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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Global: Colorado is tackling air pollution in vulnerable neighborhoods by regulating 5 air toxics

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jenni Shearston, Assistant Professor of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder

    The Suncor Refinery in Commerce City, Colo., is a known air polluter. RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images

    The Globeville, Elyria-Swansea and Commerce City communities in metro Denver are choked by air pollution from nearby highways, an oil refinery and a Superfund site.

    While these neighborhoods have long suffered from air pollution, they’re not the only ones in Colorado.

    Now, Colorado is taking a major step to protect people from air pollutants that cause cancer or other major health problems, called “air toxics.” For the first time, the state is developing its own state-level air toxic health standards.

    In north Denver, the 80216 ZIP code has been named one of the most polluted in the country. Rocky Mountain PBS created a two-part documentary about the history of this area and the impact the pollution has on current residents.

    In January 2025 Colorado identified five air toxics as “priority” chemicals: benzene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, hexavalent chromium compounds and hydrogen sulfide.

    The state is in the process of setting health-based standards that will limit the amount of each chemical allowed in the air. Importantly, the standards will be designed to protect people exposed to the chemicals long term, such as those living near emission sources. Exposure to even low amounts of some chemicals, such as benzene, may lead to cancer.

    As a researcher studying chemical exposure and health, I measure and evaluate the impact of air pollution on people’s well-being.

    Colorado’s new regulations will draw on expert knowledge and community input to protect people’s health.

    Communities know what needs regulation

    In your own community, is there a highway that runs near your house or a factory with a bad odor? Maybe a gas station right around the corner? You likely already know many of the places that release air pollution near you.

    When state or local regulators work with community members to find out what air pollution sources communities are worried about, the partnership can lead to a system that better serves the public and reduces injustice.

    For example, partnerships between community advocates, scientists and regulators in heavily polluted and marginalized neighborhoods in New York and Boston have had big benefits. These partnerships resulted in both better scientific knowledge about how air pollution is connected to asthma and the placement of air monitors in neighborhoods impacted the most.

    In Colorado, the process to choose the five priority air toxics included consulting with multiple stakeholders. A technical working group provided input on which five chemicals should be prioritized from the larger list of 477 toxic air contaminants.

    The working group includes academics, members of nongovernmental organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund – local government and regulated industries, such as the American Petroleum Institute.

    Community members often know which air toxics they want regulated.
    Hyoung Chang/Denver Post via GettyImages

    There were also opportunities for community participation during public meetings.

    At public hearings, community groups like GreenLatinos argued that formaldehyde, instead of acrolein, should be one of the prioritized air toxics because it can cause cancer.

    Additionally, formaldehyde is emitted in some Colorado communities that are predominantly people of color, according to advocates for those communities. These communities are already disproportionately impacted by high rates of respiratory disease and cancer.

    Other members of the community also weighed in.

    “One of my patients is a 16-year-old boy who tried to get a summer job working outside, but had to quit because air pollution made his asthma so bad that he could barely breathe,” wrote Logan Harper, a Denver-area family physician and advocate for Healthy Air and Water Colorado.

    How is air quality protected?

    At the national level, the Clean Air Act requires that six common air pollutants, such as ozone and carbon monoxide, are kept below specific levels. The act also regulates 188 hazardous air pollutants.

    Individual states are free to develop their own regulations, and several, including California and Minnesota, already have. States can set standards that are more health-protective than those in place nationally.

    Four of the five chemicals prioritized by Colorado are regulated federally. The fifth chemical, hydrogen sulfide, is not included on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous air pollutant list, but Colorado has decided to regulate it as an air toxic.

    State-level regulation is important because states can focus on air toxics specific to their state to make sure that the communities most exposed to air pollution are protected. One way to do this is to place air pollution monitors in the communities experiencing the worst air pollution.

    For example, Colorado is placing six new air quality monitors in locations around the state to measure concentrations of the five priority air toxics. It will also use an existing monitor in Grand Junction to measure air toxics. Two of the new monitors, located in Commerce City and La Salle, began operating in January 2024. The remainder will start monitoring the air by July 2025.

    When Colorado chose the sites, it prioritized communities that are overly impacted by social and environmental hazards. To do this, officials used indexes like the Colorado EnviroScreen, which combines information about pollution, health and economic factors to identify communities that are overly burdened by hazards.

    The Commerce City monitor is located in Adams City, a neighborhood that has some of the worst pollution in the state. The site has air toxics emissions that are worse than 95% of communities in Colorado.

    Air toxics and health

    The five air toxics that Colorado selected all have negative impacts on health. Four are known to cause cancer.

    Benzene, perhaps the most well known because of its ability to cause blood cancer, is one. But it also has a number of other health impacts, including dampening the ability of the immune system and impacting the reproductive system by decreasing sperm count. Benzene is in combustion-powered vehicle exhaust and is emitted during oil and gas production and refinement.

    Ethylene oxide can cause cancer and irritates the nervous and respiratory systems. Symptoms of long-term exposure can include headaches, sore throat, shortness of breath and others. Ethylene oxide is used to sterilize medical equipment, and as of 2024, it was used by four facilities in Colorado.

    Formaldehyde is also a cancer-causing agent, and exposure is associated with asthma in children. This air toxic is used in the manufacture of a number of products like household cleaners and building materials. It is also emitted by oil and gas sources, including during fracking.

    Hexavalent chromium compounds can cause several types of cancer, as well as skin and lung diseases such as asthma and rhinitis. A major source of hexavalent chromium is coal-fired power plants, of which Colorado currently has six in operation, though these plants are scheduled to close in the next five years. Other sources of hexavalent chromium include chemical and other manufacturing.

    Finally, long-term exposure to hydrogen sulfide can cause low blood pressure, headaches and a range of other symptoms, and has been associated with neurological impacts such as psychological disorders. Some sources of hydrogen sulfide include oil refineries and wastewater treatment plants.

    Read more of our stories about Colorado.

    Jenni Shearston has received funding from the United States National Institutes of Health.

    – ref. Colorado is tackling air pollution in vulnerable neighborhoods by regulating 5 air toxics – https://theconversation.com/colorado-is-tackling-air-pollution-in-vulnerable-neighborhoods-by-regulating-5-air-toxics-248520

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU were told about financial instruments of the money market

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    On February 24, third-year students of the Faculty of Economics and Management of SPbGASU listened to a lecture on “Financial Instruments of the Money Market”. The event took place in the office of SRO A “Association of Builders of St. Petersburg”.

    First Deputy General Director Boris Lysich introduced the speakers – employees of Uralsib Bank: Director of Development and Mentoring from the Premium Bank Department Milana Semikopenko and financial consultant Dmitry Koveshnikov. Boris Ivanovich informed the students about the opportunity to do an internship at the bank, as well as to choose a topic for their diploma work that is close to the banking sector.

    During the lecture, students learned what shares are for, what denomination Russian bonds have, whether it is worth buying yuan, and much more.

    “A very useful lecture! We had heard about financial instruments, but we were not familiar with them in such detail,” shared her opinion Daria Pilyugina.

    “I liked everything. Complex things were explained in simple language,” said Sergei Kotov.

    As Associate Professor of the Department of Management in Construction Alexandra Prikhodko explained, the lecture was held within the framework of the topic “The Economic Essence of Benchmarking” in the course “Benchmarking in Construction”.

    According to Alexandra Nikolaevna, the importance of such events is in immersing students in professional topics and the opportunity to personally communicate with professionals representing real market segments: “Working to improve students’ financial literacy is an important task both in general and in the context of each discipline related to management practices. A modern manager must have complete knowledge, including in the field of financial instruments. And the experience of leading construction companies, their ups and downs, is invaluable material that must be learned from and conclusions drawn. This will certainly help our guys in their professional careers. In addition, the example of young and successful specialists who come to the SRO site to meet with students, such as our guests today, inspires and serves as an excellent example.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The State University of Management will host an acting master class from the star of the TV series “Ranetki”

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Yes, that’s right! Actress from the cult TV series “Ranetki” Margarita Ivanova will hold a master class this Friday at the Student Theater of the State University of Management, where she will share the secrets of artistry on stage and in front of the camera, and give valuable advice to those who are just starting their path to success.

    Margarita Ivanova played the role of drummer Tonya Petrova in Ranetki. The actress’s filmography also includes the series: Real Boys, Son of the Father of Nations, The Fool Herself and others. In the theater, she played Juliet in the famous play by Shakespeare, as well as in productions by Chekhov, Lermontov, Moliere, Vampilov and other famous playwrights. Margarita is the author and performer of her own songs. She was the soloist of the group Grani Ruma. She has published three books of her own poetry, two of which are for children. She voices children’s fairy tales.

    When: February 28 Time: 19:00 Place: A-124

    The master class is open to everyone who wants to feel like a real actor, immerse themselves in the atmosphere of art and learn something new.

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 02/25/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Enterprises wasted $104M on underused tech in 2024 while 75% of workers struggle to harness AI efficiencies, new WalkMe research finds

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WalkMe, the leader of the Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) category for effectively navigating technology change, today released its annual report, The State of Digital Adoption 2025, Special AI Edition. This year’s report focuses on AI adoption in the enterprise and highlights an alarming disconnect – while 79% of executives express confidence in meeting their AI transformation goals, only 28% of employees feel adequately trained and only 25% report being able to use AI to work more efficiently.

    The report uncovers the staggering cost of digital inefficiencies, with enterprises losing over $104 million in 2024 alone due to underutilized technology and poor productivity practices. With AI spending expected to increase 64% in 2025 from $14M to $23M at large enterprises, companies must take proactive steps to ensure maximum ROI. According to the report, enterprises that implement even a single digital adoption best practice can nearly triple their digital transformation ROI from 22% to 64%. This gap reveals that without effective digital adoption, AI investments often fail.

    These insights are drawn from a survey of 3,700 senior executives and employees, as well as proprietary data from a subset of WalkMe’s user base, 1.5 million users across 2,400 enterprise applications. The full report provides actionable strategies for business leaders to close the AI adoption gap, optimize IT investments, and enhance workforce productivity in 2025 and beyond.

    “As we release the fourth annual State of Digital Adoption report, it’s clear that while AI is transforming enterprise ambitions, its success hinges on people,” said Dan Adika, Co-Founder & CEO of WalkMe. “Over a decade of innovation in digital adoption has shown us one truth: technology alone doesn’t deliver results – people do. This year’s findings outline actionable steps leaders can take to close the readiness gap and turn their AI investments into impact.”

    The report also revealed an alarming visibility gap in how employees are using software in their roles. Executives believe an average of 37 applications are in use at their organizations, but WalkMe’s data shows the average number is actually 625, a 17x discrepancy. This gap is hindering organizations’ ability to manage their software investments and properly support digital transformation.

    “WalkMe’s research highlights a clear need for organizations to bridge the AI adoption gap, and digital adoption platforms play a vital role in enabling organizations to maximize their AI transformation efforts,” said Andrea Lippin, Managing Director, Talent & Organization at Accenture. “The report showed that AI has sparked 93% of enterprises to reevaluate key parts of their digital organization, including IT infrastructure, software applications, and talent to unlock the benefits of AI. We are entering a new chapter of business innovation that will have lasting implications across industries. And that is why we recommend a WalkMe first approach—ensuring that AI adoption is not only strategic but also seamless, intuitive, and scalable.”

    “The success of AI in the enterprise is all about execution and, as this research shows, much of that is in the hands of employees,” said Alexa Cordell, Sr. Learning Technology Manager, EDF Renewables. “It’s about ensuring employees can seamlessly adopt and integrate it into their workflows to drive both individual and organizational success.”

    Additional highlights from the research include:

    • Employees still deal with technology frustrations, wasting an average of 36 working days a year.
    • Average digital adoption investment rose from $2.8 million in 2023 to $5.1 million in 2025.
      • Digital adoption teams have grown: 73% of large organizations have six or more people responsible for driving software adoption, compared to 63% in 2024.

    Download The State of Digital Adoption 2025 complete report here.

    Register now to join WalkMe and speakers from Accenture, State Farm, and EDF Renewables for an interactive webinar, Bridging the AI Divide: Insights from the State of Digital Adoption 2025 February 25th at 11:00 AM ET.

    About WalkMe:
    WalkMe, an SAP company, pioneered the world’s leading Digital Adoption Platform, enabling organizations to navigate the change brought on by technology. Leveraging over a decade of experience, WalkMe’s platform integrates generative AI to deliver proactive, accessible, and actionable insights. Our context-aware solutions guide users through any workflow, identifying and resolving digital friction to ensure seamless execution of critical processes across all departments. Trusted by global leaders like IBM, Nestlé, ThermoFisher Scientific, and the U.S. Department of Defense, WalkMe empowers organizations to maximize software ROI and drive people-centric digital transformation. Visit www.walkme.com.

    Media Contact:
    Melanie Pasch
    press@walkme.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How early voting on campuses can boost election turnout – not only for students but for residents, too

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stephen C. Phillips, Lecturer in Political Science, Clemson University

    NextGen, a youth and democracy group, encouraging University of Central Florida students to vote early on campus in the 2018 midterms, Orlando, Florida, Oct. 25, 2018. Willie J. Allen Jr./AP Images

    Republican-led legislatures in several U.S. states, from Indiana to Oklahoma, are considering imposing restrictions on early voting, from shortening the number of days to tightening ID requirements for voters.

