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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Adelaide family the key to new disease breakthrough

    Source: University of South Australia

    25 October 2024

    L-R: Jiarna Zerella (PhD student, SA Pathology), Kristijan Ramsea (family member whose samples were used to make to make this discovery), Prof. Hamish Scott and Assoc. Prof. Chris Hahn.

    An Adelaide family has played a crucial role in the discovery of a new bone marrow disease called ERG Deficiency Syndrome, leading to the introduction of a new clinical diagnostic test.

    Centre for Cancer Biology (CCB) researchers at SA Pathology and the University of South Australia made the breakthrough after investigating the family’s battle with a complex set of blood disorders.

    The mother who suffered from several blood disorders in early adulthood, was subsequently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. A pattern of similar blood disorders was also recognised in her children, prompting genetic researchers to investigate.

    Extensive genetic testing by genome sequencing was performed on each affected family member ruling out all known genes associated with bone marrow failure and blood cancer.

    The family was then recruited into the Australian Familial Haematological Conditions Study (AFHCS) based in Adelaide, and their genome was re-examined by the researchers to detail their genetic information.

    It was here that researchers made a surprising discovery, identifying a highly suspicious mutation in the ERG gene, not previously known to cause symptoms linked to familial bone marrow failures and blood cancers.

    Adding to the complexity, the mutation was discovered by looking at hair samples as it was hidden by a mechanism called somatic gene rescue, masking the variant in each of the family members’ blood samples.

    After calling national and international colleagues and entering the mutation into an international matchmaking database (used for rare diseases to bring together researchers, who have identified patients with similar clinical symptoms and mutations in the same gene), the genetic researchers identified a cohort of patients from around the world with ERG mutations linked to bone marrow failure and blood cancer.

    The team then designed state-of-the-art bespoke tests to demonstrate that the mutations severely disrupt the role of ERG in the normal development of blood cells in a way that may predispose them to bone marrow failure and blood cancer.

    As a result, ERG has now been added to routine testing as a clinical screening test for bone marrow failure and blood cancer at SA Pathology and is being implemented worldwide.

    The discovery also opens the door for predictive testing, offering reproductive choices to families at risk, and screening of unaffected family members carrying the mutation for early detection of the disease.

    For those diagnosed with the disease, bone marrow transplantation offers a potential cure so the breakthrough also means that clinicians can identify unaffected family members as potential bone marrow donors.

    Quotes attributable to Lead Researcher and SA Pathology Head of Genetics and Molecular Pathology, Professor Hamish Scott

    This Adelaide family has helped us pave the way for the identification of ERG Deficiency Syndrome, marking an exciting new chapter in our understanding of blood conditions.

    By being able to identify this mutated gene, we can diagnose patients and predict the likelihood of bone marrow failure and blood cancer occurring in the future, which will undoubtedly help countless families across the world.

    Quotes attributable to Researcher and Section Head of the Molecular Pathology Research Laboratory, Associate Professor Chris Hahn

    Thanks to this one Adelaide family, we have uncovered a new pathway in understanding blood conditions, enabling doctors to better monitor and counsel individuals at risk, which will help to improve blood cancer outcomes by early detection and optimal therapy.

    Hereditary cases of bone marrow failure and blood cancers are devastating for families, so identifying genetic mutations in those affected by these diseases has immediate implications for family members.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: University direct admissions open

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Education Bureau today announced that applications will open for the fourth cohort of the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme to provide an additional pathway to university for students with exceptional talent.

    The bureau noted that the scheme recognises the outstanding talent of students in specific disciplines that may not be fully assessed by the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination.

    The scheme is open for application by local Secondary 6 students who will be taking the 2025 HKDSE and commencing their undergraduate studies in September 2025.

    Its nomination period will run from October 25 to December 4.

    Each local secondary school can nominate two students with exceptional talent and interests in specific disciplines or areas and each nominee can apply for admission to one of the around 300 designated University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded undergraduate programme participating in the scheme.

    The eight UGC-funded universities have set admission criteria that are not based on HKDSE Examination results for individual programmes.

    Participating universities will arrange interviews for all students nominated and make firm offers to successful students prior to the release of the 2025 HKDSE Examination results.

    Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau will introduce a new scholarship scheme for successful admittees with remarkable achievements in arts, sports or community service.

    Each awardee, who will not be subject to means testing, will be granted a scholarship of $10,000 per year throughout their four-year tuition period.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Quality Assurance Council publishes report on quality audit of City University of Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Quality Assurance Council publishes report on quality audit of City University of Hong Kong
    Quality Assurance Council publishes report on quality audit of City University of Hong Kong
    ******************************************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:      The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) under the University Grants Committee (UGC) today (October 25) published the report on the quality audit of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) in the third audit cycle.      CityU was the fifth university audited in the third audit cycle, which places an emphasis on how individual universities review and enhance their framework on academic standards and academic quality, academic programme development, teaching and learning, student learning assessment and support for students, as well as the collection, analysis and usage of data to inform such quality assurance processes.      The audit report presents the findings of the audit panel appointed by the QAC based on the self-evaluation report prepared by CityU and a series of audit meetings with staff, students and external stakeholders (such as employers) of the university held between February and March 2024. The audit report was endorsed by the UGC after being considered by the QAC.      The report identified a number of features of good practice and recommended actions with a view to encouraging CityU and the higher education sector as a whole to strive for continuous enhancement to their quality assurance regimes. The full audit report with the formal response from CityU is available on the QAC website (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/qac/about/term/publications/report.html) for public access.      The QAC quality audits ascertain whether the arrangements for quality assurance adopted by universities are fit for purpose and comparable with international best practices. The QAC third audit cycle covers all programmes at the levels of sub-degree, first degree and above, however funded, leading to a qualification wholly or partly awarded by the UGC-funded universities.      The QAC expressed gratitude to CityU and all stakeholders for their support for the quality audit.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 25, 2024Issued at HKT 14:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: 2024–2033 scenarios for the education system – Student numbers expected to rise sharply in post-compulsory education by 2033

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Home Affairs

    Changing demographics will lead to sharply increasing numbers in all post-compulsory education and training in the next ten years. According to the Federal Statistical Office’s (FSO) reference scenario, numbers will rise by 15% for the upper secondary level (from 390 000 to 450 000 students) and by 18% for all universities and institutes of technology, universities of applied sciences and of teacher education (from 276 000 to 326 000 students). For both the upper secondary level and the higher education institutions, considerable increases are expected in education and training related to IT, health and social work.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 10 nominations for Labour Advisory Board Election of Employee Representatives

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The election of five employee representatives to the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) for the next two-year term commencing on January 1, 2025, will be held on November 16 (Saturday) at the Mei Foo Community Hall, 1/F, Mei Foo Government Complex, 33 Mei Lai Road, Sham Shui Po. The Labour Department (LD) received 10 valid nominations of candidates from employee unions registered under the Trade Unions Ordinance during the nomination period from September 23 to October 15, 2024.

         The candidates, listed in the order of receipt of nomination forms by the LD, are:

    * Ms Julie Lai
    Chairman,
    Rights Association of Hawker Control Officers

    * Mr Chong Yuk-shing
    Chairman,
    Hong Kong Security Guards Alliance

    * Ms Lai Na
    President,
    Hong Kong Social Welfare Employees Association

    * Mr Kenneth Lee
    Chairman,
    Civil Servants Union of Housing Department

    * Mr Li Siu-bun
    Vice President,
    Hong Kong Clerical and Professional Employees General Union

    * Ms Tam Kam-lin
    Vice Chairman,
    The Federation of Hong Kong & Kowloon Labour Unions

    * Mr Lam Wai-kong
    President,
    Motor Transport Workers General Union

    * Mr Frenky Koon
    Chairman,
    Hong Kong Airport Baggage Handlers Union

    * Mr Yeung Wai-leung
    Chairman,
    Union of Government School Teachers

    * Mr Fung Chuen-chung
    Chairman,
    Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union
     
            A total of 867 employee unions registered as electors have appointed authorised representatives to vote in this election. The electors will soon be informed in writing of the candidate list and detailed proceedings of the election day. Authorised representatives may cast votes at the polling station at Mei Foo Community Hall, 1/F, Mei Foo Government Complex, from 9am to 5pm on the election day of November 16.

            Candidates will be present on the election day to supervise the counting of votes. The Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Development) will act as the Returning Officer.

            The respective lists of candidates and electors with authorised representatives appointed, as well as the election rules and procedures, are available on the homepage of the LD (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/LAB_Election2024.htm). Enquiries on matters relating to this election can be made at 2852 4024.

            The LAB is a tripartite consultative body comprising representatives of employees and employers to advise the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The II Forum of the Eurasian Network University was held in Minsk

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 22-23, 2024, the II Forum of the scientific and educational consortium “Eurasian Network University” was held in Minsk. The goal of the Forum is to deepen the interaction of science, education and business, develop network forms of implementing higher education programs, as well as programs of additional professional education and retraining of personnel for the labor market of the EAEU member states.

    The Forum was organized by the State University of Management with the support of the Belarusian State University of Economics, the Belarusian State University and the Belarusian-Russian University. The event was attended by heads and representatives of more than 20 leading universities in the Eurasian space, representatives of ministries, authorized government bodies and the business community.

    The Forum’s formal ceremony was opened by moderators: Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev and Rector of the Belarusian State University of Economics Alexey Egorov. Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky addressed the Forum participants with a welcoming speech. The Deputy Minister noted the results of the fruitful and effective work of the Eurasian Network University over a two-year period, including the successfully launched project “Eurasian International Olympiad”, new joint educational programs launched, implemented programs for advanced training for the business community and civil servants in the field of business and management, and teachers of universities in the EAEU countries.

    Next, a welcoming address was presented to the Forum participants by Senator of the Russian Federation Lyudmila Skakovskaya. The Senator emphasized the special importance of the event in the context of modern challenges that require an active exchange of knowledge and technology in the field of education, science and culture, as well as promoting intercultural dialogue and the implementation of innovative projects. Head of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus Yuri Makushin delivered a welcoming speech, emphasizing that the Forum is a unique platform not only for the exchange of experience, developments and ideas for the future development of science and the education system in the territory of the EAEU member states, but also for establishing partnerships, developing effective mechanisms for the development of interaction, which is especially relevant today, in the context of modern geopolitical turbulence.

    The leading speakers of the plenary session of the Forum were: First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education Vladimir Sipyagin, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Science of the CIS Business Center for Economic Development Dmitry Repnikov, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Economics, Professor Sergei Glazyev, Director of the branch of the National Accreditation Agency in Education Mikhail Petropavlovsky, Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, Rector of the National Research University “MPEI” Nikolay Rogalev, Rector of the Mari State University Mikhail Shvetsov, Rector of the University under the Interparliamentary Assembly of the EurAsEC Irlan Iskakov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the Belarusian-Russian University Natalia Vologina, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of the Almaty Technological University Lyazzat Baibolova.

    In their reports, the speakers presented models of inter-university cooperation, the advantages of network forms of education, areas of coordination of scientific and educational cooperation, the implementation of foreign internships as a driver for the development of trade and economic relations, and ways of integrating universities in the EAEU space.

    The International Scientific and Practical Conference of the Eurasian Network University “Priority Directions for the Development of Eurasian Integration” was held within the framework of the forum. The key topics of the sectional sessions were “Education in the Context of Eurasian Integration” and “Moral and Patriotic Education of Young People in the EAEU: Main Directions and Features of Organization”. The conference participants discussed issues of integration of government agencies, academic and business communities, prospects for the formation of a common educational space of the EAEU, tools for spiritual and moral-patriotic education of young people in EAEU universities.

    The exhibition of the Eurasian Network University, which was held at the Forum venue, also aroused great interest among students of Belarusian universities. Students got acquainted with the materials of the universities participating in the ENU, received information about the opportunities for participation in academic exchange programs at the universities participating in the ENU, Olympiads that provide opportunities to study within the quotas of the Government of the Russian Federation, and about additional professional education programs.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/25/2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: World update: Ukraine faces prospect of defeat – but the west must ensure a just peace

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    There’s a degree of irony that countries attending the 2024 Brics summit this week voted to adopt the Kazan declaration (named for the capital city of the autonomous republic of Tatarstan in Russia, where the summit is being held). The declaration’s first clause emphasises that “all states should act consistently with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in their entirety”. There’s also a certain amount of chutzpah on the part of conference chair, Vladmir Putin, whose ongoing invasion of Ukraine is so egregiously in breach of that charter.

    Article one stresses that the primary purpose of the UN is to “maintain international peace and security”. Article two rules that: “All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means”. If that’s not clear enough, it goes on to further insist that: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.”

    Still, its a funny old world in which the UN secretary general, António Guterres, pitches up at a summit whose host is wanted on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court on charges relating to the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. In a country whose troops are currently fighting in Ukraine in direct contravention of the UN’s charter.

    To add a further layer of irony, October 24 is the 79th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

    Guterres called on Putin to agree a peace deal “in line with the UN Charter, international law and UN General Assembly resolutions”. The Russian leader is perhaps more likely to listen to a deal proposed by the Chinese president, Xi Jinping. He said: “We must uphold the three key principles: no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities, and no fanning flames and strive for swift de-escalation of the situation.”

    Now, more than ever, it’s vital to be informed about the important issues affecting global stability. Sign up to receive our weekly World Update newsletter. Every Thursday we’ll you expert analysis of the big stories making international headlines.

    The UN chief’s idea of a just peace would call for Russia to give up its illegal occupation of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Xi’s proposal appears to call for a deal based on the status quo – virtually the opposite, in other words.

    This is pretty much all Ukraine can hope for, as far as the University of Portsmouth’s Frank Ledwidge is concerned. Ledwidge, who has written regularly for The Conversation since Putin launched his invasion in February 2024 and is well plugged into defence and intelligence networks in Nato as well as in Ukraine itself, believes that Ukraine cannot defeat Russia – at least as things stand.

    Ledwidge says Ukraine’s western allies are partly to blame for the maximalist aims of the country’s president Volodymyr Zelensky. Western rhetoric has not properly been matched by sufficient weapons or the permission to use them as effectively as the situation warrants. Now is the time for realism, he writes:

    A starting point could be accepting that Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk are lost … Then we need to start planning seriously for a post-war Ukraine that will need the west’s suppport more than ever.



    Read more:
    Ukraine cannot defeat Russia – the best the west can do is help Kyiv plan for a secure post-war future

    One of the key factors that Ledwidge stresses is that just one of Russia’s allies, North Korea, has supplied twice as many artillery shells this year as the whole of Europe. Now North Korean troops are apparently also about to join their Russian comrades on the battlefield. This, writes Ra Mason – a Korea specialist at the University of East Anglia – will help ease the pressure on Putin to bring forward his mobilisation plans.

    Losing battle? The state of the conflict in Ukraine, October 23.
    Institute for the Study of War

    It’s a diplomatic coup for Putin, Mason believes – it’s a “clear show of opposition towards the Washington-led global order”, which “deals a further blow to the myth that the Russian Federation is isolated, as an international pariah, in a world led by western powers.”

    But a military coup de grace against Ukraine? Probably not. The jury is out on how effective North Korea’s “poorly equipped, unmotivated and undernourished” troops will be against Ukraine’s highly motivated defenders. It will also be interesting to see where and how they are deployed. If sent to the frontlines in Kursk, they’ll be helping an ally in its struggle against an incursion by Ukrainian forces. If deployed inside Ukraine, they’ll join Russia in breach of international law. Mason concludes:

    If sent into new theatres of war against state-of-the-art Nato-supplied weaponry, it could effectively mean waves of ill-prepared cannon fodder being thrown into the meat grinder of Donbas’ trenches.



    Read more:
    Kim Jong-un sends North Korean troops to fight in Ukraine – here’s what this means for the war

    Incidentally, the term “meat grinder” has been much bandied about of late. It follows reports from US intellegence recently that, while Russian forces have been making rapid advances and gaining a significant amount of ground in recent weeks, they are doing so at considerable cost in terms of dead and wounded. September was a particularly bloody month, with reports of Russian losses of more than 1,000 men a day, killed or wounded.

    But Russian military strategists are well versed in such pyrrhic victories, writes historian Becky Alexis-Martin, who points to equally savage losses in Russia’s defence against Napoleon and in the first and second world wars. Stalin, in particular, was able to defeat the Nazi war machine by, inter alia, throwing millions of troops at their enemies (and incurring terrible casualties). But it’s not a strategy that guarantees success. And terrible psychological effects are beginning to manifest themselves in veterans returning from Ukraine with severe and often violent post-traumatic stress disorder.



    Read more:
    Russia’s ‘meat grinder’ tactics in Ukraine have proved effective in past wars – but at terrible cost

    The diplomatic front

    As if things weren’t bad enough for Zelensky on the battlefield, the Ukrainian president was dealt a serious blow earlier this month when the US president, Joe Biden, was forced by extreme weather events, including a hurricane hitting the state of Florida, to cancel the planned meeting of the heads of government of up to 50 of Ukraine’s western allies in Germany. The “Ramstein Group”, so-called after the German air base at which they meet, was scheduled to meet in the second week of October to consider Zelensky’s “victory plan”. Stefan Wolff, an international security expert at the University of Birmingham writes that the Ukrainian president was hoping to get some degree of commitment for a path to Nato membership for Ukraine as well as permission to use western-supplied long-range missiles against targets deep inside Russia.

    Neither of these seem likely to happen in the short term, says Wolff. Like Ledwidge, Wolff thinks Ukraine is doomed to defeat unless its allies double down on their aid – and fast. And like Ledwidge, Wolff sees little indication of that happening any time soon.



    Read more:
    Ukraine faces worsening odds on the battlefield and a struggle on the diplomatic front after Biden postpones summit

    When it comes to continuing US support for Ukraine’s war effort, all eyes are now firmly fixed on November 5. The outcome of the presidential election will be seriously consequential for Ukraine’s future. Both candidates have made their positions clear and there is considerable difference between the two positions.

    Donald Trump has said any number of times that had he not lost that “rigged and stolen” election to Biden in 2020, Putin would never have invaded Ukraine in the first place. Still, he says, if he wins this one, he’ll bring the war to a very rapid conclusion. But it remains to be seen, given Trump’s oft-stated admiration for Putin, whether the conclusion will be palatable to Kyiv – or to Nato in general.

    Trump’s opponent, Kamala Harris, said the former president’s proposals are not “proposals for peace, they’re proposals for surrender”. As vice-president during the Biden administration, she flew to Europe not long after the invasion in February 2022 to help shore up support for Kyiv. Harris has also regularly restated her intention to continue to back Ukraine against Russia. In the only debate of the campaign she said that Ukraine was not Putin’s final stop and that he has “his eyes on the rest of Europe, starting with Poland”.



    Read more:
    On Ukraine, candidate Trump touts his role as dealmaker while Harris sticks with unwavering support

    Poland, incidentally, is an interesting case in point. While it is Ukraine’s firmest ally and it leadership is four-square behind Kyiv, the people are curiously divided on the country’s support for Ukraine. You can read more about that here.



    Read more:
    Why many Poles are not as supportive of Ukraine’s war effort as their leaders in Warsaw

    One imagines that Zelensky is as transfixed as anyone else on the 2024 US presidential election campaign as it heads into its final ten days. All we can tell you is that the polls are still very, very close. Well within most pollsters’ margin for error, in fact. A poll of polls, which combines polls from different agencies, published on the website FiveThirtyEight on October 22 shows that Harris leads Trump by 48.1% to 46.3% in the national popular vote. But the accepted popular wisdom is that the complex electoral college system used in the US may well favour Trump’s candidacy.

    We’ll be providing daily updates on the US presidential race and full coverage of election day on November 5 and its aftermath.



    Read more:
    Harris nudges ahead of Trump in the polls – but could the economy prove her downfall?

    World Update is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get our updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. World update: Ukraine faces prospect of defeat – but the west must ensure a just peace – https://theconversation.com/world-update-ukraine-faces-prospect-of-defeat-but-the-west-must-ensure-a-just-peace-242146

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Happy Marketer’s Day!

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Specialists who are better than others at promoting goods and services on the market, and, of course, the entire Marketing Institute of the State University of Management! We are glad to congratulate you on your professional holiday! We wish that your work is always in good shape, and that your clients are pleasantly surprised by your creative ideas. And those who are just learning the basics of their future profession, strive for the best results and always achieve success in everything.

    It should be noted that the appearance of this date in the holiday calendar is associated with an event that took place on October 25, 1975. On this day, the Marketing and Advertising Department was created in the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Soviet Union. Incidentally, specialists in market and consumer preference studies began to be trained in our country even earlier – in 1931, when the All-Union Academy of Foreign Trade opened in the USSR.

    But at the State University of Management, the Marketing Department was created in 1994, under the leadership of the rector of those years, an outstanding economist, Professor Anatoly Porshnev. Another 10 years later, by his order, the Institute of Marketing was created. Today, IM is about 1,500 students studying in three departments in ten educational programs. The Institute is developing dynamically and opening new modern audiences with the participation of its graduates.

    Once again, we congratulate our marketers on their professional holiday and wish them to be inventive and sought-after specialists, to study well not only at the university, but also to develop themselves after graduation, to imbue their whole lives with creativity and to feel happy in any workplace.

    We also congratulate the Marketing and IM departments on their 30th and 20th anniversaries, respectively. We wish you further growth and development, bright scientific projects, and an endless number of grateful graduates!

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/25/2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Just one week left for people to have their say on school proposals 25 October 2024 One week left for people to have their say on school proposals

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Island residents have one week left to take part in a major consultation on proposals to tackle the high number of surplus places in Isle of Wight primary schools.

    Hundreds of people have already shared their views on Isle of Wight Council plans to address almost 1,900 empty classroom seats by attending one of six in-person public meetings or completing the consultation survey.

    The council is seeking the widest possible range of views and is urging everyone to have their say before the deadline for comments on 1 November.

    The authority would welcome any viable alternative proposals that would reduce the level of surplus places while improving the quality of education.

    Amid a rapidly decreasing pupil population due to falling birth rates, the council must reduce school places and is consulting on the potential closure of Arreton CE, Brading CE, Cowes, Godshill, Oakfield CE and Wroxall primary schools, and a reduction in the Published Admissions Number (PAN) at The Bay CE School (from 60 to 45) and Greenmount (from 60 to 45).

    Alongside this the council is proposing to expand provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to meet a growing need across the Island.

    Since the Island-wide consultation launched last month, a peer review by the Local Government Association (LGA) has described the council’s proposals as a pragmatic and necessary response to the ongoing educational financial challenges on the Island.

    Following the consultation, a further report will be presented to Cabinet in December detailing the responses and making recommendations about the next steps.

    Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “I can’t emphasise strongly enough how important it is for everyone — whether they are linked to the named schools or not — to join this Island-wide conversation to help shape the future of education on the Isle of Wight.

    “This process is part of our wider draft Education Strategy which is about raising educational standards on the Island. We are at the bottom of the national tables for educational standards, we have to do something.

    “If we are going to do the best for our young people we have to take drastic action to turn things around. This is about taking the long term view for the whole Island in order to achieve the best for our young people, their upbringing and their futures and build a more thriving Island as a result.

    “While our plans would see a reduction in the number of school places to respond to the falling birth rate, they would enable our remaining schools to be in the best possible position to improve outcomes for our children and young people by giving our school system and those within it the security that is desperately needed.

    “Indeed, the recent LGA Peer Review supports our decision to consider school closures as a way to address the issues facing the Island. It also commends our plans to expand SEND provision stating that this element of the plan is both timely and necessary.”

    How can I comment?

    There are several ways people can take part in the consultation:

    • Visit www.iow.gov.uk/schoolplace to read more and to complete the online questionnaire.
    • If you are unable to access the consultation form, please e-mail your views to strategic.planning@iow.gov.uk or write to: Strategic Development, Floor 3, County Hall, Newport, IOW, PO30 1UD.
    • Paper copies of the survey are available to collect from County Hall, High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1UD, local libraries or can be posted out.

    Why is this happening?

    Because schools are funded per pupil, the oversupply of places in primary schools has had a negative impact on the standard of education children receive on the Island, preventing them from having the best opportunity for the highest quality teaching and learning within well-equipped schools.

    While almost 1,900 classroom seats go unfilled in mainstream schools, there is conversely a growing demand for SEND provision across the Island with hundreds of new specialist places desperately needed.

    The number of births on the Island has now reached its lowest level since 1941. This is having a significant impact on the Island where, by 2027, just 876 children are expected to start reception — a considerable drop from 1,404 in 2018.

    As of October 2023 there were 1,898 unfilled school places across the Island. By September 2027, this number is forecast to rise to 3,056.

    For every empty seat, schools receive £4,500 less in funding affecting resources, opportunities and the quality of education children receive. The ongoing trend indicates that by March 2027, 22 primary schools may face budget deficits, potentially amounting to a total deficit of more than £7.4 million.

    Surplus places mean schools struggle to maintain a broad and high-quality curriculum. Falling rolls also make planning and staffing decisions difficult, with schools potentially having to make year on year redundancies or having to restructure.

    More information

    For further information on the process and frequently asked questions please visit the council’s school place planning web page.

    Photo: Getty Images

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: BRICS Congress. The Role of Education in Solving Global Economic Problems

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 20 and 21, the BRICS Scientific and Educational Congress on Ecology and Climate Change was held at the Sirius Federal Territory. It brought together more than 500 representatives of science, education, the business community and governments of BRICS member countries, including India, Brazil, Iran and Ethiopia.

    The event was attended by the Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering of SPbPU Marina Petrochenko, Professor of the Higher School of Hydrotechnical and Power Engineering (HSHPE) Natalia Politaeva and Associate Professor of the HSHPE Alexander Chusov.

    Over the course of two days, business representatives and scientists discussed the following issues:

    The role of education in addressing global climate change issues; Water management in the context of climate change; New technologies for clean energy; Talent economy: New professions and skills in the context of “green” energy; Permafrost and climate change; Water purification technologies.

    In the expert session “New technologies for environmentally safe waste management and their role in the closed-loop economy” Natalia Politaeva presented a report “Innovative waste processing technologies”. In the poster session, the Civil Engineering Institute presented a team report “Utilization of organic waste with the production of biomethane”.

    On the second day of the event, with the assistance of SPbPU partner, the investment and technology company EFIR (RUSNANO Ecology and Nature Management cluster), representatives of the ISI held talks with Sirius University and the Russian-Singapore Business Council on the development of cooperation in the field of scientific and educational activities.

    The congress participants went on excursions to the Sirius educational center and the laboratory complex of the local university, where the latest infrastructure for training and supporting scientific research of talented young people is presented.

    At the congress, Polytech presented its unique technologies and developments in the field of waste management, which are of interest to businesses and the federal environmental operator that organizes and controls the collection, transportation, processing, recycling, neutralization and placement of waste of the first and second hazard classes. It was also important for us to exchange opinions with our foreign colleagues from Brazil, India and other countries. Everyone has common problems. It is obvious that we need to combine efforts and use the resource base, as well as the potential of foreign partners to solve the main problems of the environmental agenda, – commented on the results of the work, Director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Days of the Polytechnic Competence Center at KRSU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    From October 14 to 19, representatives of the Polytechnic University Competence Assessment and Development Center visited the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.

    The days of the Polytechnic University Competence Center at KRSU became one of the first major projects in a series of planned events aimed at improving the quality of training of engineering personnel at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, said Lyudmila Pankova, Vice-Rector for Educational Activities at SPbPU.

    The program of events opened with an information session, at which the ambassadors of the Polytechnic University Competence Center told KRSU students about the opportunities of the Competence Centers project of the presidential platform Russia — the Country of Opportunities for career growth, as well as how the project will help to reveal their potential, and, of course, about the role of ambassadors.

    The Deputy Director General of the ANO “Russia – Country of Opportunities” Dmitry Guzhelya addressed the students with a welcoming speech. He wished the guys not to stop there and to more actively join the projects of the presidential platform.

    Fascinating surveys on supra-professional competencies made the children think about their strengths and opportunities for self-development. A humorous quiz, in which more than 350 people took part, became a bright conclusion to the information session.

    The days of the Polytechnic Competence Center at KRSU became an important stage in the development of the first and so far the only competence center outside the Russian Federation. We see and feel the positive and interested attitude of Russia, whose ambassadors were representatives of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, — shared the head of the KRSU Competence Center Almaz Asankulov.

    The week in Bishkek was eventful and productive. Both sides organized many joint events to bring together university youth and develop soft skills – from a trip to the snowy mountains of the Ala-Archa National Park to a two-day Soft Skills board game tournament. There, KRSU students analyzed information and learned to make decisions, mastered innovation, emotional intelligence, following rules and focus on results.

    Our team prepared for such an important trip for a long time and carefully. We are very happy that KRSU students responded enthusiastically and actively participated in all the events of our program, the most memorable of which was, perhaps, the final of the Soft Skills tournament. The teams developed and defended very interesting and, at times, incredible ideas for startup projects, – said Elena Zima, Director of the SPbPU Competency Assessment and Development Center.

    The trip gave the ambassadors of the Polytechnic University Competence Center a lot of new and interesting things.

    We have become even more united, have significantly developed stress resistance and planning skills, have broadened our horizons, and have gained new knowledge about the culture and traditions of Kyrgyzstan. Most importantly, we have found new friends in lively and sincere communication, – shared Victoria Anikieva, a student of SPbPU and the head of the community of ambassadors of the Polytechnic University Competence Center.

    During the visit, the partners launched a professional development program called “Modern Approaches to Managing the Educational Process.” Elena Zima gave two lectures to KRSU teachers on the specifics of Russian Federation legislation in the field of higher education.

    On behalf of the KRSU management, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Polytechnic staff for fruitful cooperation and support in the development of our university as one of the best universities in Kyrgyzstan, said Elena Devyatova, Vice-Rector for Educational Activities at KRSU.

    A return visit of the KRSU Competence Center ambassadors to the Polytechnic University is ahead.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, a school in Khanty-Mansiysk has received new educational equipment

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz (Rosneft’s largest oil producing enterprise) has equipped school No. 9 in Khanty-Mansiysk, where almost 1,000 schoolchildren study, with modern equipment and teaching aids. The enterprise is participating in the development of the educational sphere of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra within the framework of the cooperation agreement between Rosneft and the regional government.

    Rosneft implements social projects aimed at creating favorable living conditions in the regions of its presence. The company supports initiatives aimed at developing education and creating a comfortable urban environment.

    Thanks to the support of RN-Yuganskneftegaz, robotics kits were purchased, which allow students to develop programming and design skills. New interactive panels made the learning process visual and accessible, allowing for the demonstration of educational materials in all modern formats. Demonstration kits and manuals for chemistry classes made it possible to conduct all types of experiments and experiments provided for by the educational program. New devices and equipment help students in physics lessons better understand the patterns and practical significance of the processes being studied.

    Now the school classrooms are fully equipped with interactive digital equipment and office equipment, a classroom for the Russian Movement of Children and Youth “Movement of the First” is equipped. Particular attention is paid to creating favorable conditions for children with special needs, for whom a classroom for individual lessons with a psychologist and an adaptive physical education teacher is equipped.

    Thanks to the support of oil workers, the school received technical capabilities to improve the quality of education and expand the range of extracurricular activities for the comprehensive development of students’ abilities.

    Reference:

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz is the key production asset of Rosneft. The company develops fields in licensed areas with a total area of over 21 thousand square kilometers in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. Cumulative oil production since the beginning of operations exceeds 2.7 billion tons.

    RN-Yuganskneftegaz implements significant social projects in the territory of its production activities. Within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement between NK Rosneft and the Government of Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, the construction of cultural, leisure and sports complexes, healthcare institutions, kindergartens and schools, stadiums and sports grounds is financed.

    In 2023, Secondary School No. 8 in Khanty-Mansiysk received modern equipment, a sports and leisure complex was built and equipped in the urban settlement of Bely Yar in the Surgut district. In 2024, a sports complex was put into operation in the village of Lyamina in the Surgut district, which fully provides residents with the necessary conditions for sports.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 25, 2024

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The long culinary history of pumpkins – from ancient Mexican soups to modern spiced lattes

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Serin Quinn, PhD Candidate, Department of History, University of Warwick

    Carving the Pumpkin by Franck Antoine Bail (1910). Bonhams

    October heralds the beginning of pumpkin season. Over the course of the month, they will be used for a variety of non-culinary purposes. In Belgium, they are hollowed out for boat races, and in Ludwigsburg, Germany, thousands of multi-coloured pumpkins are used to make seasonal sculpture parks. At the end of the month, they will be carved up with a ghoulish grin to celebrate Halloween, a tradition that is becoming increasingly popular across the globe.

    Despite being harvested until December, for many, Halloween will mark the end of pumpkin season with the decorations unceremoniously binned. Studies show that just over half of the pumpkins bought in the UK each year (18,000 tonnes of them) go to waste uneaten. Many people don’t even realise that pumpkins are edible.

    But it hasn’t always been this way: pumpkin carving is actually a fairly recent tradition, practiced in the US since around the 1890s. Before becoming the symbol of Halloween, pumpkins had a very long history as a foodstuff.

    Like tomatoes, maize and potatoes, the pumpkin is indigenous to the Americas, with the earliest evidence of pumpkin consumption dating as far back as 8,000BC in Oaxaca, Mexico.

    Pumpkins have come a long way since then, as Indigenous American communities carefully adapted the wild pumpkin into successively bigger and better-tasting varieties. These weren’t all the bright orange we’re familiar with: white, green and yellow varieties were also common, mixed in with squashes (a genetically identical relation).

    Still Life with Pumpkins by Jan Anton van der Baren (1657).
    Kunsthistorisches Museum

    In pre-colonial America, there were a host of different ways to prepare the vegetable, as pumpkin historian Cindy Ott explains. She wrote that Indigenous communities ate pumpkins in soups, roasted them on embers, made them into sauces and baked them into a “bread”.

    Pumpkins and squash were commonly grown and eaten with maize and beans; a combination sometimes called the “three sisters”.

    The rise of the ‘pompion’

    The pumpkin only came to Europe in the 1500s, following the invasion of the Americas. This new vegetable wasn’t as much of a surprise to Europeans as we might expect: gourds, cucumbers and melons are from the same family as pumpkins, Curcubitaceae, and the plants all look very similar, with trailing vines and large golden flowers.

    Farmer with pumpkins by Ilya Ivanovich Mashkov (1930).
    WikiArt

    In European languages, the new plant was given the name of these more familiar foods, so that in English and French it became the pompion (another name for melons), in Italian the zucca and in German the kürbis (both names for gourds).

    All these overlapping names caused some confusion. In 1640, botanist John Parkinson wrote of “gourds or millions, or pompions, or whatsoever else you please to call them”.

    The recipes that pumpkins are best known for in today’s Anglo-American cuisine come from this era of food history. “Pumpion” pies started to appear in English recipe books in the 1660s, but they weren’t much like today’s versions.

    An early printed recipe was written by Hannah Woolley, an English writer who published books on household management, in 1672. It instructs the reader to fry egg-coated slices, mix these with raisins, sugar and fortified wine then place the mixture in a pie dish on top of apples. A little different maybe, but it doesn’t sound too bad.

    The apple association stayed strong in England. Another method, recorded in 1735, was to scoop out the pulp, mix it with chopped apples and sugar, bake this in the hollowed pumpkin, then eat it spread on bread. The author was careful to note that this meal was “too strong for persons of weak stomachs, and only proper for country people who use much exercise” – so be careful if you try this at home.



    Read more:
    A delicious history of the apple – from the Tian Sian mountains to supermarket shelves

    The pie recipes followed a longer tradition of sweet-and-savoury pies which were popular in England at the time. This is also where we get the typical “pumpkin spice” from. These pies were made with artichokes, sweet and ordinary potatoes, and even earlier with parsnips, skirrets and eryngoes (once popular root vegetables). They were mixed with the go-to expensive spices of the day: cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cloves, ginger and sugar. Maybe we should be calling it the “skirret spice latte”.

    As Europeans steadily colonised America over the 17th century, they brought with them their familiar recipes, including spiced pies. Here, in the home of pumpkins, they had an abundance to make them from.

    The steady rise of Halloween in the globalised age suggests our current waste issue will get worse before it gets better. Reviving the egg-apple-pumpkin pie might not be the solution, but there are plenty of other ways we can use these versatile vegetables. Remembering that pumpkins had millennia of history as a food before they were a decoration is one step on the way.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Serin Quinn 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. The long culinary history of pumpkins – from ancient Mexican soups to modern spiced lattes – https://theconversation.com/the-long-culinary-history-of-pumpkins-from-ancient-mexican-soups-to-modern-spiced-lattes-240492

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Israel’s ‘generals’ plan’ to clear Palestinians from north of Gaza could pave the way for settlers to return

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Leonie Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, City St George’s, University of London

    Western political leaders were quick to argue that the killing of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, on October 17 presented a window of opportunity. Perhaps the decapitation of the militant group’s senior command would be a chance for renewed ceasefire talks and the release of the Israeli hostages.

    The US president, Joe Biden, urged the Israeli government the following day to “make this moment an opportunity” to end the war in Gaza. But Israel had already launched a major operation in northern Gaza. On October 12, the IDF posted a message in Arabic on social media sites warning civilians living in an area designated as D5 on Israel’s grid map of Gaza to evacuate. It said the area would soon be a “dangerous combat zone” and ordered people to move to safe areas in the south of Gaza.

    This process has continued as the IDF has renewed its offensive in the north of the enclave, with an estimated 400,000 people affected, about 20% of the population of Gaza. The UN reported on October 21 that only a “trickle” of food aid has been allowed into north Gaza over the previous week. The Israeli military has denied this. But it has also been reported that the emergency polio vaccination campaign in north Gaza has had to be suspended, due to Israeli bombardment and a lack of access to UN personnel.

    The forcible transfer of a population during war is illegal under international law, as is denying access to humanitarian aid for civilians. But there are fears that there is a plan to move Palestinians out of north Gaza in a plan which could pave the way for settlers to move in.

    The liberal Haaretz newspaper, a consistent critic of the Netanyahu government, published an editorial on October 22 saying that there was mounting evidence that Israel is now pursuing a policy of siege and starvation to force the complete evacuation of the civilian population of northern Gaza. In doing this, the newspaper said, Israel is implementing the now notorious “generals’ plan”. It asserted:

    Make no mistake, [the generals’ plan] is a war crime, and it runs contrary to UN Security Council decision 2334, which states that land may not be taken through force, referring to acts of war.

    Military plan or land grab?

    The “generals’ plan” is attributed to retired Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, a former head of national security in Israel. As a strategy to defeat Hamas (something which has proved elusive in 12 months of bitter fighting in Gaza) it proposes the wholesale transfer of north Gaza’s population south beyond the Netzarim corridor. A siege would be imposed on those who remain.

    The Netzarim Corridor runs across the Gaza Strip below Gaza CIty. Israel is moving Palestinians south of the corridor.
    ChrisO/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    In late September Eiland argued in an interview with Haaretz that “it’s permissible and even recommended to starve an enemy to death, provided you’ve allowed the civilians corridors of exits beforehand. And that is exactly what I am proposing”.

    Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, recently told US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, that Israel is not planning to lay siege to northern Gaza. But the evidence of the military’s actions on the ground suggests otherwise. Since October 6 the IDF has been conducting what it calls a “clearing operation” in Jabalia, north of Gaza City, channelling civilians south while launching airstrikes against the Jabalia refugee camp, where it says units of Hamas are embedded.

    Changing the reality

    There is widespread concern that the end game in north Gaza will include the return of settlers. A conference on October 22 attended by members of the ruling Likud Party, including several ministers in the Netanyahu government, heard the national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, assert that “encouraging emigration” of Palestinian residents of Gaza would be the “most ethical” solution to the conflict. The finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, told journalists on his way to the conference that the Gaza Strip was “part of the Land of Israel” and that “without settlements, there is no security”.

    Settlers were moved out of the the Gaza Strip in 2005, under the then prime minister Ariel Sharon’s Disengagement Plan. The plan dismantled 21 settlements in the Strip, relocating an estimated 8,000 settlers. Many vowed at the time that they would return one day.

    CIA map of the Gaza Strip in May 2005, a few months prior to the Israeli withdrawal. The major settlement blocs are shaded in blue.
    CIA/Wikimedia Commons

    There was a Jewish presence on the Gaza Strip from biblical times until 1929, when they were driven out during the Arab revolts, in which 133 Gazan Jews were killed. After the six-day war in 1967, Israel occupied the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. In the aftermath of the war, the main focus of settlement was national security, rather than religious ideology. Here the driving force was Israel’s deputy prime minister, Yigal Allon, who believed that national security could be guaranteed by building settlements.

    As a consequence, in the 1970s, the Labour government established the initial modern settlements in the Gaza Strip. The settlements divided the enclave such that the Palestinian inhabitants in each area were isolated from each other, thus enabling Israeli control.

    UK-based historian Ahron Bregman, a former Israeli army officer (who has written for The Conversation on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians), warned in a post on X about how national security could once again be used as a pretext for settlements to be established in north Gaza.

    Warning: Ahron Bregman’s post on X on October 22.
    Twitter

    The current operation in northern Gaza feels like a particularly ominous moment, not only in the Hamas-Israel war, but in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Rather than use the opportunity of a weakened Hamas to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal and allow the people of Gaza to attempt to rebuild their shattered lives, Israel appears to be illegally, immorally and irreversibly changing the realities on the ground.

    Leonie Fleischmann 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. Israel’s ‘generals’ plan’ to clear Palestinians from north of Gaza could pave the way for settlers to return – https://theconversation.com/israels-generals-plan-to-clear-palestinians-from-north-of-gaza-could-pave-the-way-for-settlers-to-return-241987

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mary Queen of Scots and the clandestine tricks of the women who kept her secrets

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jade Scott, Affiliate in History , University of Glasgow

    Mary, Queen of Scots spent almost 20 years in captivity. She was held in various locations across Britain from 1568 until her execution on February 8 1587. As I explain in my new book, Captive Queen: The Decrypted History of Mary, Queen of Scots, during this period she relied upon letters to maintain her support back in Scotland, encourage international allies to join her cause and foster allegiances in England.

    Mary was aware that her letters were routinely read by her jailers and passed on to be scrutinised by Elizabeth I’s closest advisers, notably William Cecil. At times, she was forced to rely on clandestine techniques, including writing in invisible ink. She wrote that “although such artifices be very hazardous and vulgar, they will serve me in extreme necessity”.

    Less technical means of conveying correspondence covertly also proved useful. Letters were regularly passed surreptitiously in clothing. They could be slipped under the sleeves of ladies’ gowns, sewn into doublets, or even packed into the heel of a shoe.

    In 1572, Mary’s longest-serving custodian, the earl of Shrewsbury, George Talbot, reported that he had discovered that Mary was having letters left hidden under stones in the gardens. These would be collected later by servants and carried out of the property, to avoid unwanted attention.

    Mary also used complex ciphers to disguise the contents of her correspondence, especially when she wished to discuss plots designed to set her free. Hundreds of her coded letters survive in different forms (as copies, translations, and originals), many of them from supporters who were directly involved in schemes including the Babington plot of 1586, which aimed to assassinate Elizabeth I and replace her with Mary.

    Mary, Queen of Scots at Fotheringhay by John Duncan (1929).
    University of St Andrews, CC BY-SA

    The women who carried Mary’s secrets

    The role of women in Mary’s coded correspondence is often overlooked. Yet she relied upon her female supporters to ensure that covert networks were maintained during her captivity.

    The countess of Northumberland, Lady Anne Percy, was one of the noblewomen at the heart of a transcontinental network of Catholic exiles who went to great efforts to preserve clandestine channels of communication between themselves and Mary.

    In August 1571, William Maitland of Lethington, Mary’s principal secretary in Scotland, wrote to her. He explained that he had shared a new cipher so that Lady Percy could write to Mary secretly. Several years later, Mary confirmed that she was still writing in code to Lady Percy and receiving such letters in return.

    Mary Queen of Scots Bidding Farewell to France by William Powell Frith (1851).
    National Trust, Newton House, Dinefwr Park and Castle

    Similarly, Mary communicated with Scottish noblewomen using ciphers. Lady Livingston, Agnes Fleming, journeyed with Mary into England in late 1568 and remained by her side in captivity until 1572, when she returned to Scotland. We know that she communicated with Mary using coded letters because in 1573 Lethington warned her that she must stop using their usual cipher.

    He explained that the letter bearer had been arrested and so their cipher was likely “known to their adversaries”. Lady Livingston remained a loyal supporter of Mary after she returned to Scotland. She was even briefly imprisoned in Dalkeith by the regent of Scotland, James Morton, for sharing news and intelligence via secret messages.



    Read more:
    Letters and embroidery allowed medieval women to express their ‘forbidden’ emotions

    Lady Ferniehirst, Jean Scott, also composed coded correspondence to navigate the surveillance and scrutiny that the Scottish queen was subject to in England. Her husband, Sir Thomas Kerr of Ferniehirst, was exiled in 1573 following his attempts to hold Edinburgh Castle on Mary’s behalf. This meant that during the 1580s, Lady Ferniehirst was crucial to the survival of a network of Scottish nobles who continued to agitate for Mary’s restoration.

    She regularly acted as an intermediary between Mary and James VI, allowing at least some of their communication to avoid English detection. Several of Lady Ferniehirst’s own coded letters to Mary survive, and many were intercepted and decoded by contemporary agents seeking evidence of Mary’s plotting.

    In 1578, Mary requested that Lady Ferniehirst’s 13-year-old daughter be allowed to join her household in England. Aware of the clandestine correspondence between the two women, this request was denied by Elizabeth I. She suspected that Lady Ferniehirst’s daughter would ensure even more coded letters managed to make their way from Mary to her supporters.

    The correspondence of Mary’s female supporters reveals early modern women’s skilful navigation of political crisis. Illuminating the examples of women like Lady Percy, Lady Livingston and Lady Ferniehirst challenges gendered assumptions that have led to women being underestimated or dismissed throughout history.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Jade Scott previously received funding from Arts and Humanities Research Council UK (AHRC).

    – ref. Mary Queen of Scots and the clandestine tricks of the women who kept her secrets – https://theconversation.com/mary-queen-of-scots-and-the-clandestine-tricks-of-the-women-who-kept-her-secrets-241444

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How asbestos exposure continues to be a dire health risk – 25 years after it was banned

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

    Jjay69/Shutterstock

    Asbestos may have been banned from use in the UK since 1999 but the hazardous material continues to pose a serious danger to the population.

    Low levels of asbestos are naturally present in the air, water and soil, which usually doesn’t cause people to become ill. However, regular exposure to asbestos – in the workplace, for example – is a real health risk.

    Asbestos exposure can have an insidious effect on health. It can take decades for symptoms to become noticeable but, once diagnosed, most patients die within two years.

    According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, more than 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases each year, making asbestos the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

    Perilous but popular

    Asbestos is a group of dangerous but naturally occurring fibrous minerals widely used for decades for their heat-resistant and insulating properties. The primary types of asbestos include the most commonly used chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos) and crocidolite (blue asbestos).

    These fibres are highly durable and resistant to heat, electricity, and chemical damage, which made asbestos a popular material in various industries, particularly in construction and manufacturing throughout the 20th century.

    Worryingly, despite the known dangers of asbestos, it remains a common material in many UK school buildings. According to a 2019 Department for Education survey, more than 80% of state schools in England and around 60% of schools in Scotland and Wales still have asbestos “present on their estate”.

    Asbestos is considered to be safe as long as it is undisturbed. However, if there are damaged or shedding fibres then the material becomes highly dangerous to those exposed to it.

    An (un)healthy education

    When asbestos fibres become airborne and are inhaled, they can cause significant damage to lung cells and other organs.

    The main health issues linked to asbestos exposure include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, a chronic lung disease that leads to lung tissue scarring and severe breathing difficulties.

    Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs – and sometimes the abdomen or heart. Sadly, as my research has shown, it’s extremely difficult to treat patients with this condition.

    HSE statistics show that 111 teachers died from mesothelioma between the years of 2011-20. In 2021, 23 teachers died from the cancer. A 2021 report by the Joint Union Asbestos Committee (JUAC), a group that was set up to protect workers and students from the risk of asbestos, states estimates that “1,000 teachers and support staff and 9,000 former pupils died from mesothelioma between 1980 and 2017 due to asbestos exposure in schools”.

    Deadly decay

    State school buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1999 in the UK are likely to have been built using asbestos containing materials. Despite the guidance that asbestos is safe if not disturbed, there are concerns that the dilapidated state of many of the UK’s state school buildings is causing teachers and children to be at risk of asbestos exposure.

    In October 2024, the CEO of the Mesothelioma UK charity, Liz Darlison told the MailOnline that:

    The ongoing presence of asbestos in our deteriorating school buildings is like a bomb that is slowly exploding. It’s an unbelievable tragedy and a national disgrace that we are not doing more to protect people, especially children.

    Crumbling school buildings could disturb asbestos fibres, causing them to be released and then inhaled by teachers and students. Asbestos fibres are invisible – they can’t be seen, smelled or felt in the air or on clothes so it’s impossible to know if you’ve been exposed to it – until it’s too late.

    It seems, then, that only way to finally eradicate the health risks of asbestos is to remove it from public buildings. Strict enforcement of regulations, public education, safe removal programs and support for those who’ve been exposed to asbestos will be essential in ensuring that asbestos related health risks are finally eradicated.

    Justin Stebbing 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. How asbestos exposure continues to be a dire health risk – 25 years after it was banned – https://theconversation.com/how-asbestos-exposure-continues-to-be-a-dire-health-risk-25-years-after-it-was-banned-232426

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng, College Lecturer at Worcester College, and Postdoctoral Researcher at School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford

    Moo Deng lives with her mother and siblings in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand. I Viewfinder/Shutterstock

    The playful and pudgy mammal that went viral from its Thai zoo enclosure has a sad story to tell about her fellows hippos.

    Moo Deng is the two-month-old pygmy hippo who flicks her ears in joy and likes splashing in water. She lives the life of a superstar at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, where huge crowds have massed – but the chances of spotting her relatives in the wild are slim.

    Pygmy hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis) are endangered and estimated to number fewer than 2,500. Their decline has been drastic: a long-term survey in a national park in Ivory Coast found 12,000 pygmy hippos in 1982; 5,000 in 1997 and 2,000 in 2011. Today, these hippos are scarce across their native west Africa.

    Perhaps it’s not surprising that pygmy hippos feel most comfortable deep in the forest. Early European explorers to Liberia wrote in their diaries that this hippo chooses to forage at night and conceal itself in the water or in dense vegetation during the day.

    So secretive is this species that 19th-century explorers observed:

    if someone walks across one of their paths or tunnels (used to navigate through thick vegetation), they will abandon that route for a while.

    Sensitive souls

    Widespread deforestation and constant disturbance have made it difficult for pygmy hippos to survive, requiring as they do a combination of dense forests and swamps which already restricted them to a small area. West African forests have lost over 80% of their original area, which confines wild pygmy hippos to small spots in Gola National Forest (Sierra Leone) and Sapo National Park (Liberia).

    The world once had several pygmy hippo species. Only one remains, in West Africa.
    IUCN, CC BY-SA

    With their forests rapidly disappearing, there simply isn’t enough space for pygmy hippos to find food, thrive and reproduce. A survey in the Gola rainforest and its surroundings revealed that many were hiding on former cropland outside the protected area. Re – Yes the survey includes area outside protected forests area

    Cocoa production is probably the biggest cause of forest loss, then gold mining and unsustainable logging. These activities now encroach on forest reserves and other supposedly protected areas.

    Previous forest conservation efforts have failed. Conservationists argue for a system to financially reward farmers and authorise local forestry communities to safeguard the forests and sustainably manage what remains, as opposed to a top-down model of state management and enforcement.

    A world treasure

    West Africa’s forest loss is particularly heartbreaking as research shows that a remaining patch may be the most productive on Earth, surpassing even the Amazon rainforest.

    Particularly productive forests harness more of the sun’s energy and turn it into lots of palatable herbs and juicy fruits – more food to support animals like pygmy hippos, and so foster rich biodiversity.

    Before extensive fieldwork beginning in 2016, researchers had underestimated the value of west African forests, particularly their capacity to store carbon and thereby offset global warming. This oversight was partly the result of these forests being hidden by clouds, which makes satellite observation difficult, and their relative neglect by western researchers compared with other ecosystems elsewhere.

    It’s not just Moo Deng’s wider family that is at risk. West African forests are home to more than 900 bird species and nearly 400 mammals – more than a quarter of all mammal species in Africa. Their future is highly threatened by extensive deforestation.

    Underestimating the value of west African forests has kept them off the priority list for global forest restoration. It’s sadly not surprising that deforestation continues. In 2022 alone Ghana lost 44,500 acres of forest (twice the size of Manchester), close to a 70% increase from 2021.

    Each tropical forest contributes irreplaceable biodiversity. From the elusive mammals of west Africa to the vibrant birds of south-east Asia, these ecosystems are equally important. Comprehensive plans are needed to restore them which involve empowering local communities to manage their long-term health.

    A global initiative to designate 30% of Earth’s land and ocean as protected by 2030 (known as 30×30) should not conserve a vast area in one or two places, ignoring Earth’s other biodiversity hotspots. The lesson of Moo Deng’s disappearing home should be to value ecosystems equally – and plan their preservation with equal care.


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

    Get our award-winning 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 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng receives funding from the US Department of Energy.

    Sulemana Bawa 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. Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it? – https://theconversation.com/moo-deng-the-celebrated-hippos-real-home-has-disappeared-will-the-world-restore-it-241815

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ARU’s world-leading loris expert to receive award

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Published: 25 October 2024 at 10:11

    Professor Anna Nekaris is to be honoured by the Primate Society of Great Britain

    Dr Anna Nekaris, Professor in Ecology, Conservation and Environment at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), is to receive a prestigious honour later this year from the Primate Society of Great Britain. 

    Professor Nekaris, one of the world’s leading experts in lorises, will be awarded the Osman Hill Memorial Lecture Medal by the Primate Society of Great Britain at their winter meeting in Bristol on 12-13 December.

    The medal is awarded annually to a distinguished primatologist who has shown excellence in research and has made a substantial, original, and lasting contribution to the discipline.

    Professor Nekaris started her work on nocturnal primates in 1992 and in 2011 she established the Little Fireface Project – a conservation project based in Java, Indonesia, that supports loris conservation worldwide.

    She is Vice Chair of the recently formed IUCN Special Section for African and Asian Prosimians, Co-editor-in-chief of Folia Primatologica, and Section Editor of Nature’s Discover Conservation. Earlier this year, Professor Nekaris was made Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to conservation.

    Professor Nekaris has published more than 300 scientific papers and 10 edited volumes, and her studies cover all species of slow, pygmy and slender lorises, including five she named or elevated from subspecies, and one genus that she named. 

    Her research includes behavioural ecology in zoos, rescue centres and in the wild, including a novel study on slow loris venom, museum studies, genetics, acoustics, taxonomy, conservation education, and community conservation, especially with agroforestry farmers. 

    Much of her conservation work has focused on lorises in the pet trade. Through her advocacy, lorises became protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and Professor Nekaris has worked with the Japanese government to change laws regarding microchipping of CITES I protected species. She hopes her research will convince people that lorises do not make good pets. 

    Professor Nekaris said:

    “All species of loris are threatened with extinction and some are amongst the rarest primates on the planet. They are wild animals and my mission is to ensure that as many as possible remain in their natural habitats so we can learn more about these most unique primates.”

    On news of her award from the Primate Society of Great Britain, she added:

    “Being recognised by my fellow primatologists is a tremendous honour, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be following in the footsteps of some of the wonderful scientists who have previously been awarded the Osman Hill Memorial Lecture Medal. 

    “This award is also extra special to me because it is named after a scientist, William Charles Osman Hill, who made some of the first, significant contributions to our knowledge of lorises.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Tribal Affairs organises “Janjati Samvad: Chunautiya aur Pahal” as part of the ‘Karmayogi Saptah’

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 3:15PM by PIB Delhi

    Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as part of the National Learning Week – Karamyogi Saptah, organised a webinar on theme “जनजाति संवाद: चुनौतियां और पहल” (Tribal Samvad: Challenges and Initiatives) on 24th October 2024.

    Ms. R. Jaya, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, in her address, stressed the need to understand the significance of the Constitutional provisions in the socio-economic development as well as preservation and promotion of the socio-cultural heritage of the tribes of India. She also spoke about the Ministry’s initiatives aimed at the elimination of Sickle Cell Disease by 2047. During this she shared about the training workshops, modules, promotional campaign as undertaken by the Ministry in the direction of achieving the desired objectives of the Mission. Commending the steps taken so far, she emphasized that the insights gained from this webinar by the participants would be significant in advancing efforts as being taken under the National Learning Week through infusing a culture of continuous learning and capacity building.

    Prof. Nupur Tiwary, Special Director, National Tribal Research Institute and Chair Professor, IIPA, New Delhi contextualised the objectives and agenda of the Webinar as organised under the National Learning Week. During her address, she shared with the audience on the foundational knowledge on understanding the tribes in India, the policy and approach taken by Government towards the development and welfare of the tribes since independence, details on the important legislative frameworks, and the innovative initiatives as undertaken by the Government for Empowering the tribals.

    Dr. Nita Radhakrishnan, Additional Professor and HOD, Department of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, PGICH, Noida elaborated on the details of the National Mission on Elimination of the Sickle Cell Disease. She highlighted key facts and statistics including introducing the participants with the sickle cell disease, its prevalence in tribal communities, symptoms, complications, treatment, awareness and strategy for achieving the targets under the mission.

    Dr. B.M. Jyotishi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, in his address during the webinar, provided a comprehensive overview of the Constitutional and legal provisions for Scheduled Tribes (STs). His presentation focused on the political, social, and economic rights guaranteed to STs under the Indian Constitution, offering participants valuable insights into the legal framework designed to safeguard the ST communities. Dr. Jyotishi read out key provisions as enshrined in the Constitution. He shared relevant examples concerning these provisions, shedding light on the challenges faced in their implementation and the progress achieved.

    The Webinar ended with a summarisation of key points from the Speakers Address and a formal Vote of Thanks. The participants can watch the recorded video of livestream through this link.
    https://www.youtube.com/live/VMiPYfX2QZg

    ********

    PSF/DK

     

    (Release ID: 2068067) Visitor Counter : 38

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Establishment of iGOT lab by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting a commendable step for fostering continuous learning: Dr. L. Murugan

    Source: Government of India

    Establishment of iGOT lab by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting a commendable step for fostering continuous learning: Dr. L. Murugan

    AI for Aspirational India: Dr. L. Murugan urges adoption of AI Tools to boost productivity and pnhance governance

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 2:23PM by PIB Delhi

    Dr. L. Murugan, Chief Guest at the National Learning Week 2024 prize distribution ceremony and inauguration of the iGOT lab and learning centre, celebrated the culmination of Karmayogi Saptah.

    Sh. Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Smt Neerja Shekhar Special Secretary, senior officers of Ministry and top performers were also present at the occasion.  

    Karmayogi Saptah – National Learning Week (NLW)

    Karmayogi Saptah – National Learning Week (NLW) is a key initiative launched by the Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi for building a future-ready civil service and the week emphasized strengthening the competencies of civil servants at all levels to create a workforce that is deeply rooted in Indian values with a global perspective.

    On this occasion, Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, highlighted the significance of the initiative in enhancing the skills and competencies of over 3 million central civil servants and ensuring access to continuous learning for more than 22 million state-level civil servants and 5 million Urban Local Body (ULB) officials. He also highlighted how this program is open to both permanent and contractual staff, fostering lifelong learning aligned with national goals.

    iGOT lab: Fostering learning

    Dr. L. Murugan highlighted that the Ministry conducted three webinars focused on social media use, the evolution of film viewing, and photography skill enhancement. Additionally, all employees were required to complete a minimum of four hours of training on the iGOT Karmayogi portal, covering key areas such as office procedures, gender sensitivity, and leadership. He also commended the Ministry’s innovative approach, including the establishment of an iGOT lab, which he described as a commendable step toward fostering continuous learning.

    Dr. L. Murugan felicitating the top performers

    AI for Aspirational India

    In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive the vision of “Aspirational India”, Dr. L. Murugan urged the Ministry to actively incorporate AI tools in the workplace to boost productivity. The Minister urged the adoption of AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to enhance productivity and reduce the burden of repetitive tasks. With AI-powered data-driven decision-making, civil servants can focus on high-impact areas of governance, ensuring better service delivery and innovation within their departments, he added.

    He also urged to focus on behavioral courses to promote citizen-centric governance and emphasized the importance of efficient grievance resolution for improved service delivery.

    *****

    Dharmendra Tewari/Kshitij Singha

    (Release ID: 2068050) Visitor Counter : 68

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda Presides over 53rd Foundation Day Celebrations and Convocation of University College of Medical Sciences

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda Presides over 53rd Foundation Day Celebrations and Convocation of University College of Medical Sciences

    Healthcare professionals make crucial contributions to society and approach their work with compassion, integrity, and dedication: Shri JP Nadda

    Reiterates Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s healthcare system and ensuring that medical services are accessible to all

    “Union Government changed the National Health Policy in 2017 which made a shift in looking at healthcare from only a curative angle previously to a holistic approach that caters to preventive, integrative as well as curative healthcare”

    “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had promised to further add 75,000 medical seats in the next five years and we are going to do it”

    Posted On: 25 OCT 2024 1:50PM by PIB Delhi

    Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, presided as the Chief Guest at the 53rd Foundation Day and Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), a constituent medical institution of the University of Delhi, here today. He was joined by Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lt. Governor of Delhi.

    Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda highlighted the crucial contributions that healthcare professionals make to society and urged the graduates to approach their work with compassion, integrity, and dedication. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s healthcare system and ensuring that medical services are accessible to all. Reaching out to the students, he stated, “Your efforts should be focused on shaping our national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat.”

    The Union Health Minister said that “basic education is everyone’s birthright but professional education is a privilege that the society bestows on only a few”. Highlighting that the government spends between 30-35 lakh for every MBBS student, he urged the new doctors to shoulder more responsibilities as they embark on their professional careers.

    Shri Nadda also informed about the changes made in the National Health Policy by the Union Government in 2017 which made a shift in looking at healthcare from only a curative angle previously to a holistic approach that caters to preventive, integrative as well as curative healthcare. He also emphasized the recent achievements made in the healthcare sector including the establishment of 22 AIIMS, new medical and nursing colleges, increase in MBBS and MD seats by over 100% etc. He added that “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had promised to further add 75,000 medical seats in the next five years and we are going to do it.”

    During the ceremony, degrees were conferred to 146 MBBS students, 145 MD/MS students, 17 B.Sc (MT) Radiology students, and 4 M.Sc (R&MIT) students and 62 awards were given. Additionally, 4 certificates in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) were awarded. Shri Nadda also distributed awards to meritorious students for their exceptional achievements in the field of medical sciences.

    Congratulating the new doctors, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, extended his best wishes for their future endeavours. He remarked that UCMS’s unwavering commitment to nurturing capable and compassionate healthcare professionals is commendable and crucial in meeting the country’s ongoing complex health challenges. “This convocation is a recognition of the tireless legacy of UCMS”, he said.

    To commemorate the event, a special souvenir was also released, highlighting the academic achievements of the UCMS in the last year.

    The convocation ceremony marked a proud moment for graduates, faculty, and family members alike, as the new medical professionals prepare to embark on their careers equipped with the knowledge and skills gained from one of India’s leading medical institutions.

    Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi; Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma, Chairperson, Governing Body of UCMS and Vice-Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University; Prof. B Srinivas, Secretary of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Deputy Director General (Medical Education); Dr. Girish Tyagi, Registrar, Delhi Medical Council (DMC) and President-Elect of the Delhi Medical Association; Dr Amita Suneja, Principal, UCMS and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present at the event.

    ***

    MV

    HFW/MoS AIIMS Foundation Day/25th September 2024/2

    (Release ID: 2068035) Visitor Counter : 78

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New technologies helping to search for missing persons in Serbia and Kosovo

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Foreign Affairs in English

    A group of experts from the School of Criminal Sciences at the University of Lausanne has travelled to Serbia and Kosovo under a mandate conferred by the FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division. It will assess the possible deployment of laser and radar technology to search for missing persons. The mission is taking place between 14 and 25 October.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Participation in the Erasmus+ programme and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union – E-001911/2024

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001911/2024/rev.1
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Laurence Farreng (Renew), Nathalie Loiseau (Renew), Sandro Gozi (Renew), Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Renew), Grégory Allione (Renew), Gilles Boyer (Renew), Christophe Grudler (Renew), Valérie Devaux (Renew)

    It would appear from public statements made by its rector and messages posted on its official site that Türkiye’s Gaziantep Islamic University of Science and Technology, which receives subsidies under the Erasmus+ programme, openly supports terrorist organisations and puts on classes and events that do not uphold the principles of gender equality and non-discrimination.

    In its report on the implementation of the Erasmus+ programme, Parliament (at the encouragement of Renew Europe) voted in favour of the Commission consistently following up ‘on any indications that an accredited beneficiary does not respect European values’ and taking ‘appropriate action’ in such cases.

    • 1.Can the Commission say what students on an exchange at the Gaziantep Islamic University of Science and Technology will be taught?
    • 2.Will the Commission be more rigorous in future? What procedures will it put in place to keep a closer eye on the beneficiaries of Erasmus+ funds to ensure they uphold European values?

    Submitted: 1.10.2024

    Last updated: 25 October 2024

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Murdoch to Musk: how global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros

    ANALYSIS: By Matthew Ricketson, Deakin University and Andrew Dodd, The University of Melbourne

    Until recently, Elon Musk was just a wildly successful electric car tycoon and space pioneer. Sure, he was erratic and outspoken, but his global influence was contained and seemingly under control.

    But add the ownership of just one media platform, in the form of Twitter — now X — and the maverick has become a mogul, and the baton of the world’s biggest media bully has passed to a new player.

    What we can gauge from watching Musk’s stewardship of X is that he’s unlike former media moguls, making him potentially even more dangerous. He operates under his own rules, often beyond the reach of regulators. He has demonstrated he has no regard for those who try to rein him in.

    Under the old regime, press barons, from William Randolph Hearst to Rupert Murdoch, at least pretended they were committed to truth-telling journalism. Never mind that they were simultaneously deploying intimidation and bullying to achieve their commercial and political ends.

    Musk has no need, or desire, for such pretence because he’s not required to cloak anything he says in even a wafer-thin veil of journalism. Instead, his driving rationale is free speech, which is often code for don’t dare get in my way.

    This means we are in new territory, but it doesn’t mean what went before it is irrelevant.

    A big bucket of the proverbial
     If you want a comprehensive, up-to-date primer on the behaviour of media moguls over the past century-plus, Eric Beecher has just provided it in his book The Men Who Killed the News.

    Alongside accounts of people like Hearst in the United States and Lord Northcliffe in the United Kingdom, Beecher quotes the notorious example of what happened to John Major, the UK prime minister between 1990 and 1997, who baulked at following Murdoch’s resistance to strengthening ties with the European Union.

    In a conversation between Major and Kelvin MacKenzie, editor of Murdoch’s best-selling English tabloid newspaper, The Sun, the prime minister was bluntly told: “Well John, let me put it this way. I’ve got a large bucket of shit lying on my desk and tomorrow morning I’m going to pour it all over your head.”

    MacKenzie might have thought he was speaking truth to power, but in reality he was doing Murdoch’s bidding, and actually using his master’s voice, as Beecher confirms by recounting an anecdote from early in Murdoch’s career in Australia.

    In the 1960s, when Murdoch owned The Sunday Times in Perth, he met Lang Hancock (father of Gina Rinehart) to discuss potentially buying some mineral prospects together in Western Australia. The state government was opposed to the planned deal.

    Beecher cites Hancock’s biographer, Robert Duffield, who claimed Murdoch asked the mining magnate, “If I can get a certain politician to negotiate, will you sell me a piece of the cake?” Hancock said yes.

    Later that night, Murdoch called again to say the deal had been done. How, asked an incredulous Hancock. Murdoch replied: “Simple [. . . ] I told him: look you can have a headline a day or a bucket of shit every day. What’s it to be?”

    Between Murdoch in the 1960s and MacKenzie in the 1990s came Mario Puzo’s The Godfather with Don Corleone, aided by Luca Brasi holding a gun to a rival’s head, saying “either his brains or his signature would be on the contract”.

    Changing the rules of the game
     Media moguls use metaphorical bullets. Those relatively few people who do resist them, like Major, get the proverbial poured over their government. Headlines in The Sun following the Conservatives’ win in the 1992 election included: “Pigmy PM”, “Not up to the job” and “1001 reasons why you are such a plonker John”.

    If media moguls since Hearst and Northcliffe have tap-danced between producing journalism and pursuing their commercial and political aims, they have at least done the former, and some of it has been very good.

    The leaders of the social media behemoths, by contrast, don’t claim any Fourth Estate role. If anything, they seem to hold journalism with tongs as far from their face as possible.

    They do possess enormous wealth though. Apple, Microsoft, Google and Meta, formerly known as Facebook, are in the top 10 companies globally by market capitalisation. By comparison, News Corporation’s market capitalisation now ranks at 1173 in the world.

    Regulating the online environment may be difficult, as Australia discovered this year when it tried, and failed, to stop X hosting footage of the Wakeley Church stabbing attacks. But limiting transnational media platforms can be done, according to Robert Reich, a former Secretary of Labor in Bill Clinton’s government.

    Despite some early wins through Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code, big tech companies habitually resist regulation. They have used their substantial influence to stymie it wherever and whenever nation-states have sought to introduce it.

    Meta’s founder and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has been known to go rogue, as he demonstrated in February 2021 when he protested against the bargaining code by unilaterally closing Facebook sites that carried news. Generally, though, his strategy has been to deploy standard public relations and lobbying methods.

    But his rival Musk uses his social media platform, X, like a wrecking ball.

    Musk is just about the first thing the average X user sees in their feed, whether they want to or not. He gives everyone the benefit of his thoughts, not to mention his thought bubbles. He proclaims himself a free-speech absolutist, but most of his pronouncements lean hard to the right, providing little space for alternative views.

    Some of his tweets have been inflammatory, such as him linking to an article promoting a conspiracy theory about the savage attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of the former US Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, or his tweet that “Civil war is inevitable” following riots that erupted recently in the UK.

    As the BBC reported, the riots occurred after the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport. “The subsequent unrest in towns and cities across England and in parts of Northern Ireland has been fuelled by misinformation online, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment”.

    Nor does Musk bother with niceties when people disagree with him. Late last year, advertisers considered boycotting X because they believed some of Musk’s posts were anti-Semitic. He told them during a live interview to “Go fuck yourself”.

    He has welcomed Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, back onto X after Trump’s account was frozen over his comments surrounding the January 6, 2021, attack on the capitol. Since then both men have floated the idea of governing together if Trump wins a second term.

    Is the world better off with tech bros like Musk who demand unlimited freedom and assert their influence brazenly, or old-style media moguls who spin fine-sounding rhetoric about freedom of the press and exert influence under the cover of journalism?

    That’s a question for our times that we should probably begin grappling with.

    Dr Matthew Ricketson is professor of communication, Deakin University and Dr Andrew Dodd is director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Novosibirsk Academpark hosted the NSU School Technical Forum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The NSU School Technical Forum is an annual event for all those who are passionate about robotics and engineering design. The forum is held for the 8th year in a row, traditionally organized by NSU with the support of the Novosibirsk Academpark.

    — This year, the number of teams participating in the tournament has grown to 134. For comparison: last year there were 123. The guys came from Novosibirsk, Altai Krai, the science city of Koltsovo, Iskitim, Kemerovo and other cities. Many people also took part in the LOGO programming Olympiad, which was held in SUNC NSU. This year, 15 teams competed, which is 45 people, said Elena Vishnevskaya, organizer of the NSU school technical forum.

    The goal of the forum is to promote the development of career guidance engineering areas in the system of general and additional education. The forum is aimed at uniting the efforts of teachers, university professors and representatives of high-tech businesses to prepare future engineers.

    The forum’s motto “Here you can see the future” is fully confirmed, because only here you can watch the regional qualifying competitions of the RoboCup championship and the open regional youth competitions “Robointel-2.0”, take part in the competition of creative projects of schoolchildren and the Olympiad in LOGO programming for grades 4-7. For the first time, a hackathon on quadcopters was held as part of the event, organized by NSU Advanced Engineering SchoolAt the intensive course, the kids were taught how to program and launch drones.

    RoboCup is the most authoritative and annual robotics event in the world. The competition has been held since 1997 to develop robotics and research in the field of artificial intelligence through a spectacular and at the same time technically complex competition. In 10 minutes, the team must bring robots to the stage, demonstrate them and take them away. This year, the team “Quantiki” from the children’s technopark “Quantorium” won in the RoboCupJunior Soccer Rules nomination. The guys demonstrated a unique theatrical robotics performance inspired by the ancient Chinese legend of the Black Dragon.

    “Our dragon is the embodiment of our dream. It weighs about 10 kg, we developed it for about a year. The skeleton is assembled from the EV-3 construction set, and the motor is made from the more reliable Tetrix construction set,” explained Anastasia Prytkova, a member of the Quantum team.

    — Our team took third place at the Open Russian Robotics Championship “RoboCap Russia – 2024”, which was held from September 12 to 15 in Tomsk. We prepared hard, everyone was very nervous before the performance, and, of course, we are very happy that we took first place, — shared Maxim Kabelin, mentor of the “Quantica” team.

    The organizers plan to hold “Fun Races” next year as part of the spring session of the NSU Sports Faculty.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 10.24.24

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 24, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Sarah Soto-Taylor, of Sacramento, has been appointed Undersecretary of the Government Operations Agency, where she has been Deputy Secretary for Business Transformation and Strategic Development since 2019. Soto-Taylor was Senior Consultant at Covered California from 2014 to 2019, where she was Deputy Director of Community Relations from 2012 to 2014. She held several positions at the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board from 2001 to 2012, including Assistant Deputy Director, Senior Eligibility and Enrollment Manager and Eligibility Policy and Enrollment Manager. Soto-Taylor was a Contract and Outreach Manager at the California Department of Health Care Services from 2000 to 2001. She is a member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Soto-Taylor earned a Master of Public Health degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from San Diego State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $218,388. Soto-Taylor is registered without party preference.

    Erin Suhr, of Sacramento, has been appointed Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at the Government Operations Agency. Suhr has been Director of Operations in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2019. She was a Senior Advisor on the Newsom Transition Team from 2018 to 2019. Suhr was Director of Strategic Planning and Scheduling at Fahr LLC from 2014 to 2018 and Program Manager at The Center for the Next Generation from 2012 to 2014. Suhr was Deputy Director of Scheduling in the Office of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden from 2009 to 2011. She was a Staff Member at the Presidential Inauguration Committee for the Obama-Biden inauguration from 2008 to 2009. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Montana. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $198,000. Suhr is a Democrat.

    Adam Ebrahim, of Carmichael, has been appointed Senior Director of Policy and Continuous Improvement at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Ebrahim has been Principal Consultant at Azimuth Learning Partners since 2016. He was Director of Education Strategy at Parsec Education in 2024. Ebrahim was a Staff Consultant at the California Teachers Association from 2020 to 2024 and Director of LCAP and Continuous Improvement at the San Juan Unified School District from 2019 to 2020. Ebrahim was a Project Director at the Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation from 2016 to 2019. He was a Staff Consultant for Fresno County Superintendent of Schools from 2015 to 2016. Ebrahim was a Teacher at the Fresno Unified School District from 2010 to 2015. He was an Enlisted Soldier and Commissioned Officer in the California Army National Guard from 2007 to 2012. Ebrahim earned a Master of Education degree in U.S. Education in a Global Context from National University, a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Washington University in Saint Louis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $172,704. Ebrahim is a Democrat.

    Clair Whitmer, of Vallejo, has been appointed Deputy Director at the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Whitmer has served as Assistant Deputy Director of Regional Economic Engagement at the California Office of the Small Business Advocate since 2023 and as Northern California Regional Advisor at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since 2021. She was CEO of UpBay Express from 2019 to 2023. Whitmer was an Executive Fellow for the City of Fresno Economic Development Department from 2019 to 2021. She was Head of Consumer Experience for Maker Media from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Director of Media Operations for Slashdot Media for Dice Holdings from 2011 to 2014. She was Director of Voter Outreach for the Overseas Vote Foundation from 2009 to 2010. Whitmer was News Editor/Director of Content Services for CNET Networks from 1996 to 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $152,772. Whitmer is a Democrat. 

    Trelynd D.J. Bradley, of Los Angeles, has been appointed Deputy Director for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. He has served as Deputy Director of Sustainable Freight and Supply Chain Development at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since 2022 and was Senior Business Development Specialist there from 2019 to 2022. Bradley held several roles at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research from 2017 to 2019, including Policy Analyst and Executive Fellow with the Capital Fellows Program. He was a Staff Assistant in the Office of Congressman Raul Ruiz from 2016 to 2017. Bradley was a Business Manager for Black Cat Fireworks from 2010 to 2017 and a Policy Intern for the Ontario International Airport Authority in 2016. Bradley is a member of the University of California, Riverside Alumni Association and the Capital Fellows Alumni Association. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $144,492. Bradley is a Democrat.

    Haley Lanham, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director of Communications at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Lanham has been Brand and Marketing Manager at REACH since 2021. She was a Project Manager at Vibrant Agency from 2020 to 2021. Lanham was a Marketing Coordinator at Visit SLO CAL from 2019 to 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,000. Lanham is a Republican.  

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mozambique’s 2024 elections: 9 major challenges that will face the new president

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David Matsinhe, Losophone Research Specialist/Adjunct Professor in African Studies, Carleton University

    Daniel Chapo, Mozambique’s incoming president, faces an array of interconnected problems deeply rooted in historical, socioeconomic, and political dynamics.

    Chapo (47), comes from Frelimo, the former liberation movemen which has been in power since independence in 1975. He must balance meeting immediate needs with long-term structural change.

    Can the resource-rich but impoverished nation of 35 million expect a redirection of policies and strategies under Chapo to address its multifaceted crises?

    Chapo was born after independence and promises to act with integrity. But the old guard placed him in power to protect and promote their interests.

    Mozambique’s crises stem largely from systemic corruption under Frelimo. It has prioritised political elites over national welfare. Its decades of mismanagement, embezzlement and patronage have left institutions weak and unable to address pressing social and economic issues.

    The country is fragmented. The government has neglected the development of inclusive, accountable governance and equitable infrastructure. Regional disparities are the result. This is especially so in Cabo Delgado province, where disenfranchised citizens have become vulnerable to extremist groups.

    This lack of unity and long-term planning has created a fragile state unable to withstand mounting internal and external pressures.

    As a Mozambican social scientist and human rights specialist, I have spent my adult life wrestling with my country’s complex economic, social, cultural and political dynamics.

    Read more: 9 million Mozambicans live below the poverty line – what’s wrong with the national budget and how to fix it

    Mozambique stands at a critical point. The new president must confront the deep-rooted challenges with determination and comprehensive reforms.

    In my view, the new leader faces nine key challenges. These are a deep economic crisis, an Islamic insurgency in the north, climate change, drug trafficking, unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure, kidnappings and unpaid public sector salaries.

    Economic crisis

    Mozambique’s economy has deteriorated, primarily because of structural imbalances and a dependence on extractive industries. GDP growth has declined sharply, from 7% in 2014 to 1.8% in 2023.

    Slower growth has resulted in over 62% of Mozambicans living in poverty.

    A public debt crisis was worsened by the “hidden debt scandal”: the discovery in 2016 of US$2 billion in previously undisclosed debts the government had guaranteed without the knowledge of parliament.

    This has limited the state’s capacity to invest in education, health and sanitation.

    Economic revival must be accompanied by targeted interventions to promote inclusive growth. All Mozambicans must benefit from economic activities to alleviate poverty.

    Insurgency

    Since 2017, extremist groups have used local grievances and regional disenfranchisement to destabilise northern Mozambique. Over 4,000 people have died. Nearly a million have been displaced.

    The conflict is rooted in socio-economic inequalities, made worse by the extraction of natural gas and rubies. Global and local actors compete for control.

    The new president’s role in mediating this crisis requires nuance. He must address the historical marginalisation of Cabo Delgado while balancing military and developmental responses.

    Read more: Between state and mosque: new book explores the turbulent history of Islamic politics in Mozambique

    He must also write a new chapter in the country’s deplorable human rights record. This is marked by widespread violations of the right to life, physical integrity, freedom from arbitrary detention, and freedoms of expression, assembly and the press.

    Climate change crisis

    Climate change intersects with Mozambique’s vulnerabilities. The country has been repeatedly struck by increasingly devastating severe cyclones, such as Idai and Kenneth in 2019.

    Deforestation has made it more fragile, reducing its capacity to mitigate flood and erosion risks.

    The new president will need to put in place policies that incorporate mitigation and adaptation strategies. He will also need to secure multilateral cooperation.

    Drug trafficking

    Drug trafficking networks have entrenched themselves. Porous borders, weak governance structures and endemic corruption have made Mozambique a corridor for heroin and cocaine trafficking.

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that US$100 million worth of heroin passes through Mozambique annually. This fuels informal economies that sustain political patronage networks.

    Tackling the problem requires stronger state institutions. It also requires regional and global collaboration to disrupt the transnational flow of narcotics.

    Unemployment

    Joblessness stands at over 70%, affecting youth in particular. Youth disenfranchisement risks perpetuating cycles of poverty, social instability and potential radicalisation.

    Policies promoting vocational training and entrepreneurship are essential. So is investment in labour-intensive sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing.

    Corruption

    Pervasive corruption erodes public trust and stifles economic innovation. New efforts to combat corruption must go beyond superficial reforms. They must uproot the power structures that sustain these systems.

    Poor infrastructure

    Infrastructure is in disrepair. Urban roads are crumbling, public services are inadequate and electricity blackouts are frequent. Rural regions lack basic services such as clean water and healthcare.

    The next president will need to launch an ambitious infrastructure overhaul to improve living conditions and stimulate economic growth.

    Kidnappings

    Kidnappings, especially targeting the wealthy and business people, have created widespread fear and instability. The crime disrupts business operations and deters foreign investment, further harming economic growth.

    The high-profile nature of kidnappings suggests collusion between criminal networks and law enforcement as well as inefficiencies in the justice system.

    The persistence of kidnappings reflects broader governance issues. These include limited state capacity to respond effectively to organised crime.

    Unpaid public servants

    Delays in salary payments for public servants have worsened economic and social problems. The delays reduce public workers’ purchasing power. This has affected household consumption and local economies.

    Morale among employees is sapped, harming productivity and eroding trust in government institutions.

    Read more: Mozambique’s transgender history is on display in a powerful photo exhibition

    The new president must make public sector reforms. This includes auditing finances, improving revenue collection, enforcing fiscal discipline, promoting merit-based appointments, implementing probity laws, strengthening anti-corruption bodies, and diversifying the economy.

    The future of Mozambique rests on the ability of its next leader to address these profound and intertwined crises. It’s a huge task.

    Whoever it is will have to break from the Frelimo mould, reverse the damage done and set the country on a new path of clean governance, peace and inclusive economic growth.

    – Mozambique’s 2024 elections: 9 major challenges that will face the new president
    – https://theconversation.com/mozambiques-2024-elections-9-major-challenges-that-will-face-the-new-president-240923

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Inna Schmidt: “It is important not only to be a specialist, but also to contribute to the development of medicine”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    Leading doctors of St. Petersburg constantly improve their competencies, choosing the Polytechnic University for this. For example, Inna Schmidt successfully combines the work of the head of the clinical diagnostic laboratory of the Clinical Hospital of St. Luke with scientific and educational activities. Inna Olegovna received an education at the St. Petersburg State Medical Academy named after I. I. Mechnikov and has an impressive list of additional education. Now she is a second-year student at SPbPU in the field of “Biomedicine”. Inna Olegovna told about her path in medicine, what it is like to be a student again, and what significant projects for medicine and science will be implemented jointly with the Polytechnic. Read more in the interview.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mozambique’s 2024 elections: 9 major challenges that will face the new president

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By David Matsinhe, Losophone Research Specialist/Adjunct Professor in African Studies, Carleton University

    Daniel Chapo, Mozambique’s incoming president, faces an array of interconnected problems deeply rooted in historical, socioeconomic, and political dynamics.

    Chapo (47), comes from Frelimo, the former liberation movemen which has been in power since independence in 1975. He must balance meeting immediate needs with long-term structural change.

    Can the resource-rich but impoverished nation of 35 million expect a redirection of policies and strategies under Chapo to address its multifaceted crises?

    Chapo was born after independence and promises to act with integrity. But the old guard placed him in power to protect and promote their interests.

    Mozambique’s crises stem largely from systemic corruption under Frelimo. It has prioritised political elites over national welfare. Its decades of mismanagement, embezzlement and patronage have left institutions weak and unable to address pressing social and economic issues.

    The country is fragmented. The government has neglected the development of inclusive, accountable governance and equitable infrastructure. Regional disparities are the result. This is especially so in Cabo Delgado province, where disenfranchised citizens have become vulnerable to extremist groups.

    This lack of unity and long-term planning has created a fragile state unable to withstand mounting internal and external pressures.

    As a Mozambican social scientist and human rights specialist, I have spent my adult life wrestling with my country’s complex economic, social, cultural and political dynamics.



    Read more:
    9 million Mozambicans live below the poverty line – what’s wrong with the national budget and how to fix it

    Mozambique stands at a critical point. The new president must confront the deep-rooted challenges with determination and comprehensive reforms.

    In my view, the new leader faces nine key challenges. These are a deep economic crisis, an Islamic insurgency in the north, climate change, drug trafficking, unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure, kidnappings and unpaid public sector salaries.

    Economic crisis

    Mozambique’s economy has deteriorated, primarily because of structural imbalances and a dependence on extractive industries. GDP growth has declined sharply, from 7% in 2014 to 1.8% in 2023.

    Slower growth has resulted in over 62% of Mozambicans living in poverty.

    A public debt crisis was worsened by the “hidden debt scandal”: the discovery in 2016 of US$2 billion in previously undisclosed debts the government had guaranteed without the knowledge of parliament.

    This has limited the state’s capacity to invest in education, health and sanitation.

    Economic revival must be accompanied by targeted interventions to promote inclusive growth. All Mozambicans must benefit from economic activities to alleviate poverty.

    Insurgency

    Since 2017, extremist groups have used local grievances and regional disenfranchisement to destabilise northern Mozambique. Over 4,000 people have died. Nearly a million have been displaced.

    The conflict is rooted in socio-economic inequalities, made worse by the extraction of natural gas and rubies. Global and local actors compete for control.

    The new president’s role in mediating this crisis requires nuance. He must address the historical marginalisation of Cabo Delgado while balancing military and developmental responses.



    Read more:
    Between state and mosque: new book explores the turbulent history of Islamic politics in Mozambique

    He must also write a new chapter in the country’s deplorable human rights record. This is marked by widespread violations of the right to life, physical integrity, freedom from arbitrary detention, and freedoms of expression, assembly and the press.

    Climate change crisis

    Climate change intersects with Mozambique’s vulnerabilities. The country has been repeatedly struck by increasingly devastating severe cyclones, such as Idai and Kenneth in 2019.

    Deforestation has made it more fragile, reducing its capacity to mitigate flood and erosion risks.

    The new president will need to put in place policies that incorporate mitigation and adaptation strategies. He will also need to secure multilateral cooperation.

    Drug trafficking

    Drug trafficking networks have entrenched themselves. Porous borders, weak governance structures and endemic corruption have made Mozambique a corridor for heroin and cocaine trafficking.

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that US$100 million worth of heroin passes through Mozambique annually. This fuels informal economies that sustain political patronage networks.

    Tackling the problem requires stronger state institutions. It also requires regional and global collaboration to disrupt the transnational flow of narcotics.

    Unemployment

    Joblessness stands at over 70%, affecting youth in particular. Youth disenfranchisement risks perpetuating cycles of poverty, social instability and potential radicalisation.

    Policies promoting vocational training and entrepreneurship are essential. So is investment in labour-intensive sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing.

    Corruption

    Pervasive corruption erodes public trust and stifles economic innovation. New efforts to combat corruption must go beyond superficial reforms. They must uproot the power structures that sustain these systems.

    Poor infrastructure

    Infrastructure is in disrepair. Urban roads are crumbling, public services are inadequate and electricity blackouts are frequent. Rural regions lack basic services such as clean water and healthcare.

    The next president will need to launch an ambitious infrastructure overhaul to improve living conditions and stimulate economic growth.

    Kidnappings

    Kidnappings, especially targeting the wealthy and business people, have created widespread fear and instability. The crime disrupts business operations and deters foreign investment, further harming economic growth.

    The high-profile nature of kidnappings suggests collusion between criminal networks and law enforcement as well as inefficiencies in the justice system.

    The persistence of kidnappings reflects broader governance issues. These include limited state capacity to respond effectively to organised crime.

    Unpaid public servants

    Delays in salary payments for public servants have worsened economic and social problems. The delays reduce public workers’ purchasing power. This has affected household consumption and local economies.

    Morale among employees is sapped, harming productivity and eroding trust in government institutions.



    Read more:
    Mozambique’s transgender history is on display in a powerful photo exhibition

    The new president must make public sector reforms. This includes auditing finances, improving revenue collection, enforcing fiscal discipline, promoting merit-based appointments, implementing probity laws, strengthening anti-corruption bodies, and diversifying the economy.

    The future of Mozambique rests on the ability of its next leader to address these profound and intertwined crises. It’s a huge task.

    Whoever it is will have to break from the Frelimo mould, reverse the damage done and set the country on a new path of clean governance, peace and inclusive economic growth.

    David Matsinhe 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. Mozambique’s 2024 elections: 9 major challenges that will face the new president – https://theconversation.com/mozambiques-2024-elections-9-major-challenges-that-will-face-the-new-president-240923

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: African Development Bank to co-host Chemicals and Fertilizers Investment and Trade Roundtable and Clinics

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    What:    Chemicals and Fertilizers Sectors Roundtable and Clinics

    Who:     The African Development Bank, in collaboration with the Chemicals and Fertilizers Export Council and the Chamber of Chemical Industries

    When:   10 am GMT+3; 28 October 2024

    Where:   Fairmont Nile City Hotel

    The African Development Bank, in collaboration with Egypt’s Chemicals and Fertilizers Export Council and the Chamber of Chemical Industries will host an investment and trade roundtable and clinic for top Egyptian Chemicals and Fertilizer companies on 28 October 2024 at Cairo’s Fairmont Nile City Hotel.

    The Roundtable will bring together African Development Bank private sector experts with top 30 manufacturers  and other stakeholders to discuss collaboration opportunities in support of boosting the chemicals and fertilizers industry sectors. Participants will learn about the Bank’s financial and non-financial support for Industrial and Trade Development.

    The event will also feature presentations from the private sector unit at the Ministry of International Cooperation to highlight its new partnerships and donor coordination platform (Hafez). The roundtable will benefit from contributions by African Development Bank and African Continental Free Trade Area trade experts, and the Egyptian Commercial Services representative in Africa, on practical guidelines and trade solutions to enhance Egypt’s two-way trade with other African countries.

    AGENDA

    10:00 – 10:30 REGISTRATION
    10:30 – 10:40 Opening by Dr Ghada Abuzaid,
    Principal Industrial Programs Coordinator, AfDB
    AfDB Video
    10:40 – 11:00 WELCOME Welcome Remarks
    African Development Bank
    Export Council and Chamber of Chemicals & Fertilizers    		 Mr. Abdourahmane Diaw,
    Country Manager, AfDB
    Dr. Sherif El Gabaly,
    Chairman, Chamber of Chemicals and Fertilizers    		  
    11:00 – 11:15 Egyptian Chemicals & Fertilizers Sector State of Affairs, Market Trends and Exports Potential Mr. Khaled Abo El Makarem,
    Chairman of the Export Council and Deputy Chairman of the Chamber    		  
    11:15 – 11:40 LEARN 1st Panel:
    Partnerships and Financial Support to the Egyptian Chemical Industries
    & Takeaways    		 Context setting by Dr Ghada Abuzaid and Top expertise panel.
    Dr. Tamer Taha,
    Head of Private sector, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of International Cooperation and Planning
    Mr. Fernando Rodriques,
    Regional Lead Non-Sovereign Operations, AfDB Opening    		  
    11:40 – 12:20 2nd Panel:
    Egyptian private sector contributions to developing the chemicals and fertilizers sector in Egypt and Africa
    & Takeaways    		 Context setting by Mr. Yehia El Minshawy international Cooperation Manager and leading CEO Panelists
    Makarem Tex
    TCL
    MOPCO
    UNOX
    APG
    Eagle Chemicals    		  
    12:20 – 13:00 3rd Panel:
    Potential of intra-Africa trade in promoting Egyptian Chemicals & fertilizers sectors
    & Takeaways    		 Context setting by Dr. Khaled Melad,
    Head of the African Department, Egyptian Commercial Services and continental intra-Africa trade experts.
    Representatives of ECS in Africa – Ghana, Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania
    Mr. Abou Fall,
    Principal Trade Facilitation Expert, AfDB
    Mr. Mohamed Ali,
    Director of Trade in goods and competition, Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)    		  
    13:00 – 13:15 AfDB’s Recent Support to Chemicals and Fertilizers Regional Champions Case Study – OCP, Morocco
    Case Study – SPIH, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
    Ms. Christelle N’Guessan, Senior Investment Officer, AfDB    		  
    ROUNDTABLE’S OFFICIAL PHOTOS
    13:30 – 14:30 CONNECT Lunch and Networking to All. Participation in clinics is by invitation only.  

    MIL OSI Economics –