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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – US academic takes reins on Pacific housing research – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    Indigenous Hawaiian architect and academic Dr James Miller will soon cross the globe to start a new role at the University of Auckland.

    Miller left a role as associate professor at Western Washington University to start at MĀPIHI – Māori and Pacific Housing Research Centre this month.

    The 39-year-old will lead MĀPIHI’s research in Pacific housing.

    Currently working remotely from Washington, Miller plans to move with his family to New Zealand in July.

    The new role appealed partly because of the level of support the University offers Pacific scholars, which is far greater than in most US institutions.

    “MĀPIHI is a unique centre that closely aligns with the research I’ve done in the Pacific, particularly in the Marshall Islands and Hawai’i, around housing security,” he says.

    Miller grew up listening to stories about life in traditional Indigenous Hawaiian housing communities, known as kauhale. His father passed on stories about his childhood, growing up in a ‘camp’ in Hawaii, where the community lived simply in clusters of small houses. While they enjoyed collective spaces, there was no running water or plumbing.

    Miller’s father left Hawai’i for the United States, because of the high cost of living, and has not been able to afford to return to his homeland.

    “A core motivation for addressing housing in Hawaii is to secure housing for Native Hawaiians and mitigate the out migration of Hawaiians into the diaspora,” he says.

    In 2013, Miller’s doctoral research took him to the Marshall Islands, where his interest in housing for Indigenous people developed. The central focus of his research was climate change adaptation on the low-lying atoll, which is facing severe effects from sea level rise.

    Hearing stories of how Japanese and US imperialism had shaped life in the Marshall Islands ignited his interest in strengthening Indigenous design.

    In 2023, a housing crisis was declared in Hawai’i, with indigenous Hawai’ians and other Pacific people particularly hard hit.

    Property investment and tourism pressures have contributed to rising housing costs and lack of housing availability in Hawai’i, he says.

    Miller helped develop strategies and broad brushstroke designs with local nonprofit organizations to provide culturally appropriate housing for Indigenous Hawaiians and Pacific people in Hawai’i.

    “I’m looking at tradition, Indigenous ecological knowledge and contemporary technology to see how building design might meet the pressing needs of the present, that will increase in the future,” he says.

    One solution is non-profit community land trusts, which buy large tracts of land to offer affordable housing. In some cases, home buyers sign contracts ensuring they will not sell for excessive profits.

    Over recent years in Washington, Miller has worked with Coast Salish communities. One project involved helping design 24 houses and community spaces on two acres of land for people experiencing homelessness or addiction. Construction on the development started this week.

    He has also been helping the Swinomish community to develop a plan book of culturally supportive housing designs.

    At MĀPIHI, Miller plans to work with academics, NGOs, local and central government and professional groups to develop the centre’s Pacific Regional Strategy.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP calls for urgent access to preposition food in Sudan as rainy season risks cutting off roads to starving

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/Abubakar Garelnabei. WFP distributes emergency assistance to people who are seeking refuge in Osma Degna School in Port Sudan after conflict spilled over into Gezira State.

    Photo credit

    PORT SUDAN, Sudan – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently calling for unimpeded access to immediately preposition food assistance across key locations in Sudan, as deliberate obstruction by parties on the ground and the approaching rainy season threaten to render vast areas of the country inaccessible by road. Without swift action, WFP warns that millions of vulnerable people could be cut off from life-saving aid, placing fragile humanitarian gains at serious risk.

    Below is an update on the food security and WFP operations in Sudan. 

    Food SecuritySituation

    • Two years of war has turned Sudan into the world’s largest hunger catastrophe and famine is spreading. 
    • Nearly half the population – 24.6 million people – faces acute hunger. Some 638,000 people face catastrophic hunger (IPC5) – the highest number globally. 
    • Famine is confirmed in 10 locations – eight in North Darfur (including Zamzam Camp) and two in the Western Nuba Mountains. It was first confirmed in Zamzam camp in August 2024. 
    • Another 17 areas – including areas of North, South and East Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, Khartoum, and Gezira – are at risk of famine.
    • In the hardest-hit areas, one in three children are acutely malnourished, surpassing famine thresholds.

    WFP Operations

    • WFP is providing food and nutrition assistance to over three million people each month and is pushing to expand this to seven million people per month by mid-year.
    • The organization managed to deliver food assistance in recent months to previously cut-off areas including in greater Khartoum, Gezira State, Darfur and the Kordofan regions, some of which had not received any food since the start of the war.
    • WFP assistance helped to reduce the risk of famine in six areas in Central Darfur and two areas in West Darfur – where nearly 1 million people have received regular WFP food or cash aid since June 2024.
    • Over 30,000 metric tons of food assistance were transported into Darfur via the reopened Adre border crossing since August 2024, but families are still facing emergency levels of hunger. 
    • WFP is working to pre-position food supplies, which requires more storage capacity in key locations across Darfur to reach famine or famine-risk communities faster. 

    Access Challenges 

    • Access remains the biggest challenge to humanitarian operations which are being deliberately obstructed by parties to the conflict.
    • WFP is urgently calling for access to be able to preposition food assistance in locations across the country, particularly in Darfur. Many routes will become impassable during the rainy season and communities will be cut off.
    • Ongoing fighting in and around El Fasher is restricting access and endangering humanitarians. In February, WFP was forced to suspend operations in Zamzam IDP Camp due to more violence. We are working with partners to resume as soon as possible.
    • Bureaucratic delays, extortion, and the denial of movement for humanitarian staff continue to cripple the response.

    Regional Impact

    • Over a million people have fled to South Sudan since the Sudan war began. WFP provides new arrivals in South Sudan fortified biscuits or hot meals, a one-time food or cash ration, and nutrition support for children and mothers at border areas. 
    • Chad hosts almost one million refugees and returnees from Sudan since the start of fighting two years ago and WFP has assisted 1 million refugees, returnees, and hosts since the civil conflict in Sudan began.

    Funding: 

    • WFP urgently needs $650 million to continue operations in Sudan for the next six months.
    • The organization is asking for flexible funding, which is extremely critical in a complex and ever-changing operational environment like Sudan, so that WFP can quickly adapt to changing dynamics on the ground. 

    Package of photos available here.

    #                 #                   #

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

    Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media @wfp_africa @wfp_sudan

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Qualifications: their role in society, reform and challenges

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Qualifications: their role in society, reform and challenges

    A speech by Catherine Large, Executive Director of Vocational and Technical Qualifications at Ofqual, to the Education and Training Federation spring conference.

    I’d like to talk to you about 3 key things this afternoon, which I hope are relevant and pertinent to your work.

    Firstly, I’d like to zoom out and talk about the role of qualifications in society. This situates why Ofqual regulates in the way that we do, and how we work together with other actors in the system.

    Next, I’ll look at qualification reform, why it happens and what it means, taking a look at the current developments we’re working on and considering any potential change on the horizon. In this context I’ll reflect on the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report, published yesterday. I’ll consider the introduction of the new qualifications coming in this September as a consequence of the Post-16 Qualifications Review. I will also cover the changes to Apprenticeship assessment, recently announced.

    And finally, I will zoom in and look at some particular challenges and risks we might anticipate in the delivery of qualifications this spring and summer, which I think we all need to work together to mitigate.

    The role of qualifications in society

    Academic Patricia Broadfoot has described the English assessment system as a social construct with 4 purposes. Firstly, certifying achievement of competence to a certain standard, rooted in the history of craftsmanship. Secondly, providing a selection process for further progression based on educational attainment. Thirdly, as a policy tool for directing curriculum priorities. And fourthly, to provide a mechanism for accountability for teachers and school leaders.

    Qualifications serve as a vital currency therefore in the particular culture we live in. In some of these contexts the stakes are very high for those involved. This is why qualifications must accurately reflect what students know, understand and can do at the time of assessment.

    There are important conversations to have about why the stakes are high and whether they might be lowered – this is outside Ofqual’s control. The reliability of regulated qualifications underpins the trust that students, employers and society place in our education system, and fairness, as we all know, is paramount.

    Roles and responsibilities

    It is perhaps helpful to briefly set out the roles and responsibilities of the different actors within this eco-system, so you can see how we all fit together. The Department for Education sets curriculum including the subject content for GCSEs and A levels. It is the DfE that decides which qualifications to fund. It also sets accountability requirements, which affect the importance of the results of qualifications for schools and colleges.

    IfATE, working with employers, sets occupational standards. These underpin the subject content for T Levels, and form the basis of Higher Technical Qualifications, Level 3 Technical Qualifications and Apprenticeships. Skills England will likely take over responsibility for these occupational standards in due course, ensuring they remain up-to-date and that new occupational standards are developed to support areas of the economy where new types of skills are needed. It is vital that we have an agency of government responsible for understanding what employers need both nationally and locally, for collecting labour market intelligence, and for using it to inform and shape the qualifications and training needed in the future.

    Ofqual is a non-ministerial government department which regulates Awarding Organisations in England. We see our role as steward of the qualifications system. We take long-term, proactive regulatory decisions for the benefit of students, society and the economy. We work with others in the system to safeguard the value of qualifications – we recognise that our role is only one part of it.

    We have a set of rules called the General Conditions of Recognition, to which we hold Awarding Organisations to account. We also set specific additional rules if necessary, such as where qualifications have a particular risk profile, such as being used for progression or used in accountability measures. A levels, GCSEs, and T Levels fall into this category.

    Ofqual does not of course regulate training providers, colleges or schools, but our rules guide how awarding organisations interact with you. It is our job to hold them to account for the work that they do. I know you are working every day to ensure that students receive a high-quality education and are appropriately prepared for their assessments. And I know you are ably supported in this by initiatives such as those run by the Education and Training Foundation, such as the Industry Insights programme for T Levels and the Apprenticeship Workforce Development Programme.

    I hope this brief overview of how the qualifications system works helps put what I am saying today in context.

    Qualification reform

    Moving on then, to consider qualifications reform and the changes the system is going through. So firstly, what do we all mean when we talk about qualification reform? We know that there is a lot of it about. Qualification reform is a government-initiated programme of education sector improvement, with a particular type of qualification as its centrepiece, acting as the driving point for change. These programmes tend to focus on a category, or type, of qualification that then has a sub-set of individual qualifications as part of it. We have seen a lot of qualification reform in the post-16 vocational part of the education system in recent decades because, as there is no national curriculum post-16, it is a key mechanism for generating change. The content of the qualification, essentially, really matters. The introduction of GNVQs in the 1990s, and the 14 to 19 Diploma in the 2000s, for example, were important to governments seeking to persuade students to carry on learning post-16, and the qualification specification was the key location for putting engaging content.

    By reforming a set of qualifications, government is seeking to change a significant proportion of what the cohort of learners are studying and what teachers are teaching, because it is assumed that this will be the impact that changing those qualifications will have. I’m interested in your views on the effectiveness of using qualification reform as a strategy for educational change in this way. At Ofqual, we would argue that it is absolutely crucial that changes to assessment are considered alongside developments to curriculum and pedagogy. This is why the Industry Insights programme is so important, because it is helping to embed T Levels, as a new set of qualifications, through investment in curriculum and pedagogy as well.

    Ofqual’s programme of research into CASLO qualifications – those that confirm the acquisition of specified learning outcomes – published in November, looks back at the history of the reforms to vocational and technical qualifications over the last 40 years and considers lessons that might be learned from them. The intersection between assessment, curriculum and pedagogy is one of the key reflections made – do check out report 9 from this series if you are interested in what our Research Chair, Paul Newton, has to say on this subject. I recommend you check out report 4, on the history, as well.

    Let’s now turn our attention to the current set of initiatives and the steps being taken to ensure qualifications meet the needs of today’s learners.

    Curriculum and Assessment Review

    Yesterday, as you will have no doubt seen, the panel that formed the independent Curriculum and Assessment review published its interim report. I highly recommend you have a close read of it if you haven’t already. The panel has had the unenviable task of looking across the whole sweep of the education system, and identify in this report its key areas of future focus. They set out clearly that the educational offer for 16 to 19-year-olds is an important priority. They acknowledge that, while T Levels have had teething problems, they are here to stay. They also identify the need to think carefully about pathways for those unable to access A levels and T Levels, acknowledging the particular learning needs of this part of the cohort. They also identify the need to develop strong occupational pathways at level 2, and they commit to looking at how to strengthen progression routes from level 2 to level 3. They also prioritise how best to ensure that learners who did not achieve the required standard in English and maths are best supported to do so by the age of 18.  These commitments will shape future policy developments and I’m sure will be of real interest to many in this room.

    Qualifications Review

    In terms of immediate next steps on the post-16 landscape, as you all know, the Department for Education has been reviewing post-16 qualifications at Level 3 and below, including in the context of introducing T Levels. The outcome of the Rapid Review, announced in December, indicates that, while the Curriculum and Assessment Review is in train, DfE will look to fund a balanced mix of qualifications that meet students’ needs.

    This September, we will see the first teaching of several new qualifications, including the new T Level in Marketing, as well as some of the new Alternative Academic Qualifications, such as the Pearson level 3 BTEC National in early childhood development, and Technical Qualifications, such as the NCFE level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in cyber security. Ofqual will ensure that these qualifications reach the expected standards of quality and reliability under our regulatory scrutiny.

    I want to highlight some key features of the new AAQs and how they differ from the applied generals that many of you will be familiar with. AAQs are available in fewer sizes than applied generals in terms of their guided learning hours – the first wave will be smaller qualifications of 150 to 420 guided learning hours, designed, like the smaller applied generals, to be taken alongside A levels. The plan was that from September 2026, larger ones of 720 to 1,080 guided learning hours would then be made available, however future policy is now being considered as part of the Curriculum and Assessment Review.

    The smaller AAQs differ from applied generals in that there is less scope to move between sizes of a given qualification should a student’s original intentions change. Please make sure that you are aware of which qualifications your college or training provider is using and the rules around nesting so you can advise students appropriately on their options. The new AAQs have the same minimum requirement for external assessment as applied generals at 40%.

    Apprenticeships

    Moving now on to developments in apprenticeships. In February, at part of National Apprenticeships Week, the DfE announced changes to apprenticeship assessment, which will take effect in the coming months. These changes include the introduction of new assessment principles and a reduction in the minimum duration of apprenticeships where that makes sense for a given industry or where an individual has significant prior learning. Additionally, apprentices aged 19 and over will no longer need to hold or achieve English and maths qualifications to pass their apprenticeship, while this requirement remains in place for younger apprentices to support their career progression. The goal is to facilitate proportionate and flexible assessments and to enable faster certification of occupational competence where appropriate.

    Ofqual is committed to ensuring that these reforms are implemented in a way that safeguards the quality and value of qualifications for employers and apprentices, and for the wider benefit of society. To this end, we are working closely with the Department for Education and IfATE (and in due course Skills England) to review our regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment. We will be launching a public consultation on these changes soon. This is in line with the work that IfATE are doing to streamline apprenticeship assessment plans, which are held in Ofqual’s regulations. Together, we are dedicated to ensuring that our apprenticeship system remains robust, fair, and aligned with the needs of employers.

    Working together on delivery

    With these future directions in mind, let’s now zoom in to focus on the measures Ofqual is taking to ensure the integrity of regulated qualifications in delivery, particularly in the face of new challenges and technological advancements.

    I want to firstly highlight the importance of parity of treatment for students taking Vocational and Technical Qualifications, which is a key focus for us at Ofqual. This means ensuring that VTQs are recognised as equally valuable qualifications for progression as GCSEs and A levels, and, importantly, that VTQ results are issued to students at the same time as GCSEs and A levels.

    We put a number of new measures in place in 2023 to underline this commitment to parity. These include a checkpoint – a deadline for colleges and training providers to tell their awarding organisations which students need to receive their qualification result on results day, because they will be used for progression. These measures also include asking all colleges and training providers to provide the awarding organisations with a senior designated contact who is available outside of term time in the run up to summer results in case of any issues. The new measures include an expectation that results for VTQs will be provided to colleges and training providers in advance of results days, to check and resolve any discrepancies. And alongside this, we will be continuing our work with AOs to encourage clear, timely and consistent communications with schools and colleges. This is all about ensuring that results are delivered on time for those who need them.

