Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The government continues to work to improve the availability of primary and secondary education in the regions of Russia. 1 billion rubles will be allocated in 2025 to continue the construction of four schools in various districts of the Arkhangelsk Region. An order to this effect has been signed.
The funds from the Government’s reserve fund will support work at construction sites in the village of Gorka-Muravyevskaya in the Velsky District, the settlement of Konosha in the district of the same name, and in the cities of Nyandoma and Kargopol. It is expected that by the end of 2025, the construction readiness of schools should be at least 50%. Completion of construction is scheduled for 2026.
The work is being carried out within the framework of the state program “Education Development”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
At the Institute of Civil Engineering of SPbPU, scientific and technical solutions for the installation of curtain wall ventilated facades were discussed using the example of low-rise residential buildings in St. Petersburg.
The event was organized by the Institute of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, the St. Petersburg Union of Construction Companies “Soyuzpetrostroy”, the Research Laboratory “Facade Constructions of Buildings and Structures”, and the company “Glavstroy-SPb”.
Before the meeting, the guests visited the laboratories “Facade structures of buildings and structures” and “Polytech SKiM-Test”.
The invited experts were Boris Barsky, a representative of Nordfasad, Leonid Mayorov, a representative of Peak Engineering, and Artem Alekseev, a consultant at SPbPU. The discussion was moderated by Alexander Galyamichev, chief engineer of the research laboratory “Facade structures of buildings and structures”, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Industrial, Civil and Road Construction.
Director of the Institute of Scientific Research Marina Petrochenko covered in detail the main areas of the institute’s activities, key achievements and structure. She spoke about the training of highly qualified specialists for the construction industry, international cooperation and scientific research. Marina Petrochenko noted that the introduction of modern technologies and innovative approaches in the educational process allows graduates to successfully compete in the global labor market. In this regard, attention was paid to digital modeling of buildings, in particular the Metacampus Polytech project. This project is a virtual digital ecosystem consisting of an information model of the university campus, a database and a system of services that provide strategic and operational management of the university’s business processes based on a data-driven approach.
The director of Soyuzpetrostroy, Irina Toldova, also gave a welcoming speech, talking about the creation of the company and presenting its activities.
We are holding a meeting ahead of the conference, to which I invite all participants to discuss current issues and tasks. The Polytechnic University is a long-standing member of our union, our cooperation began back in the 1990s. We are confident that we will be able to strengthen this partnership, Irina Toldova emphasized.
The participants discussed the formulation of the problem, description of projects, scientific and technical support of objects of increased and normal responsibility classes, presentation of a technical solution for the installation of the NFS of the object under consideration on the systems “Alternative”, DIAT and U-KON, the use of concrete and clinker tiles, options for cladding the residential complex “Yuntolovo”.
In St. Petersburg, there is a stable tradition of professional discussion of architectural solutions aimed at improving the quality of construction and design. The Polytechnic University offers a new format of technical interaction with developers and designers. It involves a detailed professional review of design solutions and materials used for the construction of façade structures of designed objects. The approach is based on the results of experimental studies and analysis of the experience of implementing already completed projects. We use our own scientific and practical developments, involve leading specialists in the façade industry from among the managers, as well as engineers of design, installation and supply organizations, to help colleagues make the most rational and justified technical decisions. This approach increases the efficiency of construction projects and ensures high quality of implementation of façade structures, – noted Alexander Galyamichev.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
Registration is open for the Summer School on Cryptography and Information Security (July 7-21, 2025, St. Petersburg)!
The Summer School-Conference “Cryptography and Information Security” is a traditional event organized by the Cryptographic Center (Novosibirsk) and the International Mathematical Center in Akademgorodok. In 2025, the Summer School “Cryptography and Information Security” will be held in St. Petersburg, at the St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (GUAP).
Dates: July 7 – 21, 2025.
Venue: St. Petersburg, GUAP.
Participation format: face-to-face.
Application deadline: May 15th.
There is a possibility of partial financial support for the arrival and accommodation of out-of-town participants.
Students will attend lectures, team and individual work in projects related to solving research problems in the field of cryptography and information security, and participate in sports activities. One of the most important events of the school-conference is a round table on modern problems of cryptography. The topics of the projects touch upon various issues of modern cryptography and information security: algorithms of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, issues of constructing cryptographic protocols for solving authentication, identification, key transfer, message exchange and other cryptographic problems.
University students, postgraduates and high school students are invited to participate.
The organizers and partners of the summer school are:
– Cryptographic center (Novosibirsk)
– International Mathematical Center in Akademgorodok
– Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (SUAI)
– Southern Federal University
– LLC “Special Technology Center”
– OOO “Systems of practical security”
– Enseucrypto-lab LLC
– Neokutus
Let us recall that in 2024 the Summer School was held in Taganrog, in 2023 in Kaliningrad, and before that in Novosibirsk.
Dear friends, we are waiting for you at the summer school in the northern capital!
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.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this afternoon delivered a special lecture on ‘ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Peace, Prosperity, and People’ at the Kansai University.
In his speech, Dr. Kao outlined the deep and dynamic partnership between ASEAN and Japan which has grown over the past 50 years. He also reinforced the importance of youth engagement in addressing future challenges, encouraging young people to engage in cultural exchanges and collaborative initiatives.
Ultimately, Dr. Kao encouraged the next generation to take an active role in enhancing this partnership and to leverage their potentials as changemakers in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable future for both ASEAN and Japan.
Download the full remarks here.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers special lecture at Kansai University in Japan appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow Sylvia Nicovich of the Geologic Hazards Science Center.
This house fell into Hebgen Lake during the 1959 earthquake and floated along the shore until it came to rest here. The owner of the house, then-70-year-old Mrs. Grace Miller, escaped only after kicking out her front door and leaping a 5-foot-wide ground crack as her house dropped into the lake.
Epicenters of 6,188 earthquakes in the Hebgen Lake region since 1990 determined by the University of Utah Seismograph Stations and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology. All epicenters have horizontal uncertainties of 1.0 km or less. Black contour lines show subsidence (in 2-foot intervals) resulting from the 1959 M7.3 Hebgen Lake earthquake (epicenter shown by red star). Magenta line segments show faults that ruptured during the 1959 earthquake and green line segments are Late Quaternary faults from the USGS Quaternary Fault and Fold Database.
In the summer of 1959, the west Yellowstone region experienced one of the largest Rocky Mountain earthquakes in instrumented history. The M7.3 Hebgen Lake earthquake caused severe damage and killed 28 people, most notably due to a landslide into a campground in Madison Canyon downstream from Hebgen dam. Here, roughly 30 million cubic meters (imagine 30 million washing machines!) of material from the north-facing slope of Madison Canyon came crashing down in the night, burying the campground and damming the Madison River to form Earthquake Lake.
We have learned a lot from destructive historic earthquakes like that at Hebgen Lake. The evidence it left on the landscape, such as fault scarps (steep breaks in slope where vertical displacement occurred along the fault), are especially important for understanding prehistoric earthquakes. The study of such earthquakes, called paleoseismology, can help to better characterize earthquake-producing faults by providing information about the recurrence and magnitudes of past earthquakes.
Lakes are becoming increasingly popular in paleoseismic studies. Their regular sedimentation patterns can refine earthquake-timing estimates and can potentially capture earthquakes that may not have ruptured the ground surface but still produced substantial ground shaking. This subdiscipline is called lacustrine paleoseismology and has been typically practiced in deep, steep, glacially influenced lake systems, like those along the Teton Range to the south. Because the impacts of the Hebgen Lake earthquake have been documented, a thorough understanding of how this earthquake affected nearby lake basins could teach us to interpret hidden earthquake records in different types of lakes—especially in shallow lakes with gentle slopes, like Henrys Lake just west of West Yellowstone in Idaho.
In the late winter of 2023, our team from the US Geological Survey Geologic Hazards Science Center set out to Henrys Lake with the hypothesis that this shallow lake basin contains evidence of the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake. Because Henrys Lake is only about 25 kilometers (about 15 miles) from the earthquake epicenter and therefore experienced strong to very strong shaking, it is fair to assume that lake sediment may have been disturbed. To test this hypothesis, we extracted seven sediment cores, each about 2 meters (a little over 6 feet) long, along an east-west transect across Henrys Lake during winter 2023. A benefit of working on lakes in the winter is that standing on solid (icy) ground can offer a steadier working environment than trying to collect sediment cores from a boat. Just like ice fishing, we used an ice auger to make a hole through the frozen lake surface and plunged the coring device into the water and then into the lake floor, keeping it leashed on a rope to pull it back up once the sediment was collected.
USGS scientists work to recover sediment cores from Henrys Lake, Idaho. (Left): geologists traverse frozen Henrys Lake with coring supplies. USGS photo by Sylvia Nicovich, March 30, 2023. (Right) Geologists lower the corer into the lake through a hole augured through the ice. USGS photo by Chris DuRoss, March 31, 2023.
The cores were examined at the USGS Pacific Coastal Marine Science Center core lab, which is specially equipped for imaging and sampling sediment cores. A common signature of earthquake disturbance within sediment cores results from sediment failure of the lake margin, transport downslope, and deposition in central areas of the lake basin. Cores from multiple locations in Henrys Lake contained a thin (~5 cm, or 2 in), distinct, gray sandy layer in their upper portion that appeared to be a record of a recent earthquake.
Transect of sediment cores from Henrys Lake, Idaho. (a) High‐resolution photoscans and computed tomography (CT) of each core correspond to the location tie line. White line on CT represents gamma ray attenuation bulk density (g/cc). Mapped facies are right of each correspondent core. Shades of gray represent background sedimentation and the event deposit by orange. Numbers 1–4 represent background sediment subfacies. HP: herbaceous peat, FL: fluviolacustrine facies, E: event deposit. Yellow rectangles represent sediment sample locations for radiocarbon dating (R1‐3). (b) Bathymetric map of Henrys Lake from data collected by the Idaho National Lab ca. 1990 with a contour interval (CI) of 0.6 m. Thick contour line shows the estimated shoreline prior to dam construction. Black triangles point to primary inlets; DC‐ Duck Creek and TC‐ Targhee Creek. Figure from Nicovich et al., 2014 (https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL110889).
