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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Spending Bill With Illinois Priorities Secured by Duckworth, Durbin

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 11, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] —  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a funding bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).  Durbin and Duckworth worked to secure various priorities for Illinois in this appropriations bill, both through Congressionally Directed Spending requests and through the programmatic appropriations process. 

    “Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families—and that’s what these bipartisan funding bills do,” Duckworth said. “Appropriating federal funding is the primary role of Congress, and it’s critical this responsibility remains in the legislative branch. I’m proud I was able to help secure critical support for projects throughout Illinois that support our rural communities.”

    “Congress is tasked with the critical responsibility to fund our government programs and agencies.  While Congress has fulfilled this responsibility by routinely passing continuing resolutions, I hope that we can have a true bipartisan effort to pass appropriations bills in a timely, thoughtful process,” said Durbin.  “And as the Trump Administration aims to gut our government, I will continue to push for the funding and resources for Illinoisans to thrive.”

    The Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA funding bill includes the following Illinois priorities secured by Congressionally Directed Spending requests:

          

    • Health Clinic, LaHarpe: $1.38 million to Memorial Hospital Association to help construct an additional health clinic to expand access to health care in the Western Illinois community.
    • Hospital Infrastructure Improvements, Watseka, Illinois: $645,000 to the Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Resident Home to update aged and outdated facilities, including HVAC systems and flooring.
    • Intergenerational Center, Fairbury, Illinois: $1 million to the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County to construct an intergenerational community center to provide programming and services to youth and seniors at the same site.
    • Laboratory Renovation, Pittsfield, Illinois: $1 million to the Blessing Care Corporation to update the laboratory department at Illini Community Hospital in order to modernize facilities that are more than 80 years old.
    • Medical Technology Upgrades, Lawrenceville, Illinois:  $450,000 to provide essential technological upgrades at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, including improvements in diagnostic imaging, patient monitoring systems, and life-saving equipment. 
    • Pre-K Expansion, Herrin: $263,000 to Herrin Community Unit School District No. 4 to help expand capacity at the district’s pre-K center.
    • Rural Health Clinic Expansion, West Frankfort, Illinois: $1 million to Southern Illinois Hospital Services to expand the Miners Memorial Rural Health Clinic to provide improvements in both patient rooms and provider workspace.
    • Teledentistry Initiative, Mattoon, Illinois:  $110,000 to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center to expand rural telehealth efforts to include teledentistry with an emphasis on underserved children.

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA funding bill includes additional Illinois priorities secured through the programmatic appropriations process:

    USDA

    • Bee Genome: $3 million, an increase of $750,000 from FY25, to continue sequencing the genome of more than 4,000 domestic bee species, including activities underway at the Peoria USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and the University of Illinois.
    • Midwest Soybean Germplasm Lab: The President’s Budget Request proposes closing research labs in three states, including two operations at the University of Illinois—the National Soybean Germplasm Collection and the Maize Genetics Cooperation Stock Center.  The bill includes language to prohibit USDA laboratory and facility closures without USDA providing Congressional notification and approval. 
    • Agricultural Research: $3.2 billion for basic food and agricultural research nationwide, including activities underway at the Peoria USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research and the University of Illinois.
    • Tracking Farm Exports by State: Includes report language requiring USDA to track and publish the top five farm commodities exported, or imported, by State, and the country of destination, or origin.
    • Plant Health, Tree and Wood Pests: $59 million to help identify and contain wood-boring pests threatening tree health across the country, 19 of which have been detected in the past decade, including the Emerald Ash Borer.  This funding will allow for the identification and containment of Emerald Ash Borer infestations and increase public awareness of the threat posed by EAB in the 15 states that are battling this invasive species.    
    • Animal Welfare: $27 million to implement and enforce provisions of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including those governing facilities that previously have fallen out of compliance with the AWA. 
    • Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program): $35 million to support loans and grants that facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas without sufficient broadband access.
    • Agricultural Extension – Food Safety Outreach Program: $10 million to provide food safety training and tech assistance to owners and operators of small farms, small food processors, and small fruit and vegetable vendors affected by the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.
    • Food for Peace: $1.5 billion to meet emergency food needs around the world, including due to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, and conflict, displacement, poverty, and climate change exacerbating needs around the world, despite Trump’s efforts to eliminate the program.   
    • McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program: $240 million to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects around the world, particularly for girls, despite Trump’s efforts to eliminate the program.
    • Local and Regional Procurement: Continues support for the promotion of locally sourced agricultural products, which remain less costly and more accessible when compared to commodities sourced from the United States and shipped overseas.

    FDA

    • Tobacco: Includes substantial bill language pertaining to FDA’s Tobacco Center to eliminate harmful provisions and ensure alignment with public health needs.  The statutory language specifies $200 million for e-cigarette enforcement activities, out of the $712 million total for the FDA’s Tobacco Center—which will increase resources to investigate and stop illegally sold products.  The language also enhances reporting to Congress, dedicates $2 million to the interagency task force between FDA, DOJ, and DHS, and provides statutory authority requested by FDA Commissioner Makary to enable FDA to detain and destroy seized illegal e-cigarettes at ports of entry.  There also is report language ensuring that the FDA’s regulatory focus is on kid-friendly and flavored products, and balanced between unauthorized Chinese vapes and also-illegal, unauthorized domestic vapes (made by Altria, RJ Reynolds, JUUL).
    • ALS: Provides no less than $2.5 million for FDA to continue implementation of the ACT for ALS law to enable FDA to fund early stage clinical trials for new ALS therapies. 
    • Food Safety: $1.17 billion for FDA’s Human Foods Program to oversee food and nutrition in the United States.  Includes report language encouraging coordination between FDA, USDA, and CDC in better ensuring the safety of our nation’s foods.
    • Dietary Supplements: Includes report language calling on FDA to strengthen its enforcement actions against adulterated and misbranded dietary supplements. 

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

    Source: US Government research organizations

    (From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.   

    Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

    The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

    “It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

    NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

    But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

    “It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

    One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

    The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

    Credit: NIST

    The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

    There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy. 

    This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

    (From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing. 

    “With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

    Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

    Source: US Government research organizations

    (From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.   

    Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

    The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

    “It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

    NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

    But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

    “It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

    One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

    The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

    Credit: NIST

    The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

    There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy. 

    This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

    (From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing. 

    “With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

    Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

    Source: US Government research organizations

    (From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.   

    Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

    The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

    “It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

    NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

    But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

    “It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

    One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

    The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

    Credit: NIST

    The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

    There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy. 

    This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

    (From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing. 

    “With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

    Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIST Ion Clock Sets New Record for Most Accurate Clock in the World

    Source: US Government research organizations

    (From left to right) Mason Marshall, David Hume, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Daniel Rodriguez Castillo stand in front of the aluminum ion clock at NIST. With its recent improvements, the clock can pave the way for the campaign to redefine the second as well as explore new ideas in physics.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    There’s a new record holder for the most accurate clock in the world. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have improved their atomic clock based on a trapped aluminum ion. Part of the latest wave of optical atomic clocks, it can perform timekeeping with 19 decimal places of accuracy.   

    Optical clocks are typically evaluated on two levels — accuracy (how close a clock comes to measuring the ideal “true” time, also known as systematic uncertainty) and stability (how efficiently a clock can measure time, related to statistical uncertainty). This new record in accuracy comes out of 20 years of continuous improvement of the aluminum ion clock. Beyond its world-best accuracy, 41% greater than the previous record, this new clock is also 2.6 times more stable than any other ion clock. Reaching these levels has meant carefully improving every aspect of the clock, from the laser to the trap and the vacuum chamber.

    The team published its results in Physical Review Letters.

    “It’s exciting to work on the most accurate clock ever,” said Mason Marshall, NIST researcher and first author on the paper. “At NIST we get to carry out these long-term plans in precision measurement that can push the field of physics and our understanding of the world around us.”

    NIST physicist David Hume holds the newly modified ion trap for the aluminum ion clock. By modifying the trap, the aluminum ion and its magnesium ion partner were able to “tick” unperturbed.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    The aluminum ion makes an exceptionally good clock, with an extremely steady, high-frequency “ticking” rate. Its ticks are more stable than those of cesium, which provides the current scientific definition of the second, said David Hume, the NIST physicist leading the aluminum ion clock project. And the aluminum ion isn’t as sensitive to some environmental conditions, like temperature and magnetic fields.

    But the aluminum ion is kind of shy, Marshall explained. Aluminum is difficult to probe and cool with lasers, both necessary techniques for atomic clocks. The research group therefore paired the aluminum ion with magnesium. Magnesium doesn’t have the beautiful ticking properties of aluminum, but it can be easily controlled with lasers. “This ‘buddy system’ for ions is called quantum logic spectroscopy,” said Willa Arthur-Dworschack, a graduate student on the project. The magnesium ion cools the aluminum ion, slowing it down. It also moves in tandem with its aluminum partner, and the state of the clock can be read out via the magnesium ion’s motion, making this a “quantum logic” clock. Even with this coordination, there was still an array of physical effects to characterize, said Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, also a graduate student on the project.

    “It’s a big, complex challenge, because every part of the clock’s design affects the clock,” Rodriguez Castillo said.

    One challenge was the design of the trap where the ions are held, which was causing tiny movements of the ions, called excess micromotion, that were lowering the clock’s accuracy. That excess micromotion throws off the ions’ tick rate. Electrical imbalances at opposite sides of the trap were creating extra fields that disturbed the ions. The team redesigned the trap, putting it on a thicker diamond wafer and modifying the gold coatings on the electrodes to fix the imbalance of the electric field. They also made the gold coatings thicker to reduce resistance. Refining the trap this way slowed the ions’ motion and let them “tick” unperturbed.

    The newly modified ion trap for NIST’s aluminum ion clock, with an inset showing a CCD image of the aluminum-magnesium ion pair. The circle shows the position of the aluminum ion, which is dark to the camera as it can only be read out using quantum logic spectroscopy via the magnesium ion.

    Credit: NIST

    The vacuum system in which the trap must operate was also causing problems. Hydrogen diffuses out of the steel body of a typical vacuum chamber, Marshall said. Traces of hydrogen gas collided with the ions, interrupting the clock’s operation. That limited how long the experiment could run before the ions needed to be reloaded. The team redesigned the vacuum chamber and had it rebuilt out of titanium, which lowered the background hydrogen gas by 150 times. That meant they could go days without reloading the trap, rather than reloading every 30 minutes.

    There was still one more ingredient they needed: a more stable laser to probe the ions and count their ticks. The 2019 version of the clock had to be run for weeks to average out quantum fluctuations — temporary random changes in the ions’ energy state — caused by its laser. To reduce that time, the team turned to NIST’s own Jun Ye, whose lab at JILA (a joint institute of NIST and the University of Colorado Boulder) hosts one of the most stable lasers in the world. Ye’s strontium lattice clock, Strontium 1, held the previous record for accuracy. 

    This was a team effort. Using fiber links under the street, Ye’s group at JILA sent the ultrastable laser beam 3.6 kilometers (a little more than 2 miles) to the frequency comb in the lab of Tara Fortier at NIST. The frequency comb, which acts as a “ruler for light,” allowed the aluminum ion clock group to compare its laser with Ye’s ultrastable one. This process enabled the Ye lab’s laser to transfer its stability to the aluminum clock laser. With this improvement, the researchers could probe the ions for a full second compared to their previous record of 150 milliseconds. This improves the clock’s stability, reducing the time required to measure down to the 19th decimal place from three weeks to a day and a half.

    (From left to right) Daniel Rodriguez Castillo, Willa Arthur-Dworschack and Mason Marshall work together on the aluminum ion clock at NIST in Boulder. This atomic clock sets a new record for accuracy.