    New technology

    Another key aspect of qualification delivery is new technology. I’ll start with a word on artificial intelligence (AI). It’s the topic everyone is discussing. I think we’re all pretty settled on the tension between exciting opportunity and clear threats to things we value. That’s definitely true when it comes to qualifications. Right now, the key message is a simple one – that students’ work must be their own. It’s important that students have a clear understanding of the rules and are not using AI to cheat. The Joint Council for Qualifications has produced clear and important guidance on this issue, to inform schools’ and colleges’ policies on malpractice and use of AI.

    It may be helpful to clearly set out to students what constitutes cheating, particularly where they attempt to generate work to pass off as their own for assessment purposes. While this may seem obvious, this isn’t always well understood. It is also important that students are aware of the consequences of using AI to cheat. ​

    More broadly, Ofqual’s approach to the regulation of AI in qualifications is of course centred around protecting students, fairness and standards. In particular, our rules do not allow AI to be used as a sole marker for students’ work, which also applies where teachers are marking non-exam assessments. In line with other regulators, we published a policy statement outlining our position on the use of AI last year, which is available on gov.uk if you’d like further information.

    Turning now to the use of on-screen assessment. I know this also attracts a lot of attention and interest. I think our message here is simple too. Any increased use of technology in how qualifications are delivered must be implemented cautiously and with careful oversight. It is important that how students are assessed protects fairness, maintains standards and commands confidence for those that take, use and value qualifications. We hear consistently when visiting schools and colleges that this is what really matters – high stakes qualifications is not an area where we should move fast and break things. We proceed with caution with on-screen assessment therefore, acknowledging that developments are reliant on an appropriate digital infrastructure being in place across the whole education system. You will hear more from us on this soon.

    Cyber security

    Finally, in terms of delivery challenges, let’s address the critical issue of cyber security in the context of exams and assessments, which poses a real threat to the secure delivery of results. The cyber security of colleges and training providers is vital to ensure the integrity of exams and assessments – and ultimately to protect students. This includes managing the safe storage and distribution of exam materials.

    In 2024, Ofqual conducted a poll of teachers and discovered that 34% of colleges and schools in England experienced a cyber incident in the last academic year, underscoring the need for robust cyber security measures. We also found that one in 3 secondary teachers did not have cyber security training, and 42% reported using the same or similar passwords for multiple accounts. Many colleges and schools do take cyber security seriously, but poor cyber hygiene can be distressing for students if, for instance, coursework or assessment evidence is lost.

    Colleges and training providers should reflect on their contingency arrangements to consider practical matters. If you are a senior leader, you can support your exams officer by making sure that procedures are in place should systems go down. You should also consider how staff would access awarding organisation systems if the usual IT were unavailable. It would obviously be wise to back up non-exam assessment evidence and marks to prevent data loss in the event of a cyber-attack.

    All colleges and training providers should meet the DfE’s cyber security standards. Jisc has accessible training and cyber security advice available for member colleges. The Joint Council for Qualifications has also published guidance for colleges and schools on cyber security.

    Conclusion

    To conclude overall, therefore – as you will have gathered, the qualifications system is a complex, sophisticated eco-system which requires careful stewardship through risks, challenges and opportunities. This eco-system works because of the commitment, dedication and investment of everyone involved – teachers, parents and students, exams officers and invigilators, assessment experts, school and college leaders. It is used and relied on by many, and we all have our part to play in it.

    We will continue to see change in this part of the system – we have come to expect it, and changes in society, in politics, and with new technological developments, it is almost inevitable. I remain of the view, however, that those of us in the system who have been part of it for a long time must ensure that this change is well informed. We have a duty to provide evidence to policy makers, whether through research or other engagement mechanisms, about what works and what doesn’t work. We will continue to advise the Curriculum and Assessment Review panel so that they have appropriate input from assessment experts. We will continue with programmes of research like CASLO to deepen our collective knowledge and understanding of how vocational qualifications work, and so that future policy has a strong evidence base for change. And we will continue to work hard to steward the system through its delivery challenges appropriately.

    The system must continue to meet the needs of students and others who depend on it. I encourage you to all play your part.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Volunteer School”: Developing and Winning

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The results of the All-Russian competition “Volunteer School” have been summed up. It is held annually within the framework of the federal project “Social Activity”, aimed at creating conditions for the development and support of volunteerism (volunteering) as a key element of social responsibility of a developed civil society.

    One of the goals of the competition is to develop and shape a culture of volunteerism in Russia among children and young people. The event promotes the popularization of the volunteer movement, identifying and disseminating best practices.

    Students of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations of the Humanitarian Institute, studying in the direction of “Advertising and Public Relations”, submitted a student project “Polytech Gives Warmth!” to the competition. It has been implemented at the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations under the supervision of Associate Professor Elina Avakova for the fourth year. The key area of activity is career guidance events for orphans, which are held in centers for promoting family education.

    The jury awarded the project 1st place in the nomination “Practices aimed at providing assistance to orphans and children left without parental care, as well as children experiencing problems establishing friendly contacts with peers.”

    We have implemented many events, prepared competition applications and, most importantly, brought joy to people. This kindness makes us happier, because it always returns multiplied several times – with good events and reciprocal care from other people. We hope that our example inspires others to small but significant actions that will make the world around them better, – said 3rd year student of the Higher School of Music and Social Sciences Daria Vlasevskaya.

    For the project activists Sofia Ryabinina, Daria Vlasevskaya, Anastasia Tryakina, Karina Olkhovikova and Daria Zaitseva, this is not the first achievement. The team has victories in various city, all-Russian and international competitions. Thus, in December 2024, the girls won the regional competition “Young Volunteer of St. Petersburg”, which is aimed at supporting the best volunteer initiatives aimed at helping people and improving the quality of life. The project activists successfully coped with the defense in the final and won 1st place in the track “Helping People”.

    Volunteering plays an important role in the education, socialization and professionalization of young people. Our project gives students the opportunity to express themselves in various interaction models, gain communication experience, develop positive qualities, which contributes to their harmonious personal growth, and also helps to acquire the skills necessary in future professional activities, – shared the project manager Elina Avakova.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft held the first open Olympiad for schoolchildren of Bashkiria

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    ANK Bashneft (part of Rosneft) held the first open Olympiad for schoolchildren at the Ufa State Petroleum Technological University (USPTU). The winners will receive additional points for the Unified State Exam when entering USPTU.

    More than 100 schoolchildren from Ufa, as well as other cities and regions of Bashkortostan, took part in the Olympiad. Students in grades 10-11 were able to test their knowledge in the chemical-mathematical and physical-mathematical areas.

    The awarding of the Olympiad winners is planned at the All-Russian Job Fair, which will be held in Ufa on April 18, 2025. At the fair, Bashneft will also provide the winners with the opportunity to take the “oil quest”, which is dedicated to the profession of an oil worker. The Rosneft Olympiad is planned to be held at Ufa State Petroleum Technical University on an annual basis with an expansion of the number of participants.

    Rosneft, as part of the corporate continuous education program “school – college/university – enterprise”, is implementing projects to attract talented young people and form an external personnel reserve. In the Republic of Bashkortostan, the program has been implemented for several years. In 2024, 49 schoolchildren entered the 10th “Rosneft-classes”. In addition, in Ufa, in a pilot mode, 25 9th-grade students were enrolled in the “Rosneft-class”. The Ufa Fuel and Energy College (UTEK) acted as a partner.

    There are six Bashneft corporate groups in Ufa State Petroleum Technical University and Ufa Energy Company in various training areas, including: solid fuel, oil and gas processing technology, design and operation of oil and gas processing equipment, oil and gas geology, geophysics and others. In specialized groups, students combine work in production with training according to an individual schedule. Training in specialized subjects is carried out with the involvement of expert teachers from among Bashneft employees.

    In partnership with Bashneft enterprises, the following basic departments were created at USPTU: “Technology of Petrochemical Processes”, “Welding of Oil and Gas Structures”, “Bashneft – Processing” and “Bashneft – Environmental Engineering”.

    Reference:

    ANK Bashneft is one of the oldest enterprises in the country’s oil and gas industry, operating in the extraction and processing of oil and gas. The company’s key assets, including an oil refining and petrochemical complex, are located in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Oil and gas exploration and production is also carried out in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, the Orenburg Region and the Republic of Tatarstan.

    USPTU is a key partner of Bashneft in personnel training. More than 50% of Bashneft employees are graduates of this university.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 11, 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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Large language models no longer require powerful servers

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Scientists from Yandex, HSE, MIT, KAUST and ISTA have made a breakthrough in LLM optimization. The Yandex Research artificial intelligence laboratory, together with leading scientific and technological universities, has developed a method for quickly compressing large language models (LLM) without losing quality. Now, a smartphone or laptop is enough to work with the models, and there is no need to use expensive servers and powerful GPUs.

    The method allows for quick testing and implementation of new solutions based on neural networks, saving time and money on development. This makes LLM more accessible not only for large companies, but also for small ones, non-profit laboratories and institutes, individual developers and researchers.

    Previously, to run a language model on a smartphone or laptop, it was necessary to quantize it on an expensive server, which took several weeks. Now, quantization can be done directly on a phone or laptop in a matter of minutes.

    Difficulties in applying LLM

    The difficulty with using large language models is that they require significant computing resources. This is also true for open-source models. For example, one of them, the popular DeepSeek-R1, does not fit even on expensive servers designed for working with artificial intelligence and machine learning. This means that only a limited number of companies can use large models, even if the model itself is openly available.

    The new method allows you to reduce the size of the model while maintaining its quality and run it on more affordable devices. For example, this method can be used to compress even such large models as DeepSeek-R1 with 671 billion parameters and Llama 4 Maverick with 400 billion parameters, which until now could only be quantized using the simplest methods with a significant loss in quality.

    The new quantization method opens up more opportunities for using LLM in various fields, especially where resources are limited, such as education or the social sphere. Startups and independent developers can now use compressed models to create innovative products and services without spending money on expensive equipment. Yandex itself is already using the new method for prototyping — creating working versions of products and quickly testing ideas: compressed models are tested faster than their original versions.

    More about the new method

    The new quantization method is called HIGGS (from Hadamard Incoherence with Gaussian MSE-optimal GridS). It allows neural networks to be compressed without using additional data and without computationally complex parameter optimization. This is especially useful in situations where there is not enough suitable data to further train the model. The method provides a balance between quality, model size, and quantization complexity, which allows models to be used on a wide range of devices.

    The method has already been tested on popular models Llama 3, Llama 4 and Qwen 2.5. Experiments have shown that HIGGS is the best quantization method in terms of quality to model size ratio among all existing data-free quantization methods, including GPTQ (GPT Quantization) and AWQ (Activation-Aware Quantization).

    Scientists from the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Austrian Institute of Science and Technology (ISTA), and the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) participated in the development of the method.

    The HIGGS method is now available to developers and researchers at Higging Fake And Gitkhov, and a scientific article about it can be read at archive.

    Reaction of the scientific community, other methods

    A scientific article describing the new method has been accepted to one of the world’s largest conferences on artificial intelligence, NAACL (The North American Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics), which will be held from April 29 to May 4, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Along with Yandex, such companies and universities as Google, Microsoft Research, Harvard University, and others will participate. The article has already been cited by the American company Red Hat AI, Peking University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Fudan University, and others.

    Earlier, Yandex scientists presented 12 scientific studies in the field of quantization of large language models. In this way, the company aims to make the use of these models more efficient, less energy-consuming and accessible to all developers and researchers. For example, the Yandex Research team previously developed methods compression of large language models, helping to reduce computing costs by almost eight times without significantly losing the quality of neural network responses. The team also created service, which allows you to run a model with 8 billion parameters on a regular computer or smartphone through a browser interface even without large computing power.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election Diary: Labor breaks practice of preferencing Greens to protect Jewish MP Josh Burns

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    It takes a bit for Labor not to preference the Greens but on Friday it was announced that in the Melbourne seat of Macnamara, where Jewish MP Josh Burns is embattled, the ALP will run an open ticket.

    Macnamara, which includes the suburbs of Balaclava, Albert Park and South Melbourne, has the second largest Jewish constituency – 10% of voters – of any electorate. Only Wentworth in Sydney has more.

    Burns has held the seat since 2019. At the last election he had a primary vote of 31.77%, with the Greens second on 29.65%, just ahead of the Liberals on 29%. After preferences were distributed, this turned into a substantial two-party win for him over the Liberals.

    The political dynamics have changed since then. There is anger in the Jewish community about the Albanese government’s attitude to Israel and criticism that it hasn’t done enough to combat antisemitism. The expectation is that Burns’ primary vote will go down and the Liberal vote will go up.

    ABC election analyst Antony Green says the seat “will be a battle for the order of exclusion” – it will all depend on who comes in third on primary votes.

    If the Liberals or the Greens come third, Burns will be elected. If Burns is third on primaries, he is eliminated and the Greens are favorite, even with an open ticket. But the leakage of preferences from an open ticket would give an opportunity to the Liberals, Green says.

    Green points out that given how close the three parties were on primaries last election, a very small shift in votes could change the order of the top three.

    Burns has benefitted from the Friday draw for order on the ballot paper. He is in the top spot, giving him the so-called “donkey vote”, with the Greens third, ahead of the Liberals.

    Burns warned an election forum this week, sponsored by the Australian Jewish News and various Jewish groups, “If we do not win enough number one votes, then the Greens will obviously come into second place. That is the biggest concern that I’ve got.”

    He dismissed the prospects of the Liberals being able to win the seat. “The only people who can win this seat from me are the Greens.”

    He told the audience, “If the Greens form into the top two, then think about the people who make up this electorate – the young progressive people from Elwood, from St Kilda, from Windsor, from South Melbourne, from South Bank.

    “We are a proud and large Jewish community, but we’re only 10% of the electorate of Macnamara.

    “The preferences, regardless of what the Labor Party says, are not going to the Liberal Party from those young people.”

    Burns faced some heckling from a small number of people in the audience – they were told to be quiet by other audience members.

    The forum was attended by Liberal candidate Benson Saulo, who recounted his Indigenous heritage, and strongly condemned the scenes at the pro-Palestinian rally outside the Sydney Opera House in the wake of the October 7 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel.

    The Greens candidate was not invited onto the panel but was in the audience.

    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.

    – ref. Election Diary: Labor breaks practice of preferencing Greens to protect Jewish MP Josh Burns – https://theconversation.com/election-diary-labor-breaks-practice-of-preferencing-greens-to-protect-jewish-mp-josh-burns-254202

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s coalition government is crumbling: why collapse would carry a heavy cost

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Vinothan Naidoo, Associate Professor of Public Policy and Administration, University of Cape Town

    South Africa’s multi-party government of national unity (GNU), which emerged in the wake of the May 2024 elections, marked a turning point in the country’s political history. It took South Africans back to the 1990s, when the country showed that political opponents could find common cause.

    The formation of the government of national unity expressed the hope that the country could do it again.

    But just nine months into its term, the good will and pragmatism which marked its formation have worn thin. A major budget impasse between the two major actors, the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA), threatens the coalition.

    South Africans have long been accustomed to viewing the world of politics, governance and bureaucracy through the lens of a top-down “strong” state – a vicious apartheid state, an East Asia style developmental state, or a collusive “predatory state”.

    But as recent analyses we co-authored with others have detailed,
    the vision of a top-down politically cohesive state no longer fits South Africa’s realities.

    The government of national unity promised the hope that the country was embracing an approach that is key to success for almost all inclusive constitutional democracies. That is – abandon “all or nothing” confrontation, and instead pursue pragmatic bargains to achieve mutually agreeable policy outcomes.

    At the most basic level, the government of national unity achieved this, at least for a while. The sharing of cabinet ministries between multiple parties created a diverse platform for executive power-sharing that was not dictated by a single dominant party, and which prevented the risks of parties building institutional fiefdoms.

    In our view, failure to overcome deeply ingrained political differences could set off a downward spiral in the country.

    Achievements on the governance front

    On governance, the government of national unity created the space to pursue two sets of gains.

    The first comprises the potential benefit of bringing together unlikely bedfellows.

    The former opposition parties brought into a power-sharing arrangement were bound to be performance-driven, given the country’s long deteriorating government performance and ethical integrity. They had made “good governance” and criticism of the ANC central to their political brands.

    New “outsider” eyes brought into formerly cloistered and factionalised ANC-run departments created the possibility of a new urgency to perform.

    It’s too soon to tell whether this is happening, but anecdotal evidence suggests there are some green shoots.

    The second governance gain comprises the crucial task of building a capable and professional state bureaucracy. The challenges include being able to pay the public sector wage bill, fostering a culture of delivery, and consolidating the bloated network of government departments.

    Based on their party manifestos and public utterances, members of the government all aim to professionalise the public service.

    Detailed technical work is already happening on issues such as training and competency assessment, transferring powers of appointment from politicians to senior public servants, and instituting checks in the recruitment and selection process. The National Assembly’s recent adoption of the Public Service Commission Bill forms part of this agenda.

    But a prolonged legal dispute between the DA and ANC over the latter’s policy of “deploying” party members into state employment risks scuppering progress. It also leaves a key question unanswered: what role, if any, should political parties have in the recruitment and selection of public servants?

    Policy

    The government of national unity has struggled to create effective mechanisms to translate agreement on a broad agenda of policy priorities into specific outcomes. This came at a higher cost than expected.

    Still, it has made gains in challenging policy areas. These gains have repeatedly been undermined by the perverse determination of sections within both the ANC and the DA to engage in brinkmanship.

    On health, both parties agree on the principle of universalising access. They differ on how to achieve this. But at least one seemingly intractable sticking point has been resolved. Both sides agree that private medical aid schemes need to be retained as part of a broader strategy of pursuing health system reform.

    On basic education, the public spat over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill overshadows the potential to agree on balancing the autonomy of school governing bodies with the oversight role of provincial departments.



    Read more:
    South Africa has a new education law: some love it, some hate it – education expert explains why

    On land expropriation, the emotive rhetoric which followed the signing of the Expropriation Bill and the unwelcome and toxic intervention of international actors has overshadowed technical concerns which can be resolved.

    On pro-growth policies: Operation Vulindlela, a joint Presidency and National Treasury initiative to unblock constraints in targeted economic sectors, has made significant strides. It has laid the groundwork for new rounds of growth-supporting infrastructural reforms and has the potential to build cohesion in the government of national unity. However, the DA’s attempt to lobby for a greater role in the strategic oversight of Operation Vulindlela in exchange for supporting the budget risks souring relations with the ANC.

    What now?

    A thriving inclusive society depends on powerful actors visibly committed to co-operation.

    For all of the challenges confronting the government of national unity, it was built on a foundation of pragmatism. For the sake of South Africa’s future, it remains vital to build on this foundation. Obsolete top-down governing approaches must go. Pathways to performance must be lifted above political grandstanding. Constructive solutions should supersede ideological rigidity. South Africa has done it before. It can do it again.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. South Africa’s coalition government is crumbling: why collapse would carry a heavy cost – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-coalition-government-is-crumbling-why-collapse-would-carry-a-heavy-cost-254302

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Nazi Concentration Camps

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 11, 1945, an international uprising took place in the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald, as a result of which the prisoners managed to take control of the camp. In memory of this event, the world celebrates International Day of Liberation of Prisoners of Fascist Concentration Camps.

    The uprising was not spontaneous, several underground committees had been operating in Buchenwald since 1942, which by the time of the uprising had managed to obtain and hide over 90 rifles, 100 pistols, over 120 grenades and even one machine gun, as well as a small radio station, with which they contacted the approaching American army. The prisoners created 188 small combat groups: 56 Soviet, 23 German, 22 French and others. During the uprising, the guards were killed and some were taken prisoner, after which the prisoners took up all-round defense in the camp. On the night of April 11, troops of General George Patton’s Third Army entered Buchenwald and completely cleared the camp of the remaining guards.

    Buchenwald did not formally have the status of a “death camp”, but from 1937 until the uprising, about 56 thousand people out of 250 thousand prisoners were killed and tortured there. And this was not even the largest camp. In the largest complex of concentration camps near the city of Auschwitz, liberated by the Red Army on January 27, 1945, according to modern historians, from 1.1 to 1.6 million people were exterminated. Its design capacity allowed for the extermination of up to 30 thousand people per day.

    In total, about 18 million prisoners were imprisoned in 14 thousand fascist concentration camps from 1933 to 1945, and 11 million of them were exterminated in gas chambers, during medical experiments, died from torture, exhaustion and hunger. It was because of the inhumane activities of concentration camps that about 20% of all victims of World War II were children. The exact figures are still unknown, the Nazis were well aware of their crimes and at the end of the war tried to destroy as much evidence of their activities as possible.

    The task of modern humanity is not to forget this terrible chapter in the terrible book of history of the Second World War. We must not allow the spread of the resurgent Nazi ideology, which does not consider many nationalities and races as people, and if necessary, does not consider anyone as people, because the very first concentration camp in Germany was intended for Germans themselves – political prisoners.

    To this day, the International Buchenwald Committee, which was born in the underground of the concentration camp, exists. The International Union of Former Juvenile Prisoners of Fascism is active. But with each passing year, the number of members of these and similar societies is decreasing. This heavy memory will have to be carried by those who have never been dehumanized for imaginary reasons. And we hope that it never will be. In the name of this, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation continues to investigate criminal cases of genocide of the civilian population during the Great Patriotic War. Neither previous nor new crimes against humanity will go unpunished.

    #Scientific regiment

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 11.04.2025

    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.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Experts highlight future of cell and gene therapy at IQ Talk event

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    An IQ Talk seminar titled “Future Medical Care: Cell and Gene Therapy” was held Thursday in Beijing, bringing together experts to discuss advances and challenges in cell and gene therapy (CGT).
    Zhou Qi, academician and vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and president of the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote report entitled “Frontiers, Challenges and Talent Development in Biotechnology.”
    Zhou highlighted global trends in science and technology, shifts in research paradigms, and opportunities for China in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, synthetic biology and brain-computer interfaces. He also provided updates on CGT progress and talent cultivation, emphasizing the need for integrated development across education, science and industry.
    Experts noted that CGT drugs represent a new frontier in biopharmaceutical innovation, following small molecule and antibody-based therapies. As major economies worldwide prioritize CGT as a strategic focus, Beijing’s advantages in original innovation and clinical resources position the city as a leader in CGT development.
    During the exchange session, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on key aspects of the CGT sector, including cutting-edge technologies and applications, industrial development strategies, and talent cultivation and recruitment.
    Representatives from leading CGT companies also showcased their latest research and development achievements on-site, providing valuable insights into the current state and future potential of the sector.
    IQ Talk is an international collaboration initiative established by the National Torch Academy of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ZGC) to support Beijing’s development of future industries.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: EU to pause retaliatory tariffs on US

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The European Union said it will press the pause button on its retaliatory tariffs against the United States just a day after the bloc’s member states agreed on the first countermeasures against the US trade war and hours after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of “reciprocal tariffs” on most for its trading partners.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the commission took note of Trump’s announcement.

    “We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalizing the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our member states, we will put them on hold for 90 days,” she said on X. “If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in.”

    She expressed that preparatory work on further countermeasures continues, reiterating “all options remain on the table”.

    EU member states approved tariffs between 10-25 percent on a range of US imports such as almonds, orange juice, poultry, soybeans, steel and aluminum, tobacco and yachts — the bloc’s countermeasures against the 25 percent tariffs placed by the US on steel and aluminum imports from the EU.The tariffs were initially set to be rolled out in phases starting April 15, hitting a total of 21 billion euros ($23 billion) of US products, but are now paused.

    Hungary was the only one among 27 member states to vote against the retaliation. France, Italy and the Republic of Ireland have successfully lobbied to remove Kentucky bourbon whiskey from the hit list after Trump threatened that the US would impose a 200 percent tariff on wines and spirits from the EU if it is on the list.

    Observers noted that the list targets many Republican states in the US to inflict pain on Trump’s political base.

    “The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy,” the European Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

    “Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function. Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers,” von der Leyen said in another post on X on Thursday.

    ‘Wrong signal’

    At the Thursday daily news briefing, European Commission spokesmen refused to answer when asked why the EU is pausing the countermeasures when the US has not paused its steel and aluminum tariffs, and whether the EU has been sending a wrong signal to Trump, who has been destroying the global trading system.

    Ding Chun, director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University, said although the EU wants a negotiated settlement, it has also realized that retaliation measures are necessary to force the US to come to the negotiation table.

    “Europeans realize that if they show weakness to Trump, he will tighten up more,” Ding said.

    Ding said the EU has many tools, including the Anti-Coercion Instrument, or ACI, known as the trade “bazooka” or nuclear option, to hit back against US tech giants since the US has a trade surplus with the EU in services.

    Barry Andrews, a member of the European Parliament from Ireland, said it is difficult to figure out what the intentions are and who is making decisions in the US right now.

    “We don’t know if this is an overall attempt to overturn the international rules-based order, or something more short-term, more transactional,” he posted on X on Wednesday.

    Andrews noted that the EU has built many trade defense measures including the ACI to deal with the current situation. He added that the bloc should also look to diversify its trade.

    “What has happened in the last two months is a huge challenge to (the) Irish economy,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Delusional’ Treaty Principles Bill scrapped but fight for Te Tiriti just beginning, say lawyers and advocates

    By Layla Bailey-McDowell, RNZ Māori news journalist

    Legal experts and Māori advocates say the fight to protect Te Tiriti is only just beginning — as the controversial Treaty Principles Bill is officially killed in Parliament.

    The bill — which seeks to redefine the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi — sparked a nationwide hīkoi and received more than 300,000 written submissions — with 90 percent of submitters opposing it.

    Parliament confirmed the voting down of the bill yesterday, with only ACT supporting it proceeding further.

    The ayes were 11, and the noes 112.

    Social media posts by lawyer Riana Te Ngahue (Ngāti Porou), explaining some of the complexities involved in issues such as the Treaty Principles Bill, have been popular. Image: RNZ/Layla Bailey-McDowell

    Riana Te Ngahue, a young Māori lawyer whose bite-sized breakdowns of complex issues — like the Treaty Principles Bill — went viral on social media, said she was glad the bill was finally gone.

    “It’s just frustrating that we’ve had to put so much time and energy into something that’s such a huge waste of time and money. I’m glad it’s over, but also disappointed because there are so many other harmful bills coming through — in the environment space, Oranga Tamariki, and others.”

    Most New Zealanders not divided
     Te Ngahue said the Justice Committee’s report — which showed 90 percent of submitters opposed the bill, 8 percent supported it, and 2 percent were unstated in their position — proved that most New Zealanders did not feel divided about Te Tiriti.

    “If David Seymour was right in saying that New Zealanders feel divided about this issue, then we would’ve seen significantly more submissions supporting his bill.

    “He seemed pretty delusional to keep pushing the idea that New Zealanders were behind him, because if that was true, he would’ve got a lot more support.”

    However, Te Ngahue said it was “wicked” to see such overwhelming opposition.

    “Especially because I know for a lot of people, this was their first time ever submitting on a bill. That’s what I think is really exciting.”

    She said it was humbling to know her content helped people feel confident enough to participate in the process.

    “I really didn’t expect that many people to watch my video, let alone actually find it helpful. I’m still blown away by people who say they only submitted because of it — that it showed them how.”

    Te Ngahue said while the bill was made to be divisive there had been “a huge silver lining”.

    “Because a lot of people have actually made the effort to get clued up on the Treaty of Waitangi, whereas before they might not have bothered because, you know, nothing was really that in your face about it.”

    “There’s a big wave of people going ‘I actually wanna get clued up on [Te Tiriti],’ which is really cool.”

    ‘Fight isn’t over’
     Māori lawyer Tania Waikato, whose own journey into social media advocacy empowered many first-time submitters, said she was in an “excited and celebratory” mood.

    “We all had a bit of a crappy summer holiday because of the Treaty Principles Bill and the Regulatory Standards Bill both being released for consultation at the same time. A lot of us were trying to fit advocacy around summer holidays and looking after our tamariki, so this feels like a nice payoff for all the hard mahi that went in.”

    Tania Waikato, who has more than 20 years of legal experience, launched a petition calling for the government to cancel Compass Group’s school lunch contract and reinstate its contract with local providers. Image: Tania Waikato/RNZ

    She said the “overwhelming opposition” sent a powerful message.

    “I think it’s a clear message that Aotearoa as a whole sees Te Tiriti as part of this country’s constitutional foundation. You can’t just come in and change that on a whim, like David Seymour and the ACT Party have tried to do.

    “Ninety percent of people who got off their butt and made a submission have clearly rejected the divisive and racist rhetoric that party has pushed.”

    Despite the win, she said the fight was far from over.

    “If anything, this is really just beginning. We’ve got the Regulatory Standards Bill that’s going to be introduced at some point before June. That particular bill will do what the Treaty Principle’s Bill was aiming to do, but in a different and just more sneaky way.

    ‘The next fight’
    “So for me, that’s definitely the next fight that we all gotta get up for again.”

    Waikato, who also launched a petition in March calling for the free school lunch programme contract to be overhauled, said allowing the Treaty Principles Bill to get this far in the first place was a “waste of time and money.”

    “Its an absolutely atrocious waste of taxpayers dollars, especially when we’ve got issues like the school lunches that I am advocating for on the other side.”

    “So for me, the fight’s far from over. It’s really just getting started.”

    ACT leader David Seymour on Thursday after his bill was voted down in Parliament. Image: RNZ/Russell Palmer

    ACT Party leader David Seymour continued to defend the Treaty Principles Bill during its second reading on Thursday, and said the debate over the treaty’s principles was far from over.

    After being the only party to vote in favour of the bill, Seymour said not a single statement had grappled with the content of the bill — despite all the debate.

    Asked if his party had lost in this nationwide conversation, he said they still had not heard a good argument against it.

    ‘We’ll never give up on equal rights.”

    He said there were lots of options for continuing, and the party’s approach would be made clear before the next election

    Kassie Hartendorp said Te Tiriti Action Group Pōneke operates under the korowai – the cloak – of mana whenua and their tikanga in this area, which is called Te Kahu o Te Raukura, a cloak of aroha and peace. Image: RNZ

    Eyes on local elections – ActionStation says the mahi continues
     Community advocacy group ActionStation’s director Kassie Hartendorp, who helped spearhead campaigns like “Together for Te Tiriti”, said her team was feeling really positive.

    “It’s been a lot of work to get to this point, but we feel like this is a very good day for our country.”

    At the end of the hīkoi mō Te Tiriti, ActionStation co-delivered a Ngāti Whakaue rangatahi led petition opposing the Treaty Principles Bill, with more than 290,000 signatures — the second largest petition in Aotearoa’s history.

    They also hosted a live watch party for the bill’s second reading on Facebook, joined by Te Tiriti experts Dr Carwyn Jones and Tania Waikato.

    Hartendorp said it was amazing to see people from all over Aotearoa coming together to reject the bill.

    “It’s no longer a minority view that we should respect, but more and more and more people realise that it’s a fundamental part of our national identity that should be respected and not trampled every time a government wants to win power,” she said.

    Looking to the future, Hartendorp said Thursday’s victory was only one milestone in a longer campaign.

    Why people fought back
    “There was a future where this bill hadn’t gone down — this could’ve ended very differently. The reason we’re here now is because people fought back.

    “People from all backgrounds and ages said: ‘We respect Te Tiriti o Waitangi.’

    “We know it’s essential, it’s a part of our history, our past, our present, and our future. And we want to respect that together.”

    Hartendorp said they were now gearing up to fight against essentially another version of the Treaty Principles Bill — but on a local level.

    “In October, people in 42 councils around the country will vote on whether or not to keep their Māori ward councillors, and we think this is going to be a really big deal.”

    The Regulatory Standards Bill is also being closely watched, Hartendorp said, and she believed it could mirror the “divisive tactics” seen with the Treaty Principles Bill.

    “Part of the strategy for David Seymour and the ACT Party was to win over the public mandate by saying the public stands against Te Tiriti o Waitangi. That debate is still on,” she said.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Slam Trump DHS for Targeting Students at Los Angeles Elementary Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Slam Trump DHS for Targeting Students at Los Angeles Elementary Schools

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) issued the following joint statement after agents from the Department of Homeland Security attempted to enter two Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools earlier this week, targeting students for immigration enforcement:

    “We are outraged that Homeland Security agents attempted to conduct immigration enforcement activities targeting students at two elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) earlier this week. ICE and immigration enforcement do not belong in schools — let alone elementary schools — and have no business targeting young children. Schools are a place of learning where children deserve to feel safe and supported, not terrified of being arrested regardless of their immigration status or that of their family members.

    “The principals and staff did the right thing by following LAUSD protocol and asking the agents to produce a signed warrant, which the agents could not do, stopping the agents in their tracks. Our offices have demanded to speak with ICE for an explanation and will continue to fight against harmful and dangerous immigration enforcement actions and policies that threaten the health and well-being of our children, schools, and communities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Coalition plan to dump fuel efficiency penalties would make Australia a global outlier

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Mortimore, Lecturer, Griffith Business School, Griffith University

    The Coalition has announced it would, if elected to government, weaken a scheme aimed at cutting car emissions.

    The scheme, known as the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), was introduced by the Albanese government and was due to take effect in July. It involved issuing penalties to automakers that breach an emissions ceiling on their total new car sales.

    The new Coalition plan, announced this week, would see such penalties abolished.

    But the penalties are crucial. Without penalties, automakers have limited incentive to supply fuel efficient, low or zero-CO₂ emitting vehicles to the Australian market.

    If this plan became government policy, it would make Australia an international outlier – and put at risk Australia’s ability to meet its obligations under the Paris climate agreement.

    An international outlier

    More than 85% of the international car market is covered by fuel efficiency standards.

    Without a robust New Vehicle Efficiency Standard scheme, complete with penalties for automakers that break the rules, Australia would join Russia in the tiny minority of developed countries without strong fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles.

    Abolishing the penalties embedded in the scheme also risks making Australia the world’s dumping ground for inefficient vehicles.

    That’s because the penalties embedded in the scheme are there to incentivise automakers to sell more efficient vehicles in Australia.

    The current scheme, as it is, is not particularly punitive. Automakers that breach their cap of emissions are given up to two years to fix their mistakes before being issued with a financial penalty.

    Weakening the scheme won’t help make it easier for Australians to buy fuel-efficient cars.

    Decarbonising Australian roads

    The 2015 Paris Agreement, to which Australia is a signatory, requires developed nations to decarbonise their transport by as much as 80% by 2050.

    Carbon emissions from Australian transport accounts for 21.1% of the nation’s emissions (to June 2023).

    It represents the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.

    Without measures aimed at making cars more fuel efficient, Australia’s CO₂ emissions will continue to rise. It will be harder to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement.

    It’s regulation, not a tax

    The Coalition, which is hoping to pick up votes in outer-ring suburbs, has called the penalties embedded in the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard scheme a “car tax”.

    Liberal leader Peter Dutton said this week:

    This is a tax on families who need a reliable car and small businesses trying to grow. Instead of making life easier, Labor is making it harder and more expensive […] We want cleaner, cheaper cars on Australian roads as we head towards net zero by 2050, but forcing unfair penalties on carmakers and consumers is not the answer.

    But these penalties are not a tax; they are a form of regulation. Automakers that meet the rules wouldn’t have to pay penalties, under the current scheme.

    If the goal is to reduce people’s hip-pocket pain at the bowser, the focus should be on ensuring Australians can buy fuel-efficient vehicles.

    That means incentivising automakers to bring fuel-efficient vehicles to the Australian market. It also means avoiding any policy that encourages carmakers to see Australia as a dumping ground for gas-guzzling vehicles.

    Anna Mortimore receives funding from Reliable Affordable Clean Energy Cooperative Research Centre for 2030 (RACE for 2030).

    – ref. Coalition plan to dump fuel efficiency penalties would make Australia a global outlier – https://theconversation.com/coalition-plan-to-dump-fuel-efficiency-penalties-would-make-australia-a-global-outlier-254386

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kids cheering ‘chicken jockey!’ at A Minecraft Movie isn’t antisocial – it creates a chance for us to connect

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophia Staite, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania

    Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

    Social media is ablaze with reports of kids going wild at screenings of A Minecraft Movie.

    Some cinemas are cracking down. There are reports of cinemas calling in police to deal with rowdy theatregoers and making special announcements before the film, warning of consequences for “anti-social behaviour” including “clapping and shouting”.

    But these kids are engaging in a kind of communal experience. Rather than being antisocial behaviour – couldn’t we label it as prosocial?

    The global fandom of Minecraft

    Minecraft was first released in 2011 and has sold over 350 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time.

    Minecraft is an unstructured game that provides mineable resources and leaves players to create whatever they want with them. Creations can be as basic as stacking blocks of wood to make a wall, or as complex as a working computer.

    It has become the nexus of a vast online community of people with an interest in the game.

    Players connect to one-another digitally and share certain social norms and knowledge, including a memeified vernacular. Minecraft-playing Youtubers have also become popular, and are the source of many memes.

    The community is dominated by children and young adults and the incomprehensibility of their vernacular for other generations is possibly part of its appeal.

    Within child and youth fan communities the usual hierarchies of communication are reversed. Instead of kids having to learn to speak according to adults’ rules, in this community the kids maintain a knowledge system that excludes a lot of adults.

    Enter A Minecraft Movie

    A Minecraft Movie opened last weekend to enormous box office success, bringing in US$313.2 million globally. The film follows four humans who stumble through a portal into the Overworld (Minecraft). Their only way home involves teaming up with fellow human Steve (Jack Black) to save the Overworld from the creativity-hating Piglins.

    Almost immediately, social media conversations sprang up about the behaviour of audiences. One bemused parent described the atmosphere of the cinema as “like [when] The Beatles came to America”.

    Many of the videos shared of audiences during screenings show joyful scenes of communal pleasure, similar to other responses to highly anticipated films such as Avengers: Endgame.

    But while the response to Avengers: Endgame was celebrated, the behaviour of children and teens at A Minecraft Movie has been framed by news outlets in negative terms.

    Journalist Keith Stuart suggests the different responses are a result of parents feeling excluded by A Minecraft Movie’s frequent references to memes.

    Negative news reports link audience behaviour to existing moral panics about social media challenges and are particularly focused on popcorn being thrown.

    The use of the same two or three videos of popcorn throwing to illustrate multiple news articles highlights how relatively few reports of popcorn throwing there currently are.

    Instead, most of the debate on social media has been about the etiquette of noisiness during screenings, including cheering and clapping.

    Finding community

    A Minecraft Movie speaks the memeified vernacular of its online community.

    The film incorporates references to longstanding memes, popular Minecraft YouTubers (and some cameos) and, of course, to the game itself.

    The film is speaking directly to Minecraft fans, and audiences are responding by displaying their mastery of this vernacular and strengthening their sense of belonging.

    By clapping and cheering when they recognise a meme, or saying lines of dialogue in sync with the actors, kids are identifying themselves as members of a community.

    When a whole cinema full of young people does this simultaneously, they are identifying themselves to and with one another.

    This is prosocial, strategic communication – not the antisocial pandemonium and chaos some reports would have us believe. Instead, fans are reporting the cheering and clapping happens at specific moments: they are enjoying both the film, and reacting to it.

    During the brief (but meaningful for knowledgeable audience members) tribute to beloved YouTuber Technoblade, who died of cancer in 2022, there have been reports of whole theatres falling silent as a mark of respect.

    An online community of kids and teens has suddenly become hyper visible to adults because it has intersected with the traditional media space of the cinema.

    Online games such as Minecraft are a crucial part of kids’ social lives and play.

    Perhaps adults can seize this moment as an opportunity to learn more about something that clearly matters deeply to a lot of kids.

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

    – ref. Kids cheering ‘chicken jockey!’ at A Minecraft Movie isn’t antisocial – it creates a chance for us to connect – https://theconversation.com/kids-cheering-chicken-jockey-at-a-minecraft-movie-isnt-antisocial-it-creates-a-chance-for-us-to-connect-254287

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it’s possible

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia

    ovchinnikova_ksenya/Shutterstock

    Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age. It’s a chronic inflammatory condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus.

    Endometriosis can cause chronic pain, bloating, bowel and bladder dysfunction, pain during sex and infertility. These symptoms can lead to reduced quality of life and mental health challenges.

    Although endometriosis pain can be treated with medication or surgery, these options are not suitable for everyone, and a significant number of women experience recurrent symptoms even after surgery.

    Many women with endometriosis look to complementary therapies to manage their symptoms, which can include dietary changes and taking supplements.

    A recent study sought to understand different dietary strategies women with endometriosis use and how these affect their pain levels. The researchers found cutting down on things like dairy, gluten, caffeine and alcohol could improve endometriosis pain.

    Let’s take a closer look.

    What the researchers did and found

    The study, which was led by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, involved an online survey. It asked women with endometriosis questions about any dietary changes they made and any supplements they used, and whether they found these useful for managing pain.

    A total of 2,388 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis completed the survey. Some 84% of respondents had made at least one dietary change, 67% of whom reported these changes improved their pain. Meanwhile, 59% had used supplements, 43% of whom considered these changes improved their pain.

    The following are some of the most popular dietary changes women had tried, and how they thought these changes affected their pain:

    • drinking less alcohol (improved pain in 53% of women)

    • eating less gluten (45%)

    • consuming less dairy (45%)

    • consuming less caffeine (43%)

    • eating less processed sugar, which can be found in foods and drinks such as lollies, cakes, biscuits and soft drinks (41%)

    • eating less processed foods, which include deli meats, savoury snacks such as chips and sausage rolls, and chocolate (38%)

    • following a low FODMAP diet, which involves avoiding short-chain carbohydrates (certain types of sugars) to reduce gas, bloating, pain and discomfort (32%)

    • adopting a Mediterranean diet, which is a diet high in plant foods (including fruit and green leafy vegetables), extra virgin olive oil, breads, fish, fermented dairy, and cereals and low in red meat, and processed meats and foods (29%).

    For supplements:

    • turmeric or curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric (improved pain in 48% of women)

    • magnesium (32%)

    • peppermint (26%)

    • ginger (22%).

    Around one in ten women of reproductive age have endometriosis.
    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Some limitations

    There are some weaknesses in this study to consider when interpreting the results. First, it’s an observational study, which means we cannot say these dietary changes and supplements cause decreased pain, just that there appears to be an link.

    To be more confident about the effects of dietary changes or supplements, we would need to do randomised studies with control groups.

    Also, the participants self-reported dietary changes they had made in the past and past pain levels. This relies on memory, which can be unreliable.

    All that said, this sort of research does provide us with clues about what may work, especially when we combine it with our knowledge of the actions these foods and supplements have in the body.

    So how would they work?

    Given the inflammatory component in endometriosis, the findings of this study are not entirely surprising. Many of the dietary changes and supplements this study looked at have anti-inflammtory properties.

    For example, reducing alcohol consumption, reducing processed foods, adopting a Mediterranean diet and using turmeric or curcumin may reduce inflammation.

    It’s possible certain dietary changes could improve endometriosis symptoms by reducing inflammation.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Some of the findings of this study seem to align with other evidence, while others don’t.

    For example, a recent review showed the Mediterranean diet can lead to reductions in pain, however the relevant studies did not have control groups. This same review showed a low FODMAP diet reduced pain and improved quality of life in people with endometriosis.

    Meanwhile, a 2024 paper concluded there’s a lack of evidence to support a gluten-free diet for endometriosis symptoms. The authors argued avoiding gluten to manage the condition should be discouraged.

    Peppermint has been reported to reduce period pain and nausea. But I couldn’t find any specific evidence for endometriosis.

    So what should you do?

    If you have endometriosis, this study and existing evidence suggests following a Mediterranean diet or a low FODMAP diet may reduce pain. This current study also indicates reducing your intake of alcohol, sugar and processed foods may help.

    Importantly, these changes won’t do any harm to your overall health. In fact, the Australian dietary guidelines recommend drinking alcohol and consuming processed foods in moderation, given links to a range of chronic diseases. So these changes may have other benefits too.

    However, some of the dietary changes reported in this study may be problematic.

    For example, eliminating dairy will significantly reduce your calcium intake which is important for building healthy bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life. However, there are other ways of ensuring an adequate intake of the nutrients found in dairy products.

    Reducing caffeine won’t lead to any health or nutritional concerns, but may affect quality of life for people who enjoy drinking coffee or tea.

    Women with endometriosis can try supplements such as turmeric or curcumin and ginger, but it’s best to try them one at a time, so you can identify which one works for you.

    If you’re looking to change your diet to try to manage endometriosis symptoms, it may be best to see a registered or accredited practising dietitian to ensure you’re following a nutritionally balanced diet.

    Evangeline Mantzioris is affiliated with Alliance for Research in Nutrition, Exercise and Activity (ARENA) at the University of South Australia. Evangeline Mantzioris has received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, and has been appointed to the National Health and Medical Research Council Dietary Guideline Expert Committee.

    – ref. Could changing your diet improve endometriosis pain? A recent study suggests it’s possible – https://theconversation.com/could-changing-your-diet-improve-endometriosis-pain-a-recent-study-suggests-its-possible-253945

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU students were told about the scientific discoveries of academician Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Meeting of students of Novosibirsk State University with the grandson of the founder of Akademgorodok, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Dean Faculty of Information Technology NSU Mikhail Mikhailovich Lavrentyev was held on April 4. It was dedicated to fascinating facts from the life of the founder of Akademgorodok, the academician, and was called “Scientific discoveries of academician Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev. From mathematics, mechanics and physics of explosions to the first computers.”

    This year marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Soviet mathematician and mechanic, founder of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev. Residents of Akademgorodok cherish his memory. Currently, his name is borne by the Institute of Hydrodynamics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the SUNC (Physics and Mathematics School) of NSU, Lyceum No. 130, an auditorium at NSU…. A monument to the academician was erected on the avenue named in his honor.

    Mikhail Mikhailovich Lavrentyev began the meeting by listing the most important scientific achievements of Mikhail Alekseevich: the Lavrentyev effect in variational calculus, the lifting force of an airplane wing, conformal and quasi-comfort mappings, explanation of the cumulative effect, the first artillery nuclear shell, the first domestic computers, new materials – explosion welding, acceleration of particles to cosmic speeds, saving genetics, the fight for the purity of Lake Baikal, saving the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan) from a mudflow – the Medeu dam, the creation of new types of universities – PhysTech and NSU, the organization of the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences. And then he spoke in detail about some of them.

    Important contribution to the Victory

    Among the numerous awards of M.A. Lavrentyev is the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd degree, which he was awarded in 1944. This Order was awarded to participants in military operations, but Mikhail Alekseevich was one of the few exceptions. He did not directly participate in the battles of the Great Patriotic War and was not at the front, but he made a significant contribution to the Great Victory as a talented scientist. The cumulative charges he developed became one of the factors that influenced the outcome of the Battle of Kursk (July 5 – August 23, 1943).

    — Previously, cumulative antitank aerial bombs were quite large in size, and domestic IL2 attack aircraft could take only a few of them on board, respectively, the maximum possible number of armored targets to be hit was also small. M.A. Lavrentyev proposed his own solution to the problem — the creation of a new generation of cumulative antitank aerial bombs, loaded into cassettes of 78 pieces. Lavrentyev’s PTABs were produced in Ufa, at the Prommetiz artel evacuated from Dnepropetrovsk. Each bomb weighed 2.5 kg and pierced up to 70 mm of armor with a cumulative pestle. This was enough to defeat the most protected Wehrmacht tanks: the armor thickness of the Panther on the turret was no more than 16 mm, and that of the Tiger — 28 mm. The PTABs from Ufa were first used in the Battle of Kursk, and they had a very worthy effect on the fascists – several hundred tanks were destroyed by air strikes, said M.M. Lavrentyev.

    It is important that instead of several heavy 100-kilogram anti-tank aerial bombs (PTAB), the IL2 attack aircraft carried 4 cassettes with 78 PTABs in each, which it literally “sprinkled” on German tanks from a height of 25 m. This ensured greater precision in the bombing strike and the safety of the aircraft itself, reducing to zero the risk of being shot down by the explosion of its own aerial bombs.

    Lavrentyev’s PTABs had another important advantage: unlike conventional aerial bombs made of expensive high-strength steel with a complex fuse, PTABs could theoretically be produced even in a wooden case. Therefore, they could be manufactured not at specialized factories, but in the most primitive conditions.

    The first nuclear artillery shell

    In the early 1950s, M. A. Lavrentyev was involved in the development of atomic weapons in the USSR. Work on the first domestic artillery nuclear projectile involved solving complex theoretical and experimental problems in hydrodynamics and gas dynamics, and preparing their solutions was a complex mathematical problem in itself. M. A. Lavrentyev was known as a major specialist in hydro- and gas dynamics, an outstanding mathematician, the founder of the theory of cumulative projectiles, and a well-known specialist in the use of explosives. Therefore, in 1953, he was transferred from the post of director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering to KB-11 (Arzamas-16, now the city of Sarov) to the post of deputy chief designer of the USSR Ministry of Medium Machine Building, which he held for two and a half years. During this time, M. A. Lavrentyev managed to create a creative team of young and talented specialists. Among them were Lev Vasilyevich Ovsyannikov, Dmitry Vasilyevich Shirkov, Vladimir Mikhailovich Titov and Bogdan Vyacheslavovich Voitsekhovsky. They later followed their leader to Akademgorodok and became academicians.

    — M.A. Lavrentyev’s scientific group faced a very difficult task: the projectile had to be compact in size compared to the products that had been created in this design bureau earlier, since they were to be used to load guns. At the same time, the projectile had to experience high overloads while maintaining combat capability. And these overloads were thousands of times greater than those typical for aerial bombs. Other difficulties arose, but the scientific team managed to successfully overcome them, and in 1956, an artillery shell with a nuclear charge successfully passed tests at the Semipalatinsk test site. As M.M. Lavrentyev said, the size of the projectile was still too large, so a gun of the corresponding caliber was specially made for it. Nowadays, similar weapons are installed on modern tanks, — M.M. Lavrentyev said.

    The first domestic computer

    In the 1950s, M.A. Lavrentyev took direct part in the creation of the first Soviet computer. At that time, he was the director of the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering of the Academy of Sciences, where the first computer, called BESM-1 (the first large electronic calculating machine), was being developed. But when performing this complex task, its developers faced competition from the relevant ministry, which at the same time was working on the creation of the Strela computer.

    — The competitors had many advantages, the most important of which was the financing of the work. In addition, 150 electron tubes were required to create BESM, which was a serious problem — about 100 tubes were issued per quarter to the entire Academy of Sciences, and it was impossible to acquire them in any other way. This issue was resolved thanks to the ingenuity of Sergei Alekseevich Lebedev, who is now considered the founder of domestic electronic computing technology. In 1950, he was invited to the Institute of Precision Mechanics and Computer Engineering of the USSR Academy of Sciences in Moscow by M.A. Lavrentyev. They went to the Minister of Radio Industry and asked: “Do consumers of tubes have many complaints against you?” He answered: “Yes, a lot. I believe that in most cases, tubes fail due to the fault of consumers.” Then S.A. Lebedev suggested: “Give us 150 lamps, we will have them in continuous operation, and we will inform you every month that the lamps are working well, and you will replace those lamps that burn out with new ones. The minister agreed, and the problem was solved,” M.M. Lavrentyev said.

    Tests of both machines were conducted in 1953. The advantages were again on the side of the competitors. All units of the new memory designed by S.A. Lebedev were addressed to the “Strela” by the decision from above, therefore the creators of BESM had to make the computer memory on the acoustic principle. This reduced its performance by 15-20 times. In addition, the chairman of the acceptance committee was the manager who had already created his own computing center for the “Strela”. And the first test results did not speak in favor of BESM. But M.A. Lavrentyev drew attention to the fact that one of the test tasks did not make sense. On this basis, he insisted on postponing the acceptance for six months and providing the BESM developers with units designed by S.A. Lebedev.

    — BESM was being improved for six months, after which it demonstrated significantly higher productivity: it solved all tasks assigned to it 5-8 times faster than Strela. In the competition between the two companies, the winner was not the one that had enough funds, people, and space, but the one that had progressive ideas. And BESM-1 became the predecessor of a series of domestic digital computers, — explained M.M. Lavrentyev.

    Throwing soil by explosion

    M.A. Lavrentyev made a significant contribution to saving the city of Almaty (Kazakhstan) from mudflows, which posed a serious danger. One of the evidences of this is the Issyk disaster that occurred on July 7, 1963. Then the mudflow caused the death of one and a half hundred Almaty residents.

    — Only one gorge was dangerous for mudflows. And it was proposed to create a protective dam in it by means of directed explosions. Several years before that, an article by several scientists, including M.A. Lavrentyev, was published in the journal “Applied Mechanics and Technical Physics” about the directed throwing of soil using explosives. This idea was implemented in this unique project, — said M.M. Lavrentyev.

    In 1964, the Kazakh branch of the Hydroproject Institute developed a project for a gravity rock-fill dam. Taking into account the experience of the 1963 mudflow, its design was significantly strengthened. M.A. Lavrentyev was among the scientific consultants of the project. As a result, for the first time in world practice, a 110-meter-high dam was created using directed explosions. The task was complicated by the terrain and seismic features of the area, but the creators of the dam coped – it withstood the mudflow that occurred shortly after the end of the work. To this day, the dam created by explosions protects Almaty from destructive mudflows.

    The students also learned how M.M. Lavrentyev managed to save the Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences from closure at a time when genetics was considered pseudoscience and was persecuted. They were also told about his other significant scientific achievements. However, M.M. Lavrentyev noted that Mikhail Alekseevich considered the creation of the NSU Physics and Mathematics School and the Young Technicians Club to be the most significant thing in his life. For him, the involvement of talented youth in scientific work was of primary importance.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Traded like assets, expected to be loyal: the unique double standard of being an Australian footy player

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Fujak, Senior Lecturer in Sport Management, Deakin University

    Few issues in Australian sport generate as much media noise or emotional fan reactions as player movement, especially in our major winter codes the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Football League (AFL).

    Contract negotiations, trade whispers and club defections dominate headlines, talkback radio, social media and fan forums — often eclipsing the on-field action itself.

    In the past month, the sport news cycle has been dominated by player movement controversies involving the NRL’s Dylan Brown and Daly Cherry-Evans and the AFL’s Oscar Allen.

    The scrutiny these athletes face is one feature of a workplace defined by expectations rarely found in other industries.

    In a world where professional athletes are simultaneously financial investments and human beings, can fans, athletes and leagues strike a truly fair balance when it comes to player movement?

    A unique legal status

    Professional sport is exempted from several commercial laws that otherwise apply to typical industries. This is due to its peculiar economics.

    Crucially, leagues such as the AFL and NRL are permitted to operate as cartels, whereby clubs act collectively in ways that petrol stations or supermarkets legally cannot.

    One outcome of sport cartels has been the implementation of various restrictive practices on the recruitment, transfer and remuneration of professional athletes.

    Drafts, trade windows and salary caps are all anti-competitive mechanisms with two general aims: fostering “competitive balance” between teams and suppressing player wages to maintain leaguewide financial viability.

    These mechanisms remain in place mostly due to co-operation between leagues and their player associations (the AFLPA and RLPA), as their underlying legal standing is in fact ambiguous.

    Whether the AFL’s draft would survive a court challenge is debatable.

    Australia’s varied player movement rules

    National Rugby League

    The NRL operates a salary cap model with free agency. This affords athletes strong freedom of movement, including the potential to switch clubs mid-season. Some consider this to be a negative, given constant media conjecture over player movements. However, it keeps the NRL perpetually in the headlines.

    In the absence of a draft, individual NRL clubs are responsible for their own junior development and talent identification. The Penrith Panthers’ historic premiership four-peat was underpinned by successfully leveraging their immense junior catchment to develop NRL superstars.

    A benefit of this model is it maximises the opportunity for local juniors to play for their local team. This pathway from local junior to hometown hero authentically contributes to embedding NRL clubs within local communities.

    Australian Football League

    The AFL operates both a draft and salary cap, and players have considerably less autonomy.

    Player movement occurs almost exclusively in the post-season. Despite this, clubs sweet talk rival players in the shadows outside this window, hoping to make signings official in the off-season.

    This practice came into view this week by the controversy surrounding West Coast captain Allen’s meeting with a rival coach.

    The AFL draft takes place after the trade period and is the primary way for athletes to enter the competition.

    The draft order is inverted, linked to clubs’ on-field performance (the team that finishes last receives the first pick).

    Clubs are largely removed from the process of developing junior athletes, which is centralised through the AFL’s national talent pathway.

    The athlete perspective

    While professional athletes are often portrayed as privileged, there are few other professions that impose such severe restraints on the rights of workers.

    The Allen controversy is a reminder the AFL operates a system where the clubs are masters and players well-remunerated servants.

    For the crime of meeting another coach in considering his future, albeit clumsily, Allen was described as “selfish”, “a sell-out,”, “utterly disgusting” and compelled into a press conference apology.

    Criticisms of athletes as selfish scarcely acknowledge that, unlike doctors or lawyers, they have uniquely short timespans to exploit their sporting careers.

    In many sports, as is the case in rugby league, athletes are disproportionately from lower socio-economic settings, where the money is life changing.

    The fan perspective

    Professional sport thrives because fans are emotionally attached to their teams. Fans rarely switch the team they support, so they often expect the same from players.

    Fan attitudes on player loyalty are therefore largely driven by emotion rather than rationality. Few fans employed in contract work would reject meeting a potential future employer because of a sole dedication to their current employer, as was the case for Allen.

    Even fewer fans would reject the ten-year, $13 million contract accepted by Dylan Brown to depart the Parramatta Eels, yet many booed him for doing so, as Melbourne fans did in 2012 after the departure of former No.1 AFL draft pick Tom Scully to Greater Western Sydney.

    In 2007, Parramatta Eels fans even threw coins at departed player Jamie Lyon. Thankfully for Brown, Australia has since become a mainly cashless society.

    Is there a fair balance?

    Player movement in Australian footy codes is a system of regulations that attempts to balance the competing demands of various stakeholders.

    In recent times, the NRL has explored the introduction of trade windows, and drafts, seemingly in response criticism over player movement and competitive imbalance.

    Such proposals have received strong
    pushback from the RLPA.

    Responding to the Allen fallout, AFLPA boss Paul Marsh conceded the AFL ecosystem remains immature to player movement:

    There shouldn’t be outrage about this stuff but there is. As much as I think we should be mature enough to deal with this, it is the industry we are in.

    The challenge for these codes therefore isn’t just regulating player movement but confronting the double standard placed upon athletes that expects loyalty in a system designed to control.

    Hunter Fujak has served as an external advisor to several Australian player associations on a pro-bono basis, including the Rugby League Players Association.

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

    – ref. Traded like assets, expected to be loyal: the unique double standard of being an Australian footy player – https://theconversation.com/traded-like-assets-expected-to-be-loyal-the-unique-double-standard-of-being-an-australian-footy-player-253618

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: We study ‘planktivores’ – and found an amazing diversity of shapes among plankton-feeding fishes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Isabelle Ng, PhD candidate, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University

    A couple of whip coral goby (_Bryaninops yongei_). randi_ang/Shutterstock

    Swim along the edge of a coral reef and you’ll often see schools of sleek, torpedo-shaped fishes gliding through the currents, feeding on tiny plankton from the water column.

    For decades, scientists assumed these plankton-feeding fishes – or planktivores – shared specialised traits: forked tails and streamlined body forms for speed, large eyes for spotting small prey, and small extendable jaws for suction-feeding.

    But our new study, published in Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, shows there is more nuance to this story. We found plankton-feeding fishes don’t follow a single uniform design. To our surprise, they display the widest range of body forms of any feeding group among reef fishes.

    Evolving similar traits

    A core idea in evolutionary theory since Charles Darwin is that species facing the same problem often evolve similar traits. This is a process known as convergent evolution. It explains the pattern we see among dolphins, sharks, and tunas – distantly related lineages unified in their streamlined body shape used for fast swimming.

    We set out to test whether the same phenomenon was true for plankton-feeding reef fishes. Planktivores are an ideal group to study in this case.

    For one, plankton-feeding is the most common feeding group among reef fishes – giving us many distantly related species to compare. For another, they all share the same challenge of having to spot and suck out small prey from the water column.

    Yellowtail Fusilier (Caesio cuning).
    Subphoto.com/Shutterstock

    So we asked: do plankton-feeding fishes have a distinct body shape? And do patterns of convergence hold true across a diversity of plankton-feeding reef fishes?

    The broadest range of body shapes

    To answer these questions, we collected shape data from nearly 300 species of reef fishes from 12 globally distributed families – including surgeonfishes, wrasses, snappers, and damselfishes. We measured 15 feeding, swimming, and vision-related traits such as jaw length, tail shape, and pupil size.

    By combining these measurements with evolutionary trees, we tested whether plankton-feeding fishes were distinct in shape to their counterparts.

    But what we found surprised us. Plankton-feeding fishes aren’t converging on a specific body shape. It is quite the opposite – they display the broadest range of body shapes among reef fishes. Some species – such as the schooling fusiliers – truly fit the typical “plankton-feeding” model. They exhibit traits such as a forked tail, torpedo-shaped body, large eyes, and small, extendable jaws.

    But most others break the mould entirely. For example, tiny gobies – just three centimetres long – cling onto whip corals and adopt a sit-and-wait approach for plankton to pass by.

    Other deep-bodied damselfishes depart a small distance from their coral hosts to feed on plankton. But how can we explain this diversity of planktivore body shapes?

    Blotcheye soldierfish (Myripristis berndti).
    Jnichanan/Shutterstock

    An innate ability

    The answer lies in the vast diversity of their behaviours and environments.

    Their body shape isn’t dictated by plankton-feeding alone – it’s shaped by where, when and how they feed. Some planktivores feed during the day, others at night. Some inhabit deep reefs, others are mere metres below the surface of the water. Some are restricted to rubble slopes while others prefer the reef edge. Some even target specific sizes and types of the plankton itself.

    This diversity in activity patterns, habitat use, and prey preferences places different demands on their body forms – explaining why we see such a range of shapes and sizes among plankton-feeding fishes.

    Even species we don’t typically think of as planktivores will feed on plankton when the chance arises. Just last year, while on Lizard Island, we watched yellowmask surgeonfishes – normally feeding on algae and detritus – swimming high above the reef, targeting plankton.

    Perhaps this flexibility shouldn’t surprise us. After all, all reef fishes begin their lives as plankton feeders, floating in the open ocean before settling on the reef. The ability for fishes to feed on plankton is likely innate.

    Yellow mask surgeonfish (Acanthurus mata).
    Marco Lissoni/Shutterstock

    Challenging a longstanding assumption

    Our findings challenge the longstanding assumption that planktivorous reef fishes are distinct in form and are converging towards an optimum body type.

    Instead, plankton-feeding is a highly accessible and flexible feeding strategy on coral reefs – available to fishes of many shapes, sizes, evolutionary histories, and even different feeding groups.

    This has important implications for how we think about reef fish ecology and evolution. It shows that broad feeding categories like “planktivore” can mask the diversity of other behavioural and ecological traits.

    Rather than converging on a single solution, reef fishes highlight something different: that there is more than one way to be a planktivore.

    Isabelle Ng receives funding from the James Cook University Postgraduate Research Scholarship.

    Alexandre Siqueira receives funding from Edith Cowan University as a Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellow.

    – ref. We study ‘planktivores’ – and found an amazing diversity of shapes among plankton-feeding fishes – https://theconversation.com/we-study-planktivores-and-found-an-amazing-diversity-of-shapes-among-plankton-feeding-fishes-254296

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: At least 118 foreign students’ legal statuses revoked across US Texas universities

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    At least 118 foreign students’ legal statuses have been revoked across the universities in the U.S. state of Texas as of Thursday, The Texas Tribune reported.

    These students were informed recently that their visas were revoked or their immigration status was marked as terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, known as the SEVIS federal database, said the report.

    At least 27 students in the University of North Texas and another 27 in the University of Texas (UT) at Arlington were removed from SEVIS, said the report, citing university officials.

    As many as 10 UT-El Paso students had their visas revoked, said a report from local media outlet KFOX14.

    Affected universities also include UT-Dallas, Texas A&M, UT-Rio Grande, Texas Women’s University and Texas Tech, according to the report.

    Phillip Rodriguez, an immigration lawyer, told The Texas Tribune that students who are removed from SEVIS can choose to leave or apply to reinstate their status.

    However, choosing to remove students from SEVIS rather than revoking visas creates a more difficult appeal process, he said.

    “I think they’re proactively making it so that they basically can’t continue studies, or making it extremely difficult to continue their studies here in the United States without some sort of intervention,” said another immigration lawyer Robert Hoffman.

    SEVIS removal also can affect employment eligibility and the status of dependents like spouses and children, whose ability to stay in the United States depends on the primary status holder, he added.

    Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, hundreds of international students at dozens of U.S. universities have been removed from SEVIS, with many of them reportedly involved in the pro-Palestinian campus protests last year, and some reportedly for minor infractions like traffic violations, according to U.S. media reports.

    The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement Wednesday that it would begin screening international students’ social media for “antisemitic” content.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Appoints Judge Freeman to Court of Appeals in the Fourth Judicial District

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Appoints Judge Freeman to Court of Appeals in the Fourth Judicial District

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of PaTricia A. Freeman of Papillion to the Court of Appeals in the Fourth Judicial District. The district includes portions of Douglas and Sarpy counties.

    For more than seven years, Freeman has been a county court judge in the Second Judicial District. Over the past two years, she has been the presiding judge in that district.

    Prior to her career as a judge, Freeman had several roles in the Sarpy County Attorney’s office, including as chief deputy. Freeman is a prior chairperson of the Nebraska State Bar Commission and was an adjunct faculty member at the Creighton University School of Law. She is now president of the Nebraska State Bar Association and regularly serves as a judge for the high school mock trial competition through the Nebraska State Bar Foundation.

     Freeman received her undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska – Omaha. She earned her juris doctor from the Creighton University School of Law.

    The judicial vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge David A. Arterburn.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 11, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 11, 2025.

    Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charles Kemp, Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Languages are windows into the worlds of the people who speak them – reflecting what they value and experience daily. So perhaps it’s no surprise different languages highlight different areas of vocabulary. Scholars have noted

    Labor gains 5-point lead in a YouGov poll, taken during Trump tariff chaos
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national YouGov poll, conducted April 4–10 from a sample of 1,505, gave Labor a 52.5–47.5 lead, a 1.5-point gain for Labor since the March 28 to

    Better cleaning of hospital equipment could cut patient infections by one-third – and save money
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Mitchell, Professor of Nursing and Health Services Research, University of Newcastle Annie Spratt/Unsplash Hospital-acquired infections are infections patients didn’t have when they were admitted to hospital. The most common include wound infections after surgery, urinary tract infections and pneumonia. These can have a big impact for

    As more communities have to consider relocation, we explore what happens to the land after people leave
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Hanna, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Planning, University of Waikato Christina Hanna, CC BY-SA Once floodwaters subside, talk of planned retreat inevitably rises. Within Aotearoa New Zealand, several communities from north to south – including Kumeū, Kawatiri Westport and parts of Ōtepoti Dunedin – are considering future

    Extinctions of Australian mammals have long been blamed on foxes and cats – but where’s the evidence?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arian Wallach, Future Fellow in Ecology, Queensland University of Technology michael garner/Shutterstock In 1938, zoologist Ellis Le Geyt Troughton mourned that Australia’s “gentle and specialized creatures” were “unable to cope with changed conditions and introduced enemies”. The role of these “enemies” – namely, foxes and feral cats

    Yes, government influences wages – but not just in the way you might think
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Peetz, Laurie Carmichael Distinguished Research Fellow at the Centre for Future Work, and Professor Emeritus, Griffith Business School, Griffith University doublelee/Shutterstock Can the government actually make a difference to the wages Australians earn? A lot of attention always falls on the government’s submission to the Fair

    Sorry gamers, Nintendo’s hefty Switch 2 price tag signals the new normal – and it might still go up
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Egliston, Senior Lecturer in Digital Cultures, Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow, University of Sydney Last week, Nintendo announced the June 5 release of its long anticipated Switch 2. But the biggest talking point wasn’t the console’s launch titles or features. At US$449 in the United States,

    A fair go for young Australians in this election? Voters are weighing up intergenerational inequity
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Woodman, TR Ashworth Professor in Sociology, The University of Melbourne Securing the welfare of future generations seems like solid grounds for judging policies and politicians, especially during an election campaign. Political legacies are on the line because the stakes are so high. There is a real

    The Coalition prepares to soften Australia’s 2030 climate target, while reaffirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute The Coalition has been forced to reassert its commitment to the Paris climate agreement after its energy spokesman Ted O’Brien appeared to waver on the pledge on Thursday. O’Brien faced off against Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen at

    Grattan on Friday: Will there be leadership changes on both sides of politics next parliamentary term?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When Jim Chalmers and Angus Taylor met for this week’s treasurers’ debate, the moderator observed that in three or six years they might be facing each other as prime minister and opposition leader. Election results trigger, or subsequently lead to,

    ‘Alarmist nonsense’: Labor and Coalition dismissed security risks over the Port of Darwin for years. What’s changed?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Laurenceson, Director and Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI), University of Technology Sydney Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both committed to stripping a Chinese company, Landbridge, of the lease to operate Darwin Port. Landbridge paid A$506 million for the 99-year lease from

    This chart explains why Trump backflipped on tariffs. The economic damage would have been huge
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Giesecke, Professor, Centre of Policy Studies and the Impact Project, Victoria University The Trump administration has announced a 90-day pause on its plan to impose so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly all US imports. But the pause does not extend to China, where import duties will rise

    Big changes are planned for aged care in 2025. But you’d never know from the major parties
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hal Swerissen, Emeritus Professor of Public Health, La Trobe University Ground Picture/Shutterstock There has been little new in pre-election promises for Australia’s aged-care workers, providers or the 1.3 million people who use aged care. In March, Labor announced A$2.6 billion for another pay rise for aged-care nurses

    Good boy or bad dog? Our 1 billion pet dogs do real environmental damage
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bill Bateman, Associate Professor, Behavioural Ecology, Curtin University William Edge/Shutterstock There are an estimated 1 billion domesticated dogs in the world. Most are owned animals – pets, companions or working animals who share their lives with humans. They are the most common large predator in the world.

    A damning study of online abuse of female MPs shows urgent legal reform is needed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassandra Mudgway, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Canterbury Media Whale Stock/Shutterstock Women MPs are increasingly targets of misogynistic, racist and sexual online abuse, but New Zealand’s legal framework to protect them is simply not fit for purpose. Recently released research found online threats of physical and

    Fresh details emerge on Australia’s new climate migration visa for Tuvalu residents. An expert explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jane McAdam, Scientia Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Sydney The details of a new visa enabling Tuvaluan citizens to permanently migrate to Australia were released this week. The visa was created as part of a bilateral treaty Australia and Tuvalu

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for April 10, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 10, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Students struggling as Govt sits on hands

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    “It is unacceptable that struggling students can’t eat and pay their rent because they can’t access their student loan or allowance,” said Labour’s tertiary spokesperson Shanan Halbert.

    “With unemployment rapidly increasing, Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Universities Shane Reti both should have known that enrolments would increase but failed to ensure that support systems were in place.

    “Students are now halfway through the semester and more than 14,000 have not been paid their student allowance. This is appalling.

    “We said that job cuts to the back office were going to mean more paperwork flowing through to the frontline. Our students are feeling the brunt of this today.

    “With no update in sight about Te Pūkenga and university funding still on the line with no reassurances from either Minister, I worry they’re going to drop the ball on a sector that supports hundreds of thousands into work

    “This is all in addition to a measly increase to the minimum wage which was well below inflation, power bills going up, and student loan interest rates increasing for those overseas.

    “If we want our students to secure jobs, be in good health and have a place to live, we need to ensure our support systems are providing relief to those who need it now to achieve those things,” Shanan Halbert said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, WA Food Banks, and Farmers Lay Out How Trump’s Cuts to Local Food Programs Will Hurt Families and Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington state is set to lose nearly $25 million this year to help schools and food banks feed hungry kids and families with fresh local food because of Trump and Elon’s senseless cuts at USDA
    ICYMI: Senator Murray, Colleagues Condemn Trump Canceling USDA Local Food Purchasing Programs
    ***WATCH HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference to call out the Trump administration’s recent, sudden, and senseless cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that help local food banks, school districts, and child care centers purchase locally-grown produce, meat, seafood, and other food from farmers in Washington state.
    Last month, the Trump administration inexplicably ripped away more than $660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools Program (LFS)—which schools and child care facilities in Washington state use to purchase berries, meat, seafood, and more from local farmers and producers—as well as $500 million from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and $500 million from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which helps food banks buy nutritious food from local farms for the communities they serve.
    Washington state is set to lose nearly $25 million in federal funding it was set to receive from these programs this year alone—a $3.6 million cut to LFS, $11.8 million cut to LFPA, and a $10.5 million cut to TEFAP—and the Trump administration’s cuts have left schools and food banks scrambling to fill the gap.
    “Right now, some of the richest and most powerful men in the world, are stealing food from our kids. Apparently, there is plenty of room in the budget for tax breaks that fork over billions of dollars to people who already have billions of dollars. But keeping kids fed—that’s a bridge too far for Trump. Keeping food banks stocked—that is just too expensive. Investing in our farmers, and our families—well that is just not as important as padding Elon’s pockets,” said Senator Murray on the press call today. “These programs support American farmers—by buying their products, like cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and other produce Washington state is known for, or nutritious salmon from local fishermen, and meat from local farms…And it is not just farmers getting hit—we’re talking about food banks that serve seniors, parents, and people struggling to make ends meet. Schools who rely on these programs to help feed their students, so all our kids are able to focus on their classes—not on a grumbling stomach…And we know at least 23 of our school districts in Washington state have already withdrawn from the program next school year because they just don’t have room in their budgets to make up for the shortfall caused by Trump and Elon.”
    “Food insecurity in WA has increased annually since 2021, from one in seven households to one in four households. A recent longitudinal study conducted by UW and WSU between 2021-2024 reported that over 50 percent of households have some level of food insecurity, and it raises to over 70 percent for households with children. Food insecurity is on a steady and aggressive incline; it is moving up into the middle class. More working families are food insecure than I’ve seen in the past decade. The emergency food system for Eastern Washington needs more food. Any reduction in food sourcing compounds the growing problem of food insecurity,” said Cal Coblentz, Chief Executive Officer at Partners Inland Northwest in Spokane, the largest food pantry in Spokane County. Partners is the lead agency for Spokane County’s emergency food pantry network and also manages several food programs for Spokane County for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. “These federal funds provide food banks with purchasing power to buy locally produced food for our food bank customers. It’s powerful because we can build relationships with local farms and ranchers. One of the best ways to improve your health is buying food that’s produced close to where you live. This fiscal year, Partners will have used $350,000 of Local Food Purchase Assistance Program funding to buy 60,000 pounds of beef, which we distribute throughout the county. That’s about 120 cows. The LFPA program closes out this June and has been cancelled going forward; that’s at least 30,000 pounds of beef that we won’t be able to purchase and distribute. Additionally, $406,000 in current orders for Spokane County through The Emergency Food Assistance Program have been canceled. Long-term, if TEFAP were reduced or eliminated, we could see at least a 5 percent reduction in food across our panty system.”
    “As a farm business, we were really excited by the idea that we had an expanding local market, and in our industry, new markets are far and few between for sure. Costs are rising, costs of production are rising. We heard about this funding cut right as we had already purchased all of our seeds, we’d made our plans for the upcoming season… So, this was a big blow to us, and [LFPA] was actually a program that was working and that we saw growth in since COVID and over the last four years—there’s been a lot of efficient streamlining that’s happened across all agencies to make this program and these relationships viable and productive. And it benefited us financially,” said Haley Olson-Wailand, Co-owner of Dharma Ridge Farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Quilcene, which grows between 80-100 acres of WSDA-certified organic vegetables. Sales to Food Banks utilizing Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA) funds made up just under 20 percent of Dharma Ridge Farm’s gross sales in 2024. “Access to fresh food is the missing link for a lot of people, and they need consistent access to that fresh food, and we were providing that. And it was not only providing that access to our community members who needed the food, but it was also providing a direct new market for us as farmers—and it’s devastating to lose that.”
    “As of now, our TEFAP commodities are at risk of being cut by one-third due to TEFAP funding being under review. This funding allows the state to purchase dry, frozen, and fresh commodities for us to distribute in our community. On average we receive 50,000 pounds of TEFAP product each month. If TEFAP is cut, we will lose 16,000 pounds of food for the 48,000 clients our partner organizations feed each month,” said Madeline McGonagle, Food Access Manager, Skagit Food Distribution Center in Sedro-Woolley, which is the lead agency in Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties for Food Assistance Programs through the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). “For the past couple of years, we have also had funding through the LFPA that has allowed us to purchase fresh food products from local producers and food businesses. Our current LFPA contract that began in July of 2023 and concludes in June of this year totaled $133,071. All of those funds have gone to food purchases from 33 producers and food businesses in our area through Skagit, San Juan, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties. To date, we have purchased 44,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, frozen meat, and eggs to distribute to our 14 partner organizations. In the beginning of the year we were under the impression there would be another round of these funds starting in July of 2025. However, we were recently notified by the WSDA that this program had been terminated by the USDA. While we still have funds to carry our purchasing through June, we will have no purchasing dollars come July. This will directly impact the food pantries who have been consistently receiving fresh products from us for the past two years. With the abundance of local purchasing funding, we had last year we decided to contract with local growers to specifically grow products for us to buy throughout the growing season. This was an opportunity for growers in their first or second seasons to have reliable sales throughout the season. It also ensured we had a reliable supply of products for the food pantries. With the termination of the LFPA contract we will not be able to do that again this year. Skagit has a strong and diverse agricultural community and the LFPA has lifted that community while also lifting members of the community who are experiencing food insecurity. The loss of this program will certainly have profound negative impacts in our community.”
    According to Leanne Eko, Chief Nutrition Officer of Child Nutrition Services the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington state received $3.6 million in funding for the LFS program during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, which supported the purchase of domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and farmers and producers for distribution to schools. OSPI leveraged its existing USDA Food Distribution System and LFS funding to support Washington school districts’ engagement in Farm to School programs by facilitating local food procurement, reducing transportation costs, and simplifying ordering logistics.
    Through the LFS program:
    Nearly 600,000 pounds of local, unprocessed or minimally processed foods were made available to Washington children;
    Between LFS funds and school district purchases, over $3,000,000 was spent on local producers and vendors;
    Over 850,000 students had access to local foods in their school meal programs;
    and 23 unique unprocessed or minimally processed foods were purchased from local producers.
    USDA announced the continuation of the LFS program and a new Local Foods for Child Care (LFCC) program in December of 2024. Washington was to receive $8,840,854 in LFS funds and $2,687,472 in LFCC funds. On March 7,2025 OSPI received a Termination Notice for the Local Food for Schools and Local Food for Child Care program project agreement. The termination noticed cited that the agreement “no longer effectuates agency priorities.” While LFS foods will continue to be available for the 2025-26 school year, interested school districts will now have to cover the full cost of products, including shipping and warehousing, due to the Trump administration’s cancellation of federal funding.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on today’s press call are below and video is HERE:
    “Thank you to all for participating. Right now, some of the richest and most powerful men in the world, are stealing food from our kids.
    “Apparently, there is plenty of room in the budget for tax breaks that fork over billions of dollars to people who already have billions of dollars.
    “But keeping kids fed—that’s a bridge too far for Trump. Keeping food banks stocked—that is just too expensive. Investing in our farmers, and our families—well that is just not as important as padding Elon’s pockets.
    “‘Won’t someone think of the poor billionaires!’ That’s what Trump and Musk seem to be saying at least.
    “Because in the last month they have canceled over 1.6 billion dollars for programs that feed hungry kids and help farmers.
    “Including nearly 25 million dollars that was heading to Washington state this year alone.
    “Last month the Trump administration made the sudden, senseless, and downright cruel decision to cut: $660 million from LFS, that’s the Local Food for Schools Program, which schools and child care facilities rely on to purchase food from nearby farms, they cut $500 million from LFPA, that’s the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which helps food banks buy nutritious local food for the communities they serve, and $500 million from TEFAP, that’s the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which helps get more food from farms to nearby food banks to people facing hunger.
    “And on top of that, Trump’s USDA also canceled this year’s round of Farm to School grants, which helps schools develop and implement local food purchasing programs and school gardens.
    “Look—these are federal dollars that I worked very hard to pass in a bipartisan way—so we can fight hunger, and keep our families fed.
    “And these programs support American farmers—by buying their products, like cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and other produce Washington state is known for, or nutritious salmon from local fishermen, and meat from local farms.
    “And I just want to talk for a minute about this. Because remember what else is happening right now: Trump is telling farmers they need to sell more of their products inside the U.S because of his boneheaded tariffs.
    “Which, by the way, shows he doesn’t have a clue—because many of our top producers export up to 90 percent of their products.
    “But then, at the very same time, Trump is eliminating farmers’ access to domestic markets by cutting important programs that help them sell locally! Make it make sense. It’s almost as if their plan is to hammer farmers as hard as they can!
    “And it is not just farmers getting hit—we’re talking about food banks that serve seniors, parents, and people struggling to make ends meet. Schools who rely on these programs to help feed their students, so all our kids are able to focus on their classes—not on a grumbling stomach.
    “In Washington alone, the Local Food for Schools program helped feed 850,000 students!
    “Now, school districts are having to make the painful decision to either keep participating in the program, and pay full price for the local food they are supposed to be getting steep discounts on, or not participate at all.
    “And we know at least 23 of our school districts in Washington state have already withdrawn from the program next school year because they just don’t have room in their budgets to make up for the shortfall caused by Trump and Elon.
    “And the way Trump and Musk are cutting these programs—with maximum chaos—isn’t saving money, it is not, so much as it it’s threatening to waste food that was already ordered and leave families hungry.
    “Truck deliveries were cancelled without warning or reason—and without any real plan to keep that food from rotting away. I mean, if you want to talk about waste—that is a real waste, caused by Trump and Musk, and the cost for their incompetence is being paid by the kids who Trump is leaving to go hungry.
    “Our President should not be pro-hunger. Two billionaires should not be rewriting national hunger programs to, essentially, say to families “let them eat cake.”
    “Instead, we should be making common sense investments in our famers, and in our families, and doing the basic, decent work of making sure kids and families do not go hungry.
    “This is government 101, literally bread and butter stuff.
    “Well, as Elon and Trump continue to do everything they can to break our government, I am not going to let this funding fall through the cracks.
    “Lifting up our voices, speaking up about what is at stake—that still matters. That can still make a difference. And that is why we are here today, to talk about what these programs actually mean for people and for our communities, to put these cuts in the spotlight, and to show just how devastating they are going to be for families in Washington state.
    “And I’m really pleased to be joined by some people who really have a deep understanding of this.
    “So, now I’ll turn it over to Cal, he’s with Partners Inland Northwest.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charles Kemp, Professor, School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Shutterstock

    Languages are windows into the worlds of the people who speak them – reflecting what they value and experience daily.

    So perhaps it’s no surprise different languages highlight different areas of vocabulary. Scholars have noted that Mongolian has many horse-related words, that Maori has many words for ferns, and Japanese has many words related to taste.

    Some links are unsurprising, such as German having many words related to beer, or Fijian having many words for fish. The linguist Paul Zinsli wrote an entire book on Swiss-German words related to mountains.

    In our recently-published study we took a broad approach towards understanding the links between different languages and concepts.

    Using computational methods, we identified areas of vocabulary that are characteristic of specific languages, to provide insight into linguistic and cultural variation.

    Our work adds to a growing understanding of language, culture, and the way they both relate.

    Japanese has many words related to taste. One of these is umami, which is often used to describe the rich taste of matcha green tea.
    Shutterstock

    Our method

    We tested 163 links between languages and concepts, drawn from the literature.

    We compiled a digital dataset of 1574 bilingual dictionaries that translate between English and 616 different languages. Since many of these dictionaries were still under copyright, we only had access to counts of how often a particular word appeared in each dictionary.

    One example of a concept we looked at was “horse”, for which the top-scoring languages included French, German, Kazakh and Mongolian. This means dictionaries in these languages had a relatively high number of

    1. words for horses. For instance, Mongolian аргамаг means “a good racing or riding horse”
    2. words related to horses. For instance, Mongolian чөдөрлөх means “to hobble a horse”.

    However, it is also possible the counts were influenced by “horse” appearing in example sentences for unrelated terms.

    Not a hoax after all?

    Our findings support most links previously highlighted by researchers, including that Hindi has many words related to love and Japanese has many words related to obligation and duty.

    ‘Silk’ was one of the most popular concepts for Mandarin Chinese.
    Shutterstock

    We were especially interested in testing the idea that Inuit languages have many words for snow. This notorious claim has long been distorted and exaggerated. It has even been dismissed as the “great Eskimo vocabulary hoax”, with some experts saying it simply isn’t true.

    But our results suggest the Inuit snow vocabulary is indeed exceptional. Out of 616 languages, the language with the top score for “snow” was Eastern Canadian Inuktitut. The other two Inuit languages in our data set (Western Canadian Inuktitut and North Alaskan Inupiatun) also achieved high scores for “snow”.

    The Eastern Canadian Inuktitut dictionary in our dataset includes terms such as kikalukpok, which means “noisy walking on hard snow”, and apingaut, which means “first snow fall”.

    The top 20 languages for “snow” included several other languages of Alaska, such as Ahtena, Dena’ina and Central Alaskan Yupik, as well as Japanese and Scots.

    Scots includes terms such as doon-lay, meaning “a heavy fall of snow”, feughter meaning “a sudden, slight fall of snow”, and fuddum, meaning “snow drifting at intervals”.

    You can explore our findings using the tool below, which allows you to identify the top languages for any given concept, and the top concepts for a particular language.

    Language and environment

    Although the languages with top scores for “snow” are all spoken in snowy regions, the top-ranked languages for “rain” were not always from the rainiest parts of the world.

    For instance, South Africa has a medium level of rainfall, but languages from this region, such as Nyanja, East Taa and Shona, have many rain-related words. This is probably because, unlike snow, rain is important for human survival – which means people still talk about it in its absence.

    For speakers of East Taa, rain is both relatively rare and desirable. This is reflected in terms such as lábe ||núu-bâ, an “honorific form of address to thunder to bring rain” and |qába, which refers to the “ritual sprinkling of water or urine to bring rain”.

    Our tool can also be used to explore various concepts related to perception (“smell”), emotion (“love”) and cultural beliefs (“ghost”).

    The top-scoring languages for “smell” include a cluster of Oceanic languages such as Marshallese, which has terms such as jatbo meaning “smell of damp clothing”, meļļā meaning “smell of blood”, and aelel meaning “smell of fish, lingering on hands, body, or utensils”.

    Prior to our research, the smell terms of the Pacific Islands had received little attention.

    Some caveats

    Although our analysis reveals many interesting links between languages and concepts, the results aren’t always reliable – and should be checked against original dictionaries where possible.

    For example, the top concepts for Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German) include von (“of”), den (“the”) and und (“and”) – all of which are unrevealing. We excluded similar words from other languages using Wiktionary, but our method did not filter out these common words for Plautdietsch.

    Also, the word counts reflect both dictionary definitions and other elements, such as example sentences. While our analysis excluded words that are especially likely to appear in example sentences (such as “woman” and “father”), such words could have still influenced our results to some extent.

    Most importantly, our results run the risk of perpetuating potentially harmful stereotypes if taken at face value. So we urge caution and respect while using the tool. The concepts it lists for any given language provide, at best, a crude reflection of the cultures associated with that language.

    Charles Kemp was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Temuulen Khishigsuren was supported by a Future Fellowship (FT190100200) awarded by the Australian Research Council.

    Ekaterina Vylomova and Terry Regier do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Do Inuit languages really have many words for snow? The most interesting finds from our study of 616 languages – https://theconversation.com/do-inuit-languages-really-have-many-words-for-snow-the-most-interesting-finds-from-our-study-of-616-languages-252522

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: China taps big data to close graduate job gap

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Students learn about employment information at a job fair held at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China will build a workforce demand database to help bridge the gap between college talent pool and the needs of employers.

    The measure comes as part of the country’s latest push for high-quality, sufficient employment for the millions of graduates hitting the workforce each year.

    A comprehensive, well-functioning and reliable job services network will be established within the next three to five years to support college graduates in the job market, according to new guidelines released on Tuesday.

    China will also step up analysis and consultation regarding the demand for talent critical to national strategies, said the policy document from the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

    This means digging into big data across innovation, industry, capital and talent chains, forecasting supply-demand trends, and updating a list of high-demand disciplines and majors to guide universities in the refinement of their programs, according to the document.

    Education officials emphasized the need to pinpoint real societal demand, boost the effectiveness of education, and strive for supply-demand balance.

    Addressing these pressing, real-world challenges is crucial for the education system today, they said.

    “Only when what we teach matches what society needs, will graduates thrive in the job market,” said Kuang Xiaozhen, director of an employment and entrepreneurship guidance center for college students in Beijing.

    In 2025, a record 12.22 million graduates — 430,000 more than last year — are expected to join the workforce. The figure has remained above 10 million for three consecutive years.

    To meet this challenge, China aims to create over 12 million urban jobs in 2025, targeting a surveyed unemployment rate of 5.5 percent. Last year, China successfully added 12.56 million urban jobs, maintaining a surveyed urban unemployment rate of 5.1 percent.

    Yet, the pressure is unlikely to lessen anytime soon. The ministry said that the surge of graduates is likely to persist for a decade, fueled by the growing availability of higher education in China.

    Meanwhile, the job market itself is shifting. Industries once eager to scoop up fresh talent — internet giants, private tutoring, and real estate — are losing ground to rising sectors like new energy vehicles, semiconductors, and green technologies.

    The success of DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics has ignited the ambitions of numerous startups, spurring fierce competition in fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and humanoid robotics. The lavish pay packages offered by these companies have made headlines during the spring hiring season, which is now in full swing across the country.

    It is estimated that China faces a workforce shortage of over 5 million in AI, 2.3 million in big data, over 1 million in new energy vehicles, and another 1 million in drone operators for the low-altitude economy, according to recent statistics.

    “Industry regulators need to team up with education folks and share data to make the database full and precise,” said Kuang.

    Dynamic adjustments 

    China will also work on supply-side fixes by pushing universities to “dynamically” adjust their programs and resources, according to the guidelines. Education quality and job placement rates will be factored into shaping university enrollment plans.

    At a meeting focused on employment and other issues on March 31, Education Minister Huai Jinpeng highlighted how a database linking disciplines, programs, market trends, and career paths could provide solid evidence for revamping academic programs.

    The minister called for forward-looking research and evaluation, real-time monitoring, and rapid detection in this process.

    China plans to revamp approximately 20 percent of its degree and diploma programs in colleges between 2023 and 2025.

    Last year alone, 1,673 new programs aligned with national strategies were introduced, while 1,670 outdated ones were removed for failing to meet current economic and social needs.

    At Sichuan Agricultural University in southwest China, an index system evaluates disciplines and programs based on faculty strength, enrollment scores, job placement rates, and social impact.

    Each year, the university distributes numerous questionnaires to employers and government agencies, using a red-and-blue warning system to guide necessary adjustments.

    Disciplines and majors flagged blue for low index scores must improve within three years, while those flagged red may face phase-out by the academic degrees committee, said Wu De, president of the university.

    Such dynamic adjustments are designed to sharpen students’ skills and give them a competitive edge in the job market, said experts.

    Tuesday’s policy document also covers career guidance, recruitment services and subsidies for new jobseekers in difficulty. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: What the Supreme Court’s ruling on man wrongly deported to El Salvador says about presidential authority and the rule of law

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jean Lantz Reisz, Clinical Associate Professor of Law, Co-Director, USC Immigration Clinic, University of Southern California

    People hold signs on April 4, 2025, supporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    The Supreme Court on April 10, 2025, unanimously upheld the lower court order directing the Trump administration to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.

    The Supreme Court also directed the lower court to clarify aspects of the order.

    “The order properly requires the Government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego García’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador,” the Supreme Court order states.

    It is undisputed that the Trump administration made a mistake.

    The Justice Department admitted to deporting Abrego García to a maximum security prison in El Salvador even though an immigration judge in 2019 ordered that he not be deported. The judge did so under an immigration law called “withholding of removal,” which is a protection, like asylum, for people facing persecution in their home country.

    But the Trump administration has said a court cannot order it to fix its mistake and bring Abrego García back to the United States.

    According to the Trump administration, such an order would be “constitutionally intolerable.” The government has compared the court order to return Abrego García to an order to “‘effectuate’ the end of the war in Ukraine or return hostages from Gaza.”

    Abrego García should not have been deported

    Abrego García received this protective legal status six years ago. That’s when he proved to the court he was highly likely to be persecuted by the government or gangs in El Salvador due to a specific reason, as required under immigration law.

    Unlike asylum or refugee status, the status known as “withholding of removal” is not a pathway to citizenship. It allows a person to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and not be deported to their country of nationality if they face persecution there.

    The government states it arrested and deported Abrego García on March 15 because he is a gang member. When Abrego García appealed his deportation, the federal district and appellate courts determined that the government provided no credible evidence of gang membership.

    That’s important, because the government failed to follow proper procedure to deport Abrego García based on gang membership. When someone is in “withholding of removal” status, the law requires the government to reopen immigration proceedings based on new evidence and seek to formally terminate the legal withholding status.

    Abrego García should have been notified of the government’s desire to deport him, and he should have had the opportunity to make his case at a court hearing. His summary deportation to El Salvador likely violated his right to due process under immigration law and the Constitution.

    Balance of powers are at stake

    The government did not follow the law, but it argues that the court cannot do anything about it.

    The crux of the government’s position is that a court does not have the power to order the release of a person in a foreign prison. That would interfere with the separation of powers among the executive and judicial branches. The president has the sole power to conduct foreign relations with El Salvador, and the government has argued that ordering the return of Abrego García interferes with that power.

    Prisoners watch as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visits the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26, 2025.
    Alex Brandon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    The court cannot order the Salvadoran government to do anything, but it can order the U.S. government to take steps to return García Abrego if he was unlawfully arrested and deported. That’s because the judiciary has the power to determine whether the president’s actions are lawful.

    The district court’s order was based on its determination that the president has likely violated immigration law and the Constitution in arresting and deporting Abrego García. The appellate court agreed.

    The Supreme Court has now said the order to facilitate Abrego García’s return is proper. But the high court also said the district court judge should further clarify its order, being mindful of the president’s authority when it comes to conducting foreign relations.

    Who is detaining Abrego García?

    The Salvadoran government seems to be imprisoning Abrego García at the request of the U.S. government.

    Trump administration lawyers have suggested in their briefing to the Supreme Court that there could be reasons under El Salvador law for Abrego García’s imprisonment. The government has not identified any reasons and has not provided any evidence that Abrego García is charged with a crime in El Salvador, or that he is being held under Salvadoran law.

    The Department of Homeland Security routinely contracts with local jails and for-profit prison corporations to temporarily house immigrant detainees in the U.S. The government has reportedly agreed to pay El Salvador US$6 million to imprison certain U.S. immigrant detainees for one year. The details of this agreement are not known.

    Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, has said that the Salvadoran megaprison is “one of the tools in our tool kit that we will use.”

    The district and appellate courts determined in this case that the U.S. is using the Salvadoran prison like any other detention facility. Under those circumstances, the U.S. government, not El Salvador, has ultimate control over Abrego García.

    The Supreme Court ruled that the government should facilitate Abrego García’s return.
    Drew Angerer/Getty Images

    As an immigration law scholar, I believe that the government can take steps to return Abrego García.

    In fact, other appellate courts have ordered the government to return immigrants who had been removed from the U.S. but later won their appeals of their removal orders. Those people were not in foreign prisons.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has created a formal policy for aiding the return of immigrants who were deported while their appeals were pending and then subsequently won their appeals.

    The government has argued that those situations are different. Here, it claims the court cannot demand the return of Abrego García, who is imprisoned in another country. The problem with the government’s argument is that it is the Trump administration that put Abrego García in a foreign prison.

    The Trump administration has also argued that Abrego García is not entitled to return to the U.S.. It has argued that even though it was a mistake to deport him to El Salvador under his withholding of removal status, Abrego García could have been removed to another country and has no right to return to the U.S..

    This would be true if Abrego García voluntarily left the U.S. or was deported to a country other than El Salvador, but that is not what happened. The government removed Abrego García to El Salvador in violation of U.S. law.

    The White House’s position in this matter is troubling because the president is supposed to enforce the law, not circumvent it.

    As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a separate statement published with the order and joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson: “The Government’s argument, moreover, implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including U.S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene.”

    What steps the government will take to return Abrego García is unclear. The Supreme Court’s decision leaves open the question of how far the court can go to enforce his return.

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

    – ref. What the Supreme Court’s ruling on man wrongly deported to El Salvador says about presidential authority and the rule of law – https://theconversation.com/what-the-supreme-courts-ruling-on-man-wrongly-deported-to-el-salvador-says-about-presidential-authority-and-the-rule-of-law-254037

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $27.6 million in Hurricanes Laura, Ida, saltwater intrusion aid for Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $27,580,024 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Hurricanes Laura and Ida and saltwater intrusion aid for Louisiana. 
    “Louisiana communities are tough as a boot and work hard to rebuild from any kind of disaster. This $27.6 million will help Louisianians recover from the heavy costs of saltwater intrusion and Hurricanes Laura and Ida,” said Kennedy.
    The FEMA aid will fund the following: 
    $16,470,490 to Jefferson Parish for costs associated with a temporary freshwater pipeline installed due to saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River.
    $4,618,876 to the Office of Risk Management for repairs to 23 buildings at Nicholls State University resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
    $2,560,880 to the Lafourche Parish School Board for repairs to South Lafourche High School resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
    $1,751,666 to the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District for repairs to the earthen levee protection system resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
    $1,170,252 to the city of Kenner, La. for repairs to the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.
    $1,007,860 to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for repairs to Israel Lafleur Park in Lake Charles, La. resulting from Hurricane Laura damage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Child Care in Community Colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers (PROSPECT) Act to expand access to high-quality early childhood care at community colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). U.S. Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) and Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) reintroduced companion legislation in the House.
    Student parents face significant hurdles in pursuing higher education, and the lack of accessible child care is a major contributor to their struggle. This challenge disproportionately affects students of color, particularly Black, Native American, and Latina women, who make up a significant portion of student parents. The declining availability of on-campus child care exacerbates these difficulties, especially at community colleges. The consequences are stark: student parents often face financial hardship, higher student loan debt, and a greater likelihood of leaving college without a degree.
    “Parents across our country who are attending college or dream of enrolling often struggle to find affordable, consistent child care while trying to pursue their education,” said Senator Booker. “The PROSPECT Act is critical legislation that invests in child care preparation programs at community colleges and MSIs while also expanding child care at college campuses so students and their kids have the resources they need to succeed.”
    As a former student parent juggling coursework, multiple jobs, and the demands of raising a child, I know firsthand the struggles many working parents face today,” said Congresswoman Hayes. The PROSPECT Act addresses this reality by making infant and toddler childcare more affordable and accessible on college campuses. This not only removes barriers to higher education but also invests in the well-being of families and the future of our workforce. By funding high-quality childcare programs and supporting early childhood educators, this bill empowers student parents to achieve their educational goals, secure better opportunities, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.”
    “As someone who worked in construction as a single dad, I know access to childcare is critical to expanding opportunities, growing the middle class, and strengthening our economy,” said Congressman Norcross. “Childcare affordability for students who have children is good for the parent, their family, and our community. I’m honored to join Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Booker in introducing the PROSPECT Act to give working families a fair shot.”
    “Generation Hope proudly supports the PROSPECT Act, a critical step toward ensuring student parents have access to the affordable, high-quality child care they need to succeed in higher education. By investing in both early childhood educators and the families they serve, this bill strengthens our communities and creates a brighter future for generations to come,” said Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder & CEO, Generation Hope.  
    The PROSPECT Act would establish competitive Federal grants that will empower community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions to become incubators for infant and toddler child care talent, training, and access on their campuses and in their communities. Specifically the legislation would:
    Invest in planning and implementation grants, including:
    Impact grants, which would expand the supply and quality of infant and toddler child care in the community by providing training, mentorship, technical support, and expansion funding to new and existing area infant and toddler child care providers.
    Access grants, which would provide free high-quality child care for up to 500,000 children under age three who have a parent attending a community college or Minority Serving Institution, thereby minimizing barriers to higher education completion, and reducing their post-graduation debt.
    Pipeline grants, which would fund community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions to launch and expand academic programs in early childhood education, and to form strategic partnerships with regional institutions to expand, diversify, and strengthen the workforce pipeline for infant and toddler child care providers.
    This bill would also amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 1990 by:
    Providing increased federal matching payments for child care to 90% for infant and toddler care, to incentivize states to raise their own investments in this area.
    The PROSPECT Act is endorsed by Generation Hope, Public Advocacy for Kids, UnidosUS, ZERO TO THREE, First Five Years Fund, Early Edge California, First Focus Campaign for Children, Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association for the Education of Young Children, American Federation of Teachers, and Institute for Child Success. 
    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Military Leaders Agree with Warren: Effectively Delivering Child Care, Education Benefits to Service Members Is Vital for National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 09, 2025
    Round 1 Exchanges (YouTube) | Round 2 Exchanges (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Warren, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, asked military leaders about their work to improve wages for staff at military child care centers and protect education programs for servicemembers. 
    A 2023 DoD task force found that the best way to improve the shortage of child care workers at military Child Development Centers (CDCs) was to raise the workers’ wages. As a result, Congress tasked DoD with redesigning the compensation model. Senator Warren pressed personnel leaders of the branches about when they plan to release and implement the reworked model. All leaders said they would follow up later. 
    “We don’t say to our military families, ‘Here’s this really hard job,’ and then not give them the support that they need to be able to carry it out…My job is to keep turning up the heat until we actually get this done and pay them better,” said Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren also highlighted how recent cuts to the civilian workforce at DoD make life harder for military families and pointed to the recent closure of a CDC in Utah due to workforce reductions. All of the leaders agreed that cuts that affect child care affect military readiness. 
    In her second round of questioning, Senator Warren brought up the government’s shortcomings on delivering education benefits to servicemembers, specifically its failure to deliver on statutorily-promised student debt relief and leaving servicemembers vulnerable to predatory actors.
    All of the witnesses agreed that leaving servicemembers vulnerable to predatory schools and lenders hurts the military’s recruitment and retention efforts. All of the military leaders also agreed that DOD must do everything possible to deliver debt cancellation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, as is statutorily required by Congress. 
    Senator Warren has submitted proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to address these issues. Her proposals require DOD to provide quarterly updates on its work to implement a statutorily required data match to make it easier for servicemembers to get access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program; require the Government Accountability Office to analyze the challenges servicemembers face with student loan debt repayment; and to require the Pentagon to use the same procedures as the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to more diligently monitor fraud, waste, and abuse at schools that receive more than $600 million in servicemember tuition assistance each year. 
    Transcript: Opening Statement at Hearing to receive testimony on Department of Defense personnel policies and programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense ProgramSenate Armed Services CommitteeApril 9, 2025 
    Round 1: Child Care
    Senator Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, every parent in this country understands how hard it is to find high quality, affordable, available child care. And for our military families, the task can be just whole orders of magnitude harder. Often they have to navigate finding child care while they’re on long deployments, abrupt relocations, and nonstandard work hours. And if military families can’t find child care, they just may not be able to serve. 
    I appreciate that at least two of you specifically mention child care when we talk about our servicemembers and our force readiness. DOD knows how important child care is—and that is why it runs the nation’s largest employer-based child care system. It’s high quality and affordable, but right now, it is facing a huge shortage of child care workers, which means fewer child care slots and literally thousands of families on waitlists.
    In 2023, a DOD task force investigated the staffing shortages and confirmed that, in order to fix this problem, we need to increase child care workers’ wages. So in last year’s NDAA, we tasked DOD with redesigning the compensation model, and starting to implement it by April 1st. But here we are a year later, and you haven’t even finalized the redesign—much less begun implementation that was supposed to have started – what was it, 8 days ago? 
    So for each witness, I want to ask: When can we expect to see the updated compensation model and when can we expect to see implementation begin? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler, let’s start with you. And I’ll be writing these down. So what’s the date? 
    Lieutenant General Brian S. Eifler, U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel: Thanks, Ranking Member. Yeah, so I am not clear on that date because I know – I believe all the services are working with the Department of Defense on finalizing that. I do believe the CR has some impacts because of funding for it – 
    Senator Warren: No, I’m sorry. The CR has impacts on your implementation. It does not have an impact on your obligation to update your compensation model. You’re supposed to do the modeling with the money you got. So when can I expect to see your updated model? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: I would have to follow up with you, Senator, because I am not clear on when that’s going to be in place. 
    Senator Warren: Okay, well I hope you’re clear that you’re already way past due. 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, yes, Senator. 
    Senator Warren: Alright. Vice Admiral Cheeseman, what about you? What’s the date? 
    Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Personnel: Senator, similar answer. We’re working with our OSD partners on when that date would be. And when I have a more informed answer, I’ll get back with you, ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: Yeah, well, I’d like to have an answer that suggests that you guys are paying attention to this. We didn’t put this in the law just for the fun of it. It wasn’t advisory. It was for you to actually perform by a date certain. 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs: Senator Warren, thank you very much for bringing this up. This is personal to me. I’ve got kids. I’ve got a spouse that has a career, and we have used our world class child care at every duty station. 
    Senator Warren: Good for you. So when? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: And so, I’ll get back – we have increased the wages. I’ll get back to you with a specific date, but we have over 40,000 kids in our child and youth programs. I mean think about that. That’s a retention effort and that allows them to be free to go fight. I just appreciate you bringing that up. 
    Senator Warren: Okay, so you said many nice things and the fact that you’ve actually moved toward increasing wages puts you a step ahead of the other two people to your right. 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: We’ll take that, Senator. I’ll get you back an exact answer on that.
    Senator Warren: I’ve got to have this done. Okay? Gotta have this done. 
    Lieutenant General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Caroline M. Miller, U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower: Yes, ma’am. We’ve actually increased our wages 18 – 
    Senator Warren: Also good. How about your plan? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: We have a plan. I can get it over to you, ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: Oh great. You actually have it? We weren’t able to find it, so I am delighted. 
    Lieutenant General Miller: I will send over what we have done over the last year, which has been quite significant – 
    Senator Warren: Okay, it’s an updated compensation model, is what you’re required to do under the law. Okay? And then start implementing that model. So thank you, I hope that’s right, Lieutenant General Miller. 
    Ms. Kelley? 
    Ms. Katharine Kelley, U.S. Space Force Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital: Senator, we leverage the Air Force for our CDCs so the model that General Miller is referencing would be applicable for Guardians as well. 
    Senator Warren: So you’re sending it back in the other direction. Yours will be ready when his is ready? 
    Ms. Kelley: No, ma’am. General Miller. 
    Senator Warren: Oh, I’m sorry. I was taking you to the other end, I apologize.   
    Ms. Kelley: The Air Force runs the Child Development Centers that the Space Force Guardians leverage, so the adjusted salaries that the Air Force has to include the fee assistance programs that are unbelievably helpful for our CDC workers. We’ve seen significant improvement. 
    Senator Warren: You know, I just want to say on this: I understand that I am unpleasant about this and then tend to be even more unpleasant if this doesn’t get done. You all fully understand why this is so important. And so important anytime. We don’t say to our military families, “Here’s this really hard job,” and then not give them the support that they need to be able to carry it out.    
    So I appreciate that you all seem to understand that. My job is to keep turning up the heat until we actually get this done and pay them better. 
    Let me bring out just one more, of course. This is all about making sure we have the staff needed to bring down military child care waitlists. But of course, that’s not going to happen if we’re slashing the civilian workforce. Two weeks ago, a Child Development Center in Utah closed because of cuts to its civilian staff.  
    So let me just ask: do you agree that cutting child care by laying off civilian child care workers makes life harder for military families? 
    Ms. Kelley, we’ll start at your end this time. 
    Ms. Kelley: Senator, I absolutely agree that lack of child care is a readiness issue for all the services and certainly for the Space Force.
    Senator Warren: Good. General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: Yes, ma’am. It is a readiness issue. 
    Senator Warren: Thank you. General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: Senator Warren, I agree 100%. We have not shut any down and don’t plan to. 
    Senator Warren: I hope that’s right, but it really is the reminder that these civilian cuts can have profound effects for our active duty servicemembers. 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman? 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman: Senator, thanks for the question. For our child care employees, they are funded out of non-appropriated funds. We have not let anybody go. In fact, our staffing levels have increased by 10% over the last year and we’ve decreased the waitlist by about 1,000 spots. 
    Senator Warren: That is really terrific to hear. Thank you very much and I appreciate your getting that on the record. 
    General Eifler? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, Ranking Member, totally concur. We have not shut down any and we do believe it’s a readiness issue because of that. 
    Senator Warren: Good. I appreciate that. And now, in the name of the Chair, I call on Ms. Hirono. 
    Round 2: Education
    Senator Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, when Congress passed the G.I. Bill in 1944, a grateful nation promised to help servicemembers with the cost of their education. This was a thank you for the sacrifices to our country. The promise is not charity; it is an ironclad commitment and it is key to how we recruit and maintain a fighting force. Survey after survey has demonstrated how important this promise is, both for recruitment and to retention. And I see you are nodding along with this. 
    Too often, the federal government has failed to live up to our promise. Not delivering on the student debt relief that servicemembers were entitled to, or leaving them vulnerable to predatory lenders. For example, after student loan repayments restarted after the pandemic, the CFPB found servicemember complaints about student loan servicers went up, thanks to hours-long hold times and other customer service failures with the companies that were managing their loans. Meanwhile, the V.A. has warned about the rise of scams where predatory schools will promise “immediate student debt cancellation” that doesn’t really exist in order to lure veterans into enrolling. 
    Again, I would like to go down the line, if we can, with our witnesses for this question. Just yes or no. Does it undermine our ability to recruit and retain personnel when we let bad actors scam our servicemembers out of the educational benefits that they have earned and been promised by the United States government? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler, if I can start with you. 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, Ranking Member. 
    Senator Warren: Vice Admiral Cheeseman? 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman: Senator, yes ma’am. Absolutely. 
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: Yes ma’am, absolutely. Our Marines should not be scammed. 
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: Yes ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: And Ms. Kelley? 
    Ms. Kelley: Yes ma’am, absolutely. 
    Senator Warren: That is the reason that I have proposed language in this year’s NDAA to protect servicemembers from predatory actors. This committee has worked in a bipartisan fashion before to ensure that servicemembers get the educational benefits that they have earned under a bipartisan law signed by President George W. Bush back in 2007. The federal government will cancel the student loans of people who work in the public service and faithfully pay their loans for at least a decade as a way to honor their public service. Last year, Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Moran led a successful effort to require DOD and the Education Department to perform a data match so all eligible servicemembers automatically receive the public service loan forgiveness that the law says that they have earned. 
    So, once again, I want to go down the line with our witnesses. Is it important that DOD do everything it can to deliver debt cancellation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to all eligible servicemembers as statutorily required by Congress? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, Ranking Member. 
    Senator Warren: Vice Admiral Cheeseman? 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman: Yes ma’am.
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: Yes ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: Yes, Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren: And Ms. Kelley? 
    Ms. Kelley: Yes ma’am, absolutely. 
    Senator Warren: Okay, good, we are in a good place. Once again, though, this is work that remains unfinished. I have submitted an NDAA proposal requiring DOD to provide quarterly updates until the Public Service Loan Forgiveness data match is implemented, and also requiring the GAO to analyze the challenges servicemembers face with student loan debt repayment. I have also submitted a proposal to require DOD implement the same risk-based surveys the VA is already statutorily required to use to monitor fraud, and waste, and abuse at schools that receive more than $600 million in servicemember tuition assistance each year. 
    These are programs that matter to our servicemembers. And I appreciate having all of you as allies to make sure our servicemembers get what the American people promised them. So thank you very much and thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for letting me do this. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 11, 2025
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