President Kennedy signs the nuclear test ban treaty for the United States in 1963. Photo from National Archives, Still Pictures Division, Department of State Collection 59-0, box 23 (https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB94/tb02.htm).
The challenge was then to test if this layer matched the timing of the 1959 earthquake. This was done by measuring the concentration of the chemical component Cesium-137 (137Cs) with depth. 137Cs was produced during atmospheric nuclear testing in the mid-20th century, so the concentration in sediment can be matched with the known frequency of nuclear testing through time to establish the age of the sediment layer. For example, above ground nuclear testing increased around 1954, and the concentration of 137Cs in sediments starts to grow from undetectable levels to detectable that year. Conversely, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in 1963, so sediment of this age has peak 137Cs concentration that drastically drops immediately thereafter (which is toward the top of the core in the most recently deposited sediment). These defined concentration levels should essentially bound the 1959 earthquake deposit in the sedimentary record!
So, what about that outstanding layer of sand hypothesized to be associated with the 1959 earthquake? When pairing the 137Cs concentration data with the sedimentological data, we found that the sand deposit was indeed bracketed between 1954 and 1963, providing solid evidence that this layer probably formed during the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake.
With evidence that sediment at the bottom of Henrys Lake does, indeed, contain records of past earthquakes, the next goal was to look for other prehistoric earthquakes using the 1959 Hebgen Lake deposit as a reference. However, there were no such similar deposits with the same sediment character and presence in multiple cores. Using radiocarbon dating techniques, we were able to establish that the very lowest portions of the cores were approximately 5,000 years old. Does this mean that there have not been earthquakes similar in intensity to the Hebgen Lake earthquake in the last 5,000 years? Not exactly. The lowermost layer of the cores—the 5,000-year-old layer—is consistent with deposits from a marshy wetland, not a lake at all! Marshy wetlands are saturated areas with a lot of plants and grasses that typically produce organic-rich soils and not finely layered sediment like lakes do, making them much less likely to record an earthquake. Based on estimates of sedimentation rate, it appears that Henrys Lake likely only changed from a marshy wetland to a shallow lake less than about 1,000 years ago.
Photo and cartoon of 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake deposit in sediment core from Henrys Lake, Idaho, with references to Cesium-137 activity (or concentration). Changes in Cesium-137 are related to atmospheric nuclear tests and provide a means of dating the deposit; those measurements are plotted on the right with depth (in cm) of the core.
Although there is a lot more to explore about the specific evolution of Henrys Lake and other lakes in the west Yellowstone area, it is promising that a shallow lake with gentle sloping margins can record earthquake shaking. These findings provide increased confidence in our ability to investigate shaking-related deposits in other lakes with similar characteristics in the Rocky Mountain region or beyond.
strong>News release Raleigh County, W.Va., Disaster Recovery Center opens April 15 CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Raleigh County at 8 a.m. April 15, 2025. FEMA encourages residents, including homeowners and renters, of the disaster-impacted counties to register for assistance.
The center is located at:
Raleigh County Disaster Recovery Center
Beckley-Raleigh County Emergency Services 1224 Airport Road Beaver WV 25813
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays
Homeowners and renters in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Wayne, and Wyoming counties who sustained losses can apply for assistance in several ways:
Calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service.
Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. Downloading the FEMA App. Speaking with someone in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
In coordination with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) and officials in impacted counties, FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Wayne and Wyoming counties. At a center, you can get help applying for federal assistance, update your application, and learn about other resources available. The DRCs located in the table below remain open. DRCs are open to all, including residents with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Logan County Disaster Recovery Center Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center
Southern WV Community & Technical College 100 College Drive Logan, WV 25601
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sundays
Lifeline Princeton Church of God 250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sundays Closed April 26
McDowell County (Welch) Disaster Recovery Center McDowell County Disaster (Bradshaw) Recovery Center
Board of Education Office 900 Mount View High School Road Welch, WV 24801
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Bradshaw Town Hall 10002 Marshall Hwy Bradshaw, WV 24817
Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays
Mingo County Disaster Recovery Center Raleigh County Disaster Recovery Center
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Sundays
Beckley-Raleigh County Emergency Services 1224 Airport Road Beaver WV 25813
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays
Wayne County Disaster Recovery Center Wyoming County Disaster Recovery Center
Tolsia High School 1 Rebel Drive Fort Gay, WV 25514
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays
Wyoming Court House 24 Main Ave Pineville, WV 24874
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays
As a reminder, accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security – including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs. FEMA assistance does not need to be repaid, but residents should file insurance claims as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot cover expenses that have already been covered by other sources like insurance, crowdfunding, local or state programs, donations, or financial assistance from voluntary agencies. For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4861, and www.facebook.com/FEMA.
### FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account. Also, follow on X FEMA_Cam. For preparedness information, follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready.gov, on Instagram @Ready.gov or on the Ready Facebook page.
Today, Governor Joe Lombardo announced the appointment of Dylan V. Frehner as a Judge for the Seventh Judicial District Court, Department 2.
“I am honored to announce the appointment of Dylan V. Frehner to the Seventh Judicial District Court, Department 2,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “Frehner is well-rounded in many areas of the law and brings 20 years of experience as a rural attorney. His dedication to Nevada law and his commitment to serving the public make him a valuable addition to this judicial position.”
Frehner has served as the Lincoln County District Attorney since 2018, where he has managed criminal cases and provided legal counsel to county officials. Over the last 20 years, he has practiced in various areas of law, including family law, estate planning, and representation of the Lincoln County Water District (LCWD). He earned recognition from the Nevada Department of Wildlife for securing the first felony conviction for a wildlife crime in the state.
“I am grateful and honored by Governor Lombardo’s appointment,” said Dylan Frehner. “It is extremely humbling to follow in the footsteps of great judges like Judge Fairman and Judge Papez. I will work tirelessly to maintain the standard of fairness that has been established in the Seventh Judicial District.”
Frehner earned his Juris Doctor with Distinction from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. While attending the University of Nevada, Reno, he met his wife and started a family. Additionally, he served as a legislative intern for the minority leader during the 2001 Nevada Legislative Session. During law school, he impressively won his first mock trial competition, which awarded him scholarship money to help finance his education.
Outside of his legal career, Frehner considers his most significant role to be that of a husband and father to five children.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Researchers fromInternational Laboratory of Dynamic Systems and ApplicationsHSE University – Nizhny Novgoroddeveloped a theory that allows us to prove with mathematical precision the existence of stable chaotic behavior in networks of interacting elements. The work opens up new possibilities for studying complex dynamic processes in neuroscience, biology, medicine, chemistry, optics and other fields. The results of the study have been accepted for publication in the leading international scientific journal Physical Review Letters. The results of the study can beget acquaintedin the Arxiv.org archive.
In scientific terminology, chaos does not mean disorder, but dynamics that are extremely sensitive to the slightest changes. In such modes, the system’s behavior becomes unpredictable, which in some cases turns out to be useful. For example, in neuroscience, stable chaos helps prevent excessive synchronization of neurons and, as a result, epileptic seizures. In artificial intelligence algorithms, chaotic modes help improve the efficiency of learning.
Chaotic dynamics are also used to describe behavioral and economic cycles and help make more accurate short-term forecasts. However, until recently, the question remained open: how to understand whether the observed dynamics are truly chaotic, or just a temporary phenomenon, followed by stabilization of the system?
Scientists from the National Research University Higher School of Economics – Nizhny Novgorod, Professor Alexey Kazakov and postgraduate students Efrosinia Karatetskaya and Klim Safonov, together with Professor Dmitry Turaev from Imperial College London, were able to answer this question by applying the concept of pseudo-hyperbolicity.
Professor Turaev took part in the creation of this concept together with the Nizhny Novgorod mathematician Leonid Shilnikov. This property of the system excludes the transition to a stable state and guarantees the preservation of chaotic behavior, even if the system is affected by small external disturbances. By checking the conditions of pseudohyperbolicity, the researchers proved that networks of four or more identical interacting oscillators can demonstrate stable chaos under certain functions of the connections between the elements.
Moreover, the authors constructed numerical maps of the regions of existence of stable and unstable chaos and described different types of chaotic attractors, including two-winged and four-winged analogues of the classical Lorenz attractor.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Jointly organised by the Film Programmes Office, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Hong Kong Science Museum of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” will feature two popular sci-fi films, “Interstellar” (2014) and “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” (2001), which will be screened free of charge at the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum at 2pm on April 20 and 21 respectively, leading audiences to reflect on the impact of technological advancements on human life.
Astrophysicist and Associate Professor of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Chan Man-ho, and Research Professor of the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Principal Investigator of the CUHK Jockey Club AI for the Future Project, Professor Yam Yeung, have been invited as guest speakers for post-screening talks respectively to explore the scientific knowledge behind the films.
In “Interstellar”, the protagonist, Cooper, is pulled into a black hole while on a mission searching for habitable planets for humankind. He accidentally enters a five-dimensional space created by future humans, where he communicates with his daughter on Earth using gravity and helps her achieve a plan to save humanity. The film visually presents scientific concepts such as relativity, black holes and wormholes on the screen, allowing the audience to experience the wonder of science through the story.
In “A.I. Artificial Intelligence”, directed by Steven Spielberg, a robotic boy named David, endowed with genuine human emotions, is adopted by a human, Monica, as a replacement for her seriously ill son. Following her own son’s recovery and return home, David desperately searches for a way to become a real human in the hope of regaining Monica’s motherly love and care. The film profoundly explores the relationship between love, humanity and technology, making it a classic in the genre of sci-fi films featuring robots.