    Florida, by contrast, offers several tools to increase voting access, including for young people – a historically low-turnout group. Floridians may preregister to vote at age 16 and request vote-by-mail ballots with no justification needed. And starting in 2018, Florida election officials began offering in-person early-voting sites on college and university campuses after a federal judge nullified a 2014 rule barring higher education facilities from serving as early-voting sites.

    I am a lecturer of political science who studies American political development and public law, and my research suggests that expanding on-campus early-voting sites can boost turnout in U.S. elections by making voting more convenient – not only for students but for residents of surrounding communities too.

    Campus voting is popular

    I have been tracking votes cast at on-campus early-voting sites in Florida since 2018. The data shows these voting sites are increasingly popular.

    My research shows that 59,205 votes were cast across 12 Florida campuses hosting early-voting sites in 2018. That number increased to 92,344 at 11 locations in 2020 and jumped again – by about 50,000 votes – during the 2024 election.

    During 14 days of early voting in October and November 2024, 142,085 Floridians cast ballots across 16 on-campus early-voting sites across the state. One-quarter of them – 35,245 voters – took advantage of three campus sites in Miami-Dade County, the state’s most populous county.

    A 2019 study by the Andrew Goodman Foundation, a nonprofit promoting youth participation in democracy, determined that overall voter turnout in Florida increased during the 2018 election, in comparison with previous midterm elections, in part “due to the added convenience” of on-campus voting.

    Greater access to in-person early voting also increases the likelihood of a person’s ballot counting, since mail-in ballots tend to be rejected at higher rates than in-person votes.

    Who votes on campus?

    On-campus early voting makes elections more accessible for all voters.

    My data from 2024 shows that 35% of voters at Florida’s 16 on-campus early-voting sites were registered Democrats and 32% were registered Republicans. The remaining 33% registered with minor parties or had no party affiliation.

    These results differ from voter registration data from 2024 in Florida, which shows 40% of registered voters as Republicans, 31% as Democrats and 29% as other. That is to be expected, because studies of on-campus early voters in Florida find that these voters are younger and more diverse than those at other polling places.

    Both students and local residents may vote at on-campus polling sites in Florida.

    A 2019 report from the Andrew Goodman Foundation found “Hispanic and Black voters disproportionately cast ballots” at campus locations alongside college-age voters. It also said that 56% of early voters at campus sites were under age 30.

    Differences in party turnout at tracked sites, then, may reflect the higher share of Gen Z voters registered as Democrats or with no party affiliation.

    Obstacles to voting access

    Before casting a ballot, voters face four decisions. First, whether to register to vote. Second, whether to vote in an election. Third, how to vote: early in-person, vote-by-mail or on Election Day. Fourth, whom or what to vote for.

    Turnout rates among young voters vary widely across states, but in states where on-campus voting locations are frequent – such as Arizona, Florida and North Carolina – youth turnout tends to be higher.

    In the 2024 election, people ages 18 to 29 represented 14% of overall Florida voters – roughly on par with their proportion of the state’s population. It is difficult to make a direct comparison between the voting age population and voter turnout rates because of voter eligibility rules.

    But, for reference, 18-to-29-year-olds made up 14% of voters in Texas in 2024, too – yet are estimated to be nearly 17% of the population.

    Several states have rules seemingly designed to hinder young people from voting. After the 2020 election, Ohio passed a law making it harder for out-of-state students to vote by restricting the documents voters may use to prove their residency. Data from the Campus Vote Project shows several states, including Texas, Iowa and Missouri, do not accept student IDs as valid identification to vote. Oklahoma is currently considering similar legislation.

    While turnout rates reflect many factors, including the popularity of the candidates, low voter turnout is often associated with increased difficulty in casting a ballot.

    Florida shows that college campuses play an important role in increasing access to voting, not just for students but for residents in the surrounding communities, too. Nearly 3% of the 5.4 million people who voted early in person statewide in 2024 cast their ballot at a campus polling site, up from 2.2% in 2018.

    Election officials, university leaders and lawmakers know that having on-campus early-voting sites is a successful method for engaging voters. As one first-time voter at York Technical College in South Carolina told South Carolina Public Radio in 2024, the convenient location “definitely encourages me to vote.”

    Across the country, from Iowa to Texas, many schools and election officials host early on-campus voting.

    In other places, however, state and local laws, or decisions by local officials, prevent many campuses from hosting polling sites.

    For example, Ohio limits the number of early-voting sites to one per county. That meant that, in 2024, Ohio State University had no campus early-voting sites, and for its students the closest place to vote in person was about 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.

    In South Carolina, though some campuses do host polling sites, the university where I teach, Clemson, does not. In 2024, students had to travel four miles to reach the nearest in-person early-voting location in Pickens County.

    A recent study found that long distances and travel times to polling locations constitute “a barrier to voting.” And students, as a population, often have particularly limited access to transportation.

    Further studies will show more precisely how on-campus early voting expands the voter universe. But my vote tracking and other new research provides some clues, suggesting that early in-person voting on campus increases early voting and diversifies the electorate.

    Expanding on-campus early voting, then, is not just about convenience. It is about empowering the next generation of voters and strengthening democracy.

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

    – ref. How early voting on campuses can boost election turnout – not only for students but for residents, too – https://theconversation.com/how-early-voting-on-campuses-can-boost-election-turnout-not-only-for-students-but-for-residents-too-247161

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting prioritizes ‘real’ independence from the US − but what does that mean and is it achievable?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Garret Martin, Senior Professorial Lecturer, Co-Director Transatlantic Policy Center, American University School of International Service

    Germany’s presumptive new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, faces challenges both at home and overseas following his conservative alliance’s election victory on Feb. 23, 2025.

    A strong showing from the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) – which Merz, in line with other mainstream German parties, refuses to countenance as a coalition party as part of an unofficial “firewall” against extremism – will make forming a functioning government tricky.

    But in the moments after the election results, it was the future of the European Union and its relationship with America that was his immediate focus: “My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA.”

    To understand why that is such a concern for Germany now and what “real independence” from Washington means, The Conversation U.S. turned to Garret Martin, an expert on U.S.-Europe relations at American University, for answers.

    What prompted Merz’s ‘real independence’ line?

    Presumably it was a response to a series of recent announcements and actions by the Trump administration that have shocked the German political establishment. This includes the sudden revelation that the U.S. would negotiate directly with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, but seemingly without the Europeans or Ukrainians involved. That development went down like a lead balloon in Berlin, especially considering Germany’s significant financial support of Kyiv since 2022.

    Moreover, the German establishment has also frowned at a series of recent declarations by members of the Trump administration. Vice President JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, in which he harshly criticized Europe for allegedly undermining freedom of expression, provoked clear pushback from German leaders. Trump, for his part, hardly endeared himself to his German allies when he denounced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator.”

    And, of course, Elon Musk’s interference in the German elections – as well as his open support for the far-right Alternative for Germany – provoked a fierce response from Merz. The then-candidate promised that Musk would need to be prepared for legal consequences for his meddling.

    Elon Musk addresses, via videolink, the election campaign launch rally of the far-right Alternative for Germany on Jan. 25, 2025.
    Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    How would this ‘real independence’ be achieved?

    Defining what “real independence” means and being able to implement such a drastic change in transatlantic relations will be a tall order. If by “real independence” Merz means that Germany would no longer rely on the U.S. for its security, then that would require several major steps.

    Merz would first need to convince his likely coalition partners, the Social Democrats, that this is the right goal. After all, German governments are bound by very detailed coalition agreements. Second, Merz would need to significantly increase German defense spending. As it stands, Germany’s annual defense budget is slightly over US$90 billion, or 2% of its GDP. But a recent study by the economic think tank Bruegel suggests Berlin would need to increase its budget by $145 billion annually to defend Europe without the assistance of the U.S.

    But to achieve this, Merz will likely need to increase defense spending by such a level that it will contravene the country’s “debt brake.” This 2009 constitutional rule essentially caps the annual deficit that the government can take on. But overturning this mechanism would require a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the German Parliament. Merz’s Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union party won 28.6% of the vote – and even with the support of the country’s main center-left party, the Social Democrats, Merz will fall short of the parliamentary votes needed.

    Finally, “real independence” would also require convincing other European Union partners to join him down that path. Assuming that the Trump administration continues its current trajectory and further undermines NATO, the EU would have to step in to become a more prominent security actor for the continent. It might also require, as Merz hinted, that the United Kingdom and France be ready to share their nuclear weapons, since the U.S. may not be trusted anymore to defend NATO countries.

    All of these steps would cover “real independence” only in the security sphere and not touch other crucial policy areas, such as trade and energy. And that would be an equally tall order given the level of economic ties binding Germany to the U.S., as well as the looming threat of tariffs.

    What does this mean for German-US relations?

    Merz’s “real independence” statement would have been noteworthy coming from any German chancellor. But it is even more striking when one considers the fact that Merz is a committed transatlanticist who deeply admires the U.S. and counts Ronald Reagan as one of his role models.

    At 69, Merz came of age during the final years of the Cold War, when the U.S. played a key role in enabling German reunification. He worked for years for Atlantik-Brücke, a lobbying group pushing for closer transatlantic ties. And he has, by his own account, traveled more than 100 times to the U.S.

    Independence will not likely mean a complete divorce between the U.S. and Germany – the ties binding the two countries, whether economic, cultural or political, run too deep. However, we can expect that Berlin will not hesitate to take a more combative approach toward Washington when necessary, so to protect German and European interests. As Merz pointed out, it is clear that the Trump administration does “not care much about the fate of Europe.”

    What does this signal for Merz’s view of Germany’s position in the EU?

    Merz’s win will certainly lead to important shifts in Germany’s position in the EU, and could be a major boost for a union in need of leadership. His predecessor, Olaf Scholz, was hampered by a weak economy, divisions within his coalition and indecisive leadership in Europe. Moreover, poor relations with French President Emmanuel Macron also stalled the Franco-German partnership, normally a key engine of leadership in the EU.

    Merz certainly plans to take a very distinct approach toward the EU than his predecessor. His calls for “real independence” will certainly be very welcome in France, which has long called for Europe to be more responsible for its own security. As such, it opens up the possibility of far closer ties between Paris and Berlin than we saw in recent years. Moreover, Merz, with his more hawkish position toward Russia, could be counted on to provide greater support for Ukraine.

    Garret Martin receives funding from the European Union for the Transatlantic Policy Center, which he co-directs.

    – ref. Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting prioritizes ‘real’ independence from the US − but what does that mean and is it achievable? – https://theconversation.com/germanys-chancellor-in-waiting-prioritizes-real-independence-from-the-us-but-what-does-that-mean-and-is-it-achievable-250708

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Selenium is an essential nutrient named after the Greek goddess of the Moon − crucial to health, it may help prevent and treat cancer

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Aliasger K. Salem, Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iowa

    Selenium is found in trace amounts in living organisms, soil and plants. Nazarii Neshcherenskyi/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Selenium is a nutrient that plays a crucial role in human health, contributing to the thyroid and immune function, DNA repair, and cardiovascular and cognitive health.

    It acts as an antioxidant – substances that protect cells from unstable molecules that can damage DNA, proteins and cell membranes. It can even protect against cancer.

    Selenium is a vital trace element found in living organisms, soil and plants, and your body needs only a small amount of it to function. The recommended dietary allowance for selenium in adults is 55 micrograms per day, with an upper limit of 400 micrograms. In comparison, adults need between 900 to 10,000 micrograms daily of copper, another trace element, and between 8,000 to 40,000 micrograms of the trace element zinc.

    An excess or deficiency of selenium can have significant health consequences. In my work as a pharmaceutical science researcher, my colleagues and I study the potential use of selenium to boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy for cancer treatment.

    A dose of selenium

    Selenium was first discovered in 1817 by chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius while analyzing an impurity in a batch of sulfuric acid produced in a factory in Sweden. Berzelius initially thought the material was the element tellurium, but he eventually realized that it was actually an unknown substance at the time. He named the mineral after Selene, the Greek goddess of the Moon, because of its similarity to tellurium, which had been named after the Roman goddess of the Earth.

    Selenium exists in both organic and inorganic forms. Organic compounds contain carbon atoms and are typically derived from living organisms, while inorganic compounds do not have carbon atoms and generally originate from nonliving sources. Your cells chemically convert between these forms to carry out various physiological functions.

    Selenium deficiency is a significant health issue, particularly in regions with selenium-poor soils, such as parts of China, Africa and Europe. Low selenium levels are associated with Keshan disease, a fatal heart condition, and Kashin-Beck disease, which affects joints and bones. Deficiency also weakens immune function, increasing susceptibility to infections.

    Brazil nuts contain particularly high levels of selenium.
    R.Tsubin/Moment via Getty Images

    Consuming too much selenium is also an issue. Oversupplementation or excess environmental exposure can lead to selenosis, a condition with symptoms such as brittle hair and nails, digestive issues, skin rashes and neurological symptoms such as irritability and fatigue. In severe cases, selenium toxicity can result in organ failure and death.

    Selenium has a narrow therapeutic window, which is the dosage range that provides safe and effective treatment with minimal harmful side effects. For example, selenium can either increase or decrease your body’s immune function, depending on the dose. Adequate levels of selenium strengthen your immune cells’ ability to fight infections and tumors, while excessive selenium intake can suppress immune responses by damaging immune tissues.

    Selenium and cancer prevention

    Selenium may have the potential to treat and prevent cancer.

    Scientists have long studied selenium’s role in cancer prevention. Initially suspected to be a carcinogen, later studies found it had protective effects against liver damage. In the 1960s. researchers proposed that selenium could be used to prevent cancer, a concept that gained further traction in the 1990s.

    However, large-scale clinical trials have produced mixed results. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial was a study of over 35,500 men that ran from 2001 to 2004. They found that taking selenium daily did not reduce prostate cancer risk and may even increase the risk of prostate cancer in men with already high selenium levels.

    Findings from a study conducted from 1983 to 1996, the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Trial, suggested selenium may protect against prostate and other cancers. But researchers also observed a heightened incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer among participants.

    These conflicting results may be due to the different forms of selenium each study tested, as well as differences in baseline selenium levels among participants. Other studies have found that selenium-contaminated water in a municipality of Italy has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma.

    The antioxidant effects of selenium vary depending on its dose.
    Razaghi et al./EJC, CC BY-SA

    Selenium and cancer treatment

    Selenium may also have the potential to stop cancer from spreading.

    My research focuses on the potential of using selenium to supplement chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Selenium compounds such as methylseleninic acid, or MSA, and seleno-L-methionine, or SLM, show promise in targeting proteins that drive tumor progression and treatment resistance. Studies from my team and I have found that MSA can modulate key biochemical pathways related to kidney cancer by reducing levels of proteins that influence tumor growth and immune evasion. We also observed that SLM may slow kidney tumor growth in mice without toxic side effects.

    More significantly, in a Phase 1 clinical trial, we found that combining SLM with the chemotherapy drug axitinib was effective in treating metastatic kidney cancer in patients, with minimal side effects. Of the 27 patients we treated, over half saw their tumors shrink in size, with a median overall survival of nearly 20 months. These findings suggest that selenium may have a synergistic effect on chemotherapy by making it more effective.

    Further investigation into how selenium may help overcome treatment resistance and what doses are optimal will clarify its potential as a viable addition to cancer treatment.

    Striking the right balance

    Whether as an immune booster or potential treatment for disease, the significance of selenium in human health is undeniable.

    Eating selenium-rich foods – such as Brazil nuts, seafood, whole grains and eggs – can help sustain optimal nutrient levels. In regions with selenium-deficient soils, supplementation with medical supervision may be necessary.

    The fine line between benefit and harm underscores the importance of balanced intake and personalized approaches to selenium supplementation. As research continues, I believe selenium’s multifaceted role in health will become more clear.

    Aliasger K. Salem receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. He serves on the Executive Board of the American Association for Pharmaceutical Scientists.

    – ref. Selenium is an essential nutrient named after the Greek goddess of the Moon − crucial to health, it may help prevent and treat cancer – https://theconversation.com/selenium-is-an-essential-nutrient-named-after-the-greek-goddess-of-the-moon-crucial-to-health-it-may-help-prevent-and-treat-cancer-248548

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: If US attempts World Bank retreat, the China-led AIIB could be poised to step in – and provide a model of global cooperation

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Tamar Gutner, Associate Professor, American University

    Donald Trump is no fan of international organizations. Just hours after taking office on Jan 20, 2025, the U.S. president announced his intention to withdraw from the World Health Organization and the Paris agreement on climate change.

    Could the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank be next?

    Certainly, supporters of the twin institutions – that have formed the backbone of global economic order for 80 years – are concerned. A Trump-ordered review of Washington’s support of all international organizations has led to fears of the U.S. reducing funding or pulling it altogether.

    But any shrinking of U.S. leadership in international financial institutions would, I believe, run counter to the administration’s ostensible geopolitical goals, creating a vacuum for China to step into and take on a bigger global role. In particular, weakening the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, or MDBs, that have a large U.S. presence could present an opportunity for a little-known, relatively new Chinese-led international organization: the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – which, since its inception, has supported the very multilateralism the U.S. is attacking.

    AIIB’s paradoxical role

    The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was created by China nine years ago as a way to invest in infrastructure and other related sectors in Asia, while promoting “regional cooperation and partnership in addressing development challenges by working in close collaboration with other multilateral and bilateral development institutions.”

    Since then, it has served as an example of an international body willing to deeply cooperate with other major multilateral organizations and follow international rules and norms of development banking.

    This may run counter to the image of Beijing’s global efforts portrayed by China hawks, of which there are many in the Trump administration, who often present a vision of a China intent on undermining the Western-led liberal international order.

    But as a number of scholars and other China experts have suggested, Beijing’s strategies in global economic governance are often nuanced, with actions that both support and undermine the liberal global order.

    As I explore in my new book, it is clear that today the AIIB is a paradox: an institution connected to the rules and norms of the liberal international order, but one created by an illiberal government.

    Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei speaks during the signing ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank on Oct. 24, 2014, in Beijing.
    Takaki Yajima-Pool/Getty Images

    The AIIB is deeply tied to the rules-based order as displayed through its many cooperative connections with other major multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank and the Japan-led Asian Development Bank.

    As such, the AIIB may present a Chinese counterpoint in a landscape where U.S. leadership is receding.

    The cooperative design of the AIIB

    For decades, multilateral development banks have served the important task of lending billions of dollars a year to support economic and social development.

    They can be vital sources of funding for poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, with a newer emphasis on climate change. These international lenders have also been remarkably durable in today’s climate of fragmentation and crisis, with member nations actively considering ways of further strengthening them.

    At the same time, MDBs perennially face criticism from civil society organizations who highlight areas of weak performance and are concerned about potential downsides of the major MDBs’ greater emphasis on working more closely with the private sector. MDB expert Chris Humphrey has also noted that major “MDBs were built around a set of geopolitical and economic power relationships that are coming apart before our eyes.”

    When Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 proposed creating the AIIB to lend for infrastructure development in Asia, there was a lot of suspicion among major nations about China’s intentions.

    The Obama administration responded to the move by urging other countries not to join. Its concern was that China would use lending to gain further influence in the region, but without adhering to strong environmental and social standards.

    Nonetheless, all the other major nonborrowing nations, with the exception of Japan, joined the new bank. Today, the AIIB is the second-largest multilateral development bank in terms of member countries, behind only the World Bank. It currently has 110 member nations, which translates to over 80% of the global population. With US$100 billion in capital, it is one of the medium-sized multilateral lenders.

    From the get-go, the AIIB was designed to be cooperative. Jin Liqun, who became the bank’s first president, is a longtime multilateralist with a long career at China’s finance ministry and past positions on the boards of the World Bank and the Global Environmental Facility, as well as a vice presidency of the Asian Development Bank.

    The international group of experts that helped design the AIIB also included former executive directors and staff from the IMF and other development banks, as well as two Americans with long careers at the World Bank who played leading roles in designing the bank’s articles of agreement and its environmental and social framework.

    How the AIIB took its cue from others

    The bank fits into the landscape of other multilateral development banks in a variety of ways. The AIIB’s charter is directly modeled on the Asian Development Bank’s foundation, and built into the AIIB’s charter is the bank’s mission of promoting “regional cooperation and partnership in addressing development challenges.”

    The AIIB shares similar norms and policies with other major multilateral development banks, including its environmental and social standards.

    Alongside borrowing foundational principles, the AIIB also works in close conjunction with its peers. The World Bank initially ran the AIIB’s treasury operations. The AIIB has also co-financed a high percentage of its projects with other multilateral development banks, particularly in its first years.

    In a recent sign of cooperation, in 2023, a deal between the AIIB and World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) saw the AIIB issue up to $1 billion in guarantees against IBRD sovereign-backed loans. This increased the IBRD’s ability to lend more money, while diversifying the AIIB’s loan portfolio.

    As of Feb. 6, 2025, the AIIB has 306 approved projects totaling $59 billion. Energy and transportation are its two largest sectors of lending. Recently approved projects include loans to support wind power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and a solar plant in India. India, which has a bumpy relationship with China, is one of the bank’s largest borrowers, along with Turkey and Indonesia.

    Cooperating and competing with China

    From its birth until recently, the multilateral AIIB has repeatedly distinguished itself from China’s bilateral initiatives. Chief among those is China’s Belt and Road Initiative, an umbrella term for infrastructure lending by Chinese institutions that has been criticized for lacking transparency and accountability.

    Indeed, some Belt and Road Initiative-linked projects have faced concerns about corruption, costs and the opacity of the loan agreements.

    In the past several years, the AIIB has made more mention of synergy with Belt and Road lenders, and the bank now hosts the secretariat of a facility, the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance, that offers grants and support to developing countries seeking to finance infrastructure in countries where Belt and Road lending takes place. This may blur the line between the AIIB and lending under the Belt and Road umbrella, but it does not appear to weaken the bank’s standards.

    Concerns about the level of Chinese government influence at the AIIB are not new. Canada froze its ties with the bank in June 2023, pending a review of allegations by a Canadian staff member, who dramatically quit after accusing the bank of being dominated by members of China’s Communist Party.

    No other member nations expressed such concern, and Canada has not yet published any review. A group of AIIB executive directors oversaw an internal review that found no evidence to support the allegations.

    As the new U.S. administration formulates its policies toward China, it would do well to take into account the variation in China’s strategies in global economic governance, as a recognition of areas of cooperation, competition and conflict requires more nuanced responses. In many areas, the U.S. will both cooperate and compete with China.

    Paradoxically, any moves by the Trump administration to pull back from multilateral organizations may leave the AIIB, whether or not it is an anomaly, in a position to offer a better model of cooperation than leading multilateral development banks with a powerful U.S. role.

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

    – ref. If US attempts World Bank retreat, the China-led AIIB could be poised to step in – and provide a model of global cooperation – https://theconversation.com/if-us-attempts-world-bank-retreat-the-china-led-aiib-could-be-poised-to-step-in-and-provide-a-model-of-global-cooperation-244595

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A hazy legal landscape means people can get high on hemp products, even where pot is prohibited

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Katharine Neill Harris, Fellow in Drug Policy, Rice University

    Delta-8 supplements on a shelf at a Texas store. Sergio Flores/Washington Post via Getty Images

    In Texas, where I live, marijuana has long been illegal. Yet on a busy street in my Houston neighborhood, at least five stores within a half-mile of each other sell cannabis products that promise a strong high.

    Texas isn’t alone. Due to a mix of recent legal changes and an uncertain policy landscape, residents in roughly half of American states have easy access to impairing hemp products that bear a strong resemblance to marijuana and are far less regulated.

    As hemp sales soar – reaching nearly US$3 billion in 2023 – a number of states are tightening their restrictions, while experts are analyzing the public health implications. That’s why I analyzed hemp policies in all 50 states with some of my colleagues at Rice University’s Baker Institute, where I’m a drug policy fellow.

    Marijuana and hemp: Same plant, different policies

    Marijuana and hemp are both varieties of cannabis sativa, a plant with many uses that produces thousands of compounds. Among them is the popular intoxicant delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-9 THC.

    Hemp is widely valued as an industrial crop, and for most of American history, farmers freely cultivated it. But by the mid-20th century, lawmakers had grown increasingly opposed to marijuana and were concerned by hemp’s similarity to its impairment-causing cousin.

    In an effort to permit hemp cultivation while prohibiting production of a psychoactive plant, the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 defined hemp as all parts of the cannabis plant with less than 0.3 percent concentration of delta-9 THC by dry weight. Cannabis that exceeded this threshold was considered marijuana.

    The 1970 Controlled Substances Act ushered in the modern era of prohibition of marijuana and other drugs. Hemp remained technically legal, but because of its similarity to marijuana, it was listed as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and other substances deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no medical value.

    Because of hemp’s Schedule I status, the Drug Enforcement Administration tightly regulated its production. But hemp farmers have long argued that these regulations were excessive – and in 2018, Congress agreed. That year, lawmakers passed a farm bill that removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and legalized the manufacture and sale of hemp and its derivatives.

    The ABC News affiliate in San Diego reports on the 2018 farm bill from a local perspective.

    Crucially, the 2018 bill still defines hemp as all parts of the plant and its derivatives that have less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. But it left a loophole: While delta-9 is the most well-known form of THC, it’s not the only one. Other forms of THC, known as THC isomers, have similar effects. These isomers, like delta-8 and delta-10 THC, can be derived from the hemp plant, and like delta-9 THC, they can cause impairment. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized all of them.

    In 2023, sales of hemp-derived cannabinoids reached US$2.8 billion. Market growth has been accompanied by a rise in adverse health events. Chemists have expressed alarm at how some hemp products are made, and analyses of commercially available products have found them to contain heavy metals, residual solvents and pesticides.

    Given the lax regulatory environment, many public officials now question the lack of guardrails on this burgeoning hemp industry. As a result, officials and governments across the country are now enacting or considering policy changes.

    Some states are imposing age and advertising restrictions

    In 2023, 11.4% of 12th graders said they had used hemp-derived delta-8 THC in the past year. Easy access to any substance can encourage use, and THC can have negative impacts on the adolescent brain.

    While federal law prohibits the sale of tobacco and alcohol to individuals under 21, there is no similar national requirement for hemp. But at least 27 states that permit the sale of hemp-derived products now have minimum age requirements, and several others have pending legislation.

    Lessons from the tobacco market also demonstrate that advertising restrictions can reduce the use of legal but potentially harmful products. Most efforts to curtail hemp advertising focus on youth. Sixteen states restrict the use of packaging and marketing materials that may appeal to minors. Meanwhile, federal regulations also limit youth-targeted marketing.

    There are fewer restrictions on advertising to adults. The Food and Drug Administration does prohibit using unverified health claims to sell hemp products, but this standard gives the industry plenty of leeway. Hemp ads often tout their purported physical benefits, like reducing pain or improving sleep, or portray them as mood-boosters that can make one feel euphoric and aroused, with few downsides.

    Other states are establishing potency limits

    The use of products high in THC has been linked to greater risk of cannabis dependence and adverse mental health outcomes. Concerns about product potency have led all states with recreational marijuana markets to limit the amount of delta-9 THC in edible products. This threshold is typically around 10 milligrams, a dose that’s strong enough to affect most people.

    Hemp is a different story. To satisfy federal requirements, hemp just has to have less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight. This limit sounds low, but the weight-based metric does not account for heavier products, like food and drinks.

    For example, a 50-gram candy bar – roughly the size of a Snickers bar – with 150 milligrams of hemp-derived delta-9 THC is legal in the 34 states that don’t have milligram caps on hemp products. This is a dose 15 times higher than what any recreational marijuana market allows. Meanwhile, states that only restrict hemp’s delta-9 content also leave the door open to products with high amounts of other forms of THC.

    At least 13 states have responded to potency concerns by adding milligram caps on the total THC permitted in a single serving of a hemp product. Some of these limits are so low – 1 milligram or less in Connecticut, New York, Montana and Rhode Island – that one serving is unlikely to cause impairment.

    Enforcement is a wild card

    Only regulations that are enforced are effective, and states differ in the level of energy they devote to industry oversight.

    In Virginia, the Office of Hemp Enforcement has issued over $12 million in fines to noncompliant hemp retailers since its creation in 2023. On the other end of the spectrum, Massachusetts considers hemp-derived THC products illegal, but it has not provided local jurisdictions with funding for enforcement, resulting in continued availability of prohibited products.

    Some states with legal hemp markets have added additional sales taxes to help fund enforcement. In Nebraska, Missouri and Connecticut, attorneys general have sued hemp retailers for selling illegal items, marketing to minors and engaging in deceptive trade practices.

    As the hemp industry expands, so will concerns about how to protect public health. The demand for THC, and the market to supply it, continues to grow. If lawmakers want to develop industrywide safety standards or deal with the challenges of online marketplaces that sell hemp products to minors, it will take action from Washington. In the meantime, many states and policymakers are exploring an expansive middle ground between unfettered access and blanket bans.

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

    – ref. A hazy legal landscape means people can get high on hemp products, even where pot is prohibited – https://theconversation.com/a-hazy-legal-landscape-means-people-can-get-high-on-hemp-products-even-where-pot-is-prohibited-247168

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Protecting Our Membership, America’s Veterans: IAM Union, Allies Win Injunction to Stop OPM, Education Department Disclosure of Private Federal Worker Data

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), and allies representing more than 2 million workers have been granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Department of Education from disclosing sensitive personal information to employees affiliated with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) who do not have authorization to receive the information.

    Six individuals, including military veterans, personally harmed by DOGE’s theft of their private information joined the suit filed by the IAM, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM), the AFT, and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE). Protect Democracy and Munger, Tolles & Olson are counsel to the plaintiffs. The suit alleges that DOGE staff have not been properly vetted and have been granted access to some of the government’s most sensitive data systems, in violation of the Privacy Act.

    “The IAM Union will always fight to protect our members and our veterans who work so hard to protect our country,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “From caring for our veterans to protecting our national parks, these dedicated civil servants are the backbone of keeping our nation’s promises to the American people. We’re glad the court has agreed to halt this illegal incursion into their personal information.”

    “NFFE is pleased to see the court has sided with workers, who have a right to privacy regardless of who is in the White House,” said NFFE-IAM National President Randy Erwin. “This is just one of the many unwarranted attacks that federal employees have faced over the past month. We will continue to challenge any violations of law to ensure our members can do their jobs in service to the American public.”

    The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that the claim from the IAM and its plaintiffs — including military veterans and unions representing millions of veterans, teachers, scientists, engineers, federal employees — would likely be successful. The plaintiffs argue that OPM and the Education Department violated the Privacy Act by granting DOGE affiliates unauthorized access to systems containing sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers, bank account information, health records, and other private data.

    “Today, the Court agreed with our claim that DOGE affiliates do not need to access Americans’ highly sensitive and private data to do their jobs,” said Kristy Parker, Counsel at Protect Democracy, who represents the plaintiffs. “This ruling is an important step in protecting American’s right to privacy from people who may not have appropriate authority to access it and who may not be using it properly or with adequate safeguards.”

    In the 33-page ruling, the judge wrote that “none of these workplace reform measures,” allegedly contemplated by the executive orders covering DOGE “appears to require” OPM and Department of Education employees “to access records with the sensitive personal information of current and formal federal employees” and that the government “never explains why” OPM and Department of Education personnel need this access to implement workplace reform measures.

    The temporary restraining order will remain in effect until March 10, 2025, and prevents:

    • The Department of Education from disclosing personally identifiable information to any DOGE affiliates.
    • OPM from disclosing personally identifiable information to any OPM employee working principally on the DOGE agenda (with the exception of OPM Chief Information Officer Greg Hogan).

    The court denied the plaintiffs’ request for relief against the Treasury Department, noting that a previous injunction in another case already provides the plaintiffs protection against Treasury.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Targeted training is a confident step into the profession

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    Every year, thousands of applicants face the choice of what profession to choose. One of the options to take a confident step into the profession is targeted training.

    What is Targeted Learning

    The applicant enters into an agreement with the customer – a federal ministry, department, regional authority, state or municipal institution, enterprise with a state share, private company, individual entrepreneur. Except for the last two cases, the applicant will enter the university not on a general basis, but through a separate competition (target quota). An agreement for training outside the target quota can also be concluded with state institutions throughout the entire period of study.

    The graduate undertakes to work in the customer’s company for three to five years after receiving his diploma.

    If a student is admitted under a quota, then his/her tuition is paid for by the federal budget. The customer pays for the scholarship and other support measures at his/her discretion. If a student is admitted without a quota, then tuition may be paid for by the customer.

    Benefits of Targeted Training

    Targeted training provides the opportunity to study for free. After completing the training, the graduate is guaranteed a job. The contract may specify the possibility, by mutual agreement of the parties, to transfer to another branch of the same company or to another organization subordinate to the same government agency.

    How to apply for targeted training

    Those wishing to enroll in targeted training should study the offers on the Work in Russia platform. Then you need to submit an application for a targeted training agreement. This can be done either through the Work in Russia platform, or through the government services portal, or directly at the educational institution (in person, by mail).

    The conclusion of an agreement on targeted training occurs after enrollment, but before September 1.

    The contract may be concluded between the customer and the citizen, between the customer, the citizen, the employer, the educational organization, or between the customer, the citizen and the employer.

    Regulatory legal acts governing targeted training: Federal Law of 29.12.2012 No. 273-FZ “On Education in the Russian Federation”; Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 27, 2024 No. 555 “On targeted training in educational programs of secondary vocational and higher education”.

    Targeted training at SPbGASU

    Olga Tatarinova

    The Admissions Committee is responsible for organizing and conducting admissions within the target quota at our university. Olga Tatarinova, Deputy Secretary of the Admissions Committee, reported that in 2024, the ranks of students were replenished with more than 45 target students.

    “If an employer is ready to sign one contract, but several people responded, the university holds a competition and enrolls the strongest. In this case, the target individual achievements of the applicant who took part in the company’s events are taken into account.”

    Olga Afanasyevna informed that if someone does not find a job after completing their studies, they pay a fine to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the amount of the costs incurred by the state for their training, and also return the amount spent by the employer on paying a scholarship and social support measures. If a company refuses to hire a graduate, it pays a fine in the same amount and compensation in an amount equal to three times the average monthly accrued salary in the subject of the Russian Federation, in the territory of which the citizen must be employed in accordance with the contract for targeted training.

    The conclusion of contracts for targeted training with students who are already studying at SPbGASU is coordinated by the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career.

    Ekaterina Abolina

    Ekaterina Abolina, director of the student entrepreneurship and career center, said that currently there are more than 130 target students studying at the university. For the successful implementation of target training, the interaction of the company and the student plays a huge role. Ekaterina Arvidovna especially noted the Titan-2 company, which actively works with its target students, maintains contact with them and immerses them in the profession. Last semester, the company organized an off-site meeting, where students visited a construction site, a workshop, a history museum, and also took part in educational programs.

    “Targeted training is a good tool for both the student and the employer. The student has the opportunity to be closer to the industry, receive support from the company and be confident in his professional future. The employer, through practice and the topic of the final qualifying work, can influence the content of the training and, upon graduation, receive an employee who is already familiar with the company and involved in its activities, thereby reducing the time for the adaptation of a young specialist.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: The National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” Needs to Be Scaled to All Subjects of the Country

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”

    February 25, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”

    February 25, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”

    February 25, 2025

    Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”

    February 25, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko welcomed the participants of the II All-Russian Conference of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”. The conference was held at the site of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) with online participation of representatives of 86 subjects of the Russian Federation.

    “President Vladimir Putin supported this large-scale project. “Berloga” involves the younger generation in the sphere of technology through games. The Republic of Bashkortostan became a pioneer in the implementation of the cyber-physical platform. There, educational institutions and technology companies joined “Berloga”. This allowed us to take the technological education of schoolchildren to a new level. And also to use games as a powerful tool for involving young people in themes that are priority for the region. This experience was picked up by other regions,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    He also noted that the project’s geography already covers 21 regions and the Berloga team, together with local representatives, is actively developing regional “road maps” that include creating new useful games, opening a network of clubs, launching educational programs and training teachers. According to him, this work is being carried out especially actively in Novosibirsk Oblast, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Kamchatka and St. Petersburg.

    “We see that the project is gaining more and more popularity. Users have already downloaded the Berlogi games more than 320 thousand times. But our plans are even more ambitious. It is necessary to scale the project to other regions of the country,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.

    ASI General Director Svetlana Chupsheva reported that in a year and a half, four flagship free video games dedicated to the development directions of Russia’s technological sovereignty have been released on the Berloga platform. New formats are being developed – the Workshop of Cyberphysical Innovations, tournaments of young cyberphysicists, etc. Russian indie developers have also joined in the creation of useful games, having already released 14 mini-games on the platform.

    “For the first time the idea of creating”Dens” was presented to the President of the Russian Federation at the forum “Strong Ideas for a New Time” in 2023 as a tool for involving schoolchildren in new technologies and programming through mobile games. This is an excellent example of how, together with our colleagues from the NTI Circle Movement, with the enormous support of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the NTI Platform and University 2035, we were able to grow an entire ecosystem from an idea. Now the key task for the regions is to create infrastructure and opportunities for schoolchildren to try to join the project for the first time. At the same time, young people can try themselves not only as programmers, but also choose the role of a designer or analyst. The project expands the range of opportunities for the manifestation of children’s talents,” noted Svetlana Chupsheva.

    The National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” is being implemented by a team of ASI, the National Technology Initiative (NTI) Platform, the NTI Circle Movement and University 2035 with the support of the Government of the Russian Federation; the Republic of Bashkortostan acted as the pilot region for the project launch.

    Prime Minister of Bashkortostan Andrey Nazarov noted that the republic pays special attention to engineering and information technology. It is actively developing them within the framework of additional education, which covers more than half a million children and adolescents. Schoolchildren of Bashkortostan choose information technology, unmanned aircraft systems and robotics. Since 2023, a network of 100 Berlogi technology clubs and 20 support sites in different districts has been developing in Bashkortostan – in them, schoolchildren undergo educational programs in cyberphysics, programming, robotics, electronics, UAS, etc. The Cyberphysical Innovation Workshop in Ufa has opened laboratories and youth design bureaus, which are becoming a point of attraction for schoolchildren, students, representatives of the technology business, young scientists and developers of the region.

    “Thanks to the assistance of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Bashkortostan has become a pilot region for the implementation of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” project. Over two years, more than 6.5 thousand schoolchildren have been involved in the project. We opened a Cyber-Physical Innovation Workshop at the Ufa Interuniversity Student Campus. It has become the all-Russian methodological coordination center of the National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga”. In addition, we help other regions create such workshops in their own regions, including in Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic and Altai,” said Andrey Nazarov.

    According to Gennady Bukaev, Vice President of PJSC NK Rosneft and General Director of JSC Rosneftegaz, following the example of the Republic of Bashkortostan, all Russian regions can build a new system of technological education based on the Berloga NKFP, promote priority areas of development through game formats popular with young people, and introduce their cultural and historical features.

    “The project team is currently working on launching a new direction of game development. These games will simultaneously immerse children in the study of school subjects – including physics, chemistry – and introduce them to real professions, give them the opportunity to try themselves in one role or another, in solving a real production problem. Such games can become a tool for long-term career guidance and the formation of a personnel reserve for specific tasks – for the needs of regions in partnership with technology companies that are interested in working with young people, in the fight for talent,” emphasized Gennady Bukayev. “I urge representatives of regional teams and enterprises to use this opportunity at the start and become flagships of the new direction.”

    As noted by the Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the leader of the NTI Circle Movement Dmitry Zemtsov, the Berloga project began with one game teaching schoolchildren the basics of programming. Now the platform has already released two dozen useful games, including those from young indie teams – schoolchildren and students, finalists of the National Technology Olympiad and the All-Russian Developers Competition, which was held jointly with VK Play.

    “The National Cyber-Physical Platform “Berloga” today is an entire ecosystem that involves young people in the field of technology, it includes useful games – with training in programming, engineering, UAV piloting, chemistry – as well as phygital formats, clubs, educational programs and technological solutions. The setting of “Berloga” is best suited for talking to the younger generation about the future of technology, our country and the whole world. At the same time, the world of “Berloga” is constantly evolving, enriched thanks to new games and the All-Russian Science Fiction Competition, which we launched together with ASI this year,” added Dmitry Zemtsov.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA: New Study on Why Mars is Red Supports Potentially Habitable Past

    Source: NASA

    A new international study partially funded by NASA on how Mars got its iconic red color adds to evidence that Mars had a cool but wet and potentially habitable climate in its ancient past.

    The current atmosphere of Mars is too cold and thin to support liquid water, an essential ingredient for life, on its surface for lengthy periods. However, various NASA and international missions have found evidence that water was abundant on the Martian surface billions of years ago during a more clement era, such as features that resemble dried-up rivers and lakes, and minerals that only form in the presence of liquid water.
    Adding to this evidence, results from a study published February 25 in the journal Nature Communications suggest that the water-rich iron mineral ferrihydrite may be the main culprit behind Mars’ reddish dust. Martian dust is known to be a hodgepodge of different minerals, including iron oxides, and this new study suggests one of those iron oxides, ferrihydrite, is the reason for the planet’s color.
    The finding offers a tantalizing clue to Mars’ wetter and potentially more habitable past because ferrihydrite forms in the presence of cool water, and at lower temperatures than other previously considered minerals, like hematite. This suggests that Mars may have had an environment capable of sustaining liquid water before it transitioned from a wet to a dry environment billions of years ago.
    “The fundamental question of why Mars is red has been considered for hundreds if not for thousands of years,” said lead author Adam Valantinas, a postdoctoral fellow at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, who started the work as a Ph.D. student at the University of Bern, Switzerland. “From our analysis, we believe ferrihydrite is everywhere in the dust and also probably in the rock formations, as well. We’re not the first to consider ferrihydrite as the reason for why Mars is red, but we can now better test this using observational data and novel laboratory methods to essentially make a Martian dust in the lab.”

    “These new findings point to a potentially habitable past for Mars and highlight the value of coordinated research between NASA and its international partners when exploring fundamental questions about our solar system and the future of space exploration,” said Geronimo Villanueva, the Associate Director for Strategic Science of the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and co-author of this study.
    The researchers analyzed data from multiple Mars missions, combining orbital observations from instruments on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, ESA’s (the European Space Agency) Mars Express and Trace Gas Orbiter with ground-level measurements from NASA rovers like Curiosity, Pathfinder, and Opportunity. Instruments on the orbiters and rovers provided detailed spectral data of the planet’s dusty surface. These findings were then compared to laboratory experiments, where the team tested how light interacts with ferrihydrite particles and other minerals under simulated Martian conditions.
    “What we want to understand is the ancient Martian climate, the chemical processes on Mars — not only ancient — but also present,” said Valantinas. “Then there’s the habitability question: Was there ever life? To understand that, you need to understand the conditions that were present during the time of this mineral’s formation. What we know from this study is the evidence points to ferrihydrite forming and for that to happen there must have been conditions where oxygen from air or other sources and water can react with iron. Those conditions were very different from today’s dry, cold environment. As Martian winds spread this dust everywhere, it created the planet’s iconic red appearance.”
    Whether the team’s proposed formation model is correct could be definitively tested after samples from Mars are delivered to Earth for analysis.
    “The study really is a door-opening opportunity,” said Jack Mustard of Brown University, a senior author on the study. “It gives us a better chance to apply principles of mineral formation and conditions to tap back in time. What’s even more important though is the return of the samples from Mars that are being collected right now by the Perseverance rover. When we get those back, we can actually check and see if this is right.”
    Part of the spectral measurements were performed at NASA’s Reflectance Experiment Laboratory (RELAB) at Brown University. RELAB is supported by NASA’s Planetary Science Enabling Facilities program, part of the Planetary Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
    By William Steigerwald
    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Germany and WFP join forces to reach crisis-affected children in northern Togo with nutritious school meals

    Source: World Food Programme

    LOME – TOGO: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of EUR 11 million from the Government of Germany, facilitated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

    The funding channelled through the German Development Bank (KfW), will enable WFP to provide daily nutritious meals to 28,000 pre-school and primary school children in the Kara and Savanes regions of northern Togo.

    With Germany’s funding, WFP will rehabilitate school kitchens, provide fuel-efficient stoves, establish school gardens and grain milling units, and support nutrition education to children, parents and teachers, ensuring a holistic approach to food security, health, and education. 

    ““Through this collaboration with Germany, we are extending our activities to some of Togo’s most vulnerable populations, building sustainable systems that connects local production with school feeding, creating a powerful cycle of development.” said Dr Moïse BALLO, WFP’s Country Director and Representative in Togo. “Our school feeding programme not only improves children’s education and nutrition but also empowers local communities.”

    WFP will target 110 schools within communities hosting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), from the spillover of the Sahel crisis. Food commodities for school meals will be sourced locally from smallholder farmers and women’s cooperatives, thereby stimulating the local economy. 

    “We are pleased to be able to work with WFP to make an important contribution to food security for children in a region that is affected by spillover of the Sahel crisis,” said Dr. Claudius FISCHBACH, German Ambassador to Togo. “Germany is supporting Togo and the other states in the Gulf of Guinea through various measures in the areas of stability, social cohesion and development. It is particularly important to us that the chosen approaches can be continued in a sustainable way.” 

    In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the Ministry of Agriculture and local organizations, WFP will provide agricultural inputs, equipment and technical training to 8,250 smallholder farmers and 1,000 members of food transformation cooperatives most of whom are women.

    WFP’s Home-Grown School Feeding programme in Togo targets 45,500 children in 160 primary schools in the northern regions of the country.

    #                 #                   #

    About WFP

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

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRIFED signs MoU with Rooftop to facilitate skill enhancements of tribal artisans and facilitating their businesses

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 25 FEB 2025 4:06PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant move to transcend from B2C to B2B approach for tribal marketing, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has entered into a strategic partnership with Rooftop to facilitate tribal businesses. To take it forward, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 24th February in New Delhi, marking a pivotal step in facilitating the implementation of the B2B approach and augmentation of the tribal product market.

    The MoU was signed in the presence of Managing Director of TRIFED Shri Ashish Chatterjee during the ongoing flagship event ‘Aadi Mahotsav’, held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in the National Capital from 16 to 24 February 2025. Rooftop MoU was signed and exchanged between TRIFED Deputy General Manager Ms Preeti Tolia and Rooftop Founder & CEO Shri Kartik Gaggar. The principal objective of the MoU is to aid the skill enhancements of the tribal artisans.

    President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu had inaugurated the festival on February 16, 2025, in the august presence of Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs; Shri Durga Das Uikey, MoS Tribal Affairs and Ms Bansuri Swaraj, Member of Parliament.

    About TRIFED:

    * TRIFED is an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, dedicated to the socio-economic development of tribal communities through the marketing development of tribal products.

    About Rooftop:

    *Rooftop is an innovative platform that offers art workshops and events, both virtually and in-person, to foster creativity and learning. It connects art enthusiasts with expert artists and teachers, making art accessible to everyone. Rooftop provides engaging, high-quality content that inspires creativity and personal growth, catering to individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds.

    ***

    Pawan Singh Faujdar/Divyanshu Kumar

    (Release ID: 2106114) Visitor Counter : 50

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TIME USE SURVEY (TUS) (JANUARY – DECEMBER, 2024)

    Source: Government of India (2)

    TIME USE SURVEY (TUS) (JANUARY – DECEMBER, 2024)

    “Increase in women participation in employment-related activities”

     “More acknowledgement of caregiving activities regardless of gender within Indian families”

    “Time spent in Culture, leisure, mass-media and sports practices has increased in both men and women”

    Posted On: 25 FEB 2025 4:00PM by PIB Delhi

    1. Introduction

    Time Use Survey (TUS) provides a framework for measuring time dispositions by the population on different activities. It is an important source of information about the activities that are performed by the population and the time duration for which such activities are performed. One distinguishing feature of the Time Use Survey from other household surveys is that it can capture time disposition on different aspects of human activities, be it paid, unpaid or other activities with such details which is not possible in other surveys.

    India is among the few countries, including Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, USA and China that conduct the National Time Use Survey to analyze how people allocate their time to various daily activities. The primary objective of the Survey is to measure the participation of men and women in paid and unpaid activities. TUS is an important source of information on the time spent in unpaid caregiving activities, volunteer work, and unpaid domestic service-producing activities of the household members. It also provides information on time spent on learning, socializing, leisure activities, self-care activities, etc., by the household members.

    The National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI conducted the first all-India Time Use Survey during January – December 2019. The present TUS conducted during January – December 2024 is the second such All-India Survey.

    1. Key Highlights of the Results of Time Use Survey, 2024 (TUS, 2024):
    • During 2024, 75 percent of the males and 25 per cent of the females in the age group 15-59 years, participated in employment and related activities during the reference period of 24 hours. Such participation was 70.9 percent for males and 21.8 percent for females in the age group 15-59 years during 2019.
    • Female participants aged 15-59 years in unpaid domestic services spent about 315 minutes during 2019 in those activities, which has come down to 305 minutes during 2024 signifying the shift from unpaid to paid activities.
    • 41 per cent of females aged 15-59 years participated in caregiving for their household members, male participation in this age group in such caregiving was 21.4 per cent. Also, female participants in caregiving activities spent about 140 minutes in a day, compared to 74 minutes spent by male participants aged 15-59 years. This corroborates the Indian social fabric wherein most of the caregiving responsibilities for household members are borne by the females of the household.
    • 24.6 per cent of the rural population aged 15-59 years participated in producing goods for own final use and they spent 121 minutes a day doing such activities.
    • 89.3 per cent of children aged 6-14 years participated in learning activities and they spent around 413 minutes in a day for such activities.
    • People aged 6 years and above spent 11 per cent of their days’ time in culture, leisure, mass media and sports practices during 2024, compared to 9.9 per cent of the days’ time spent during 2019.
    • 708 minutes in a day was spent on self-care and maintenance activities by persons aged 6 years and above. Females of this age group spent 706 minutes while males spent 710 minutes in such activities.
    1. Features of the Survey

    In TUS, 2024, respondents were asked about their activities performed in the designated time slots of 30 minutes and the same was recorded against the corresponding slot. In case of multiple activities in a time slot, a maximum of three activities which were performed for 10 minutes or more, were recorded. Information on time use was collected for persons aged 6 years and above with a reference period of 24 hours.

    1. Coverage: This survey covered 1,39,487 households (rural: 83,247 and urban: 56,240). Information on time use was collected from each member of age 6 years and above of the selected households. This survey enumerated 4,54,192 persons aged 6 years and above (rural: 2,85,389 and urban: 1,68,803).
    2. Data Collection:  In this survey data on time use was collected through CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews). Information on time use was collected with a reference period of 24 hours starting from 4:00 AM on the day before the date of the interview to 4:00 AM on the day of the interview
    3. Presentation of the estimates: All-India level estimates for persons of age 6 years and above, obtained from the Time Use Survey, 2024, have been presented in the Fact Sheet.

     

    Major Indicators: The major indicators generated from TUS, 2024 are described here.

    • PARTICIPATION RATE: Participation rate in a day in any activity is calculated as the percentage of persons performing that activity during the day.
    • AVERAGE TIME SPENT IN A DAY PER PARTICIPANT: The average time spent in a day per participant for any activity is calculated by considering those who participated in the activity. Estimates of average time in a day in different activities derived by considering only the participants in the activities are referred to as average time spent in a day per participant.

     

    • AVERAGE TIME SPENT IN A DAY PER PERSON: The average time spent in a day per person for any activity is calculated by considering all the persons irrespective of whether they participated in the activity or not. By this approach, the distribution of the total time of 1440 minutes of a day per person in different activities is derived.
    1. The key findings of the TUS 2024 are given in the Statements annexed while the Fact Sheet is accessible at https://mospi.gov.in.

     

    Key Findings of the Survey

     

    Table 1: Percentage of persons of age 6 years and above participating in different activities in a day

    all-India

    Description of the activity

    sector

    gender

    rural

    urban

    rural+urban

    male

    female

    person

    Employment and related activities

    41.1

    40.5

    40.9

    60.8

    20.7

    40.9

    Production of goods for own final use

    21.6

    6.2

    16.8

    13.0

    20.7

    16.8

    Unpaid      domestic      services      for household members

    54.2

    53.9

    54.1

    27.1

    81.5

    54.1

    Unpaid     caregiving      services     for household members

    26.5

    24.5

    25.9

    17.9

    34.0

    25.9

    Unpaid volunteer, trainee and other unpaid work

    1.0

    1.1

    1.0

    0.9

    1.1

    1.0

    Learning

    21.7

    20.7

    21.4

    22.6

    20.2

    21.4

    Socializing      and      communication,

    community         participation         and religious practice

    90.1

    90.8

    90.3

    89.8

    90.7

    90.3

    Culture, leisure, mass-media and sports practices

    91.8

    95.8

    93.0

    95.3

    90.7

    93.0

    Self-care and maintenance

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    Note: The estimates have been calculated considering all the activities in a time slot

     

    Table 2: Average time (in minutes) spent in a day per participant of age 6 years and above in different activities

    all-India

    Description of the activity

    sector

    gender

    rural

    urban

    rural+urban

    male

    female

    person

    Employment and related activities

    417

    490

    440

    473

    341

    440

    Production of goods for own final use

    123

    64

    116

    137

    104

    116

    Unpaid       domestic       services       for household members

    241

    232

    238

    88

    289

    238

    Unpaid      caregiving      services      for household members

    115

    117

    116

    75

    137

    116

    Unpaid volunteer, trainee and other unpaid work

    121

    123

    122

    139

    108

    122

    Learning

    413

    419

    414

    415

    413

    414

    Socializing and communication, community participation and religious practice

    142

    131

    138

    138

    139

    138

    Culture, leisure, mass-media and sports practices

    165

    183

    171

    177

    164

    171

    Self-care and maintenance

    711

    701

    708

    710

    706

    708

    Note: The estimates have been calculated considering all the activities in a time slot

    Table 3: Percentage share of total time in different activities in a day per person of age 6 years and above

     

    all-India

     

    Description of the activity

    sector

    gender

     

    rural

    urban

    rural+urban

    male

    female

    person

     

    Employment         and         related activities

    11.9

    13.8

    12.5

    19.9

    4.9

    12.5

     

    Production of goods for own final use

    1.9

    0.3

    1.4

    1.3

    1.5

    1.4

     

    Unpaid domestic services for household members

    9.1

    8.7

    9.0

    1.7

    16.4

    9.0

     

    Unpaid caregiving services for household members

    2.1

    2.0

    2.1

    0.9

    3.3

    2.1

     

    Unpaid volunteer, trainee and other unpaid work

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

    0.1

     

    Learning

    6.3

    6.0

    6.2

    6.5

    5.8

    6.2

     

    Socializing and communication, community      participation      and

    religious practice

    8.9

    8.3

    8.7

    8.6

    8.8

    8.7

     

    Culture, leisure, mass-media and sports practices

    10.5

    12.2

    11.0

    11.7

    10.3

    11.0

     

    Self-care and maintenance

    49.4

    48.7

    49.2

    49.3

    49.0

    49.2

     

    Total

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

    100.0

     

    Note: (i) The estimates have been calculated considering all the activities in a time slot

    (ii) Figures may not add up to 100 due to rounding off.

     
                               

     

    *******

    Samrat

    (Release ID: 2106113) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EDB holds kick-off ceremony and experiment proposal design briefing session for Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Education Bureau (EDB) is organising the Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge, which encourages student teams to submit scientific experiment design proposals suitable for implementation under space conditions or microgravity. The kick-off ceremony and experiment proposal design briefing session of the challenge were held today (February 25).

         The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, officiated at the ceremony, which took place at the Education Bureau Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre with representatives from the co-organising, supporting, and partner institutions. The challenge is jointly organised by the EDB, the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS-TECSU), and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), with the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) serving as a supporting organisation. The Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, and the Education Convergence are partner organisations.

         The challenge aims to promote aerospace education, deepen students’ understanding of the country’s achievements in the aerospace area, and strengthen their confidence in science and technology. Award-winning and selected proposals have opportunities to be realised and developed into final products, and would be recommended to the space station space mission and Space Station Hong Kong Popular Science Satellite Project, to commence in 2026.

         Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, Dr Choi said that China’s aerospace engineering is a major testament to the country’s technological and comprehensive national strengths, fulfilling the long-held aerospace dreams of the Chinese people. This competition gives students valuable opportunities for aerospace education, training and practice, enabling them to have the opportunity to participate in national aerospace projects, explore aerospace science, and realise their aerospace dreams. She added that the challenge is highly meaningful and students are encouraged to form teams to participate in it.

         She pointed out that, to align with the national direction of invigorating the country through science and education, and in support of Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub, the EDB continues to step up the promotion of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) education in schools, with an aim to enhance students’ interest and capabilities in scientific research and I&T through diversified support measures.

         Dr Choi expressed her gratitude to the CAS-TECSU, the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, and HKUST, among other organisations, for their robust support of the challenge, which has enabled its smooth implementation.

         Associate Vice-President for Research and Development (Research) of HKUST Professor Penger Tong also officiated at the ceremony. He said he hopes that this science popularisation activity will ignite the passion of Hong Kong’s younger generation for aerospace technology and enable them to make greater contributions to the aerospace endeavours of the country.

         During the briefing session, the project leader of the Space Station Hong Kong Popular Science Satellite from HKUST, Professor Yu Hongyu, delivered a keynote titled “Exploring the Universe, Igniting Dreams – Building Aerospace Aspirations with Hong Kong Secondary Students,” introducing the latest developments in the aerospace technology of the country to teachers and students. Meanwhile, Associate Director of the Space Science and Technology Institute of HKUST Professor Wang Yi and EDB representatives introduced the regulations, rules, and scoring criteria of the challenge.

         Other officiating guests included the Deputy Director of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Dr Chen Zhilu; the President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, Mr Hsu Hoi-shan; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers, Mr Wong Kam-leung; and the Vice Chairperson of the Education Convergence, Mr Chan Wai-lun. A total of 400 teachers and students from various schools also attended the briefing session.

         Under the Hong Kong Secondary Student Space Station Popular Science Payload and Science Experiment Design Challenge, participating student teams are required to submit science experiment design proposals that are suitable for conducting in a space environment or under microgravity conditions for review by an expert panel. The organising bodies will provide a series of training activities for participating teams, including payload design creation sessions led by aerospace experts, as well as online consultations, payload design reviews and improvement suggestions. An award ceremony and achievement exhibition is expected to be held in late June or July.

         Student teams interested in participating are required to register on the challenge’s website (spacepayload.hkust.edu.hk) after obtaining a nomination from their respective school(s) by March 8. For details, please refer to Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 31/2025 (applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBCM/EDBCM25031E.pdf).         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President of India graces centenary celebration of Patna Medical College

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 25 FEB 2025 3:16PM by PIB Delhi

    The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, graced the centenary celebration of Patna Medical College in Patna, Bihar today (February 25, 2025). 

    Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Patna Medical College is among the Bihar’s invaluable heritage. This institution has a glorious history of preserving antiquity and constantly moving towards modernity. PMCH was among the best hospitals in Asia. The alumni of this institute have brought glory to themselves and PMCH in the country and abroad on the strength of their talent, service, and dedication. 

    The President said that going to another city or state for treatment affects in many ways such as delays in treatment, problems of food, accommodation and employment. This also overburdens the medical institutions of major cities. Decentralisation of good medical institutions across the country would prove to help solve all these problems. Cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Indore have developed as centres for specialty treatment. Bihar should also develop many such centers. This would not only provide good medical treatment to the people of Bihar but will also boost the economy of the state. PMCH and its alumni can greatly contribute to this endeavour with their experience. 

    The President said that this is the era of technology. Technology is playing an important role in the medical field as well. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are making the medical process simpler and more accurate. She urged all stakeholders of PMCH to always be ready to adopt the latest technologies. She said that it would not only make the treatment easier but would also increase doctors’ knowledge and efficiency. 

    The President said that our doctors are researchers, therapists, teachers and counselors as well. In all these roles, they serve the people and society and contribute to nation building. She urged them to make people aware of the importance of blood and organ donation.

    Please click here to see the president’s Speech

    *****

    MJPS/SR/BM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English rendering of PM’s speech during the Jhumoir Binandini programme in Guwahati, Assam

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 24 FEB 2025 8:43PM by PIB Delhi

    Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

    Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

    Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya ji, the dynamic Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ji, my colleagues in the Union Government Dr. S. Jaishankar and Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Saha ji, other ministers, members of Parliament, members of the Legislative Assembly, all artist friends, and my brothers and sisters of Assam,  

    Greetings to everybody! How are you all my brothers and sisters?  

    I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you.  

    I am extremely delighted to be present here today.

    Brothers and sisters,

    Today, there is an incredible atmosphere here in Assam—an environment full of energy. This entire stadium is resonating with enthusiasm, joy, and excitement. The preparation of all the artists performing the Jhumoir dance is visible everywhere. This magnificent preparation carries both the fragrance and beauty of the tea gardens. And you all know, who would understand the aroma and colour of tea better than a tea seller?  That is why, just as you have a special connection with Jhumoir and the culture of tea gardens, I, too, share a bond with it.  

    Friends,

    When such a large number of artists perform the Jhumoir dance together, it will set a new record. Previously, when I visited Assam in 2023, more than 11,000 people performed the Bihu dance together and created a record. I can never forget that moment! Even those who watched it on TV still remind me of it again and again.  Today, I am eagerly waiting for another such spectacular performance. I congratulate the Assam government and the dynamic Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ji for organising this grand cultural event.

    Today is a proud day for Assam’s tea community and indigenous people. I extend my best wishes to everyone on this occasion.

    Friends,

    Such grand events not only add to Assam’s pride but also showcase Bharat’s great diversity. I have just been informed that more than 60 ambassadors from different countries around the world are present here to experience Assam. There was a time when Assam and the Northeast were neglected in terms of development, and their rich culture was overlooked. But today, the Northeast’s culture has its own brand ambassador—Modi himself. I am the first Prime Minister to stay in Assam’s Kaziranga and introduce the world to its biodiversity. Just now, Himanta Da described this, and all of you stood up to express your gratitude. A few months ago, we granted Assamese the status of a Classical Language, a recognition that the people of Assam had been waiting for decades. Similarly, Charaideo Maidam has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, and the efforts of the BJP government played a significant role in making this possible.

    Friends,

    Assam takes great pride in its brave son, Veer Lachit Borphukan, who fiercely resisted the Mughals and protected Assam’s culture and identity. We celebrated his 400th birth anniversary on a grand scale, and his tableau was also featured in the Republic Day parade, where the entire nation paid tribute to him. Here in Assam, a 125-foot bronze statue of Lachit Borphukan has also been constructed. Similarly, to honour the legacy of the tribal communities, we have started celebrating Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day). Assam’s Governor Lakshman Prasad ji himself comes from a tribal background and has reached this position through his dedication and hard work. To immortalize the contributions of tribal heroes and heroines across the country, tribal museums are also being established.

    Friends,

    The BJP government is not only driving Assam’s development but also serving the Tea Tribe community. To increase the income of tea garden workers, a bonus has been announced for Assam Tea Corporation workers. A major challenge faced by our sisters and daughters working in tea gardens was financial insecurity during pregnancy. Today, around 1.5 lakh women are receiving 15,000 rupees as financial assistance during pregnancy so that they do not have to worry about expenses. For the health of these families, the Assam government is establishing over 350 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in tea gardens. Additionally, more than 100 Model Tea Garden Schools have already been opened to ensure quality education for their children, with around 100 more in the pipeline. We have also introduced a 3% reservation under the OBC quota for the youth of the Tea Tribe. The Assam government is further supporting them by providing 25,000 rupees as financial assistance for self-employment. The growth of the tea industry and its workers will accelerate the development of all of Assam, and our Northeast region will reach new heights of progress. 

    Now, as you are about to begin your magnificent performance, I extend my heartfelt gratitude in advance. I am confident that all of Bharat will celebrate your dance today! TV channels are eagerly waiting for it to begin, and the whole country and the world will witness this grand performance. A big thank you to everyone for the wonderful Jhumoir performance. Stay well, and I look forward to meeting you again. Thank you very much!

    Bharat Mata ki – Jai!

     

    DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Charles University Prague builds partnerships with 6 UK universities

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    World news story

    Charles University Prague builds partnerships with 6 UK universities

    A delegation from Charles University visited the UK to build strategic partnerships with 6 UK universities. It creates collaborative research and development opportunities.

    The delegation from Charles University at Imperial College London.

    Charles University is the oldest university in central Europe (established in 1348) with 17 Faculties and 50,000 students including more than 10,000 from abroad. It has 8,600 staff, 3,900+ are academics. The university is the best (world TOP150) in the following 5 subjects:

    • anatomy and physiology
    • economics
    • geography
    • linguistics
    • political science and international studies

    Charles University currently has bilateral agreements with 58 British universities. About 95 British students come to study in Prague every year.

    Between 27 and 31 March 2023, 18 delegates from Charles University led by the first ever female Rector Milena Králíčková and her 2 Vice-Rectors (Jan Kuklík and Ladislav Krištoufek) travelled round the UK to enhance strategic partnerships with 6 respected British universities:

    • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
    • Imperial College London
    • University College London
    • Cardiff University
    • University of St. Andrews
    • University of Edinburgh

    They were met by Vice-Chancellors or their deputies and large delegations of their counterparts.

    Prague UK Science and Innovation Network supported the idea of the mission from its beginning, contributed to the organisation of the mission and accompanied the Rector and Vice-Rectors to their key meetings.

    There were also many side meetings directly between faculty members and researchers in various sectors from pedagogy to biomedical and sport sciences. Overall, more than 20 meetings took place during the week and over 40 British leaders and researchers participated.

    Impact

    The mission itself is a great success on its own right. It highlights that the UK is a partner of choice for science and research at Charles University and a quality of British Higher Education is well recognized. The rector prioritized the UK for her first longer foreign visit and showed how important British networks for Charles University are.

    There was a huge interest to join from faculty members (Deans and Vice-Deans) and a formerly planned 5 people team turned to a large group of 18 delegates. The mission was self-funded by Charles University with no HMG financial support, showing high commitment to the collaboration.

    In all meetings, a part of the discussions focused on students and teachers’ mobility, celebrating already existing exchanges, for example, a cooperation between Charles University with Realistic graphics and Imaging Group at Imperial College London and Parasitology at LSHTM. New annual exchanges of 5 law students with Cardiff University have been agreed.

    Discussions also focused on research – matching strengths of institutions and finding ideal areas for collaboration. One early success of the visit was a Horizon Europe Teaming bid worth €1 million, submitted by the Faculty of Arts of Charles University together with the University College London and KTH Leuven to Brussels. The bid has not received funding, but the research teams of universities continue cooperating.

    Policy discussions focused on research security and exchanges of best practice between Charles University and British institutions. A common approach to privacy, research integrity and ethics is needed. Sustainability of Universities and Net-Zero pledges as well as energy security and high-inflation were also on minds of university leaders in both countries.

    The Rector of Charles University established a “strategic partnership seed fund” for Charles University staff to facilitate collaborations between staff from Charles University and their British counterparts that have a strong potential to establish mutually beneficial educational and research connections and make a valuable contribution to the international advancement of both universities.

    Expected outputs from this seed fund are mobility, teaching opportunities, joint publications, workshops and grant applications. An average of £5,000 is planned for one project with an estimated annual limit of 6 new collaborative opportunities between Charles University and 6 UK counterparts every year!

    SIN Officer Contact: otakar.fojt@fcdo.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU learned how to get a grant to implement their ideas

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Lecture by Alena Zinkevich

    On February 21, the lecture “The Ecosystem of Youth Policy in Russia” was held in the “Growth Point” space of SPbGASU. The head of the media department of the charitable organization “Anna Helps”, expert-mentor of Rosmolodezh, expert of the “Movement of the First”, lecturer of the Russian society “Knowledge” Alena Zinkevich told students about organizations that work in the field of youth policy, and about the opportunities that young people have today.

    According to Alena Zinkevich, youth policy at various levels is implemented by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), the Committee for Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations of the Administration of St. Petersburg, educational institutions, and youth centers.

    Alena Zinkevich spoke in detail about the Rosmolodezh forums, which provide the opportunity to travel for free, communicate with like-minded people, and receive funding for your projects.

    The speaker reviewed various projects and programs of Rosmolodezh, explained what grants are, what types of grants exist, and where to look for them. Thus, until March 17, you can apply for the correspondence competition “Rosmolodezh. Grants Season I”. Alena Zinkevich shared useful tips and offered assistance in filling out applications. Those interested could make a request and receive a gift from the speaker – a checklist on social design. After the lecture, we asked the students if they had projects that they dreamed of bringing to life.

    Anna Bogolyubova, a first-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management, has not previously participated in grant competitions. She does not have a project yet, but she has ideas. Anna learned a lot of new things at the lecture.

    Anna Kozhemyak, a second-year bachelor’s student at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, actively attends lectures at Tochka Rosta. She has several ideas aimed at solving student problems. Anna is a participant in the World Youth Festival in Sochi. She wants to continue the experience she gained there.

    Lecture audience. In the center is Lev Zadumkin

    The lecture was attended by Lev Zadumkin, the leading system administrator of the information technology department of SPbGASU. His project is a youth cycling school. “It’s like a driving school, only on bicycles, where we teach traffic rules and city riding in the format of a full course, with theory and practice. After classes, students stop being afraid of the roadway, understand road signs, and can provide first aid,” he said. In 2023, Lev, as part of a team from the “Let’s Go” association, applied for a grant (subsidy) competition from the Committee on Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations.

    “We won then, but not last year, but we are not giving up and will try again this year, with the project of the school of urban mobility, which will include training in riding not only bicycles, but also SIM (individual mobility devices – electric scooters, unicycles and others). This innovation gives the project additional relevance in connection with the increase in demand for urban micromobility as an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to public transport and private cars,” Lev continued.

    Lev Zadumkin reported that as a public project, “Bike School” has existed for more than 10 years thanks to activist Alexander Kozhanov and the public movement “Bicycling of St. Petersburg”. “Previously, these were one-time classes for a wide audience, video lectures, performances at festivals, then we tested the format of courses for residents of the municipal district (MO-72) and released several streams,” he said, specifying that he himself has been actively involved in the project since 2023.

    “As far as I know, there are no similar schools to ours yet, we are pioneers. There are schools that teach how to ride a bike (mainly for children), there are “electric scooter schools” from sharing companies, but there is a problem everywhere – they do not prioritize the use of bicycles and SIMs as transport and do not teach traffic rules. And classes at the bike school are free!” – concluded Lev Zadumkin.

    “Our university offers many opportunities for young people to realize themselves. On February 26 at 19:00, Rosmolodezh. Grants and Dvizhenie Perviy ambassadors will hold individual consultations at the Growth Point. This is a good social lift. Come with your ideas!” urged Ekaterina Kovalenko, Deputy Head of the Youth Policy Department.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Genius of the Place”: HSE School of Design Holds Competition Among Applicants

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Competition projects will be useful for admission

    Works submitted to the “Genius Loci” competition may be presented during entrance examinations for the following bachelor’s degree programs: online bachelor’s degree “Design” at HSE Perm, “Design” at HSE Nizhny Novgorod, “Design” at HSE St. Petersburg, “Design” at the HSE School of Design in Moscow.

    The points received in the competition may differ from the points received in the entrance examinations due to the different levels of preparation of the participants and the number of works submitted.

    Participation in the “Genius of the Place” competition does not exempt you from the mandatory entrance exam upon admission. Do not forget to submit documents and upload a creative project.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Cabinet set to decide on proposed site for new girls’ school

    Source: City of Liverpool

    Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet is set to consider a report that will set in motion the development of a new girls’ secondary school in Toxteth, as well as identifying new community facilities for the African Caribbean community.

    The report, that will be discussed at next week’s cabinet, Tuesday 25 February, is asking that five council-owned parcels of land be made available for the Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy which is part of the Star Academies Multi-Academy Trust (MAT).

    Three parcels of land, bordered by Upper Parliament Street, Mulgrave Street and Selborne Street, are currently occupied by the much-loved African Caribbean Centre, and the report further recommends that new facilities are developed to support the community.

    Discussions have already been held with the centre’s leaders and consultation will begin to determine how the community’s needs will be met and where the new facilities will be located, either on the existing site or nearby.

    A further plot is leased to Liverpool Women’s Hospital as an overflow car park with the final plot currently standing vacant.

    Liverpool faces significant pressure to increase the number of secondary school places and Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy will eventually bring a further 600 places to Liverpool.

    The school will have a Muslim faith designation, with potentially up to half of its pupils being Muslim, whilst pupils of all other faiths and none will also be welcomed into the school.

    The school was approved under the Department for Education’s Free Schools programme and Liverpool City Council is required to find a suitable site.

    Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said: “Finding sites for new schools in Liverpool has been very difficult. Not only does a set of criteria set out by the Department for Education have to be met, we also need to find sites which support safe travel to school, and accessible to communities where the demand is highest. Star Academies MAT has a proven track record of providing high performing schools and we look forward to welcoming them to the city.”

    Cllr Lila Bennett, Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills, said: “In our meetings with the African Caribbean Centre’s leaders, we have reinforced our commitment to providing improved modern facilities which meet the community’s needs.

    “The current centre has provided vital support in the heart of Toxteth, and we want to ensure that support can be provided for many decades to come. We will now step up our engagement with the community to ensure we co-design new facilities to meet the local need.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Smart is sexy – new study on fish doing puzzles hints intelligence partly evolved via sexual selection

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ivan Vinogradov, Animal Behaviour Researcher, Australian National University

    Turner Brockman/iNaturalist, CC BY-SA

    We humans often underestimate the intelligence of other animals. You’ve probably seen videos of monkeys, ravens or parrots solving puzzles.

    But fish also possess impressive problem-solving skills, despite the notorious slander that goldfish have a three-second memory.

    The intelligence of animals can be a useful tool when testing various ideas in biology. For example, could intelligence have evolved in part thanks to sexual selection, rather than as a means of survival?

    In a new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, we used distinct tests to measure cognitive abilities of male mosquitofish – a thumb-sized fish endemic to central America but now a major pest in many parts of the world, including Australia.

    We then tracked how many offspring each male produced when competing for mates in small ponds. Our study showed that smarter males had more offspring than their less intelligent brethren.

    Our findings imply that the evolution of cognitive abilities may have been driven by sexual selection, with smarter males gaining more mating opportunities.

    To be smart is to survive

    Cognitive abilities, such as learning and problem solving, likely arose because they helped animals gather food, find shelter and avoid predators.

    Individuals that were better at these tasks lived longer and passed on genes to their offspring that improved the offspring’s performance. Natural selection favoured smarter survivors who had more descendants than the average individual.

    As a result, populations became smarter over time.

    But there is another explanation for the evolution of intelligence: smarter is sexy. A better brain might help an animal find more mates, have more sex, and eventually have more babies.

    If this is the case, intelligence partly evolved through sexual selection, where traits that boost mating and fertilisation success become more common over generations.

    We did our study on male fish – sexual selection is usually stronger on males than females, because in most species there are more males seeking mates than females ready to mate and breed.

    A shoal of mosquitofish.
    David Fanner

    Measuring animal IQ

    Even in humans, intelligence can be difficult to pin down: maths skills, creativity, street smarts, and standardised IQ tests all capture different aspects of human braininess.

    For animals, this challenge is tougher still. But biologists broadly agree that cognition is the ability to acquire, store, process, and act on information; and that distinct cognitive abilities are governed by different brain regions.

    We designed four special underwater tests to tap into these distinct cognitive abilities of our male mosquitofish.

    First, we measured their spatial learning by placing fish in a maze with a single correct route that led them to a shoal of their compatriots. Mosquitofish are highly motivated to swim with other fish, so reaching this shoal acts as a reward for solving the maze.

    Second, we measured their self-control (formally called “inhibitory control”) by placing a transparent barrier between the fish and a reward. We then documented how quickly a male learned not to swim into the barrier but to detour around it.

    A variation of the apparatus used to test self-control in mosquitofish. Fish needed to overcome their impulse to swim straight through the transparent barrier and detour it instead.
    Ivan Vinogradov

    Then, we measured associative learning by presenting a fish with two coloured corridors once a day. One colour (for example, green) led to a dead end, while the other (for example, red) to a reward.

    The number of days it took a male to consistently choose the correct corridor – the one with a reward – indicated how quickly they learned the association.

    Lastly, we reversed the colour cues to measure reversal learning. If green, for example, was previously the dead end, it now became the reward corridor, while red became the dead end. This tested how quickly the fish could “overwrite” his previously learned association to learn the new one.

    A winning edge in mating

    After these tests, we moved the males to ponds where they competed for mates. Two months later, the females gave birth, and genetic paternity tests revealed who fathered each offspring.

    Males that scored highly on self-control and spatial learning had significantly more children. But why?

    Something about these males seemingly gave them an edge in securing mating opportunities. Perhaps females recognised and preferred smarter males? Maybe smarter males were better at chasing the females and forcing them to mate (a common, if unpleasant, practice in mosquitofish).

    Future research is needed to observe the males’ mating behaviours more closely and see if smarter and dumber males differ in how they court mates.

    Our research sheds light on the evolution of our most prized possession – the brain. It seems that sophisticated intelligence isn’t only driven by our need to find food or avoid danger to survive, but also by the complex challenges of finding love.

    Ivan Vinogradov 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. Smart is sexy – new study on fish doing puzzles hints intelligence partly evolved via sexual selection – https://theconversation.com/smart-is-sexy-new-study-on-fish-doing-puzzles-hints-intelligence-partly-evolved-via-sexual-selection-249862

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – Sister Ana, a missionary among young Filipinos: this is how we help them discover their talents

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 25 February 2025

    Photo: Suor Ana Palma

    by Pascale RizkSan Carlos (Agenzia Fides) – A few days ago the seventh edition of the “Asian Mission” initiative ended, which this year had the motto “Made for a mission. Made for peace”. The event brought together 50 participants, including eight young people from Japan, five from the diocese of Daejon in South Korea, five from the Philippine diocese of Nampicuan and two from San Fabian, as well as 30 young people from the “Servants Missionary Youth” group from Malasiqui. The meeting, organized by the Congregation of the Servants of the Gospel of the Divine Mercy, takes place once a year and was held from February 6 to 16 in San Carlos, in the Philippine province of Pangasinan.”While young people in the Philippines suffer from poverty, young people in South Korea and Japan suffer from their families’ crushing expectations of success within a very competitive, rigid and demanding social system that causes a high suicide rate. The Asia Mission initiative aims to support all these young people,” says Sister Ana Palma, a Spanish missionary who has been in the Philippines with her community since 2015. “By creating this space, we want to sensitize young people to realities that are different from their own.””They should experience ‘human fraternity’ by being able to participate in pastoral activities with young people, children and university students. At the Pangasinan State University, young people meet with the university pastoral staff to share experiences of life in their respective societies and discuss ways to promote peace. In general, games, workshops and key meetings are held on human values such as freedom of expression, human dignity and work, depending on the age group,” explains the nun.San Carlos is 122 kilometers from Manila and is characterized by great poverty. It is usually the fathers who provide for the families by working in agriculture; families are made up of an average of five or six people and the most common work is building bamboo houses, called “Bahay-kubo”. The daily wage is 450 pesos, which is about 9,900 pesos a month, or about 200 euros. Women who do the cleaning work receive 350 pesos a day. With this income, families cannot afford to send all their children to university, and they only choose those who have the best prospects of success.The different needs of these young people also include the financial aspect. The parishes promote university scholarships of 1,500 pesos (about 26 euros) per month for the entire academic year. “My community sponsors 20 students with financial support of 1,750 pesos – 360 euros per year – from private donors,” adds Sister Ana, who continues: “Our work with young people aims above all to give them the confidence to change their lives. We encourage them to discover their potential, their talents and abilities. They are all very gifted, but at the same time they are crushed by the reality of poverty, which always makes them underestimate their potential.”According to Sister Ana, young people who are unable to continue their studies at university help their fathers with construction work, and the girls act as “laundresses,” washing the clothes by hand for families who do not have washing machines. It also happens that girls enrolled in university have difficulty paying the exam fees and therefore turn to prostitution.In addition to their work with young people, the missionaries of the Congregation of the Servants of the Gospel of Divine Mercy are involved in children’s catechism in parishes, in the distribution of the Eucharist to the elderly from door to door and in various educational, recreational and entertainment programs for young people. Every week, the missionary community meet with the youth group of the “Servants Missionary Youth” to pray. “The strength and power of prayer is very important. Filipino Catholics have a strong sense of popular piety,” emphasizes the missionary from Granada.”I am very happy that these young people, who come from very poor families – I know, for example, a family with up to fourteen members – can study at university. Many study nursing, political science or education. It is beautiful to see how they mature through open-mindedness,” says Sister Ana, “Even if, unfortunately,” reports Sister Ana, “today many are leaving the Catholic Church to join the ‘Born Again’ sect, attracted by music and animation”. (Agenzia Fides, 25/2/2025)
    Photo: Suor Ana Palma

    Photo: Suor Ana Palma

    Photo: Suor Ana Palma

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: ITI Launches Master’s in Trading Program for Ambitious Traders Aspiring to Go Professional

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The International Trading Institute (ITI) is setting a new standard for trader education with the launch of its Master’s in Trading Program—a structured, comprehensive, mentor-led program designed to turn ambitious traders into market professionals.

    The part-time program delivers expert training in trading psychology, risk management, algorithmic strategies, and advanced market analysis across all major asset classes. Designed for traders serious about going professional, ITI provides real-world trading experience, direct mentorship, and industry-recognized certifications—fast-tracking participants into full-time trading and finance careers.

    The Ultimate Trading Education Experience

    Unlike self-learning or short-term courses, ITI’s Master’s in Trading Program offers a structured, hands-on approach to professional trading. The program is designed to offer participants opportunities to:

    • Trade like the pros – learn professional-level strategies for risk management, execution, and market analysis.
    • Master trading psychology – train with world-class trading psychologists to develop the discipline needed for trading success.
    • Gain hands-on experience – engage in real-time trading simulations, case studies, and market analysis.
    • Access elite mentorship – work directly with top trading professionals for expert guidance and career development.
    • Earn an industry-recognized certification – graduates will have the option to earn the STA Technical Analysis certification.
    • Build a professional-grade trading system – develop and refine a reliable, high-performance trading strategy with expert feedback.

    “Retail traders often struggle to bridge the gap between independent trading and professional execution,” says Carol Harmer, ITI faculty member. “This program eliminates guesswork, providing structured training, performance coaching, and the professional insights needed to compete at the highest level.”

    Led by World-Class Trading Experts

    ITI’s faculty includes some of the most respected names in the trading industry, offering unparalleled mentorship and expertise. Featured instructors include:

    Steve Goldstein – Trading performance coach specializing in psychology, behavioral finance, and decision-making under uncertainty. Author of “Mastering the Mental Game of Trading” (2024).

    Alex Spiroglou – A high-profile cross-asset futures trader and an award-winning researcher in technical analysis.

    Sunil Mangwani – Technical trading specialist with expertise in price action, Fibonacci techniques, and trend forecasting.

    Steve Ward – Performance coach for hedge funds, investment banks, and professional traders. Author of three books on trader performance and mindset. 

    Marc Chandler – A widely respected currency expert and seasoned Wall Street strategist.

    Carol Harmer – A veteran trader and pioneer of technical trading at top financial institutions.

    Ed Ponsi – Respected forex educator, risk management expert, best-selling author, and advisor to hedge funds, institutional traders, and central bankers.

    The Psychological Edge: ITI’s Game-Changing Approach

    Experts agree that 80% of trading success depends on a trader’s psychological mindset. 

    Julie Cook, President of ITI, explains why ITI puts mindset training at the core of its curriculum:

    “Most trading programs focus on strategy but neglect the mental game. At ITI, we integrate trading psychology into every aspect of learning. Success in today’s markets requires more than just knowledge—it demands resilience, confidence, and an elite mindset.”

    Additionally, research shows that structured mentorship can accelerate learning curves and significantly impact performance and outcomes. 

    According to ITI faculty member Sunil Mangwani, “Mentoring is a key to professionalization for institutional traders. This program duplicates that critical element in the development of traders by providing mentoring by industry experts embedded in the curriculum.”

    By incorporating mentorship and psychological training, ITI gives traders the competitive edge they need to succeed faster and more efficiently.

    Enrollment Now Open – Limited Spots Available

    Applications for the September 2025 cohort are now open. Seats are limited, and early applicants receive live Q&A sessions with industry experts and early scholarship opportunities.

    More details: InternationalTradingInstitute.com/masters-in-trading-program/

    About the International Trading Institute

    The International Trading Institute (ITI) is a leading educational institution offering a groundbreaking Master’s in Trading Program to equip traders with cutting-edge knowledge, tools, and mentorship for success in global financial markets. With industry veterans as faculty and a rigorous, real-world curriculum, ITI is setting a new standard in trading education.

    Social Links

    Website: https://internationaltradinginstitute.com/

    Contact

    Director of Marketing
    Jasman Mann
    The International Trading Institute (ITI)
    admissions@internationaltradinginstitute.com
    +34 93 451 8176

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1656f4a3-ea47-4b00-bc18-9067031533f2

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The impact of violence against women and girls on young Londoners

    Source: Mayor of London

    Following the murders of Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman, Sarah Everard, Maria Rawlings, Sabina Nessa and others, reducing violence against women and girls (VAWG) has been a priority issue in London.

    The Mayor’s draft Police and Crime Plan 2025-29 states that one of the four priority aims for reducing violence and criminal exploitation is to “bring more perpetrators of VAWG to justice and increase preventative efforts to tackle misogyny.”1

    VAWG is an important issue for young people in London. 16-19 years old is the most common age for perpetration of rape and serious sexual offences.2 According to figures from the Youth Endowment Fund, 52 per cent of perpetrators of child sexual abuse and exploitation were children aged 10-17, with the most common age being 14 years old.3

    The London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will tomorrow begin an investigation into VAWG, focussing on the impact on young people. The Committee will question guests on the experiences of young people, and how the Mayor can ensure that prevention-based education programmes and initiatives are reaching boys and young men in London.

    The guests are:

    Panel 1 (10:00am – 11:15am):

    • Janaya Walker, Head of Public Affairs, End Violence Against Women coalition
    • Sanskriti Sanghi, Policy, Campaigns and Communications Officer, Southall Black Sisters

    Panel 2 (11:20am – approx. 12:30pm):

    • Kate Lexén, Director of Services, Tender
    • Ellie Softley, Head of Education, Everyone’s Invited
    • Professor Jessica Ringrose, Faculty of Education and Society, University College London

    The meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 February 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

    Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

    The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

    Follow us @LondonAssembly.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation event on plans for housing at former school site

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    A public consultation event on Perth and Kinross Council plans to build housing at the former Balhousie Primary School site in Perth will be held on Thursday 6 March.

    The drop-in event will be held between 6pm to 8pm at the Assembly Hall, Perth Grammar School, Gowans Terrace.

    Members of the public can drop-in to speak to members of Council staff about the proposal.

    Last modified on 25 February 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New chair appointed at the Office for Nuclear Regulation

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    New chair appointed at the Office for Nuclear Regulation

    The Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, has announced today that Dr Nicola Crauford will take up the role of chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) on 1 March 2025.

    • Dr Nicola Crauford has been appointed as the new Chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR)
    • As part of her role, she will ensure ONR continues to regulate the nuclear industry efficiently and effectively on behalf of the public

    ONR is the UK’s independent nuclear regulator for the 36 nuclear sites in Great Britain, including the existing fleet of operating reactors, fuel cycle facilities and waste management and decommissioning sites. It also regulates the design and construction of new nuclear facilities including the supply chain as well as the transport of civil nuclear and radioactive materials.

    ONR also plays a crucial role in delivering the government’s energy security and growth missions 

    This is done principally through their approach to regulation, being open to innovation and new, efficient cost-effective ways of working, being ready to regulate new projects and providing trusted, timely, independent advice and guidance to Government.

    Minister for Transformation, Andrew Western, said:

    I am pleased to confirm Dr Nicola Crauford as the next chair of the Office for Nuclear Regulation. She brings a wealth of experience to this challenging but rewarding role.

    I would also like to thank Dame Judith Hackitt for all she has done as interim chair and her valuable contribution to nuclear safety and security.

    Dr Nicola Crauford said:

    I am delighted to join ONR at a time when the nuclear sector embarks upon significant growth, diversification and change.

    As the UK’s independent nuclear regulator, ONR has a vital role in holding the industry to account on behalf of the public, but it also needs to continue to strive for the most effective ways of working and regulatory excellence in order to help the sector to succeed.

    Dr Crauford’s appointment comes as the government announces more nuclear power plants will be approved across England and Wales. 

    These reforms will clear a path for smaller, and easier to build, nuclear reactors – known as Small Modular Reactors – to be built for the first time ever in the UK. This will create thousands of new highly skilled jobs while delivering clean, secure and more affordable energy for working people.

    Additional Information

    • Dr Nicola Crauford takes up her five-year appointment as ONR Chair from 1 March 2025. The current Interim Chair, Dame Judith Hackitt stands down on 28 February 2025.
    • Dr Nicola Crauford has extensive governance and senior management experience in infrastructure and engineering. She has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a doctorate in applied science from the University of Southampton and has worked in the oil and gas, energy and banking sectors.
    • Dr Crauford’s governance portfolio has spanned utilities (particularly electricity and water), ports and logistics, science research and development, environmental protection, fire and emergency management, housing/urban development and regulation.
    • More on the government’s plans for nuclear power: Government rips up rules to fire-up nuclear power – GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NDA funds Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with universities

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    NDA funds Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with universities

    The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has announced it’s establishing a Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield.

    Nuclear fuel reprocessing plant product store

    The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has announced it’s establishing a Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub with the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield.

    It follows a commitment from NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, of a £5 million investment over the next five years in postgraduate research to contribute the NDA’s nationally important plutonium disposition strategy work.

    In January, the UK Government made a policy decision to immobilise the UK’s inventory of civil separated plutonium at Sellafield, putting the material beyond reach, further mitigating the long-term safety and security risks associated with it more efficiently.

    The Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub will fund around 20 PhD and 2 post-doctoral researchers engaging in cutting-edge research to identify the preferred technology for immobilisation, converting the material to an even safer and more stable form.

    Dr Rick Short, NDA Research Manager, said:

    The NDA group has invested in PhD students and post-doctoral researchers supporting many aspects of our mission for several years.

    It’s a key element of our strategy to develop the capability we need for the future with the skills and expertise we know will be critical to drive forward our nationally important mission.

    The Hub will be central to developing the technical expertise and subject matter experts we need to deliver the plutonium disposition strategy and continue to meet our commitment to safely, securely, and sustainably deal with the UK’s civil nuclear legacy.

    The inventory could be immobilised into a ceramic material which binds the plutonium in a stable form, suitable for disposal in a GDF, and puts it beyond use. This collaboration with academia will help improve our understanding of the materials and build the fundamental skills required to underpin and deliver a solution.

    Key Objectives of the Hub:

    • Innovative Research: Conduct ground-breaking research to develop key ceramic and manufacturing technologies for safe and effective plutonium disposition.
    • Academic Excellence: Foster a collaborative environment that promotes academic excellence and innovation.
    • Future Leaders: Train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to address future challenges in nuclear decommissioning.

    Led by Dr Robert Harrison at the University of Manchester the Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub aligns with the goals of the Dalton Nuclear Institute, which aim to grow the scale and scope of the university’s world-class nuclear activities, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

    It also supports the Henry Royce Institute’s Nuclear Materials Research Area, which focuses on enhancing the UK’s strengths in nuclear energy and supporting net-zero ambitions through innovation in radioactive materials research.

    Dr Rob Harrison, Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub Lead at the University of Manchester, said:

    We are thrilled to be leading the £5m NDA Plutonium Academic Ceramics Hub at the University of Manchester in collaboration with the University of Sheffield.

    Our combined expertise and state-of-the-art facilities uniquely position us to successfully deliver the Hub and develop future subject matter experts in the field. This initiative will enable us to continue supporting the safe management of the UKs plutonium stockpile, addressing a critical challenge in the NDAs mission.

    Dr Lewis Blackburn, Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub Co-Lead at the University of Sheffield, said:

    We are very pleased to play a pivotal role in the delivery of this exciting initiative for NDA. The safe and timely disposition of separated plutonium is a key aspect of NDA strategy. The Universities of Manchester and Sheffield are well placed to support this mission, allowing us to contribute to a national resilience in nuclear materials skills and expertise.

    While work continues on developing a suitable immobilisation solution to submit for Government approval to progress to the next phase, plutonium will continue to be stored in a suite of custom-built facilities at Sellafield that ensure its safety and security in line with regulatory requirements.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –