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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Africa: East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alan Hirsch, Senior Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

    It’s not uncommon to find a Ugandan taxi driver in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, just as one regularly meets Zimbabwean Uber drivers in South Africa. But there is a big difference. A Ugandan working in Rwanda most likely has a secure legal right to be there, whereas Zimbabweans working in South Africa are often uncertain of their current or future legality.

    East Africa has made greater strides towards the free flow of people crossing borders and seeking work than most of Africa. Only the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is in the same league.

    While the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons protocol has faltered at a continental level, some of the regional economic communities have made progress. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) allows visa-free travel across almost all its borders.

    Ecowas and the East African Community (EAC) have driven ambitiously towards regional common markets including the freeing up of job-seeking, residential settlement and business development across the borders of member states.

    The New South Institute, a think-tank focused on governance reforms in the global south, is nearing the end of a research programme on migration governance reform in Africa. Our new report is on East Africa.

    We have found that unlike much of the global north, the African continent is moving towards more open borders for people. In some of the global south the promise of economic growth outweighs political fears. Yet progress is slow, and not coordinated. Mostly migration reform happens in regions and between neighbours.

    The progress in the East African Community is particularly notable compared with other African regional communities. We identify a number of reasons for this, including strong leadership and co-operation between state and non-state actors.

    The commitment to free movement

    The East African Community adopted its Common Market Protocol in 2010. The bloc is made up of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia.

    The regional body’s common market pact includes the movement of goods, services, capital and people. It gives people the right – on paper at least – to find employment across borders, the right to reside and the right to establish a business. There is also a commitment to the harmonisation and mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications and labour policies to ease mobility.

    Even before the common market protocol, the regional bloc began to establish one-stop border posts on many of its internal borders to facilitate the flow of goods and people. Though they don’t all operate the same way or equally well, they have been successful at easing movement.

    Uneven outcomes

    The common market’s impact on the movement of people has been uneven within the region. Most integrated are Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, which allow the cross-border movement of citizens with standardised identity documents – they do not need passports.

    It is also relatively easy to get jobs across these borders.

    Tanzania and Burundi are close to the inner circle but still require passports, though no visas. The three states which joined more recently, South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia, are all fragile states with governance systems that do not always meet the standards needed for acceptance into all the privileges of the regional bloc.

    In practice there is differential treatment. Generally, it is more difficult for citizens of the three latecomers to get regular access and jobs in their regional partners.

    Another limitation when it comes to the mobility of people is that little progress has been made in the formal harmonisation of education, health and social welfare systems between member states. This inhibits job seeking across borders.

    In addition, national labour laws, which tend to require permits for foreigners, still apply to varying degrees in the region. Some countries are more permissive. For example, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have a reciprocal no-fee work permit agreement.

    Another shortcoming has been that the outcomes of court processes in enforcing the freedom of movement have been disappointing. This is so even though the regional bloc has an active East African Court of Justice. Its legal mandate includes the enforcement of the bloc’s treaty and its protocols.

    In some cases the court has found that national actions inhibiting the movement of persons were trumped by the regional protocol. It has instructed the errant governments to comply. But its ability to enforce the decisions is minimal.

    Reasons for success

    Leadership has been important. The fact that the strongest economy in the region, Kenya, has been part of the leading echelon is significant.

    Rwanda and Uganda have led by example too. Rwanda was one of the first countries on the continent to offer visa-free entry to all other African countries. For its part, Uganda is widely admired for its refugee inclusion programmes.

    Another factor outlined in our report has been the opportunity for collaboration fostered by relationships between formal institutions, such as governments, and non-state actors such as the International Organisation for Migration. Interactions between these various players have created opportunities for officials and policymakers from states of the region to meet, discuss issues of concern, and develop relationships of trust and understanding.

    Another non-state donor-funded actor, TradeMark Africa, which was established in 2010 to support in the implementation of the common market in east Africa, provided considerable support. For example it supported the implementation of the regional One-Stop Border Post programme..

    Way forward

    Based on our report we identified changes that could make a positive difference.

    Firstly, the development of reliable, harmonised systems in the region to collect and manage data on population mobility and employment. This would build confidence that policy was being made on the basis of reliable information.

    Secondly, reducing friction in cross-border monetary transactions, including migrants’ remittances. This would make it easier for migrants to send some of their income to their countries of origin.

    Thirdly, improvements to population registers, identity documents, passports and cross-border migration management systems. Improvements would build mutual trust in the integrity of systems and pave the way for further commitments to lowering migration barriers.

    Fourth, cooperation on cross-border access to social services such as health and education. This is one of the most important intermediate steps towards freeing up mobility for the citizens of the region.

    Fifth, reconsidering some of the amendments made to weaken the East African Court of Justice in 2007. This would strengthen the de jure powers of the court, adding considerably to the entrenchment of cross-border rights in the region.

    Ultimately, the key constraint in the region is political and security instability, which holds back social and economic development. Nevertheless, incremental progress on mobility is possible despite issues in the fragile states, even though it may result in asymmetric progress within the East African Community.

    – East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go
    – https://theconversation.com/east-african-countries-and-open-borders-great-strides-but-still-a-long-way-to-go-261021

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Programme management officer

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Org. Setting and Reporting

    Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNDRR has over 140 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNDRR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyzes action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

    This position is located in the UNDRR Office in Bonn, Germany. The Programme Officer will report to the Head of the UNDRR Bonn Office under the overall guidance of the Chief, Risk Knowledge, Monitoring and Capacity-Development Branch.

    Responsibilities

    Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: – 

    • Develops, implements and evaluates assigned systems programmes/projects of significant importance for the Department; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. In particular, oversees and supports the management and updating of the online monitoring system to track progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Tracks and monitors project progress against plan, requirements, quality measures, standard processes; liaises with users on all aspects and during all phases.
    • Provides expert advice on complex systems analysis and design; identifies the need for new systems (or modifications to existing systems) or responds to requests from users; develops plans for feasibility assessment, requirements specification, design, development and implementation, including project plans, schedules, time and cost estimates, metrics and performance measures. –
    • Provides expert advice and coordinates the roll-out of the Disaster Tracking System in all Member States, liaising with the concerned regional offices. Keeps abreast of developments in the field and determines the need for testing and evaluating new products and technologies. –
    • Leads and coordinates the official reporting on Sendai Framework and SDGs, among others, and organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, technical reports, including advance analytics using AI-based tools.
    • Develops, implements and monitors application of standards and guidelines. Oversees the preparation of technical and user documentation for systems; prepares training materials and detailed technical presentations including technical guidelines to support the reporting against the indicators to assess progress towards the targets of Sendai Framework, as recommended by the open-ended intergovernmental expert working group on indicators and terminology. Works in close collaboration with the UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute (GETI) in Incheon and contributes to the development of training modules on Sendai Framework Monitoring Process. Collaborates and coordinates closely with UNDRR Regional Offices in support of strengthening the capacity of Member States to use the online Sendai Framework Monitoring system and their ability to report against the indicators. –
    • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. –
    • Participates in planning and preparation of the budget, work program and spending plan of the Section and of the Branch. Contributes to activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). Develops cost proposals for contractual services, oversees the technical evaluation of proposals received and manages the contract service. Provides professional leadership and work direction to assigned project team, and/or mentor and supervises the work of new/junior officers, contract staff, etc. – Performs other duties as required.

    Competencies

    Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 

    Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 

    Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

    Education

    An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in social sciences, management, economics, statistics or a related field is required. A first-level degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

    Work experience

    • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project planning, implementation and monitoring or a related area is required.
    • Experience in disaster risk assessment and monitoring, and disaster risk reduction is required.
    • Experience in data management and statistics is desirable.

    Languages

    English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

    Assessment

    Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

    Special notice

    The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In line with the overall United Nations policy, the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages a positive workplace culture which embraces inclusivity and leverages diversity within its workforce. Measures are applied to enable all staff members to contribute equally and fully to the work and development of the organization, including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies and standards of conduct. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

    United Nations Considerations

    According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

    No Fee

    THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Country Engagement Specialist & Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe, Santiago network

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Background information – job-specific

    Santiago network The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of suitable relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25).

    The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

    A hosted Secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network Secretariat; An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network Secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

    At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

    While UNOPS provides the necessary administrative and operational support for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, UNDRR provides the Secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network.

    Relevant COP/CMA decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here. Documents and reports from meetings of the Santiago network Advisory Board are available here.

    The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

    Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe, Santiago network Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, and in close coordination with the Senior Programme Manager and the OBNE Engagement Specialist, the Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe is responsible for managing the central operations of the technical assistance request process, supporting the coordination of global and regional operations, and driving the provision of catalyzed technical assistance in Eastern Europe, ensuring effective and timely delivery. This includes establishing and executing processes for the implementation of the steps of the technical assistance request workflow, working closely with Regional Coordinators, Desk Officers and designated contact points; and leading the technical assistance work of the Santiago network Secretariat in Eastern Europe. The role will collaborate with the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist in the planning, implementing, and reporting on membership activities in Eastern Europe. This role requires strong coordination, communication, and technical skills relevant to the delivery of the role’s functions.

    Functional responsibilities

    1. Setting up processes and systems
    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs
    3. Programme implementation and monitoring
    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement
    5. Knowledge management and innovation
    6. Corporate functions and team building

    1. Setting up processes and systems 

    • Establish and manage processes and systems to ensure the application of the Santiago network’s operative guidelines across the technical assistance workflow, from preparation to knowledge sharing.
    • Support the creation of an enabling environment for demand-driven technical assistance, including support in identifying needs and in preparing requests for technical assistance.

    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs

    • Lead the implementation of the Santiago network’s technical assistance workflow in Eastern Europe, from preparation and submission to delivery, monitoring and experience sharing.
    • Collaborate with the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist in the planning and implementation of membership activities in Eastern Europe.
    • Coordinate the implementation of centrally managed processes for responding to technical assistance requests, including the issuance and management of responses to calls for proposals, in coordination with Regional Coordinators.
    • Support the Senior Programme Manager in coordinating regional operations, ensuring quality control and consistent service standards.
    • Coordinate engagement with national liaisons to the Santiago network Secretariat across regions, in collaboration with Regional Coordinators.
    • Manage the technical assistance review process in coordination with regional functions, aimed at connecting those seeking technical assistance with best-suited Members and OBNEs.

    3. Programme implementation and monitoring

    • Coordinate the implementation of the monitoring, evaluation and learning framework at a portfolio level, in coordination with regional operations, ensuring their effectiveness against expected outcomes.
    • Collaborate with the Programme Support and Operations Manager to ensure the timely management of fund disbursement for technical assistance provided to proponents.
    • Identify, assess and manage risks and issues that may impact the effective delivery of technical assistance, including by maintaining a risk register and coordinating mitigation measures.
    • Coordinate the preparation of reports of Santiago network overall operations, including regular reporting to the Advisory Board and inputs to the Annual Report to the governing body or bodies.

    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement

    • Coordinate the implementation of partnership strategies in collaboration with regional roles, providing a consistent approach to partner and stakeholder engagement across regions.
    • Develop strategies for engaging and maintaining partnerships in Eastern Europe, including collaborative projects, joint events, and resource sharing.
    • Establish communication channels and platforms for effective networking and information exchange among Members in Eastern Europe.
    • Participate in regional fora and high-level meetings contributing to the positioning of the Santiago network in the loss and damage and climate action ecosystem.

    5. Knowledge management and innovation

    • Contribute to the development, provision and dissemination of knowledge and information on topics relevant to technical assistance for loss and damage.
    • Facilitate the dissemination of good practices, case studies, and other relevant information to support the catalyzation and delivery of technical assistance.
    • Support knowledge management, outreach, and communication activities related to technical assistance, in collaboration with relevant colleagues and partners, including the WIM ExCom.
    • Contribute to the Santiago network’s learning function, including the establishment of feedback loops to inform continuous improvement.

    6. Corporate functions and team building

    • Uphold and model team values, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that supports collective success and individual well-being.
    • Contribute to the development and implementation of the Santiago network’s strategic, policy, and operational frameworks, ensuring alignment with its mandate and evolving needs.
    • Support the organization and delivery of Advisory Board meetings and intersessional work, including the preparation of background documents, reports, and other relevant materials, as well as coordination of related functions.
    • Represent the Santiago network in international fora and technical meetings, contributing to advance the delivery of its mandate and objectives.
    • Others, as required by the supervisor.