Both films are in English with Chinese subtitles.
Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme enquiries, please call 2734 2900 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/fp/en/listing.html?id=74. “Sci-Fi, Sci-Talk” is one of the programmes of HK SciFest 2025 held by the Hong Kong Science Museum from April 18 to 27. For details about HK SciFest 2025, please visit the website at www.hk.science.museum/scifest2025/?lang=en.
Student Mental Health in Focus as National Efforts Intensify on Suicide Prevention and Well-being Ministry of Education Convenes 2nd National Task Force Meeting Chaired by Hon. Justice (Retd.) S. Ravindra Bhat
Posted On: 14 APR 2025 2:44PM by PIB Delhi
The 2nd meeting of the National Task Force on the Mental Health Concerns of Students and the Prevention of Suicides in Higher Educational Institutions was held under the chairmanship of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, in New Delhi today.
Members of the Task Force; Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Shri Amit Yadav, Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment; Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development; senior officials of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare attended the meeting.
During the meeting, actions taken so far were reported and discussed in detail. Agenda points included developing a portal/website for data collection; reports and regulations/guidelines; dissemination of questionnaires; gathering support from different sectors; onboarding of officers from DoSEL and MoHFW; coordination with institutions and NIEPA, among others.
The Supreme Court of India, in a judgment dated 24.03.2025, issued significant directions concerning the prevention of student suicides in higher education institutions. The judgment underscored the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address mental health concerns among students. The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force under the chairmanship of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, former judge of the Supreme Court of India, along with other experts from various domains as members, to discuss and deliberate on issues related to mental health concerns among students, the prevention of suicides in educational institutions, and to recommend preventive measures. The key areas of focus include:
i. Identifying predominant causes leading to student suicides, such as academic pressure, discrimination, financial burdens, and the stigma surrounding mental health.
ii. Analyzing the effectiveness of existing student welfare and mental health regulations/policies.
iii. Proposing reforms to strengthen institutional frameworks and create a supportive academic environment.
The composition of the National Task Force is as follows:
Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, as the Chairperson;
Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, New Delhi, as the Member;
Prof. Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre, for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi; as the Member;
Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People; as the Member;
Prof. Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust; as the Member;
Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi; as the Member;
Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS; as the Member;
Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi; as the Member;
Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi; as the Member;
The following are the ex-officio members of the Task Force:
Secretary, Department of Higher Education, M/o Education, Govt. of India, as the Member Secretary
Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India;
Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India;
Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India; and
Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, M/o Education – Convenor.
The Task Force has decided to form three working groups each looking after different tasks. Progress of working groups so far was discussed. This includes compiling and reviewing previous reports, examining existing laws and regulations, and developing a methodology for designing questionnaires.
The first meeting of the Task Force was virtually held on 29.03.2025, in which the Chairperson outlined the agenda of the meeting highlighting the need for collection of data from various stakeholders which included teachers, academics, persons involved in social sector, policy makers, formulation of diverse set questionnaires for collection of data from various stakeholders, making available resources for the task force for effective discharge of its time bound functions, formation of working groups for division of works, dissemination and publicity of the questionnaires and activities to be taken up by the task force etc.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Director Xia Baolong to attend Opening Ceremony of National Security Education Day on April 15 organised by Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR via video link April 15, 2025 (Tuesday) is the 10th National Security Education Day. It carries profound significance as this year also marks the fifth anniversary of the promulgation by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) for implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (the Hong Kong National Security Committee) will hold the Opening Ceremony cum Seminar of the National Security Education Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre that morning.
The Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Xia Baolong, will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech via video link. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR and Chairman of the Hong Kong National Security Committee, Mr John Lee, extends his very warm welcome and expresses sincere gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his care, guidance and support for Hong Kong all along.
Mr Lee pointed out, “The National Security Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was passed by the NPCSC in 2015, legally confirms the guiding status of a holistic approach to national security and designates the 15th of April each year as the National Security Education Day. April 15, 2025 marks the 10th National Security Education Day, and it holds profound significance since this year is also the fifth anniversary of the promulgation by the NPCSC for implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
“At present, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace. The geopolitical landscape is getting complicated, regional conflicts are frequent, global economic growth is slowing down, and unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, all contributing to increasing global instability. With Hong Kong faced with ever-changing national security risks, the HKSAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle, deepen the understanding of a holistic approach to national security, continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and actively promote national security education across society.
“The Hong Kong National Security Committee organises the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day and co-ordinates a series of school and community activities, which help to promote national security education, encourage community-wide participation, and continuously strengthen the community’s awareness and atmosphere of safeguarding national security of their own accord.
“While we strive on all fronts to develop a vibrant economy, advance development and improve people’s livelihood, we must also make every effort to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, so as to contribute more to the country’s opening-up at a higher level.” Issued at HKT 12:30
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, was received by Dr. TAKAHAYASHI Tomoyuki, President of the Kansai University, during his visit to their Senriyama Campus.
During the discussion, Dr. Kao shared that education is a priority area under the ‘Heart- to- Heart Partners Across Generations’ pillar, as outlined in the Joint Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation titled ‘Trusted Partners’ along with its implementation plan.
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Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 11, the Moscow City Branch of the All-Russian Public Organization of Small and Medium Business “Opora Rossii” held a round table “Employment of Disabled People and Persons with Disabilities: Main Issues, Positive Experience, Imperfections of Current Legislation”, organized by the Committee on Social Entrepreneurship of the organization.
Representatives of Opora Rossii took part in the event, namely the Chairman of the Commission on Social Entrepreneurship Sergey Golubev, the Chairman of the Committee on Social Entrepreneurship Irina Slesareva, members of the Committee Veronika Kazantseva and Yulia Pavlenko, as well as invited experts, including the State University of Management, represented at the meeting by Svetlana Grishaeva, a specialist from the Resource Educational and Methodological Center for the Training of Disabled People and Persons with Disabilities (REMC) of the State University of Management.
The round table raised pressing issues on the topic of inclusion, work with people with disabilities, and those who had the status of people with disabilities in childhood but lost it upon reaching adulthood.
Svetlana Grishaeva spoke about the history of the emergence of the RUC, their activities and role in the lives of students with disabilities, and also shared the experience of the State University of Management in the field of cooperation with employers and work on career guidance, paying special attention to the specifics of interaction.
Following the discussion, a decision was made to continue the joint work of the round table participants due to the relevance and timeliness of the topic of employment of persons with congenital and acquired disabilities and special health opportunities.
The speakers particularly noted the importance and effectiveness of such interdepartmental expert sessions, which allow for a comprehensive understanding of the problem and its solutions.
The participants concluded that it is necessary to work with the parent community, with those who raise children with disabilities, to prepare route maps for parents and employers by nosology, and to gather those who are ready to support the employment of persons with disabilities, as well as potential employers on one platform. The “category 3 problem” also remains relevant: people with group 3 disabilities stop receiving allowances in the event of employment.
Those gathered agreed that information “pollination” and exchange of experience should be continued, and for this purpose a council on inclusion and employment should be created on the basis of the Committee on Social Entrepreneurship of the Moscow City Organization “OPORA RUSSIA” and its systematic meetings should be planned.
Options were also proposed for covering the Council’s initiatives within the framework of the meeting on social entrepreneurship at the SPIEF, joint work with the ASI and the Open for All project, and presentations and discussions within the framework of future forums for social entrepreneurs.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/14/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Clothing can kill. So, too, can the absence of personal protective equipment. For decades, the medical establishment has understood the role of fabric in both spreading contagion and guarding against its transmission — but never with greater urgency than 80 years ago.
On April 15 1945, British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp near Celle in northern Germany. Shocking scenes awaited behind the barbed wire.
On entry, British personnel found an epidemic of typhus decimating the camp’s surviving population. Thousands of unburied corpses, appallingly overcrowded huts, the absence of running water and chronic emaciation contributed to the rapid spread of this louse-borne disease. So too did unwashed garments into which lice burrowed and deposited their contaminated faeces.
For warmth, some camp inmates removed clothing from corpses, heedless of the danger of contagion. Others feared infection so acutely that they went unclothed rather than risk contamination. Anne Frank died, just weeks before the camp’s liberation, in a state of naked terror.
For military and medical personnel, burying bodies and burning garments was imperative, along with triaging survivors and moving the fittest from the camp’s corpse-strewn huts to a hastily established hospital area. To transform a site of mass death into a place of recovery wasn’t easy. Staff lacked supplies of every sort, substituting newspaper for mackintosh sheeting and commandeering dog bowls for use as bedpans.
Protective clothing was also in desperately short supply. There, too, improvisation was the order of the day. Around 100 British medical students drafted into action at Belsen sported a motley assemblage of British military and appropriated German Wehrmacht apparel. They, like everyone else in the camp, were liberally sprayed with DDT. This pesticide was later proven to be carcinogenic.
Female British Red Cross workers modified their uniforms, ditching regulation skirts. “I always go about in slacks and battle dress, trousers being a greater protection against the louse!” Margaret Ward wrote home to her mother with forced bravado.
Meanwhile, members of the Royal Army Medical Corps, better provisioned than anyone else at Belsen, wore “typhus suits” as they stretchered patients from the huts to the hospital. These outfits – complete with drawstring hoods, gauntlets and gaiters, but no masks – helped keep contagion at bay, though their alien appearance terrified some patients.
British authorities “solved” their protective equipment crisis at Belsen by compelling captured German SS personnel to undertake the most dangerous work. Sometimes, prisoners were given rubberised capes. But more often, as numerous photographs taken by British military photographers attest, German prisoners handled corpses without any protection at all.
Dressed in their SS uniforms, German men and women set to work (under armed guard) removing piles of contaminated clothing and dead bodies from the huts. With uncovered mouths and bare hands, they carried corpses to mass graves.
In April and May 1945, anti-Nazi feelings ran understandably high among allied personnel, particularly those who just participated in the camps’ liberation. Few found anything ethically wrong with the decision to expose German prisoners to a high risk of infection.
War crimes trials, with the prospect of execution for defendants found guilty, awaited SS prisoners. Forcing German camp personnel to confront the deadly consequences of their actions – in the most visceral way possible – struck most uniformed Britons as an entirely warranted form of retribution. A moral corrective for SS prisoners was also a medical expedient made necessary by the camp’s dire shortage of protective equipment.
The brunt was borne by the captured enemies. Reuters reported on June 28 1945 that 20 SS guards had “died of typhus before their trials by the war crimes court could be held”, adding that it was “believed that they caught the disease when they were forced to bury the bodies of some of the prisoners”.
Meanwhile, Belsen’s survivors urgently required garments and footwear. Retributive justice played a role here too. British military personnel ordered German civilians in the environs of the camp to surrender clothing, shoes and bedding for use by survivors. Here was postwar redress at its most literal. People stripped of so much by the Third Reich would begin life anew in apparel removed from Germans.
Susan L. Carruthers 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.
Last week, I travelled to the historic city of Perugia in Umbria, Italy. With clear blue skies, wisteria hanging over ancient Roman walls, plenty of gelato and beautiful vistas from the hilltop, the setting was pretty special. More inspiring though, were the people I spoke to during my visit. Perugia is the home of the annual international journalism festival, a meeting of media movers and shakers from all over the globe. These are my five biggest takeaways.
1. In-person connections are irreplaceable
Yes, I see the irony of flying to talk about climate journalism, but sometimes face-to-face connections, impromptu chats and dinner table discussions are just impossible to replicate on a video call. I caught up with journalists from my Oxford Climate Journalism Network cohort. Run by the Reuters Institute, this six-month programme is proving invaluable, not only for seminars from guest speakers at the top of their game, but for the collaborations that are developing within the network. Learning from my peers working in Austria, Brazil, Canada and way beyond has opened my eyes so much to the diversity of challenges we all face – and the creative possibilities.
Kevin Burden (European media leaders fellowship project manager), Nina Fasciaux (director of Solutions Journalism Network) and Anna Turns. Kevin Burden, CC BY-NC-ND
During my discussions with colleagues from my European media leaders climate solutions fellowship visiting from France, Italy and the Czech Republic, I listened to the lightbulb moments others have had and reflected on my own progress – internally, in terms of what leadership means to me and how I can effect meaningful change, plus externally, in terms of supporting my own team and encouraging more collaboration within this organisation.
By sharing joys and worries over a margarita pizza or scoop of nocciola (hazelnut icecream – my favourite), I was struck that authenticity is the most important attribute. All else follows and every single one of those real, honest and open in-person connections deepens my appreciation for that.
2. Environmental journalism is thriving
So many early career journalists approached me, keen to chat and wanting to know more about how to immerse themselves in this specialism. When I first started out as a biology graduate, I worked in wildlife TV production and magazine journalism. Back then, environment coverage tended to be an outlier, an afterthought at best. Climate journalists were few and far between; willing mentors were difficult to find.
Anna Turns chatted to lots of environmental journalists after her conference event. Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
That landscape has shifted so much over the past 20 years and I’m proud that this part of our industry is growing, and becoming richer for it. Now, people want to cover climate stories in so many creative formats and that’s invigorating.
3. Science doesn’t have to stay in silos
With growing misinformation, (both inadvertent misinterpretation and deliberate miscommunication) online, combined with widespread disengagement from mainstream news sources, social media has a big role to play in how we engage with climate, or not.
I hosted an event with Adam Levy about how to make climate science shine on social media. With a PhD in atmospheric physics from the University of Oxford, Levy now works as a science journalist and broadcaster, while producing jargon-free videos that make complex climate issues relatable and succinct.
Anna Turns interviewed Adam Levy at the International Journalism Festival. Monica Rizza #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
Climate communication is definitely not just about imparting facts. There’s space for nuance, even humour. We chatted about bridging the gap between science and storytelling, how to apply a rigorous journalistic approach to all forms of content and how integrity must be the top priority. That all builds precious trust and creates connection.
4. Time is ticking
The next UN climate summit (Cop30) is coming and we’re getting ready. One of my favourite sessions was a talk by Daniel Nardin, another solutions journalist member of the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. He lives in Belem, the Brazilian city that will be hosting Cop30 in November, where negotiators will continue to debate how best to tackle and adapt to climate change. But those strategies, frameworks and commitments can seem dry, dense and hard to digest.
Nardin’s publication, Amazonia Vox, platforms the voices of the people living in the Amazon, in forested, deforested and urban areas. He explained that the environmental, social and political issues in the Amazon are complex and full of nuance, which is why he makes local voices central to the narrative.
None of this is rocket science. But Nardin is proactively cracking on with it, because there isn’t time to wait.
Mark Hertsgard from Covering Climate Now (far left) talks about how newsrooms can make climate training effective. Alexa Cano #IJF25, CC BY-NC-ND
5. Newsroom culture is transforming
The Conversation is already highly respected. So many expert communicators, academics and readers told me how much they love what we do and what we stand for. Tackling misinformation in engaging ways is what we do best. Connecting you, our audience and community, with the most accurate and evidence-based knowledge is our purpose. We’re already bridging the gap between research and the real world. But there’s still scope to evolve and embrace change.
Looking ahead, The Conversation can help shift the way climate stories can be told. The climate crisis has gone way beyond being an environmental issue. It’s linked to all aspects of our lives, from health and education to business and democracy, as well as conflicts and culture. Newsrooms don’t have to function like they have done for decades. By being curious, we can experiment, find out what works and reinvent the norm.
At the New York Times, the climate team is physically in the centre of the office. At the French newswire Agence France-Presse, job titles such as “future of the planet, global editor” reflect big ambitions to integrate climate into everything. At CBC, the Canadian public broadcaster, the science and climate unit has made climate literacy training a top priority for all staff – not because it’s worthy, but because future proofing makes business sense.
As the executive director of Covering Climate Now, a media community based in the US, Mark Hertsgard said: “Every journalist in the 21st century will need to be a climate journalist.”
Now, my job is to turn Perugia’s inspiration into action. Watch this space.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
In April 2025, the ranking quartiles were updated. The Fangular Magazine Rank. This indicator reflects the popularity and authority of publications of journals included in the Scopus database since 1996. It takes into account not only the number of citations, but also their quality, assessing the prestige of the journals from which the citations were obtained.
Published by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Terra Lingoustics entered the first quartile (Q1) in the Linguistics and Language subject area.
It is noteworthy that this magazine was included in Scopus MNDB only in December 2024. The journal is also included in the HAC List and has the scientific significance category K1, indexed in the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Index Copernicus International, ROAD and CyberLeninka databases.
The first quartile is a goal for any scientific journal, as it is recognition of its authority and significance in the scientific community. A humanities journal requires much more effort and time to reach this peak, but editor-in-chief Valeria Evgenyevna Chernyavskaya and the Center for Scientific Publications, which publishes the journal, set the bar high enough at the start and achieved an excellent result, commented Vice-Rector for Research at SPbPU Yuri Fomin.
Another highly rated publication is Technology And Language, included in Scopus in 2023, received the second quartile (Q2) in the subject areas of Cultural Studies and History and Philosophy of Science. The journal, whose editor-in-chief is the director of the Humanities Institute, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Natalia Chicherina, publishes studies on various relationships between technology and language from the perspective of history, linguistics, cultural studies, anthropology, philosophy, literary studies and media studies.
For journals participating in the rating for the first time, this is a very high and honorable result. These indicators show the great work of editors-in-chief, reviewers, authors and the editorial team. Now, inclusion in the White List has become a global task for many Russian publications, but it is also important to strengthen their positions in international databases, which is what Polytechnic publications are actively striving for, noted Ekaterina Linnik, Director of the Scientific Publications Center.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 12, students and young scientists of the State University of Management attended the presentation of the national project “Youth and Children”, launched on the initiative of the President of Russia.
The event took place in the national center “Russia”, where the main ideas of the national project, innovations of the upcoming forums and a demonstration of national values that form the basis of the cultural code of Russia were presented.
At the ceremony, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation Sergei Kiriyenko addressed the participants.
“The decision of the President of Russia has established the children and youth of our country as a key state priority. It is very important that you are not just beneficiaries of the national project “Youth and Children”, you are its co-authors. Because the basic principle that our President set for all state work with youth can be formulated as follows: nothing for children and youth without the participation of children and youth themselves. This is your time, because Russia today is truly a country of opportunities,” emphasized Sergei Kiriyenko.
Together with Sergei Kiriyenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko launched online registration for the upcoming forum events of Rosmolodezh.
The official presentation ceremony of the national project “Youth and Children” and the opening of the forum season were also attended by the head of Rosmolodezh, associate professor of the department of state and municipal administration of the State University of Management Grigory Gurov, chairman of the board of the Movement of the First, Hero of Russia Artur Orlov, general director of the Russian society “Knowledge” Maxim Dreval and others.
“The national project “Youth and Children” has united all the opportunities for young people, and our task is to help the children realize their potential both at our forums and at the sites of year-round youth educational centers, opened on the instructions of the President, throughout the year,” noted Grigory Gurov.
The event was attended by about a thousand graduates of Rosmolodezh forums of previous years, representatives of regional organizations responsible for the implementation of this national project, winners of the Rosmolodezh grant competition, including students and young scientists of the State University of Management.
“The national project “Youth and Children” clearly demonstrates that the youth of Russia is the main state priority that needs to be developed. The young generation has unique talents, and it is precisely such strategic initiatives that help to reveal their potential, shaping the future based on the values and meanings that were presented at the Presentation,” shared Nikita Smirnov, a second-year student of the State and Municipal Administration Department of the State University of Management.
The event was organized by Rosmolodezh together with the Ministry of Education of Russia, the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, the State Corporation Roscosmos, the Russian Society Znanie, the ANO National Priorities of Russia, the presidential platform Russia – the Land of Opportunities, the Movement of the First, the National Center Russia, and the portal Dobro.rf.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/14/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On April 11, at the State University of Management, instructors from the Moscow City Branch of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps conducted training for people with disabilities and for children and teenagers whose parents are disabled.
Participants were taught first aid skills and fire safety rules. The classes were held in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere, which allowed each participant to feel comfortable and confident.
The event was held on the initiative of the coordinator of the federal party project “United Country – Accessible Environment” in Moscow Natalia Prisetskaya and the deputy of the Moscow City Duma, head of the Moscow city branch of the VSKS, director of the Educational and training center for emergency response and basic military training of the State University of Management Maxim Dzhetygenov.
“We are pleased to join such an important project as “United Country – Accessible Environment”. The training, developed taking into account the special needs of the participants, covers a wide range of topics. The participants received not only theoretical foundations, but also the opportunity to practice the acquired knowledge. We are confident that the acquired skills will help the participants feel more confident and secure in everyday life. The “United Country” project plays an important role in creating an inclusive society, and we are proud to have the opportunity to contribute to this noble cause!” – shared Maxim Dzhetygenov.
When teaching first aid skills to rescuers, it was important not to help the training participants too much, but to teach them manipulations and techniques, to give them the opportunity to independently complete the actions, even if the wheelchair was in the way. Children with disabled parents were also taught resuscitation skills, studied first aid and, of course, asked questions of interest.
“For many years I have been working on the idea of organizing trainings where professional rescuers could show how people in wheelchairs can help save themselves and what techniques will be most effective, how to provide first aid to their loved ones, children, what can be done based on their physical condition, strength, skills. It is important to have an action plan so that a person in a wheelchair, even watching from the side, can manage the entire process of providing first aid. And it is very important for all of us to raise the level of safety culture together,” noted Natalia Prisetskaya.
The second part of the training was dedicated to fire safety. Many participants picked up a fire extinguisher for the first time in their lives and thought about the risk they expose themselves and their loved ones to every day by not following the most basic fire safety rules.
According to rescuers, trainings involve a full-fledged exchange. During practical training, it is possible to understand the approximate physical capabilities of people with disabilities and the nuances of different types of wheelchairs. Rescuers also learn more about personal boundaries and rules for comfortable communication with this category of people, and how best to interact with them.
In total, 40 trainings are planned to be held in 2025, in which more than 200 people will take part: both wheelchair users and people with other types of disabilities, their relatives and children.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/14/2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
What is the essence of hybrid quantum-classical artificial intelligence? In which high-tech areas are quantum computing already being piloted today? And when might high-performance quantum computers appear in Russia? Anton Guglya, an employee of the National University of Science and Technology MISIS, told participants of the SPbPU seminar on artificial intelligence about this.
Anton Pavlovich in his review focused on the practical application of quantum computing for the implementation of business projects. In Russia, there are already the first experimental versions of quantum computers and a cloud interface for accessing them, although none of the domestic quantum computers can yet solve industrial-scale problems. At this stage, businesses and scientific groups have the opportunity to carry out research and pilot projects using quantum computing emulators – “digital twins” of quantum computers that use new algorithmic approaches, but operate on traditional CPU and GPU architectures.
The financial, oil and gas and other industries need business effects, they need results, not just advanced technology. If their tasks are solved using traditional methods, they will not invest in advanced equipment, new software and obtaining additional competencies. But if they see the benefit, even if it is delayed in time, from using quantum computing, then, of course, they will prefer to use it, the speaker emphasized.
Anton Guglya spoke about the technical features of hybrid quantum-classical neural networks, describing their advantages over classical ones:
quantum algorithms will be able to solve some classes of problems faster and more accurately than classical analogs; it is possible to process a larger volume of information with less energy consumption; a smaller set of hyperparameters for training a neural network when working with noisy data.
The MISiS specialist presented a typical process for developing an industrial quantum algorithm and launching it on an emulator, as well as several cases from his practice. For example, a credit scoring algorithm was implemented using quantum neural networks. The resulting model, based on data, calculates the probability of the return of funds received from the borrower to the bank.
Another popular area is image classification. Using hybrid quantum-classical neural networks, this task can be performed faster and with greater accuracy. Also, with the help of a quantum neural network, the task of generating new drugs is performed more efficiently. At the same time, the learning speed of quantum neural networks is much higher than that of traditional ones.
The second presentation at the seminar was devoted to the prospects of creating “virtual cities”. Ivan Dorokhov, a research fellow at the AI Center of Novosibirsk State University, spoke about the integrated system for modeling “virtual cities” that he and his colleagues from SPbPU and SPbSU are proposing.
According to the speaker, unlike digital twins, which directly reflect the physical environment, virtual twins can simulate a wide range of objects or scenarios for various purposes and are not conceptually limited to digital computing.
Our results show that such virtual environments can facilitate the emergence of societies consisting of AI agents, i.e. subjects with artificial intelligence, in which governance mechanisms such as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO) and artificial collective consciousness (ACC) provide ethical and normative control, said Ivan Dorokhov.
Agent-based AI systems are already on their way to engaging in cultural, economic, and political activity, shaping the social fabric of cities, and researchers must address how to make their impact as beneficial to people as possible. This will require understanding how advanced rendering and procedural generation techniques can provide the high realism required for complex simulations, how IoT data and predictive modeling can make these environments more responsive and adaptive, and what ethical and legal frameworks will be needed when AI agents gain autonomy. Answering these questions is important to realizing the potential of virtual worlds as platforms for innovation, experimentation, and sociotechnical evolution.
Both presentations raised many questions and a lively discussion, which you can join at the next seminar on April 23, which was announced by the Head of the Department for Support of Scientific Projects and Programs Natalia Leontyeva.
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.
ZURICH, Switzerland, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The digitalization of commercial real estate financing is gaining momentum – and Loanboox is establishing itself as a key technology partner for real estate companies across Europe. The Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for the real estate industry, which was launched in 2022, is enjoying strong demand: the financing volume tendered via the Loanboox software now amounts to more than five billion euros, around 50 percent of which has been processed since the beginning of 2024 alone.
“The real estate industry is local and highly fragmented. It is therefore under particular pressure to digitize processes and make them more transparent – especially when it comes to financing,” says Urs Meier, CEO of Loanboox. “With our software, we offer exactly the right tool at the right time: a comprehensive solution that efficiently brings borrowers and lenders together and maps the entire process from the tender to portfolio management.”
A study conducted by Loanboox in collaboration with Fresenius University of Applied Sciences shows that 67% of the real estate companies surveyed see digitalization deficits in their core processes, especially in financing. Three out of four users explicitly want specialized industry software instead of general “office applications” – a clear sign of the need for tailor-made solutions.
Loanboox’s software specifically addresses this need: Borrowers can manage the financing process digitally with their chosen lenders. The success in the commercial real estate financing segment speaks for itself: the average annual growth rate of user access is over 100 percent. In addition, around 90 percent of financing requests are successfully completed. In total, Loanboox’s technology has already processed well over EUR 100 billion in financing volumes across all customer segments since the company’s launch in 2016.
Loanboox on its way to becoming pan-European financing software in real estate
Loanboox customers have made financings in 16 European countries already, with Germany, Switzerland, France and Austria being the key markets. The company has recently seen a sharp increase in demand. In Germany in particular, Loanboox has signed up tier 1 real estate asset managers and project developers. And in the last six months alone they have already published financing requests in the three-digit million range via Loanboox’s software.
“Today, we have more than 500 lenders in Europe using our software, who particularly appreciate the ease of use, the multilingualism and the quality of the tendering process. This means that Loanboox has one of the largest networks of lenders and the high number of repeat deals shows the very solid level of acceptance of our technology,” says Dominique Hügli, CPO (Chief Product Officer) at Loanboox. The large network of lenders is also particularly attractive for companies looking to finance real estate projects in the DACH region from other European countries.
Debt Management module allows customers to manage their capital efficiently
Another growth driver is the integrated debt management module: European asset managers, real estate companies, project developers and housing companies currently use the software to manage a loan volume of more than five billion euros via the software – and the trend is rising.
“Our solution offers a 360-degree view for financing experts – from relationship management with lenders and financing processes to comprehensive loan management, evaluation and scenario planning,” explains Hügli.
2025: Digitalization is advancing – broad market comparison for financing necessary
With banks still reluctant to lend and the cost of managing loans rising, digital financing processes with a broad network of lenders are becoming increasingly important. Loanboox intends to take advantage of this momentum and the ongoing digitalization of the real estate industry and systematically expand its reach in Europe.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is of course also finding its way into the real estate industry and will in the future help finance teams to process complex data efficiently, identify suitable financing options more quickly and facilitate the exchange with lenders. Whether it is the automated extraction of information from loan agreements and term sheets, the creation of teaser documents or the targeted analysis of portfolio data, AI opens up new efficiency potential along the entire financing process. AI also significantly simplifies the intelligent search in the data room of a tender – a function that has already been successfully implemented at Loanboox. The continuous integration of AI will continue for Loanboox in 2025 to enable even more effective and data-driven collaboration between borrowers and lenders.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Alexander Demin, Nina Korsakova and Ekaterina Voznyak
In the exhibition hall of the architectural faculty of SPbGASU, the department of landscape architecture opened an exhibition of projects for the territories of schools and kindergartens.
Let us recall that the Department of Landscape Architecture was formed in the current academic year. It is attended by students who transferred from the Department of Architectural Environment Design and first-year students. Therefore, the exhibition was the first in the history of the new department.
As Ekaterina Voznyak, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at SPbGASU, noted, on the one hand, the Department of Landscape Architecture is young, on the other hand, it is developing most dynamically. In terms of the number of students, it is the largest in the Faculty of Architecture.
“Over the years, we have developed our own system and our own school of teaching landscape design: if the similar department of the St. Petersburg State Forestry University focuses on plantings, then we work with the architecture of space. In the presented projects, we managed to combine both architectural and landscape directions. All the works are impressive in their high level of execution,” Ekaterina Voznyak emphasized.
Acting Head of the Department of Landscape Architecture Alexander Demin explained that part of the exhibition consists of course projects by second-year students, and part consists of completed projects by department staff.
“The exhibition presents the first steps and first experience of students in designing public spaces. The sites of existing schools and kindergartens are used as a basis, where real problems of organizing adjacent territories and public spaces need to be solved. You can also see the completed projects under the program of the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation “Small Towns and Historical Settlements”, completed by the department’s employees. This selection of projects is not accidental: it symbolizes the construction of a single content line in continuity between professionals and students. In addition, projects of public spaces in the cities of Kommunar and Pikalyovo in the Leningrad Region, completed within the framework of the Russian competition “Small Towns and Historical Settlements” of the Ministry of Construction of Russia, are presented. They were completed by the employees of the landscape architecture department together with students, the Kremlin studio, the Competence Center of the Leningrad Region and district administrations,” said Alexander Demin.
The director of the design studio, chief architect of SPbGASU Svetlana Bochkareva noted the unique design of the exhibition in a single style, which speaks of the personal participation of the head of the department.
“For all of us, such a bright exhibition is a great gift and a bright, colorful event. For second-year students, participation in it is a kind of bonus, motivation for further professional activity,” Svetlana Bochkareva summarized.
Among the first visitors to the exhibition on April 10 were students from Secondary School No. 564 of the Admiralty District of St. Petersburg, with which our university has been cooperating since 1988. As Director Nina Korsakova noted, yesterday’s schoolchildren enter SPbGASU and subsequently successfully work in their profession.
“What is presented at the exhibition today is great! I hope that the traditions of cooperation established 37 years ago will continue. It is gratifying to see how the works of our graduates, and now your students, are being implemented here. Thus, in the two new buildings of the school, a large number of unique interiors were made according to the design projects of our students,” said Nina Korsakova.
Second-year student of the landscape architecture department Yulia Rozhkova admits that it is nice to see her project at the exhibition.
“This is my first time participating in an exhibition and my first time developing a project for the functional zoning of a kindergarten territory. I wanted to make modern playgrounds that children would like. Landscaping was also taken into account, new plants were added. Bright accents of the territory are color and paving. I believe that such a first experience will be a good step towards the profession,” said Yulia.
Ariadna Bobokova, a tenth-grader at School No. 564, is not yet familiar with landscape design and believes that an exhibition is the best way to learn about it.
“I plan to enroll in your university, but I am more interested in architectural design. Just the other day, a teacher at SPbGASU and I discussed that landscape design is not only flowers and plants, but also architecture. After looking at the work, I was convinced that this is really true: the projects present complex master plans,” Ariadna said.
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.
Political leaders’ kids are routinely put on display to share the glory or the pain of election night. Earlier, they’re often at campaign launches to “humanise” the candidates.
Peter Dutton pulled out all stops with the family for his Sunday launch. Tom, Harry and Rebecca were not just there in person, but “virtually” too, with a video showing dad hearing messages from the family.
Rebecca went to “the potato head thing”, saying it was “all a bit of a joke to us. We still often call you Mr Potato head.” Dutton replied that “I’m pretty relaxed. I can give back as good as I get.” Hearing Harry on the video, he judged his son “sounded a bit croaky […] He might have been out late last night.”
And so it went. All nice and safe, in a campaign sense. But Dutton should have left it at that.
Instead, on Monday Harry, who is an apprentice carpenter, joined his father on the campaign trail, to help him sell the message about the unaffordability of housing.
Harry, it turns out, is an aspiring house buyer, which is not surprising. After all, his dad bought his first house at age 19, and is proud of the fact, often mentioning it in soft interviews.
Harry told reporters, “I am saving up for a house and so is my sister, Beck, and a lot of my mates, but as you probably heard, it’s almost impossible to get in – in the current state,” Harry said.
“So I mean we’re saving like mad, but it doesn’t look like we’ll get there in the near future. But we’d love that to change.”
One has to wonder about the judgement of the Liberal strategists. Dutton has owned a lot of property over the years, and is well off. Did no one anticipate that the obvious questioning from the hungry media would be: won’t the bank of mum and dad help Harry and Rebecca?
Of course it came.
One questioner asked, “Are you planning to act as the bank of mum and dad like so many Australian families are having to do?” Dutton answered generally – that he didn’t want a situation where these were the only kids that could buy houses.
Then later came the explicit question: “You brought your own son Harry out here. He spoke about how hard it is to save for a deposit. So in that case, you’re doing pretty well yourself – why won’t you support him a bit and give him a bit of help with getting his house?”
Dutton did not address that sticky one, saying rather that he hadn’t finished answering the previous question.
Politicians perennially complain about how hard the political life is for their families.
Indeed. Sometimes it’s best to leave the kids at home.
Albanese dodges question about Plibersek’s future portfolio
This is the second campaign in a row that’s put a spotlight on the strained relationship between Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek.
In 2022 observers asked “where’s Tanya?” when Plibersek, one of Labor’s most popular retail politicians, seemed to have a low profile. Plibersek produced evidence of her intense round of campaigning, but it was still clear she was being underused.
Albanese and Plibersek are rivals in the left from way back. After the 2022 win, instead of appointing her education minister, as she’d expected, the new PM put her into environment, where she’s had to rule on fossil fuel projects and other matters especially tricky for someone from the left. Late last year, Albanese intervened when Plibersek thought she was headed to a deal on the Nature Positive legislation, declaring the Senate numbers were not there. More compelling with him was pressure from Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, who was facing an election.
On Monday Plibersek found herself having to explain an uncomfortable moment that had caught media attention at Sunday’s Labor launch.
At these gatherings a great deal of kissing and hugging goes on, even among politicians who don’t like each other much. So Plibersek was about to hug Albanese, but he grabbed her hands instead.
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Asked on Monday Morning TV about what was described as an “awkward moment”, Plibersek explained it away, even more awkwardly. “Do you know what, I reckon we should still all be elbow bumping, because during an election campaign, the last thing you want is to catch a cold from someone. So that’s on me. I should have done the elbow bump, I reckon.”
Albanese was quizzed later about whether he’d keep Plibersek in the environment portfolio in a second-term government.
He said Plibetsek was doing a “fantastic job” and insisted she had been “a friend of mine for a long period of time”.
He didn’t comment himself on her future job, if the government is returned. Not surprising, at one level. As he says, he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself. And later in the day he wouldn’t say whether Julie Collins would again be fisheries minister.
But, given it was Plibersek, his non-answer added to the awkwardness. On the other hand, you’d think Plibersek would probably want out of the environment portfolio, provided that didn’t mean another less-than-ideal post.
A third debate coming
Albanese and Dutton have agreed to a third debate – on Channel 7 on April 27. The second debate, hosted by the ABC, is on Wednesday.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
On April 9, a traditional English-language skit was held for students Faculty of EconomicsThis year it was organized for the 10th time.
This tradition began a long time ago: from 2009 to 2014, English Language Days were held, but in a different format. In 2015, English teachers at the Faculty of Economics found a new form for annual vibrant events that unite students and provide space for language practice outside the curriculum and academic pairs. The neologism Cabbage Pie Party was specially invented for this event. These are theatrical skits that include various performances, and at the end, all participants are traditionally treated to cabbage pies.
— Since 2022, we decided to “sweeten” the lives of our students and moved away from the “cabbage” theme. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, we ate pies with apple, cherry and raspberry fillings, respectively. The topics of our meetings also changed. This year, the anniversary year, we ate delicious pies with lemon filling, as it was decided to organize Lime
The cabbage party, or “lemonnik”, turned out to be spectacular and even “fairy-tale”, as some of the participants said. This year there was a record number of student performers, namely: more than 160 people from 14 academic groups of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years. 11 theatrical numbers were presented and 9 films were made.
— I remember a bright twist — students of group 24702.2 danced from the heart. The song Wonderful World by group 23703.2 sounded unexpectedly and very beautifully. Students of groups 24707.1 and 2 brought their instruments: the song With a Little Help From My Friends with an original video was performed to the accompaniment of a synthesizer, electric guitar and bass. There was a musical, sketches, songs and dances from students of groups 23704.3, 24710.2, 23704.1, 24701. 1 and 24701.2. The title Lemon Tree sounded in two interpretations: lyrically with a guitar (24706.1) and interactively, involving the entire audience in an active game (23702.1). Two more groups played games with the audience: 22705 (the entire audience helped Alice and her friends get back to Wonderland) and 24703 (solving associative series, topic – NSU), shared Svetlana Panova.
This year, all nine films won in their categories, including: Best Storyline (24704.1 and 24704.2); Best Actor: Best Spiderman Among Us (23706.1 and 23706.2); Warmest Tribute to Alma Mater (24709.2); Ultimate Movie Buff Award (23701.1); Best Soundtrack with Original Lyrics (24704.2), the lines from which are sung by half the faculty. It was possible to watch the films in advance and leave your vote by following the link to the desired group, and at the skit they watched the most popular, memorable works again, meeting the requirements for sound quality and duration.
— Special words of admiration and gratitude — to our hosts! For the second year, Ksenia Polischuk, Arina Takmakova and Yulia Kostyleva, all students of group 22707.1, were at the helm. They were assisted by Alena Brutyan (23705) and Semyon Kovalenko (22708). These are unique hosts, reacting live to everything that happens in the hall, dancing, singing, playing different instruments, raising the whole hall to sing songs in English in chorus, because they know the right songs! They made an invaluable contribution to the preparation and holding of two skits in a row and raised the bar for those who would come after them. And of course, not a single skit would have happened without our wonderful English teachers! They not only help their students, but, traditionally, they open and close each skit with their performances. On April 9, our hit, written back in 2016, was performed with the refrain Welcome to the new, brand new NSU, supplemented with words specifically about the anniversary 10th cabbage party, noted Svetlana Panova.
The awarding of winners in the oral Olympiad and written translation competition, a lottery with prizes from sponsors, gifts and souvenirs – all these integral attributes of the skits became possible thanks to the support of the faculty. The holiday ended with a pie with candles, balloons, the lines Happy Birthday to you! and the final song It’s Not a Final Countdown.
The cabbage party was a success! See you next year!
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Diversified Energy Company PLC (“Diversified” or the “Company”)
Board of Director Updates
Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE: DEC) (NYSE: DEC) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has appointed Randall Wade as an independent non-executive director, effective 11 April 2025.
Mr. Wade is a Co-Founder of EIG and a member of its Investment and Executive Committees. He has broad involvement in the firm’s various activities including investments, investor relations, operations and strategic initiatives. Since joining EIG in 1996, Mr. Wade has filled various roles including President, Chief Operating Officer, head of the direct lending strategy, investment principal with coverage responsibility for Australia and an analyst for the oil and gas team.
Prior to joining EIG, Mr. Wade was a Commercial Lending Officer for First Interstate Bank of Texas, where he was responsible for developing a middle-market loan portfolio. Mr. Wade received his B.A. in Economics and his B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Upon his appointment, Mr. Wade will become a member of the Board’s Sustainability and Safety Committee.
Commenting on the appointment, David Johnson, Chairman, said:
“It is my pleasure to welcome Randall to Diversified’s Board of Directors. His breadth of experience, leadership, and reputation in the energy industry will provide valuable perspectives. We look forward continuing our valued partnership with EIG and to Randall’s contributions as Diversified continues to progress its strategy of responsibly delivering sustainable stakeholder returns.”
Mr. Wade previously served as a director for NGL Energy Partners (NYSE: NGL) and has held no other public company directorate positions in the last five years.
The Company is making this announcement pursuant to UK Listing Rule 6.4.6R with no further disclosure necessary under Listing Rule 6.4.8R.
Diversified is a leading publicly traded energy company focused on natural gas and liquids production, transport, marketing, and well retirement. Through our differentiated strategy, we acquire existing, long-life assets and invest in them to improve environmental and operational performance until retiring those assets in a safe and environmentally secure manner. Recognized by ratings agencies and organizations for our sustainability leadership, this solutions-oriented, stewardship approach makes Diversified the Right Company at the Right Time to responsibly produce energy, deliver reliable free cash flow, and generate shareholder value.
With Big Girls Don’t Cry, Gumbaynggirr/Wiradjuri playwright Dalara Williams proves herself to be a formidable talent.
Cheryl (Williams), Queenie (Megan Wilding) and Lulu (Stephanie Somerville) are three best friends who share a house together in 1960s Redfern, the heart of “Blak Sydney”, after moving from the bush to the city.
The trio swap outfits, go out dancing, socialise and talk about boys while navigating low-paying jobs, curfews and police brutality. Directed by Ian Michael, Big Girls Don’t Cry sits against a backdrop of political moments from service in the Vietnam War, to the 1965 Freedom Rides, the 1966 Wave Hill Walk Off and the 1967 Referendum.
The girls prepare for the 1966 Aboriginal Debutante Ball. Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir
The ball represents more than just a social event: it is a symbol of pride, resilience and cultural celebration. It serves as a powerful reminder of the community’s strength and unity, showcasing their determination to preserve and honour their heritage amid adversity.
Meticulous attention to detail in the set (Stephen Curtis) and costume design (Emma White) transports us back to this pivotal moment in history, making it feel both authentic and immersive.
Each character’s wardrobe reflects their personality. Debutante dresses and accessories add depth to the characters and their stories, making the visual elements not only historically accurate but also emotionally resonant.
Genuine and moving
Williams’ darker and more confronting scenes are expertly juxtaposed with love stories and hilarious laugh-out-loud moments, particularly from the exceptional Wilding, who wholeheartedly embodies her fierce and outspoken character Queenie.
Williams captivates with her nuanced portrayal of Cheryl, balancing strength and vulnerability. Somerville adds a layer of tenderness and hope as Lulu. The chemistry between these three actors is undeniable. Their friendship is genuine and moving.
Guy Simon’s portrayal of Cheryl’s brother Ernest is a true highlight. While Cheryl strives to keep him out of trouble for his outspoken views, Ernest’s passion for justice and equality is inspiring.
Guy Simon and Megan Wilding are stand-outs among an exceptional cast. Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir
Ernest’s relationship with Milo (Nic English) highlights the solidarity and camaraderie among activists of the time.
Cheryl’s boyfriend Michael (Mathew Cooper), though physically absent from the group for much of the play, is a constant presence in Cheryl’s thoughts. His letters from Vietnam add a poignant layer to the narrative.
Officer Robinson (Bryn Chapman Parish) is a chilling reminder of the systemic racism and oppression faced by the Indigenous community. His menacing presence serves as a stark contrast to the warmth and joy shared by the main characters, highlighting the harsh realities of this era.
By the end of the play, I felt involved in the lives of these characters, and as though I knew them – a credit to Williams’ writing and the phenomenal portrayal by each of the seven cast members.
Continuing the fight
The program includes a beautiful and personal reflection by Williams where she describes her family legacy as a major source of inspiration for the play.
The various interwoven love stories are some of the most heart-wrenching, comical and sweetest moments of the play. But to solely describe it as a romantic comedy is to devalue the power of this work.
Williams describes how she is from a long line of staunch Blak advocates who have continued to fight for sovereignty. This play is just the latest in her family’s long lineage of demonstrating resilience and survival.
This play is just the latest in Williams’ long lineage of demonstrating resilience and survival. Stephen Wilson Barker/Belvoir
Williams does not shy away from the reality of being Aboriginal in 1960s Redfern and handles moments with sophistication and grit. Scenes of police brutality and overt racial discrimination are portrayed with a raw honesty that is both confronting and enlightening.
Big Girls Don’t Cry should be essential viewing as part of ongoing education efforts to truly highlight the reality of life at this time – many such struggles which continue today.
The play is a powerful and moving tribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous women. It is a celebration of their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs.
Williams has crafted a play that is not only entertaining but also deeply meaningful, shedding light on a crucial period in Australian history: a must-see for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the past and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
While much has changed since 1966, the spirit of resistance and the quest for a better future remain as vital as ever.
Big Girls Don’t Cry is at Belvoir Theatre, Sydney, until April 27.
Laura Case 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.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced that the 10th National Security Education Day will be held tomorrow, marking the fifth anniversary of the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, as well as the first anniversary of the legislation and implementation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will hold the Opening Ceremony & Seminar of the National Security Education Day at the Convention & Exhibition Centre tomorrow morning.
CPC Central Committee Hong Kong & Macao Work Office Director and State Council Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office Director Xia Baolong will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech via video link.
Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive and Hong Kong National Security Committee Chairman John Lee extends his very warm welcome and expresses sincere gratitude to Director Xia Baolong for his care, guidance and support for Hong Kong all along.
Mr Lee pointed out that at present, the world is undergoing unprecedented changes at an accelerating pace. With Hong Kong faced with ever-changing national security risks, the Hong Kong SAR Government will resolutely, fully and faithfully implement the “one country, two systems” principle, deepen the understanding of a holistic approach to national security, continuously improve the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for safeguarding national security, and actively promote national security education across society.
Moreover, he highlighted that the Hong Kong National Security Committee organises the opening ceremony of the National Security Education Day and co-ordinates a series of school and community activities, which help to promote national security education, encourage community-wide participation, and continuously strengthen the community’s awareness and atmosphere of safeguarding national security of their own accord.
“While we strive on all fronts to develop a vibrant economy, advance development and improve people’s livelihood, we must also make every effort to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, so as to contribute more to the country’s opening-up at a higher level,” the Chief Executive added.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karin Hammarberg, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Global and Women’s Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University
The news of a woman unknowingly giving birth to another patient’s baby after an embryo mix-up at a Brisbane IVF lab has made headlines in Australia and around the world. The distress this incident will have caused to everyone involved is undoubtedly significant.
A report released by Monash IVF, the company which operates the Brisbane clinic, states it “adheres to strict laboratory safety measures (including multi-step identification processes) to safeguard and protect the embryos in its care”.
It also says the company’s own initial investigation concluded the incident was “the result of human error”.
An independent investigation will follow which presumably will shed light on how human error could occur when multi-step identification processes are in place.
On a broader level, this incident raises questions about how common IVF errors are and to what extent they’re preventable.
The booming IVF industry
Because people have children later in life than they used to, some struggle to conceive and turn to assisted reproductive technologies. These include in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) which both involve handling of sperm and eggs (gametes) in the laboratory to form embryos. If there’s more than one embryo available after a treatment cycle, they can be frozen and stored for later use.
In Australia, the IVF industry is more regulated than in many other parts of the world.
To operate, clinics must be licensed by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee and adhere to its code of practice.
In relation to storage and accurate identification of embryos, the code states clinics must provide evidence of the implementation and review of:
Policies and procedures to identify when, how and by whom the identification, matching, and verification are recorded for gametes, embryos and patients at all stages of the treatment process including digital and manual record-keeping.
The code further states clinics must report serious adverse events to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee. The list of what’s considered a serious adverse event includes any incident that “arises from a gamete or embryo identification mix up”.
Clinics must also adhere to the National Health and Medical Research Council’s ethical guidelines on the use of reproductive technology in clinical practice and research.
Thousands of pregnancies in Australia each year are conceived using assisted reproductive technologies. Lee Charlie/Shutterstock
In the United Kingdom, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority regulates the IVF industry and requires clinics to report adverse incidents. These are reported as grade A, B or C, where A is the most serious and involves
“severe harm to one person, or major harm to many”. Data on adverse incidents is reported in a publicly available annual report.
In the United States, however, the IVF industry is largely unregulated, and clinics don’t have to report adverse incidents. However, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine states clinics should have rigorous procedures to prevent the loss, damage, or misdirection of gametes and embryos and have an ethical obligation to disclose errors to all impacted patients.
How common are IVF errors?
There’s no global data on IVF errors so it’s not possible to know how common they are. But we learn about some of the more serious incidents when they’re reported in the media.
While the recent embryo mix-up is the first known incident of this nature in Australia’s 40-year IVF history, we have seen reports of other errors in Australian clinics. These include the alleged use of the wrong donor sperm, embryos being destroyed due to contamination, and inaccurate genetic testing which resulted in the destruction of potentially viable embryos.
In the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s most recent report states there was one Grade A incident in 2023–24. This was the first Grade A incident reported since 2019–20 when there were two.
In the US, some notable errors include storage tank malfunctions in two clinics which destroyed thousands of eggs and embryos.
Lawsuits have also been filed for embryo mix-ups. In a 2023 case, a woman from Georgia delivered a Black baby even though she and her sperm donor are both white. The biological parents subsequently demanded custody of the child. Despite wanting to raise him the woman who had given birth gave up the five-month-old boy to avoid a legal fight she couldn’t win, she said.
There’s no global data on IVF errors, so we don’t know how common they are. SeventyFour/Shutterstock
Are IVF errors preventable?
Despite Australia’s stringent regulation and oversight of the IVF industry, an incident with far-reaching psychological and potentially legal consequences has occurred.
Until the independent investigation reveals how “human error” caused this mix-up, it’s not possible to say what additional measures Monash IVF should take to ensure this never happens again.
An IVF laboratory is a high-pressure environment, and any investigation should look at whether staffing levels are adequate. Staff training is also relevant, and it’s essential all junior lab staff have adequate supervision.
Finally, perhaps Australia should adopt the UK’s model and make data about adverse events reported to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee available to the public in an annual report. To reassure the public, this report could include what measures clinics take to avoid the errors happening again.
Karin Hammarberg is affiliated with Monash University, which is not connected with Monash IVF and the incident mentioned in the article.
The City of Greater Bendigo has prepared a draft Stage 2 Heritage Study for the former Shire of Huntly, which is now open for public consultation.
The former Shire of Huntly covered areas including Ascot, Bagshot, Drummartin, Elmore, Epsom, Fosterville, Goornong, Kamarooka and parts of Huntly, East Bendigo and Longlea.
Stage 1 of the study was completed in 2021 and community members shared valuable local knowledge about the former Shire of Huntly, provided photographs, stories and records that have helped to fill in historical details for places or precincts with potential significance.
Topics included events that confirmed the significance of building periods within the area, the establishment of community and social infrastructure (including health, sporting, and social places), and the development of distinct phases of housing, including early settlement, early mining, and agriculture.
Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge said a draft Stage 2 Heritage Study was the next step in the project.
“The Stage 2 draft goes a lot further and includes detailed assessments of places and precincts that were identified as part of the Stage 1 of the study. This determines their heritage significance according to a set of recognised criteria,” Mr Petherbridge said.
“This draft study makes recommendations for applying the Heritage Overlay to places found to be of local significance, and one place which may meet the threshold for state significance.
“Community members and businesses are invited to attend one of three engagement drop-in sessions to provide feedback on the draft study.
Feedback will help the City understand if any changes are needed before the draft is presented to a future Council meeting for adoption.“
City staff will be available to answer questions about the recommended Heritage Overlay for properties and areas that have been identified in the draft study as places of significance in the former Shire of Huntly.
“Community members are encouraged to register for a 15-minute appointment at one of the information sessions.”
Owners and occupiers with properties identified through the study will also receive a letter about the findings and any potential impacts on their property.
Three information drop-in sessions are taking place in May:
Session 1: Elmore Community Hub, 1pm to 5pm on Thursday May 1, 2025
Session 2: Huntly Memorial Hall, 1pm to 4pm on Thursday May 8, 2025
Session 3: Goornong Memorial Hall, 5pm to 7pm on Monday May 12, 2025
Source: Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
This is the first novel technology that utilises machine learning to analyse unique ultraviolet light “fingerprints” on cell cultures to quickly identify presence of contamination
Only requiring a small volume of cell culture for analysis, this method can provide a definitive yes/no contamination assessment within 30 minutes, making it significantly more time- and resource-efficient than traditional sterility tests
Delays due to contamination testing in cell therapy products can be life-threatening for critically ill patients who urgently need these treatments.
Singapore, 14 April 2025 – Researchers from the Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), interdisciplinary research group (IRG) of Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), A*STAR Skin Research Labs (A*SRL), and National University of Singapore (NUS), have developed a novel method that can quickly and automatically detect and monitor microbial contamination in cell therapy products (CTPs) early on during the manufacturing process. By measuring ultraviolet (UV) light absorbance of cell culture fluids and utilising machine learning to recognise light absorption patterns associated with microbial contamination, this preliminary testing method aims to reduce the overall time taken for sterility testing and, subsequently, the time patients need to wait for CTP doses. This is especially crucial where timely administration of treatments can be life-saving for terminally ill patients.
Cell therapy represents a promising new frontier in medicine, especially in treating diseases such as cancers, inflammatory diseases, and chronic degenerative disorders, by manipulating or replacing cells to restore function or fight disease. However, a major challenge in CTP manufacturing is quickly and effectively ensuring that cells are free from contamination before being administered to patients.
Existing sterility testing methods, based on microbiological methods, are labour-intensive and require up to fourteen days to detect contamination, which could adversely affect critically ill patients who need immediate treatment. While advanced techniques such as rapid microbiological methods (RMMs) can reduce the testing period to seven days, they still require complex processes such as cell extraction and growth enrichment mediums, and they are highly dependent on skilled manpower for procedures such as sample extraction, measurement, and analysis. This creates an urgent need for new methods that offer quicker outcomes without compromising the quality of CTPs, that meet the patient-use timeline, and with a simple workflow that does not require additional preparation. SMART CAMP Senior Research Engineer Shruthi Pandi Chelvam using the UV absorbance spectrometer to measure the absorbance spectra of cell culture samples (Photo: SMART CAMP)
In a paper titled “Machine learning aided UV absorbance spectroscopy for microbial contamination in cell therapy products” published in the journal Scientific Reports, SMART CAMP researchers described how they combined UV absorbance spectroscopy to develop a machine learning-aided method for label-free, non-invasive, and real-time detection of cell contamination during the early stages of manufacturing.
This method offers significant advantages over both traditional sterility tests and RMMs as it eliminates the need for staining of cells to identify labelled organisms, making it label-free, avoids the invasive process of cell extraction and delivers results in under half an hour. It provides an intuitive, rapid “yes/no” contamination assessment, facilitating automation of cell culture sampling, with a simple workflow that requires no additional incubation period, growth enrichment mediums, and manpower. Furthermore, the developed method does not require specialised equipment, resulting in lower costs.
“This rapid, label-free method is designed to be a preliminary step in the CTP manufacturing process as a form of continuous safety testing, which allows users to detect contamination early and implement timely corrective actions, including the use of RMMs only when possible contamination is detected. This approach saves costs, optimises resource allocation and ultimately, accelerates the overall manufacturing timeline,” said Shruthi Pandi Chelvam, Senior Research Engineer at SMART CAMPand first author of the paper.
“Traditionally, cell therapy manufacturing is labour intensive and subject to operator variability. By introducing automation and machine learning, we hope to streamline cell therapy manufacturing and reduce the risk of contamination. Specifically, our method supports automated cell culture sampling at designated intervals to check for contamination, which reduces manual tasks such as sample extraction, measurement, and analysis. This enables cell cultures to be monitored continuously and contamination to be detected at early stages,” said Prof Rajeev Ram, Principal Investigator at SMART CAMP, MIT Professor, and corresponding author of the paper.
Moving forward, future research will focus on broadening the application of the method to encompass a wider range of microbial contaminants, specifically those representative of Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) environments and previously identified CTP contaminants. Additionally, the model’s robustness can be tested across more cell types apart from MSCs. Beyond cell therapy manufacturing, this method can also be applied to the food & beverage industry as part of microbial quality control testing to ensure food products meet safety standards.
The research is conducted by SMART and supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme.
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) have entered into a strategic partnership to collaborate on skills development and research on emerging issues.
This was done through a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“As part of the MoU, PSETA can place its graduates at the NCC, significantly contributing to the NCC’s work. In turn, through its internship programme, which these graduates will join, the NCC will help ensure that the programme aligns with the skills demanded by the workplace. This will ensure that the graduates are well-trained and ready for the industry by the end of their training,” a joint statement by the NCC and PSETA said on Saturday.
PSETA’s focus is primarily on transversal skills within the Public Service sector. These skills, dubbed the ‘business of government’, include administration, management, planning, legislation and policy development. They form the focus to drive the growth of skills and competencies in areas that will make the delivery of the business of government.
The PSETA is a statutory body entrusted with driving skills development across the public sector. As an agency of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the primary role of the NCC is to protect the interests of consumers and ensure accessible, transparent and efficient redress for consumers.
“As mandated by the Skills Development Act and aligned with the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2030, PSETA plays a critical role in shaping a professional, ethical, and capable public service workforce.
“As a trusted Authority, PSETA is committed to driving impactful, inclusive, and sustainable skills development that strengthens institutional capacity and supports service delivery excellence across the public sector,” the statement said.
The MoU, among other things, aims to achieve the following:
• Identify priority research areas, including research to support the Public Service, in line with both parties’ research agendas and the PSETA’s Sector Skills Plan (SSP) priorities; • Facilitate cooperation and support on the development of capacity and capabilities for members and officials of the Public Service and unemployed learners, aligned to the PSETA SSP priorities, the National Development Plan, the National Skills Development Plan priorities and the Public Service; • Human Resource Development Strategy; • Facilitation and regular sharing of information on matters mutually relevant to the Parties; • Encourage the maximised usage of shared resources; and • Setting out the parameters for cooperation and support under the objectives of the MoU.