    Credit: R. Jacobson/NIST

    With this new record, the aluminum ion clock contributes to the international effort to redefine the second to much greater levels of accuracy than before, facilitating new scientific and technological advances. The upgrades also drastically improve its use as a quantum logic testbed, exploring new concepts in quantum physics and building the tools needed for quantum technology, an exciting prospect for those involved. More importantly, by cutting down the averaging time from weeks to days, this clock can be a tool to make new measurements of Earth’s geodesy and explore physics beyond the Standard Model, such as the possibility that the fundamental constants of nature are not fixed values but actually changing. 

    “With this platform, we’re poised to explore new clock architectures — like scaling up the number of clock ions and even entangling them — further improving our measurement capabilities,” Arthur-Dworschack said.

    Paper: Mason C. Marshall, Daniel A. Rodriguez Castillo, Willa J. Arthur-Dworschack, Alexander Aeppli, Kyungtae Kim, Dahyeon Lee, William Warfield, Joost Hinrichs, Nicholas V. Nardelli, Tara M. Fortier, Jun Ye, David R. Leibrandt and David B. Hume. High-stability single-ion clock with 5.5×10−19 systematic uncertainty. Physical Review Letters. Published online July 14, 2025. DOI: 10.1103/hb3c-dk28

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Sorensen, Kaptur, and Doggett Call for Investigation into Deadly Texas Floods

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    In a Letter to President Trump, NOAA Leadership, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Representatives Want Answers to What Contributed to the Deaths of More Than 100 Americans

    Representatives Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) are demanding answers from President Donald Trump, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on why hundreds of Americans were unprepared to evacuate from the deadly Texas floods. In a letter they sent to the current Administration, the representatives are calling for an urgent review of the disaster to determine if staffing shortages, stalled forecasting improvements, or insufficient flood preparedness contributed to the deaths of more than 100 people.

    “As someone who has reported on dangerous floods for my neighbors as a meteorologist in my local community, I know how critical it is for NWS meteorologists, local media, and emergency management coordinators to work together seamlessly and quickly to share urgent warnings,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The deadly toll of the flash floods that hit Texas last week beg the question of what went wrong with the warning systems in place and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy. The Trump Administration’s cuts to NOAA and the NWS are already having a real impact on the accuracy of our nation’s weather forecasting, creating cause for major concern. That is why I am calling on President Trump, NOAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a full-scale investigation into what went wrong and what can be done to prevent catastrophes like this in the future.”

    “This flood was not just a natural disaster but a failure of foresight and leadership,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “A changing climate is rewriting the rules of weather, and our federal agencies must keep pace. The American people deserve a weather warning system that does more than sound the alarm. It must be fully staffed and ready to act to ensure that everyone in harms way receives it. This letter is a demand for accountability, but more importantly, it’s a demand for lives to be protected anywhere severe weather strikes.”

    “As Texans in my state are faced with much pain and uncertainty, we cannot wait to ask the hard questions,” said Congressman Doggett. “Effective oversight saves lives. That is why we need a full account of the ways in which the Trump administration’s recent actions have undermined the federal response, both before and after this catastrophe. Learning from these failures and recognizing that weather intensification driven by climate change increasingly endangers lives will help prevent more tragedies.”

    You can read the full letter HERE.

    Since President Trump took office, there has been a 15% reduction in National Weather Service (NWS) staffing that has begun to degrade forecasting capabilities and operational capacity at NWS offices across the country. 

    As the only meteorologist in Congress, Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the NWS from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has been speaking out, introducing legislation, and calling on the Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts. He recently introduced the Weather Workforce Improvement Act to help the NWS fully staff critical positions at their offices and the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act to help strengthen weather forecasting in rural America. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Sorensen, Kaptur, and Doggett Call for Investigation into Deadly Texas Floods

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    In a Letter to President Trump, NOAA Leadership, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Representatives Want Answers to What Contributed to the Deaths of More Than 100 Americans

    Representatives Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) are demanding answers from President Donald Trump, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on why hundreds of Americans were unprepared to evacuate from the deadly Texas floods. In a letter they sent to the current Administration, the representatives are calling for an urgent review of the disaster to determine if staffing shortages, stalled forecasting improvements, or insufficient flood preparedness contributed to the deaths of more than 100 people.

    “As someone who has reported on dangerous floods for my neighbors as a meteorologist in my local community, I know how critical it is for NWS meteorologists, local media, and emergency management coordinators to work together seamlessly and quickly to share urgent warnings,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The deadly toll of the flash floods that hit Texas last week beg the question of what went wrong with the warning systems in place and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy. The Trump Administration’s cuts to NOAA and the NWS are already having a real impact on the accuracy of our nation’s weather forecasting, creating cause for major concern. That is why I am calling on President Trump, NOAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a full-scale investigation into what went wrong and what can be done to prevent catastrophes like this in the future.”

    “This flood was not just a natural disaster but a failure of foresight and leadership,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “A changing climate is rewriting the rules of weather, and our federal agencies must keep pace. The American people deserve a weather warning system that does more than sound the alarm. It must be fully staffed and ready to act to ensure that everyone in harms way receives it. This letter is a demand for accountability, but more importantly, it’s a demand for lives to be protected anywhere severe weather strikes.”

    “As Texans in my state are faced with much pain and uncertainty, we cannot wait to ask the hard questions,” said Congressman Doggett. “Effective oversight saves lives. That is why we need a full account of the ways in which the Trump administration’s recent actions have undermined the federal response, both before and after this catastrophe. Learning from these failures and recognizing that weather intensification driven by climate change increasingly endangers lives will help prevent more tragedies.”

    You can read the full letter HERE.

    Since President Trump took office, there has been a 15% reduction in National Weather Service (NWS) staffing that has begun to degrade forecasting capabilities and operational capacity at NWS offices across the country. 

    As the only meteorologist in Congress, Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the NWS from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has been speaking out, introducing legislation, and calling on the Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts. He recently introduced the Weather Workforce Improvement Act to help the NWS fully staff critical positions at their offices and the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act to help strengthen weather forecasting in rural America. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strong Ceremony to Honor Vietnam Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dale Strong (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON —This August, Congressman Dale W. Strong will host a 50th anniversary pinning ceremony for Vietnam War veterans who live in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District. The event will honor those who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975.   

    “We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call and served with honor in the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. These courageous Americans stood firm in the face of danger and unimaginable hardship to ensure that freedom, democracy, and the values we hold dear would triumph over the evils of communism. This ceremony will honor them not merely as veterans, but as true American heroes who risked everything in the defense of freedom,” said Congressman Strong. 

    In 2024, Congressman Strong personally pinned 200 Vietnam Veterans who reside in Alabama’s 5th Congressional District. His office will be hosting another pinning ceremony this fall.  

    “I am proud to participate in the Vietnam Veterans 50th Anniversary Pin Program, a meaningful initiative to express our nation’s gratitude to those who served with courage and distinction. North Alabama is home to a large and vibrant veteran community whose sacrifices have strengthened the very foundation of our freedom. This program offers us an important opportunity to publicly recognize their service and to present them with a small token of appreciation for their sacrifice,” said Strong.  

    To request a 50th Commemoration pin for yourself or on behalf of a family member, please complete the Vietnam Veterans Anniversary Pin Program form on Strong.House.gov. Pins may be requested regardless of in-person ceremony attendance.   

    2025 Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pinning Ceremony  

    WHEN: August 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM  

     WHERE: Auburn University Research & Innovation Campus 
    345 Voyager Way NW, Huntsville, AL 35806 

    BACKGROUND:  

    The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act approved a program to honor Vietnam War veterans and any other members of the Armed Forces. Any Vietnam veteran living in Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, is eligible for a commemorative pin and congressional recognition. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Kick Off 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour, Highlighting Investments in Innovation, Equity, and Opportunity Feeding Progress in Urban Communities

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    July 14, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA

    ADVISORY – ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Shapiro Administration to Kick Off 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour, Highlighting Investments in Innovation, Equity, and Opportunity Feeding Progress in Urban Communities

    Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Education Secretary Carrie Rowe will kick off the Shapiro Administration’s 2025 Urban Agriculture Tour at Bidwell Training Center in Pittsburgh, where a high-tech greenhouse expansion funded through a historic Agricultural Innovation Grant is underway, and urban students are training for in-demand culinary and horticulture careers.

    The weeklong tour will feature projects supported by PA Farm Bill Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grants, Agriculture Innovation Grants, Fresh Food Financing Grants and other Shapiro Administration investments to increase economic opportunities and help meet pressing challenges to expanding fresh food access in urban communities.

    Tour stops throughout the week will introduce dynamic Pennsylvanians working to increase fresh food access in areas where it is scarce; break down racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers; and overcome historical inequities to grow opportunities for their urban neighborhoods to thrive. The tour will include stops in Johnstown on Tuesday, Carlisle on Wednesday, Philadelphia on Thursday, and the Lehigh Valley on Friday. (Separate advisories will be issued for each day.)

    WHO:
    Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
    Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe
    State Representative Emily Kinkead
    Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey
    Bidwell Training Center Sr. Dir. of Horticulture and Agriculture Technology Ryan Gott

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 1:15 p.m. (kickoff press conference)

    WHERE:
    Bidwell Training Center, Drew Mathieson Greenhouse – 1815 Metropolitan St, Pittsburgh, PA 15233

    RSVP:
    Please email aginfo@pa.gov if you would like to attend and include location.

    ADDITIONAL MONDAY TOUR STOPS

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 9 a.m.

    WHERE:
    Ballfield Farm, 2544 Crispen Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15214

    WHAT:
    Pittsburgh Food Policy Council will lead a brief tour of an organic, North Side neighborhood farm where families grow food for their homes and donation to area food pantries.

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 3 p.m.

    WHERE:
    Blackberry Meadows Farm, 7115 Ridge Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065

    WHAT:
    Secretary Redding will tour a farm that hosts farm stays, and supplies fresh produce and pasture-raised pork to Pittsburgh-area farm markets. The farm has received significant state investments in measures to improve soil and water quality.

    WHEN:
    Monday, July 14 at 4:30

    WHERE:
    Jerry’s Custard, 2705 7th Street Road, Lower Burrell, PA 15068

    WHAT:
    Secretary Redding will tour a stop on PA Preferred® and Pennsylvania Tourism’s Scooped: An Ice Cream Trail)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Study: This summer, Russians are more likely to travel around the country by car with their families

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Two thirds (62%) of Russians plan to go on holiday this summer, half (49%) will go on holiday with their spouse, and another 40% will take their children with them.

    Most often, citizens plan tourist trips by car (38%), in second place among modes of transport is the train (29%), in third place is the plane (21%). The demand for various formats of recreation is growing: the most popular were trips along eco-trails (37%) and signature tours (33%). The main motive for summer travel is a reboot. These are the results of a study on the preferences of summer recreation of Russians, conducted by ANO “National Priorities” and the Ministry of Economic Development in June 2025.

    Family vacations are still at the top of our citizens’ preferences: 49% of respondents will vacation with their spouse, and another 40% will take their children with them. This format is most popular among respondents in two age groups: 35–44 years old (57%) and 45–54 years old (54%). Among the types of transport that people will travel by this summer, the most popular is the car: 38% of respondents choose it. 29% of respondents will travel to their vacation spots by train, and 21% by plane.

    “Studies of Russian tourists’ preferences regularly record the growth in popularity of car trips. We expect that this summer the share of car tourists will grow from 38% to 43% compared to last year. For this category, we have created more than 93 ready-made tourist routes together with the regions. Detailed information about them can be found on the National Tourism Portal “Puteshestvoem.rf”. We support the development of car routes, as well as their infrastructure, with measures that are in effect within the framework of the national project “Tourism and Hospitality”. In particular, this is a program for the creation of modular hotels, non-capital infrastructure facilities within the framework of a single subsidy. In these measures, projects related to the development of car tourism are highlighted as a priority. We are working separately with the Russian Ministry of Transport on repairing roads along routes, with the Ministry of Digital Development on developing communications on roads, and with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Natural Resources on equipping tourist attractions with the necessary infrastructure,” notes Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov.

    The main tourist motive this summer is a reboot: 58% of Russians go on vacation to clear their heads and relax. In second place is the search for new experiences (52%), in third place is the restoration and strengthening of health, as well as providing an interesting vacation for their children (29% each).

    48% of respondents plan to spend less than 50 thousand rubles on a summer vacation, 32% – from 50 to 100 thousand rubles. The majority of respondents planning a summer vacation this year are young people aged 18-24 (71%) and 25-34 (73%). Half of the respondents (52%) plan to vacation for one to two weeks, while younger people (18-34) are more likely than others to plan shorter trips.

    “The study shows that Russians have begun to split the classic two-week vacation more often. Modern tourists prefer to vacation several times in the summer, choosing short trips – the so-called weekend trips. This is confirmed by the statistics of the National Tourism Portal “Puteshestvoem.rf”: the corresponding section on it is one of the most popular along with car routes. Today, the portal offers more than 200 options for short trips to almost all regions of the country, and most of them will be of interest to families with children. Family vacations are an ongoing trend, and their popularity will only grow, which is reflected in the demand for a variety of formats. We also see a growing interest in event and cultural and educational tourism,” notes Sofia Malyavina, General Director of ANO “National Priorities”.

    Perhaps the most interesting and unexpected conclusion from the study is the diversity of popular recreation formats. Thus, the leaders are eco-trail travel and signature tours: they are chosen by 37% and 33% of respondents, respectively. These formats are most in demand among young people (25-34 years old). Also popular with this age group are retreats – a quiet holiday that involves removing yourself from society, various spiritual and health practices. Creative tourism is also gaining popularity – active recreation, where you can gain new knowledge and learn new skills: it was noted by 26% of respondents.

    This year, 17% of Russians will go to the Black Sea coast of Krasnodar Krai, 12% plan to vacation in Crimea or take short trips close to home. Almost half (46%) of respondents assess seaside vacations in Krasnodar Krai as safe, 38% of respondents are ready to consider trips to the Black Sea coast if prices drop.

    8% are planning to travel abroad, while 57% of respondents expressed a desire to visit other countries if restrictions are lifted.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Volunteers of “Dobro.RF” have already fulfilled more than 650 thousand requests for assistance to participants of the SVO and their families

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 14, the “Dobro” shift of the 11th All-Russian Youth Educational Forum “Territory of Meanings” of the “Rosmolodezh.Forums” platform opened, which this year became part of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted the participants and presented them with the “For Good Deeds” badge and the “Volunteer of Russia” badge.

    “As our President Vladimir Putin said, compassion and volunteerism have always been inherent in our country. One of the milestones that we need to remember is the preparation of the volunteer corps for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi. This event was held at the highest level largely due to the fact that our country demonstrated the face of a new, modern, young, energetic, friendly Russia precisely through volunteers, through their work,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    At that time, 25 thousand volunteers were trained, the competition was higher than in the most prestigious universities – more than 10 people per place. Dmitry Chernyshenko recalled that Vladimir Putin personally presented diplomas to the winners of the volunteer competition.

    The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that in Russia one can realize one’s potential and talents in a wide variety of areas.

    “The President has instructed us to provide all possible, necessary support within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children” so that you can implement this in the most effective way. But of course, you yourselves are the most powerful driving force of volunteerism in our country,” he added.

    Key measures in this area are collected in the federal project “We are together”. Among them are 12 events, including support for the association “Dobro.rf” and the project

    Dmitry Chernyshenko reported that there are already 88 regional centers for the development of volunteerism, more than 1,000 “Dobro.Centers” and 3,500 headquarters in Russia.

    “We understand that this is in fact only the beginning of a long journey, given the task that the President set for us: almost half of all young people should be involved in volunteer and social activities. I am sure that in order to improve the platform, it will be necessary to expand its functionality. The Government gave such an order, but I see that you yourself, with your actions, suggest what these events should be,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko thanked the volunteers and listed a number of key tasks facing them. Firstly, this is support for participants in the special military operation, their families and assistance to residents of border areas. Volunteers have already fulfilled more than 650 thousand requests, and more than 600 humanitarian missions have been carried out in Donbass and border areas. Secondly, the elimination of the consequences of the emergency in Anapa. In Krasnodar Krai alone, volunteers have collected and removed about 150 thousand tons of contaminated sand and soil, and saved 7.5 thousand birds. Thirdly, volunteers have provided invaluable assistance in the fight against fires in Zabaikalsky Krai.

    In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed Rosmolodezh, together with the forum participants, to work out ways to reward feats with event-related ties.

    At the opening ceremony of the shift, the Deputy Prime Minister presented the “For Good Deeds” badge and the “Volunteer of Russia” badge.

    The “For Beneficence” badge of distinction was established by the decree of the President. It was awarded for systematic work in the social sphere. It was received by the winners of the International Prize

    The procedure for rewarding and awarding the “Volunteer of Russia” badge was approved by the Government Resolution. The first to receive the award at the opening of the “Dobro.Conference” were nine volunteers from different regions of Russia. Among them were Olga Ponomareva from the Volgograd Region, Kristina Paraskan from the Zaporozhye Region, Valentina Shustova from the Kirov Region, Zayana Abdulova from the Republic of Kalmykia, Eduard Gaitov from the Chelyabinsk Region, Vera Tukhvatullina from the Tyumen Region, Elmira Anokhina from the Astrakhan Region, Elena Gavrilenko from the Krasnoyarsk Region, Natalia Rastegaeva from the Tambov Region.

    “The new award “Volunteer of Russia” is a symbol of recognition and respect for a significant contribution to volunteer activities and a way to thank volunteers for the good deeds that they do without even thinking, at the call of their hearts. It is symbolic that volunteers received their first badges at our flagship forum “Territory of Meanings”, where the traditional “Dobro.Conference” is taking place, bringing together more than 600 people,” said Grigory Gurov, head of Rosmolodezh.

    The Dobro shift united people who actively participate in volunteer activities, create social projects, work in NGOs and develop volunteerism in Russia. The shift’s architect is the Dobro.RF social development ecosystem.

    “By 2030, every second young person will participate in public and volunteer initiatives. To do this, we will design a set of solutions that will unlock the potential of those willing to take part in social projects. Participants will work on creating an exchange of needs for volunteer and charitable assistance in Russia, a standard for attracting volunteers to eliminate emergencies, a program for the social mission of universities, and support measures for NGOs. We will support and scale up best practices – from preventing homelessness to supporting families in new regions,” said Artem Metelev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy and Head of Dobro.RF.

    In total, five shifts are planned for the Territory of Meanings forum this year: Family, Good, Creation, Unity, and Service. The forum is being implemented as part of the national project Youth and Children. It is being held in the Senezh Management Workshop, the educational center of the presidential platform Russia – Country of Opportunities in Solnechnogorsk for the seventh time.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly, RSC Chairman Pfluger introduce resolution marking one-year anniversary of Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) announced the introduction of a resolution to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump in Kelly’s hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.

    The resolution condemns the multiple attempts against the President’s life and condemns those who incite violence against political officials. In addition to the events in Butler, this also includes the second attempted assassination of President Trump in Florida last year, and attacks on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota state lawmakers this year.

    The resolution also honors the life of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter and U.S. Army veteran who tragically died while shielding his family from the gunfire; and Pennsylvanians David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were critically injured during the shooting.

    “We must stand up together to oppose violence against our nation’s leaders and condemn the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has fueled our nation’s political dialogue in recent years,” said Kelly and Pfluger  in a joint statement. “This weekend, as we remember the tragic events in Butler one year ago, may we also take a moment to honor our heroic first responders who selflessly run toward danger to protect our fellow Americans. May we unite around the common good of these United States. We are stronger together.”

    You can read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Kelly, RSC Chairman Pfluger introduce resolution marking one-year anniversary of Trump assassination attempt in Butler, Pa.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) announced the introduction of a resolution to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump in Kelly’s hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.

    The resolution condemns the multiple attempts against the President’s life and condemns those who incite violence against political officials. In addition to the events in Butler, this also includes the second attempted assassination of President Trump in Florida last year, and attacks on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota state lawmakers this year.

    The resolution also honors the life of Corey Comperatore, the volunteer firefighter and U.S. Army veteran who tragically died while shielding his family from the gunfire; and Pennsylvanians David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were critically injured during the shooting.

    “We must stand up together to oppose violence against our nation’s leaders and condemn the hateful, divisive rhetoric that has fueled our nation’s political dialogue in recent years,” said Kelly and Pfluger  in a joint statement. “This weekend, as we remember the tragic events in Butler one year ago, may we also take a moment to honor our heroic first responders who selflessly run toward danger to protect our fellow Americans. May we unite around the common good of these United States. We are stronger together.”

    You can read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Trump’s Brazil tariffs point more to his enduring bond with far-right Bolsonaro than economic concerns

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Rafael R. Ioris, Professor of Modern Latin America History, University of Denver

    U.S. President Donald Trump and then-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attend a joint news conference at the White House on March 19, 2019. Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images

    After much back-and-forth over several months, President Donald Trump announced on July 9, 2025, that he planned to levy a 50% tariff on Brazilian exports to the United States. While Brazilian authorities, along with leaders of most other countries, have been expecting new tariffs given their centrality to Trump’s economic agenda, the announcement seemingly caught Brazilian officials off guard, as trade negotiations between the two nations were still ongoing.

    Brazil President Lula da Silva was quick in reacting, stating his country could respond in kind, if tariffs indeed come into effect on Aug. 1.

    There has been much speculation about the reasons behind Trump’s decision and timing, with some onlookers noting the proximity to the recent meeting of the BRICS nations, a grouping of emerging economies, including Brazil, which had already drawn Trump’s ire. Others argued that this was a protective measure to defend key U.S. industries, such as steel, which have been facing continued difficulties against cheaper products from Brazil.

    The clearest answer, however, came from Trump himself.

    In a letter to Lula, the U.S. president indicated that his main grievance with Brazil is in fact the trial that former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro faces in front of that country’s highest court. The former far-right firebrand is charged for refusing to recognize the result of the last presidential election in October 2022 and for allegedly having led an attempted coup against the democratic institutions and rule of law in January 2023. If convicted, Bolsonaro and some of his closest associates could face long prison sentences.

    A history of meddling

    The only economic rationale mentioned in Trump’s letter, that of a deficit that his country is said to face with Brazil, is belied by the numbers. The U.S. has sustained consistent surpluses in trade with the South American nation for close to two decades now.

    And Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser, active cheerleader and primary conduit between the Trump camp and Bolsonaro, was even more blunt than the U.S. president. In an interview with one of Brazil’s main news site, he stated: “Stop the trial and we will reverse the tariffs.”

    Bolsonaro meets with Trump during the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.
    Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

    As the history of U.S.-Latin American relations ably demonstrates, this is far from the first time Washington has meddled in the region in order to satisfy its own political proclivities. Indeed, particularly during the Cold War, a slew of U.S. decision-makers actively intervened to support friendly right-wing regimes or to otherwise remove from power administrations considered unacceptably independent.

    This was nonetheless the first time in recent history that the official U.S. position is that a foreign nation should face harsh economic punishment unless its current government illegally circumvent the judicary’s constitutional role to stop a major investigation against someone accused of high crimes.

    Trump-Bolsonaro: Mutual admiration

    Of course, Trump’s overt support for Bolsonaro is not surprising, nor new. Their relationship of mutual admiration and ideological affinity hearkens back to the latter’s first presidential campaign in 2018, when he was labeled, to great reciprocal delight, the “Trump of the Tropics.”

    During the subsequent two years when their terms coincided (2019-2000), both men pledged to have a mutual special relationship, though to little consequence – no consequential bilateral projects were put in place.

    Both leaders also share the experience of having failed to obtain a second consecutive term and having supported the derailment of the peaceful transfer of power.

    Now that Trump is back in power, Bolsonaro hopes that the U.S. president will come to his rescue.

    Seeking to obtain explicit support, Bolsonaro’s third son, Eduardo, a member of Brazil’s lower house of congress and his family’s most eloquent international voice, took a leave from his legislative duties and moved to the U.S. early this year. He did so to lobby on behalf of his father based on the fallacious argument that Lula is a left-wing dictator, that Bolsonaro faces a politically motivated trial, and that the U.S. government should act against Lula’s administration.

    Given Trump’s tariff notice and the explicit reasons he gave for it, it seems safe to assume that Eduardo’s actions paid dividends.

    Which direction will Brazil head?

    Like the U.S., Brazil is deeply fractured along left and right political lines. So it was no surprise that the local reactions to Trump’s announcement manifested along ideological camps.

    Despite their leader’s legal travails, Bolsonaro’s supporters remain very influential in politics, the media and among important economic areas, such as the agribusiness sector. Whether Trump’s decision will serve to help people rally around and in support of Lula and against a case of foreign interference is unclear. Lula’s initial pronouncement that Brazil would respond in kind was seen favorably among his supporters, though the opposition and many in the media pinned the blame on Lula for not being able to forge compromise with the Trump administration.

    Key industrialists in the powerful state of Sao Paulo, where Bolsonaro’s powerful ally Tarcisio de Freitas serves as governor, will be the first ones affected by the new tariffs. But the pain will likely spread into other activities, including in the countryside.

    And given that the bulk of the country’s agricultural exports go to China rather than to the U.S., the important question is whether these powerful exporters will act pragmatically and work with Lula to enlarge trade with the Asian giant and other countries, or whether they will continue to act ideologically and continue to support Bolsonaro’s enduring partnership with Trump against their own economic interests.

    Dialogue has been a hallmark of Brazil’s diplomacy, and even in the middle of these latest heated diplomatic exchanges, Lula reiterated his willingness to negotiate. It is unclear, though, whether the Trump adminstration’s actions in Latin America will be conducted on the basis of rationality and actual numbers, or if they will indeed bring back some old ideologically driven behaviors of picking sides in the internal political disputes of foreign nations. Should one consider at face value Trump’s latest letter, there is reason for concern.

    Rafael R. Ioris 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. Trump’s Brazil tariffs point more to his enduring bond with far-right Bolsonaro than economic concerns – https://theconversation.com/trumps-brazil-tariffs-point-more-to-his-enduring-bond-with-far-right-bolsonaro-than-economic-concerns-260993

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Cleaner air in east Asia may have driven recent acceleration in global warming, our new study indicates

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Laura Wilcox, Professor, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Reading

    A traffic jam in Beijing in China, where air pollution has drastically reduced. Hung Chung Chih/Shutterstock

    Global warming has picked up pace since around 2010, leading to the recent string of record warm years. Why this is happening is still unclear, and among the biggest questions in climate science today. Our new study reveals that reductions in air pollution – particularly in China and east Asia – are a key reason for this faster warming.

    Cleanup of sulphur emissions from global shipping has been implicated in past research. But that cleanup only began in 2020, so it’s considered too weak to explain the full extent of this acceleration. Nasa researchers have suggested that changes in clouds could play a role, either through reductions in cloud cover in the tropics or over the North Pacific.

    One factor that has not been well quantified, however, is the effect of monumental efforts by countries in east Asia, notably China, to combat air pollution and improve public health through strict air quality policies. There has already been a 75% reduction in east Asian sulphur dioxide emissions since around 2013, and that cleanup effort picked up pace just as global warming began accelerating.

    Our study addresses the link between east Asian air quality improvements and global temperature, building on the efforts of eight teams of climate modellers across the world.

    We have found that polluted air may have been masking the full effects of global warming. Cleaner air could now be revealing more of the human-induced global warming from greenhouse gases.

    In addition to causing millions of premature deaths, air pollution shields the Earth from sunlight and therefore cools the surface. There has been so much air pollution that it has held human-induced warming in check by up to 0.5°C over the last century.

    With the cleanup of air pollution, something that’s vital for human health, this artificial sunshade is removed. Since greenhouse gas emissions have kept on increasing, the result is that the Earth’s surface is warming faster than ever before.

    Modelling the cleanup

    Our team used 160 computer simulations from eight global climate models. This enabled us to better quantify the effects that east Asian air pollution has on global temperature and rainfall patterns. We simulated a cleanup of pollution similar to what has happened in the real world since 2010. We found an extra global warming of around 0.07°C.

    While this is a small number compared with the full global warming of around 1.3°C since 1850, it is still enough to explain the recent acceleration in global warming when we take away year-to-year swings in temperature from natural cycles such as El Niño, a climate phenomenon in the Pacific that affects weather patterns globally.

    Thick smog influences the effect of greenhouse gases.
    Shaun Robinson/Shutterstock

    Based on long-term trends, we would have expected around 0.23°C of warming since 2010. However, we actually measured around 0.33°C. While the additional 0.1°C can largely be explained by the east Asian air pollution cleanup, other factors include the change in shipping emissions and the recent accelerated increase in methane concentrations in the atmosphere.

    Air pollution causes cooling by reflecting sunlight or by changing the properties of clouds so they reflect more sunlight. The cleanup in east Asian air pollution influences global temperatures because it reduces the shading effect of the pollution over east Asia itself. It also means less pollution is blown across the north Pacific, causing clouds in the east Pacific to reflect less sunlight.

    The pattern of these changes across the North Pacific simulated in our models matches that seen in satellite observations. Our models and temperature observations also show relatively strong warming over the North Pacific, downwind from east Asia.

    The main source of global warming is still greenhouse gas emissions, and a cleanup of air pollution was both necessary and overdue. This did not cause the additional warming but rather, removed an artificial cooling that has for a time helped shield us from some of the extreme weather and other well-established consequences of climate change.

    Global warming will continue for decades. Indeed, our past and future emissions of greenhouse gases will affect the climate for centuries. However, air pollution is quickly removed from the atmosphere, and the recent acceleration in global warming from this particular unmasking may therefore be short-lived.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Laura Wilcox receives funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Research Council of Norway, the Clean Air Fund, and Horizon Europe.

    Bjørn H. Samset receives funding from the Research Council of Norway, the Clean Air Fund, and Horizon Europe.

    – ref. Cleaner air in east Asia may have driven recent acceleration in global warming, our new study indicates – https://theconversation.com/cleaner-air-in-east-asia-may-have-driven-recent-acceleration-in-global-warming-our-new-study-indicates-260601

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HAF Summer programme returns for 2025

    Source: City of Coventry

    Coventry’s popular Holiday, Activity and Food (HAF) programme returns this summer with thousands of activities available for Coventry school-aged children!

    Bookings are now open for the Summer programme and will run between 21 July to the 31 August. This year there are over 26,000 activity sessions available, with 16 sessions available to book per child.

    This year, there are lots of new activities available, ensuring there are different activities and more experiences than previous years. In addition, the programme is spread across a wide range of venues and locations in the city to make it accessible for as many children as possible.

    The programme proved incredibly popular in 2024, with 92% of parents recommending the programme to others and 56% of parents rating the experience as excellent in the post-programme survey. Positive comments from the survey included “very suitable for special educational needs (SEN) children, caters for them effectively”; “I like how children of all abilities are understood and included”; “the kids said the staff were all very encouraging by helping them make friends and have great fun, the activity was an amazing experience for them.”

    Our new providers this year include Pet XI specialising in teaching children about AI coding, as well as local company Coventry Building and Welding, providing skills in construction. Both of these new activities will help young people gain practical experience that can help them in a future career and or develop skills in the future.

    Councillor Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said:

    “This programme is a great opportunity for children and families who need financial or additional support to partake in activities that all young people should have the opportunity to benefit of, regardless of their personal situation or background.

    “They get a wonderful opportunity to do amazing things like AI coding and activity sessions including, science and technology sessions, sports, arts, and crafts, as well as enjoyable fun-filled activities like karaoke, moviemaking, cooking, and lots more.

    “Providing these opportunities for children to not only gain more skills and interests, but the chance to make new friends and at the same time benefit from healthy food options, will hopefully ensure an enjoyable summer for many of our local children.

    “I would encourage all parents and guardians to learn more by visiting the HAF website and sign up for the 2025 summer programme and take the opportunity to be part of Coventry’s summer programme.”

    People will need to check if their child is eligible for the programme, the criteria includes that the child must be in school, undertaken as a ‘child in need’ and fits within specific financial categories such as being in receipt of a means-tested benefit.

    The HAF programme is an enrichment programme for children whose families are in receipt of or qualify through other categories which allows them to enjoy fun and memorable experiences, including the provision for healthy food.

    Bookings are now open for the summer at the HAF webpages and see if your child/children are eligible.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: University graduates in Ghana must serve society for a year – study suggests it’s good for national unity

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Arnim Langer, Professor, KU Leuven

    Almost 70 years after independence was gained across the continent, many African countries continue to face the complex task of managing ethnic diversity and building national cohesion. National cohesion is a broad and often abstract concept. It refers to the extent to which people within a country share a sense of common purpose and belonging. It is often reflected in the strength of national identities and the degree of pride individuals feel in being part of the nation.

    The fact that borders in colonial Africa were drawn in the late 19th century to the early 20th century by European powers without regard for ethnic and cultural realities and histories meant that post-colonial African governments had to develop a sense of national consciousness and belonging.

    To address this task, many African countries have made efforts to promote a shared national identity which could bridge ethnic and regional divides. Governments have experimented with a diverse range of policies: promoting national languages, establishing civic education, celebrating national holidays, and reforming state institutions. Other measures have included abolishing traditional kingdoms, redistributing land, renaming capital cities, compulsory military service, and national youth service programmes.

    Research into the effectiveness of these African initiatives has been limited and inconclusive. In recently published research, researchers at the Centre for Research on Peace and Development at KU Leuven addressed this gap by analysing the impact of Ghana’s National Service Scheme. Our research shows that, under certain conditions, participation in this programme can meaningfully enhance feelings of national belonging.

    Ghana’s experience with national service

    Established in 1973, Ghana’s National Service Scheme requires university graduates to spend one year serving in diverse roles throughout the country. This sometimes takes them to regions far from their homes.

    While Ghana is widely regarded as a model for the peaceful management of ethnic diversity, the establishment of the National Service Scheme in 1973 was necessary. It was partly a response to the deep regional and ethnic divisions that marked the country’s early postcolonial period. Notably, in the years leading up to the scheme’s introduction, political rivalry between Ashanti and Ewe elites played a significant role in the country’s political instability.

    Initially designed to counteract such ethnic divisions, the scheme continues to engage very large numbers of graduates each year. Over 100,000 were deployed in 2025. The programme aims not only to strengthen national cohesion, but also to promote manpower development and address key social challenges. These include unemployment, illiteracy and poverty.

    Participants are deployed across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture and public administration. While the vast majority of participants are assigned to teaching roles in primary or secondary schools or to positions in healthcare institutions, others take on administrative roles within government agencies or the private sector. These deployments are meant to expose them to different communities and foster intergroup contact under conditions that promote social bonding and reduce prejudice.

    But can national service also contribute towards fostering stronger feelings of national belonging?

    To answer this question, we conducted a large-scale panel survey among almost 3,000 service personnel. They had participated in the scheme between August 2014 and September 2016. The participants were surveyed three times: before their deployment and again within weeks after completing their national service.

    The survey was aimed at examining their feelings of national pride before, during, and after their year of national service. Our study provides compelling evidence that national service significantly boosts participants’ feelings of national pride and belonging.

    We found that the mechanism behind this impact lies in intergroup contact. This is described as positive, meaningful interactions between individuals from diverse ethnic and regional backgrounds. Participants who reported frequent and meaningful interactions, including developing new friendships and gaining deeper knowledge of other cultural groups, showed the most significant increases in their sense of national pride.

    Importantly, the greatest improvements were observed among participants who initially identified less strongly with the nation.

    We further found that the positive effects of participation were not short-lived. It persisted well beyond the year of service.

    Key takeaways for policymakers

    Governments aiming to strengthen national identity through youth service programmes should consider four key lessons from Ghana’s experience.

    Mandatory participation is crucial. Voluntary schemes tend to attract individuals who are already inclined towards inter-ethnic harmony. This limits their broader societal impact. Ghana’s mandatory approach ensures that a wide and diverse range of participants are included. This enhances the programme’s reach and effectiveness.

    Structured interactions must be actively promoted. Simply placing people from different backgrounds together is not enough. Successful programmes, such as Ghana’s, intentionally create opportunities for meaningful engagement. These structured interactions help participants develop lasting relationships and deepen their understanding of other cultures.

    Youth should be engaged during formative years. Recent graduates are at a stage in life when attitudes and identities are still forming. National service programmes that target this age group can have a lasting influence. Especially on how young people perceive national unity and their role within it.

    Diverse placements are essential. National service programmes should deploy participants in settings that are diverse. The geographical location is of secondary importance. Exposure to diverse settings will challenge assumptions and broaden perspectives. It will also foster stronger national bonds across ethnic and regional lines.

    Why national service pays off in the long run

    National youth service programmes, when well-designed and properly managed, are a promising yet underused tool for promoting national unity in Africa’s ethnically diverse societies. These initiatives can create meaningful opportunities for young people to engage across regional and ethnic lines. This helps to build trust, civic responsibility, and a shared sense of national identity.

    Yet, in recent decades, many of these programmes have been scaled back or discontinued across the continent. Examples are Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The main reason? Cost. Governments have often viewed the logistical and financial demands of deploying tens of thousands of graduates each year as unsustainable. But this short-term budget logic misses the bigger picture.

    Ghana’s scheme shows what’s possible. In recent years, the scheme’s deployment figures have reached record highs. It is now common for around 100,000 national service personnel to be mobilised in a single service year. The positive outcomes observed in Ghana offer clear, evidence-based lessons for policymakers across the continent. Investing in national service is not just a cost – it’s a commitment to a more united future.

    Arnim Langer receives funding from Research Foundation Flanders (FWO).

    Bart Meuleman receives funding from Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)

    Lucas Leopold receives funding from Research Foundation Flanders (FWO).

    – ref. University graduates in Ghana must serve society for a year – study suggests it’s good for national unity – https://theconversation.com/university-graduates-in-ghana-must-serve-society-for-a-year-study-suggests-its-good-for-national-unity-258743

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government allocated 1 billion rubles for the creation of infrastructure for the Composite Valley innovation center

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Document

    Order dated July 11, 2025 No. 1871-r

    1 billion rubles will be allocated from the Cabinet’s reserve fund for the implementation of measures to create the infrastructure of the innovative scientific and technological center (ISTC) “Composite Valley” in the Tula Region. This order was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    With the allocated funds, the necessary work will be carried out and at least 50 units of equipment will be purchased for the scientific laboratory buildings.

    “Composite Valley” will become a platform that unites students, scientists and business representatives, which will help create new scientific and technological programs and attract investments for the implementation of innovative projects. The center is being created on the instructions of the President on the basis of Tula State University within the framework of the federal project “Development of the production of composite materials and products made from them”, which is part of the national project to ensure technological leadership “New Materials and Chemistry”.

    The center’s main areas of activity include multifunctional materials, chemical components and technologies for their production; modeling, design and production of products from composite materials; new environmentally friendly closed-loop technologies for small-tonnage chemical production; catalytic materials and technologies for the production of chemical products for the agricultural and petrochemical industries.

    Comment

    From Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks at the Government meeting, July 10, 2025

    “As a result, the region will have the most modern base for the development, implementation and small-scale production of multifunctional substances and components, as well as for modeling an advanced range of products made from composite materials, which will make it possible to find solutions to a number of complex design problems,” Mikhail Mishustin noted atGovernment meeting on July 10.

    The law on the INTC was adopted in Russia in 2017. They are created to organize the transfer of scientific competencies of universities into commercial circulation, involve students and researchers in the development of technologies in demand on the market, and also to help technology companies and startups. A special legal regime for conducting scientific research and implementing innovative solutions, up to the production of specific products, is in effect on their territory. In the coming years, a whole network of such centers should be created in the country. They will become part of a single innovation ecosystem that will bring scientists’ developments closer to the real needs of the economy and stimulate the development of technologies.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To the team of Moscow State Technological University “Stankin”.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Moscow State Technological University “Stankin” turns 95 years old.

    Dear friends!

    I sincerely congratulate you on this significant event – the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Moscow State Technological University “Stankin”.

    Over its nearly century-long history, it has come a long way, becoming one of the leading technical universities in Russia. And all these years it has been making an invaluable contribution to the development of domestic mechanical engineering, automation, information technology, and the training of highly qualified engineering personnel.

    Today, Stankin is a modern educational and research center where innovations are combined with fundamental knowledge. The university is rightfully proud of its glorious traditions, scientific schools, advanced developments and thousands of talented graduates who successfully realize themselves in various industries, science and business.

    Behind all the achievements is the dedicated work of several generations of teachers, many of whom are recognized experts in their fields. Thanks to your professionalism and boundless dedication to the cause, students acquire extensive scientific and practical experience, learn to think outside the box, and find solutions to the most complex technical problems.

    I am confident that Stankin will continue to be a leader in engineering education and a training ground for personnel for high-tech industries.

    I wish the faculty, staff and students of the university success, new discoveries and prosperity.

    M. Mishustin

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic University hosted the School of Young Scientists “Advanced Materials and Technologies: from Invention to Implementation”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    During the International Scientific conference “Implementation of Innovations. New Materials and Additive Technologies” (VINMiAT-25), which took place at the Technopolis Polytech Scientific Research Institute, the School of Young Scientists was in operation. It was attended by students, postgraduates, early career researchers, as well as leading specialists in the field of additive technologies, materials science, and digital engineering.

    The main objectives of the school are to ensure the transfer of advanced knowledge about modern production methods, to promote the growth of professionalism of young personnel and to introduce them to advanced trends in the field of scientific developments.

    After the plenary session, the school participants worked in two sections: “Welding and related technologies/Nature-like materials and additive technologies for their production” and “Equipment, automation and robotics of innovative technologies”.

    In the first section, Yarob Aldaiye, an engineer at the Research Laboratory of LiAT IMMiT, presented a report entitled “Assessment of residual deformations of a welded joint formed using various welding methods”. The scientist analyzed the influence of the welding method on the level of residual deformations, energy input and the width of the heat-affected zone, as well as on technical and economic characteristics. As part of the work, technologies for welding steel samples using various methods were created, control samples were welded to assess residual deformations, metallographic studies of welded joints were conducted, residual deformations of welded samples were analyzed and compared, and a technical and economic justification for the selected welding methods was carried out.

    The second report, “Restoration of nozzle blades made of cobalt alloy MAR-M 509 using laser gas-powder surfacing,” was given by Vladimir Protsenko, an engineer at the Research Laboratory of LiAT.

    A separate presentation was devoted to the restoration of nozzle blades made of cobalt and nickel alloy using laser cladding. SPbPU scientists developed a laser cladding technology and a method for preventing crack formation. The cladding blades successfully passed operational tests.

    Anna Abdrakhmanova, an engineer at the Materials Design and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory, presented a report on the topic of “Study of Mechanical Properties of Continuously Reinforced Nature-Like Polymer Composite”. Maria Zaitseva, an engineer at the Russian-Chinese Research Laboratory of Functional Materials, spoke about the features of selective laser melting of DUO steel with platform heating.

    Victoria Nefedova, an engineer at the Scientific and Educational Center for Structural and Functional Materials, presented the development of biocompatible titanium-tantalum composites using selective laser melting, and her colleague, engineer Alexander Zolotarev, spoke about the modification of the heat-resistant alloy BZh159 with TiB₂ and Y₂O₃ nanoparticles. Then Alexander Zaitsev, an engineer at the Russian-Chinese Laboratory for Functional Materials, gave a report on the production of a polymer-ceramic material using the filament deposition modeling method (FDM technology).

    The event continued with a traditional tour of the IMMiT laboratories, where the school participants were able to get acquainted with modern equipment, industrial 3D printing systems, and discuss the knowledge gained with leading scientists working at the institute.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko congratulated graduates and staff of Stankin on the 95th anniversary of the university and presented students with honors diplomas

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    July 12 marked the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Moscow State Technological University “Stankin” – one of the leading technical universities in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko took part in the ceremonial celebration of this significant date for the university, and also presented diplomas with honors to the best students.

    The Deputy Prime Minister read out a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who is a graduate of Stankin, to the university staff and students.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko, in turn, shared his memories of how he himself was once a student at the university, and spoke about plans for its development: by 2030, a modern, world-class campus will be built for Stankin.

    “Soon, Stankin will acquire a new site with new high-tech premises with an area of over 200 thousand square meters, designed for 11 thousand students. A modern scientific and educational ecosystem will appear by 2030 through the joint efforts of Moscow and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Therefore, those who will proudly bear the title of Stankinites will receive even more unique opportunities to realize their talents, as President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin instructed us. I wish the staff and students all the best, and the graduates – to fully realize their potential, as all Stankinites do. Good luck to you, bon voyage!” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

    Acting Rector Boris Padalkin also congratulated the graduates. The acting rector noted that on this solemn day the students receive their diplomas and take a serious step into their future lives. He expressed confidence that they will become good engineers and will bring glory to Stankin in the years to come.

    As a token of gratitude, Dmitry Chernyshenko, as a graduate of the Faculty of Automated Systems for Control of Industrial Processes (now the Institute of Information Technologies) of MSTU “Stankin”, received a symbolic scarf from the acting rector Boris Padalkin. This gift, which has become traditional for current graduates, symbolizes the inseparable connection between generations and the continuity of traditions in the training of engineering personnel of the highest level.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also assessed how the admission campaign at MSTU “Stankin” is going. The Deputy Prime Minister was informed that the recruitment of applicants in 2025 is going well, and for master’s and postgraduate studies, it is significantly ahead of last year’s figures. This year, the university allocated more than 1.6 thousand budget places, for which more than 4.5 thousand applicants from 22 thousand competitive groups applied. The most popular method of submission is through the super service “Online University Admission”: 85% of applications were submitted this way.

    The following areas of training are most in demand among applicants: computer science and computer engineering, information systems and technologies, software engineering and automation. Currently, more than 5.5 thousand undergraduate and graduate students are studying at the university, and over its history, the university has graduated more than 70 thousand engineers who have contributed to the development of the country.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian schoolchildren became winners of the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Russian team showed outstanding results at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad, which ended in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). All four participants from Russia won gold medals. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov congratulated the schoolchildren and their mentors on their victory.

    “Every medal of Russian schoolchildren is a great joy and pride of the country. At a recent meeting, President Vladimir Putin especially noted the success of our Olympiad participants. All members of the team once again demonstrated their skills and received gold medals, scoring high points among about 1,000 representatives from 90 countries. As the head of state noted, we need to achieve excellence in chemistry and in the creation of new materials. I am confident that the winners of the International Chemistry Olympiad will be able to make a significant contribution to achieving this goal in the future,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The Russian team took second place in the team standings.

    The head of the Ministry of Education noted that the children’s achievements are the result of hard work and perseverance, which the entire country can be proud of.

    “On behalf of the Russian Ministry of Education and on my own behalf, I would like to sincerely congratulate you on your successful performance at the 57th International Chemistry Olympiad in Dubai! In the conditions of tough competition among thousands of young talents, you demonstrated a high level of knowledge. By taking prize places, you confirmed that the Russian school still holds a strong position in the international arena. We are proud of you and are confident that many new victories and achievements await you ahead,” emphasized Sergey Kravtsov.

    The Russian national team included:

    • Konstantin Gunko (school No. 1589, Moscow);

    • Viktor Demidov (TsPM school, Moscow);

    • Vladimir Elistratov (TsPM school, Moscow);

    • Fyodor Kuznetsov (school No. 1329, Moscow).

    The team leader was Associate Professor of the Chemistry Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University Alexander Belov. His deputies were Leonid Romashov, a chemistry teacher at School No. 192, Maxim Likhanov, a senior lecturer at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and Maxim Kozlov, a chemistry teacher at Vorobyovy Gory. The Russian team was trained at the Chemistry Department of Moscow State University with the participation of the University Gymnasium.

    International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) (HTTPS: //ed.gov.ru/Press/10116/V-Duba-57-am-humorous-chemical-olimpiada-united-well …) is an annual competition for gifted schoolchildren interested in chemistry. It has been held since 1968.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Dr. Rae Yeung appointed Scientific Director of CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 14, 2025 — Ottawa, Ontario — Canadian Institutes of Health Research

    Today, Dr. Paul Hébert, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced that Dr. Rae Yeung has been appointed Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (CIHR-IMHA) for a term of four years, starting October 1, 2025.

    Dr. Yeung is one of the world’s leading experts on childhood inflammatory diseases. She is a Professor of Paediatrics, Immunology and Medical Science at the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and a Staff Physician and Senior Scientist at The Hospital For Sick Children (SickKids). Her research focuses on precision medicine in childhood arthritis and rheumatic diseases, tailoring treatments to each patient based on presentation and biology.

    By pairing phenotype with molecular insights, Dr. Yeung is uncovering the mechanisms that drive autoimmunity, with the goal of improving diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and prevention. With this innovative approach, Dr. Yeung has become internationally recognized for translational research that has transformed the clinical care of Kawasaki Disease and other inflammatory conditions.

    Dr. Yeung also leads national and international efforts to develop guidance for the diagnosis and management of disease and to understand the underlying causes and progression of childhood arthritis and vasculitis. She is the driving force behind the Understanding Childhood Arthritis Network (UCAN), an international federation of research networks that involves over 50 countries with translational research hubs on three continents. UCAN has become a scalable model to improve health in many inflammatory conditions — from those affecting bones, joints and muscles to diseases associated with COVID-19.

    During Dr. Yeung’s term, CIHR-IMHA will be located at SickKids in Toronto.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: University graduates in Ghana must serve society for a year – study suggests it’s good for national unity

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Arnim Langer, Professor, KU Leuven

    Almost 70 years after independence was gained across the continent, many African countries continue to face the complex task of managing ethnic diversity and building national cohesion. National cohesion is a broad and often abstract concept. It refers to the extent to which people within a country share a sense of common purpose and belonging. It is often reflected in the strength of national identities and the degree of pride individuals feel in being part of the nation.

    The fact that borders in colonial Africa were drawn in the late 19th century to the early 20th century by European powers without regard for ethnic and cultural realities and histories meant that post-colonial African governments had to develop a sense of national consciousness and belonging.

    To address this task, many African countries have made efforts to promote a shared national identity which could bridge ethnic and regional divides. Governments have experimented with a diverse range of policies: promoting national languages, establishing civic education, celebrating national holidays, and reforming state institutions. Other measures have included abolishing traditional kingdoms, redistributing land, renaming capital cities, compulsory military service, and national youth service programmes.

    Research into the effectiveness of these African initiatives has been limited and inconclusive. In recently published research, researchers at the Centre for Research on Peace and Development at KU Leuven addressed this gap by analysing the impact of Ghana’s National Service Scheme. Our research shows that, under certain conditions, participation in this programme can meaningfully enhance feelings of national belonging.

    Ghana’s experience with national service

    Established in 1973, Ghana’s National Service Scheme requires university graduates to spend one year serving in diverse roles throughout the country. This sometimes takes them to regions far from their homes.

    While Ghana is widely regarded as a model for the peaceful management of ethnic diversity, the establishment of the National Service Scheme in 1973 was necessary. It was partly a response to the deep regional and ethnic divisions that marked the country’s early postcolonial period. Notably, in the years leading up to the scheme’s introduction, political rivalry between Ashanti and Ewe elites played a significant role in the country’s political instability.

    Initially designed to counteract such ethnic divisions, the scheme continues to engage very large numbers of graduates each year. Over 100,000 were deployed in 2025. The programme aims not only to strengthen national cohesion, but also to promote manpower development and address key social challenges. These include unemployment, illiteracy and poverty.

    Participants are deployed across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture and public administration. While the vast majority of participants are assigned to teaching roles in primary or secondary schools or to positions in healthcare institutions, others take on administrative roles within government agencies or the private sector. These deployments are meant to expose them to different communities and foster intergroup contact under conditions that promote social bonding and reduce prejudice.

    But can national service also contribute towards fostering stronger feelings of national belonging?

    To answer this question, we conducted a large-scale panel survey among almost 3,000 service personnel. They had participated in the scheme between August 2014 and September 2016. The participants were surveyed three times: before their deployment and again within weeks after completing their national service.

    The survey was aimed at examining their feelings of national pride before, during, and after their year of national service. Our study provides compelling evidence that national service significantly boosts participants’ feelings of national pride and belonging.

    Change in national pride items over time – per cohort. This graph displays the average national pride per cohort and time point (with 95% confidence bars). Authors

    We found that the mechanism behind this impact lies in intergroup contact. This is described as positive, meaningful interactions between individuals from diverse ethnic and regional backgrounds. Participants who reported frequent and meaningful interactions, including developing new friendships and gaining deeper knowledge of other cultural groups, showed the most significant increases in their sense of national pride.

    Importantly, the greatest improvements were observed among participants who initially identified less strongly with the nation.

    We further found that the positive effects of participation were not short-lived. It persisted well beyond the year of service.

    Key takeaways for policymakers

    Governments aiming to strengthen national identity through youth service programmes should consider four key lessons from Ghana’s experience.

    Mandatory participation is crucial. Voluntary schemes tend to attract individuals who are already inclined towards inter-ethnic harmony. This limits their broader societal impact. Ghana’s mandatory approach ensures that a wide and diverse range of participants are included. This enhances the programme’s reach and effectiveness.

    Structured interactions must be actively promoted. Simply placing people from different backgrounds together is not enough. Successful programmes, such as Ghana’s, intentionally create opportunities for meaningful engagement. These structured interactions help participants develop lasting relationships and deepen their understanding of other cultures.

    Youth should be engaged during formative years. Recent graduates are at a stage in life when attitudes and identities are still forming. National service programmes that target this age group can have a lasting influence. Especially on how young people perceive national unity and their role within it.

    Diverse placements are essential. National service programmes should deploy participants in settings that are diverse. The geographical location is of secondary importance. Exposure to diverse settings will challenge assumptions and broaden perspectives. It will also foster stronger national bonds across ethnic and regional lines.

    Why national service pays off in the long run

    National youth service programmes, when well-designed and properly managed, are a promising yet underused tool for promoting national unity in Africa’s ethnically diverse societies. These initiatives can create meaningful opportunities for young people to engage across regional and ethnic lines. This helps to build trust, civic responsibility, and a shared sense of national identity.

    Yet, in recent decades, many of these programmes have been scaled back or discontinued across the continent. Examples are Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The main reason? Cost. Governments have often viewed the logistical and financial demands of deploying tens of thousands of graduates each year as unsustainable. But this short-term budget logic misses the bigger picture.

    Ghana’s scheme shows what’s possible. In recent years, the scheme’s deployment figures have reached record highs. It is now common for around 100,000 national service personnel to be mobilised in a single service year. The positive outcomes observed in Ghana offer clear, evidence-based lessons for policymakers across the continent. Investing in national service is not just a cost – it’s a commitment to a more united future.

    – University graduates in Ghana must serve society for a year – study suggests it’s good for national unity
    – https://theconversation.com/university-graduates-in-ghana-must-serve-society-for-a-year-study-suggests-its-good-for-national-unity-258743

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: IoT Microcontroller Market to Reach USD 18.76 Billion by 2032 at 16.50% CAGR, Driven by Surge in Smart Device Adoption: AnalystView Market Insights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, USA, July 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global IoT Microcontroller Market is on a robust growth path, projected to reach a market size of USD 18,765.80 million by 2032, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.50% during the forecast period. This rapid expansion is largely fueled by the ever-growing deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices across both consumer and industrial landscapes.

    IoT microcontrollers are compact, power-efficient chips that function as the brains of connected devices. These chips manage real-time operations, data processing, and communication between sensors, actuators, and networks. As the number of connected devices continues to grow exponentially, so does the need for smarter, faster, and more energy-efficient microcontrollers. From smartwatches and home appliances to industrial machinery and autonomous vehicles, IoT microcontrollers play a pivotal role in enabling seamless device intelligence. According to the OECD, the number of IoT connections globally surpassed non‑IoT connections in 2020, marking a pivotal shift toward smart, interconnected devices.

    Get Instant Access to the Sample Report PDF @ https://analystviewmarketinsights.com/request_sample/AV3782

    Proliferation of Smart Devices and Systems- Primary Driving Forces Behind Market Growth

    One of the primary drivers propelling this market is the proliferation of smart devices and systems across virtually every sector. In the UK, Ofcom reports growth from 13.3 million IoT connections in 2016 to an estimated 39.9 million by 2024, driven by smart device proliferation. In the consumer space, applications such as smart homes, fitness trackers, and wearable health devices rely on microcontrollers to perform quick computations while conserving battery life. On the industrial side, microcontrollers are integral to smart factories, smart agriculture, and automated energy systems. These applications demand rugged, reliable chips that can function under a wide range of operating conditions.

    The increasing adoption of edge computing is another major catalyst. As businesses and developers move processing capabilities closer to the data source, there is a growing demand for microcontrollers that can handle localized, real-time processing without constant reliance on cloud infrastructure. This reduces latency, improves performance, and supports faster decision-making—particularly important for critical applications like industrial automation, autonomous systems, and healthcare diagnostics.

    Technological Advancements Pushing Innovation

    The IoT microcontroller space is witnessing continuous innovation aimed at increasing processing power, improving wireless communication, and extending battery life. Manufacturers are focusing on integrating support for the latest communication standards, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), NB-IoT, and LoRaWAN. These features are crucial for seamless device-to-device communication and for supporting massive IoT deployments in smart cities and industrial environments.

    Another key area of focus is low-power architecture. With many IoT devices operating on small batteries or energy-harvesting solutions, minimizing power consumption is a top priority. Modern microcontrollers are now equipped with advanced sleep modes, efficient wake-up cycles, and intelligent power management features that help extend device life significantly.

    Moreover, the integration of AI and machine learning at the edge is pushing the development of smarter microcontrollers capable of performing data analysis directly on the device. This is particularly useful in applications such as predictive maintenance, facial recognition, and anomaly detection, where real-time insights are critical.

    Industrial IoT as a Core Growth Segment

    Industrially, IoT microcontrollers are becoming a foundational technology for Industry 4.0 initiatives. Smart manufacturing, energy monitoring, predictive maintenance, and asset tracking all rely on microcontrollers to collect and process sensor data on-site. According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the demand for industrial IoT solutions is growing rapidly due to the global push toward automation and operational efficiency.

    In manufacturing, microcontrollers are used to monitor equipment health, control robotic systems, and enable adaptive production processes. In the energy and utilities sector, they support applications such as smart meters, grid automation, and energy-efficient building systems. As industries seek to digitize operations, the need for reliable and intelligent microcontrollers continues to intensify.

    TABLE OF CONTENT:

    1. IoT Microcontroller Market Overview
    1.1. Study Scope
    1.2. Market Estimation Years
    2. Executive Summary
    2.1. Market Snippet
    2.1.1. IoT Microcontroller Market Snippet by Product Type
    2.1.2. IoT Microcontroller Market Snippet by Application
    2.1.3. IoT Microcontroller Market Snippet by Architecture
    2.1.4. IoT Microcontroller Market Snippet by Country
    2.1.5. IoT Microcontroller Market Snippet by Region
    2.2. Competitive Insights
    3. IoT Microcontroller Key Market Trends
    3.1. IoT Microcontroller Market Drivers
    3.1.1. Impact Analysis of Market Drivers
    3.2. IoT Microcontroller Market Restraints
    3.2.1. Impact Analysis of Market Restraints
    3.3. IoT Microcontroller Market Opportunities
    3.4. IoT Microcontroller Market Future Trends
    4. IoT Microcontroller Industry Study
    4.1. PEST Analysis
    4.2. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
    4.3. Growth Prospect Mapping
    4.4. Regulatory Framework Analysis ……

    Regional Insights: North America Leading the Way

    North America currently dominates the global IoT microcontroller market, thanks to its well-established tech ecosystem, advanced research facilities, and widespread adoption of IoT technologies across multiple industries. The region is home to numerous cloud service providers, semiconductor giants, and IoT platform companies, all contributing to a strong demand for microcontroller solutions. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, over 100 U.S. cities have launched smart grid and intelligent transportation initiatives that rely heavily on IoT microcontroller-based sensors and gateways—fueling North America’s roughly 30% share of the global IoT MCU market in 2024.

    Asia-Pacific, however, is rapidly emerging as a high-growth market, driven by massive manufacturing capabilities in China, South Korea, and Japan, as well as increased IoT adoption in India and Southeast Asia. The region benefits from a large consumer base, expanding smart city projects, and rising investments in industrial automation.

    Strategic Moves by Market Players

    Companies in the IoT microcontroller space are employing diverse strategies to stay ahead in this competitive landscape. Key among these are:

    • Product Innovation: Firms are continually enhancing chip design to offer better performance, lower power consumption, and improved security.
    • Collaborations & Alliances: Semiconductor manufacturers are partnering with cloud providers, IoT platform developers, and system integrators to deliver end-to-end solutions tailored to specific use cases.
    • R&D Investment: Significant resources are being allocated to research next-generation microcontrollers that can handle AI tasks, secure communications, and complex real-time analytics.

    Moreover, many vendors are embracing open-source development platforms and providing developer tools, software libraries, and modular hardware kits to encourage rapid prototyping and foster developer communities. This lowers the barriers to IoT product development and helps accelerate market adoption.

    Outlook: A Foundation for the Connected Future

    As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the demand for smart, efficient, and reliable microcontrollers will only rise. The convergence of IoT, AI, and edge computing is transforming how data is processed and used, and microcontrollers sit at the heart of this transformation.

    Take a deep dive into regional competitiveness, market clusters, customer distribution, and business leaders@ https://analystviewmarketinsights.com/reports/report-highlight-iot-microcontroller-market 

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: 4 things every peace agreement needs – and how the DRC-Rwanda deal measures up

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Philipp Kastner, Senior Lecturer in International Law, The University of Western Australia

    The governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda concluded a peace treaty in June 2025, aimed at ending a decades-long war in eastern DRC. The United Nations welcomed the agreement as “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability” in the region.

    I have analysed several different peace negotiations and agreements. It’s important to distinguish between what’s needed to get warring parties to the table, and what’s eventually agreed on. In this article, I examine whether the DRC-Rwanda deal has got the four essential components that usually signal that an agreement will hold.

    Two broad points about peace agreements, first – and one particular complication in the DRC-Rwanda case.

    Firstly, one agreement is rarely enough to resolve a complex conflict. Most deals are part of a series of agreements, sometimes between different actors. They often mention previously concluded ones, and will be referred to by subsequent ones.

    Secondly, peace is a process, and requires broad and sustained commitment. It is essential that other actors, like armed groups, are brought on board. Importantly, this also includes civil society actors. An agreement will be more legitimate and effective if different voices are heard during negotiations.

    One major complication in relation to the DRC-Rwanda deal is that the United States has been the prime broker. But rather than acting as a neutral mediator trying to bring about peace, Washington seems to be pursuing its own economic interests. This does not bode well.

    There is no simple recipe for a good peace agreement, but research shows that four elements are important: a serious commitment from the parties, precise wording, clear timelines and strong implementation provisions.

    What underpins a good agreement

    First, the parties need to be serious about the agreement and able to commit to its terms. It must not be used as a cover to buy time, re-arm or pursue fighting. Moreover, lasting peace cannot be made exclusively at the highest political level. Agreements that are the result of more inclusive processes, with input by and support from the communities concerned, have a higher success rate.

    Second, the agreement must address the issues it aims to resolve, and its provisions must be drafted carefully and unambiguously. When agreements are vague or silent on key aspects, they are often short-lived. Previous experiences can guide peace negotiators and mediators in the drafting process. Peace agreement databases established by the United Nations and academic institutions are a useful tool for this.

    Third, clear and realistic timelines are essential. These can concern the withdrawal of armed forces from specified territories, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the establishment of mechanisms providing reparations or other forms of transitional justice.

    Fourth, an agreement should include provisions on its implementation. External support is usually helpful here. Third states or international organisations, liked the United Nations and the African Union, can be mandated to oversee this phase. They can also provide security guarantees or even deploy a peacekeeping operation. What is crucial is that these actors are committed to the process and don’t pursue their own interests.



    Read more:
    DRC and Rwanda sign a US-brokered peace deal: what are the chances of its success?

    To know what to realistically expect from a specific peace agreement, it’s important to understand that such agreements can take very different forms. These range from pre-negotiation arrangements and ceasefires to comprehensive peace accords and implementation agreements.

    A lasting resolution of the conflict should not be expected when only a few conflict parties have concluded a temporary ceasefire.

    The DRC-Rwanda agreement: an important step with lots of shortcomings

    It’s difficult to tell at this point how serious the DRC and Rwanda are about peace, and if their commitment will be enough.

    Their assertion that they will respect each other’s territory and refrain from acts of aggression is certainly important.

    But Rwanda has a history of direct military activities in the DRC since the 1990s. And the treaty only includes rather vague references to the “disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda”. It doesn’t specifically mention the withdrawal of the reportedly thousands of Rwandan troops deployed to eastern DRC.

    The Paul Kagame-led Rwandan government has also supported Tutsi-dominated armed groups in the DRC since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) is the current primary military actor in eastern DRC. But the agreement between the governments of DRC and Rwanda didn’t include the M23 or other groups. The two governments only commit themselves to supporting the ongoing negotiations between the DRC and the M23 facilitated by Qatar.

    The agreement also foresees the “neutralisation” of another armed group, the Hutu-dominated Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR). This group claims to protect Rwandan Hutu refugees in the DRC, but is considered “genocidal” by the Rwandan government. The group has reacted to this plan by calling for a political solution and a more inclusive peace process.

    What’s needed

    The DRC-Rwanda agreement includes provisions that are vital to the people most affected by the conflict, such as the return of the millions of people displaced because of the fighting in eastern DRC. But it does not address other key issues.

    For instance, aside from a general commitment to promote human rights and international humanitarian law, there is no reference to the widespread violations of human rights and war crimes reportedly committed by all sides. These include summary executions, and sexual and gender-based violence, including violence against children.

    Some form of justice and reconciliation mechanism to deal with such large-scale violence should be considered in this situation, as for instance in the fairly successful 2016 agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC). This could contribute to preventing further violations as it sends a clear signal that committing crimes will not be rewarded. It also helps the population heal and gives peace a better chance.

    There is no single model for this, and so-called transitional justice (defined as the “range of processes and mechanisms associated with a society’s attempts to come to terms with a legacy of large-scale past abuses, in order to ensure accountability, serve justice and achieve reconciliation”) remains highly controversial. For instance, insisting on war crimes trials can be seen as endangering a fragile peace process.

    But peace agreements across the world, from Libya to the Central African Republic, have over past decades moved away from blanket amnesties. They have increasingly included provisions to ensure accountability, especially for serious crimes. The DRC-Rwanda deal is silent on these questions.

    A twist in the tale

    The DRC-Rwanda deal is complicated by Washington’s role and pursuit of economic interests.

    The two states agreed to establish a joint oversight committee, with members of the African Union, Qatar and the United States. It foresees a “regional economic integration framework”, which has been criticised as opening the door for foreign influence in the DRC’s rich mineral resources. The country is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, for instance, which is essential for the renewable energy sector.

    Such a neocolonial “peace for exploitation bargain” does not send a positive signal. And it will probably not contribute to ending an armed conflict that has been fuelled by the exploitation of natural resources.

    Philipp Kastner 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. 4 things every peace agreement needs – and how the DRC-Rwanda deal measures up – https://theconversation.com/4-things-every-peace-agreement-needs-and-how-the-drc-rwanda-deal-measures-up-260944

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bullying, violence and vandalism in primary school: study explores a growing crisis in South Africa

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Julie Shantone Rubbi Nunan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Early Childhood Education and Development, University of South Africa

    South African primary schools are facing a crisis. Every day, learners fight, bully, destroy property, and intimidate other learners and teachers, turning what should be safe spaces into places of fear and mistrust.

    Research shows that learner behaviour frequently involves violence, bullying and vandalism (damage to school property) that threatens the safety of both learners and staff.

    The media usually report only serious cases of violence, but schools and teachers face challenging and dangerous behaviour every day that often goes unreported. This underreporting is not unique to South Africa; it’s a challenge seen in other countries too.

    Research shows that this kind of behaviour disrupts teaching and learning, leading to poor learner performance and school dropouts.

    Teachers frequently face aggression and intimidation from learners, which undermines their ability to teach effectively. They feel unsafe and frustrated when learners act aggressively, and this problem worsens when parents protect their children’s bad behaviour instead of addressing it.

    Violence, bullying, and damage to school property don’t just cause harm to learners and teachers. They also cost schools money to repair the damage and cause emotional trauma and suffering for victims and their families.

    Given these realities, it is important to carefully explore the lived experiences of teachers, school leaders and caretakers to fully understand the severity and complexity of challenging learner behaviour. This understanding is essential for developing effective policies and interventions aimed at restoring safety and improving learning environments in South African primary schools.

    As part of a wider study of challenging learner behaviour, I interviewed 21 participants from three primary schools in Durban, South Africa. It was a qualitative case study, in which the small sample size was well-suited and provided relevant and credible information on challenging learner behaviour. Thematic analysis was appropriate for identifying patterns and themes for further exploration.

    The aim was to probe the participants’ perspectives to understand how learners’ challenging behaviour is experienced in primary schools. I wanted to know more about how behaviour stemming from children’s homes and environments, playing out at school, was affecting teachers and the overall school climate.

    The interviews indicated that teachers were unhappy and wanting to quit the profession, learner victims faced constant fear and distress, and caretakers felt degraded. If this is a sign of how teachers, children and caretakers are feeling around South Africa, it points to the need for ways to reduce their stress.

    Voices from schools

    The schools in my study are located in semi-urban areas within the same district and serve learners from grade R (about age 5) to grade 7 (about age 12). The surrounding communities face high levels of unemployment, domestic violence, and various social challenges.

    Fifteen teachers, three governors, and three caretakers shared their experiences through interviews, enabling open discussion and deeper insights. Consistency across school sites supported the trustworthiness of the findings. Ethical guidelines were followed throughout.

    Across the three schools, participants described an environment where serious learner misconduct was a common, everyday problem.

    Teachers, governors, and caretakers reported daily disruptions that affected teaching, learning and emotional wellbeing. Aggression and violence were constant. Learners engaged in physical fights – punching, kicking, and using sharp objects like pencils and knives. These were not minor scuffles but incidents that caused serious injuries. Teachers were also threatened, shouted at, and occasionally physically harmed.

    Bullying was widespread, both verbal and physical. Learners harassed peers through name-calling, exclusion, extortion and intimidation, often in unsupervised spaces like toilets and tuckshops. Victims lived in fear, while teachers struggled to maintain discipline and protect vulnerable learners.

    Vandalism and property damage were routine. Learners tore up textbooks, damaged desks and windows, defaced walls with vulgar graffiti, and clogged toilets with rubbish. Caretakers faced degrading tasks like cleaning and scrubbing faeces and graffiti off the walls. The costs of repairing damage strained already limited school budgets.

    Adding to the tension, gang-like behaviour emerged. Small groups banded together to provoke fights, intimidate others, and sometimes fuel unrest rooted in xenophobia or local politics, creating fear, uncertainty and division among learners.

    Some incidents had gendered and criminal implications, including the reporting of boys violating the privacy and rights of other boys in the school toilets, and girls being inappropriately touched and harassed. This contributed to emotional trauma and, in some cases, learner dropout – especially among girls. The United Nations Children’s Fund posits that school violence contributes to girls dropping out of school. The dropout rate is a concern in South Africa.

    Stealing and lying were common. Learners stole from classmates, teachers, and school offices, often without remorse, and frequently lied or blamed others when confronted, further eroding trust and accountability.



    Read more:
    Dealing with unruly behaviour among schoolchildren in a tumultuous world

    Many participants believed learners expressed unspoken pain or mirrored violence and instability seen at home and in their communities. According to social cognitive theory, such behaviours are learned. Children exposed to violence, neglect, or chaos often replicate these actions in school. Without consistent guidance, role models, or consequences, the cycle intensifies.

    Moving forward

    In short, these schools are no longer safe havens for learning – they are in crisis. Without urgent and effective intervention, the very mission of basic education – and the wellbeing of children – is at risk.

    Primary schools depend on governing authorities and communities for their safety and success. Stakeholders must take collective action to reclaim schools as safe learning spaces.

    Governing authorities should address the issues raised by reviewing policies and implementing support programmes, including counselling, family-school partnerships, and teacher training to handle challenging behaviour in positive and sustainable ways.

    Julie Shantone Rubbi Nunan 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. Bullying, violence and vandalism in primary school: study explores a growing crisis in South Africa – https://theconversation.com/bullying-violence-and-vandalism-in-primary-school-study-explores-a-growing-crisis-in-south-africa-260111

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu Attends the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 OCAC Overseas Mandarin Teachers Training Program in Sydney

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    The OCAC held the Sydney session of its 2025 Overseas Mandarin Teachers Training Program, providing a valuable opportunity for local teachers to recharge and reconnect. Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu attended the opening ceremony alongside Director Chia-Hui Chiang of the Sydney Education Division and Principal Min-Huei Chien of the Australian Oriental Culture School.
    DG Wu praised the teachers for contributing to the impressive Mandarin skills of second- and third-generation students in the community. He also expressed confidence that the lectures by Professor Shih-Wen Chyu (NTNU) and Professor Tzu-Ching Lin (Providence University) would provide participants with the latest insights and practical tools.
    The two-day workshop, hosted by the Australian Oriental Culture School, featured classroom management, curriculum design, AI-assisted teaching, and Mandarin assessment system. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen the connection between Taiwan and new generations of overseas Taiwanese, and elevate Taiwan’s brand in global Mandarin education.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ivey Marks the Calendar for Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, Encourages Alabama Families to Stock Up on School Supplies

    Source: US State of Alabama

    MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday encouraged Alabamians to begin preparing for the upcoming academic year by participating in Alabama’s annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. The tax-free period will run from Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20, 2025.

    “A new school year brings new opportunities, and we want every Alabama student to step into the classroom ready to learn and succeed,” said Governor Ivey. “This tax holiday is one more way we’re supporting our Alabama families and reinforcing the importance of education across our state. When we invest in our students and equip them for success, we’re building a stronger future for all of Alabama.”

    During the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, items like pencils, paper, binders, calculators and rulers are free from state sales tax. The holiday also covers school uniforms, books and computers. For the full list of back-to-school items that qualify for the sales tax holiday, please visit this link.

    “ALDOR is pleased we can offer this tax-free opportunity to parents and caregivers across Alabama who are getting their children ready for the upcoming school year,” said Alabama Department of Revenue Commissioner Vernon Barnett. “Many counties, cities and towns are also participating in the tax-free holiday, so we encourage everyone in Alabama to take advantage, and we wish students all the best this year.”

    Counties and municipalities may also choose to participate in the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday by removing local sales and use taxes from the same selected items during the same weekend.

    You can see if your city, town or county is participating in the 2025 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday at this link.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 4 things every peace agreement needs – and how the DRC-Rwanda deal measures up

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Philipp Kastner, Senior Lecturer in International Law, The University of Western Australia

    The governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda concluded a peace treaty in June 2025, aimed at ending a decades-long war in eastern DRC. The United Nations welcomed the agreement as “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability” in the region.

    I have analysed several different peace negotiations and agreements. It’s important to distinguish between what’s needed to get warring parties to the table, and what’s eventually agreed on. In this article, I examine whether the DRC-Rwanda deal has got the four essential components that usually signal that an agreement will hold.

    Two broad points about peace agreements, first – and one particular complication in the DRC-Rwanda case.

    Firstly, one agreement is rarely enough to resolve a complex conflict. Most deals are part of a series of agreements, sometimes between different actors. They often mention previously concluded ones, and will be referred to by subsequent ones.

    Secondly, peace is a process, and requires broad and sustained commitment. It is essential that other actors, like armed groups, are brought on board. Importantly, this also includes civil society actors. An agreement will be more legitimate and effective if different voices are heard during negotiations.

    One major complication in relation to the DRC-Rwanda deal is that the United States has been the prime broker. But rather than acting as a neutral mediator trying to bring about peace, Washington seems to be pursuing its own economic interests. This does not bode well.

    There is no simple recipe for a good peace agreement, but research shows that four elements are important: a serious commitment from the parties, precise wording, clear timelines and strong implementation provisions.

    What underpins a good agreement

    First, the parties need to be serious about the agreement and able to commit to its terms. It must not be used as a cover to buy time, re-arm or pursue fighting. Moreover, lasting peace cannot be made exclusively at the highest political level. Agreements that are the result of more inclusive processes, with input by and support from the communities concerned, have a higher success rate.

    Second, the agreement must address the issues it aims to resolve, and its provisions must be drafted carefully and unambiguously. When agreements are vague or silent on key aspects, they are often short-lived. Previous experiences can guide peace negotiators and mediators in the drafting process. Peace agreement databases established by the United Nations and academic institutions are a useful tool for this.

    Third, clear and realistic timelines are essential. These can concern the withdrawal of armed forces from specified territories, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the establishment of mechanisms providing reparations or other forms of transitional justice.

    Fourth, an agreement should include provisions on its implementation. External support is usually helpful here. Third states or international organisations, liked the United Nations and the African Union, can be mandated to oversee this phase. They can also provide security guarantees or even deploy a peacekeeping operation. What is crucial is that these actors are committed to the process and don’t pursue their own interests.

    Read more: DRC and Rwanda sign a US-brokered peace deal: what are the chances of its success?

    To know what to realistically expect from a specific peace agreement, it’s important to understand that such agreements can take very different forms. These range from pre-negotiation arrangements and ceasefires to comprehensive peace accords and implementation agreements.

    A lasting resolution of the conflict should not be expected when only a few conflict parties have concluded a temporary ceasefire.

    The DRC-Rwanda agreement: an important step with lots of shortcomings

    It’s difficult to tell at this point how serious the DRC and Rwanda are about peace, and if their commitment will be enough.

    Their assertion that they will respect each other’s territory and refrain from acts of aggression is certainly important.

    But Rwanda has a history of direct military activities in the DRC since the 1990s. And the treaty only includes rather vague references to the “disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda”. It doesn’t specifically mention the withdrawal of the reportedly thousands of Rwandan troops deployed to eastern DRC.

    The Paul Kagame-led Rwandan government has also supported Tutsi-dominated armed groups in the DRC since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) is the current primary military actor in eastern DRC. But the agreement between the governments of DRC and Rwanda didn’t include the M23 or other groups. The two governments only commit themselves to supporting the ongoing negotiations between the DRC and the M23 facilitated by Qatar.

    The agreement also foresees the “neutralisation” of another armed group, the Hutu-dominated Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR). This group claims to protect Rwandan Hutu refugees in the DRC, but is considered “genocidal” by the Rwandan government. The group has reacted to this plan by calling for a political solution and a more inclusive peace process.

    What’s needed

    The DRC-Rwanda agreement includes provisions that are vital to the people most affected by the conflict, such as the return of the millions of people displaced because of the fighting in eastern DRC. But it does not address other key issues.

    For instance, aside from a general commitment to promote human rights and international humanitarian law, there is no reference to the widespread violations of human rights and war crimes reportedly committed by all sides. These include summary executions, and sexual and gender-based violence, including violence against children.

    Some form of justice and reconciliation mechanism to deal with such large-scale violence should be considered in this situation, as for instance in the fairly successful 2016 agreement between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC). This could contribute to preventing further violations as it sends a clear signal that committing crimes will not be rewarded. It also helps the population heal and gives peace a better chance.

    There is no single model for this, and so-called transitional justice (defined as the “range of processes and mechanisms associated with a society’s attempts to come to terms with a legacy of large-scale past abuses, in order to ensure accountability, serve justice and achieve reconciliation”) remains highly controversial. For instance, insisting on war crimes trials can be seen as endangering a fragile peace process.

    But peace agreements across the world, from Libya to the Central African Republic, have over past decades moved away from blanket amnesties. They have increasingly included provisions to ensure accountability, especially for serious crimes. The DRC-Rwanda deal is silent on these questions.

    A twist in the tale

    The DRC-Rwanda deal is complicated by Washington’s role and pursuit of economic interests.

    The two states agreed to establish a joint oversight committee, with members of the African Union, Qatar and the United States. It foresees a “regional economic integration framework”, which has been criticised as opening the door for foreign influence in the DRC’s rich mineral resources. The country is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, for instance, which is essential for the renewable energy sector.

    Such a neocolonial “peace for exploitation bargain” does not send a positive signal. And it will probably not contribute to ending an armed conflict that has been fuelled by the exploitation of natural resources.

    – 4 things every peace agreement needs – and how the DRC-Rwanda deal measures up
    – https://theconversation.com/4-things-every-peace-agreement-needs-and-how-the-drc-rwanda-deal-measures-up-260944

    MIL OSI Africa –