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Category: Education

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 18, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 18, 2025.

    Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but they’re barely ahead in Freshwater
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor increased their lead again in a YouGov poll, but Freshwater put them ahead by just 50.3–49.7. This article also covers the final WA upper house results

    Why Kinshasa keeps flooding – and why it’s not just about the rain
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gode Bola, Lecturer in Hydrology, University of Kinshasa The April 2025 flooding disaster in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, wasn’t just about intense rainfall. It was a symptom of recent land use change which has occurred rapidly in the city, turning it into

    Grattan on Friday: Peter Dutton’s tax indexation ‘aspiration’ has merit – so why didn’t we hear about it before?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Peter Dutton, now seriously on the back foot, has made an extraordinarily big “aspirational” commitment at the back end of this campaign. He says he wants to see a move to indexing personal income tax – an assault on the

    Keith Rankin Essay – Barbecued Hamburgers and Churchill’s Bestie
    Essay by Keith Rankin. Operation Gomorrah may have been the most cynical event of World War Two (WW2). Not only did the name fully convey the intent of the war crimes about to be committed, it, also represented the single biggest 24-hour murder toll for the European war that I have come across. On the

    Public toilets could be the jewels in our cities’ crowns – if only governments would listen
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Tietz, Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design, UNSW Sydney A New South Wales Senate inquiry into public toilets is underway, looking into the provision, design and maintenance of public toilets across the state. Whenever I mention this inquiry, however, everyone nervously laughs and the conversation moves on.

    Bad news – why Australia is losing a generation of journalists
    Shrinking budgets and job insecurity means there are fewer opportunities for young journalists, and that’s bad news, especially in regional Australia, reports 360info ANALYSIS: By Jee Young Lee of the University of Canberra Australia risks losing a generation of young journalists, particularly in the regions where they face the closure of news outlets, job insecurity,

    Why do scientists want to spend billions on a 70-year project in an enormous tunnel under the Swiss Alps?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tessa Charles, Accelerator Physicist, Monash University An artist’s impression of the tunnel of the proposed Future Circular Collider. CERN The Large Hadron Collider has been responsible for astounding advances in physics: the discovery of the elusive, long-sought Higgs boson as well as other new exotic particles, possible

    Could you accidentally sign a contract by texting an emoji? Here’s what the law says
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer McKay, Professor in Business Law, University of South Australia Parkova/Shutterstock Could someone take you to court over an agreement you made – or at least appeared to make – by sending a “👍”? Emojis can have more legal weight than many people realise. A search of

    Why healthy eating may be the best way to reduce food waste
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trang Nguyen, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Centre for Global Food and Resources, University of Adelaide Stokkete, Shutterstock Australians waste around 7.68 million tonnes of food a year. This costs the economy an estimated A$36.6 billion and households up to $2,500 annually. Much of this food is wasted at

    Why can’t I keep still after intense exercise?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ken Nosaka, Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, Edith Cowan University Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock Do you ever feel like you can’t stop moving after you’ve pushed yourself exercising? Maybe you find yourself walking around in circles when you come off the pitch, or squatting and standing and squatting

    ‘We get bucketloads of homework’: young people speak about what it’s like to start high school
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katherine Stevens, PhD Candidate, Education, Murdoch University Rawpixel.com Starting high school is one of the most significant transitions young people make in their education. Many different changes happen at once – from making new friends to getting used to a new school environment and different behaviour and

    How to tackle the ‘gender play gap’: 4 ways to encourage young women back into sport
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Kay, PhD Candidate at the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University matimix/Shutterstock Women’s sport has recently enjoyed unprecedented success in Australia. We have seen the Matildas sell out 16 successive home games, a world-record attendance for a women’s Test cricket match at the

    Want straighter teeth or a gap between? Don’t believe TikTok – filing them isn’t the answer
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland After decades of Hollywood showcasing white-picket-fence celebrity smiles, the world has fallen for White Lotus actor Aimee Lou Wood’s teeth. Wood was bullied for her looks in her youth and expressed gratitude for

    1 in 6 New Zealanders is disabled. Why does so much health research still exclude them?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachelle Martin, Senior Lecturer in Rehabilitation & Disability, University of Otago Getty Images Disabled people encounter all kinds of barriers to accessing healthcare – and not simply because some face significant mobility challenges. Others will see their symptoms not investigated properly because it’s assumed a problem is

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOGE’s Data Dive Denied: Court Grants Preliminary Injunction and Blocks Access to SSA System

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    Baltimore, MD — A federal court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Elon Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) from further accessing sensitive personal data stored within the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) systems. The ruling comes in response to a motion filed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO; the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); and the Alliance for Retired Americans, all represented by Democracy Forward.

    Today’s decision provides significant relief and is essential in halting DOGE’s unlawful and dangerous overreach. The court recognized that Musk’s operatives’ unprecedented access to private Social Security data, ranging from immigration records to health and financial information, violated critical privacy protections and would cause irreparable harm.

    This decision sends a clear message to Elon Musk and his DOGE minions to keep their hands off Social Security,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. This regime of billionaires is wreaking havoc on the Social Security Administration – rolling out plans to cut services, sowing confusion, disregarding court orders and then denying how their actions will hurt those most vulnerable. We won’t stand for it. Working people spend their entire careers paying into Social Security so they can one day retire with dignity. AFSCME and our partners will keep working to protect that promise for all.

    This is an important ruling that upholds our grave concern that millions of Americans have had their private information and retirement security violated by Elon Musk’s illegal actions. It stops, for now, the exploitation of data by an unelected billionaire who wants to weaponize it or use it for his and others’ personal ends. The promise of Social Security is that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can retire with dignity and grace. Elon Musk broke that basic bond of trust and today, the judge agreed that he must be held accountable,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.

    Older Americans can breathe easier knowing that Elon Musk and his DOGE team have been clearly ordered to stay away from their most personal financial and health information,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans. We will always fight to ensure that every American after a lifetime of work receives the Social Security benefits they have earned and that their most sensitive information remains protected.

    This is a significant relief for the millions of people who depend on the Social Security Administration to safeguard their most personal and sensitive information, said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. The court’s ruling sends a clear message: no one can bypass the law to raid government data systems for their own purposes. We will continue working with our partners to ensure that DOGE’s overreach is permanently stopped and that people’s rights are protected.

    The preliminary injunction halts DOGE personnel from accessing SSA data without complying with certain legal requirements while the broader lawsuit moves forward. Plaintiffs argue that DOGE’s access violates the Privacy Act, the Social Security Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

    This decision follows a first-of-its-kind order requiring Musk and DOGE to “disgorge” and “delete” any personal data and highlighting that DOGE affiliates have been concerned that the disclosure of even their names would expose them to harassment and thus invade their privacy. However, DOGE does not appear to share a privacy concern for the millions of people whose SSA records were made available to its affiliates without their consent.

    Read the complaint, the motion for temporary restraining order, the motion for preliminary injunction, and today’s ruling.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Biolight—Living Light

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Biolight—Living Light

    Megumi Mizoguchi
    Design Division,Panasonic Corporation

    Noriyuki Hatsugai
    Green Transformation Division,Technology Sector,Panasonic Holdings Corporation

    Takashi Kanno
    Green Transformation Division,Technology Sector,Panasonic Holdings Corporation

    Satoshi Sasaki
    Department of Medical Technology,School of Health Sciences,Tokyo University of Technology

    Bringing Together People, Organizations, and Expertise to Unlock New Possibilities
    Mizoguchi: The idea of combining light and biological organisms came from an independent research project I pursued, which was encouraged by the Transformation Design Center where I work. While my background is in biology, most of my work at the company has involved physics and chemistry, so when it came to my own research, I wanted to bring the focus back to biology.
    Hatsugai: Before joining the company, I was also involved in the field of biology, researching ways to use biologically generated light, like luminescent proteins, as tools. That experience naturally led me to explore luminescent bacteria as a potential theme for commercialization.
    Mizoguchi: When I told my supervisor I wanted to explore the fusion of light and biology, he introduced me to Mr. Hatsugai. We quickly realized we were working on similar themes and hit it off right away, so we decided to team up on the project.
    Hatsugai: At the time, though, my bacterial strain did not emit much light…hardly enough to call it “light” at all. That led me to dig deeper, and through my research, I came across the work of Professor Sasaki.
    Sasaki: I was thrilled when I got a message saying, “I’m interested in luminescent bacteria!” I’ve studied bacteria for many years, but since their light output isn’t strong enough for practical lighting, I always felt it would be hard to bring them into real-world use. The chance to collaborate with Panasonic gave me hope, and I quickly shared one of my brightest strains with them.

    Mizoguchi: When we first met, Professor Sasaki had a tiny vial of glowing bacteria tucked into his shirt pocket—it made me smile. His deep passion for his research was evident, and I thought to myself, “If it’s with him, we can definitely make living light a reality.”
    Hatsugai: Professor Sasaki provided more than just the bacterial strain; he also gave us invaluable guidance on adjusting key conditions for culturing, like nutrients and oxygen levels. Thanks to his advice, we were able to get the bacteria to emit light in a large tank. Together with Mr. Kanno, who handles the equipment, we’ve taken on the challenge of keeping the glow going as long as possible. Throughout the six-month Expo, we’re confident that visitors will be able to witness the glowing bacteria at any time.
    Kanno: I joined the team in April 2024. With a background in electrical engineering, this was my first time developing equipment for use in biology. It’s been full of surprises and challenges, but there were moments when my ideas—coming from outside the field of biology—helped broaden the project’s scope. That sense of contribution has made this challenge deeply rewarding.
    Mizoguchi: I believe the real strength of this project came from combining different perspectives, namely biology, which is Mr. Hatsugai’s and my specialty, Panasonic’s core strength in engineering, Professor Sasaki’s expertise from outside the organization, and Mr. Kanno’s fresh ideas from a different field. Through this blend of diverse skills and backgrounds, we were able to spark new ideas and tackle even the toughest challenges.

    Working with Living Organisms is Challenging—But That’s What Makes It So Fascinating
    Sasaki: It has been two years since I was first approached about the project, and today was the first time I saw the actual setup. I was truly impressed to see the bacteria glowing steadily in such a large volume of liquid.
    Hatsugai: Since we’re working with living organisms, fine-tuning the conditions was incredibly challenging. Too much or too little food or oxygen would throw everything off. Even when we got the balance just right, changes in the surrounding environment could still cause the bacteria to stop glowing. There was even one time when they wouldn’t glow at all…until Ms. Mizoguchi walked into the lab, and suddenly, they lit up!
    Mizoguchi: It really felt like we were having a dialogue with the bacteria as we worked through the research. Unlike machines, they couldn’t be controlled precisely. While that was frustrating at times, I think it’s also what made us feel such a strong connection and dedication to the project.
    Kanno: If we focused only on making the culturing process work, the equipment ended up looking unappealing. Since this was meant to be an exhibit for a broad audience, we made sure to prioritize the visual design as well, developing the equipment with both function and form in mind.
    Sasaki: Keeping luminescent bacteria glowing in a large tank over a long period is highly challenging. Over the years, I’ve had people from various industries approach me with ideas such as using them in stage productions or trying to raise them, but none of those concepts ever came to life. Panasonic, however, brought something different: not only the technical expertise to make it happen, but the drive and momentum to move the project forward with real force.

    Experimenting with Biolight

    Creating a Gentle, Formative Experience to Light Up Children’s Hearts
    Kanno: I’m excited that we get to showcase a project we all worked on together at the Expo, a venue that’s so open to the public. I originally became an engineer at Panasonic because I wanted to contribute to society through technology, and this project feels like a direct opportunity to fulfill that dream.
    Hatsugai: Our company has a long history of lighting up daily life in Japan, something many people still remember from the old television commercial songs. As one of the country’s leading lighting manufacturers, we believe our mission is to develop lighting solutions that coexist with the natural environment with a view to the future. While there’s still a long way to go in terms of advancing the technology for commercialization, we see the Expo as a decisive first step toward introducing a new concept of light to society.
    Mizoguchi: As Mr. Hatsugai mentioned, we’re exploring a new kind of light that coexists with nature and offers more than just illumination. We want to create an experience that warms children’s hearts. We hope to give them a gentle, formative memory they’ll carry with them and recall unexpectedly, even years later.
    Sasaki: The light from luminescent bacteria sways gently and quietly touches the heart. That’s what makes it so special. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, our university was affected by scheduled blackouts, and I once took the bacterial strains home to keep them safe. I brought the container into my bedroom and saw my young daughter peacefully asleep, her face softly lit by the gentle glow. In that moment, I felt a deep sense of calm. I truly believe that the flickering, tender light of living organisms can move people in ways words never could.

    Mizoguchi: The theme of the Earth area is a “720° cycle” between people and nature. Rather than focusing solely on technology for either people or nature, I believe that the true 720° cycle emerges from the mutual exchange of abundance, where people and nature connect, support, and circulate with each other. I hope that children visiting the pavilion will grasp the importance of this connection not through words, but through the experience itself.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Tours WSU-Vancouver Life Sciences Building, Filling Workforce Gaps in Southwest WA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ***PHOTOS, B-ROLL HERE***
    Vancouver, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured Washington State University’s Vancouver campus to see their recently-completed Life Sciences Building, which has been in the works for nearly a decade and specifically works to fill workforce gaps in Southwest Washington, particularly in medicine and nursing. During the visit, Senator Murray heard from students and educators about how the new building allows WSU-Vancouver to expand biology offerings—which were previously limited by a lack of lab space—and provide a new undergraduate degree in chemistry. The Life Sciences Building houses classrooms, lab space for biology and chemistry, and clinical health programs, including biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and nursing.  
    The opening of the Life Sciences Building also freed up space in the existing Science and Engineering Building for a new five-year partnership between the U.S. Forest Service’s Office of International Programs (USFS IP) and WSU Vancouver to combat illegal logging—where students will use state-of-the-art equipment purchased by the USFS IP to assist the Forest Service in detecting illegal timber imports and support the U.S. timber industry by ensuring legitimate trade practices. Right now, U.S. industries lose an estimated $4 billion each year as a direct result of illegal logging. Space in the Science and Engineering Building is currently being renovated for this work, and Forest Service staff will work out of these offices and labs on WSU Vancouver’s campus.  This new partnership is expected to create several new educational opportunities and research outcomes for undergraduate and graduate students and allow WSU to hire new staff. WSU is also a key partner in USFS IP’s Invasive Species Program, which funds research to manage non-native forest pests and pathogens that threaten the health of U.S. forests and grasslands.
    However, Trump and Elon Musk’s mass firings and steep cuts to critical services across the federal government are putting this work in jeopardy—Trump and Musk have already pushed out more than 3,000 U.S. Forest Service employees and their upcoming Reduction In Force (RIF) plans are likely to gut USFS IP and could put the agency’s partnerships with WSU at risk.
    “As a proud Coug, it was great getting to see firsthand how WSU is advancing life science programs for students in Vancouver and filling workforce needs for greater Southwest Washington. Thanks to these new resources and programs, more students will be equipped to become nurses, doctors, and scientists ensuring Washington state continues to lead the way on everything from medical research to preventing invasive species from threatening our forests,” said Senator Murray. “Right now, President Trump is doing everything he can to attack education across the country and abolish the Department of Education that provides really critical support for students at WSU and all over Washington state. Trump’s attacks on the Forest Service also threaten critical partnerships with WSU on everything from combating illegal logging to managing invasive species. I will continue fighting as hard as I can to protect the funding and resources our students and schools like WSU need to thrive.”  
    Last year, the Department of Education distributed over $100 million in federal financial aid and support to help students across Washington attend and complete college.
    “Senator Murray’s visit provided an opportunity to showcase the vital role federally funded research plays in advancing our mission—from driving cutting-edge discoveries that promote health, innovation and economic vitality in our region to expanding access and supporting student success,” said Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education Christine Portfors.
    A senior member and former chair of the HELP Committee, Senator Murray has championed students and families at every stage of her career—fighting to help ensure every child in America can get a high-quality public education. Among other things, Senator Murray negotiated the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), landmark legislation that she got signed into law, replacing the broken No Child Left Behind Act. As a longtime appropriator, she has successfully fought to boost funding to support students and invest in our nation’s K-12 schools, and she has secured significant increases to the Pell Grant so that it goes further for students pursuing a higher education. Senator Murray also successfully negotiated the FAFSA Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the financial aid application process, simplify the FAFSA form for students and parents, and significantly expand eligibility for federal aid.
    Earlier this month, Senator Murray led a letter to Secretary Linda McMahon demanding a reversal of a new policy the Department of Education announced recently that suddenly upended departmental policy and imposed new red tape on states, which will prevent them from accessing pandemic relief funds they are counting on to support students’ learning. Senator Murray also led a letter demanding detailed answers from the Department of Education about the mass firings and other detrimental actions which risk major reductions in support for and oversight of federal investments in our nation’s K-12 schools and institutions of higher education and threaten vital support for students with disabilities, access to Pell Grants and other financial aid, oversight of student loan servicers, scrutiny of for-profit colleges, and more. The letter follows an earlier March 6 letter Senator Murray sent alongside colleagues demanding answers about the chaotic, harmful actions taken by ED since January—which the Department has yet to respond to.
    During Secretary Linda McMahon’s confirmation hearing, Senator Murray pressed McMahon on whether she will ensure approved funding gets out to serve students as the law requires and whether she would protect students’ data from DOGE. She also asked McMahon to name a single requirement of ESSA—and McMahon couldn’t name any. Ahead of McMahon’s confirmation, Senator Murray spoke out on the Senate floor against her nomination and sounded the alarm over President Trump and Elon Musk’s plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
    A fact sheet outlining how the Department of Education supports students in Washington state is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Visits Downtown Vancouver, Highlights Importance of Federal Investment Amid Local Concerns Over Trump Funding Freezes, Tariff Chaos

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: In Vancouver, Senator Murray Meets with Local Businesses, ILWU, Port Commissioner to Discuss How Trump’s Chaotic Trade War is Hurting Washington State
    ***PHOTOS and B-ROLL HERE***
    Vancouver, WA— Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured businesses in downtown Vancouver, as part of the Main Street Promise project, to see how federal investment has supported their growth and how Trump’s chaotic trade war and federal funding freezes are harming the local economy. Senator Murray was joined for the tour by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle; Michael Walker, Executive Director of the Vancouver Downtown Association; Chris Harder, Deputy Economic Development Director for the City of Vancouver; Julie Arenz, Small Business Connector and Advocate for the City of Vancouver; Ryan Hart, Chair of Visit Vancouver and Chief External Affairs Officer for the Port of Vancouver; Kelsey Jennings, Owner of Ronald Records in downtown Vancouver; and Crystal Lary, Owner of Eryngium Papeterie in downtown Vancouver.
    During the visit, Senator Murray heard from business owners and leaders at the City of Vancouver about how federal investment in Vancouver has helped lay the groundwork for thriving small businesses and spurred other construction and renovation projects in the downtown core. The City of Vancouver has been working on a 20-year revitalization effort that Senator Murray helped kickstart by securing initial federal funding for the Waterfront Redevelopment Project in 2009. The Main Street Promise Project is one of the last phases of the revitalization effort and was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act Senator Murray played a leading role in crafting as then-Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The major reconstruction project on Main Street broke ground in December 2024—with original planning work done in 1993 with the goal of improving the heart of Vancouver. The Main Street Promise Project will reconstruct Main Street to provide a safe, accessible, and connected transportation system to support existing small businesses along Main Street and attract more visitors to Downtown Vancouver.
    Senator Murray also heard from small business owners and local leaders about how the Trump administration’s illegal withholding of federal funding owed to communities across the country and his reckless trade war is leading to serious uncertainty for businesses, consumers, and communities across Southwest Washington. Trump is currently taxing goods from every country—including close allies like Canada—at a minimum 10 percent tariff rate across-the-board, and he has significantly escalated his trade war with China, with 145 percent tariffs on Chinese goods—meaning higher prices and serious pain for families and small businesses across the country. Even with his 90-day “pause” on reciprocal tariffs, Trump’s new tariffs are still the highest tariff rates in decades, and are estimated to cost American families more than $4,000 per year—the largest tax increase since 1968.
    “It’s wonderful to see how the federal investment I’ve fought to bring to Southwest Washington over the years has helped downtown Vancouver thrive—with so many great small businesses and new infrastructure and renovation projects that are making the heart of Vancouver a destination for shopping, eating, nightlife, and more,” said Senator Murray. “Trump is putting all the progress our communities have made at risk by illegally canceling and holding up federal funding our communities are owed, and he is putting businesses in constant turmoil with his pointless and destructive trade war. I will continue to sound the alarm on the consequences Trump’s illegal funding freezes and his ham-fisted trade war will have for American families, and I will always lift up the voices and concerns of people in Washington state.”
    “The transformation of Vancouver’s downtown into a regional and national destination is years in the making,” said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “The current reconstruction of Main Street into a pedestrian-centered and vibrant commercial corridor represents downtown Vancouver’s most recent evolution. Over the past 20+ years, Senator Murray has been one of Vancouver’s biggest champions, helping to steer critical federal funds, such as American Rescue Plan Act dollars, to our community to help fund placemaking and infrastructure investments. The City of Vancouver would like to thank Senator Murray for her leadership and we are grateful for her willingness to partner on important local projects like Main Street Promise.”    
    “The Main Street Promise is a realization of a vision that’s been decades in the making. This is the third time our community has tried to bring this project to life, and now—thanks to Senator Patty Murray and the American Rescue Plan—we finally have what we need to get it done,” said Michael Walker, Executive Director of Vancouver’s Downtown Association. “This is the largest investment in Main Street in 116 years, and it’s going to reshape the heart of our downtown into a safer, more connected, and more accessible place for everyone. This project is about building a strong foundation for the future of our downtown—leaving something great for the next generation and beyond. Senator Patty Murray’s steadfast advocacy on behalf of Vancouver has helped us achieve real outcomes in the heart of our community—improving quality of life, supporting local businesses, and strengthening our downtown economy for the long term.”
    “In addition, thanks to the unique opportunity provided by ARPA dollars, we’re able to go beyond traditional infrastructure work,” Walker continued. “We have staff on the ground every day and thoughtful mitigation efforts in place—like block-by-block construction—to help minimize disruption. Businesses are staying open, sidewalks remain accessible, and we’ve built a strong network of peer support to help keep our business community resilient and thriving throughout the process. For a project of this scale, we’re doing everything we can to make sure it’s as smooth and supportive as possible.
    Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will be unlikely to be able to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Canada is Washington’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly $20 billion in imports and $10 billion in exports. China is the world’s second-largest economy and Washington state exported over $12 billion in goods to China last year—making China Washington state’s top export partner—and imported $11.2 billion in goods, the most in imports from any country aside from Canada. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.
    Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war and has been lifting up the voices of people in Washington state harmed by this administration’s approach to trade and calling on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and take back Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Earlier this month, Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state who highlighted how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector. Senator Murray also took to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else. Earlier this week, Senator Murray joined her colleagues in pressing U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on how the Trump administration’s tariffs are affecting farmers across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bulgarian, Chinese students mark language day with classic recital

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    In celebration of International Chinese Language Day, 120 students from Bulgaria and China gathered online on Thursday to recite Chinese classics, bridging cultures through language and literature.

    Children from Sofia and China’s Ningbo city participated in the event from two locations – the China Cultural Center in the Bulgarian capital and the Yinzhou Wuxiang Central Primary School in Ningbo’s Yinzhou District. Connected via livestream, the students took turns reading the Three-Character Classic, one of China’s most revered ancient texts for early childhood education.

    Held under the theme “Chinese Characters, Bonding Hearts; Classics, Spreading Affection,” the event also featured cross-cultural dialogues inspired by the values and lessons embedded in the text. The event was co-organized by the China Cultural Center in Sofia and the relevant departments of Yinzhou District.

    Children from the British School of Sofia (BSS), aged seven to eight, were among the participants. Gulser Fehmi, a coordinator at BSS, told Xinhua the event was a rare and valuable opportunity for students to experience Chinese culture firsthand.

    BSS, with students from more than 40 nationalities, aims to nurture global citizens who embrace diversity and respect different languages and cultures, she said.

    The United Nation’s Language Days, introduced in 2010, promote multilingualism and cultural diversity, ensuring the equal use of the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Chinese Language Day is celebrated on April 20.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reinforces documentary heritage protection with new UNESCO designations

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has shown the world its unrelenting commitment to protecting humanity’s shared cultural legacy with three new documentary heritage items added to the Memory of the World (MoW) Register of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Thursday.

    With the latest additions — the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, the Steles of Shaolin Temple (566-1990) and Trilingual Inscription (TribhashaSellipiya) — China now has 18 entries in the international register, which was launched by UNESCO in 1992 to facilitate preservation of the world’s documentary heritage, enable universal access to documentary heritage worldwide and enhance public awareness.

    Dubbed the world’s first “sound-producing music textbook,” the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng, dating back more than 2,400 years, is currently on display at the Hubei Provincial Museum in central China. The bronze percussion instrument weighs nearly 5 tonnes, and comprises 65 bianzhong, or chime bells.

    The bells, which are arranged across three tiers and eight groupings at the exhibition, featured 3,755 inscribed Chinese characters — the only known systematic musical treatise from the 5th century B.C.

    In 2024, the museum reported more than 5 million visits. During peak periods, daily visits to the bianzhong exhibition exceeded 30,000 people, said Zhang Xiaoyun, curator of the museum.

    To better preserve such documentary heritage, in 1984, the museum commissioned a full set of replicated chime bells to be used for performances and research, allowing the ancient instrument to resonate beyond museum walls. Three years later, the museum established a bianzhong performance troupe, with its members having performed to over 10 million live spectators worldwide.

    For more than 40 years, specialists in archaeology, metallurgy, acoustics, astronomy, ancient writing, chemistry, music and other fields from across the globe have researched the chime bells and their inscriptions.

    UNESCO’s recognition is also reflected through the continuous conservation work at the Shaolin Temple in the central Henan Province, where 499 ancient steles chronicle the extensive exchanges and interactions between the temple — the birthplace of kung fu — and ancient officials, celebrities, overseas Buddhists and secular society between 556 and 1990.

    The steles distributed at the temple and its surrounding areas are protected according to each monument’s condition and location. “We have installed glass cases around fragile inscriptions or protective railings around exposed pieces,” said Yang Hongrui, the temple’s chief archivist.

    According to Yang, the temple has collaborated with institutions to digitally archive the entire collection and establish a digital archives exhibition hall.

    “During its trial operation last September, the digital archives exhibition hall, spanning approximately 100 square meters, drew overwhelming crowds, averaging 14 visitors per minute with some staying for up to two to three hours,” Yang said.

    Yang added that to celebrate its inclusion in the MoW Register, the hall will officially open to the public ahead of May, and there are plans for international touring exhibitions of these archival treasures at the temple’s 168 overseas cultural centers.

    Similar to the Shaolin steles, Trilingual Inscription (TribhashaSellipiya), jointly submitted by China and Sri Lanka, also provides evidence of China’s interactions with other civilizations.

    The monument, brought to Sri Lanka over 600 years ago by renowned Chinese navigator Zheng He during his third voyage, is held by the national museum in Colombo as one of the most precious collections. It is a testament to cultural exchanges between China and the outside world, as inscriptions written in Chinese, Persian and Tamil recorded ceremonial offerings to a sacred mountain shrine by Zheng’s fleet.

    “The joint efforts underscore the mutual respect and commitment to cultural preservation that Sri Lanka and China have cultivated over the years. Such recognition will undoubtedly encourage further collaborations in fields such as archaeology, education and tourism,” Ruwan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka’s deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, told Xinhua.

    China made its first application to the MoW Register in 1997, establishing itself as one of the earliest participants and the first nation to create a dedicated national committee for the program.

    “The inclusion in the MoW Register underscores the remarkable richness of Chinese archival heritage. This designation highlights the nation’s wealth of documentary resources worthy of preservation,” said professor Chen Shaofeng from Peking University. He noted that authorities can focus on more ethnic minority documents for future UNESCO nominations.

    To date, China has officially recognized 198 items or groups of archival heritage at the national level. The National Archives Administration of China has further urged provincial-level archives authorities to develop regional catalogues to expand and refine the global memory preservation framework. 

    This undated file photo shows a stele in Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Visitors look at the Trilingual Inscription at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 17, 2025.  [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Learning Chinese language opens a lot of doors, says South African student

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    “Learning the Chinese language opens a lot of doors for me,” said Sasha-Leigh Allen, a South African student participating in a vibrant celebration to mark the 2025 International Chinese Language Day.

    The celebration, themed “Chinese Language: Together for a Bright Future,” was held on Thursday at the Iziko Learning Center in Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa. More than 100 representatives from the political, business, and academic sectors of China and South Africa, along with faculty and students from universities across Cape Town, came together to celebrate the beauty of the Chinese language.

    Co-hosted by the Confucius Institute at the University of the Western Cape and the Iziko Museums of South Africa, the event offered rich Chinese cultural experiences, featuring “101 Wishes: The Beauty of Chinese Characters” Exhibition, Guzheng (Chinese plucked zither) performance, traditional Chinese tea tasting, and Chinese calligraphy practice.

    In his opening remarks, Bongani Ndhlovu, acting chief executive officer of the Iziko Museums of South Africa, emphasized the multiple layers of significance that Chinese Language Day carries. “Language is not only the carrier of meaning, but also that through it, our values, our cultures, our traditions, our heritage are embedded in each (of us),” he said.

    His remarks were echoed by Tang Chang’an, deputy consul general of the Chinese Consulate-General in Cape Town. “Chinese is more than a language — it is a bridge connecting civilizations, fostering understanding, and promoting cultural change across the world,” said Tang.

    In his speech, Tang noted that the Chinese language reflects the wisdom of a 5000-year-old civilization rooted in values of peace, harmony, and cooperation. “In today’s interconnected world, cultural and linguistic exchanges play a crucial role in building mutual respect and friendship among nations,” he said.

    “Let us take this opportunity to use language as a bridge to deepen mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation. Together, we can build a more just and inclusive world,” he added.

    Sasha-Leigh Allen, a sophomore at the University of the Western Cape who attended the event, has been studying the Chinese language for nearly two years. “I believe that Chinese characters are an art, an art that in the beginning is very difficult to understand, but when you go up close, it’s very simplistic and beautiful,” she told Xinhua.

    “When I learned Chinese characters, it made me more open-minded to understand the Chinese language, Chinese people, their culture, the way they speak, and the different kinds of meanings,” she said, adding that she also encouraged her friends to learn the language.

    Allen went on to talk about the potential benefits that learning the Chinese language could bring to her future career.

    “Personally, for me, learning Chinese characters opens a lot of doors for me, especially in my career. Hopefully, if I’m able to continue learning Han Zi (Chinese characters), it will help a lot,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but they’re barely ahead in Freshwater

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    Labor increased their lead again in a YouGov poll, but Freshwater put them ahead by just 50.3–49.7. This article also covers the final WA upper house results for the March 8 election.

    A national YouGov poll, conducted April 11–15 from a sample of 1,506, gave Labor a 53–47 lead, a 0.5-point gain for Labor since the April 4–10 YouGov poll. It’s Labor’s biggest lead in YouGov for 18 months. Primary votes were 33% Labor (up one), 33% Coalition (down 0.5), 7% One Nation (down 1.5), 2% Trumpet of Patriots (up one), 9% independents (steady) and 3% others (steady).

    Using 2022 election preference flows would give Labor about a 54.5–45.5 lead from these primary votes. YouGov is applying preference flows from its previous poll that was conducted from late February to late March.

    However, recent polls that use respondent preferences suggest the gap in the Coalition’s favour between respondent and 2022 preference flows has dropped to nearly zero. This means YouGov’s current preference assumptions may be too pro-Coalition. Analyst Kevin Bonham has more on this.

    In contrast to voting intentions, leaders’ ratings moved to Peter Dutton and against Anthony Albanese. Albanese’s net approval was down four points to -6, with 49% dissatisfied and 43% satisfied. Dutton’s net approval was up five points to -10. Albanese had a 48–38 better PM lead over Dutton (48–37 previously).

    I’ve said before that changes in leaders’ ratings may indicate the next change in voting intentions in a poll, though this doesn’t always follow.

    While YouGov shows Labor’s surge continuing, the Freshwater poll below only gave Labor a 50.3–49.7 lead. However, this was still a gain for Labor from the post-budget Freshwater poll. Freshwater has the Coalition primary vote at 39%, four points higher than in any other poll in the past week.

    Here is the poll graph. I’m using the unrounded two-party numbers for Freshwater’s last two polls, improving Labor from a 51–49 deficit in the post-budget poll to a 50.6–49.4 deficit. There’s a big difference between this week’s Freshwater and all other national polls taken in the past week.

    Freshwater poll has very narrow Labor lead

    A national Freshwater poll for The Financial Review, conducted April 14–16 from a sample of 1,062, had a 50–50 tie by respondent preferences, a one-point gain for Labor since the Freshwater poll conducted after the March 25 budget. Before rounding, Labor led by 50.3–49.7.

    Primary votes were unchanged at 39% Coalition, 32% Labor, 12% Greens and 17% for all Others. By 2022 election flows, this poll would give about a 50–50 tie.

    Albanese’s net approval was up one point to -10, while Dutton’s was steady at -11. Albanese led as preferred PM by 46–41 (46–45 previously).

    The Coalition’s lead over Labor on cost of living has been cut from a high of 14 points last October to two points in this poll. The Coalition held a 17-point lead on economic management last November, which has been reduced to six points. Cost of living remained the most important issue, with 73% citing it as a top issue.

    Resolve poll on tax and housing policies

    To gauge the popularity of Labor and the Coalition’s housing policy announcements at their April 13 campaign launches, a Resolve poll for Nine newspapers was conducted April 14–15 from a sample of 801. This poll didn’t report voting intentions, which were assessed in the April 9–13 Resolve poll.

    By 40–34, voters preferred Labor’s tax policy to the Coalition’s, which were both announced the week of the March 25 budget. By 40–27, they preferred Labor’s housing policy.

    JWS polls of Greens-held Brisbane seats

    The Greens hold three seats in Brisbane: Ryan (by 52.6–47.4 vs the Liberal National Party), Brisbane (by 53.7–46.3) and Griffith (by 60.5–39.5). The Poll Bludger reported Thursday that JWS polls for Australian Energy Producers gave the LNP a 57–43 lead over Labor in Ryan with the Greens a distant third on primary votes.

    In Brisbane, Labor led the LNP by 51–49 with the Greens once again a distant third. In Griffith, Labor led the LNP by 51–49, but the LNP led the Greens by 53–47.

    Seat polls conducted by JWS Research have had very strong results for the Coalition. While the Greens could lose these seats to Labor, I believe the massive swings to the LNP shown here are unrealistic. I expect inner city seats to be good for left-wing parties relative to the national swing.

    Redbridge poll: Labor close to majority

    A national poll by Redbridge and Accent Research, using MRP methodology and reported by the News Corp tabloids, was conducted from February 3 to April 1 from a sample of 9,953. Labor was still polling poorly in February before they started to lift from early March.

    The most likely outcome was 72 of the 150 House of Representatives seats for Labor, four short of a majority, 63 for the Coalition and 15 for all Others. The previous MRP poll by Redbridge and Accent Research in December had the most likely outcome as 71 Coalition seats to 65 for Labor.

    Unemployment rate steady at 4.1%

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday that the unemployment rate was 4.1% in March, unchanged from February, with over 32,000 jobs added. The employment population ratio (the percentage of eligible Australians that are employed) was steady at 64.1% after dropping from a near-record high of 64.4% in January.

    WA upper house final result

    The button was finally pressed on Wednesday to electronically distribute preferences for the upper house for the March 8 Western Australian state election. The upper house used a reformed system with 37 members elected statewide by proportional representation with preferences. A quota was just 1/38 or 2.63%.

    Labor won 16 of the 37 seats (down six on 2021 when they won their first WA upper house majority on a massive landslide), the Liberals won ten seats (up three), the Nationals two (down one), the Greens four (up three), One Nation two (up two), Legalise Cannabis one (down one), Australian Christians one (up one) and Animal Justice one (up one). Overall, left-wing parties won the upper house by 22–15 over right-wing parties.

    Final primary votes gave Labor 15.54 quotas, the Liberals 10.3, the Nationals 2.1, the Greens 4.2, One Nation 1.45, Legalise Cannabis 1.1, Australian Christians 1.0, an independent group 0.51 and Animal Justice 0.46.

    After distribution of preferences, One Nation’s second candidate had 0.83 quotas Labor’s 16th candidate 0.70 quotas, Animal Justice’s top candidate 0.66 quotas and Sophia Moermond, the independent group’s top candidate, 0.63 quotas. Owing to exhaustion, the top three were elected to the last three seats short of a quota.

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

    – ref. Labor’s poll surge continues in YouGov, but they’re barely ahead in Freshwater – https://theconversation.com/labors-poll-surge-continues-in-yougov-but-theyre-barely-ahead-in-freshwater-254708

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s documentary heritage collections enter UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

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

    China’s documentary heritage collections enter UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register

    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. Three documentary heritage collections submitted by China have been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday. Among the 74 newly added entries, China contributed two solo submissions – the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Steles of Shaolin Temple – as well as a joint submission with Sri Lanka: the Trilingual Inscription. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PARIS, April 17 — Three documentary heritage collections submitted by China have been inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday.

    Among the 74 newly added entries, China contributed two solo submissions – the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Steles of Shaolin Temple – as well as a joint submission with Sri Lanka: the Trilingual Inscription.

    According to UNESCO, the Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is a remarkable set of ancient bronze bells unearthed in 1978 from the Tombs of Marquis Yi in Suizhou city, central China’s Hubei Province. These bells not only offer insights into early Chinese musical traditions but also contain inscriptions that are considered the earliest surviving archaeological records illustrating mathematical relationships in music.

    The Steles of Shaolin Temple (566-1990) contain 499 surviving steles of the iconic temple, presenting a relatively complete and coherent sequence of historical documents in the form of stone inscriptions dating back to 1424.

    The third entry, the Trilingual Inscription jointly submitted by China and Sri Lanka, was a stone tablet dated Feb. 15, 1409. The inscription features texts in Chinese, Persian, and Tamil. Installed by Chinese Admiral Zheng He during one of his voyages, the inscription praises Buddha, Vishnu, and Allah. UNESCO describes it as the only known trilingual text combining these three languages and representing three distinct civilizations.

    “Documentary heritage is an essential yet fragile element of the Memory of the World. This is why UNESCO invests in safeguarding it, shares best practices, and maintains this register that records the broadest threads of human history,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

    With the latest additions, the Memory of the World Register now comprises 570 collections, encompassing a wide range of subjects including the scientific revolution, women’s contribution to history, and major milestones of multilateralism.

    This undated file photo shows a stele in Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Visitors look at the Trilingual Inscription at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This undated file photo shows a stele in Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 17, 2025 shows the Trilingual Inscription exhibited at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 17, 2025 shows the Trilingual Inscription exhibited at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo taken on April 17, 2025 shows the Trilingual Inscription (C) exhibited at the Colombo National Museum in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This undated file photo shows steles in the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng City, central China’s Henan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The Bianzhong of Marquis Yi of Zeng is pictured in Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, April 17, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Two Chinese geoparks enter UNESCO Global Geoparks Network

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

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 28, 2024 shows a view of the Kanbula National Geopark in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    PARIS, April 17 — Two Chinese geoparks have officially been added to the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced on Thursday.

    The decision was made during the 221st session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, which approved a list of 16 new entries into the Global Geoparks Network. Among them are two geoparks from China: Kanbula National Geopark, situated on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and Yunyang Geopark in southwest China.

    Now designated as the Kanbula UNESCO Global Geopark, the site is renowned for its striking geological formations shaped by complex natural processes. Highlights include the Maixiu volcanoes and the Yellow River, according to a UNESCO press release.

    “While the geopark works to preserve this rich geological heritage, it also plays a vital role in protecting local communities from river-related risks, coordinating warning systems and forecasts, and raising awareness on how to respond to flooding and landslides,” UNESCO noted.

    An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 2, 2023 shows a view of the Kanbula National Geopark in Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Qinghai Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Yunyang Geopark earned its place in the network for its extraordinary landscapes formed nearly 250 million years ago. The site features the famous “Great Wall of Dinosaur Fossil” – an 18-km stretch of rock layers containing fossils dating back around 170 million years. It also includes dramatic karst formations, such as one of the world’s deepest sinkholes, which plunge 335 meters and serve as a key site for scientific research.

    UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay highlighted the broader significance of UNESCO Global Geoparks. “UNESCO Geoparks have become models for the conservation of geological heritage,” she said. “But their role goes much further – they support educational projects, promote sustainable tourism, and keep the knowledge and traditions of these territories alive through the active participation of local and indigenous communities.”

    Established in 2015, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network brings together sites recognized for their significant geological heritage that reflect the Earth’s history, evolution, and climate. With the addition of 16 new geoparks, the network now encompasses 229 sites worldwide.

    An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows the scenery in the Yunyang Geopark in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Interim chief medical officer of health appointed

    Alberta’s government welcomes Dr. Sunil Sookram as interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, effective immediately. This temporary appointment ensures continuity while arrangements are finalized for a longer-term appointment. Additional updates will be shared in the coming weeks as the process progresses.

    “Dr. Sookram has served Albertans through emergency medicine throughout his career. He brings a wealth of experience to this interim role. I appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity on a temporary basis as we work to finalize the candidate for the interim Chief Medical Officer of Health position. I also wish to thank Dr. Mark Joffe for his service and dedication over the past three years.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    Dr. Sookram currently serves as facility medical director and chief of medical staff at Strathcona Community Hospital. He is also a clinical professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta and practises as an emergency physician at the University of Alberta Hospital. He brings years of front-line experience and leadership to the interim role. He also has recent experience working within Alberta Health. Through this period of transition Dr. Sookram will also be supported by Zone Medical Officers of Health at Alberta Health Services.

    “I’m happy to serve as Alberta’s interim chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with the government, my colleagues and health partners to promote and protect the health of all Albertans.”

    Dr. Sunil Sookram, interim chief medical officer of health

    The Chief Medical Officer of Health plays a key role in monitoring and supporting public health, advising on disease control, and helping guide population health efforts across the province. The position acts as a liaison between the government and Alberta Health Services, medical officers of health and executive officers in administering the act.

    Current measles information

    As of April 17, there have been 89 confirmed measles cases in Alberta. Of those, 83 individuals are now past the period of communicability.

    Measles is an extremely contagious disease that spreads easily through the air. While outbreaks can happen, they are preventable. The measles vaccine is highly effective and offers strong protection against infection and complications from the disease. Albertans can protect themselves, their loved ones and people around them by ensuring their measles immunizations are up to date.

    In Alberta, the MMR primary series is administered at 12 months and 18 months of age. In January 2021, Alberta changed its immunization schedule for the second dose of measles-containing vaccine from four to six years to 18 months, primarily to support children entering daycare, pre-school programs and kindergarten.

    As of April 17, all infants six to 12 months travelling outside of Canada are eligible for a null dose. In addition, infants six to 12 months travelling to or through areas where measles is spreading in Canada are also eligible. This includes:

    1. Alberta: Central Zone, South Zone, and Areas 1 and 8 in North Zone
    2. Ontario: Southwestern region

    If you have any questions about measles or immunizations, please contact your primary care provider such as your doctor, pharmacist, midwife, nurse practitioner or public health nurse.

    If you don’t know you or your child’s immunization history, text “vaccine record” to 88111, call Health Link at 811, or call your local public health or community health centre.

    Related information

    • Measles
    • Measles exposures in Alberta

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Gregory W. Buckley Elected President of Adams Natural Resources Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BALTIMORE, April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO), one of the nation’s oldest closed-end funds, today announced that Gregory W. Buckley has been elected President of the Fund.

    Mr. Buckley has been an Executive Vice President and a portfolio manager of ADX since April 20, 2023. He will continue to serve as a member of the portfolio management team that is currently headed by CEO James P. Haynie.

    Mr. Buckley joined Adams Natural Resources Fund in September 2013 as a senior equity analyst covering the energy and utilities sectors. He was promoted to Vice President-Research in April 2015. He is also a Vice President-Research of Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc., PEO’s affiliate, since 2019. “Greg has done an excellent job since joining the PEO portfolio management team and has exhibited the dedication and insight that I believe will make him valuable as President of the Fund,” said Mr. Haynie.

    Mr. Buckley began covering the energy sector in 1999 and prior to joining Adams Funds worked at BNP Paribas as an Equity Analyst and Portfolio Manager. His experience also includes managing a long/short Energy fund at Citadel LLC and working as an Energy Analyst at Pioneer Investments.

    Mr. Buckley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Villanova University and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina.

    Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected closed-end funds and is the longest-tenured closed-end fund specializing in energy and natural resources stocks.

    About Adams Funds
    Since 1929, Adams Funds has consistently helped generations of investors reach their investment goals. Adams Funds is comprised of two closed-end funds, Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ADX) and Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO).The Funds are actively managed by an experienced team with a disciplined approach and have paid distributions for more than 90 years across many market cycles. The Funds are committed to paying a minimum annual distribution rate of 8% of NAV paid evenly each quarter throughout the year, providing reliability for long-term shareholders. A portion of any distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain, and return of capital. The final determination of the source of all distributions for tax reporting purposes in a calendar year, including the percentage of qualified dividend income, will be made after year-end. Shares can be purchased through our transfer agent or through a broker. For more information about Adams Funds, please visit: adamsfunds.com.

    For further information: adamsfunds.com/about/contact │800.638.2479

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Draws Hundreds to Las Cruces and Silver City Town Halls, Reaffirms Commitment to Listening to New Mexicans

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    SILVER CITY, NM – On Tuesday, April 15 and Wednesday, April 16, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) hosted in-person Town Halls in Las Cruces and Silver City, welcoming hundreds of attendees who raised many of the key issues facing New Mexico during the conversation. 

    Vasquez heard from constituents on a wide range of urgent local concerns, many of which relate to policy changes under the new Administration. Across both Town Halls, Vasquez heard from seniors worried about changes to Social Security, families who may be affected by SNAP reductions, and students worried about immigration enforcement without due process. Constituents in both communities loudly endorsed removing unelected billionaire Elon Musk from having access to sensitive taxpayer data.

    Vasquez also highlighted the successes of his first term, including returning more than $4.5 million in federal benefits to New Mexicans, being recognized as one of the most effective members of Congress, and championing bipartisan legislation such as the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.

    “We’re facing unprecedented challenges that require leadership and action, and I heard that loud and clear from constituents in my district,” said Vasquez. “Every decision I make in Washington is rooted in the problems facing our families and our communities and I’ll continue to lift up their voices as their Congressional representative.”

    Las Cruces Town Hall: Held at Doña Ana Community College.

    Silver City Town Hall: Hosted at Western New Mexico University.

    The Las Cruces town hall took place at Doña Ana Community College, while the Silver City event was held at Western New Mexico University. Both events were attended by local leaders and community organizations.

    Vasquez remains committed to transparency, accessibility, and service. These town halls are part of his ongoing commitment to showing up and staying connected to the people of New Mexico’s Second Congressional District.

    Constituents with additional questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to the Congressman’s office directly.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Reintroduces Vital Legislation to Address Growing Childhood Trauma Crisis

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    As White House Slashes Essential Federal Programs, Pressley Reintroduces the STRONG Support for Children Act to Invest in Children’s Mental Health and Trauma Recovery

    Bill Text

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) reintroduced the STRONG Support for Children Act. This bill would support communities in addressing childhood trauma through healing-centered, neighborhood-based, gender-responsive, culturally specific, and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the impact of systemic racism and inequities over generations.

    “Every child deserves to thrive,” said Rep. Pressley. “The STRONG Support for Children Act would provide critical resources and approach childhood trauma through a reparative, healing-centered, and trauma-informed lens. Children too often carry the weight of trauma throughout their entire lives because these wounds don’t just heal on their own. With this legislation, we will invest in breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma and ensure children are supported.”

    With over two-thirds of children experiencing at least one traumatic event by age 16, the urgency to address childhood trauma demands a comprehensive approach. Instead, the Trump Administration has slashed $1 billion from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through canceled grants and reduced staff by 50%, leaving critical trauma-focused programs—including suicide prevention hotlines, opioid addiction treatment, and crisis stabilization services— to face imminent shutdowns.

    Unaddressed childhood trauma is linked to several leading causes of death in America, including heart disease, lung disease, substance use, and suicide.  Studies show that exposure to poverty, homelessness, food insecurity and malnutrition, discrimination, family separation, and deportation increase the likelihood of negative health outcomes and can lead to complex trauma and toxic stress.

    The Services and Trauma-Informed Research of Outcomes in Neighborhood Grants (STRONG) for Support for Children Act would establish two new grant programs under the Department of Health and Human Services to support local public health departments in addressing trauma and ensure that programming is conveniently located and accessible to all children and families regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, and prior involvement in the criminal legal system. The legislation would prohibit grant recipients from using funds to increase surveillance and policing of vulnerable communities.  

    Joining Rep. Pressley in introducing the STRONG Support for Children Act are Representatives Shri Thanedar, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Rashida Tlaib.

    This legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (CTIPP); The National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives; Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice; American Academy of Pediatrics; Regina Triplett, MD, MS; and Ujima Inc.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here.

    Throughout her career, Congresswoman Pressley has been a tireless advocate for trauma-conscious policymaking.

    Last week, she reintroduced the Ending PUSHOUT Act and Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act to collectively end the discriminatory treatment of Black and brown students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities in schools, and invest in safe, nurturing learning environments for all students.

    In February 2024, Rep. Pressley sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services to address the growing crisis of childhood trauma that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    In March 2023, Rep. Pressley celebrated $250,000 in Community Project Funding she secured for Big Sister Association of Greater Boston (Big Sister) to support its one-to-one mentoring and enrichment programs for girls.

    In March 2021, Rep. Pressley sent a letter to President Biden calling on him to address the nation’s growing trauma crisis and laying out a series of steps the administration should take to confront the far-reaching hurt plaguing our communities and our nation.  In April 2021, she published an op-ed where she reflected on the collective pain experienced by communities in her district over the past year.

    In July 2019, she worked with Chairman Cummings to convene the first-ever Congressional hearings on childhood trauma.  Watch Congresswoman Pressley’s full question line and follow-up questions here and here.

    As a Boston City Councilor, she convened the Council’s first-ever listening-only session to hear directly from those impacted by the trauma of community gun violence.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — How to build a beach: Pohoiki growth over the years

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates. Today’s article was written by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo staff Meghann Decker and Lis Gallant, along with students Susan Richfield and Lichen Forster. 

    Satellite image showing changes in the Pohoiki area on the Island of Hawaiʻi. The pre-2018 coastline is shown in white, extent of the first and second phase of growth in blue (about 1 year after the end of the 2018 eruption), and the current active phase as seen in the satellite image from March 2024. Satellite image from GoogleEarth. A cross-section schematic of the beach in Second Bay, as seen in ground penetrating radar data. The orange arrow in each of the images and the cross-section represents a length of approximately 500 ft (152 meters). 

    Pohoiki, which means ‘little depression,’ has been an important ocean access point for people in the District of Puna. Before 2018, this area was a rocky coastline of Kīlauea lava flows emplaced 750–1,500 years ago. The boat ramp was constructed in 1963 and the breakwater in 1979, both by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. 

    The beach at Pohoiki grew rapidly in the year following the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea and it has continued to evolve since then. The boat ramp was cut off from the ocean, and local warm springs formed in several low-lying areas. 

    The material that makes the beach at Pohoiki has a distinct black color and bumpy texture. It originally formed as molten lava poured into the ocean cooled and shattered into sand- to block-sized fragments. These fragments were then ground down even further by wave action and redistributed by the longshore current.

    A longshore current flows parallel to the shore within the zone of breaking waves. They develop when waves approach a beach at an angle and can push sediments along the coastline. The typical longshore current on the east side of the Island of Hawai‘i transports material from the 2018 lava flows north of the beach and deposits it at Pohoiki. The first area of sediment accumulation in 2018 was around the boat ramp and breakwater. 

    The beach profile at Pohoiki has also experienced changes due to seasonal ocean swells. Overall, this has resulted in a bigger beach spanning further south into areas known as Second Bay and Third Bay. However, during the summer months, south swells disrupt the longshore current and move material from Third Bay to Second Bay. This results in steepening of the main beach face at Second Bay. 

    This seasonal reworking of sediment forms internal dune structures at Second Bay. Dune structures are landforms composed of wind- or water-driven particles that typically take the form of mounds, ridges, or hills. They can be found in coastal areas, deserts, and anywhere with large amounts of loose sediment and strong winds. Specifically, coastal dune structures form when wind and waves transport material from the beach inland, causing it to accumulate. Students from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo recently conducted a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey of the beach in Second Bay to study these internal features. 

    GPR is a technique that uses small radar pulses to detect objects and changes beneath the ground. When these pulses are transmitted into the ground, they encounter obstacles and reflect back towards the surface, where they are captured by a receiving antenna. GPR uses low-frequency radio waves no more powerful or harmful than those picked up by household radios. 

    The GPR survey showed that much of the beach growth was the result of migrating dunes. The first phase was dominated by primary dune structures built from the finer grained material created when the 2018 lava flows entered the ocean. This process of beach growth—called progradation—rapidly resulted in the filling in of Second bay and the accumulation of a beach face. Progradation is the process of a shoreline, delta, or fan growing towards the ocean over time. 

    The second phase of beach growth is characterized by continued progradation and sediment accumulation. The dune structures from this phase display cross-bedding. Cross-beds are formed as dunes migrate from erosion and redeposition of sediment. The first phase dunes also have cross beds, but at a higher angle; this tells us that the growth of the beach during the first phase was faster and more energetic than growth during the second phase. 

    The currently active phase of growth at the beach is characterized by stabilization of low-angle dune formation above sea-level that is affected by tide changes. 

    This GPR data represents what the beach looks like at one moment in time. With dredging to restore access to Pohoiki boat ramp planned for later this year, the shape and structure of the beach will continue to evolve.

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea has been erupting episodically within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 continued over the past week. Episode 18 began the evening of April 16, when lava overflowed from the north vent; the continuous lava fountaining phase of episode 18 is most likely to start between today and this weekend. Since the end of episode 17, the summit region has showed inflation suggesting another episode is possible. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    One earthquake was reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.3 earthquake 9 km (5 mi) NE of Pāhala at 33 km (20 mi) depth on April 12 at 7:13 a.m. HST.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Signs Bills into Law Supporting Military-Connected Families and Children With Disabilities; Supporting Colorado for All

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis, joined by Lt. Governor Primavera, signed SB25-073– Military-Connected Children With Disabilities, sponsored by Senators Larry Liston and Janice Marchman, and Representatives Rebecca Keltie and Matthew Martinez. The bill helps ensure that military-connected children with disabilities in Colorado are guaranteed access to their existing education program upon enrollment in a Colorado school, and prior to the start of their first day.

    “In Colorado, we recognize the sacrifices our military families make every day to keep our country safe, and that is why we are committed to ensuring military-connected families and their children, no matter their ability, receive the support needed to thrive. Thank you to the bill sponsors for your work on this important legislation that helps take care of our heroes and their children,” said Governor Polis.

    “Colorado is proud to support military families, and this bill will help ease the burden of school transitions for military-connected children with disabilities,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “By providing clarity and continuity, we’re helping ensure these students can stay on track and feel supported from day one at a new school. We are committed to supporting our military-connected children as they help ensure their parents and guardians can focus on the mission.”

    Earlier this week, Lt. Governor Primavera joined military families and children in Aurora to highlight Month of the Military Child, and celebrate Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 as a Purple Star School award recipient, recognizing the school for outstanding support for military-connected students and their families.

    Governor Polis also signed in ceremony HB25-1109 – Gender Identity Certificate of Death, sponsored by Representatives Karen McCormick and Kyle Brown, and Senators Mike Weissman and Katie Wallace. The bill requires that death certificates reflect a person’s preferred gender.

    “In Colorado, we are committed to building a Colorado For All where everyone can thrive, no matter who they are or how they identify. Colorado is, and will continue to be a state that protects and welcomes the LGBTQ community, and I am grateful to be signing a bill that ensures the wishes of our loved ones are respected, even in death,” said Governor Polis.

    Governor Polis signed the following bills into law administratively:

    • HB25-1137 – Adopt a Shelter Pet Account Community Cats, sponsored by Representatives Mandy Lindsay and Elizabeth Velasco, and Senator Faith Winter
    • SB25-188 – Fiscal Year 2025-26 Legislative Appropriation Bill, sponsored by Senators James Coleman and Robert Rodriguez, and Representatives Julie McCluskie and Monica Duran
    • SB25-171 – Sunset Commodity Metals Theft Task Force, sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen, and Representatives Matt Soper and Chad Clifford
    • SB25-060 – Repeated Phone Calls Obstruction of Government Operations, sponsored by Senators Marc Catlin and Dylan Roberts, and Representatives Chad Clifford and Ryan Armagost
    • HB25-1007 – Paratransit Services, sponsored by Representatives Meg Froelich and Alex Valdez, and Senators Faith Winter and Cleave Simpson
    • HB25-1179 – Auto Insurance Coverage Child Restraint System, sponsored by Representatives Yara Zokaie and Lisa Feret, and Senators Lindsey Daugherty and Iman Jodeh
    • HB25-1085 – Public Hospital Boards of Trustees, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Dusty Johnson, and Senators Dylan Roberts and Rod Pelton
    • HB25-1059 – Food Waste Reduction in Public Schools, sponsored by Representatives Ron Weinberg and Lisa Feret, and Senators Janice Rich and Janice Marchman
    • HB25-1205 – Implement Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plans, sponsored by Representatives Julie McCluskie and Kyle Brown, and Senators Judy Amabile and Dylan Roberts
    • HB25-1203 – Misbranding Cultivated Meat Products as Meat, sponsored by Representatives Ty Winter and Karen McCormick, and Senators Rod Pelton and Kyle Mullica. Read the signing statement here.
    • SB25-062 – Failure to Appear Charges in Municipal Court, sponsored by Senators Nick Hinrichsen and Mike Weissman, and Representatives Michael Carter and Lindsay Gilchrist. Read the signing statement here.

    Governor Polis vetoed the following bill:

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $14.3 million in Hurricanes Laura, Ida aid for south Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $14,287,394 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid.

    “South Louisiana communities are built tough, and have worked hard to rebuild key infrastructure in the wake of devastating storms. This $14.3 million will help Louisianians cover the costs of restoring their schools, churches and medical buildings,” said Kennedy.

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $11,270,163 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board to restore damaged school contents due to Hurricane Ida damage.
    • $1,778,027 to the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lake Charles for repairs to the Christ the King Parish hall, office building and church in Lake Charles, La due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    • $1,239,204 to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation for repairs to the Kenner Ochsner Medical Office Building due to Hurricane Ida damage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons statement on Trump’s attack on AmeriCorps

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to reports that President Donald Trump has placed a majority of AmeriCorps agency staff on administrative leave. Trump had already recalled hundreds of AmeriCorps NCCC members trained to respond to emergencies from the field:

    “President Trump’s attempted destruction of AmeriCorps is alarming and will damage communities across the nation. For more than 30 years, in more than 50,000 communities, AmeriCorps members and volunteers have made our country stronger, healthier, and more resilient. AmeriCorps members are relief workers on the front lines of natural disasters, teachers improving literacy in schools, and health care workers in underserved communities. There are few better examples of government working strategically and efficiently to improve the lives of those they serve. 

    “The men and women who serve AmeriCorps as volunteers, members, and staff deserve our thanks. Instead, Donald Trump and Elon Musk are once again turning their backs on the very people who make our country great. I am working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to press the Trump Administration to reverse these unjustified cuts and restore a valued program.” 

    A 2020 non-partisan study found that for every $1 Congress appropriates to AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, the programs return more than $17 to the government and economy.

    Senator Coons is co-Chair of the Senate National Service Caucus.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On 18.04.2025, the deposit auction of JSC “SME Corporation” will take place

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    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

    HTTPS: //VVV. MOEX.K.MO/N89591

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    Parameters
    Date of the deposit auction 04/18/2025
    Placement currency Rub
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 1 100 000 000.00
    Placement period, days 32
    Date of deposit 04/18/2025
    Refund date 05/20/2025
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 20.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 1 100 000 000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Treaty General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 10:30 to 10:40
    Applications in competition mode from 10:40 to 10:50
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 11:30
       
    Additional terms  

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Alexander Novak congratulated the faculty, students and graduates of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas on its 95th anniversary

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dear colleagues!

    On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation and on my own behalf, I congratulate the staff, students and graduates of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) on its 95th anniversary!

    The university’s teachers and graduates make a decisive contribution to the development of the domestic oil and gas complex, which is one of the most powerful in the world.

    For decades, Gubkin University has played a key role in developing the human resources potential of the Russian oil and gas complex and related industries, providing highly qualified specialists to the critical infrastructure of the country’s fuel and energy complex.

    The University carries out fundamental and applied scientific activities in the interests of the Russian fuel and energy complex, offering new innovative solutions for industry companies in terms of the introduction of new technologies, digitalization and automation of production, and makes a significant contribution to the achievement of national goals outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Gubkin University pays special attention to the continuity of generations, while introducing modern educational and scientific approaches, actively interacting with leading industry enterprises, advanced research centers in Russia and abroad.

    I wish all the faculty, students and graduates of the university new successes for the benefit of the Russian fuel and energy complex, good health and all the best!

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: This year, more than 40.5 thousand holiday camps should host about 6 million schoolchildren

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    April 17, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025. Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov

    April 17, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko held a meeting dedicated to the organization of summer children’s recreation in 2025. The meeting was attended by Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov, Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma Anna Kuznetsova, First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs Galina Karelova, representatives of relevant federal departments and organizations, as well as heads of regions.

     

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that the organization of summer children’s recreation is one of the priority areas of the national project “Youth and Children” and requires special attention to issues of quality and safety.

     

    “President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin said that special attention should be paid to the quality and safety of children’s recreation. To do this, we must implement comprehensive measures in these areas. The task is very large-scale. This year, more than 40.5 thousand camps should accept about 6 million schoolchildren. In the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, we must take care of the recreation of all children, and especially the children of our heroes – participants in the special military operation. I ask you to keep this issue under constant control. Patriotic shifts dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory must be held in all federal children’s centers. It is extremely important that our current heroes – participants of the SVO – tell the story of glorious victories,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

     

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that last year, approximately 165 thousand children of SVO participants spent their holidays in children’s camps.

     

    During the meeting, it was also noted that a federal law had come into force, obliging regions to establish quotas for disabled children and children with limited health capabilities in state and municipal camps. Rospotrebnadzor updated its guidelines for children’s nutrition.

     

    Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that, on the instructions of the President, this year information and analytical panels will be introduced that will help monitor the progress of the health campaign.

     

    “This is a single digital platform where key data will be concentrated: camp occupancy, fulfillment of quotas for children with disabilities, compliance with safety standards, financial accounting, and others. I ask the Ministry of Education to launch this tool across the country as early as June 1,” he added.

     

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that the upcoming summer season is rich in anniversary events – the 100th anniversary of Artek, the 40th anniversary of the All-Russian Children’s Center Smena and the 65th anniversary of the All-Russian Children’s Center Orlyonok, and noted the special role of these centers in forming the correct attitude to history and spiritual and moral values among young people.

     

    The Deputy Prime Minister expressed gratitude to all participants in the preparation for the summer season, including the State Duma deputies and personally its Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, as well as the Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.

     

    As a result, instructions were given aimed at further improving the quality, safety and accessibility of children’s summer recreation, including the launch of a camp monitoring system and collecting feedback.

     

    “In general, the education system is ready for the summer health campaign. It is important to make every effort to ensure that children’s recreation this year is organized efficiently and safely. The federal law “On the Basic Guarantees of Children’s Rights in the Russian Federation” has been amended to require websites and educational programs in children’s camps. They came into force on April 1. By summer, each camp must have its own website, developed taking into account our approximate structure and containing all the necessary information. All subjects have been sent methodological recommendations on the development of educational programs, containing event scenarios,” the Minister of Education said.

     

    Sergei Kravtsov noted that the ministry is holding district seminars for directors of children’s camps and representatives of regional resource centers, where current issues of preparation for the summer are explained.

     

    The Minister of Education reported that the federal infrastructure modernization program is being implemented. He drew the attention of regional representatives to the importance of concluding contracts and starting work within the program, and also instructed them to take measures to return previously repurposed organizations to ownership.

     

    Sergei Kravtsov pointed out that in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, special attention should be paid to events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, and corresponding thematic days should be held in each camp.

     

    Deputy Minister of Transport Alexey Shilo noted that, in accordance with the Government Resolution, since March the cost of travel on long-distance trains for all children aged 10 to 18 has been half the cost of an adult ticket. Since March 5, more than 1.1 million tickets have been issued. In addition to federal benefits, carriers and the Russian Railways holding company offer bonus programs and promotions. This is the year-round tariff plan “Big Family”, which provides a 15% discount on travel in compartment cars for families with three or more children.

     

    Chairman of the Board of the Movement of the First, Hero of Russia Artur Orlov emphasized that for the specialized shifts, the Movement of the First, together with the scientific and pedagogical community and federal children’s centers, has developed 19 programs in various areas of activity. The content of the shift programs includes events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, events that allow you to get acquainted with the mission, values, and flagship projects of the Movement of the First.

     

    Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General’s Office, Rospotrebnadzor, Rosmolodezh, the International Children’s Center “Artek” and the “Movement of the First”, the heads of the Republic of Mari El, the Republic of Crimea, Krasnodar Krai and others also spoke during the meeting.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW: Trump Admin Halts More Than $35 Million from Wisconsin Head Start Centers, A 50% Cut

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin announced that the Trump Administration has stopped more than $35 million in funding for Wisconsin Head Start centers, putting quality preschool and child care for thousands of Wisconsin families at risk. New data shows that the Trump Administration has halted more than $35 million compared to the same period last year, a 50% cut in funding that could lead to closures of Wisconsin centers. Nationwide, the Trump administration has withheld nearly $1 billion in funding for Head Start, already forcing Head Start centers to close, with many others at risk. This new data comes as President Trump finalizes his proposal to eliminate Head Start, shutters half of the regional offices helping support local programs, including the one that serves Wisconsin, and fires scores of staff who ensure Head Start centers can serve kids and families.
     “Before our very eyes, Donald Trump is defunding Head Start – kicking kids out of the classrooms, laying off teachers and caretakers, and leaving many parents with no option for child care,” said Senator Baldwin. “The idea that the President is actively working to give the biggest corporations and wealthiest Wall Street guys a new tax break while taking away preschool and child care from Wisconsinites is beyond the pale – and I will fight it at every turn. Everywhere I travel in Wisconsin, parents tell me about the challenge of finding and affording good child care and early learning opportunities – and this move will only make it worse. We need to make child care more affordable, not shut down this lifeline, like the President is planning.”
    Across Wisconsin, 299 Head Start Centers serve nearly 15,000 children and their families, providing high-quality early childhood education and wrap-around support. Head Start programs’ grants are generally renewed at the same time each year, and Head Start programs depend on these strict funding cycles to continue serving kids and families. In 2024, $69.5 million in Head Start funding went out to Wisconsin centers from the start of the year through April 15. But during the same period this year, only $34.5 million has so far gone out, a 50% decline. 
     Last week, Senator Baldwin called on U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to answer for the closure of five regional Head Start offices across the country, including the Region 5 office in Chicago, which serves Head Start centers in Wisconsin.
    Earlier in the year, the Trump Administration froze funding for Head Start programs, and despite being forced to rescind its directive, eight Head Start programs around the state continued to experience issues accessing their federal funding, forcing one Head Start Center in Waukesha to close – leaving more than 250 families without childcare. Baldwin demanded that the Administration resolve the issue immediately and restore funding to these Wisconsin Head Start centers so they could continue serving kids and families.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EUROPE/ITALY – Farewell to Father Angelo Lazzarotto, a great friend of Chinese Catholics

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    photo Lino Giudice

    by Gianni ValenteRancio di Lecco (Agenzia Fides) – The old group photo chosen to accompany this memory portrays him in civilian clothes, just behind Deng Xiaoping. It was May 22, 1978. At 53 years old, the priest and PIME missionary – his friend Lino Giudice tells us today – had managed to be included in the delegation, accredited in his visa application as a “spiritual advisor” to the Milanese politician Vittorino Colombo, visible in the photo to the left of the “Little Helmsman.”Colombo, a Christian Democrat senator, was at the time one of the “bridge builders” with post-Maoist China led by Deng on the path of open-minded reforms. Father Angelo took advantage of even the smallest opportunity to reach out and see how he could support the Chinese Catholic communities, severely affected by the turbulent years of the Red Guards and Cultural Revolution.Father Lazzarotto died this Tuesday, April 15, at the nursing home for missionaries of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Rancio di Lecco, where he had been receiving care since 2017. He would have turned 100 on May 14. The photo published in the “Quotidiano del Popolo” in 1978 sums up a long and passionate life dedicated to bearing witness to Christ, with a special love for his Chinese brothers and sisters.Born in Falzè di Piave, in the province of Treviso, Father Angelo discovered his missionary vocation during high school in Conegliano Veneto. He entered the PIME high school seminary in Genoa at the age of 15 and was soon impressed by the stories of faith shared by missionaries in China. He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1947, and the following year began studies in Missiology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where he earned a degree three years later. In 1955, he also earned a degree in Missionary Law from the same university. During his time in Rome, he became acquainted with the Focolare Movement and immersed himself in the spirituality of unity and communion of Chiara Lubich.Throughout his life, Father Lazzarotto served the universal Church and especially the Church in China in many ways. Sent for the first time to Hong Kong in 1956, then a British colony, he experienced first-hand the difficulties faced by Chinese Catholic communities. After several years of service at his missionary Institute, he returned to Hong Kong in 1979. From 1985 to 1990, he was appointed Rector of the Pontifical Urban College of Propaganda Fide, by Cardinal Prefect Jozef Tomko. Later, in the 1990s, as the PIME website notes, “he actively collaborated with the CUM (United Center for the Missionary Cooperation among Churches ) in Verona, especially in the sections dedicated to Africa and Asia, for which he was responsible.”His passion for the Church in China can also be seen in his countless publications, books, articles, conferences, speeches and numerous trips to maintain contact with Chinese Catholic communities, listening first-hand to their desires, sufferings and prayers.Father Angelo was part of that group of missionary-Sinologists who, with different sensibilities but a common passion, helped in the decades following the Cultural Revolution to understand and accompany the reality of the Catholic Church in China and its journey in following the faith of the Apostles. Among them were Frenchman Jean Charbonnier, Polish Roman Malek, and his PIME confrere Giancarlo Politi, who preceded him in eternal rest.His intentions and speeches, always aimed at recognizing living faith in the midst of difficulties, promoted paths of communion and reconciliation, encouraging Chinese Catholic communities to overcome, or at least not exacerbate, contrasts and divisions.Father Lazzarotto’s funeral will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the PIME house in Rancio, Lecco. His remains will rest in the PIME Missionaries Cemetery in Villa Grugana, in the province of Lecco, Lombardy (Italy). (Agenzia Fides, 16/4/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI USA: Inaugural UConn Hunger Symposium

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Congresswoman Jahana Hayes visited UConn Health to speak at the first UConn Hunger Symposium about the vital importance of nutrition access in Connecticut.

    Congresswoman Jahana Hayes speaking at the UConn Hunger Symposium.

    “Food is a basic need,” Hayes shared, even in America. “Hunger is a policy choice, that is something we can solve for! This one is actually one we can fix.”

    Husky Harvest food pantry at UConn Health.

    “I would like to welcome you all to the first-ever symposium on hunger,” shared Dr. Adam Perrin, director of Student Wellness and faculty co-director of Student Affairs at UConn School of Medicine. “Hopefully there will be many more to follow. As a family medicine doctor I always ask my patients about this social determinant of health. It’s amazing how much food insecurity is out there. It’s a harsh reality in our communities.”

    At the UConn Hunger Symposium Hayes emotionally shared her own past, personal journey with food insecurity, and the struggles she also witnessed in her students as a former public school teacher in Connecticut stressing that, “children need food to learn.”

    “We need to ensure food is getting to people. It’s so deeply personal to me, I understand how important these programs are,” said Hayes who recounted her first visit to the UConn Waterbury campus when she was first running for Congress. “Food insecurity came up and they were starting a food pantry at the school.”

    UConn President Radenka Maric with Congresswoman Jahana Hayes at the first UConn Hunger Symposium.

    Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of the non-profit CT FoodShare, also participated in the Symposium and applauded UConn for its dedication to now having Husky Harvest food pantries on each of its 7 campuses.

    Hayes pointed out startlingly how 3.8 million college students last year experienced food insecurity, and how she has introduced The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act to help them as the Ranking Member of the Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture Subcommittee. She also works closely in Connecticut with CT Foodshare that has also generously donated food and resources to the Husky Harvest food pantries.

    Congresswoman Hayes touring the UConn Health campus food pantry on April 17. 2025.

    “Thanks for all that you do,” shared Hayes with the leadership of UConn, UConn Health, its faculty, staff and medical and dental students attending the symposium. “I applaud what you are doing, and in your clinical curriculum. I know the students who train here will be a kind, different type of doctor.”

    Dr. Adam Perrin of UConn School of Medicine and Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of CT FoodShare.

    “Food insecurity is real. We have food pantries on each of our campuses. This is very dear to my heart as president of the University,” shared Radenka Maric, president of UConn. “I’m so proud this symposium is taking place.”

    The medical school staff including Suzanne Tate and student volunteers founded UConn Health campus’ Husky Harvest food pantry back in 2023 after a survey showed that even 30 percent of its students may struggle at times with food insecurity.

    UConn School of Medicine Dean Dr. Bruce T. Liang and Congresswoman Hayes.

    “Our students are taught as part of their 4-year curriculum about the vital importance healthy food plays on one’s health,” shared Dr. Bruce T. Liang, dean of UConn School of Medicine. “As a cardiologist I know how critical good nutrition is for a person’s health. As we do more research innovations, nutrition is going to be even more important.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Oak Valley Community Bank Announces Promotions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OAKDALE, Calif., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oak Valley Community Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oak Valley Bancorp (NASDAQ: OVLY), announced the promotions of Greg Mulder to Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer and John Westberg to Assistant Vice President, Commercial Banking Officer. Mulder is based out of the Escalon Office and Westberg is based in Oakdale.

    Mulder joined the bank nearly 11 years ago and had advanced from Credit Analyst to AVP Commercial Credit Officer prior to this promotion. He’s known for managing some of the bank’s largest and most complex C&I relationships and consistently reflects the bank’s core values through customer service and collaboration. In his new role, Mulder will oversee a significant C&I loan portfolio and continue delivering tailored lending solutions. He is an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Ripon and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics from Dordt University. Mulder lives in Ripon with his wife, Janelle, and their two children. He enjoys outdoor activities, running, sports, and traveling with his family.

    Westberg joined the bank seven years ago, progressing from Credit Analyst to Commercial Credit Officer. He has played key roles in initiatives like the Paycheck Protection Program and regularly contributes across departments. In his new role, Westberg will focus on portfolio management, client growth, and strategic projects. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from CSU Stanislaus and an MBA in finance from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Outside of work, he attends Heritage Church in Escalon, farms almonds, plays brass instruments, enjoys golfing, and loves traveling with his family. He lives in Oakdale with his wife, Sarah, and their two children.

    “We’re excited for Greg and John to step into their new roles,” said Gary Stephens, Executive Vice President, Commercial Banking Group. “Their expertise, leadership, and dedication make them invaluable to our team. We’re confident they’ll continue to thrive and contribute to the bank’s success.”

    Oak Valley Bancorp operates Oak Valley Community Bank & their Eastern Sierra Community Bank division, through which it offers a variety of loan and deposit products to individuals and small businesses. They currently operate through 18 conveniently located branches: Oakdale, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, Sacramento, Roseville, two branches in Sonora, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop. The company will open its 19th branch location in Lodi later this year.

    For more information, call 1-866-844-7500 or visit www.ovcb.com.

    Contact: Chris Courtney/Rick McCarty
    Phone: (209) 848-BANK (2265)
      Toll Free (866) 844–7500
      www.ovcb.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 140 Status Reports

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Liberty County man sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in school zone

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BEAUMONT, Texas – A Liberty man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Thomas James Lawson, 35, pleaded guilty to possession to distribute methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 17, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, in January 2024, law enforcement authorities received information that Lawson was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and other narcotics. During the investigation, drugs were purchased from Lawson at his Liberty residence.

    On January 31, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Lawson’s residence resulting in the discovery of a backpack on his bed. Inside the backpack, investigators found multiple vacuum sealed bags containing crystal methamphetamine, a vacuum sealed bag containing marijuana, numerous clear baggies containing red/orange pills marked “AD-30”, two pill bottles labeled as Adderall, and numerous bottles of Xanax pills. Additionally, deputies found a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia in the backpack.  A further search of Lawson’s bedroom revealed over $2000 in U.S. currency.  While searching the kitchen, investigators located another large amount of crystal-like substance, which was determined to be methamphetamine.  A total of 862.51 grams of actual methamphetamine was recovered.

    Lawson’s residence is within 1000 feet of the Liberty Elementary School and the school playground.  A school zone sign is located on Lawson’s street and children were playing on the school playground while the search warrant was executed at his residence.

    This case was investigated by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján: Trump Administration is Withholding Nearly $24 Million in Funding for Head Start in New Mexico While Shuttering Centers Nationwide and Forcing Devastating Closures

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    New Data Shows a Steep Decline in Head Start Funding Going Out the Door So Far This Year
    Trump Administration Hollows Out Offices Running the Program and Eyes Eliminating It Outright
    Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), one of only two Head Start graduates to serve in the U.S. Senate, sounded the alarm as President Trump finalizes his proposal to eliminate Head Start, shutter half of the regional offices running the program, and fire scores of staff who ensure Head Start centers can serve kids and families.
    New data shows how the Trump administration has issued nearly $24 million less in federal grants to Head Start centers in New Mexico so far this year compared to the same period last year, a staggering -83% decline. Nationwide, the Trump administration has issued nearly $1 billion less in federal grants to Head Start centers nationwide so far this year compared to the same period last year, a steep -37% decline.
    The Trump administration’s withholding of nearly $1 billion in Head Start funding is impacting Head Start centers nationwide—already forcing center closures, which hurt families and teachers, and risking many more.
    “Head Start provides critical early childhood programs and helps make child care safer and more affordable for families across the country,” said Senator Luján. “As a proud Head Start graduate, this slow-walk of distributing funding is extremely concerning and an attack on New Mexico families. I know the value of Head Start – it got me to the United States Senate, and I will continue to fight to protect Head Start for New Mexico families and the next generation.”
    A New Mexico breakdown of the Head Start funding being slow-walked by the Trump administration is below:
    State
    Head Start Funding Disbursed1/1/24 – 4/15/24
    Head Start Funding Disbursed1/1/25 – 4/15/25
    Difference in Head Start Funding Dispersed
    New Mexico
    $28,763,786
    $4,812,435
    -$23,951,351
    DATA SOURCE: HHS
    Head Start programs’ grants are generally renewed at the same time each year, and Head Start programs depend on these strict funding cycles to continue serving kids and families. In fiscal years 2024 and 2025, Head Start has been funded at $12.27 billion nationwide. In 2024, $28.76 million in Head Start funding went out from the start of the year through April 15 in New Mexico. But during the same period this year, only $4.8 million has so far gone out—a nearly $24 million, or -83%, decline. Any delays in funding going out the door can have devastating consequences for Head Start programs.
    Head Start currently serves over 750,000 kids nationwide, and the program has served nearly 40 million children and their families nationwide since its inception in 1965. There are over 17,000 Head Start centers nationwide that help kids and families thrive, and these centers are particularly important in serving rural communities with fewer options for care. A state-by-state breakdown of the number of kids and families served by Head Start is available HERE.
    Since taking office, President Trump has gutted the offices that keep Head Start centers and child care programs across the country running. In late February, the Trump administration fired scores of staff at the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care. Earlier this month, President Trump continued to hollow out HHS, including by shuttering half of the regional offices at the Office of Head Start, which are responsible for ensuring high-quality Head Start services are available to families nationwide.
    To combat attacks on Head Start, Senator Luján has led efforts to reverse the mass firings at Head Start, demanded action and answers regarding the disruption of Head Start programs, and pressed Trump administration nominees on cuts to Head Start.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Toronto’s most recent car attack was a targeted crime, not a mass attack

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jack L. Rozdilsky, Associate Professor of Disaster and Emergency Management, York University, Canada

    On April 15, Toronto once again experienced a soft-target vehicular ramming attack when a passenger vehicle intentionally struck and injured four pedestrians on the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) campus.

    Almost exactly seven years ago, in the 2018 Toronto van attack, Alek Minassian intentionally drove onto a Yonge Street sidewalk. Motivated by individual extremism with a basis in incel ideology, Minassian killed 11 people and injured 16 more.

    The Toronto Police Service news conference in response to the hit-and-run incident at TMU.

    History seems to repeat itself in Toronto, with car attacks being a means of choice for criminals. Regardless of whether the latest car attack is a terror-related mass attack or an individually targeted crime, the intentional hit-and-run incident shows these attacks have become a grim reality facing the city.

    A traumatic event

    The attack took place on a Tuesday afternoon just before 2 p.m. on Nelson Mandela Walk in the heart of the downtown TMU campus. The public walkway was designated as a pedestrian-only space, located between the campus library and an academic building.

    Investigators have identified a suspect as Ryan Petroff, and have described it as an isolated incident intentionally targeting a specific individual.

    Police statements allege a man drove a four-door Honda Accord along Nelson Mandela Walk and hit several people, including innocent bystanders. Four people were injured, with one sustaining serious but not life-threatening injuries. All are expected to recover.

    The area of the TMU car attack was clearly designated as a pedestrian-only zone.
    (J. Rozdilsky), CC BY

    The suspect remains at large, and other than indicating that the attack was intentional, Toronto Police Service has not yet elaborated on motives or the relationship between the intended victim and the suspect.

    The day after the attack, TMU issued a statement saying university community members were not involved in the incident and mentioned that campus-based supports had been made available for anyone impacted by witnessing the traumatic event.

    Barriers against future attacks

    In the hours after the attack, immediate actions were taken to plug the gap the attacker exploited to drive onto the pedestrian walkway, and temporary planter-type barriers were placed at the attack site.

    TMU also issued a second statement specifically concerning pedestrian walkway safety. It acknowledged the troubling event while attempting to quell campus safety concerns:

    “The university is discussing with the City of Toronto what additional safety measures can be implemented to ensure pedestrian walkways used by TMU community members and the public are safe while maintaining accessibility for emergency vehicles.”

    Conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians

    A dedicated attacker exploited a gap where a car was able to enter a zone dedicated to pedestrians. In hindsight, the easy question to ask is: why wasn’t that gap plugged beforehand?

    This sidesteps the ubiquitous nature of the problem, which is that potential conflict between vehicles and pedestrians exists almost everywhere in a complex urban environment.

    In 2020, Nelson Mandela Walk was revitalized to enhance quality, safety and accessibility. Standard traffic management activities to reduce conflict — referred to as “modal separation” — were in place prior to the incident.

    The walkway had a visually separate streetscape from the traffic lanes of nearby Gerrard Street: the interlocked brick surface, decorative trees and benches clearly indicated it was not a street for cars.

    In addition, posted signs indicated the area was for pedestrian use only. Barriers such as bollards, fences, cement trash cans and large planters were present at points along the walkway.

    In this case, a criminal found one gap in protection and intentionally ignored and evaded all of the elements that were in place to separate people from cars.

    Targeted mass attacks

    The 2025 TMU car attack highlighted a problem that is not new to Toronto: targeted criminal activity that can cascade into a mass casualty incident.



    Read more:
    What authorities can learn from the Raptors parade shooting

    In 2019, four people were wounded at Nathan Phillips Square when gunfire erupted during the celebrations for the Toronto Raptors NBA championship win. This was another example of a targeted attack that almost resulted in a wider mass casualty incident.

    More than 100,000 people were in the area near the shooting, and it was determined that the shooting was a targeted criminal incident, not a mass attack on the celebration itself.

    While Toronto’s most recent vehicular attack at TMU had the elements of a mass attack, it was apparently a targeted crime focused on one individual. Nonetheless these incidents, and not just terrorist-type mass attacks, have the potential to result in a mass casualty incident.

    Jack L. Rozdilsky receives support for research communication and public scholarship from York University. He also has received research support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

    – ref. Toronto’s most recent car attack was a targeted crime, not a mass attack – https://theconversation.com/torontos-most-recent-car-attack-was-a-targeted-crime-not-a-mass-attack-254686

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –