is based on the methodology of teaching geometric and graphic disciplines, formed and developed over several decades,” said the head of the section “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”, associate professor of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Contemporary Art Mikhail Kokorin.
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.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Until April 30, the “Easter Gift” festival is taking place at the capital’s venues. City residents and tourists are invited to join charity events, watch performances, try Easter treats, and participate in sports events. Children and teenagers can look forward to creative and culinary activities. This was reported by Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow.
“About 1,500 master classes have been prepared for young visitors. The children will bake Easter cakes and cupcakes with icing, make gifts for loved ones and home decorations with their own hands, and write holiday poems using a neural network,” noted Natalia Sergunina.
Easter Food and Botany Lessons
Cooking classes are held in several places at once, including in the Novokosino, Teply Stan, and Ochakovo-Matveyevskoye districts. On weekdays from 4 p.m. they prepare muffins with nuts, potato and mushroom pies, and on weekends from 1 p.m. — chicken in kvass with spicy butter and apples, lean carrot cake, and much more.
The site in the Veshnyaki district hosts a scientific studio of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. For example, on April 23 at 6:00 PM, they will talk about the basics of 3D printing and create Easter figurines on a special printer. And on April 26 and 27 at 1:00 PM, children will design a bird feeder. At 2:00 PM on these same days, participants will study the capabilities of artificial intelligence and use it to generate cartoons.
A botanical class has opened in the park near the Nekrasovka metro station. On April 26 at 6:00 p.m., you can learn how to properly plant lemon balm, thyme, mint and care for plants.
Old paintings and holiday cards
On April 25 at 17:00 at the site in Kurkino, festival visitors will paint an Easter picture. The next day at 15:00, those who wish will make holiday cards.
An art chalet has been set up in the Yuzhnoye Medvedkovo district. On April 26 at 2:00 p.m., young city residents will decorate a porcelain cup and saucer with 19th-century-style patterns, and at 4:00 p.m., they will paint a teapot.
On Tverskaya Square on April 26 and 27, master classes will be dedicated to artistic crafts – Boretskaya, Shenkurskaya, Gayutinskaya, Glubokovskaya, Guslitskaya and Permogorskaya painting. Using these techniques, children will decorate linden plates. Start at 13:00.
Guests of the site in the Golyanovo district will be treated to a master class called “School of Handicrafts.” On April 26 at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., they will teach how to sew soft coasters for mugs, and at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., how to weave baskets from paper vines.
In the Severnoye Butovo district on April 27 at 13:00 you can create home decor, and at 14:00 you can make a clay egg stand.
The poster with addresses has been published on the festival pagein the Russpass tourist service. To view the schedule of classes, you need to select the site of interest on the interactive map.
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.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
Since March of this year Faculty of Mathematics, National Research University Higher School of Economics The leading Russian mathematician, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Honorary Professor of the University of Edinburgh, National Professor of the PRC and laureate began working Prizes named after A.M. Lyapunova Sergey Kuksin. In an interview with Vyshka.Glavnoe, he spoke about the role of personality in mathematics, KAM theory, and why analysis is so relevant today.
— Sergey Borisovich, what brought you to the HSE?
— A year ago, I received a mega-grant from the Russian government, started working at RUDN and visiting Moscow for seminars, and when the grant ended, I was offered a job at HSE. I know many people at the HSE Mathematics Department. Mathematicians, they are all connected one way or another. True, given that mathematics is divided into three large parts: algebra, geometry and analysis. What is algebra, it is clear, right? For example, it is addition of fractions, square trinomial, “x plus y squared” and so on. Geometry, as we all remember well, is plane geometry, problems on construction and all that sort of thing. Well, and analysis is when there are functions and graphs.
– And which one of them are you?
– I am analysis.
— Have you been here before?
— Of course, I have. HSE is a very good place: smart students, a strong faculty. Many years ago, I even gave a short course of lectures at the local mathematics department. But that experience was not very successful. The thing is that the HSE department was organized by big algebra enthusiasts and was focused on algebra, so the students were not very impressed. They simply did not understand why they needed it. And that is wrong. Everyone needs to know analysis. Analysis is also probability theory, which is very relevant now, since it is closely related to such topics as artificial intelligence, machine translation, and pattern recognition. By the way, the then management understood this well when they invited me to give the course. But in mathematics, in order to get something moving, you have to make serious efforts. And it seems that this is happening now — the expansion of the profile of the mathematics department. That is partly why they invited me.
— Will you teach or work as a researcher?
— First of all, I will work as a researcher. One of my main tasks is to participate in the creation of a seminar with the preliminary title “Dynamics, Analysis and Probability”. I would like it to be a seminar of the highest level, with the involvement of good speakers who motivate students to develop in this area. This is not easy, but it is possible, especially since the impetus to develop the analysis component comes from the faculty management. In particular, from the dean Alexandra Skripchenko. By the way, she recently defended her doctoral dissertation.
— Remember the most vivid impression in your life related to mathematics.
— My parents, with whom I was very lucky, subscribed to several magazines for me. One of them was “Knowledge is Power”. Once, when I was still in high school, I read an article about mathematics. And there was a phrase in it that I still remember: “The heights of mathematics are beautiful, and it’s a pity that very few can admire them.” I wanted to admire them and, yes, I confirm: they are beautiful.
— What qualities do you need to have to become a good mathematician?
— You know, mathematics is, fortunately, a gift that manifests itself early. Or doesn’t. That is, a person already at school understands whether mathematics is for him or not. Already in high school, I couldn’t imagine that I would do anything else in this life.
— Which of your scientific achievements do you consider the most significant?
– I’ll start from afar. There was such a scientist, the largest Soviet mathematician Andrei Nikolaevich Kolmogorov. He was a completely fantastic person who made a huge contribution to mathematics. Including was the founder of Cam-theoria. This is an abbreviation composed of the first letters of the surnames of the authors: Kolmogorov, Arnold and Moser. And now let’s figure out what Cam-theoria is. Consider the solar system. For this, they usually take five main planets from Venus to Saturn. We know that each planet rotates according to the ellipse – according to the law of Kepler. This is because the sun attracts it. But besides, the planets interact with each other. Therefore, their movement – the Kepler movement – is gradually distorted. And there is a relatively simple equation that describes how the planet interacts with the sun. But when we also take into account the interaction of the planets with each other, then small disturbances and interaction are added to the main equation. Due to these interactions, the orbit of the planets begin to gradually deform. The question that Isaac Newton still raised is what will happen to this ellipse, for example, after a million years? After all, he can burst, and then the planet will fly away to distant galaxies. The ellipse can stretch out so much that at the point closest to the sun, the planet will fall into the sun and burn. Ellips orbits of different planets can cross, and the planets will collide. It is clear, not in the next ten thousand years, but still. It was an outstanding, wonderful task, and it was solved with the help of Cam-theoria.
– And what is the answer?
— The answer is negative: the orbits will always be close to the initial ones. The exact statement is more complicated and has significant reservations, which it is inappropriate to state now. But such a simplified story describes the essence of KAM theory quite accurately. To answer your question about my contribution to mathematics: I learned to do calculations for systems that have not five or even five hundred, but an infinite number of components. This was the topic of my doctoral dissertation — “KAM theory for partial differential equations.”
— You were awarded the Lyapunov Prize of the Russian Academy of Sciences for it?
— Yes, that’s right: for the creation and development of the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser theory for partial differential equations.
— What would you like to achieve while working at the Higher School of Economics?
— To participate in the development of analysis at the HSE in particular and in Moscow in general. During the Soviet Union, analysis here was very strong, but for a number of reasons it has declined significantly. Unlike, say, algebra. Which confirms the thesis about the role of personality in history, since this happened solely due to the efforts of several outstanding algebraists who never left Moscow. They were the ones who preserved the seminars and the youth in the seminars.
— Would you like to become the person in mathematics who will move analysis forward?
— I would like to participate.
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.
In recent weeks, Bougainville has taken the initiative, boldly stating that it expects to be independent by 1 September 2027.
It also expects the PNG Parliament to quickly ratify the 2019 referendum, in which an overwhelming majority of Bougainvilleans supported independence.
In a third move, it established a Constitution Commission and included it within the region’s autonomous Parliament.
To learn more, RNZ Pacific spoke with Australian National University academic Dr Thiago Oppermann, who has spent many years in both Bougainville and PNG.
James Marape (second left) and Ishmael Toroama (right) during joint moderations talks in Port Moresby last month. Image: Autonomous Bougainville Government
Don Wiseman: We’ve had five-and-a-half years since the Bougainville referendum, but very suddenly in the last couple of months, it would seem that Bougainville is picking up pace and trying to really make some progress with this march towards independence, as they see it.
Are they overplaying their hand?
Dr Thiago Oppermann: I do not believe that they are overplaying their hand. I think that the impression that is apparent of a sudden flurry of activity, arises partly because for the first two years after the referendum, there was a very slow pace.
One of the shortcomings of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) was that it did not set out a very clear post-referendum path. That part of the process was not as well designed as the parts leading to the referendum, and that left a great deal of uncertainty as to how to structure negotiations, how things should be conducted, and quite substantial differences in the views of the Papua New Guinean government and the ABG (Autonomous Bougainville Government), as to how the referendum result would be processed further.
For instance, how it would it need to be tabled in Parliament, what kind of vote would be required for it, would a negotiation between the parties lead to an agreement that then is presented to the Parliament, and how would that negotiation work? All these areas, they were not prescriptive in the BPA.
That led to a period of a good two years in which there was very slow process and then attempts to get some some movement. I would say that in that period, the views of the Bougainvilleans and the Papua New Guineans became quite entrenched in quite different camps, and something I think would have to give eventually.
Why the Bougainvilleans have moved towards this point now, I think that it bears pointing out that there has been a long process that has been unfolding, for more than two years now, of beginning the organic process of developing a Bougainvillean constitutional process with this constitutional development committees across the island doing a lot of work, and that has now borne fruit, is how I would describe it.
It happens at a point where the process has been unblocked by the appointment of Sir Jerry Mataparae, which I think sets a new vigour into the process. It looks now like it’s heading towards some form of outcome. And that being the case, the Bougainvilleans have made their position quite clear.
Sir Jerry Mateparae (middle) with representatives of the PNG and Bougainville governments at the second moderation in April 2025. Image: ABG
DW: Well, Bougainville, in fact, is saying it will be independent by 1st September 2027. How likely do you think that is?
TO: I think there’s a question that comes before that. When Bougainville says that they will be independent by such a date, what we need to first consider is that the process of mediation is still unfolding.
I think that the first thing to consider is, what would that independence look like, and what scope is there within the mediation for finding some compromise that still suits Papua New Guinea. I think that there’s a much greater range of outcomes than people realise within this sort of umbrella of independence, the Bougainvilleans themselves, have moved to a position of understanding independence in much more nuanced terms than previously.
You might imagine that in the aftermath of this fairly brutal and bitter civil conflict, the idea of independence at that time was quite a radical cut towards “full bruk loose” as they say.
But the reality is that for many post colonial and new states since World War Two, there are many different kinds of independence and the degree to which there remains a kind of attachment with or relationship with the so called parent colonial country is variable, I should add.
I do not want to digress too much, but this concept of the parent colonial country is something that I heard quite a lot of when I was studying the referendum itself. Many people would say that the relationship that they had to Papua New Guinea was not one of enmity or of like running away, it was more a question of there being a parent and Bougainville having now grown up to the point where the child, Bougainville, is ready to go off and set up its own house.
Many people thought of it in those terms. Now I think that in concrete terms that can be articulated in many different ways when we think about international law and the status of different sovereign nations around the world.
DW: If we can just look at some of the possibilities in terms of the way in which this independence might be interpreted. My understanding is, for Bougainville it’s vital that they have a degree of sovereignty that will allow them to join organisations like the United Nations, but they’re not necessarily looking to be fully independent of PNG.
TO: Yes, I think that there would be like a process underway in Bougainville for understanding what that would look like.
There are certainly people who would have a view that is still more firmly towards full independence. And there will be others who understand some type of free association arrangements or something that still retains a closer relationship with Papua New Guinea.
I do not think many people have illusions that Bougainville could, for instance, suddenly break loose of the very deep economic connections it has with Papua New Guinea, not only those of government funding, but the commercial connections which are very, very deep. So suddenly making that disappear is not something people believe it’s possible.
But there are many other options that are on the table. I think what Bougainville is doing by having the announcement of the Independence Day is setting for Papua New Guinea saying, like, “here is the terms of the debate that we are prepared to consider”. But within that there is still a great deal of giving and taking.
DW: Now within the parliament in PNG, I think Bougainville has felt for some time that there hasn’t been a great deal of understanding of what Bougainville has been through, or what it is Bougainville is trying to achieve. There’s a very different lineup of MPs to what they were at the turn of the century when the Bougainville Peace Agreement was finalised. So what are they thinking, the MPs from other parts of the country? Are they going to be supportive, or are they just thinking about the impact on their own patch?
TO: I am not entirely sure what the MPs think, and they are a very diverse bunch of people. The sort of concern I think that many have, certainly more senior ones, is that they do not want to be the people in charge when this large chunk of the country secedes.
I think that is something that is important, and we do not want to be patronising the Papua New Guineans, who have a great deal of national pride, and it is not an event of celebration to see what is going on.
For many, it is quite a tragic chain of events. I am not entirely sure what the bulk of MPs believes about this. We have conducted some research, which is non randomised, but it is quite large scale, probing attitudes towards Bougainvillean independence in 2022, around the time of the election.
What we found, which is quite surprising, is that while, of course, Bougainville has the highest support for independence of any place in Papua New Guinea, there are substantial numbers of people outside Bougainville that are sympathetic to Bougainvillean independence or sympathetic towards implementing the referendum.
I think that would be the wording, I would choose, quite large numbers of people. So, as well as, many people who are very much undecided on the issues. From a Papua New Guinean perspective, the views are much more subtle than you might think are the case. By comparison, if you did a survey in Madrid of how many people support Catalan independence, you would not see figures similar to the ones that we find for Papua New Guinea.
DW: Bougainville is due to go to elections later this year. The ABG has stated that it wants this matter sorted, I think, at the time that the election writs are issued sometime in June. Will it be able to do this do you think?
TO: It’s always difficult to predict anything, especially the future. That goes double in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. I think the reality is that the nature of negotiations here and in Bougainville, there’s a great deal of personal connections and toing and froing that will be taking place.
It is very hard to fit that onto a clear timeline. I would describe that as perhaps aspirational, but it would be, it would be good. Whether this is, you know, a question of electoral politics within Bougainville, I think there would be, like, a more or less unanimous view in Bougainville that this needs to move forward as soon as possible. But I don’t know that a timeline is realistic.
The concerns that I would have about this, Don, would be not just about sort of questions of capacity and what happens in the negotiations in Bougainville, but we also need to think about what is happening in Papua New Guinea, and this goes for the entire process.
But here, in this case, PNG has its hands full with many other issues as well. There is a set of like LLG [Local Level Government] elections about to happen, so there are a great deal of things for the government to attend to. I wonder how viable it is to come up with a solution in a short time, but they are certainly capable of surprising everybody.
DW: The Prime Minister, James Marape, has said on a number of occasions that Bougainville is not economically ready or it hasn’t got the security situation under control. And my understanding is that when this was raised at the last meeting, there was quite a lot of giggling going on, because people were comparing what’s happened in Bougainville with what’s happening around the rest of the country, including in Southern Highlands, the province of Mr Marape.
TO: I think you know for me when I think about this, because I have worked with Bougainvilleans for a long time, and have worked with Papua New Guineans for a long time as well. The sense that I have is really one of quite sadness and a great missed opportunity.
Because if we wind the clock back to 1975, Bougainville declared independence, trying to pre-empt [the establishment of] Papua New Guinea. And that set in train a set of events that drastically reformed the Papua New Guinean political Constitution. Many of the sort of characteristic institutions we see now in Papua New Guinea, such as provinces, came about partly because of that.
That crisis, that first independence crisis, the first secession crisis, was resolved through deep changes to Papua New Guinea and to Bougainville, in which the country was able to grow and move forward.
What we see now, though, is this sort of view that Bougainville problems must all be solved in Bougainville, but in fact, many of the problems that are said to be Bougainville problems are Papua New Guinea problems, and that would include issues such as the economic difficulties that Bougainville finds itself in.
I mean, there are many ironies with this kind of criticism that Bougainville is not economically viable. One of them being that when Papua New Guinea became independent, it was largely dependent on Bougainville at that time. So Bougainvilleans are aware of this, and don’t really welcome that kind of idea.
But I think that more deeply there were some really important lessons I believe that could have been learned from the peace process that might have been very useful in other areas of Papua New Guinea, and because Bougainville has been kind of seen as this place apart, virtually as a foreign nation, those lessons have not, unfortunately, filtered back to Papua New Guinea in a way that might have been very helpful for everybody.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. The transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
On April 22, 2001, one of the largest student volunteer organizations in the field of emergency situations in the Russian Federation was formed — the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps. The VSKS includes over 8,000 volunteers from 88 regions of our country. All students undergo special training to provide qualified assistance to special services in the event of an emergency. Every year the corps grows and develops. Over the years of its existence, the VSKS has established itself as a structure that can be relied upon. On April 22, 2001, one of the largest student volunteer organizations in the field of emergency situations in the Russian Federation was formed — the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps. The VSKS includes over 8,000 volunteers from 88 regions of our country. All students undergo special training to provide qualified assistance to special services in the event of an emergency. Every year the corps grows and develops. Over the years of its existence, the VSKS has established itself as a structure that can be relied upon.
The Peter the Great Student Fire and Rescue Squad is a student association of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, which is part of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps. Our volunteers are a true example of civic responsibility and high social activity. They not only gain invaluable practical experience while rescuing people, but also develop leadership skills and team spirit. VSKS volunteers help those who need it with real actions.
“On behalf of the entire fire and rescue squad “Peter the Great”, I would like to congratulate VSKS on its birthday! I wish you further prosperity, achievement of all set goals, attraction of like-minded people who are passionate about the idea of saving lives, who want to develop themselves and develop VSKS. We are very happy to be part of such a large and friendly team and hope for further cooperation,” – the head of the fire and rescue squad “Peter the Great” Arina Puchkova congratulated the students on the holiday.
On this festive day, Polytechnic wishes the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps new successes in its activities, strengthening of its ranks, increase in the number of active and responsive volunteers, as well as safety in all operations.
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.
Source: African Development Bank Group I wish to thank the Vice Chancellor and the University Senate for the great honor of receiving an honorary doctorate from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). I am delighted to be here today with my dear wife, Grace.
I have great admiration for NOUN for three reasons.
For most of this federal election campaign, politicians have said very little about violence against women and children.
Now in the fourth week of the five-week campaign, Labor has released its “commitment to women” announcement. The Coalition has also flagged it will have something to say on the topic before polling day.
But the fact domestic, family and sexual violence hasn’t been more central to the election campaign is surprising. Less than 12 months ago, following rising community outrage after the killing of a number of women, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared violence against women and children a national crisis.
Over the past week, the killing of several women in different circumstances, allegedly by men’s violence, has been a reminder of the persistence of this national crisis.
In an election that’s largely focused on cost of living, this epidemic of violence should also be front and centre.
The scale and impact of this violence is profound – cutting across culture, age, geography and class. It causes immediate and long-term harm and costs the country an estimated $26 billion annually.
Why haven’t we heard much?
An obvious explanation might be that violence against women has already been addressed by successive governments – that enough has been done. Others may argue that it’s been overshadowed by more politically “pressing” issues.
Some may even suggest it’s because of a broader political shift away from gender equality commitments, influenced by anti-DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) sentiment that has gained traction internationally.
Perhaps a more generous explanation is that the lack of political attention stems from fear of getting the response wrong. The domestic and family violence sector can be fraught with complexity, with different ideas about what should be prioritised.
The national prevention agenda has faced critique in recent months. Scrutiny of whether we are on the right path should always be welcomed, but division is unhelpful.
Complexity should never be an excuse for inaction. Instead, this moment requires political courage and clarity. A declaration of a national crisis is merely rhetoric if it’s not followed by meaningful actions and measurable commitments.
Beyond election cycles
It’s crucial the next federal government delivers a response to domestic violence that’s commensurate with the scale of the problem. This requires a significant increase in investment across the entire ecosystem to boost service availability and accessibility.
This means moving beyond one-off or short-term funding to ensure sustainability across the system, including for crisis response and early intervention initiatives. Consistency of services is needed to disrupt the cycle of intergenerational harm, to understand what works in engaging people who use violence, and to promote long-term recovery.
There should also be improved collaboration between levels of government. For too long, the siloed approach has impeded progress. The National Partnership Agreement provides a solid foundation for this.
Evidence shows strengthening coordination across agencies and jurisdictions will help identify more women and families at risk of violence. Information-sharing arrangements will also help keep them safer across state and territory boundaries. System failures and blindspots can cost lives.
What else would help?
If elected, Labor has committed to focusing on ending financial abuse and expanding interventions for people who use violence. This means increased funding for perpetrator interventions, including electronic monitoring of high-risk offenders and earlier interventions for young people who use violence.
These intiatives are welcome, but the list of actions needed extends well beyond these commitments.
Fully funding frontline services is a crucial start. This must include services for children and young people experiencing and escaping violence in their own right, and services across rural and remote communities. There’s limited support available in these areas.
Ensuring access to culturally appropriate and trauma-informed services for communities disproportionately affected by violence is also key.
First Nations leaders, practitioners, academics and victim-survivor advocates should be resourced to deliver the dedicated First Nations National Plan and to fully implement the First Nations National Action Plan. This is especially important for First Nations communities, including in the Northern Territory, where calls for increased funding have long been made.
The support service workforce, which has a high turnover and burn-out rate, must be better supported, including through ongoing professional development and capability training.
In recent weeks, others have called for a national strategy for people who use violence.
Measuring progress is key
Regardless of specific policy commitments, we should be transparently monitoring and evaluating progress on addressing violence. This is the backbone of any effective policy response – without data, we are blind to what works, what doesn’t, and where to focus efforts.
The first national plan was criticised for failing to do this comprehensively. We are at risk of repeating the same mistake.
While this responsibility sits within the functions of the inaugural Commissioner for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, it has yet to eventuate beyond the information included in the commission’s yearly reports to parliament.
Regardless of who forms government – whether majority or minority – it’s imperative domestic, family and sexual violence remains front and centre in national policymaking. This is not an issue that can wait for the “right time” or for conditions to be more favourable. Women’s and children’s lives depend on it.
The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Kate has received funding for research on violence against women and children from a range of federal and state government and non-government sources. Currently, Kate receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), the South Australian government, Safe Steps, Australian Childhood Foundation, and 54 Reasons. This piece is written by Kate Fitz-Gibbon in her role at Monash University and Sequre Consulting, and is wholly independent of Kate Fitz-Gibbon’s role as chair of Respect Victoria and membership on the Victorian Children’s Council.
Hayley has received funding for research on violence against women and children and criminal justice-related issues from a range of federal and state government and non-government sources. Currently, Hayley receives funding from ANROWS, and the ACT Justice Reform Branch.
The wealthy should pay more to fund local services.
More in Housing
Scottish Green MSP Ross Greer has lodged proposals for Scotland’s first Council Tax revaluation in over 30 years.
The current Council Tax system is based on property values from 1991. As a result, most people are now in the wrong band.
Many of those living in smaller and less valuable homes currently pay more than they should. Conversely, the richest people living in the largest properties often pay far less than they would if accurate property values were used.
The Scottish Greens are confident that the proposal, which is being made as an amendment to the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill, would not only make the system fairer, it could also raise vital funds for local services like schools and social care.
If the amendment is passed, a revaluation exercise would be completed by 1st April 2029. Measures have been included to support those on low and fixed incomes.
“The Council Tax is based on property values from before I was even born and as a result, it is now completely broken. We wouldn’t tolerate most people paying the wrong rate of income tax, but that is exactly what has been allowed to happen here after 34 years.
“The wealthiest people in the most valuable houses are getting off with an absolute steal. They pay far less than they should, whilst far too many ordinary households pay much more.
“It may sound dry, but the Council Tax is crucial to funding schools, social care, bin collections and other local services. It should never have been allowed to become this completely broken.”
Mr Greer added:
“This system was a quick and dirty replacement for Thatcher’s hated Poll Tax. Everyone has agreed for years that it must be replaced completely. Despite this, the Scottish Government has lacked the courage to actually make that change.
“The Scottish Greens have made some important changes recently, including doubling Council Tax for second homes to help tackle the housing crisis. However, we know that total reform is urgently needed. That can’t happen without ditching the 1991 property valuations and bringing the system into this century.
“Those with the broadest shoulders and in the biggest houses should be paying more than those less privileged to fund the local services we all rely on.”
Council Tax reform is championed by the Tax Justice Scotland network, whose members include Oxfam, the Scottish Trade Unions Congress, the Church of Scotland and the Scottish Women’s Convention.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies described Scotland’s Council Tax as ‘ripe for reform’ in a report published earlier this year.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 21, 2025, a meeting of the Academic Council of the State University of Management was held. There were 18 issues on the agenda, including preparation for the Admissions Campaign of the 2025/2026 academic year and the results of individual areas of activity for 2024.
Traditionally, the meeting began with a ceremonial part. Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev presented a diploma of Doctor of Economics to the head of the Department of Economics and Management in Construction Olga Astafieva and congratulated the birthday boys of the month.
First of all, those gathered, through a secret vote that was conducted electronically, approved the awarding of the academic titles of associate professors to GUU teachers Dmitry Dolgopolov, Valeria Ivanova and Bulat Nuriyev.
Vice-Rector Maria Karelina presented to those gathered the results of the implementation of the plan for scientific research and publication activity of the State University of Management for 2024 and spoke about the planned indicators for 2025.
“In 2024, the volume of work increased threefold compared to 2022, mainly due to the increase in the number of technical R&D. The most significant contribution in 2024 was made by a large scientific project of the digital village. Two projects are being implemented within the framework of the advanced engineering school, the PISH itself showed excellent results, which allowed it to rise to the second group of projects of the Ministry of Education and Science and receive additional funding for development. I would like to note that the scientific function is not only the task of scientific departments, but a common function of all university teachers. For 2025, we have an ambitious task of significantly increasing the volume of scientific research, which we strive to implement,” concluded Maria Yuryevna.
Vladimir Stroev continued the theme of the importance of science, emphasizing that the State University of Management has significant potential in this area.
“Today, the volume of scientific work at the State University of Management is decent, it hasn’t been like this for a long time, the prospects are good, everyone needs to get involved as much as possible. There are specific state tasks, so let’s implement them together. We have a great moment to once again prove our leadership and show our capabilities. We don’t need to watch what is happening from the sidelines, we need to act,” the rector urged.
Director of the Department of Digital Development and Admission of Applicants Vadim Dikikh informed about the progress of preparations for the 2025/2026 admissions campaign and spoke about the changes that have occurred in the process itself.
“Starting this year, the admission campaign for bachelor’s, master’s, and postgraduate studies will be carried out only through the state services portal. The university will also present its programs through the state services showcase, and the social network Vkontakte will become the official communicator between applicants and the state,” said Vadim Dikikh.
Acting Director of the Institute of Information Systems Olga Pisareva reported on the Institute’s work results for 2024 and development prospects for 2025.
“The number of graduates from our institute has tripled in 5 years. The average passing score for the budget has also increased. This year, only 8 budget places have been allocated in the field of “business informatics”, but we will cope and conduct admission at a high level,” Olga Mikhailovna noted.
The director was supported by Vladimir Stroyev, who recalled that “computer science, and previously cybernetics, is a long-standing traditional direction of the State University of Management.”
Advisor to the rector’s office, head of the department of state and municipal administration Sergei Chuev spoke about the prospects of memorial work at the State University of Management and the opening of an exhibition in the scientific hall named after N.N. Nekrasov at the Scientific Library of the State University of Management.
“This year marks the 145th anniversary of the Aleksandrovsky School and 140 years since the first day of classes there. The State University of Management is the main successor of this educational institution. Firstly, the Moscow Industrial and Economic College (MPET), now GUU, was opened in the building of the Aleksandrovsky School. Secondly, we have documentary evidence that the majority of teachers and students from the school transferred to MPET,” said Sergei Chuev.
In this regard, it was proposed to change the logo of the State University of Management, as well as to hold a series of exhibitions to remember the unfairly forgotten names of scientists and outstanding employees of the university.
Continuing the theme of historical memory, Nikolai Mikhailov, an advisor to the rector’s office, proposed naming auditorium No. 209 of the continuous auditorium building after the recently deceased professor, Doctor of Economics Alexei Lyalin, who was the rector of our university from 2006 to 2011.
In addition, the meeting considered the “University Shifts” program, the provision of discounts on tuition, the approval of continuing education programs, the assignment of the Academic Council’s recommendation stamp to a number of publications, and other working issues.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/22/2025
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.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
The XVI International Congress “Nevsky Radiological Forum – 2025” was held in St. Petersburg on April 11-12. Several thousand people from all over the world gathered at the congress to exchange diagnostic experience and improve skills.
During the congress, Andrei Aleksandrovich Tulupov, professor of the Department of Fundamental Medicine Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies NSU, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was awarded the “Professor M. I. Nemenov” medal, the highest award in the field of radiation diagnostics in the Russian Federation. This is a professional award from the Presidium of the St. Petersburg Radiological Society for outstanding achievements in the field of X-ray radiology.
Andrey Aleksandrovich Tulupov is a renowned scientist, one of the leading specialists in Russia in the field of radiation diagnostics, nuclear medicine and neurosciences. The professor has been working at NSU for many years and was the first in the world to launch his own course in MRI anatomy for students majoring in General Medicine. Since 2009, he has been in charge of the residency in radiology. During this time, Andrey Aleksandrovich created a scientific school of radiologists, which is developing a fundamentally new direction in the field of radiation diagnostics, nuclear medicine and neurosciences – functional neurovisualization.
The “Professor Nemenov M.I.” medal was established in 2007 for specialists in radiation diagnostics and radiation therapy who have made an invaluable contribution to the development of domestic radiology and have taken an active part in the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel. It is a form of recognition of the achievement of the highest results in professional, scientific, educational and social activities.
Mikhail Isaevich Nemenov was a Soviet radiologist, doctor of medicine, professor, doctor of biological sciences, doctor of medical sciences, honored scientist of the RSFSR, one of the founders of domestic radiology.
Another significant event of the forum for NSU was the competition of young scientists, where Vladimir Popov, a 2nd-year resident in the specialty “Radiology”, took 3rd place among more than 30 competitors from among postgraduate students and research staff. He presented a report on the topic: “Possibilities of non-contrast MR perfusion in the quantitative assessment of cerebral blood flow during dynamic monitoring of ischemic stroke” (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Aleksandrovich Tulupov).
“It was a grand forum with the opportunity not only to meet colleagues, delve into and notice something new for yourself, but also to practice your speaking skills, hear comments from professionals on the expert committee and see possible growth points for improving your work,” said Vladimir Popov.
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.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karinna Saxby, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne
Last week, the federal government announced a $10 million commitment to make Medicare more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ Australians. It aims to improve their access to “inclusive, culturally safe primary care” through training and accreditation for GPs, nurses and other health-care providers.
The precise details will depend on which training provider wins the government’s grant. But they will have a strong body of evidence to draw on, which shows the challenges LGBTQIA+ people face in health care – and what it would take to make mainstream services more inclusive.
Why is this needed?
Many LGBTQIA+ Australians lead happy and healthy lives. But, unfortunately, a disproportionate number experience significantly poorer health outcomes compared to the general population.
LGBTQIA+ Australians are more likely to experience depression, anxiety and psychological distress. They also have higher rates of suicidal thoughts, self-harm and suicide.
Many of these health inequalities stem from experiences of discrimination and stigma. These can lead LGBTQIA+ people to avoidhealth services for routine as well as preventive care (such as screening and regular check-ups).
Young people in the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to experience mental health distress. Alexx60/Shutterstock
What does ‘inclusive, culturally safe’ care look like?
Inclusive and safe health care means more than just rainbow posters in the waiting room. It’s a concrete change in how care is delivered.
At a basic level, this involves respectful communication – using a patient’s correct pronouns and chosen name, and avoiding assumptions about their body, relationships or identity.
For example, an inclusive GP will ask open-ended questions (“do you have a partner?”) rather than presume a patient’s partner is of the opposite sex. They will not assume a trans patient’s health-care needs are only related to being trans.
Training might cover how to discuss sensitive topics (such as sexual behaviour or gender dysphoria) in a non-judgmental, inclusive way, and how to handle mistakes.
Making people feel safe to disclose their LGBTQIA+ status is also crucial. This has been shown to improve continuity of care and access to high-value preventive care. It may also help people disclose other sensitive issues, such as family violence.
When GPs and others in primary care understand LGBTQIA+ health needs, they’re better placed to make appropriate referrals – for example, to psychologists with relevant expertise or to specialist gender-affirming care services.
How this funding could help
This funding is part of the government’s ten-year national action plan to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people.
The plan focuses on enhancing community-led and specialist LGBTQIA+ services (such as gender-affirming care or HIV medicine) and mainstream services, so they work better in tandem.
It was developed through extensive consultations with LGBTQIA+ communities across Australia. These consultations found inclusive primary care was a top concern.
Making “mainstream” health care more inclusive is important because it is the most frequently accessed point of care for most Australians, including LGBTQIA+ Australians.
An estimated 84% of LGBTQIA+ Australians use “mainstream” medical clinics for their primary health care. Only 6% use LGBTQIA+ specific clinics – in part, because they are not widely available.
Improving mainstream primary care for LGBTQIA+ Australians is therefore particularly important for those in rural areas, where there can be reduced access to specialist health-care providers. People should not have to hide who they are or travel long distances to get the care they need.
This means patients will be able to easily identify services that are “safe and trusted” for LGBTQIA+ communities. It could affect the look and feel of the waiting room, but will also be reflected in policies, procedures and management.
For example, accredited services should have intake forms that meet Australian Bureau of Statistics standards. Record-keeping would reflect options for diverse genders, titles and family structures. Patients would be assured their information is kept private and confidential, so they feel safe disclosing personal information.
Accredited services would recognise different genders and family structures. Kaboompics.com/Pexels
Existing training resources have been available and processes such as Rainbow Tick accreditation have had modest take-up in some larger hospitals and community health centres.
But primary care providers are often overwhelmed by many other essential training needs and have under-utilised these offerings to date.
This funding will be a huge incentive for many of these clinicians and services to step up, as it signals a new level of priority.
If implemented effectively, this program could mark a significant step toward a health-care system where LGBTQIA+ Australians – whether a queer teenager in the city, a Brotherboy in a remote community, or an older trans woman in aged care – can get the care they need without discrimination or fear.
The challenge now will be turning this $10 million promise into real on-the-ground change. This means accrediting a majority of clinics, training thousands of health workers, partnering with LGBTQIA+ community organisations and ultimately ensuring every patient is treated with the understanding and respect they deserve.
Karinna Saxby has previously received funding from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Ruth McNair was part of the expert advisory group for the LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing ten-year action plan from 2023 to 2024.
Mo Hammoud 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.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China has launched its sixth national physical fitness monitoring campaign to assess citizens’ health and help guide public fitness policies.
The initiative, held every five years, is jointly organized by the General Administration of Sport, the Ministry of Education and seven other departments. It is currently underway across 31 provincial-level regions and includes 1,877 sampling points. Data will be collected from 248,000 people aged 3 to 79 via questionnaires and physical tests in three categories: children, adults and seniors.
Feng Qiang, an official with the General Administration of Sport, told China Central Television that for the first time, this year’s campaign will feature the real-time uploading of data to a national platform to ensure authenticity.
In another first, monitoring will include exercise-specific metrics such as cycling, high-knee lifts and pushups. The updates reflect shifting health priorities, with 25 core indicators now measuring body shape, physiological function, physical fitness and exercise habits.
Body weight and body mass index are now mandatory measurements. These align with the national “Weight Management Year” campaign, which calls on the public to focus on weight control, healthy eating and regular exercise.
According to the 2020 report, 49.6 percent of Chinese adults were overweight or obese, a 6.4 percentage point increase from the 2014 assessment.
In Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, 3,200 residents are taking part in the testing. Xue Liang, from the Zhejiang sports science institute, said the updated standards help identify individual fitness weaknesses. Experts on-site now offer personalized exercise prescriptions based on the results.
“Our goal is for more people to get their fitness monitored and also encouraged to exercise more often and scientifically,” Xue said.
Hangzhou resident Wu Xiaowei said he discovered balance issues during his assessment that he had not noticed before, and now plans to address them through targeted training.
The national data collection is scheduled to conclude by June 30, with an official report expected in November.
Since its launch in 2000, the campaign has helped track shifting trends in public fitness.
The fifth survey, conducted in 2019, showed modest progress overall but raised concerns about increasing weight and declining muscular strength in some groups.
Experts noted that 25 years of continuous national fitness monitoring has helped build a clearer picture of China’s evolving public health. The data also supports the development of improved public fitness services and helps identify gaps in sports infrastructure and participation.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Fiona Macdonald, Policy Director, Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute and Adjunct Principal Research Fellow, RMIT University
The Fair Work Commission has found award pay rates in five industrial awards covering a range of female-dominated occupations and industries do not provide equal pay.
This important decision should narrow the gender pay gap.
The commission proposed significant increases to award pay rates covering thousands of workers including pharmacists, early childhood education and care workers, psychologists, physiotherapists and some other health workers.
The Fair Work Commission’s review of the five “priority” awards was undertaken following the Labor government’s changes to the Fair Work Act in 2022. The changes require the commission to take account of the need to achieve gender equality in setting modern award rates of pay.
Who is covered by the latest review?
The five priority modern awards reviewed by the expert panel are:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services Award 2020
Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.
The commission examined the evidence and found many pay rates in the five modern awards do not reflect the value of the work undertaken in these female-dominated occupations and industries.
The commission found pay rates in these awards are not equal to pay rates for comparable work, due to the work largely being done by women.
Skills typically required to work with and to provide care and support to people, sometimes referred to as “soft” skills, have not been valued as much as the so-called “hard” skills required in male-dominated technical roles.
Past attempts were not successful
Before the Labor government’s 2022 changes to the Fair Work Act, almost all attempts by unions to have industrial tribunals address gender pay inequity failed.
One major barrier to success was a requirement that discrimination be demonstrated. The need to prove gender undervaluation of work largely done by women by referring to “comparable” jobs largely undertaken by men has also been a problem.
Now, under an amended Fair Work Act, the Fair Work Commission is able to examine the skills required in feminised jobs to assess the work’s value without needing to find a male comparison.
The commission’s decision that a total increase of 14% in award rates for pharmacists is justified will take effect in three phases, starting in July 2025.
The commission’s decisions on pay increases for workers covered by the other four awards, including proposed increases of 23% for Certificate III qualified childcare workers, have been put forward as provisional views only. The expert panel will begin consultations on these views in May.
Some concerns remain
The commission’s proposal for remedying gender undervaluation in one of the awards, covering a broad range of workers in social and community services, including disability workers, is puzzling.
The remedy appears to risk undermining past pay gains won for many social and community services workers because of proposed changes in the classification structure. These changes may not take account of the complexity and diversity of skills used by workers in the wide range of roles covered by the award.
Reflecting this, unions have expressed concerns the proposals for changes to this award may have the unintended consequence of reducing pay and hurting careers for some workers.
The final pay increases and their timing for workers covered by the four awards other than the pharmacy award will be made following consultations with unions, employers and funding bodies, including federal and state governments.
Following last week’s decision, one large employer group is arguing employers in private hospitals and the early childhood education and care sectors cannot afford the proposed pay increases.
They are calling on the government to fund increases in the industries that are largely government funded, including the early childhood education and care sector.
The government has also funded a 15% pay increases for early childhood workers gained through a multi-enterprise agreement covering hundreds of centres. The first increase of 10% came into effect in December, with a further 5% increase due in December 2025.
Better pay in care and support occupations was identified by the Labor government as essential to the sustainability and growth of the care and support economy.
The Coalition has not made any commitments regarding funding for any pay increases awarded in the gender undervaluation proceedings. The Coalition spokeswoman on workplace relations, Michaelia Cash, said the Coalition would examine the decision and its implications.
The Coalition did not support the larger Same Job Same Pay legislation that included the gender equality changes.
Fiona Macdonald appeared as an expert witness in the Fair Work Commission’s hearing on the review of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award.
Beneath the surface of the Southern Ocean, vast volumes of cold, dense water plunge off the Antarctic continental shelf, cascading down underwater cliffs to the ocean floor thousands of metres below. These hidden waterfalls are a key part of the global ocean’s overturning circulation – a vast conveyor belt of currents that moves heat, carbon, and nutrients around the world, helping to regulate Earth’s climate.
For decades, scientists have struggled to observe these underwater waterfalls of dense water around Antarctica. They occur in some of the most remote and stormy waters on the planet, often shrouded by sea ice and funnelled through narrow canyons that are easily missed by research ships.
But our new research shows that satellites, orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth, can detect these sub-sea falls.
By measuring tiny dips in sea level – just a few centimetres – we can now track the dense water cascades from space. This breakthrough lets us monitor the deepest branches of the ocean circulation, which are slowing down as Antarctic ice melts and surface waters warm.
Dense water helps regulate the climate
Antarctic dense water is formed when sea ice grows, in the process making nearby water saltier and more dense. This heavy water then spreads across the continental shelf until it finds a path to spill over the edge, plunging down steep underwater slopes into the deep.
As the dense water flows northward along the seafloor, it brings oxygen and nutrients into the abyss – as well as carbon and heat drawn from the atmosphere.
But this crucial process is under threat. Climate change is melting the Antarctic ice sheet, adding fresh meltwater into the ocean and making it harder for dense water to form.
Underwater waterfalls around Antarctica carry dense, salty surface water into the depths of the ocean.
Past research has shown the abyssal circulation has already slowed by 30%, and is likely to weaken further in the years ahead. This could reduce the ocean’s ability to absorb heat and carbon, accelerating climate change.
Our research provides a new technique that can provide easy, direct observations of future changes in the Southern Ocean abyssal overturning circulation.
Satellites and sea level
Until now, tracking dense water cascades around Antarctica has relied on moorings, ship-based surveys, and even sensors attached to seals. While these methods deliver valuable local insights, they are costly, logistically demanding, carbon-intensive, and only cover a limited area.
Satellite data offers an alternative. Using radar, satellites such as CryoSat-2 and Sentinel-3A can measure changes in sea surface height to within a few centimetres.
And thanks to recent advances in data processing, we can now extract reliable measurements even in ice-covered regions – by peering at the sea surface through cracks and openings in the sea ice.
Openings or ‘leads’ in sea ice can reveal the height of the sea surface beneath. NASA ICE via Flicker, CC BY
In our study, we combined nearly a decade of satellite observations with high-resolution ocean models focused on the Ross Sea. This is a critical hotspot for Antarctic dense water formation.
We discovered that dense water cascades leave a telltale surface signal: a subtle but consistent dip in sea level, caused by the cold, heavy water sinking beneath it.
By tracking these subtle sea level dips, we developed a new way to monitor year-to-year changes in dense water cascades along the Antarctic continental shelf. The satellite signal we identified aligns well with observations collected by other means, giving us confidence that this method can reliably detect meaningful shifts in deep ocean circulation.
Cheap and effective – with no carbon emissions
This is the first time Antarctic dense water cascades have been monitored from space. What makes this approach so powerful is its ability to deliver long-term, wide-reaching observations at low cost and with zero carbon emissions – using satellites that are already in orbit.
These innovations are especially important as we work to monitor a rapidly changing climate system. The strength of deep Antarctic currents remains one of the major uncertainties in global climate projections.
Gaining the ability to track their changes from space offers a powerful new way to monitor our changing climate – and to shape more effective strategies for adaptation.
Matthis Auger receives funding from the Australian Research Council Special Research Initiative, Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science.
China and Indonesia pledged shared efforts to ensure the peace and stability of the South China Sea, expand security cooperation and uphold the multilateral trading system during their first joint meeting of foreign and defense ministers, also known as the “2+2” dialogue, in Beijing on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin.
The dialogue mechanism between Beijing and Jakarta is the first of its kind that China has established with a foreign country.
The two sides agreed to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and set an example in maritime cooperation, Wang told a news conference after the meeting, adding that the coast guard agencies of both countries signed a maritime security cooperation agreement.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and to accelerating consultations on a Code of Conduct.
Wang stressed that as each other’s major trading partners, the two countries should remain committed to opposing any kind of unilateralism or trade protectionism.
“We believe that abusing tariffs will seriously undermine the normal trade exchanges between countries, and we pledged to jointly promote regional economic integration, ensure stable and smooth supply and industrial chains and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South,” Wang said.
In terms of security cooperation, he said that Beijing and Jakarta agreed to establish a bilateral consultation mechanism on disarmament, nonproliferation and arms control.
They also agreed to enhance law enforcement and security cooperation and jointly combat transnational crimes, such as transnational gambling and online and telecommunication fraud, and strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, Wang noted.
Speaking of defense cooperation, Dong called on the two sides to have more substantive cooperation in areas including strategic communication, exchanges between services, equipment and technology, and maritime security.
Calling the meeting a milestone in bilateral ties, Sugiono said that Indonesia is willing to work with China to further consolidate political mutual trust, enhance exchanges at all levels, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen communication and coordination under multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN-China cooperation.
Indonesia firmly upholds the one-China policy and opposes any foreign intervention in China’s domestic affairs, he added.
Sjamsoeddin said that Indonesia is committed to enhancing strategic trust with China through transparent and equitable defense cooperation.
Indonesia is the largest economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while China has been Indonesia’s largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years.
In 2024, bilateral trade exceeded $147.8 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.1 percent, according to Wang Lutong, Chinese ambassador to Indonesia.
Xu Liping, director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Center for Southeast Asian Studies, said that the establishment of the joint foreign and defense ministerial dialogue will help expand China’s neighborhood diplomacy.
The mechanism places greater emphasis on deepening China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic partnership and translating it into concrete actions, Xu said.
During President Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asian tour last week, China and Malaysia, and China and Cambodia agreed respectively to establish joint foreign and defense dialogue mechanisms, while the strategic dialogue mechanism of diplomacy, national defense and public security was upgraded to the ministerial level with Vietnam.
Such arrangements show that strategic security dialogues and cooperation with neighboring countries have become increasingly institutionalized and mature, Xu said, adding that this brings greater stability and predictability to regional peace and prosperity.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Carr, Associate Professor, Strategy and Australian Defence Policy, Australian National University
In 2024, the National Defence Strategy made deterrence Australia’s “primary strategic defence objective”.
With writing now underway for the 2026 National Defence Strategy, can Australia actually deter threats to the nation?
Traditionally, our defence strategy only asked that our military capabilities “command respect”. In today’s world, however, Australia needs a far more active military posture to defend itself.
To effectively deter an adversary, Australia needs the equipment, signals and processes to convince a potentially hostile nation to reconsider the cost of militarily threatening us.
A deterrence strategy promises to reduce the likelihood of conflict. It reduces the opportunities for an adversary to score “cheap” wins by communicating how we could “deny” their main goal and potentially “punish” them for their aggression.
It forces an adversary to make a choice: back down or risk failing at your objective and starting a more significant confrontation.
While we don’t know exactly how a future adversary might react, Australia must do more to make our intent clear on how we would respond to a provocation.
We are part of an international team researching the ways to do this. This is what we think is needed in the next National Defence Strategy.
What deterrence looks like
Creating a credible deterrence posture is not easy. The 2024 defence strategy lists a wide variety of actions that could change an adversary’s risk assessment.
Some of these things are specific (surveilling and protecting Australia’s sea lanes of communication). Others are vague and loosely connected to deterrence (supporting the global rules-based order).
To make sure our deterrence message is as clear and effective as possible, the 2026 strategy will need a much tighter policy framework around where Australia would have the power to deter an adversary, and how we would do so.
It will also need to detail the specific defence preparations Australia has undertaken to credibly deter threats.
Vagueness in language or generalities in proposed actions will not cut it.
What history can teach us
The scholarly literature on how to implement an effective deterrence is largely drawn from Cold War history.
Many times, the US and USSR made deliberate efforts to send deterrence signals to the other side. They did this by acquiring new capabilities (such as longer-range missiles) and expanding their nuclear stockpiles, or by conducting military exercises and deploying forces around the world. These messages, however, were often misunderstood.
Sometimes, these signals – such as US President John F. Kennedy’s reinforcement of West Berlin with an additional battalion during the Berlin Crisis of 1961 – made political sense, but less so militarily.
One way for Australia to approach this deterrence question is considering the adversary’s theory of victory – how they seek to achieve their goal – and then identifying ways to explicitly and publicly show we can disrupt it.
For example, after winning the 1982 Falkland Islands War against Argentina, Britain invested significant resources into the Mount Pleasant Air Base on the islands. They are now home to up to 2,000 personnel, enabling significant and rapid reinforcements in the event of future hostilities.
The use of ‘trip wires’
Australia is now acquiring significant new strike capabilities. However, even if we increase our defence spending beyond the 3% of GDP currently being discussed, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will not be able to defend everything across the entire region and the waters around us.
We will need to find low-cost defensive actions.
Deterring an adversary from attempting a “cheap win” against Australia, for instance, might require the “forward presence” of Australian troops far from our own shores. Even if they would not be able to defend against an attack on their own, they could serve as a “trip wire” force. This means if they were attacked, it would likely compel Australia to go to war.
So, let’s say Australia has a “forward presence” of troops stationed in the Cocos Islands, Papua New Guinea or even the Philippines. This signals a credible commitment to use those forces to protect ourselves and our regional partners against a threat. And should these soldiers be killed, it would likely generate public anger and a political insistence on a significant response.
While a lot of contemporary military thinking is about how to put robots and drones in harm’s way instead of our fellow citizens, some tasks, such as a “forward presence” deterrence, can likely only be done by humans.
We need to be clear about red lines
All of this means that deterrence is not just about a country’s capabilities – going to war is ultimately about politics, and human emotion.
As such, credibility also depends on practical rituals – such as Britain holding Cabinet meetings in the Falklands and NATO hosting flag parades in the Baltics. These convey a belief over what matters enough to go to war.
For Australian deterrence to be more credible, the next iteration of the National Defence Strategy will have to be more explicit than its predecessor in spelling out what Australia would be willing to go to war over.
If our government cannot address this now, how are we going to communicate this to an adversary – and convince them of it – in a crisis?
The government is understandably reluctant to be specific about the commitments and threats it is willing and able to make in a public document, or to acknowledge the limits to Australia’s abilities.
But deterring without communicating is a contradiction in terms. We need to be explicit about what would cause Australia to resist or retaliate, even at the cost of war, in order to credibly deter an adversary from taking such an action.
This must be at the core of how the 2026 National Defence Strategy approaches deterrence as Australia’s “primary defence objective”.
This piece is part of a series on the future of defence in Australia. Read the other stories here.
Andrew Carr receives funding from the Department of Defence on a research project on ‘Pathways of Deterrence’.
Stephan Fruehling receives funding from the Department of Defence on a research project on ‘Pathways of Deterrence’.