    Education/Experience/Language requirements

    Education 

    • An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences and climate change, economics, social sciences, or related areas, is required.
    • A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

    Experience 

    • A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in programme management in the areas of development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related climate change processes is required.
    • Demonstrated experience in work across regions is required.
    • Demonstrated experience in Eastern Europe is desirable.
    • Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.

    Language 

    • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
    • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

    Contract type, level and duration

    Contract type: Staff – FTA Contract level: P4 (ICS-11) Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

    For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

    Competencies

    Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

    Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

    Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

    Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

    Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

    Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

    Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

    Additional information

    • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
    • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
    • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
    • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
    • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
    • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

    Terms and conditions

    • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
    • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
    • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
    • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist, Santiago network

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Background information – job-specific

    Santiago network The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of suitable relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. (decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25).

    The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

    A hosted Secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network Secretariat; An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network Secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

    At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

    While UNOPS provides the necessary administrative and operational support for the effective functioning of the Secretariat, UNDRR provides the Secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network.

    Relevant COP/CMA decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here. Documents and reports from meetings of the Santiago network Advisory Board are available here.

    The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

    OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist, Santiago network

    Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director, and in close coordination with the Country Engagement Specialist, the OBNE and Member Engagement Specialist is responsible for managing the central processes related to membership under the Santiago network, as well as supporting the planning, implementing, and reporting on membership activities in Eastern Europe. This includes overseeing the implementation of the guidelines for the designation of organizations, bodies, networks, and experts (OBNEs) as Members of the Santiago network, supporting the coordination of global and regional functions related to membership, and implementing strategies to ensure a diverse, inclusive, and robust network of Members, including through outreach and capacity building. The role also involves facilitating collaboration and coordination among Members, including communities of practice. This role requires strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills relevant to the delivery of the role’s functions.

    Functional responsibilities

    1. Setting up processes and systems
    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs
    3. Programme implementation and monitoring
    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement
    5. Knowledge management and innovation
    6. Corporate functions and team building

    1. Setting up processes and systems 

    • Establish and manage processes and systems for the implementation of the guidelines for the designation of Organizations, Bodies, Networks and Experts (OBNEs) as Members of the Santiago network.
    • Set strategies to facilitate a strong, diverse and inclusive network membership, with relevant expertise at the local, national and regional level.

    2. Catalyzing technical assistance/Management of OBNEs

    • Facilitate the growth and diversification of the Santiago network’s membership, including by managing the process of expressions of interest, in line with the guidelines approved by the Advisory Board
    • Collaborate with the Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe in the planning and implementation of membership activities in Eastern Europe.
    • Facilitate the effective participation of Members in the provision of technical assistance, supporting matchmaking between demand and supply, in response to identified needs and in collaboration with global and regional functions.
    • Develop and implement outreach strategies to attract new Members, with a focus on local and community-based organizations, ensuring inclusive representation across regions, target groups and relevant thematic areas.
    • Foster collaboration and synergies among Members by promoting peer-to-peer exchange, and identifying opportunities for joint action to enhance the delivery and impact of technical assistance.
    • Provide continuous guidance to OBNEs and Members of the Santiago network, enabling them to actively engage with and contribute to the network’s objectives.

    3. Programme implementation and monitoring

    • Design and implement an engagement programme for Members, aligned with relevant Santiago network functions such as technical assistance, collaboration, and knowledge and information sharing.
    • Conduct periodic assessments of the network’s performance in addressing the needs related to averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage at local and regional levels.
    • Identify, assess, and manage risks and issues that could affect the OBNE and membership processes, including proposing and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
    • Coordinate inputs on membership for regular reporting, including reporting to the Advisory Board and the Annual Report to the governing body or bodies.

    4. Partner and stakeholder engagement

    • Coordinate the implementation of strategies for OBNEs and Member outreach and engagement in collaboration with regional roles, with a consistent approach across regions.
    • Set up and manage communication channels and platforms to support collaboration, coordination and synergies among Members, including through communities of practice.
    • Foster collaboration and partnerships with other relevant mechanisms, networks and organizations working in the area of loss and damage.
    • Liaise with the communications role to enhance knowledge sharing and mutual learning among Members and other stakeholders.

    5. Knowledge management and innovation

    • Facilitate the development, provision, dissemination of and access to knowledge and information produced by Members on topics relevant for loss and damage.
    • Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of OBNEs, including contact information, areas of expertise, and availability for technical assistance
    • Develop and implement support mechanisms, including peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange, to strengthen Member engagement and enhance technical assistance delivery.
    • In collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist, identify gaps in knowledge and expertise across the network in relation to TA needs, and take appropriate actions to address them.

    6. Corporate functions and team building

    • Uphold and model team values, fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment that supports collective success and individual well-being.
    • Contribute to the development and implementation of the Santiago network’s strategic, policy, and operational frameworks, ensuring alignment with its mandate and evolving needs.
    • Support the organization and delivery of Advisory Board meetings and intersessional work, including the preparation of background documents, reports, and other relevant materials, as well as coordination of related functions.
    • Represent the Santiago network in international fora and technical meetings, contributing to advance the delivery of its mandate and objectives.
    • Others, as required by the supervisor.
    • Education/Experience/Language requirements

    Education 

    • An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent), preferably in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences and climate change, economics, social sciences, or related areas, is required.
    • A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

    Experience 

    • A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in stakeholder engagement in the areas of development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, or related climate change processes is required.
    • Technical skills to foster inclusive participation and knowledge exchange across the Santiago network are highly desirable.
    • Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.
    • Language
      • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
      • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

    Contract type, level and duration

    Contract type: Staff – FTA Contract level: P4 (ICS-11) Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

    For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

    Competencies

    Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

    Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

    Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

    Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

    Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

    Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

    Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

    Additional information

    • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
    • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
    • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
    • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
    • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
    • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

    Terms and conditions

    • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
    • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
    • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
    • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Homa Bay leads the way in inclusive disaster resilience planning

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    In a major step toward enhancing inclusive disaster resilience, the County Government of Homa Bay, Kenya, hosted a four-day Multi-Stakeholder Workshop on inclusive disaster risk reduction (DRR) from 26-30 May 2025. The event was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa, under the project “Strengthening Early Warning and Early Action in Kenya” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). 

    The workshop brought together 55 participants, including representatives from local government departments, national agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and community-based organizations (CBOs). The gathering provided a valuable platform that focused on integrating the needs and perspectives of at-risk populations including persons with disabilities into DRR strategies and early warning systems. 

    Addressing Critical Gaps Through Collaboration 

    The workshop revealed key opportunities to strengthen the county’s disaster preparedness. Through participatory assessments, the workshop identified several areas for improvement, including the need for better coordination mechanisms, more inclusive early warning systems, and stronger integration of gender and disability perspectives in disaster planning. 

    While Homa Bay has a solid policy foundation such as the County Emergency and Disaster Management Act and active participation in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative, the assessments showed clear opportunities to make these systems more inclusive and effective. 

    “New hazards are emerging-beyond floods and droughts we now face strange, extreme weather events. We must explore innovative, cost-effective ways to strengthen preparedness. One shilling spent on preparedness will save hundreds in response. We must shift our investments from response to resilience,” said Najib Abdi, the technical lead for disaster risk management at the Council of Governors. 

    Making Early Warnings Accessible 

    A highlight of the workshop was the focus on strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems. Kenya recently launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative, and Homa Bay County was recognized as a pioneer in county-level implementation. 

    “Early warning systems save lives, but only if the warnings reach everyone. We learned that we need to think differently about how we communicate risks – using local languages, accessible formats, and trusted community networks, ” Col (Rtd) David Samoei, MBS, Director NDOC. 

    The county’s Climate Information Center already supports over 200,000 farmers with agro-advisories and early warning information. The workshop explored ways to expand this system to reach more vulnerable populations, including women, persons with disabilities, and rural communities who may have limited access to traditional communication channels. 

    “At the Public Health Directorate, we rely on disease surveillance systems and historical data to anticipate outbreaks like cholera and measles. Our risk reduction efforts focus on improving water supply, sanitation, and vaccination coverage to prevent such health emergencies before they occur,” said James Kabaka, County Public Health Officer 

    A Model for Inclusive Resilience 

    One of the workshop’s achievements was bringing together diverse stakeholders who are often overlooked in the disaster planning processes. Representatives from OPDs, and CBOs worked alongside government officials to identify barriers and solutions. The assessments revealed that persons with disabilities face significant challenges during disaster events, from inaccessible evacuation routes to lack of appropriate communication during emergencies. Similarly, women’s leadership potential and traditional knowledge are often underutilized in disaster preparedness and response. 

    Building Forward: From Assessment to Action 

    The workshop concluded with the development of actions addressing identified gaps through coordinated, multi-sectoral approaches. Priority areas include the establishment of dedicated coordination mechanisms for inclusive DRR and development of disaggregated data systems to better understand community vulnerabilities. Key initiatives also focus on strengthening infrastructure accessibility through universal design standards, integrating traditional and indigenous knowledge into formal early warning systems, and building capacity among government staff and first responders on inclusive practices. 

    “We often develop comprehensive plans but fail to integrate them into our County Intergrated Development Plans and Annual Development Plans leaving them unfunded. We also haven’t properly analysed trigger points for different hazards – when exactly should we activate emergency responses? These are two critical gaps we need to address, ” Willy Bolo, Ag. Director Economic Planning & Budget 

    A Foundation for Regional Learning 

    This training builds on efforts in resilience building work previously established through the GIZ Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA). The workshop’s participatory approach and comprehensive assessments provide a replicable model for other counties seeking to strengthen their disaster resilience through inclusive, multi-stakeholder collaboration. “This was not just a technical workshop-it was a call to action. Disaster risk reduction is a system of protection, prevention, and preparedness that must be embedded in everything we do. I am committing to strengthen interdepartmental coordination so that disaster risk is integrated into all health planning and service delivery mechanisms,” said Grace Osewe, County Executive Committee Member for Public Health and Medical Services.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Program Builds Bridge From Military to Civilian Careers for Johnson Team Members

    Source: NASA

    Of all the possible entry points to NASA, the agency’s SkillBridge Program has been instrumental in helping servicemembers transition from the military and into civilian careers. Offered in partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD), the program enables individuals to spend their final months of military service working with a NASA office or organization. SkillBridge fellows work anywhere from 90 to 180 days, contributing their unique skillsets to the agency while building their network and knowledge.
    The Johnson Space Center in Houston hosted NASA’s first SkillBridge fellow in 2019, paving the way for dozens of others to follow. SkillBridge participants are not guaranteed a job offer at the end of their fellowship, but many have gone on to accept full-time positions with NASA. About 25 of those former fellows currently work at Johnson, filling roles as varied as their military experiences.

    Miguel Shears retired from the Marine Corps in November 2023. He ended his 30 years of service as the administration, academics, and operations chief for the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, where he was also an adjunct professor. Shears completed a SkillBridge fellowship with FOD in the summer and fall of 2023, supporting the instructional systems design team. He was hired as a full-time employee upon his military retirement and currently serves as an instructional systems designer for the Instructor Training Module, Mentorship Module, and Spaceflight Academy. He conducts training needs analysis for FOD, as well.

    Ever Zavala was very familiar with Johnson before becoming a SkillBridge fellow. He spent the last three of his nearly 24-year Air Force career serving as the deputy director of the DoD Human Spaceflight Payloads Office at Johnson. His team oversaw the development, integration, launch, and operation of payloads hosting DoD experiments on small satellites and the International Space Station. He also became a certified capsule communicator, or capcom, in December 2022, and was the lead capcom for SpaceX’s 28th commercial resupply services mission to the orbiting laboratory.
    Zavala’s SkillBridge fellowship was in Johnson’s Astronaut Office, where he worked as a capcom, capcom instructor, and an integration engineer supporting the Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program. He was involved in developing a training needs analysis and agency simulators for the human landing system, among other projects.
    He officially joined the center team as a full-time contractor in August 2024. He is currently a flight operations safety officer within the Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) and continues to serve as a part-time capcom.

    Carl Johnson thanks his wife for helping him find a path to NASA. While she was a Pathways intern — and his girlfriend at the time — she gave him a tour of the center that inspired him to join the agency when he was ready to leave the Army. She helped connect him to one of the center’s SkillBridge coordinators and the rest is history.
    Johnson was selected for a SkillBridge fellowship in the Dynamic System Test Branch. From February to June 2023, he supported development of the lunar terrain vehicle ground test unit and contributed to the Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS), which simulates reduced gravity for astronaut training.
    Johnson officially joined the center team as an electrical engineer in the Engineering Directorate’s Software, Robotics, and Simulation Division in September 2023. He is currently developing a new ARGOS spacewalk simulator and training as an operator and test director for another ARGOS system. 
    Johnson holds an electrical engineering degree from the United States Military Academy. He was on active duty in the Army for 10 years and concluded his military career as an instructor and small group leader for the Engineer Captains Career Course. In that role, he was responsible for instructing, mentoring, and preparing the next generation of engineer captains.

    Kevin Quinn served in the Navy for 22 years. His last role was maintenance senior chief with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31, known as “the Dust Devils.” Quinn managed the operations and maintenance of 33 aircraft, ensuring their readiness for complex missions and contributing to developmental flight tests and search and rescue missions. He applied that experience to his SkillBridge fellowship in quality assurance at Ellington Field in 2024. Quinn worked to enhance flight safety and astronaut training across various aircraft, including the T-38, WB-57, and the Super Guppy. He has continued contributing to those projects since being hired as a full-time quality assurance employee in 2025.

    Andrew Ulat retired from the Air Force after serving for 21 years as an intercontinental ballistic missile launch control officer and strategic operations advisor. His last role in the military was as a director of staff at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. There he served as a graduate-level instructor teaching international security concepts to mid-level officers and civilian counterparts from all branches of the military and various federal agencies. 
    Ulat started his SkillBridge fellowship as an integration engineer in Johnson’s X-Lab, supporting avionics, power, and software integration for the Gateway lunar space station. Ulat transitioned directly from his fellowship into a similar full-time position at Johnson in May 2024.

    Ariel Vargas transitioned to NASA after serving for five years in the Army. His last role in the military was as a signal officer, which involved leading teams managing secure communications and network operations in dynamic and mission-critical environments in the Middle East and the United States.
    Vargas completed his SkillBridge fellowship in November 2023, supporting Johnson’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). During his fellowship, he led a center-wide wireless augmentation project that modernized Johnson’s connectivity.
    He became a full-time civil servant in May 2024 and currently serves as the business operations and partnerships lead within OCIO, supporting a digital transformation initiative. In this role, he leads efforts to streamline internal business operations, manage strategic partnerships, and drive cross-functional collaboration.
    “My time in the military taught me the value of service, leadership, and adaptability—qualities that I now apply daily in support of NASA’s mission,” Vargas said. “I’m proud to be part of the Johnson team and hope my story can inspire other service members considering the SkillBridge pathway.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Chandra Finds Baby Exoplanet is Shrinking

    Source: NASA

    A star is unleashing a barrage of X-rays that is causing a closely-orbiting, young planet to wither away an astonishing rate, according to a new study using data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and described in our latest press release. A team of researchers has determined that this planet will go from the size of Jupiter down to a small, barren world.
    This graphic provides a visual representation of what astronomers think is happening around the star (known as TOI 1227) and a planet that is orbiting it at a fraction the distance between Mercury and the Sun. This “baby” planet, called TOI 1227 b, is just about 8 million years old, about a thousand times younger than our Sun. The main panel is an artist’s concept that shows the Jupiter-sized planet (lower left) around TOI 1227, which is a faint red star. Powerful X-rays from the star’s surface are tearing away the atmosphere of the planet, represented by the blue tail. The star’s X-rays may eventually completely remove the atmosphere.
    The team used new Chandra data — seen in the inset — to measure the amounts of X-rays from TOI 1227 that are striking the planet. Using computer models of the effects of these X-rays, they concluded they will have a transformative effect, rapidly stripping away the planet’s atmosphere. They estimate that the planet is losing a mass equivalent to a full Earth’s atmosphere about every 200 years.
    The researchers used different sets of data to estimate the age of TOI 1227 b. One method exploits measurements of how TOI 1227 b’s host star moves through space in comparison to nearby populations of stars with known ages. A second method compared the brightness and surface temperature of the star with theoretical models of evolving stars. The very young age of TOI 1227 b makes it the second youngest planet ever to be observed passing in front of its host star (a so-called transit). Previously the planet had been estimated by others to be about 11 million years old.
    Of all the exoplanets astronomers have found with ages less than 50 million years, TOI 1227 b stands out for having the longest year and the host planet with the lowest mass. These properties, and the high dose of X-rays it is receiving, make it an outstanding target for future observations.
    A paper describing these results has been accepted publication in The Astrophysical Journal and a preprint is available here. The authors of the paper are Attila Varga (Rochester Institute of Technology), Joel Kastner (Rochester Institute of Technology), Alexander Binks (University of Tubingen, Germany), Hans Moritz Guenther (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and Simon J. Murphy (University of New South Wales Canberra in Australia).
    NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.

    Learn more about the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its mission here:

    chandra

    https://chandra.si.edu

    This release features an artist’s illustration of a Jupiter-sized planet closely orbiting a faint red star. An inset image, showing the star in X-ray light from Chandra, is superimposed on top of the illustration at our upper left corner.
    At our upper right, the red star is illustrated as a ball made of intense fire. The planet, slightly smaller than the star, is shown at our lower left. Powerful X-rays from the star are tearing away the atmosphere of the planet, causing wisps of material to flow away from the planet’s surface in the opposite direction from the star. This gives the planet a slight resemblance to a comet, complete with a tail.
    X-ray data from Chandra, presented in the inset image, shows the star as a small purple orb on a black background. Astronomers used the Chandra data to measure the amount of X-rays striking the planet from the star. They estimate that the planet is losing a mass equivalent to a full Earth’s atmosphere about every 200 years, causing it to ultimately shrink from the size of Jupiter down to a small, barren world.

    Megan WatzkeChandra X-ray CenterCambridge, Mass.617-496-7998mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu
    Corinne BeckingerMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama256-544-0034corinne.m.beckinger@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UH Seeks New Proposals to Expand Statewide Broadband Access

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    UH Seeks New Proposals to Expand Statewide Broadband Access

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 14, 2025

    HONOLULU — The University of Hawaiʻi Broadband Office has announced the release of eight new Requests for Proposals (RFPs) aimed at expanding high-speed internet access across the state through Hawaii’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, a federal initiative to provide affordable, high-speed broadband access to all Americans, especially those in areas that are currently unserved or underserved. The re-release of all RFPs, with revisions, is part of a final “Benefit of the Bargain” Round conducted in compliance with the latest federal policy guidance.

    This latest posting of the RFPs mark Hawaii’s continued efforts to respond quickly to changing federal guidance while still moving forward on a multi-year effort under the BEAD program to address disparities in broadband coverage.

    “High-speed internet is critical for creating opportunity and improving digital access,” said Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who leads the state’s Connect Kākou initiative. “We are continuing to move forward to connect communities that have been historically underserved, and I’m grateful to the many partners who are contributing to a more connected Hawaiʻi.”

    The RFP process will lead to the competitive selection of vendors to connect these communities, as well as nearly 700 community anchor institutions, which include schools, libraries, healthcare facilities, and other public spaces that provide broadband access and essential support services to residents.

    Interested parties are encouraged to review the RFP details and submit proposals by August 1, 2025 at 5:00pm HST. Click here for more information on the RFPs and submission guidelines. Hawaiʻi’s participation in the BEAD program is part of Connect Kākou, the State of Hawaiʻi initiative to ensure people from all walks of life have reliable access to high-speed internet, and have the tools and knowledge to safely and confidently use the internet.

    # # #

    Media Contact:
    Shari Nishijima
    Office of the Lieutenant Governor

    Daniel Meisenzahl
    UH Office of Communications

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • South Korea lashed by heavy rain, four dead and more than 1,000 evacuated

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Four people died and more than 1,000 have been evacuated in South Korea after the country was lashed by torrential rain on Thursday, the safety ministry said.

    A driver was killed after a 10-metre-high (33 ft) roadside wall collapsed on top of a moving vehicle on Wednesday in Osan, some 44 kilometres (27 miles) south of Seoul, fire agency officials said.

    Another person was found with no heartbeat in a flooded car in Seosan, South Chungcheong province, and could not be revived.

    As of 5 p.m. (0800 GMT), some parts of the South Chungcheong region further south of the capital had seen more than 400 millimetres (15.7 inches) of rain since Wednesday, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said.

    The downpours resulted in record rainfall in the area and more wet weather was forecast for Thursday night, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.

    Landslide alerts were raised to the highest level for several regions including Chungcheong as the heavy rains continued, according to the Korea Forest Service.

    In the city of Gwangju, some 267 kilometres (166 miles) south of Seoul, 87 roads and 38 buildings were submerged within about two hours after torrential rain warnings were issued, according to the Yonhap News Agency.

    Some 403 schools were closed and 166 reported property damage from the heavy rain on Thursday, the Ministry of Education said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alan Hirsch, Senior Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town

    It’s not uncommon to find a Ugandan taxi driver in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, just as one regularly meets Zimbabwean Uber drivers in South Africa. But there is a big difference. A Ugandan working in Rwanda most likely has a secure legal right to be there, whereas Zimbabweans working in South Africa are often uncertain of their current or future legality.

    East Africa has made greater strides towards the free flow of people crossing borders and seeking work than most of Africa. Only the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) is in the same league.

    While the African Union’s Free Movement of Persons protocol has faltered at a continental level, some of the regional economic communities have made progress. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) allows visa-free travel across almost all its borders.

    Ecowas and the East African Community (EAC) have driven ambitiously towards regional common markets including the freeing up of job-seeking, residential settlement and business development across the borders of member states.

    The New South Institute, a think-tank focused on governance reforms in the global south, is nearing the end of a research programme on migration governance reform in Africa. Our new report is on East Africa.

    We have found that unlike much of the global north, the African continent is moving towards more open borders for people. In some of the global south the promise of economic growth outweighs political fears. Yet progress is slow, and not coordinated. Mostly migration reform happens in regions and between neighbours.

    The progress in the East African Community is particularly notable compared with other African regional communities. We identify a number of reasons for this, including strong leadership and co-operation between state and non-state actors.

    The commitment to free movement

    The East African Community adopted its Common Market Protocol in 2010. The bloc is made up of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia.

    The regional body’s common market pact includes the movement of goods, services, capital and people. It gives people the right – on paper at least – to find employment across borders, the right to reside and the right to establish a business. There is also a commitment to the harmonisation and mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications and labour policies to ease mobility.

    Even before the common market protocol, the regional bloc began to establish one-stop border posts on many of its internal borders to facilitate the flow of goods and people. Though they don’t all operate the same way or equally well, they have been successful at easing movement.

    Uneven outcomes

    The common market’s impact on the movement of people has been uneven within the region. Most integrated are Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, which allow the cross-border movement of citizens with standardised identity documents – they do not need passports.

    It is also relatively easy to get jobs across these borders.

    Tanzania and Burundi are close to the inner circle but still require passports, though no visas. The three states which joined more recently, South Sudan, the DRC and Somalia, are all fragile states with governance systems that do not always meet the standards needed for acceptance into all the privileges of the regional bloc.

    In practice there is differential treatment. Generally, it is more difficult for citizens of the three latecomers to get regular access and jobs in their regional partners.

    Another limitation when it comes to the mobility of people is that little progress has been made in the formal harmonisation of education, health and social welfare systems between member states. This inhibits job seeking across borders.

    In addition, national labour laws, which tend to require permits for foreigners, still apply to varying degrees in the region. Some countries are more permissive. For example, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have a reciprocal no-fee work permit agreement.

    Another shortcoming has been that the outcomes of court processes in enforcing the freedom of movement have been disappointing. This is so even though the regional bloc has an active East African Court of Justice. Its legal mandate includes the enforcement of the bloc’s treaty and its protocols.

    In some cases the court has found that national actions inhibiting the movement of persons were trumped by the regional protocol. It has instructed the errant governments to comply. But its ability to enforce the decisions is minimal.

    Reasons for success

    Leadership has been important. The fact that the strongest economy in the region, Kenya, has been part of the leading echelon is significant.

    Rwanda and Uganda have led by example too. Rwanda was one of the first countries on the continent to offer visa-free entry to all other African countries. For its part, Uganda is widely admired for its refugee inclusion programmes.

    Another factor outlined in our report has been the opportunity for collaboration fostered by relationships between formal institutions, such as governments, and non-state actors such as the International Organisation for Migration. Interactions between these various players have created opportunities for officials and policymakers from states of the region to meet, discuss issues of concern, and develop relationships of trust and understanding.

    Another non-state donor-funded actor, TradeMark Africa, which was established in 2010 to support in the implementation of the common market in east Africa, provided considerable support. For example it supported the implementation of the regional One-Stop Border Post programme..

    Way forward

    Based on our report we identified changes that could make a positive difference.

    Firstly, the development of reliable, harmonised systems in the region to collect and manage data on population mobility and employment. This would build confidence that policy was being made on the basis of reliable information.

    Secondly, reducing friction in cross-border monetary transactions, including migrants’ remittances. This would make it easier for migrants to send some of their income to their countries of origin.

    Thirdly, improvements to population registers, identity documents, passports and cross-border migration management systems. Improvements would build mutual trust in the integrity of systems and pave the way for further commitments to lowering migration barriers.

    Fourth, cooperation on cross-border access to social services such as health and education. This is one of the most important intermediate steps towards freeing up mobility for the citizens of the region.

    Fifth, reconsidering some of the amendments made to weaken the East African Court of Justice in 2007. This would strengthen the de jure powers of the court, adding considerably to the entrenchment of cross-border rights in the region.

    Ultimately, the key constraint in the region is political and security instability, which holds back social and economic development. Nevertheless, incremental progress on mobility is possible despite issues in the fragile states, even though it may result in asymmetric progress within the East African Community.

    Alan Hirsch’s work on migration governance is part of his responsibilities while employed as a Senior Research Fellow at the New South Institute.

    – ref. East African countries and open borders: great strides, but still a long way to go – https://theconversation.com/east-african-countries-and-open-borders-great-strides-but-still-a-long-way-to-go-261021

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: New parliament presents traps for Albanese and Ley

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

    Anthony Albanese hasn’t been in any rush to convene the new parliament, which Governor-General Sam Mostyn will open on Tuesday.

    It’s only mildly cynical to observe that governments of both persuasions often seem to regard having pesky members and senators around too much as a hindrance to business. Accountability is all very good in theory – facing it in practice is another matter.

    In this first fortnight of the new parliament, however, much of the attention will be less on the government than on the opposition. Liberal leader Sussan Ley has handled her early weeks without tripping. But her critics hover like crows on the fence in lambing season. Angus Taylor, who narrowly lost the leadership ballot, retains his ambition. The right-wing media wait for Ley’s mistakes.

    Ley will need to maintain a strong grip on her team’s messaging, especially on foreign and defence policy, or the Coalition will open itself to criticism.

    Taylor, now the defence spokesman, attracted attention this week when he went out on a limb on Taiwan, telling the ABC, “we should have a joint commitment with them [the US] to the security of Taiwan”.

    Ley, who says she wants to avoid unrelenting negativity, must choose the Coalition’s targets carefully. It has been presented with some useful fodder with the (inadvertently) leaked Treasury brief to the re-elected government that urged the need for tax rises and spending cuts. This is manna from political heaven because it is on the Coalition’s favoured economic ground, and raises issues for which the government doesn’t have immediate or clear-cut answers.

    As important as Ley’s own performance will be, so will that of shadow treasurer Ted O’Brien. Taylor’s handling of the job last term was a serious weakness for the Coalition.

    Facing a well-prepared and confident counterpart in Jim Chalmers, O’Brien must find his feet quickly. Sensibly, he has hired on his staff an experienced, credible economist, Steven Hamilton, who has been an assistant professor of economics at George Washington University in Washington DC. Hamilton has also been a regular contributor to The Australian Financial Review, so he has a feel for, and contacts in, the financial media.

    The government has a mix of legislation to introduce in this initial fortnight. Albanese promised during the campaign that Labor’s first cab off the rank would be its commitment to cut student debt by 20%. It also foreshadowed early action to cement in penalty rates.

    It didn’t anticipate having to rush in a bill to strip funding from childcare centres that do not meet safety standards. This follows the recent revelations
    of abuse.

    The first parliamentary fortnight comes in the run-up to the government’s August 19–21 productivity roundtable (named by Chalmers the “economic reform roundtable”). With expectations inevitably exploding, observers will be watching closely the dynamics between the treasurer and the prime minister in parliament.

    The two agree that delivering election promises should be the floor, rather than the ceiling, of ambition for the second term. But their degrees of ambition differ. Chalmers fears Albanese’s is limited; the prime minister fears his treasurer’s will overreach. Will Albanese show a restraining hand on the roundtable in the weeks before it?

    As the government wants to emphasise delivery to voters in the early days of the parliament, Chalmers hasn’t rushed to seek the deal he needs with the Greens on his controversial changes to superannuation tax arrangements. The plan is to increase the tax on balances of more than $3 million, and tax the unrealised capital gains.

    The Greens want the $3 million reduced to $2 million and that amount indexed. It’s a fair assumption a compromise will be reached when negotiations occur.

    That will be a relatively easy test for the Greens under their new leader Larissa Waters, who has also said she wants to be constructive while holding the government to account.

    Later on, though, will come harder issues, including whether the Greens will sign up to a new environmental protection authority, stymied by political obstacles last term.

    In general, the Senate will be less complicated for the government in coming months than last term, given the Greens hold the sole balance of power on legislation contested by the opposition.

    That means things are more frustrating for other Senate crossbenchers.

    In his stand on staffing, Albanese is not improving their mood. Pauline Hanson’s One Nation doubled its representation to four senators but has no extra staff. Staff allocation is up to the prime minister, who has once again been arbitrary about how many staff individual Senate crossbenchers receive. This is an unfair and indefensible system – there should be independent, consistent rules.

    ACT senator David Pocock hasn’t lost any staff but he has lost clout, compared with last term when his vote could be crucial and he was able to trade it for concessions from the government. The new numbers deal him and other non-Green crossbenchers out of the game.

    In the House of Representatives, the Teals retain strong representation but, as in the last parliament, they can only exert (limited) influence, not power. For a while early this year, when it looked as if there would be a hung parliament, they were preparing wish lists.

    One new Teal will be sworn in next week, Nicolette Boele, who won the seat of Bradfield from the Liberals. She can’t know, however, whether she will see out her term. The Liberals have challenged the result after she won by just 26 votes. The matter will be decided by the Court of Disputed Returns.

    There are three possible outcomes: the court confirms the result; the result is overturned and the seat awarded to Liberal candidate Gisele Kapterian (who was allowed to vote in the Liberal leadership and supported Ley); or a fresh election is ordered.

    The Liberals are taking some risk with the challenge. If there were a new election, and they lost it, that would be another setback for them and could destabilise Ley’s leadership.

    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. Grattan on Friday: New parliament presents traps for Albanese and Ley – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-new-parliament-presents-traps-for-albanese-and-ley-261096

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Amur Region’s exposition at the Far East Street exhibition within the framework of the Eastern Economic Forum will tell about the development of Russian-Chinese cooperation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The largest investment projects, industrial achievements and development prospects of the transboundary agglomeration Blagoveshchensk – Heihe will be presented by the Amur Region at the exhibition “Far East Street”, which will be held from September 3 to 9 as part of the tenth, anniversary Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. The main slogan of the region is “Amur Region – the center of Russian-Chinese cooperation”. The organizer of the exhibition is the Roscongress Foundation with the support of the office of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Far Eastern Federal District.

    “The Amur region is the territory of the largest infrastructure projects. To attract investments, the Amur Region is one of the leading regions. Among the largest investment projects of the region are the construction of a logistics complex, a gas -chemical cluster, an international bridge across the Amur, a cross -border cable car and modern infrastructure facilities. Projects are actively developing in the field of agriculture, energy, mining industry and forestry complex. This is the region from which Russia enters into space. Here the first civilian cosmodrome eastern cosmodrome works here. Recently, the Russian-Chinese Economic Forum “Amuraxpo“, which is the field platform of the Eastern Economic Forum, was completed. This year, the VEF takes place in the anniversary, the tenth time. The forum will be given special attention, as the development of international cooperation with friendly countries. Relations between Russia and China are an important stabilizing factor in world politics and economics. With every year, every year between every year. Our countries are more than economic and cultural. Our task is to help the region attract investors, develop partnerships with friendly countries, to build new enterprises, the quality of life of people was created, ”said the deputy chairman of the government, the Presidential Plenipotentiary Committee, and the Chairman of the Organizational Committee of the Eastern Economic Forum Yuri Trutnev.

    The main color accent in the design of the Amur pavilion is red, since this color is present in the national flags of both countries – the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. The facade of the building is made of red perforated panels, on which you can read individual words and phrases about the achievements of the Amur Region.

    “The Eastern Economic Forum is the key event of the year for us. This unique venue allows us to conclude dozens of profitable agreements, agree on the implementation of promising investment projects in the region, and outline new directions for the region’s development. And the regional pavilion on Far East Street plays a huge role in attracting new investors, partners, and tourists. It should present all the region’s achievements, its prospects, and key projects in various fields in the most visual way possible. When developing the expositions, we try to introduce new details every year, using the most modern means, infographics, and multimedia,” said Vasily Orlov, Governor of the Amur Region.

    The first floor of the Amur Region pavilion is dedicated to Russian-Chinese cooperation. The stand will present existing and prospective joint projects. Among them are the Golden Mile, an international automobile bridge and a cross-border cable car. Guests of the pavilion will be able to learn about key Russian-Chinese cultural, sports and economic events that have taken place over the past ten years. The work of the competence center created under the President’s instructions will also be shown.

    The second floor of the region’s exposition is designed as a chemical laboratory, with an emphasis on polymer processing and products obtained from them. The walls will display information about the anchor projects of the region’s gas chemical industry – the Amur Gas Chemical Plant and the Amur Gas Chemical Complex. The third floor will traditionally become a meeting place for representatives of the region with partners and potential investors, a negotiation area and signing of agreements.

    In addition, in a separate pavilion “Made in Amur Region”, visitors to the exhibition will be able to purchase kvass, honey, dried fruits, snacks, sausages and confectionery, green tea, as well as souvenirs from Amur craftsmen. The adjacent territory will house a tourist zone with a geodome “Tourism in Amur Region”. At the site, representatives of the Hospitality Agency of Amur Region will talk about the tourism potential of the region in an interactive space.

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, a thematic interactive stand will be installed near the regional pavilion. The exhibition will include unique historical materials, photographs, veterans’ memories and interactive elements allowing visitors to delve deeper into the events of those years. Also this year, a concert stage will return to the territory of the Amur Region pavilion.

    The 10th Eastern Economic Forum will be held on September 3–6 at the campus of the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok. During these days, the exhibition will be available to forum participants, and on September 7, 8, and 9, it will be open to everyone. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Xtract One Selected by Meridian Public Schools to Strengthen Safety Across the District

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Xtract One Technologies (TSX: XTRA)(OTCQX: XTRAF)(FRA: 0PL) (“Xtract One” or the “Company”) today announced its SmartGateway has been selected by Meridian Public School District (MPSD) in Meridian, Mississippi to amplify school safety throughout its campuses. The comprehensive, customizable entry screening solution is designed to unobtrusively scan students and visitors with the ability to detect concealed threats before they are brought onto campus, maintaining a secure, yet welcoming, school environment.

    Understanding the importance of fostering a safe learning environment, Meridian Public Schools is set to deploy Xtract One’s SmartGateway initially for the High School, and with plans to eventually deploy across all ten campuses, prioritizing the safety of over 4,500 students and 1,000 employees. After evaluating several safety solutions, Meridian Public Schools selected SmartGateway due to its proven ability to deliver advanced detection capabilities with minimal disruptions.

    “Proactive threat detection is crucial for preventing disturbance in educational institutions. The right system combined with a strategic, holistic, and people-first plan makes for an even more effective safety protocol,” said Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One. “We’re excited to expand our school footprint working with Meridian Public Schools, as our presence helps ensure that students and faculty can prioritize a focus on education without personal safety concerns.”

    “At Meridian Public Schools, maintaining the safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our highest priority and our partnership with Xtract One is an example of that,” said Chief Cornelius Parks, Chief of Police at Meridian Public School District. “We’re passionate about cultivating safer spaces for the community that allow individuals to enter our buildings, and experience a positive learning environment. The implementation of SmartGateway demonstrates the shared commitment between MPSD and Xtract One in proactively detecting and addressing security challenges and creating safer environments for the community that allow individuals to enjoy campus life, experience an optimal learning environment, and have peace of mind.

    SmartGateway replaces intimidating metal detectors with fast, reliable, and accurate weapons screening at security checkpoints. Powered by AI sensors, SmartGateway detects threats discreetly, without invading the sense of privacy of those passing through the system. SmartGateway unobtrusively scans individuals for guns, knives, and other prohibited items as they enter the building. The system allows for seamless passage through checkpoints, enabling uninterrupted flow of movement that lets individuals enter the building significantly reducing the need to divest of low volume personal items.

    To learn more, visit www.xtractone.com.

    About Xtract One
    Xtract One Technologies is a leading technology-driven provider of threat detection and security solutions leveraging AI to deliver seamless and secure experiences. The Company makes unobtrusive weapons and threat detection systems that are designed to assist facility operators in prioritizing- and delivering improved “Walk-right-In” experiences while enhancing safety. Xtract One’s innovative portfolio of AI-powered Gateway solutions excels at allowing facilities to discreetly screen and identify weapons and other threats at points of entry and exit without disrupting the flow of traffic. With solutions built to serve the unique market needs for schools, hospitals, arenas, stadiums, manufacturing, distribution, and other customers, Xtract One is recognized as a market leader delivering the highest security in combination with the best individual experience. For more information, visit www.xtractone.com or connect on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

    About Meridian Public School District
    The Meridian Public School District strives to inspire and develop excellence in everyone. MPSD serves 4,500 students on ten school campuses. For more information, please visit us on the web at www.mpsdk12.net.

    About Threat Detection and Security Solutions
    Xtract One solutions, when properly configured, deployed, and utilized, are designed to help enhance safety and reduce threats. Given the wide range of potential threats in today’s world, no threat detection system is 100% effective. Xtract One solutions should be utilized as one element in a multilayered approach to physical security.

    Forward Looking Statements
    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, are “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks detailed from time to time in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company has no obligation to update any forward looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law.

    For further information, please contact:
    Xtract One Inquiries: info@xtractone.com, http://www.xtractone.com   
    Investor Relations: Chris Witty, Darrow Associates, cwitty@darrowir.com, 646-438-9385
    Media Contact: Kristen Aikey, JMG Public Relations, kristen@jmgpr.com, 212-206-1645

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nearly 1,200 cared for children supported to do well in school

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Thursday, 17th July 2025

    More than 1,160 children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent who are cared for – or were previously cared for – have been given extra help over the past year to succeed in their education.

    The city council’s Virtual School has helped young people in lots of ways, including building confidence, supporting schools with implementing strong support plans, providing funding for interventions and resources.

    It also offers advice and guidance to help prepare for the next stage of education and providing training to help schools understand the needs of children, who are care experienced and have a social worker.

    The specialist team behind the Virtual School support young people who are, or have been, in care. They work with schools, carers and social workers to ensure cared for children get the support they need to do well and feel confident in the classroom.

    Their work also focuses on improving outcomes for children and the use of bespoke Personal Education Plans (PEPs) for looked after children continues to form the basis for support and delivering outcomes.

    The Virtual School also leads on a number of city wide projects to upskill schools in Relational Approaches in Education (RAiE), raising attainment for disadvantaged youngsters, as well as a summer transition programme for those leaving secondary school.

    One of the most successful schemes has been the RAiE Project, which focused on schools adopting relational approaches and understanding children who suffer with attachment and trauma difficulties. So far, 46 schools have taken part over the last three years and seven of them have Bronze Awards, five have Silver Awards and the New Guild Trust has just won the 2025 Alex Timpson Attachment Award for the Midlands.

    Another impactful project is the summer programme run with YMCA North Staffordshire to help teenagers transition and get ready to start college or training in September. Over the last two years, 90 per cent of those young people who have attended have been in education, employment and training in the September.

    The summer sessions included college visits, CV writing and team-building activities.

    Councillor Sarah Jane Colclough, cabinet member for children’s services at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We’re proud to support cared for children by giving them the tools and confidence they need to achieve their goals – that support can change lives.

    “The Virtual School has achieved great things in the last year and has had a profound positive impact on children and young people in the city.

    “Outcomes for many young people have been improved thanks to the hard work of the service and not only does this improve life chances for our young residents, but it also helps with tackling inequality in the city and building empowered communities.”

    Looking ahead, plans are in place to:

    • Improve attainment for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
    • Improve school attendance
    • Improve support for children and young people at risk of being not in education, employment or training
    • Make sure children’s views are heard and acted on

    The work is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to helping every cared for child achieve their full potential.

    For more information on the Virtual School, visit the website: www.stoke.gov.uk/virtualschool

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pasifika secondary students explore leadership and future pathways at EIT

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

    6 hours ago

    Pasifika secondary students from across Hawke’s Bay came together at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale for a new leadership event focused on identity, connection and pathways to tertiary education.

    The HB Pasifika Secondary School Leadership Mini Conference brought together more than 100 students from 26 schools for a day of interactive workshops, cultural affirmation and future-focused kōrero.

    Hosted by EIT’s Cultural and Learner Support, Liaison and MPTT teams in collaboration with the Pasifika Teachers Committee, the event aimed to inspire young Pasifika leaders and strengthen ties between schools and tertiary education.

    Special guest speaker Danny Toala, a professional rugby player and old boy of Hastings Boys’ High School, shared his personal journey and reflections with students. Toala has played for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies and Moana Pasifika and now plays for French Pro D2 club Oyonnax.

    Sharon Malaitai, EIT Pasifika Student Support Advisor, said the day was about giving students a sense of what learning in a tertiary environment feels like. It also helped them see themselves in that space.

    “It’s been really engaging. The day was about helping our Pasifika learners see themselves in tertiary education, having the same confidence as their ancestors to navigate through any challenges.”

    “Also allowing the students the experience of learning in a tertiary space, and that feeling of belonging and being here at EIT,” she said.

    Workshops throughout the day focused on identity and leadership, understanding how the brain works, learning about student support services and exploring available courses.

    “One workshop looked at understanding your identity, recognising the strengths and challenges that come with that and how they can help you through your educational journey,” said Sharon.

    “Another was about understanding the brain, and how to overcome some of the challenges students might be dealing with. Others focused on practical support like scholarships and financial help, and understanding what courses are available.”

    Sharon said the strength of the day lay in the connections. These included those among the students and those between the community and the institution.

    “This all started with a community connection. It’s something the Pasifika Teachers Hawke’s Bay Committee was navigating and then reached out to me for support. It shows the strength and importance of relationships and just having the students here is powerful. It’s a way of re-acknowledging what our community values are.”

    Pasifika Teachers Hawke’s Bay Committee board member Blossom Sale said the event was part of a wider effort to provide termly leadership and connection opportunities for Pasifika students across the region.

    “The whole purpose is to connect young Pasifika leaders, not only within their schools but with other schools as well,” she said. “It’s about building relationships, giving them tools and resources, and promoting education within our Pasifika communities.”

    She credited Sharon and the team at EIT for creating an experience that was not only informative but uplifting.

    “It’s been awesome seeing the students engage and also hearing that there is real support here at EIT.”

    Blossom said many Pasifika students face a difficult transition from high school to study or work.

    “We’re just trying to stand in that gap. This is about helping them see their options, whether that’s study, trades or work. And journeying with them through that process.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: More than 1 in 4 Canadians (27%) Say They Can’t Pay All Their Bills at a Time When Millions Face Mortgage Rate Increases – TransUnion Study  

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • 44% of Canadians surveyed say they plan to cut discretionary spending.
    • Among Canadians who said they don’t anticipate being able to pay all their bills and loans in full, 68% said it’s their credit card payments they won’t be able to make.
    • While 46% of Canadians said they were targeted by fraud in the last three months, 37% reported taking no action in response to cybersecurity concerns.
    • Over half (53%) of Gen X Canadians feel their financial situation is worse than planned, compared to only 30% of Gen Z.

    TORONTO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Canadians continue to navigate economic uncertainty, many are adjusting their financial behaviours in response to affordability pressures and rising costs. According to TransUnion’s (NYSE: TRU) Q2 2025 Canada Consumer Pulse Study1, 51% of Canadians surveyed had a recession in their top three household financial concerns over the next six months, and nearly half of all surveyed (44%) plan to reduce discretionary spending in the next three months. Canadians are also shifting to thriftier shopping options – 63% said they look for sales and discounts more frequently, 40% shop more frequently at more affordable retailers, and 31% use more coupons. These changes come at a time when over a quarter (27%) of Canadians say they won’t be able to pay all their current bills and loans in full and millions of Canadians’ mortgage payments face potential repayment increases.

    Among Canadians who said they won’t be able to pay of their bills, 68% reported they won’t be able to pay off their total credit card payments. This could be due to these consumers prioritizing other credit payments, like mortgages. Despite the overall inflation rate returning to the Bank of Canada’s target, 96% of Canadians remain concerned about the current rate of inflation and the vast majority (83%) of all surveyed Canadian consumers had inflation in their top three household financial concerns over the next six months.

    “Canadians are navigating a challenging financial landscape, with many adjusting their spending and prioritizing bill payments in response to rising costs and economic uncertainty,” said Matt Fabian, director of financial services research and consulting at TransUnion Canada. “Our latest Consumer Pulse data shows that affordability concerns are top of mind, and many are taking proactive steps to stay financially resilient.”

    Mortgage Renewal Stress Drives Payment Shock and Shifts in Financial Priorities
    Additional research from TransUnion Canada shows that mortgage renewal stress is a key factor contributing to financial strain. As Canadians who purchased homes during the COVID-19 pandemic – when interest rates were at historic lows – begin renewing their mortgages, many are facing significantly higher payments, resulting in payment shock. This financial pressure is particularly evident among Gen X Canadians, with over half (53%) saying in the latest Consumer Pulse Study that their financial situation is worse than planned, the highest by far than any other generation surveyed.

    According to The Bank of Canada’s Financial Stability Report – 2025, around 60% of Canadians’ mortgages are up for renewal in 2025 or 2026. TransUnion’s analysis shows that many of those who purchased homes during the COVID-19 pandemic – when interest rates were at historic lows – are now facing higher interest rates as they begin renewing their mortgages. The Consumer Pulse data suggests that this is leading to payment shock, a significant and often expected increase in debt payments.

    TransUnion analysis shows that since March 2022, over two million consumers have experienced an increase in monthly mortgage payments, with the average monthly mortgage payment for these consumers increasing by 25% in the last three years from $1,527 in March 2022 to $1,908 in March 2025.

    Consumers whose monthly mortgage payments have increased by 25% or more are also accumulating greater credit card debt – more than double the rate of those who did not have an increase in their mortgage payment. Overall, Canadians are prioritizing making mortgage payments over other credit obligations, which is leading to higher delinquencies.

    Uncertainty and continued high interest rates have most likely negatively impacted mortgage demand. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Canadians indicated in the latest Consumer Pulse Study that they are not considering purchasing a home in the next year. This may point to many consumers may be continuing to hold out for interest rate relief from the Bank of Canada.

    “We’re at a critical moment where many Canadians who took on mortgages during the pandemic—when interest rates were at historic lows—are now facing rising payments and affordability pressures,” said Fabian. “With nearly CA$1.8 trillion in outstanding mortgage balances and 60% of mortgage holders up for renewal by 2026, millions could experience payment shock. Yet, despite these challenges, Canadians continue to demonstrate financial resilience—adapting their spending habits, prioritizing bill payments, and taking steps to help recession-proof their finances.”

    Consumers Wary of Carrying Debt and Shift Shopping Habits as Economic Volatility Persists
    Economic volatility has remained top of mind for many Canadians as over half (51%) in the Q2 2025 Consumer Pulse Study cite a recession as one of their top three financial concerns in the next six months. This uncertainty has continued to limit credit participation among Canadians of all generations, with nearly a third (30%) of all surveyed saying they are uncomfortable with owning credit products.

    In effort to balance their household budgets and remain financially resilient, 74% of Canadians who said we’re currently in a recession or will be in one by the end of Q2 reported they plan on reducing their spending in order to prepare for one. Among all Canadians surveyed, many said they adjusted their shopping habits in the last three months, including:

    • Looking more frequently for sales and discounts (63%)
    • Buying more generic or store brands (41%)
    • Shopping more frequently at affordable retailers (40%)
    • Shopping at retailers with loyalty programs more often (33%)
    • Using more coupons (31%)
    • Taking advantage of credit card offers for special discounts more often (16%)

    To curb spending, Canadians are making various cutbacks, such as digital subscriptions, with 25% reporting they cancelled a subscription or membership in the past three months.

    Fraud Awareness Remains High, but Nearly 4 in 10 Canadians are Taking No Action
    Canadians remain aware of fraud risks and nearly half (46%) of those TransUnion surveyed reported being targeted by email, online, phone call or text message fraud attempts in the past three months. Despite these risks, the Consumer Pulse data indicates that over a third (37%) of Canadians said they took no action in the last 60 days in response to cybersecurity concerns. Of these individuals, 44% said they did nothing because they were unsure of what actions to take.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries, including Canada, where we’re the credit bureau of choice for the financial services ecosystem and most of Canada’s largest banks. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care.

    Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world.

    For more information visit: transunion.ca

    For more information or to request an interview, contact:

    Contact: Katie Duffy
    E-mail: katie.duffy@ketchum.com
    Telephone: +1 647-772-0969

    1 TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Survey of 982 adults was conducted May 5–18, 2025

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo Shows Global Focus on Cooperation and Openness

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — The 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) opened in Beijing on Wednesday, with global business leaders and officials unanimously calling for stronger supply chains through open markets, innovation and multilateral cooperation.

    “This event is not just a trade show. It is a forest of connections between economies, industries and people,” said John Denton, secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in his speech. “We are here to promote our shared prosperity.”

    His words reflected a broad consensus among participants: building trust and deepening integration – from AI innovation to global manufacturing cooperation – are essential to effectively address growing global uncertainties.

    CISCE 2025, held from July 16 to 20, brought together more than 650 companies and institutions from 75 countries, regions and international organizations, as well as over 500 of their upstream and downstream partners.

    Foreign exhibitors accounted for 35 percent of the total number of participants, indicating sustainable business interest despite the strengthening geopolitical and economic headwinds.

    Organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the event is the world’s first national-level exhibition dedicated exclusively to supply chains.

    Ahead of the event, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, said the active participation of multinational companies reflects “the continuing momentum and irreversibility of globalization.”

    He noted that China, with the world’s most complete and largest industrial system, is playing an increasingly important role in driving global development through digital and green transformation and is increasingly seen as a laboratory for innovation.

    China’s expanding role in global innovation ecosystems, especially in AI, was highlighted by US tech giant Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who spoke at CISCE for the first time.

    Calling China’s supply chain a “phenomenon,” he highlighted the country’s rapidly advancing AI technologies and their global reach. “China’s open-source AI is a catalyst for global progress,” he said, as it enables greater access to innovation and supports international cooperation on standards and safeguards.

    In an interview on the sidelines of the show, Jensen Huang reiterated Nvidia’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market. “If you want to stay in the game, you have to invest,” he said. “The market is moving so fast and the competition is so intense – we have to keep growing.”

    He added that China’s tech market is growing rapidly and remains a key focus for the company, calling it “a very important market with dynamic, innovative customers.”

    The exhibition comes as China has announced economic growth of 5.3 percent in the first half of 2025, despite growing challenges and external uncertainties.

    “China is entering a new cycle of market opportunities,” Lin Chunmei, general manager of Corning Greater China, told Xinhua. “With the rise of AI and cloud computing technologies, the AI infrastructure market is growing faster than ever.”

    She noted that China’s stable and resilient economy, along with a stable and open business environment, continues to support enterprise growth. “We have seen consistent improvements in China’s business environment over the past decades,” she added.

    At the opening ceremony, CCPIT and global business representatives launched a joint initiative calling for supply chain stability and security, digital and green transformation, and stronger international cooperation.

    CCPIT Chairman Ren Hongbin said the expo has become a platform for China’s high-level opening-up, calling for joint efforts to safeguard multilateralism and build a more connected future. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: What will batteries of the future be made of? Four scientists discuss the options – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    The majority of the world’s rechargeable batteries are now made using lithium-ion. Most rely on a combination of different rare earth metals such as cobalt or nickel for their electrodes. But around the world, teams of researchers are looking for alternative – and more sustainable – materials to build the batteries of the future.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we speak to four scientists  who are testing a variety of potential battery materials about the promises they may offer.

    When lithium-ion batteries emerged in the 1990s, they were a huge breakthrough, says Laurence Hardwick, a professor of electrochemistry at the University of Liverpool in the UK. He explains that lithium-ion batteries “ became commercialised at the same time as the mobile electronics industry really took off”. But their subsequent use in electric cars now presents “a challenge of scale”, given the use of rare earth minerals within their components.

    Hardwick is director of the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, named after the 19th-century engineer George Stephenson – builder of the world’s first inter-city rail link between Liverpool and Manchester, which passed close by to the University of Liverpool’s campus.

    Hardwick’s work focuses on what other materials could be used either in conjunction with lithium, or on their own, to diversify battery manufacturing away from rare earth metals. Part of this includes research on solid-state batteries, which use ceramic plates rather than a solvents to conduct the ions that provide the charge. “ Solid-state batteries offer a lot of potential energy-gaining benefits and safety benefits,” he says.

    Sodium-ion is also being touted as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Robert Armstrong, principal research fellow in chemistry at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, is part of a consortium of UK-based researchers working on questions around sodium-ion batteries, including what type of electrodes and electrolytes work best.

    Like potassium-ion, which is also a potential battery candidate, sodium-ion is heavier than lithium-ion, but Armstrong says sodium is  fairly evenly abundant: “So you don’t have the supply issues that might affect lithium-ion, and you’re not like to see the same price volatility.”

    Some Chinese manufacturers in China, such as BYD and CATL, are pushing ahead with sodium-ion batteries for cars, despite the fact they’re heavier than lithium-ion batteries. There’s also interest in sodium-based technology in countries in the Arabian Gulf that use desalination plants. “They’ve got all this sodium kicking around. Why not make use of it?” says Armstrong.

    Batteries which biodegrade

    Terracell on display at the Prototypes for Humanity 2024 showcase in Dubai.
    Gemma Ware, CC BY-SA

    Other researchers are looking at how to make batteries out of plant-based materials that are biodegradable. Bill Yen, a PhD candidate in electrical engineering at Stanford University, is part of a team who are developing Terracell, a type of battery that generates power using microbes in the soil.

    Their inspiration was how to power environmental sensors in damp environments without leaving lots of electronic waste behind at the end of the battery’s life. Terracell won the energy category of the Prototypes for Humanity 2024 event in 2024 in Dubai, a  showcase for sustainable solutions to the world’s problems.

    Also in Dubai was Ulugbek Asimov, a professor of mechanical and construction engineering at Northumbria University in the UK, who is developing BioPower Cells, a type of rechargeable battery made from waste products such as coffee which doesn’t contain any rare earth metals. “  And at the end of its lifespan, we drop it into boiling water and it will be turned into liquid ionic fertilizer,” Asimov said.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly to hear the conversations with these four scientists about their work and the batteries of the future.

    Applications are now open for early career researchers to submit their projects for the Prototypes for Humanity 2025 awards and showcase in Dubai.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware with assistance from Mend Mariwany and Katie Flood. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

    Bill Yen has received funding for his work on Terracell from National Science Foundation, the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative and support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,VMware Research, and 3M. Laurence Hardwick has received funding from the Faraday Institution and is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Ulugbek Asimoz has received funding from the Northern Accelerator Proof of Concept to develop certain stages of the BioPower Cells project, which will be a spinout company from Northumbria University in the future. Robert Armstrong has received funding from the Faraday Institution and funding from EPSRC and Leverhulme Trust.

    – ref. What will batteries of the future be made of? Four scientists discuss the options – podcast – https://theconversation.com/what-will-batteries-of-the-future-be-made-of-four-scientists-discuss-the-options-podcast-261294

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We understand the same, but read differently: how native language affects reading in English

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Researchers from the international MECO project, including specialists Center of Language and Brain HSE University has developed a tool to study English reading in speakers of more than 19 languages. In a large-scale experiment involving more than 1,200 people, scientists tracked eye movements while reading the same texts in English, and then analyzed the level of comprehension. The results showed that even with the same comprehension, the reading process – where the gaze lingers, where it returns, which words it skips – depends on the native language and level of English proficiency.Studypublished in Studies in Second Language Acquisition.

    Reading in a foreign language is a complex skill, especially if the reader’s native language is very different. To find out how native language affects reading in English, scientists from 36 universities, including HSE, have teamed up in an international projectMeco, created in 2020. As part of the project, they record the eye movements of native speakers of different languages while reading texts in their native language and in English, and then analyze how fluent the reading is, where the eyes stumble, and what strategies the reader uses.

    In the new wave of the MECO project, scientists added data on English reading from 660 people, collected in 16 labs in Europe, Asia, and South America. The experiment was conducted in two stages. First, participants completed behavioral tests: spelling, vocabulary, reading words and pseudowords, motivation, and nonverbal intelligence. Then they silently read 12 short texts in English from a computer screen (approximately at the level of American native-speaking students) and answered questions about their content. During this time, the participants’ eye movements were recorded using the EyeLink eye tracker. The study used both new results and information collected in previous stages of the project. In total, the scientists analyzed data from more than 1,200 participants.

    The results showed that most participants handled questions about the content of the texts equally well: they understood 70–75% of what they read. However, there was a large spread in the data regarding reading fluency. Native English speakers read the fastest: they had fewer fixations (gaze stops), skipped words more often, and reread less often. The German participants were the most similar to English speakers. However, native speakers of Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and other languages read less fluently and used different strategies.

    Interestingly, the level of text comprehension was almost independent of eye movements: participants showed the same results when answering questions on the content regardless of their reading speed. However, fluency was highly dependent on the level of English: the better the participant coped with language tests — vocabulary, grammar, and others — the more confidently their gaze behaved: fewer rereads, more skipped words, fewer fixations.

    “We now have a tool that allows us to assess English reading in 19 languages. MECO’s open data allows us to compare reading in different languages, compare native speakers and language learners, and track the influence of the native language’s writing system – Latin, Chinese characters, or ligature,” the authors of the article say. “Over the course of several years, more than 1,200 people have taken part in the project. These data are the basis for dozens of future studies on how native language affects text perception and English reading skills.”

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • President urges citizens to adopt zero-waste practices, lauds school-level cleanliness drive

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday presented the Swachh Survekshan Awards at a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in the national capital. The awards, which recognise the cleanliness efforts of cities across the country, mark the culmination of the world’s largest cleanliness survey for the year 2024, with participation from state governments, urban local bodies and over 14 crore citizens.

    In her address, the President underscored the cultural and spiritual significance of cleanliness in Indian society. “Cleanliness has been a part of our way of life since ancient times. From our homes to places of worship, maintaining hygiene has always been seen as a virtue,” she said, adding that Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of cleanliness continue to inspire the Swachh Bharat Mission.

    Recalling her own beginnings in public life, President Murmu said her work on sanitation as Vice President of a Notified Area Council laid the foundation for her political journey. “I used to visit municipal wards daily and oversee the cleaning work. That experience taught me the value of cleanliness in public life,” she said.

    She drew attention to the enduring relevance of traditional practices in addressing modern challenges of waste management. “The principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle – now recognised globally as pillars of a circular economy – are deeply embedded in our traditional lifestyles,” she noted.

    “The modern systems of circularity could be strengthened by adopting such behaviours and traditions,” she said, adding that minimising waste and repurposing resources had long been integral to Indian living.

    Underscoring the need for proper waste segregation, President Murmu emphasised that source segregation remains the first and most crucial step in the waste management value chain. Zero-waste colonies, she said, are setting commendable examples of responsible urban living.

    The President also lauded the School Level Assessment initiative, which aims to instil cleanliness as a core value among students. Such early interventions, she said, could have long-term benefits in shaping responsible citizens.

    Plastic and electronic waste, however, continue to pose a serious challenge, the President said. While the Central government banned certain single-use plastic items in 2022 and introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines for plastic packaging the same year, effective implementation remains critical. “It is the responsibility of all stakeholders-producers, brand owners, and importers-to ensure that these guidelines are followed in letter and spirit,” she stated.

    President Murmu added that cleanliness is not just a matter of hygiene, but also has cultural, economic, and geographical implications. She expressed confidence that citizens across the country would continue to contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission with dedication and commitment. With collective effort and strong resolve, she said, India can emerge as one of the cleanest nations by 2047, when the country marks 100 years of independence.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than £1 million invested in holiday activities and food this summer

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    They include 35,862 places available for eligible children and young people, as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, delivered at 46 locations across the city by 36 providers thanks to over £1 million worth of investment.

    There’s something for everyone with activities ranging from sports and outdoor adventures to arts and crafts, trips, drama and productions, martial arts, cooking, snooker and much more – visit Yo! Wolverhampton Young Opportunities for full details.

    These activities and food are open to all eligible children and young people who attend a Wolverhampton school and receive a benefit related free school meal.

    The City of Wolverhampton Council has also extended the offer to children who are supported by a Wolverhampton based social worker, children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and children who are home educated.

    There are also a wide range of summer holiday activities open to all children and young people, including those who are not eligible for the HAF programme. For full details, please visit Yo! Wolverhampton Young Opportunities.

    Meanwhile the council’s popular Yo! Active programme, delivered in partnership with Wolves Foundation, will be offering a wide range of free activities to children and young people aged up to 18, or 25 for care leavers or those with a disability, including free swimming, pool parties, gym and court hire, multi sport sessions, a Nerf Club, special activities for the under 5s and more. See the full timetable at Yo! Active – Summer Holiday Activities and sign up for free at Yo! Active.

    All places are offered on a first come, first served basis and demand is always high, so people are encouraged to book activities as soon as possible.

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “This is a bumper holiday and food activities programme and we’re proud of funding so many places at so many locations across the city this summer.

    “But please don’t delay in booking, as you could be disappointed with so many fun and different activities on offer that will be snapped up quickly.”

    For details of HAF eligibility for the Department for Education funded programme, please visit Yo! Wolverhampton Young Opportunities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New appointments to Board of the Office for Environmental Protection

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    New appointments to Board of the Office for Environmental Protection

    Two appointments and two re-appointments to the OEP Board

    Professor Elizabeth Fisher and Caroline May have been appointed as Non-Executive Directors of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), and Professor Dan Laffoley and Dr Paul Leinster CBE have been reappointed for second terms.

    Elizabeth Fisher’s and Caroline May’s new roles will run from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2029. Dan Laffoley’s and Paul Leinster’s second terms will run from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2026.

    The appointments have been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

    The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) was created in November 2021 under the Environment Act. It is an independent statutory body with a remit to protect and improve the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account in England and Northern Ireland.

    Biographies

    Professor Elizabeth Fisher

    • Professor Elizabeth Fisher is Professor of Environmental Law at the Faculty of Law and a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford.

    • She has over three decades of experience as an environmental law academic and writes widely on environmental law and administrative law in national common law jurisdictions.

    • She was General Editor of the Journal of Environmental Law from 2012 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2025 she held a Leverhulme Major Research Fellowship for a project exploring legal imagination and environmental law.

    • She is a Delegate of Oxford University Press and has served as Vice Dean of the Oxford Law Faculty. She is also an Overseas Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and has been a Member of the OEP’s Advisory Group on Environmental Principles since 2023.

    Caroline May

    • Caroline May has been a specialist environmental  lawyer for over 35 years. She is currently head of the environment, ESG and safety practice for Europe, Middle East and Asia at global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, where she has been a partner since 2006.

    • She is Chair of the Law Society Climate Change Committee which produced the world’s first professional services guidance on climate change.

    • She is Honorary President of the Legal Sustainability Alliance and a former Director of leading sustainability NGO, the Aldersgate Group. She sat on the National Council of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA) for 6 years.

    • She is a Freeman of the City of London and is listed in the Ends Power List 2024, as a Green Ambassador for the UK by Legal 500, and in the Guide to the World’s Leading Environmental Lawyers.

    Professor Dan Laffoley

    • Professor Dan Laffoley is a scientist, communicator, explorer and marine biologist, with over four decades of experience in the UK, Europe and around the world.  He is a UK and international expert on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and conservation.

    • He is Emeritus Marine Vice Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s World Commission on Protected Areas responsible for global targets and guidance on ocean protection.

    • Prior to that he led the development and scale-up of the marine conservation work of Natural England and English Nature. He has been responsible for the creation of many global, European and UK public and private sector partnerships, alliances and frameworks that underpin modern-day marine conservation.

    • This work includes creating the concept behind Blue Carbon, scaling up knowledge and action on ocean warming, acidification and deoxygenation, scaling-up work on marine World Heritage and conservation of the High Seas, and various global guidance on implementing MPAs and marine spatial planning.

    Dr Paul Leinster CBE

    • Dr Paul Leinster CBE has over 40 years of practical experience in environmental management, science, policy and regulatory development and implementation in the private and public sectors.

    • He is Chair of Water Resources East, the Cambridge Water Scarcity Group, the Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership, the Great Ouse Rivers Trust, and the Upper and Bedford Ouse Catchment Partnership and is a Board Member of Delphic HSE.

    • He is a visiting professor at Cranfield University where from October 2015 to December 2020 he was Professor of Environmental Assessment and was a Member of the Government’s Natural Capital Committee.

    • Immediately prior to this, he was Chief Executive of the Environment Agency for more than seven years. Prior to joining the EA in 1998 he worked for more than 20 years in the private sector.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 16 year olds to be given right to vote through seismic government election reforms

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    16 year olds to be given right to vote through seismic government election reforms

    Sixteen year olds will be given the right to vote in all UK elections as part of seismic changes to modernise UK democracy

    • Modernisation of UK democracy will see 16 and 17 year olds able to vote in next general election
    • Voter ID to be extended to include bank cards to help more people exercise their democratic right
    • Tougher new rules to guard against foreign political interference and abuse of campaigners

    Sixteen year olds will be given the right to vote in all UK elections as part of seismic changes to modernise UK democracy, delivering a key manifesto commitment and helping to restore trust in politics through our Plan for Change.         

    This will mean young people, who already contribute to society by working, paying taxes and serving in the military, will be given the right to vote on the issues that affect them. This will bring UK-wide elections in line with Scotland and Wales and is a major step towards meeting a manifesto commitment, ushering in the biggest change to UK democracy in a generation. 

    The plans, published today [17 July] in a new strategy paper, will boost democratic engagement in a changing world, and help to restore trust in UK democracy.     

    As part of the plans, the government is going further to make sure eligible voters are not deterred from voting, by expanding voter ID to permit the use of UK-issued bank cards as an accepted form of ID at the polling station. This is alongside harnessing more digital options to support voters and polling station staff, including allowing accepted IDs such as the Veteran Card and UK driving licence to be used at polling stations when they become available in digital format.  

    A new digital Voter Authority Certificate will also be created to ensure Electoral Registration Officers can meet the digital needs of voters, reduce printing costs and ensure faster delivery.  

    An increasingly automated voter registration system will also make it easier for people to register to vote and reduce the need to fill out their details across different government services on multiple occasions.      

    Major new changes will boost transparency and accountability in politics by closing loopholes that would allow foreign donors via ‘shell companies’ to influence UK political parties. Meanwhile, new requirements on unincorporated associations will mandate checks on donations over £500 to tackle foreign interference and protect UK democracy from those who attempt to undermine it.   

    Alongside this, the reforms will allow the Electoral Commission to take action and enforce heavier fines of up to £500,000 on those who breach political finance rules, and enable tougher sentences for those who abuse election campaigners – stabilising the foundations of UK democracy.     

    Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:       

    “For too long public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline.       

    “We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change, and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give sixteen year olds the right to vote.   

    “We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future.”       

    Minister for Democracy, Rushanara Ali, said:    

    “We are modernising our democracy, so that it is fit for the 21st century. By delivering our manifesto commitment to extend the vote to 16 and 17 year olds, we are taking a generational step forward in restoring public trust and boosting engagement in UK democracy, supporting our Plan for Change.    

    “By reinforcing safeguards against foreign interference, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and protect them for future generations.”   

    Alongside expanding the right to vote, we are going further to restore and maintain public trust by ensuring elections are as accessible as possible for legitimate voters.      

    That’s why the government is making common sense changes to move towards an automated electoral registration system, stripping complexities and barriers for voters to make their lives easier. Learning from countries such as Australia and Canada, which have high rates of legitimate voter registration via automated systems, the government will bring the UK’s democracy into the 21st century.    

    At the same time, far too many people are being deterred from voting because of voter ID rules, with the Electoral Commission finding that 4% of non-voters at the 2024 General Election saying that a lack of voter ID was a key reason they didn’t vote, equating to around three quarters of a million people across Great Britain.   

    Boosting participation is crucial to restoring faith in democracy, and adding the Veteran ID card last year to the accepted forms of Voter ID was just the start of this. Through the new plans, the government is going further to allow UK-issued bank cards to be used as ID when voting, making it far easier for more voters to meet the requirements.     

    This change will allow us to continue to protect the integrity of the UK electoral system, while allowing greater accessibility. Bank cards, which are issued after the applicant has passed necessary security checks for a bank account, will add a widely and commonly carried item to the range of documents already accepted. Research on the ownership of bank cards shows that over 96% of the UK population has a bank account, with the majority expected to also have a bank card.   

    These measures will strike the right balance by continuing to protect voters from the risk of impersonation, while also removing barriers to ensure legitimate voters are not prevented or discouraged from exercising their right to vote.      

    Another key aspect of the reforms is ensuring UK democracy is protected and all voters, candidates, campaigners and electoral staff are safe from intimidation, harassment and abuse.    

    This behaviour is on the rise, particularly against women and ethnic minorities – with recent Electoral Commission research showing 55% of candidates at the 2024 General Election experienced abuse. The reforms will crack down on these unacceptable practices, delivering tougher sentences for those who intimidate campaigners and stronger protections for candidates in public life by removing the requirement for their home address to be published and openly available.    

    This supports ongoing work including through the Defending Democracy Taskforce, which was given a new mandate by the Prime Minister to coordinate and drive forward government’s response to the full range of threats to UK democracy.    

    That includes working across government with the police, parliamentary authorities, and the Electoral Commission to actively review our levers to tackle the harassment and intimidation of elected representatives, candidates, and electoral staff.  

    In relation to political finance, the changes being brought by the government will effectively meet an evolving and sophisticated threat of illicit money being funnelled from abroad to political parties. Tough new rules will ensure that in the future, ‘shell companies’ will not be permitted to make political donations to UK political parties.  

    This will end the status quo, where a new company registered today, owned by anyone, funded from anywhere, without even a single day of trade, can donate and have influence in UK politics.     

    The introduction of ‘Know your Donor’ checks will increase scrutiny of donations, requiring recipients to conduct enhanced checks to decrease the risk of illegitimate donations entering our system, guarding against foreign interference. This will close loopholes, reinforce our democracy and protect our citizens from those who seek to undermine and harm our society.    

    Further information:      

    • To deliver these changes, we will bring forward an elections bill. The bill will deliver the Government’s manifesto commitments and wider ambitions set out in this Strategy by putting in place the legislation required for these important reforms.
    • A subsequent programme of secondary legislation will set out the detail for implementation and we will provide more detail on implementation timings in due course.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU and the All-Russian Society “Knowledge” held an educational lecture for foreign students “Achievements of Crimea”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Official website of the State –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 16, 2025, a lecture “Achievements of Crimea” for foreign students at the State University of Management was held at the site of the State University of Management as part of the All-Russian Society “Knowledge” project.

    The speaker was Andrey Boltaevsky, a lecturer of the All-Russian Society “Knowledge”, head of the Department of Humanities and Foreign Languages at the Russian University of Cooperation, and candidate of historical sciences.

    Let us recall that the cooperation agreement between the State University of Management and the All-Russian Society “Knowledge” was signed at the end of last year.

    During the lecture, foreign students were introduced to the regional characteristics of the Republic of Crimea, the history of its return to the Russian Federation in 2014, the main attractions, the latest infrastructure, which includes the Crimean Bridge, the Tavrida highway, medical and energy facilities.

    Foreign students of the State University of Management are interested in the possibilities of visiting the Republic of Crimea, social relations between ethnic groups of the peninsula and the conditions of participation in the art cluster “Tavrida”, which is a platform of opportunities for creative youth.

    In conclusion, the students thanked the speaker for the informative information and wished success to the project “Learn Russia with Knowledge”.

    The Russian Society “Knowledge” is a public organization, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, which carries out educational work in the regions, forms intellectual content, organizes and conducts free lectures, as well as various events in the field of education, social support and social protection of students and pupils of educational institutions and the elderly. Today, this is an organization that unites tens of thousands of representatives of the Russian intelligentsia.

    The event was organized by the State University of Management and the All-Russian Society “Knowledge” with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Webinar on Building Resilient Workplaces: Mental Health Awareness and Support in NSOs

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    With more than 10% of the global population living with a mental disorder (WHO, 2019), and clear effects on staff wellbeing and performance, proactively addressing mental health has become a crucial issue in building a resilient workplace.

    This webinar aims to explore mental health challenges in the workplace, sharing experiences from various statistical offices —particularly the establishment of a mental health counselling centre.

    Please register by 15 September by following this link: https://forms.office.com/e/hme0AMr044

    If you registration is approved, you will receive a link to the webinar after the registration deadline. 

    Document Title

    Documents

    Information Flyer

     

    Opening

    Welcome speech from Indonesia Chief Statistician 

    		  

    Overview of the mental health in the workplace – WHO

    		  
    Recongizing common challenges – Professor José Guimarães Magalhães, Portugal  

    Experiences from national statistics offices

    		  

    Statistics Indonesia experience in establishing counselling centres

    • Overview of Counseling Centre – Dr. Eni Lestariningsih, S.Si, M.A b.
    • Technical Method of Counseling Centre: Yulias Untari, S.Psi, Psi c
    • Case Study & Mental Health Insight based on Counseling Centre result: Rany Komala Dewi, S.Psi, M.Psi.T & Siti Fani Daulay, S.Psi, M.Psi.T
    		  
    Addressing mental health stigma in the workplace – Philip O’Callaghan, Irish Civil Service Employee Assistance Service  
    Activities in the area of mental health done under umbrella of the Corporate Social Responsibility – Statistics Poland  

    Panel discussion

    		  
    Panel discussion  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: DWS to probe presence of ARVs in water after university study

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Thursday, July 17, 2025

    The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) says it will engage the North West University (NWU) on the study findings of traces of anti-retroviral (ARV) medicines in water resources.

    The research was conducted by the NWU’s Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management and the Africa Unit for Transdisciplinary Health Research. It found that ARVs appear to be entering water resources through municipal wastewater treatment systems, which were usually not designed to remove such chemicals.

    The report titled, ‘Quantification, fate, and hazard assessment of HIV-ARVs in water resources’, revealed significant concentrations of ARVs in water sources, particularly downstream of wastewater treatment plants.

    The drugs most frequently detected were lopinavir and efavirenz, with concentrations at some sites far exceeding global norms.

    According to the study, this is attributed to South Africa’s large-scale HIV treatment programme, the most extensive of its kind worldwide.

    The research highlighted alarming effects on aquatic ecosystems and wastewater management systems. Freshwater snails exposed to ARVs exhibited altered embryonic development, while bacteriophages – viruses critical to controlling bacteria in wastewater treatment – were significantly impacted.

    “Such disruptions could lead to bacterial bloom and reduced water quality. The consumption of any type of exogenous drug by any organism in sufficient quantities may intervene with the regulation of metabolic systems and bring about adverse effects. The presence of antiretrovirals in water can be considered a hidden or latent risk,” the report noted.

    The report was submitted to the Water Research Commission (WRC).

    The DWS said it will engage the university on its findings and potential impacts.

    “This will be done in conjunction with the Water Research Commission and the Department of Health,” the department said in a statement on Wednesday. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mandela Day: Regulator to roll up its sleeves

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Thursday, July 17, 2025

    In honour of Mandela Day, the Railway Safety Regulator is set to roll up its sleeves by painting classrooms, donating school uniforms and providing essential computer hardware and software to two schools in the Northern Cape.

    “In honour of Mandela Day 2025, Traxtion, AfriSam and the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) will be joining hands to make a tangible difference in the Northern Cape. Driven by a shared commitment to community upliftment, the organisations will invest time and resources in two deserving schools: Ulco Primary School and Delportshoop Intermediate School,” the RSR said in a statement.

    Friday’s initiative will also include the refurbishment of the Grade R playground.

    “In addition, the Delportshoop Community Library will receive much-needed support in the form of updated computer hardware and software,” the RSR said.

    South Africans will join the global community in commemorating Mandela’s legacy on 18 July 2025 for Nelson Mandela International Day, which is also known as Mandela Day.

    According to the National Mandela Foundation, the day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organisations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.

    Mandela was democratic South Africa’s founding President. – SAnews.gov.za 
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: New discovery at Cern could hint at why our universe is made up of matter and not antimatter

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By William Barter, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, University of Edinburgh

    Why didn’t the universe annihilate itself moments after the big bang? A new finding at Cern on the French-Swiss border brings us closer to answering this fundamental question about why matter dominates over its opposite – antimatter.

    Much of what we see in everyday life is made up of matter. But antimatter exists in much smaller quantities. Matter and antimatter are almost direct opposites. Matter particles have an antimatter counterpart that has the same mass, but the opposite electric charge. For example, the matter proton particle is partnered by the antimatter antiproton, while the matter electron is partnered by the antimatter positron.

    However, the symmetry in behaviour between matter and antimatter is not perfect. In a paper published this week in Nature, the team working on an experiment at Cern, called LHCb, has reported that it has discovered differences in the rate at which matter particles called baryons decay relative to the rate of their antimatter counterparts. In particle physics, decay refers to the process where unstable subatomic particles transform into two or more lighter, more stable particles.

    According to cosmological models, equal amounts of matter and antimatter were made in the big bang. If matter and antimatter particles come in contact, they annihilate one another, leaving behind pure energy. With this in mind, it’s a wonder that the universe doesn’t consist only of leftover energy from this annihilation process.

    However, astronomical observations show that there is now a negligible amount of antimatter in the universe compared to the amount of matter. We therefore know that matter and antimatter must behave differently, such that the antimatter has disappeared while the matter has not.

    Understanding what causes this difference in behaviour between matter and antimatter is a key unanswered question. While there are differences between matter and antimatter in our best theory of fundamental quantum physics, the standard model, these differences are far too small to explain where all the antimatter has gone.

    So we know there must be additional fundamental particles that we haven’t found yet, or effects beyond those described in the standard model. These would give rise to large enough differences in the behaviour of matter and antimatter for our universe to exist in its current form.

    Revealing new particles

    Highly precise measurements of the differences between matter and antimatter are a key topic of research because they have the potential to be influenced by and reveal these new fundamental particles, helping us discover the physics that led to the universe we live in today.

    Differences between matter and antimatter have previously been observed in the behaviour of another type of particle, mesons, which are made of a quark and an antiquark. There are also hints of differences in how the matter and antimatter versions of a further type of particle, the neutrino, behave as they travel.

    Equivalent amounts of matter and antimatter were generated by the Big Bang.
    Triff / Shutterstock

    The new measurement from LHCb has found differences between baryons and antibaryons, which are made of three quarks and three antiquarks respectively. Significantly, baryons make up most of the known matter in our universe, and this is the first time that we have observed differences between matter and antimatter in this group of particles.

    The LHCb experiment at the Large Hadron Collider is designed to make highly precise measurements of differences in the behaviour of matter and antimatter. The experiment is operated by an international collaboration of scientists, made up of over 1,800 people based in 24 countries. In order to achieve the new result, the LHCb team studied over 80,000 baryons (“lambda-b” baryons, which are made up of a beauty quark, an up quark and a down quark) and their antimatter counterparts.

    Crucially, we found that these baryons decay to specific subatomic particles (a proton, a kaon and two pions) slightly more frequently – 5% more often – than the rate at which the same process happens with antiparticles. While small, this difference is statistically significant enough to be the first observation of differences in behaviour between baryon and antibaryon decays.

    To date, all measurements of matter-antimatter differences have been consistent with the small level present in the standard model. While the new measurement from LHCb is also in line with this theory, it is a major step forward. We have now seen differences in the behaviour of matter and antimatter in the group of particles that dominate the known matter of the universe. It’s a potential step in the direction of understanding why that situation came to be after the big bang.

    With the current and forthcoming data runs of LHCb we will be able to study these differences forensically, and, we hope, tease out any sign of new fundamental particles that might be present.

    William Barter works for the University of Edinburgh. He receives funding from UKRI. He is a member of the LHCb collaboration at Cern.

    – ref. New discovery at Cern could hint at why our universe is made up of matter and not antimatter – https://theconversation.com/new-discovery-at-cern-could-hint-at-why-our-universe-is-made-up-of-matter-and-not-antimatter-261274

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The East is a promising business: Polytechnic and Chinese institutes on the way to new projects

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A delegation from Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI) and Tsinghua University Suzhou Automobile Research Institute (TSARI) arrived at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to strengthen their strategic partnership. The visit was led by JITRI First Deputy Director Gao Jun.

    China is a key partner of SPbPU: the university has more than 60 active agreements with Chinese universities and companies, including two large joint institutes in Jiangsu and Xi’an, where over a thousand students study. SPbPU itself has 2,200 Chinese students — almost half of the foreign contingent.

    The meeting participants discussed the expansion of academic mobility programs. Of particular interest was the JITRI Co-op internship program, which provides paid internships at leading Chinese research institutes and companies in the following areas: new materials, information and communication technologies, energy, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. The Polytechnic University confirmed its readiness to organize an open competition among talented students and young scientists to participate in the program.

    Scientific cooperation will also receive a boost: the parties agreed to intensify joint projects in the field of digital twins of power plants, artificial intelligence for industrial systems and polymer composite materials. Three major projects are already being implemented, including the BRICS grant won in sustainable development management with Nanjing University.

    “Today, our laboratories are looking to the East,” said Dmitry Arsenyev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at SPbPU. “China has not only caught up with the technological leaders, but is setting new standards, and the Polytechnic University will orient students toward internships at JITRI, in your laboratories and at production facilities. This is a new vector — from the fundamental research of the Polytechnic University to Chinese industrial practice.”

    In response, the JITRI delegation proposed the creation of working groups to develop specific initiatives, including joint workshops and the involvement of industrial partners.

    Prospects for cooperation include the participation of the Russian Academy of Sciences: SPbPU is closely connected with its St. Petersburg branch, which unites 50 research institutes. Rector of SPbPU and Chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Rudskoy signed a cooperation agreement in 2023 with Director of the Shanghai branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Hu Jinbo.

    “The doors of any institute of the Academy of Sciences are open to JITRI,” said Dmitry Germanovich, proposing to synchronize efforts with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. To ensure prompt work, the parties plan to hold a virtual round table in the coming months.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Former CPPCC National Committee Bureau Member Sentenced to Death with Suspension for Bribery

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 17 (Xinhua) — Wu Yingjie, a former member of the Bureau of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve on Wednesday for accepting bribes.

    According to the verdict handed down by the Third Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing, Wu Yingjie, who also previously served as chairman of the CPPCC National Committee’s Culture, Historical Information and Education Committee, was deprived of his political rights for life. All of his personal property and illegal income were confiscated and retained by the state.

    The court found that between June 2006 and February 2021, the defendant, while holding various positions in the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China, abused his official position to provide assistance to relevant organizations and third parties in matters such as concluding contracts for projects and conducting business activities, in exchange for which he received financial or material benefits from them worth more than 343 million yuan (about 48 million US dollars).

    The court found that the amount of bribes Wu Yingjie received was particularly large, the circumstances of his case were particularly aggravated, and the social consequences were extremely negative, which led to significant damage to the interests of the country and the people.

    However, the court gave Wu Yingjie a more lenient sentence given mitigating circumstances, including his reports of other people’s alleged illegal and criminal activities that were verified following the investigation, Wu Yingjie’s admission of guilt and remorse for his actions, and his active return of the property he had illegally appropriated. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –