NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-Evening Report: Down and under pressure: US and UK artists are taking over Australian charts, leaving local talent behind

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Kelly, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney

    Shutterstock

    Missy Higgins’ recent ARIA number-one album, The Second Act, represents an increasingly rare sighting: an Australian artist at the top of an Australian chart.

    My recently published analysis of Australia’s best-selling singles and albums from 2000 to 2023 shows a significant decline in the representation of artists from Australia and non-English-speaking countries.

    The findings suggest music streaming in Australia – together with algorithmic recommendation – is creating a monoculture dominated by artists from the United States and United Kingdom. This could spell bad news for our music industry if things don’t change.

    Who dominates Australian charts?

    In 2023, Australia’s recorded music industry was worth about A$676 million, up 10.9% year on year.

    Building a strong local music industry is important, not only to support diverse cultural expression, but also to create jobs and boost Australia’s reputation on a global stage.

    When Australian artists succeed, this attracts global investment, which in turn stimulates all aspects of the local music industry. Conversely, a weak music economy can lead to global disinvestment, thereby disadvantaging local companies, artists and consumers.

    My research shows how the rise of music streaming – which became the dominant format for Australian recorded music sales in 2017 – has had a noticeable impact on the diversity of artists represented in the ARIA top 100 single and album charts.

    In the year 2000, the top 100 singles chart featured hits from 14 different countries. By contrast, only seven countries were represented in 2023.

    The percentage of Australian and New Zealand artists in the top 100 single charts declined from an average of 16% in 2000–16 to around 10% in 2017–23, and just 2.5% in 2023.

    Album share also declined from an average of 29% in 2000–16 to 18% in 2017–23, and 4% in 2023.

    This chart shows changes in diveristy in the ARIA top 100 albums chart over 22 years.
    Author provided

    Similarly, the proportion of artists from outside the Anglo bloc of North America, the UK and Australia/New Zealand declined from an average of 11.1% in 2000–16 to 7.3% in 2017–23 – while album share declined from 5% in 2000–16 to 2.3% in 2017–23.

    My study also found representation of Indigenous artists remained low, but stable, over the period studied – and in line with population ratios.

    Concetration of power

    The findings suggest the decline in Australian and non-Anglo representation in the ARIA top 100 charts is linked.

    Some economists and academics have argued easier access to independent music and global distribution via streaming will lead to greater diversity in music. But this hasn’t been the case in Australia, at least as far as chart-topping artists are concerned.

    The global recorded music industry has consolidated in recent years. In the early 2000s there were five major music labels. Currently there are just three: Universal, Sony and Warner.

    Last year, these three labels were responsible for more than 95% of the Australian top 100 single and album charts. Meanwhile, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube make up an estimated 97% of the Australian streaming market.

    These concentrations of power allow a handful of record labels and distributors to have a disproportionate influence over music design, production, distribution and governance – thereby limiting opportunities for diversity.

    The need for new policy

    My findings align with European research that found markets with a strong cultural differentiator of language are showing increased national diversity with streaming.

    However, countries without a distinctive language are being increasingly dominated by global music production. In Australia’s case, we’re becoming reliant on the star-making machinery of the US.

    Recently, Australia’s live music crisis came under scrutiny at a federal government inquiry, which highlighted the significant power imbalance between artists and multinational promoters.

    As I and many others have suggested, targeted cultural policies are necessary to combat our highly concentrated and US-dependent market.

    Relying on labels and streaming platforms will do little to preserve and promote our nation’s unique musical and cultural identity.

    Previous employment at Sony Music, Universal Music, Inertia Music. ARIA Chart Committee member 2005-2017. Employment at these labels ceased by 2017. No continued professional relationship with any of the companies.

    – ref. Down and under pressure: US and UK artists are taking over Australian charts, leaving local talent behind – https://theconversation.com/down-and-under-pressure-us-and-uk-artists-are-taking-over-australian-charts-leaving-local-talent-behind-239822

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ADHD prescribing has changed over the years – a new guide aims to bring doctors up to speed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenton Prosser, Professor of Public Policy and Leadership, UNSW Sydney

    Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most diagnosed childhood neurological disorder in Australia.

    Over the years, it has been the subject of controversy about potential misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis. There has also been variation in levels of diagnosis and drug prescription, depending on where you live and your socioeconomic status.

    To address these concerns and improve consistency in ADHD diagnosis and prescribing, the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association has released a new prescribing guide. This will help the health-care workforce to consistently get the right treatment to the right people, with the right mix of medical and non-medical supports.

    Here’s how ADHD prescribing has changed over time and what the new guidelines mean.

    What is ADHD and how is it treated?

    Up to one in ten young Australians experience ADHD. It is diagnosed due to inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that has negative effects at home, school or work.

    Psychostimulant medication is a central pillar of ADHD treatment.

    However, the internationally recognised approach is to combine medicines with non-medical interventions in a multimodal approach. These non-medical interventions include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), occupational therapy, educational strategies and other supports.

    Medication use has changed over time

    In Australia, Ritalin (methylphenidate) was originally the most prescribed ADHD medication. This changed in the 1990s after the introduction of dexamphetamine, along with the subsequent availability of Vyvance (lisdexamfetamine).

    Perhaps the most significant change has come with “slow release” versions of the above medications that can last more than eight hours (longer than a school day).

    When following clinical guidelines, prescribing medication for ADHD is safe practice. Yet the use of amphetamines to treat young people with ADHD has caused public concern. This highlights the importance of consistent guidelines for prescribing professionals.

    Medication for ADHD can be combined with other non-drug approaches.
    Caleb Woods/Unsplash

    Growth in diagnosis and prescribing

    Starting from low levels, there was a dramatic rise in diagnosis and drug treatment in the 1990s. Much of this was overseen by a small number of psychiatrists and paediatricians in each state or territory. While this promised the potential of consistency in the early days, it also raised concerns about best practice.

    This led to the development of the first ADHD clinical guidelines by the National Medical Health and Research Council in 1997.

    It was followed by several refinements as prescription expanded due to changing diagnostic criteria (expanding to include a dual diagnosis with autism) and the need for best practice with the growing prescription by GPs. These guidelines enhanced the consistency of approaches nationally and reduced the likelihood of misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis.

    However, a recent Senate inquiry found diagnosis and drug treatment continued to grow substantially in the five years to 2022. It emphasised the need for a more consistent approach to diagnosis and prescribing.

    First the ingredients, then the recipe

    The most recent clinical guidelines, released by the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association in 2022, outlined a roadmap for ADHD clinical practice, research and policy. They did so by drawing on the lived experience of those with ADHD. They also emphasised broader health questions, such as how to respond to ADHD as a holistic condition.

    It remains difficult to predict individual responses to different medication. So the new prescribing guide offers practical advice about safe and responsible prescribing. This aims to reduce the potential for incorrect prescribing, dosing and adjusting of ADHD medication, across different age groups, settings and individuals.

    To put this visually, the clinical guidelines describe what the ingredients of the cake should be, while the prescribing guidelines provide step-by-step recipes.

    So what do they recommend?

    An important principle in both these documents is that medication should not be the first and only treatment. Not every drug works the same way for every child. In some cases they do not work at all.

    The possible side effects of medication vary and include poor appetite, sleep problems, headaches, stomach aches, moodiness and irritability. These guidelines assist in adapting medication to reduce these side effects.

    Medication provides an important window of opportunity for many young people to gain maximum value from psychosocial and psychoeducational supports. These supports can, among others, include:

    Support for ADHD can also include parent training. This is not to suggest parents cause ADHD. Rather, they can support more effective treatment, especially since the rigours of ADHD can be a challenge to even the “perfect” parent.

    Getting the right diagnosis

    There have been reports of people seeking to use TikTok to self-diagnose, as well as a rise in people using ADHD stimulants without a prescription.

    However, the message from these new guidelines is that ADHD diagnosis is a complex process that takes a specialist at least three hours. Online sources might be useful to prompt people to seek help, but diagnosis should come from a qualified health-care professional.

    Finally, while we have moved beyond unhelpful past debate about whether ADHD is real to consolidate best diagnostic and prescribing practice, there is some way to go in reducing stigma and changing negative community attitudes to ADHD.

    Hopefully in future we’ll be better able to cherish diversity and difference, and not just see it as a deficit.

    Brenton Prosser is a Board Member of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions Australasia and affiliated with the School of Population Health at UNSW.

    – ref. ADHD prescribing has changed over the years – a new guide aims to bring doctors up to speed – https://theconversation.com/adhd-prescribing-has-changed-over-the-years-a-new-guide-aims-to-bring-doctors-up-to-speed-240313

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Curious Kids: What does the edge of the universe look like?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology

    Greg Rakozy/Shutterstock

    What does the edge of the universe look like?

    Lily, age 7, Harcourt

    What a great question! In fact, this is one of those questions humans will continue to ask until the end of time. That’s because we don’t actually know for sure.

    But we can try and imagine what the edge of the universe might be, if there is one.

    Looking back in time

    Before we begin, we do need to go back in time. Our night sky has looked the same for all of human history. It’s been so reliable, humans from all around the world came up with patterns they saw in the stars as a way to navigate and explore.

    To our eyes, the sky looks endless. With the invention of telescopes about 400 years ago, humans were able to see farther – more than just our eyes ever could. They continued to discover new things in the sky. They found more stars, and then eventually started to notice that there were a lot of strange-looking cosmic clouds.

    Astronomers gave them the name “nebula” from the Latin word for “mist” or “cloud”.

    It was less than 100 years ago that we first confirmed these cosmic clouds or nebulas were actually galaxies. They are just like Milky Way, the galaxy our own planet is in, but very far away.

    What is amazing is that in every direction we look in the universe, we see more and more galaxies. In this James Webb Space Telescope image, which is looking at a part of the sky no bigger than a grain of sand, you can see thousands of galaxies.

    It’s hard to imagine there is an edge where all of this stops.

    The edge of the universe

    However, there is technically an edge to our universe. We call it our “observable” universe.

    This is because we don’t actually know if our universe is infinite – meaning it continues forever and ever.

    Unfortunately, we might never know because of one pesky thing: the speed of light.

    We can only ever see light that’s had enough time to travel to us. Light travels at exactly 299,792,458 metres per second. Even at those speeds, it still takes a long time to cross our universe. Scientists estimate the size of the universe is at least 96 billion light years across, and likely even bigger.

    You can learn a little more about that and our universe as a whole in this video below.

    What would we see if there was an edge?

    If we were to travel to the very, very edge of the universe we think exists, what would there actually be?

    Many other scientists and I theorise that there would just be … more universe!

    As I said, there is a theory that our universe doesn’t actually have an edge, and might continue on indefinitely.

    But there are other theories, too. If our universe does have an edge, and you cross it, you might just end up in a completely different universe altogether. (That is best saved for science fiction for now.)

    Even though there isn’t a straightforward answer to your question, it is precisely questions like these that help us continue to explore and discover the universe, and allow us to understand our place within it. You’re thinking like a true scientist.

    Sara Webb 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. Curious Kids: What does the edge of the universe look like? – https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-what-does-the-edge-of-the-universe-look-like-233111

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NSW will remove 65,000 years of Aboriginal history from its syllabus. It’s a step backwards for education

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Westaway, Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Archaeology, School of Social Science, The University of Queensland

    The NSW Education Standards Authority has announced that teaching of the Aboriginal past prior to European arrival will be excluded from the Year 7–10 syllabus as of 2027.

    Since 2012, the topic “Ancient Australia” has been taught nationally in Year 7 as part of the Australian Curriculum. In 2022, a new topic called the “deep time history of Australia” was introduced to provide a more detailed study of 65,000 years of First Nations’ occupation of the continent.

    However, New South Wales has surprisingly dropped this topic from its new syllabus, which will be rolled out in 2027. Instead, students will only learn First Nations’ history following European colonisation in 1788.

    This directly undermines the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration of 2020. This is a national agreement, signed by education ministers from all jurisdictions, which states:

    We recognise the more than 60,000 years [sic] of continual connection by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a key part of the nation’s history, present and future.

    If the planned change to the syllabus goes through, the only Aboriginal history taught to NSW students would be that which reflects the destruction of traditional Aboriginal society. It also means Aboriginal students in NSW will be denied a chance to learn about their deep ancestral past.

    The significance of Australia’s deep time past

    Bruce Pascoe’s groundbreaking 2014 book Dark Emu (which sold more than 500,000 copies), and the associated documentary, have highlighted an enormous appetite for learning about Australia’s deep time past.

    Hundreds of thousands of Australians engaged with Dark Emu. As anthropologist Paul Memmott notes, the book prompted a debate that encouraged a better understanding of Aboriginal society and its complexity.

    It also generated research that investigated whether terms such as “hunter-gatherers” are appropriate for defining past Aboriginal society and economic systems.



    Read more:
    Farmers or foragers? Pre-colonial Aboriginal food production was hardly that simple

    In schools, teachers have used Pascoe’s book Young Dark Emu to introduce students to sophisticated land and aquaculture systems used by First Peoples prior to colonisation.

    The book raises an important question. If you lived in a country that invented bread and the edge-ground axe – a culture that independently developed early trade and social living – and did all of this without resorting to land war – wouldn’t you want your children to know about it?

    For many students, the history they learn at school is knowledge they carry into their adult lives – and knowledge is the strongest antidote to ignorance. Rather than abandoning the Aboriginal deep time story, schools should be encouraging students to engage with it.

    Learning on Country

    One of the strengths of the current NSW history syllabus is the requirement for students to undertake a “site study” in Years 8 and 9. Currently, NSW is the only jurisdiction that has made this mandatory.

    Site studies are an excellent opportunity for students to learn on Country. Many teachers organise excursions to Aboriginal cultural sites where students can directly engage with local Traditional Owners and Elders.

    New South Wales is brimming with sites of cultural significance to Aboriginal people. The map below highlightssome of these, ranging from megafauna sites, to extensive fish traps, to the enigmatic rock art galleries and ceremonial engravings (petroglyphs).

    How students will miss out

    The Ngambaa people and archaeologists from the University of Queensland are currently investigating one of the largest midden complexes in Australia. This complex, located at Clybucca and Stuart’s Point on the north coast, spans some 14 kilometres and dates back to around 9,000 years ago.

    Middens, or “living sites”, are accumulations of shell that were built over time through thousands of discarded seafood meals. Since the shells help reduce the acidic chemistry of the soil, animal bones and plant remains are more likely to be preserved in middens.

    For instance, the Clybucca-Stuarts Point midden complex contains remains from seals and dugongs. Both of these animals were once part of the local ecosystem, but no longer are.

    The middens also extend back to before the arrival of dingoes, so studying them could help us understand how biodiversity changed once dingoes replaced thylacines and Tasmanian devils on the mainland.

    Local school students, especially Aboriginal students, will be actively participating in this cutting-edge research alongside the Ngambaa people, archaeologists and teachers. Among other things, the students will learn how the Ngambaa people sustainably managed land and sea Country over thousand of years during periods of dramatic environmental change.

    But innovative programs like this will no longer be as relevant if Australia’s deep time history is removed from the NSW syllabus.

    An opportunity for leadership

    The study of First Nations archaeological sites, history and cultures tells us a broader human story of continuity and adaptability over deep time. Indigenising the curriculum – wherein Aboriginal knowledge is braided with historical and archaeological inquiry – is a powerful way to reconcile different approaches to understanding the past.

    The NSW Education Standards Authority’s proposed changes risk sending young people the message that Australia’s “history” before colonisation is not an important part of the country’s historic narrative.

    But there is still time to show leadership – by reversing the decisions and by connecting teachers and students to powerful stories from Australia’s deep time past.

    Michael Westaway receives funding from the Australian Research Council and Humanities and Social Science at the University of Queensland .

    Bruce Pascoe is the author of the texts mentioned in this article, Dark Emu and Young Dark Emu: A Truer History. He also has positions on the boards of Black Duck Foods, the Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and First Languages Australia.

    Louise Zarmati receives research funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence of Australian Biodiversity and Heritage.

    – ref. NSW will remove 65,000 years of Aboriginal history from its syllabus. It’s a step backwards for education – https://theconversation.com/nsw-will-remove-65-000-years-of-aboriginal-history-from-its-syllabus-its-a-step-backwards-for-education-240111

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU entered the top 10 of the rating of universities for technological entrepreneurship by the Expert Analytical Center

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    This week, the analytical center “Expert” published annual rating universities that are leaders in technological entrepreneurship. NSU is among the top 10 strongest universities in this indicator. Among other leading universities, there are mainly those located in Moscow.

    Since 2016, the Expert AC has been annually assessing the publication activity of Russian universities, their ability to create and implement innovations, and generate local and global technology entrepreneurs.

    The 2024 Techpred-50 study covers 863 local technology startups founded by 1,127 entrepreneurs between 2014 and 2023, headquartered in about 60 cities in Russia, as well as 2,303 startups from 2,367 entrepreneurs founded abroad during the same period. The study included universities with at least 5 active startups in Russia.

    In this edition of the rating, the selection of universities in the top 50 was carried out on a point scale of Effectiveness, which took into account the assessment of local and foreign startups from graduates of Russian universities according to several parameters.

    As an experimental approach to assessing the university’s potential for generating technology entrepreneurs, indicators of the university’s participation in federal competitions and selections, the region’s potential, as well as the presence of a large innovative infrastructure, which includes, for example, modern campuses built within the framework of a federal project, were used.

    Associate Professor of the Department of Management, Head of the Master’s Program “Innovative Entrepreneurship and Management” Faculty of Economics Elena Alyabina, Head of the Novosibirsk State University, commenting on the results of the rating, noted that in 2024 the methodology for calculating the rating of universities-leaders of technological entrepreneurship has changed somewhat: a block of “Local startups” of companies with headquarters in Russia has been added.

    — Despite this, NSU has once again entered the top ten. It is stability that distinguishes NSU from some economic universities that have only recently entered the ranking, — Elena emphasized.

    Technological entrepreneurship is successfully developing at NSU. Thus, at the moment, more than 50 startups founded by university students have received 1 million rubles each for the implementation of projects from the Innovation Assistance Fund; 24 teams have become residents of the Akadempark of the Novosibirsk Akademgorodok.

    — In my opinion, the secret of NSU’s success is in the combination of formal and informal approaches to the development of technopreneurial education. We have learned to integrate acceleration programs into the curricula for training students in various areas, to form mixed teams of “physicists” and “lyricists,” and to involve active technology entrepreneurs in teaching. NSU has formed a productive innovation infrastructure, represented by Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Startup studio, with many student initiative associations with a business focus,” noted Elena.

    NSU has been implementing this for several years now Master’s program “Innovative Entrepreneurship and Management”. It introduces disciplines related to product management that are useful for tech entrepreneurs, and also develops cooperation with NSU Advanced Engineering School. In addition, many entrepreneurial courses are built into the curricula of various bachelor’s degree programs. NSU also prepares and defends theses in the “Startup as a Diploma” format. At the same time, the number of teams is increasing: in 2023 and 2024, it is 2 times larger than the first graduating class in 2022.

    — The plans include involving more students in project activities, where kids can try themselves in the role of a startup team member and understand how close this development trajectory is to them. There are ideas on how to extend the “campus courses” approach to faculties that have not yet been covered. Another promising area is involving schoolchildren: students SUNC NSU are already creating interesting projects that win at the International Scientific Student Conference from a technological point of view. By adding an entrepreneurial component to them, you can get a reserve for future startups, – Elena added.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/ngu-entered-top-10-rating-of-universities-technological-entrepreneurship-ats-expert/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4323-4324: Surfin’ Our Way out of the Channel

    Source: NASA

    2 min read

    Earth planning date: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024

    As a member of the group tasked with organizing our campaign to investigate the Gediz Vallis channel and deposit (informally known as the Channel Surfers), I was a little sad this morning to see that our drive had successfully taken us out of the channel, back onto the magnesium sulfate-bearing unit, into which the channel is incised. Our long-anticipated investigation of the channel has proven fruitful: Curiosity made the first definitive detection of elemental sulfur on Mars, and we have examined a variety of intriguing lithologies and relationships within the deposit over the last 4.5 months. It has been an exciting time, and I have particularly enjoyed riding this wave with my fellow Channel Surfers — a great team! Now to make sense of all the fantastic data we have collected.

    We are not completely done looking at the channel and deposits though. We will be driving parallel to the western margin for a while to facilitate comparisons with what we observed from the east. Tosol we will image two areas of interest within the Gediz Vallis channel from our current vantage point with Mastcam and ChemCam long-distance RMI. But back to the sulfate unit — the team planned a number of activities to document the return to the sulfate unit. These include APXS and MAHLI of the nodular bedrock immediately in front of the rover (“Sub Dome”), ChemCam LIBS and Mastcam of another bedrock block (“Vert Lost Grove”), and Mastcam of the resistant bedrock ridge immediately adjacent to the Gediz Vallis channel (“Muah Mountain”).

    Once the drive of about 25 meters (about 82 feet) hopefully executes successfully, Curiosity will look down and image the terrain between her front wheels with MARDI, acquire ChemCam LIBS on an autonomously selected target in the workspace, and then perform a series of atmospheric and environmental observations. These include a Mastcam tau to measure dust in the atmosphere, Navcam dust devil and suprahorizon movies, and a Navcam line-of-sight observation. The plan is rounded out with DAN, RAD, and REMS activities.

    Written by Lucy Thompson, Planetary Geologist at University of New Brunswick

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Roving Exhibition on the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of People’s Republic of China” to be held this Saturday and Sunday

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    “Roving Exhibition on the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of People’s Republic of China” to be held this Saturday and Sunday
    “Roving Exhibition on the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of People’s Republic of China” to be held this Saturday and Sunday
    ******************************************************************************************

    ​The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education:           The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education (CPCE) will organise the “Roving Exhibition on the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China” (note) this Saturday and Sunday (October 5 and 6) from 11am to 7pm at the Interactive Wall Area, G/F, Central Market. Members of the public are invited to visit.           The Roving Exhibition aims to promote patriotic education and introduce the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the national flag, the national emblem and the national anthem, major national events in the past 75 years and the country’s latest developments and remarkable achievements. There will also be games and distribution of souvenirs.           An online exhibition is also available and members of the public are welcome to visit the Civic Education Resource Centre website from October 5 onwards.           The CPCE is a non-statutory advisory body. It advises the Government on the promotion of civic education outside schools, launches various publicity and educational programmes in the community, and provides sponsorship to eligible organisations for promoting civic education and national education.           For details, please call 2708 2455 or visit the CPCE’s website.           Note: The panel contents of the exhibition are in Chinese only.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 4, 2024Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: The question remains… will schools get their classrooms?

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Education Minister Erica Stanford still can’t confirm when the Government will deliver the $2 billion worth school upgrades she cut earlier this year.

    “Labour upgraded 98 percent of schools and delivered more than 2200 new classrooms. Cutting these projects makes no sense and will take educational outcomes backwards,” Labour’s education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

    “Everyone will remember children learning in damp, mouldy classrooms and schools with no space under the last National Government, who were comfortable with kids being taught in gyms and hallways. We don’t want to go back to that.

    “Labour was already growing the use off-site manufacturing for classrooms and other government build programmes, driving the uptake of offsite manufacturing by Government agencies by a minimum of 10% year on year.

    “We need to keep momentum on school renewals and maintenance. Today’s announcement leaves schools waiting on more than 100 projects with no indication to when or if they will go ahead.

    “Just saying “in future budgets” isn’t good enough. Schools deserve certainty and clarity from the Government,” Jan Tinetti said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – 40 events in 29 centres across the country this weekend will mark the 12-month anniversary of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    Protests across the country this weekend will mark the 12-month anniversary of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

     

    “We are incredibly proud of New Zealanders who have come out week after week for 12 months to stand with Palestine” says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “As far as we are aware this long-term pattern of solidarity has no precedent in New Zealand’s past”

     

    “The protests have shown the absolute best of kiwi humanity”

     

    “Meanwhile the Luxon government has been shameful and cowardly” says Minto. “It is blindly following the US lead and condemning every act of Palestinian resistance while refusing to utter a single word of condemnation of the rogue state of Israel which has been actively inciting a wider war in the Middle East.”

     

    Israel is dangerous. It is out of control and armed to the teeth by western countries – almost certainly including New Zealand through Auckland’s Rakon Limited.

     

    We are aware of threats by the pro-Israel fringe to disrupt Palestine solidarity action this weekend but we will not be deterred. We have written to the police in the expectation they will deal with anyone making threats against the movement which has a 12-month record of peaceful protest and relentless solidarity with Palestine.

     

    We will be exercising out rights to protest under the Bill of Rights Act and expect the police to take appropriate action to protect those rights.

     

    The demands from the marchers will be for accountability for Israel in line with international law and the rulings of the International Court of Justice which just this year has ruled Israel must

     

    • stop any acts of genocide
    • withdraw its troops from Gaza
    • end its unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories

     

    The 40 events across the motu for this week are on the PSNA Facebook events page here with the basic details given below.

     

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    North Island

    Opononi – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    1:30 pm

    Outside the Four Square, Opononi

     

    Kerikeri – Rally

    Saturday 5 October

    9am-11am

    Kerikeri roundabout, State Highway 10

     

    Kerikeri – Israelism Film Screening

    Sunday 6 October

    3pm

    Cornerstone Church, 144 Kerikeri Road

     

    Whangarei – Vigil

    Monday 7 October

    7pm

    Whangarei Town Basin

     

    Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke!

    Every Saturday

    8:00 am – 1:00 pm

    Ostend Market, Waiheke Island

     

    Auckland – Obela Picket

    Friday 4 October

    12:00 pm

    Outside Woolworths Supermarket, Victoria St West

     

    Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau

    Saturday 5 October

    9 am – 12 Noon

    Bond Street overbridge

     

    Auckland – Rally at Britomart

    Saturday 5 October

    2:00 pm

    Te Komititanga – Britomart Square

     

    Auckland – Vigil

    Monday 7 October

    4-6pm

    Outside TVNZ, Corner Hobson Street and Victoria Street West

     

    Thames – Vigil 

    Saturday 5 October

    10am

    Thames Market, 700 Pollen Street

     

    Tauranga – Flag waving

    No flag waving this weekend

     

    Tauranga – Candlelight Vigil

    Monday 7 October

    6:30pm (Mural painting from 5:30pm, weather permitting)

    Beach by Moturiki/Leasure Island

     

    Hamilton – Rally

    No rally this weekend

     

    Hamilton – 12km Walk for Palestine and T-shirt Painting

    Saturday 5 October

    11am

    Claudelands Park (corner of Heaphy Tce & Boundary Rd)

     

    Whāingaroa/Raglan – Cultural Day – Film Screening, Food, and more

    Sunday 6 October

    10:00am

    Raglan Old School Art Centre

     

    Cambridge – Rally for Palestine

    Every Saturday

    11:00 am

    Cambridge Town Hall

     

    Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on Children

    Every Saturday

    9:30 – 11:30 am

    Gisborne Farmers Market

     

    Rotorua – Rally for Palestine

    Every Thursday

    4:00 pm

    Rotorua Lakes Council, Haupapa Street (Sir Howard Morrison Corner)

     

    Napier – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11:30 am

    Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout

     

    Hastings – Rally for Palestine

    No rally this weekend

     

    Palmerston North – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    2:00 pm 

    The Square, Palmerston North

     

    New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge

    Friday 4 October

    4:30 pm

    Paynters Ave Bridge

     

    New Plymouth – March for Gaza

    Saturday 5 October

    1:00 pm

    The Landing, 1 Ariki Street, New Plymouth

     

    Whanganui – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11:00 am

    Riverside Market, Whanganui

     

    Carterton – Gathering for Gaza

    Every Tuesday

    12:00 midday

    Memorial Square.

     

    Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine

    Every Wednesday

    11:00 am

    Memorial Square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough

     

    Masterton – Gathering for Gaza

    Every Sunday

    9:30 am

    Town Hall Lawn

     

    Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine)

    Every Friday

    6:00 pm

    In front of Wellington Hospital

    49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington

     

    Wellington – Flags on the Bridge

    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)

    Every Friday

    7:15 – 8:15 am

    Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington

     

    Wellington – Obela boycott protest and hīkoi 

    (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective)

    Saturday 5 October

    1:00pm

    Waitangi Park

     

    Wellington – Rally and March

    Sunday 6th October

    12pm 

    Pukeahu War Memorial marching to Odlins Plaza

    (Organised by Justice for Palestine and Alternative Jewish Voices)

     

    South Island

    Nelson – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11 am

    1903 Square

     

    Blenheim – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    11:00 am

    Blenheim Railway Station

     

    Christchurch – Flag waving

    Wednesday 2 October

    4-5:30 pm

    Sumner, cnr Beachville Road and Main Road

     

    Christchurch – Flag waving

    Friday 4 October

    4-6 pm

    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch

     

    Christchurch – Rally for Palestine

    Saturday 5 October

    1:00 pm

    Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch

     

    Timaru

    No Rally this weekend

     

    Greymouth – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    5pm

    Greymouth Town Square

     

    Dunedin – Vigil for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    6pm

    The Octagon

     

    Queenstown 
    No Rally this weekend

     

    Invercargill – Rally for Palestine

    Sunday 6 October

    1:00 pm

    Wachner place Invercargill.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pacific Nuclear Issues- Pacific STATEMENT ON THE NUCLEAR LEGACY IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

    Source: Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG)

    SOLIDARITY STATEMENT BY CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION TO THE 57th SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY-BUILDING TO ADDRESS THE HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS OF THE NUCLEAR LEGACY IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

    We are Pacific activists in national, regional and international CSOs which support longstanding campaigns for nuclear justice by governments and peoples of Pacific Island countries which were subjected to unconscionable nuclear weapons testing by imperialist powers. We wholeheartedly support the Resolution to be submitted by the President of the Republic of Marshall Islands, H.E. Dr Hilda Heine, to the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council on 4 October 2024 on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands.

    We are aware that this Resolution builds on the sustained efforts by the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) over many years to attain nuclear justice through the United Nations and the UN Human Rights system, seeing this as offering a supportive pathway to nuclear justice. We also remember and cherish the strong roles played by Marshallese anti-nuclear activists like Darlene Keju Johnson in challenging the injustice and racism of occupying colonial powers conducting dangerous nuclear weapons testing programmes in the Pacific region, and in raising global awareness and helping to build the regional anti-nuclear movement.

    We note the earliest international appeal by the people of the RMI to stop the deadly nuclear weapons tests being carried out by the United States in their islands was made on 6 May 1954, when they filed a petition with an urgent plea to the United Nations Trusteeship Council on the nuclear weapons testing, saying they were ‘not only fearful of the danger to their persons from these deadly weapons, but also

    concerned about the increasing number of people removed from their land’, and ‘requesting that all experiments with lethal weapons in the area be immediately ceased.’1 Although the Trusteeship Council (comprising the

    1 Recorded in A/HRC/RES/51/35 Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 7 October 2022 at the Fifty-first session of the Human Rights Council.

    1

    We note that since 2012, the RMI has submitted reports to Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and reported on the impacts of nuclear testing, especially on women’s health and lives, to the CEDAW Committee, a UN Human Rights treaty body.3 The Reports of two Special Rapporteurs Confirm recognition of the serious intergenerational health problems, continuing environmental contamination and loss of land and livelihoods resulting from the US nuclear weapons testing programme as impacting the enjoyment of human rights by the Marshallese people.

    Despite the best efforts of successive RMI governments to seek support for the implementation of the comprehensive Recommendations submitted 12 years ago by the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the Recommendations have not been implemented.

    On 7 October 2022, by HRC Resolution 51/35 on “Technical assistance and capacity-building to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands,” the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was requested to prepare a report on the RMI’s nuclear legacy.

    The resulting report, submitted by the OHCHR on 4 September 2024 at the Fifty-seventh session of the HRC and titled Addressing the challenges and barriers to the full realisation and enjoyment of the human rights of the Marshallese people stemming from the state’s

    permanent members of the UN Security Council) heard the petition on 20 August 1954, the nuclear testing programme continued until 1958.2

    2Ibid.
    3 CEDAW/C/MHL/CO/1-3, Concluding observations on the combined initial to third periodic reports of the Marshall

    Islands*, 14 March 2018 https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n18/070/31/pdf/n1807031.pdf 4 A/HRC/21/48/Add.1 Annex – Report of the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes on his mission to the Marshall Islands (27-30 March 2012) and the United States of America (24-27 April 2012)https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g12/163/76/pdf/g1216376.pdf

    A/HRC/49/53. Report of the Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment in a non-toxic environment, 12 January 2022 https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc4953-right-clean-healthy-and-sustainable-environment -non toxic

    2

    nuclear legacy (A/HRC/57/77),5 details plainly the nuclear history of their Islands and its legacy, noting amongst other things:

    • that ‘sixty-seven known nuclear tests were conducted by the United States from 1946 to 1958 in the Marshall Islands.4 These tests had a total yield equivalent to 108,490,500 tons of dynamite – approximately 7,232 times the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, and equivalent to dropping said atomic bomb daily for nearly twenty years’;

    • that the Marshallese filed multiple actions in US courts claiming property losses resulting from nuclear testing, without success;

    • that the RMI established a Nuclear Claims Tribunal and provided some compensation to claimants from a $150 million Trust Fund established by the US, but claims assessed by the Tribunal for personal injury and damages caused on Bikini, Enewetak, Rongelap and Utrōk atolls totalled more than $2.3 billion;

    • that the Marshallese government in 2017 established a National Nuclear Commission, which developed a national justice strategy centred on 5 pillars: Compensation, Health Care, the Environment, National Capacity and Education and Awareness;

    • that as part of the Human Rights 75 Initiative, the RMI has pledged to pursue transitional justice for the human rights violations and challenges stemming

    from the nuclear legacy; and

    • that ‘the nuclear legacy is not just a chapter in history, but a continuing reality for the Marshallese people’.

    The report recommended:

    • that the United Nations, through the HRC, continue to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to the Marshall Islands; and

    5 A/HRC/57/77: Addressing the challenges and barriers to the full realization and enjoyment of the human rights of the people of the Marshall Islands, stemming from the State’s nuclear legacy – Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 4 September 2024 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session57/advance-versi ons/ A-HRC-57-77-AUV.pdf

    3

    • that it prepares subsequent reports on transitional justice measures to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy through a cross-jurisdictional, inter-disciplinary, and gender-responsive approach.

    The RMI Resolution on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands seeks to operationalise the recommendations of the OHCHR.

    It makes four specific requests: one to all States, relevant UN agencies and other stakeholders to support the efforts of the RMI Government to improve the health of its people and its environment; and three renewed requests to the OHCHR:

    • to work with the Government of the RMI and provide technical assistance and capacity building to the National Nuclear Commission of the Marshall Islands in advancing its national strategy for nuclear justice;

    • to prepare a further report for submission to the HRC, followed by ‘an enhanced interactive dialogue’ which includes participation by the National Nuclear Commission of the Marshall Islands; and

    • in preparing the requested report, to widely seek views – of the RMI Government, the National Nuclear Commission, States, UN agencies, funds and programs, NGOs, Indigenous peoples, youth representatives, the Marshallese diaspora and affected communities.

    We stand this week with H.E. President Dr Hilda Heine, Ambassador Doreen de Brum and staff at the RMI Embassy in Geneva, National Nuclear Commissioners, and with all Marshallese people in their determined and dignified national struggle for nuclear justice.

    We strongly support the Resolution the Marshall Islands Government is submitting to the Human Rights Council on October 4 to address the adverse impacts of the nuclear legacy on the realisation and enjoyment of human rights by the people of the Marshall Islands. We extend our solidarity and best wishes in securing all the resources needed to achieve nuclear justice for present and future generations of Marshallese.

    ENDORSED BY:: 1. Aid/Watch

    2. Alliance for Future Generations
    3. Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders (APNED)
    4. Association for Promotion of Sustainable Development
    5. Banaba Human Rights Defenders Network
    6. Belau Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (BANGO-Palau) 7. Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT)
    8. Conservation International – Palau Office
    9. Council of Pacific Education (COPE)
    10. DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era) 11. Diverse Voiced and Actions for Equality (DIVA FIJI)
    12. Environmentalists Against War
    13. femLINKpacific
    14. Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS)
    15. Fiji Nuclear Veterans Association
    16. Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (FWCC)
    17. Fiji Womens Rights Movement (FWRM)
    18. Fiji Youth SRHR Alliance
    19. Hawai’i Institute for Human Rights
    20. Hinamoeura Morgant-Cross – Member of the French Polynesian Assembly 21. ICAN Aotearoa New Zealand
    22. ICAN Australia
    23. International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) Pax Romana Asia Pacific 24. International Youth Training Centre-IYTC
    25. Kiribati Association of Non-Government Organizations
    (KANGO) 26. Moruroa e Tātou
    27. Nagasaki Appeal for Peace
    28. Nauru Island Association of Non‐Government Organisations (NIANGO) 29. Ngaratumetum Traditional Womens Organization
    30. Nuclear Truth Project
    31. Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC)
    32. Pacific Disability Forum (PDF)
    33. Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) 34. Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN)
    35. Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG)
    36. Pacific Womens Mediators Network (PWNM)
    37. PacificwinPacific

    38. Palau Resource Institute (PRI)
    39. Pax Christi Korea (PCK)
    40. Peace Movement Aotearoa
    41. Peoples Development Community (PDC)
    42. Samoa Umbrella for Non-Government Organisations (SUNGO) 43. Social Watch – Tamilnadu

    44. South Lakeland and Lancaster District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
    45. Think Tank
    46. Vanuatu Human Rights Coalition (VHRC)

    47. Vanuatu Indigenous Land Defense Desk (VILDD) 48. Washington Butterfly for Hope
    49. Women Empowerment Nauru Association (WENA)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto and University of Nevada, Reno President Sandoval Discuss Democracy & Latino Civic Engagement During Hispanic Heritage Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Reno, Nev. – Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) President Brian Sandoval participated today in a “Discussions in Democracy” fireside chat moderated by Jon Ralston and Vanessa Vancour in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Joined by students, faculty, and staff on UNR’s campus, Cortez Masto and Sandoval — two of Nevada’s highest ranking Latino officials — talked about working together across the aisle to deliver for Nevada, their shared background, and encouraging the Latino community and all Nevadans to partake in civic engagement.
    “I’ve known Brian for a long time, so I was honored to join him to honor Hispanic Heritage Month and discuss the growing power of our Latino communities,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From our days combatting human trafficking at the state level to ensuring that UNR continues to be a top research institution, Brian and I have always worked together across the aisle to uplift all Nevadans. Our voices matter now more than ever, and I’m proud to come together to celebrate Latino culture and highlight our contributions to the Silver State.”
    “Today’s ‘Discussions in Democracy’ event at the University of Nevada highlighted the vital role that Latino voices play in shaping our political landscape,” said Brian Sandoval, President of the University of Nevada, Reno. “Engaging our diverse communities in meaningful dialogue not only strengthens our democracy, but also enriches the future of Nevada. I’m grateful to Senator Cortez Masto for her leadership and commitment to fostering civic participation among all Nevadans, starting right here at the University of Nevada. I would also like to thank Jon Ralston and Vanessa Vancour for moderating today’s discussion.”
    Born and raised in Las Vegas, Cortez Masto graduated from University of Nevada, Reno in 1986. She served two terms as Nevada’s Attorney General before becoming the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the U.S. Senate, as well as the highest ranking Hispanic Senator in the Democratic Caucus. She passed a bipartisan resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in the Senate this year. She helped create a new series of commemorative circulating coins highlighting remarkable American women trailblazers in the U.S.—including Latinas like Celia Cruz, Nina Otero-Warren, and Jovita Idar. And she’s leading the charge in the Senate to build the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New video shows sharks making an easy meal of spiky sea urchins, shedding light on an undersea mystery

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeremy Day, PhD researcher, University of Newcastle

    Author provided

    Long-spined sea urchins have emerged as an environmental issue off Australia’s far south coast. Native to temperate waters around New South Wales, the urchins have expanded their range south as oceans warm. There, they devour kelp and invertebrates, leaving barren habitats in their wake.

    Lobsters are widely accepted as sea urchins’ key predator. In efforts to control urchin numbers, scientists have been researching this predator-prey relationship. And the latest research by my colleagues and I, released today, delivered an unexpected result.

    We set up several cameras outside a lobster den and placed sea urchins in it. We filmed at night for almost a month. When we checked the footage, most sea urchins had been eaten – not by lobsters, but by sharks.

    This suggests sharks have been overlooked as predators of sea urchins in NSW. Importantly, sharks seem to very easily consume these large, spiky creatures – sometimes in just a few gulps! Our findings suggest the diversity of predators eating large sea urchins is broader than we thought – and that could prove to be good news for protecting our kelp forests.

    A puzzling picture

    The waters off Australia’s south-east are warming at almost four times the global average. This has allowed long-spined sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii) to extend their range from NSW into waters off Victoria and Tasmania.

    Sea urchins feed on kelp and in their march south, have reduced kelp cover. This has added to pressure on kelp forests, which face many threats.

    Scientists have been looking for ways to combat the spread of sea urchins. Ensuring healthy populations of predators is one suggested solution.

    Overseas research on different urchin species has focused on predators such as lobsters and large fish. It found kelp cover can be improved by protecting or reinstating these predators.

    Sea urchins feed on kelp.
    Nathan Knott

    In NSW, eastern rock lobsters are thought to be important urchin predators. The species has been over-fished in the past but stocks have significantly bounced back in recent years.

    But despite this, no meaningful reduction in urchin populations, or increase in kelp growth, has been observed in NSW.

    Why not? Could it be that lobsters are not eating urchins in great numbers after all? Certainly, there is little empirical evidence on how often predators eat urchins in the wild.

    What’s more, recent research in NSW suggested the influence of lobsters on urchin populations was low, while fish could be more important.

    Our project aimed to investigate the situation further.

    Eastern rock lobsters are thought to be major urchin predators.
    Flickr/Richard Ling, CC BY

    What we did

    We tied 100 urchins to blocks outside a lobster den off in Wollongong for 25 nights. This tethering meant the urchins were easily available to predators and stayed within view of our cameras.

    Then we set multiple cameras to remotely turn on at sunset and turn after sunrise each day, to capture nocturnal feeding. We used a red-filtered light to film the experiments because invertebrates don’t like the white light spectrum.

    We expected our cameras would capture lobsters eating the urchins. But in fact, the lobsters showed little interest in the urchins and ate just 4% of them. They were often filmed walking straight past urchins in search of other food.

    Sharks, however, were very interested in the urchins. Both crested horn sharks (Heterodontus galeatus) and Port Jackson sharks (H. portusjacksonii) entered the den and ate 45% of the urchins.

    As the footage below shows, sharks readily handled very large urchins (wider then 12 centimetres) with no hesitation.

    Until now, it was thought few or no predators could handle urchins of this size. Larger urchins have longer spines, thicker shells and attach more strongly to the seafloor, making them harder to eat.

    But the sharks attacked urchins from their spiny side, showing little regard for their sharp defences. This approach differs from other predators, such as lobsters and wrasses, which often turn urchins over and attack them methodically from their more vulnerable underside.

    In fact, some sharks were so eager to eat urchins, they started feeding before the cameras turned on at sunset. This meant we had to film by hand.

    Footage captured by the researchers showing crested horn sharks eating sea urchins. Horn sharks generally do not pose a threat to humans.

    A complex food web

    Our experiment showed the effect of lobsters on urchins in the wild is less than previously thought.
    This may explain why efforts to encourage lobster numbers have not helped control urchin numbers.

    We also revealed a little-considered urchin predator: sharks.

    Lobsters are capable but hesitant predators, whereas sharks seem eager to eat urchins. And crested horn sharks are an abundant, hardy species that is not actively fished.

    When interpreting these findings, however, a few caveats must be noted.

    First, sharks (and lobsters) are not the only animals to prey on urchins. Other predators include bony fishes, and more are likely to be identified in future.

    Second, other factors can control urchin numbers, such as storm damage and the influx of fresh water.

    And finally, it is unsurprising that we found a key predator when we intentionally searched for it by laying out food. Tethering urchins creates an artificial environment. We don’t know if the results would be replicated in the wild.

    And even though we now know some shark species eat sea urchins, we don’t yet know if they can control urchins numbers.

    But our research does confirm predators capable of handling large urchins may be more widespread than previously thought.

    Jeremy Day received funding from University of Newcastle, Ecological Society of Australia, Royal Zoological Soceity of New South Wales and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.

    – ref. New video shows sharks making an easy meal of spiky sea urchins, shedding light on an undersea mystery – https://theconversation.com/new-video-shows-sharks-making-an-easy-meal-of-spiky-sea-urchins-shedding-light-on-an-undersea-mystery-240205

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop at the RFDS Bundaberg base

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: It’s great to be here today, the RFDS is such an iconic part of Queensland, and the service they provide. I was in Cloncurry recently and I understand the history of the RFDS in the north west of the state, but to see this facility in Bundaberg, which expands that iconic status and the important service they provide is excellent. This training facility is going to ensure that the RFDS can continue to service the needs of Queenslanders living in regional, rural and remote areas, quite often at their toughest time. We know that there’s skills challenges when it comes to aviation, so for the RFDS to have their own facility to provide that training, we’re really pleased that the Federal Government could provide financial support through the Hinkler Regional Deal, but I’d also like to acknowledge the support and the work of the RFDS to fundraise for their contribution as well. Their hard work shows how meaningful they are to the Queensland community, given they enjoy such strong support across the state.

    JOURNALIST: What does it mean to have this facility in Bundaberg?

    CHISHOLM: It’s a really exciting opportunity for Bundaberg. Obviously to have the RFDS have a base here is important, but this will also generate economic income when it’s used by other people who want to make use of the training facilities. I think that’s the great thing about it. We know what it will do for the RFDS, but the opportunity it provides for other people to come and use their training facilities here, which will ensure that we can expand those skills that are so necessary across the country.

    JOURNALIST: How important is it to have a facility like this in a regional centre?

    CHISHOLM: It’s absolutely fantastic, and the Federal Government is really pleased to support important social infrastructure projects in a regional town like Bundaberg. I know that Bundaberg is such a great place to live and work, but we want to ensure that it continues to be the case, and a facility like this will ensure that a young person growing up in Bundaberg will be able to have the opportunity to come here, see what’s possible in the local community, and let’s hope that one of them will go on to be one of the next pilots for the RFDS.

    JOURNALIST: When it comes to selecting the location for this. Is there any reason that it was in Bundaberg? Was it the central location? What was the reason behind that?

    CHISHOLM: It was obviously work that was done as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, which started under the previous government, but we were really pleased to honour that commitment, and I wanted to acknowledge the support of the Bundaberg Regional Council in ensuring that they had this land available for the RFDS as well. So, it really is a good contribution – Federal Government, council working together– but obviously the RFDS are integral to something like this happening.

    JOURNALIST: What is the Federal Government’s buy in for this project? The CEO of the RFDS Queensland section has already said that considerable funding was received from the federal level. How is the Federal Government able to assist this venture?

    CHISHOLM: Yeah. So as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, $14.9 million of Federal Government money was set aside to contribute to this. But I think the impressive thing is, that the RFDS was able to contribute $10 million. There are other philanthropic organisations who are able to contribute as well, and I think that just shows you how much the RFDS means to the people of Queensland. The fact that people would come and support it from the community, and it really is something that the Federal Government is proud to support, but it wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the RFDS and their philanthropic supporters.

    JOURNALIST: Yeah, this is quite a unique facility. What are your impressions so far?

    CHISHOLM: It’s absolutely amazing, it’s something that is completely world class. And it’s going to obviously benefit the RFDS by providing more training facilities, but it’s also going to ensure that we can train more pilots in general. And that’s a really good thing in a place like Australia, which is so far and wide – we really do rely on aviation. So, to have more training facilities is going to be an important national asset as well.

    JOURNALIST: Just from a Federal Government perspective, what are some of the other benefits that you can see, not just from the fact that it’s going to be able to help an organisation like RFDS continue its work, but from another angle, not just the pilot angle? What do you think is some of the other benefits for communities?

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM: As I’ve mentioned, there’s going to be people that come and use this facility from outside, so it’s going to provide an economic boost. I’m also the Assistant Minister for Education, and I think about the young school children who are going to come through this facility and be inspired to go on and become a pilot. Hopefully that’s for the RFDS, but it might be for other organisations. And that’s really exciting that some young person in Bundaberg is going to get that opportunity because they’ll be able to come and see it in their local community. So, I think there’s so many benefits that it’s going to bring, and I’m really pleased that the Federal Government was able to provide that support.

    JOURNALIST: You were just having a look inside the simulator. What did you think?

    CHISHOLM: It’s absolutely amazing, it is mind blowing what is possible. And when you think about how the RFDS started with John Flynn, I don’t think he could envisage where we’d be 100 years later with a facility like this in Bundaberg, and the role the RFDS plays across the state and the country is absolutely phenomenal.

    JOURNALIST: Did it give you the want to get in there and give it a go yourself?

    CHISHOLM: I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to have a go at being a pilot. Obviously, this is a much safer way to do it, and I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to have a look at it and get an understanding of the opportunity that it’s going to provide, which is absolutely fantastic. Thanks everyone.

    JOURNALIST: Great, thank you.

    CHISHOLM: Good to see you all.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – RFDS Bundaberg Base

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: It’s great to be here today, the RFDS is such an iconic part of Queensland, and the service they provide. I was in Cloncurry recently and I understand the history of the RFDS in the north west of the state, but to see this facility in Bundaberg, which expands that iconic status and the important service they provide is excellent. This training facility is going to ensure that the RFDS can continue to service the needs of Queenslanders living in regional, rural and remote areas, quite often at their toughest time. We know that there’s skills challenges when it comes to aviation, so for the RFDS to have their own facility to provide that training, we’re really pleased that the Federal Government could provide financial support through the Hinkler Regional Deal, but I’d also like to acknowledge the support and the work of the RFDS to fundraise for their contribution as well. Their hard work shows how meaningful they are to the Queensland community, given they enjoy such strong support across the state.

    JOURNALIST: What does it mean to have this facility in Bundaberg?

    CHISHOLM: It’s a really exciting opportunity for Bundaberg. Obviously to have the RFDS have a base here is important, but this will also generate economic income when it’s used by other people who want to make use of the training facilities. I think that’s the great thing about it. We know what it will do for the RFDS, but the opportunity it provides for other people to come and use their training facilities here, which will ensure that we can expand those skills that are so necessary across the country.

    JOURNALIST: How important is it to have a facility like this in a regional centre?

    CHISHOLM: It’s absolutely fantastic, and the Federal Government is really pleased to support important social infrastructure projects in a regional town like Bundaberg. I know that Bundaberg is such a great place to live and work, but we want to ensure that it continues to be the case, and a facility like this will ensure that a young person growing up in Bundaberg will be able to have the opportunity to come here, see what’s possible in the local community, and let’s hope that one of them will go on to be one of the next pilots for the RFDS.

    JOURNALIST: When it comes to selecting the location for this. Is there any reason that it was in Bundaberg? Was it the central location? What was the reason behind that?

    CHISHOLM: It was obviously work that was done as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, which started under the previous government, but we were really pleased to honour that commitment, and I wanted to acknowledge the support of the Bundaberg Regional Council in ensuring that they had this land available for the RFDS as well. So, it really is a good contribution – Federal Government, council working together– but obviously the RFDS are integral to something like this happening.

    JOURNALIST: What is the Federal Government’s buy in for this project? The CEO of the RFDS Queensland section has already said that considerable funding was received from the federal level. How is the Federal Government able to assist this venture?

    CHISHOLM: Yeah. So as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, $14.9 million of Federal Government money was set aside to contribute to this. But I think the impressive thing is, that the RFDS was able to contribute $10 million. There are other philanthropic organisations who are able to contribute as well, and I think that just shows you how much the RFDS means to the people of Queensland. The fact that people would come and support it from the community, and it really is something that the Federal Government is proud to support, but it wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for the RFDS and their philanthropic supporters.

    JOURNALIST: Yeah, this is quite a unique facility. What are your impressions so far?

    CHISHOLM: It’s absolutely amazing, it’s something that is completely world class. And it’s going to obviously benefit the RFDS by providing more training facilities, but it’s also going to ensure that we can train more pilots in general. And that’s a really good thing in a place like Australia, which is so far and wide – we really do rely on aviation. So, to have more training facilities is going to be an important national asset as well.

    JOURNALIST: Just from a Federal Government perspective, what are some of the other benefits that you can see, not just from the fact that it’s going to be able to help an organisation like RFDS continue its work, but from another angle, not just the pilot angle? What do you think is some of the other benefits for communities?

    ANTHONY CHISHOLM: As I’ve mentioned, there’s going to be people that come and use this facility from outside, so it’s going to provide an economic boost. I’m also the Assistant Minister for Education, and I think about the young school children who are going to come through this facility and be inspired to go on and become a pilot. Hopefully that’s for the RFDS, but it might be for other organisations. And that’s really exciting that some young person in Bundaberg is going to get that opportunity because they’ll be able to come and see it in their local community. So, I think there’s so many benefits that it’s going to bring, and I’m really pleased that the Federal Government was able to provide that support.

    JOURNALIST: You were just having a look inside the simulator. What did you think?

    CHISHOLM: It’s absolutely amazing, it is mind blowing what is possible. And when you think about how the RFDS started with John Flynn, I don’t think he could envisage where we’d be 100 years later with a facility like this in Bundaberg, and the role the RFDS plays across the state and the country is absolutely phenomenal.

    JOURNALIST: Did it give you the want to get in there and give it a go yourself?

    CHISHOLM: I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t want to have a go at being a pilot. Obviously, this is a much safer way to do it, and I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to have a look at it and get an understanding of the opportunity that it’s going to provide, which is absolutely fantastic. Thanks everyone.

    JOURNALIST: Great, thank you.

    CHISHOLM: Good to see you all.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Iran’s strike on Israel was retaliatory – but it was also about saving face and restoring deterrence

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Aaron Pilkington, Fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies, University of Denver

    Israel and Iran are at war. In truth, the two sides have been fighting for decades, but the conflict has played out largely under the cover of covert and clandestine operations.

    The recent actions of both sides in this once “shadow war” have changed the nature of the conflict. It is not clear that de-escalation is on the horizon.

    On Oct 1, 2024, Iran launched a massive, direct attack against Israel notionally in retribution for Israel’s dual assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s chief, Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah.

    It was the second such barrage in six months.

    By many accounts, the previous Iranian attack against Israel on April 13 – which consisted of over 300 ballistic and cruise missiles and attack drones – caused very little damage to Israel. Perhaps because of this, and likely in part due to U.S. encouragement of restraint, Israel’s immediate military response then – an airstrike against a single advanced Iranian air defense system in the Isfahan province – was somewhat measured.

    Many onlookers saw the calibrated exchange in April as a possible indication that both sides would prefer to de-escalate rather than engage in ongoing open warfare.

    But further Israeli military operations since then have prompted escalatory Iranian military responses, forcing the conflict back out of the shadows.

    With Hamas’ capabilities and leadership degraded in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s military leaders announced in June that they were “ready to face” Hezbollah – the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group whose persistent rocket attacks against northern Israel have caused tens of thousands to evacuate the area.

    Israel pivots north

    Israel’s pivot from Gaza toward Lebanon coincided with the July 31, 2024, assassination of Hamas’ political bureau chairman, Haniyeh, during his stay in Tehran. The purported Israeli operation was seen as an affront to Iran’s sovereignty. It was also an embarrassment that highlighted the vulnerability and permeability of Iran’s internal security apparatus.

    Even though Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed a “harsh response” against Israel, by September Iran had taken no action.

    Tehran’s inaction caused many Middle East analysts to question if the Iranian response would ever materialize – and by extension, what that would mean for Khamenei’s commitment to his proxy forces.

    If indeed Iran’s leadership opted for restraint following the assassination of Hamas’ top political leader, the same could not be said for its reaction to Israel’s multiphase operation against Hezbollah in mid-September.

    Israel began with a clandestine operation to sow chaos and confusion in Hezbollah’s command and control through the means of sabotaged explosive communications devices. Israel then carried out airstrikes eliminating Hezbollah’s top leaders including Nasrallah. The Israeli military then launched what the country’s leaders describe as a “limited [ground] operation” into southern Lebanon to remove Hezbollah positions along the northern border.

    Tehran’s Oct 1. attack in response against Israel was, according to many Middle East experts and indeed Iranian military leaders, primarily a retaliation for the two high-profile assassinations against Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

    These were certainly key factors. But as an expert on Iran’s defense strategy, I argue that Iran’s leaders also felt compelled to attack Israel for three equally, if not more important, reasons: to slow Israel’s advance in Lebanon, to save face, and to restore deterrence.

    Challenging Israel’s advance

    Iran hopes to slow and potentially reverse Israel’s successes against Hezbollah, especially as Israel embarks on ground operations into southern Lebanon. Of course, Israeli ground troops must now deal with what is perhaps the world’s most capable guerrilla fighting force – one that performed quite successfully during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

    Nevertheless, Israel’s ability to achieve a tactical surprise and eliminate Hezbollah’s top leaders – even in the midst of an ongoing localized war, and even after Israel’s leaders announced their intention to engage Hezbollah – reveals a far superior Israeli strategy and operational planning and execution capability than that of Hezbollah.

    And that presents a huge blow to what is seen in Iran as the Islamic Republic’s crown jewel within its “Axis of Resistance.”

    In this respect, the Oct. 1 retaliatory strike by Iran can be seen as an attempt to afford Hezbollah time to appoint replacement leadership, regroup and organize against Israel’s ground invasion.

    The brutal art of save face?

    It also serves to help Iran save face, especially in how it’s seen by other parts of its external proxy network.

    Orchestrated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, or IRGC – Tehran’s primary arm for coordinating external operations – Iranian money, training, guidance and ideological support enabled and encouraged the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack against Israel – even, as it has claimed, Iran had no prior warning of the assault.

    Since then, Hamas fighters have received almost no real-time support from Tehran. This lack of support has no doubt contributed to Hamas being successfully degraded as a threat by Israel, with many of its members either dead or in hiding and unable to mount a coherent offensive campaign, leading Israel’s military leaders to claim the group has been effectively defeated.

    Unsurprisingly, Iran is glad to enable Palestinians to fight Tehran’s enemies and absorb the human costs of war, because this arrangement primarily benefits the Islamic Republic.

    Once the fighting in Gaza started, the IRGC was nowhere to be found.

    Rockets fired from Iran are seen over Jerusalem on Oct. 1, 2024.
    Wisam Hashlamoun/Anadolu via Getty Images

    Now that Israel has shifted its attention to Lebanon and scored several initial tactical successes against Hezbollah, Iran cannot afford to stand back and watch for two main reasons. First, a year of fighting in Gaza has demonstrated that Israel is willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate threats along its borders – including a willingness to withstand international political pressure or operate within Iran’s borders.

    And second, Iran’s proxy groups elsewhere are watching to see if Tehran will continue supporting them – or will abandon them, as it seemingly has done with Hamas.

    Reclaiming deterrence

    Perhaps above all, in Tehran’s calculus over how to respond is Iran’s need to restore a deterrence.

    The two defining features of Iran’s interrelated external, or “forward defense,” and deterrence strategies is its regional network of militant proxies and its long-range weapons arsenal, which includes a large number of advanced ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack-capable drones.

    These Iranian defense strategies seek to dissuade enemies from attacking Iran proper in two ways: first, by threatening Israel and other regional U.S. allies with punishment via proxy militia or long-range weapon attacks; and second, by offering scapegoat targets against which Iran’s enemies can express their rage. In effect, Iran’s proxy forces act as proxy targets that pay the costs for Iran’s hostile policies.

    Israel’s degradation of Hamas and ongoing operations against Hezbollah threaten to undermine Iran’s ability to deter attacks against the homeland. For the Islamic Republic’s leaders, this is an unacceptable risk.

    Who plays the next move?

    These interweaving imperatives likely prompted Iran’s leaders to launch a second massive, direct missile attack on Oct. 1 against Israel. How effective the strike will be in achieving any of Tehran’s aims is unknown.

    The Islamic Republic claimed that as many as 90% of the ballistic missiles reached their intended targets, while Israel and the United States characterize the attack as having been “defeated and ineffective,” despite unverified cellphone videos showing several ballistic missiles detonating after reaching land in Israel.

    What is almost certain, however, is that this will not be the last move in the conflict. Israel is unlikely to halt its Lebanon operation until it achieves its border security objectives. And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Iran for its latest retaliatory attack.

    IRGC leaders met this warning with a counterthreat of their own that if Israel responds to the Oct. 1 attack militarily, Iran will again respond with unspecified “crushing and destructive attacks.”

    Rhetorically, neither side is backing down; militarily this may be true, too. The nature and scope of Israel’s next move will dictate how the war with Iran develops – but make no mistake, it is a war.

    Dr. Aaron Pilkington is a U.S. Air Force analyst of Middle East affairs and a non-resident fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Denver’s Korbel School of International Studies. Dr. Pilkington will soon join the Military & Strategic Studies department at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force, the United States Air Force Academy, or any other organizational affiliation.

    – ref. Iran’s strike on Israel was retaliatory – but it was also about saving face and restoring deterrence – https://theconversation.com/irans-strike-on-israel-was-retaliatory-but-it-was-also-about-saving-face-and-restoring-deterrence-240302

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Joint Statement: Tunisia is Not a Place of Safety for People Rescued at Sea

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In view of the rampant human rights violations against migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in Tunisia, especially those who are Black; Tunisia’s lack of an asylum system; the Tunisian government’s crackdown on civil society, judicial independence, and the media; and the impossibility of fairly and individually determining nationalities or assessing the protection needs of migrants and asylum seekers while at sea, it is clear that Tunisia is not a safe place for the disembarkation of people intercepted or rescued at sea. The ongoing cooperation between the European Union (EU), EU member states, and Tunisia on migration control which includes reliance on the possibility to disembark people rescued or intercepted at sea in Tunisia – similar to previous cooperation with Libya – is contributing to human rights violations.

    European policies to externalize border management to Tunisia are supporting security authorities who are committing serious violations. They are also obstructing people’s rights to leave any country and to seek asylum, containing refugees and migrants in countries where their human rights are at risk. Moreover, disembarkation in Tunisia can endanger individuals and expose them to serious harm, and further puts refugees and migrants at high risk of collective expulsion to Libya and Algeria, which can violate the principle of non-refoulement. The establishment on 19 June 2024 of the Tunisian Search and Rescue Region (SRR), called for and supported by the European Commission, risks becoming another tool to violate people’s rights rather than a legitimate fulfillment of the responsibility to protect safety at sea. Mirroring its cooperation with Libya, the EU and its member states’ engagement with Tunisia may have the effect of normalizing serious violations against people seeking protection and undermining the integrity of the international search and rescue system by twisting it to serve migration control purposes. 

    As humanitarian and human rights organizations, we call on the EU and its member states to terminate their cooperation on migration control with Tunisian authorities responsible for serious human rights violations at sea and in Tunisia. Search and rescue NGOs and commercial ships should not be instructed to disembark anyone in Tunisia. 

    Widespread and repeated violations of human rights

    Findings from Tunisian and international organizations, as well as UN bodies, over the past two years indicate that Tunisia cannot be considered a ‘Place of Safety’ for people intercepted or rescued at sea, most notably Black people as defined by the 1979 SAR Convention, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and UN bodies.

    Despite being party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, Tunisia has no national asylum law or system. People who enter, stay in, or exit the country irregularly are criminalized by law. Following interceptions at sea or after arbitrary arrests on Tunisian territory, Tunisian authorities have repeatedly abandoned refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in the Tunisian desert or remote border regions with Libya and Algeria. These practices can amount to unlawful collective expulsions, demonstrate a total disregard for refugees’ and migrants’ right to life, and may violate the principle of non-refoulement. People expelled face the risk of serious human rights violations in Libya and onward expulsions from Algeria to Niger. According to reports citing information from the UN, Tunisian security forces have notably rounded up people presumed to be irregular migrants on land and directly transferred them to Libyan authorities, who subsequently subjected them to arbitrary detention, forced labour, extortion, torture and other ill-treatment, and unlawful killings.

    According to the accounts of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers documented by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, OMCT, and Alarm Phone, Tunisian authorities at sea have committed abuses and put lives at risk during boat interceptions – including by high-speed manoeuvers threatening to capsize the boats, physical violence, firing tear gas at close range, and colliding with the boats – followed by a failure to systematically ensure individualized assessments of protection needs at disembarkation. Tunisian authorities have also subjected refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to torture and other ill-treatment in the contexts of disembarkations, detention, or collective expulsions.

    At the same time, several international and local organizations, human rights defenders and lawyers have reported an alarming deterioration of civil liberties and fundamental rights in Tunisia, impacting both the migrant population and Tunisian citizens.. Since 2021, the country has witnessed a significant rollback of human rights, characterized by a dismantling of institutional safeguards for their protection, an erosion of judicial independence and a clampdown on freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. The disembarkation in Tunisia of Tunisian nationals intercepted or rescued at sea, which could include people fleeing persecution, torture or other serious harm and intending to seek asylum abroad, could effectively deny the right to seek asylum to those in need of international protection. 

    The European Union’s complicity in human rights abuses

    Despite the documented human rights violations by Tunisian authorities, the EU and its member states have stepped up their support for Kais Saïed’s administration. Through the Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2023, the EU promised Tunisia 1 billion Euros, including 105 million EUR dedicated to border and migration management, effectively in exchange for preventing sea departures towards Europe, which includes people in need of protection. With the implementation of a Tunisian Search and Rescue Region (SRR), the Tunisian government has met a long-standing priority set by the EU. While on the one hand this represents a formal step towards the fulfillment of Tunisia’s responsibility to protect life at sea, the reality is that European Rescue Coordination Centers (RCC) will now refer boats in distress within the Tunisian SRR to the Tunisian RCC, reinforcing a gradual disengagement of EU actors in favor of actors with a poor human rights record.

    By supporting an increased role for the Tunisian Coast Guard (National Guard) – without any human rights benchmarks or monitoring system in place, nor arrangements to ensure that rescued people are disembarked in a place of safety which cannot be Tunisia – the EU is contributing to a risk of further serious human rights violations at sea and in Tunisia against refugees and migrants and people at risk of persecution in the country.

    Humanitarian space for search and rescue (SAR) NGOs will also be further curtailed, if European RCCs instruct SAR NGOs to liaise with the newly established Tunisian MRCC for disembarkation, which they may refuse to respect the principle of non-refoulement. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has noted that vessels at sea are not the appropriate place for determining protection needs. Under international maritime law, states have the primary responsibility for coordinating rescues within their SRRs and for arranging disembarkation in a place of safety, which may be another state.

    European support of human rights violations must end

    These developments follow the pattern witnessed in Libya since 2016. In addition to material, technical and political support, the EU and Italy supported the establishment of a Libyan SRR and MRCC, thus leading to a transfer of SAR responsibility to the Libyan Coast Guard and increased pullbacks and disembarkations in Libya, all while being aware that this would expose refugees and migrants to a serious risk of horrific and deadly violations in Libya. Both the Italian government and EU institutions have not only continued this cooperation, but sought to extend it to other countries, including in Tunisia.

    We therefore urge the EU and its member states to:

    • Call on Tunisian authorities to end human rights violations against refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, including urgently with regards to life-threatening and unlawful collective expulsions.
    • Call on Tunisian authorities to end the crackdown on civil society.
    • Ensure that SAR NGOs and commercial ships are not instructed to disembark people they rescue at sea in Tunisia, given the risks of human rights violations there, and given that fair individual assessments concerning these risks cannot be made at sea. Tunisia cannot be considered a place of safety for people rescued at sea under applicable international law.
    • Terminate financial and technical support to Tunisian authorities responsible for serious human rights violations in relation to border and migration control.

    Afrique-Europe Interact

    Alarme Phone Sahara (APS)

    All Included Amsterdam

    Amnesty International

    Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione (ASGI)

    Association CALAM 

    Association for Justice, Equality and Peace

    Association Lina Ben Mhenni

    Association Marocaine d’aide des Migrants en Situation Vulnérable (AMSV) 

    Association pour la promotion du droit à la différence (ADD)

    Association Sentiers-Massarib

    Association tunisienne de défense des libertés individuelles

    Aswat Nissa

    Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF)

    BAOBAB EXPERIENCE

    Campagna LasciateCIEntrare – MaipiuCIE

    Carovane Migranti  

    CCFD-Terre Solidaire

    Chkoun? Collective

    Comité de Sauvegarde de la LADDH

    Comité pour le respect des libertés et des droits de l’Homme en Tunisie (CRLDHT)

    CompassCollective 

    Damj – l’Association Tunisienne pour la justice et l’égalité

    Dance Beyond Borders

    EMERGENCY

    Fédération des Tunisiens pour une Citoyenneté des deux Rives (FTCR)

    Fédération Internationale pour les Droits Humains (FIDH)

    Forum Tunsien pour les Droits Economiques et Sociaux (FTDES)

    FUNDACION SOLIDAIRE

    Human Rights Watch

    Intersection pour les droits et les libertés

    iuventa-crew

    L’association Tunisienne pour les Droits et les Libertés (ADL)

    La Cimade

    LDH (Ligue des droits de l’Homme)

    Maldusa

    Médecins Sans Frontières

    MEDITERRANEA Saving Humans

    Melting Pot Europa

    migration-control.info project

    Migreurop 

    Missing Voices (REER)

    Mission Lifeline International e.V.

    PRO ASYL Bundesweite Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Flüchtlinge e.V.

    r42-SailAndRescue

    Reclaim the Sea

    Refugees in Libya – APS

    Refugees Platform In Egypt (RPE) منصة اللاجئين في مصر

    Resqship

    SALVAMENTO MARITIMO HUMANITARIO -SMH

    SARAH Seenotrettung gUG 

    Sea-Eye e.V.

    Sea-Watch e.V.

    Search and Rescue Malta Network 

    Seebrücke 

    SOS Humanity e.V.

    SOS MEDITERRANEE

    Statewatch

    Union des diplômés-chômeurs (UDC)

    United4Rescue – Gemeinsam retten e.V.

    Univ. of Southern California Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic

    Watch the med Alarm Phone

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Wollongong to host Multicultural Water Safety Day

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Wollongong to host Multicultural Water Safety Day

    Published: 4 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Regional Health, Minister for Sport

    As summer approaches, local government, sporting and community organisations have come together to host a free Multicultural Water Safety Day at Wollongong City Beach next Friday.

    In the 12 months to 30 June 2024, 61 people drowned at beaches, coastal waterways and the ocean according to Surf Life Saving NSW data.

    The Multicultural Water Safety Day aims to empower multicultural communities in the Illawarra with the skills and confidence to safely enjoy local waters.

    The initiative is a collaboration between the NSW Office of Sport, Illawarra Multicultural Services, Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra, Surf Life Saving NSW, Royal Life Saving, University of Wollongong, and other local stakeholders designed to educate multicultural communities on vital water safety skills and knowledge, particularly the beach, inland water and rock fishing safety.

    As well as interactive educational sessions including a live rip dye and resuscitation demonstrations, there will be hands-on practical activities and the opportunity to engage with facilitators and local organisations.

    The event will be held at Wollongong City Beach from 10am on Friday, 11 October. 

    Minster for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Ryan Park, said:

    “The Illawarra and South Coast is home to some of the best beaches in the State and the NSW Government is committed to making sure that all members of our community can enjoy them safely.

    “With a focus on inclusivity and community engagement, this initiative aims to make a lasting impact on the water safety in the region.”

    “We hope that this event is the first step in instilling a lifelong understanding and appreciation of water safety among our multicultural communities.”

    Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, said:

    “Swimming and being on or near the water is a key part of the Australian lifestyle, but too many people, particularly those from multicultural backgrounds, continue to lose their lives to drowning.”

    “The NSW Government wants to ensure that people participating in water activities or just enjoying a swim at the beach have the skills and knowledge to do so safely.”

    Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully, said:

    “Wollongong is a diverse community and events such as these allow us to provide targeted resources to our multicultural residents, particularly those who may not have grown up around the water.

    “Many newer residents and visiting students have little or no experience in the surf, it’s important they gave a good understand of water safety. 

    “I encourage as many members of our community as possible to come down, participate and learn potentially life-saving lessons.”

    Projects Coordinator for Illawarra Multicultural Services, Amro Zoabe said:

    “Working with multicultural communities, IMS understands the importance of having vital information available in language. By having our multilingual community workers provide language support for this event, we ensure everyone has equitable access.

    “We are lucky to be living on Dharawal land on waters. This event helps make sure our multicultural communities, access these waters safely.”
     

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Commission President reiterates calls for upholding human rights as violence in the Middle East escalates

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    As the violence in the Middle East escalates, and with the approaching anniversary of the brutal 7 October attacks by Hamas and the start of Israel’s devastating and continuing response, the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission has reiterated its call for upholding human rights and international humanitarian law. 

    President Hugh de Kretser: “The toll of human suffering and death across Israel, Gaza and now Lebanon is horrifying. I acknowledge the ongoing and escalating impact of the war on communities in Australia. We have heard from affected communities about their feelings of loss, uncertainty, fear, anger and grief at what is happening. We recognise the disturbing rise in incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism in Australia.  

    “The Commission will continue to support and engage with all communities to address discrimination and hate speech. The Commission continues to provide access to justice services for all people affected by racial discrimination and vilification by investigating and conciliating complaints under the Racial Discrimination Act. Complaints that are not resolved through our processes can be taken for determination through the Federal Court system. 

    “The Commission has been funded to undertake a program of community engagement and awareness raising about racism to support safety in Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Arab communities across Australia. We have also been funded by the Australian Government to conduct a Study into the Prevalence and Impact of Racism in Australian Universities. The study will have a significant focus on antisemitism as well as Islamophobia.  

    “I call on Australian governments to protect people’s rights to peacefully assemble and protest. Any limitation on protest rights must be strictly necessary and reasonable. In general, protests should not be restricted based on the ideas or viewpoints taken by protesters. However, governments must address hate speech and the incitement of violence. 

    “I urge the Australian Government to adopt a compassionate, sustainable, non-discriminatory humanitarian response to people fleeing the violence. 

    “At the international level, I urge the Australian Government to support efforts to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, the protection of civilians, the return of hostages and accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. 

    “The Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on 19 July 2024 should be supported. I endorse the statement of Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 

    ‘As the world reflects on and considers its inability to prevent this carnage, I urge all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire, lay down their arms and stop the killing once and for all. The hostages must be released. Palestinians arbitrarily detained must be freed. Israel’s illegal occupation must end and the internationally agreed two-State solution must become a reality.’ 

    “I urge the Australian Government to support international efforts towards achieving a lasting peace and a two-state solution that addresses the root causes of the violence.” 

    ENDS | Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or +61 457 281 897 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto and University of Nevada, Reno President Sandoval Discuss Democracy & Latino Civic Engagement During Hispanic Heritage Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Reno, Nev. – Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) President Brian Sandoval participated today in a “Discussions in Democracy” fireside chat moderated by Jon Ralston and Vanessa Vancour in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Joined by students, faculty, and staff on UNR’s campus, Cortez Masto and Sandoval — two of Nevada’s highest ranking Latino officials — talked about working together across the aisle to deliver for Nevada, their shared background, and encouraging the Latino community and all Nevadans to partake in civic engagement.
    “I’ve known Brian for a long time, so I was honored to join him to honor Hispanic Heritage Month and discuss the growing power of our Latino communities,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “From our days combatting human trafficking at the state level to ensuring that UNR continues to be a top research institution, Brian and I have always worked together across the aisle to uplift all Nevadans. Our voices matter now more than ever, and I’m proud to come together to celebrate Latino culture and highlight our contributions to the Silver State.”
    “Today’s ‘Discussions in Democracy’ event at the University of Nevada highlighted the vital role that Latino voices play in shaping our political landscape,” said Brian Sandoval, President of the University of Nevada, Reno. “Engaging our diverse communities in meaningful dialogue not only strengthens our democracy, but also enriches the future of Nevada. I’m grateful to Senator Cortez Masto for her leadership and commitment to fostering civic participation among all Nevadans, starting right here at the University of Nevada. I would also like to thank Jon Ralston and Vanessa Vancour for moderating today’s discussion.”
    Born and raised in Las Vegas, Cortez Masto graduated from University of Nevada, Reno in 1986. She served two terms as Nevada’s Attorney General before becoming the first woman from Nevada and the first Latina ever elected to the U.S. Senate, as well as the highest ranking Hispanic Senator in the Democratic Caucus. She passed a bipartisan resolution recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month in the Senate this year. She helped create a new series of commemorative circulating coins highlighting remarkable American women trailblazers in the U.S.—including Latinas like Celia Cruz, Nina Otero-Warren, and Jovita Idar. And she’s leading the charge in the Senate to build the National Museum of the American Latino on the National Mall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Local and Mainland young singers to show talents at “POP KONG” concert (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Local and Mainland young singers to show talents at “POP KONG” concert (with photos)
    Local and Mainland young singers to show talents at “POP KONG” concert (with photos)
    ******************************************************************************************

          The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival is presenting the “POP KONG” concert on October 31 and November 1 (Thursday and Friday) to showcase the talents and creativity of young artists from both Hong Kong and the Mainland, injecting fresh impetus into the music scenes of the region.      The concert is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and AC Orange Co Ltd. Emerging singer-songwriters Monkey Sit, Zino Chan and a Bu from Hong Kong, along with Haibhue and Cantopop band Mover from the Mainland, will share the stage to perform their original compositions and popular hits. Celebrated singer-songwriter Phil Lam will also appear as a special guest, fully showing the charm of original Chinese pop music.      The three up-and-coming artists mentioned above were all participants of the “My Main Stage” music production pilot programme founded by veteran music producer Chiu Tsang-hei. Their works have been released on major streaming platforms. Monkey, also an illustrator, started off as a street performer before taking the stage at Freespace Happening, Lau Bak Livehouse, Lost Star, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, and more. Zino executive-produced radio programme “Lemonaid” in 2018, and reinvented Sally Yeh’s famous tune “Friends or Lovers” for her performance at Hunan Satellite TV’s “Endless Melody” programme in 2022. Last but not least, a Bu composed the theme song for his graduation project at the Hong Kong Baptist University’s Academy of Film in 2022, and went on to compose competition background music for the Hong Kong Wushu Team.      Haibhue, a singer-songwriter from the Mainland, is skilled at blending nursery rhymes with modern music. Her music evokes tales of olden times, always offering a sense of calm. Mover, a six-member original band, chiefly creates music in Cantonese. Their music spans a wide spectrum from pop rock and shoegaze to alternative rock and pop punk. By the end of 2024, the band will embark on their first nationwide tour.      “POP KONG” will be held at 8pm on October 31 and November 1 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre. Tickets priced at $200 and $300 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288; patrons may also use the mobile ticketing app “URBTIX”. Discount schemes are available for programmes under the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival (namely “ChoreoMusica Soiree”, “POP KONG”, Cantonese Opera Film “The Legend of the White Snake”, 2024 Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao Choral Concert, “Songs Echo My Voice” and Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre), including group booking discount and package booking discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2960 or visit gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/pop-kong. “POP KONG” is also a celebratory programme of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.      Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It organises and co-ordinates over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchange and co-operation among the cities. For more details, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 4, 2024Issued at HKT 14:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Company responsible person fined $84,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Company responsible person fined $84,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance
    Company responsible person fined $84,000 for contravening Employment Ordinance
    *******************************************************************************

         A responsible person of Bilok Educational Organisation Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violation of the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The responsible person pleaded guilty at the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (October 4) and was fined a total sum of $84,000.           The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirement of EO, failing to pay 11 employees wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods, totalling about $484,000. The responsible person concerned was prosecuted and convicted for her consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.           “The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors, managers and responsible persons of companies that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO,” a spokesman for the LD said.           “The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees’ statutory rights,” the spokesman added.

     
    Ends/Friday, October 4, 2024Issued at HKT 15:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University held radiation protection exercises

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The Polytechnic University held a staff training exercise entitled “Conducting civil defense on the territory of the Russian Federation in conditions of a radiation situation.”

    The exercises were attended by the Vice-Rector for Security of SPbPU – Chairman of the Evacuation Commission Alexey Sokolov, employees of the Civil Security Department, heads of non-staff formations to ensure the implementation of civil defense measures and other responsible employees.

    The event was opened by Vladimir Glukhov, Chairman of the Commission for the Prevention and Elimination of Emergencies and Fire Safety of SPbPU. He noted that the exercises are being held in accordance with the letter of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation “On conducting a staff training exercise on civil defense.” Vladimir Viktorovich named the objectives of the exercise: to ensure decision-making on the protection of workers, their family members, material and cultural values, archival documents in the conditions of a radiation situation; to check the readiness of civil defense forces and means; to clarify civil defense plans in the conditions of a radiation situation.

    In conclusion of his speech, Vladimir Glukhov congratulated the meeting participants on Russian Civil Defense Day, which is celebrated on October 4.

    The head of the SPbPU civil defense department, Aleksandr Palagin, explained that the training includes practicing the implementation of the university civil defense plan approved by the Ministry of Education and Science and the head of the SPbPU civil defense department, Andrey Rudskoy, as well as implementing measures to protect the population, material and cultural values, and archival documents in a radiation environment. The training is being held with the participation of the deputy head of the Kalininsky District Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg, Colonel of the Internal Service Konstantin Groshev and the head of the department of supervision and preventive work of the Kalininsky District Department of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the city of St. Petersburg, Major of the Internal Service Anastasia Oblizina.

    Leading engineer of the civil protection department of SPbPU Nikolay Peganov said that the causes of the radiation situation could be a nuclear strike or an accident at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, which would lead to possible irradiation of people and contamination of the area with radioactive substances. In the event of an accident at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, the zone of possible radioactive contamination would be 100 km, and the whole of St. Petersburg would be included in it. During the first 24 hours, unprotected people could receive a dose higher than the permissible norm. The work of organizations does not stop during this time, but measures are taken to protect the population.

    The main danger is internal radiation from radioactive iodine, which can enter the body simply by inhaling air. You can protect yourself by taking cover in the nearest shelter, fallout shelter, or in the subway. If there are none, then in the room where the person is, you need to seal all the windows and doors, if possible, turn on all sources of information and monitor the development of the situation. It is also necessary to carry out iodine prophylaxis. Currently, the university has purchased 1,300 individual anti-radiation civil protection systems for this purpose. There are also 3,000 respirators and 1,000 gas masks.

    Alexander Palagin provided information about the types of civil defense protective structures (ZSGO) and how they differ. There are three types: a simple shelter, an anti-radiation shelter, and a shelter that protects against nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. There are 12 shelters at the Polytechnic University: eight in the Kalininsky District (one in the GZ, four in the second professorial building, three in the 9th), and four in the Vyborgsky District (in the Lesnaya Student City). In order to maintain their working condition, four ZSGO maintenance units have been formed.

    Basements can also be used to accommodate staff and students.

    Leading engineer of the civil defense department Andrey Kruglov spoke about what the heads of non-staff civil defense formations should do in the conditions of a radiation situation.

    Vice-Rector for Security Alexey Sokolov summed up the results of the staff training and gave orders to prepare a report for the Ministry of Education and Science.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/student_life/trainings on-protection-from-radiation were held at the Polytechnic University/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: We invite you to the advanced track of the Acceleration program “Healthy Life Technologies 2.0”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The State University of Management and LAB Business Studio LLC are opening enrollment for the advanced track of the Healthy Life Technologies 2.0 Acceleration Program.

    Both students and graduates of Russian universities who completed their bachelor’s, specialist’s, master’s or postgraduate studies no earlier than 2022 are invited to participate.

    The advanced track program will have 3 key areas:

    Business model, competencies and pitch Market, data and analytics Thinking and readiness for responsibility

    Over the course of 6 weeks, participants will be able to check the completeness of the team and distribute areas of responsibility, focus the product on market needs, confirm the presence of a large market for the product, choose a suitable investment strategy, prepare a professional pitch deck and data room.

    Participation in the program is free. The number of places is limited.

    The accelerator will be held online, the in-person final will take place at the Boiling Point of the State University of Management on December 7, 2014.

    Applications are accepted until October 9 via the link. The decision on the team composition will be made on October 14, and the accelerator is scheduled to start on October 21, 2024.

    Additional information can be found on the official website of the project.

    The acceleration program is being implemented with the financial support of the ANO “National Technology Initiative Platform”.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/4/2024

    Технологии здоровой жизни 2.0»….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/yaSE_A58TI.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%b3%d0%bb%d0%b0%d1%88%d0%b0%d0%b5%d0%bc-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%b2%d0%b8%d0%bd%d1%83%d1%82%d1%8b%d0%b9-%d1%82%d1%80%d0%b5%d0%ba-%d0%b0%d0%ba%d1%81%d0%b5%d0%bb/”>

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    We invite you to the advanced track of the Acceleration program “Healthy Life Technologies 2.0”

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE to Expand Cooperation with Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Develop Advanced Solutions

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    The Higher School of Economics hosted the Day of Acquaintance between the University and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI). The parties presented their research and analytical projects and outlined areas for joint work. The task of scientists and experts is to increase efficiency and accelerate the implementation of breakthrough scientific developments in a wide range of areas – from economic forecasts to neuroprosthetics.

    First Vice-Rector, Director Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Leonid Gokhberg, opening the meeting, noted that the focus of the cooperation between the university and ASI is neurotechnology, development of regions and cities, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, etc. The university has strong teams of scientists in many disciplines, modern databases on various aspects of the country’s socio-economic development have been formed, Leonid Gokhberg emphasized. HSE teachers and research staff annually publish more than 3 thousand articles in leading world journals, including 40% of all Russian reports on artificial intelligence at international A* conferences, and also carry out more than 600 research projects.

    HSE is one of the most important partner universities for the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, which has the potential to develop breakthrough solutions, which is extremely important for ASI, said Georgy Belozerov, Deputy Director General of ASI. “We are not a financial institution, we do not allocate money, but we help overcome administrative barriers that can hinder the emergence and implementation of new initiatives,” he said. Georgy Belozerov believes that an important task of ASI is to identify and scale up successful regional practices and transfer advanced experience to other territories.

    During the meeting, representatives of ASI and HSE presented promising projects. Thus, Director of the Center for Creative Economy Development of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives Ekaterina Cherkes-zade believes that the creative economy can become one of the key drivers of the country’s development. “We are striving to build a new block of the economy so that artists in Russia are not hungry, so that creative industries influence the social sphere and related industries,” she said. Among the possible joint areas of work, Ekaterina Cherkes-zade highlighted strategies and forecasts for the development of creative industries until 2030 and 2036 and the creation of regulations aimed at stimulating the creative economy.

    Director of the ASI National Ratings Center Mikhail Utkin noted: “The main objective of our ratings is not to rank, but to offer the best solutions.” Currently, the center, in cooperation with the HSE, is improving methods in accordance with new challenges, including refining indicators and algorithms for their calculation. A promising task for joint efforts is the creation of an evidence-based information base.

    HSE representatives spoke about fundamental and applied projects. Director of the HSE ISSEK Center for Strategic Forecasting Mikhail Goland reported on the preparation of the report “Scenarios for the Development of the Russian Economy in the Context of Geopolitical Turbulence” dedicated to the analysis of possible scenarios for the development of key areas of the economy and social sphere for the period up to 2030-2036. The report is updated annually, it is registered as know-how, and access to it is provided under a license. A number of large state and private companies have already acquired the corresponding licenses. Along with the report, HSE specialists regularly prepare accompanying materials, including reviews of Russian and foreign forecasts, unique databases, specialized consensus forecasts based on a survey of more than 500 leading Russian experts, and quarterly reviews of the Russian economy and social sphere in 14 key areas. Access to all of this analytics is provided to businesses on a commercial basis.

    HSE Director for Regional Cooperation Natalia Ryazantseva recalled that HSE projects are being implemented in 62 regions of Russia. The university has implemented 250 urban and regional development projects, created integrated systems for monitoring and forecasting key indicators of the socio-economic development of regions and cities. They objectively reflect the development of entrepreneurship and human potential, demographic processes and the situation on the labor market. Particular attention was paid to projects for the integrated development of territories. Striking examples of the university’s developments were the renovation projects of Norilsk and the expansion of its green and park areas, as well as the creation of a health quarter on the basis of the National Center of Medicine in Yakutsk.

    Deputy Director of the HSE ISSEK Pavel Rudnik added: “Machine learning and big data analysis methods play an increasing role in our research on regional development. Thus, to assess a wide range of socio-economic development indicators in an automated mode, we actively use the ISSEK system for intelligent analysis of large volumes of dataiFORA“.

    Director Center “Russian Cluster Observatory” ISSEK HSE Evgeny Kutsenko reported that his team has been systematically studying innovations in regions and cities since 2012. Thus, in September of this year, the third issue was presented at the forum “Cloud Cities. Forum on the Future of BRICS Cities”Innovative attractiveness ranking of world cities — HSE Global Cities Innovation Index 2024, covering more than 1,000 agglomerations in 144 countries. By collecting data on 90 different indicators, it was possible to fully cover three areas: technological development, creative industries and the quality of the urban environment. Among the longest-running studies of the center, he also named the Rating of Innovative Development of Subjects of the Russian Federation, the 9th issue of which was published in August of this year. Among the landmark works, the Atlas of Economic Specialization of Russian Regions, the Rating of Creative Regions of Russia, reports on creative specializations of Russian cities, import dependence of Russian subjects and the potential for their cooperation with the EAEU countries in the industrial sphere, as well as monitoring of entrepreneurial activity were noted.

    Deputy Director Institute “Development Center” HSE University Sergey Smirnov reported that the institute is completing the development of a database of regional forecast indicators up to 2030, comparable with the overall forecast for Russia. The nowcasting method is used for current forecasts, and longer-term forecasts are developed based on the production function.

    Director Geodata Center Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technologies, National Research University Higher School of Economics Tatyana Aniskina spoke about the rating of regions by the level of climate risks, which assesses the risks and probability of natural disasters. Another major area was the assessment and support of climate projects aimed at increasing carbon absorption through afforestation.

    Director of the National Research University Higher School of Economics scientific research and development Igor Sokolov spoke about neurocognitive research, including the development of clinical neurotechnologies for preserving cognitive functions. Currently, the HSE neurocluster has an international team of researchers and unique scientific equipment, including an automated system of non-invasive brain stimulation with the ability to synchronously record brain biocurrents and eye movement. A system of evidence of the influence of the urban environment on the physical and mental health of residents is being developed, which will make it possible to develop indices of the psychological well-being of the city. HSE scientists have created a neuroorthosis based on the principles of neurofeedback to restore motor functions of the upper limb in children with congenital or traumatic motor disorders, allowing for faster return of arm and hand functions. These developments can be extended to adults. According to Igor Sokolov, it is necessary to develop proposals in cooperation with the ASI to change the legal regulation of experimental medicine, which, on the one hand, will make it possible to expand the clinical base for the development of technologies, and on the other, will allow people in need of the latest treatment methods to receive modern medical care. “Everything is done in accordance with the HSE motto ‘Not for school, but for life’,” he is confident.

    At the end of the meeting, Georgy Belozerov emphasized that many of HSE’s developments could become the basis for creating specific solutions, and proposed supplementing the cooperation plans and intensifying coordination in areas where HSE and ASI are conducting projects on similar topics. “The list of areas of our activity is not limited to the topics discussed today; during the discussion, I sketched out several dozen ideas. We have great potential for cooperation, and together with the agency team, we will continue to develop initiatives in the format of bilateral cooperation,” Leonid Gokhberg concluded.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.hse.ru/nevs/expertise/969586992.html

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK bolsters support to Lebanon

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    £10 million humanitarian package will support thousands of people who have been displaced and impacted by the conflict

    • The Foreign Secretary continues to work with his counterparts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
    • Comes as the UK Government has chartered more flights to help British nationals leave Lebanon

    The UK is boosting its humanitarian support for Lebanon with a further £10 million to respond to the mass displacement of people, as well as the growing number of civilian casualties.

    The funding comes as the UK continues to urge all British nationals to leave the country as soon as possible, and for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel. A ceasefire would provide the space necessary to find a political solution in line with Resolution 1701 and enable civilians on both sides to return to their homes.

    The aid package responds to serious concerns over a widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare. It will be delivered through trusted humanitarian organisations, who have a long-established presence delivering aid within Lebanon. 

    The announcement follows the £5 million humanitarian package delivered through UNICEF to support access to clean water and sanitation, health, and nutrition supplies.

    The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which the UK is the largest donor to, this week also allocated £7.6m to respond to the urgent conflict-related needs and displacement in Lebanon.

    Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, said: 

    The human cost of the conflict in Lebanon is clear for all to see. This additional funding from the UK will help to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, providing relief for people displaced by the continuing violence.

    This lifesaving aid is vital, but not a long-term solution. The only way to truly address the growing humanitarian crisis is an immediate ceasefire adhered to by both sides.

    We continue to urge British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately.

    The Government yesterday (3 October) announced that it is also chartering more flights to help British nationals leave Lebanon. More than 150 British nationals and dependants left Beirut on a government-chartered flight on Wednesday (2 October).

    British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document. Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more than 6 months.    

    The UK continues to work with partners to increase capacity on commercial flights for British nationals. Around 700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus for contingency planning.

    Defence Secretary John Healey travelled to Cyprus yesterday to meet and thank deployed military personnel.

    Background 

    • Today’s funding announcement comes from pre-existing Official Development Assistance budgets and is already accounted for. 

    • The UK is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in Lebanon, including refugees and Lebanese communities, with timely, flexible assistance to address basic needs and reduce suffering. 

    • The UK’s bilateral humanitarian support to Lebanon this financial year through the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme – including this £10 million – is focussed on:   

    • Supporting the most vulnerable refugee and Lebanese communities to meet their basic needs  

    • Providing essential education and child protection services to over 5,000 of the most vulnerable and marginalised out of school children and   

    • Supporting the Government of Lebanon to develop more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable social protection systems 

    • Through the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme, the UK is one of the largest donors to UN OCHA’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund which has allocated $14.7 million to a range of non-governmental organisations for preparedness and response to displacement.
    • In addition to the $10m announced this week, earlier this year a CERF allocation of $9 million was released to support UN partners response to the rising needs in Southern Lebanon.   
    • $2.2 million Education Cannot Wait (ECW) funding has been released to support 5,000 children affected by the crisis. The UK is the second largest donor to ECW.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Slavic Horizon: Polytechnic and KRSU Joined Forces

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On September 26, the Polytechnic University hosted the second summit of Slavic universities “Slavic Horizon – 2024”, where SPbPU and KRSU signed agreements on nine network educational programs in the following areas: infocommunication technologies and communication systems, electronics and nanoelectronics, instrumentation, electric power engineering, mechanics, architectural environment design, software engineering, construction, technosphere safety.

    This year, 30 KRSU students have already started a long-term internship under this agreement. The guys shared their impressions of studying at the Polytechnic.

    Daniel Kutmanov, a student at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity majoring in software engineering, is a volunteer and organizer of a youth initiative dedicated to helping children with disabilities.

    We had events where children played basketball and volleyball, which helped them escape from everyday life through sports. When selecting students for the Polytechnic, the average score and social achievements were taken into account. When I arrived in St. Petersburg, I was pleasantly surprised. It is a very beautiful city, I like it here. I was also impressed by the reputation of the Polytechnic, I am glad to be in one of the best international universities in Russia, – said Daniel Kutmanov.

    Daniel’s classmate Anatoly Toropov has visited St. Petersburg several times as a tourist, and is now doing an internship at a leading engineering university in Russia.

    All teachers have a unique style. Some use interactive methods, involving students in discussions and group projects, which helps to deepen the understanding of the topic. Others prefer a traditional approach, focusing on lectures and theoretical aspects. Their passion for the subject and desire to inspire students create an atmosphere of trust and openness, where we can freely share our thoughts and ask questions, – Anatoly noted.

    Baigeldi Musaev studies at the Institute of Civil Engineering of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

    At first, studying was intense because our knowledge differs from the level of training of polytechnics. The study programs in St. Petersburg begin with what we study only by the end of the second year. But over time, we began to adapt and build a schedule so as to catch up with our classmates. St. Petersburg is an amazing city, and our new friends give us excursions. Now I feel part of this community and am glad to have the opportunity to study here, – shared Baigeldi.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/international_activize/Slavic-horizon-polytech-and-krsu-joined-efforts/

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK commits additional £10 million of aid to Lebanon

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    £10 million humanitarian package will support thousands of people who have been displaced and impacted by the conflict

    • The Foreign Secretary continues to work with his counterparts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
    • Comes as the UK Government has chartered more flights to help British nationals leave Lebanon

    The UK is boosting its humanitarian support for Lebanon with a further £10 million to respond to the mass displacement of people, as well as the growing number of civilian casualties.

    The funding comes as the UK continues to urge all British nationals to leave the country as soon as possible, and for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel. A ceasefire would provide the space necessary to find a political solution in line with Resolution 1701 and enable civilians on both sides to return to their homes.

    The aid package responds to serious concerns over a widespread lack of shelter, and reduced access to clean water, hygiene and healthcare. It will be delivered through trusted humanitarian organisations, who have a long-established presence delivering aid within Lebanon. 

    The announcement follows the £5 million humanitarian package delivered through UNICEF to support access to clean water and sanitation, health, and nutrition supplies.

    The UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which the UK is the largest donor to, this week also allocated £7.6m to respond to the urgent conflict-related needs and displacement in Lebanon.

    Anneliese Dodds, Minister of State for Development and Minister of State for Women and Equalities, said: 

    The human cost of the conflict in Lebanon is clear for all to see. This additional funding from the UK will help to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation, providing relief for people displaced by the continuing violence.

    This lifesaving aid is vital, but not a long-term solution. The only way to truly address the growing humanitarian crisis is an immediate ceasefire adhered to by both sides.

    We continue to urge British nationals in Lebanon to leave immediately.

    The Government yesterday (3 October) announced that it is also chartering more flights to help British nationals leave Lebanon. More than 150 British nationals and dependants left Beirut on a government-chartered flight on Wednesday (2 October).

    British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document. Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more than 6 months.    

    The UK continues to work with partners to increase capacity on commercial flights for British nationals. Around 700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus for contingency planning.

    Defence Secretary John Healey travelled to Cyprus yesterday to meet and thank deployed military personnel.

    Background 

    • Today’s funding announcement comes from pre-existing Official Development Assistance budgets and is already accounted for. 

    • The UK is committed to supporting the most vulnerable in Lebanon, including refugees and Lebanese communities, with timely, flexible assistance to address basic needs and reduce suffering. 

    • The UK’s bilateral humanitarian support to Lebanon this financial year through the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme – including this £10 million – is focussed on:   

    • Supporting the most vulnerable refugee and Lebanese communities to meet their basic needs  

    • Providing essential education and child protection services to over 5,000 of the most vulnerable and marginalised out of school children and   

    • Supporting the Government of Lebanon to develop more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable social protection systems 

    • Through the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme, the UK is one of the largest donors to UN OCHA’s Lebanon Humanitarian Fund which has allocated $14.7 million to a range of non-governmental organisations for preparedness and response to displacement.
    • In addition to the $10m announced this week, earlier this year a CERF allocation of $9 million was released to support UN partners response to the rising needs in Southern Lebanon.   
    • $2.2 million Education Cannot Wait (ECW) funding has been released to support 5,000 children affected by the crisis. The UK is the second largest donor to ECW.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ASEAN convenes 45th ASOD and Related Meetings

    Source: ASEAN

    The 45th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD) and Its Related Meetings, which included six ASOD + Dialogue Partner(s) Consultations, namely with Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Russia and Plus Three, were held via videoconference on 3-4 October 2024. The Meetings were attended by the ASOD Leaders of all ASEAN Member States, Dialogue Partners and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. Timor-Leste attended as Observer. The Meetings were preceded by meetings of the five ASOD Working Groups (WG), namely on Preventive Education, Treatment and Rehabilitation, Law Enforcement, Research and Alternative Development, that were held on 2 October 2024. The series of meetings discussed, among others, the latest drug situation, emerging trends, best practices and potential cooperation against illicit drugs in the region.

    The post ASEAN convenes 45th ASOD and Related Meetings appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Additional tickets and performances for two highlight programmes of 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival arranged due to overwhelming response (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    　　The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival (the Festival) will roll out a wide variety of fabulous programmes in the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area from October 19 to November 24. An enthusiastic public response caused tickets for the Opening Programme “Sound River” to be sold out earlier, while tickets for the Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre are also in high demand. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has announced that additional tickets and performances will be arranged respectively for the two programmes for the enjoyment of local audiences and tourists. The tickets will be available for sale from October 9 (Wednesday) onwards.
     
    　　The Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Details on additional tickets and performances are as follows:
     
    Additional tickets of Opening Programme “Sound River”
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    　　Additional tickets for seats with restricted views or those originally reserved for technical purposes will be available on the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk), by the mobile app URBTIX and telephone (3166 1288). Each person can purchase a maximum of two tickets each time. Programme information is as follows:
     
    Date and time: October 19, 2024 (Saturday), 8pm
    Venue:    Hong Kong Coliseum, Hung Hom
    Prices:    $75 (special offer celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China)
     
    　　”Sound River” is a new work produced by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. Under Tan’s baton, the concert features the newly formed Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra comprising members from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra, and Macao Orchestra to perform the world premiere of the work. Sixteen meticulously crafted films capturing precious snapshots during Tan’s journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in the past 12 years, will be screened during the performance. Through interweaving light, shadows and music, the work immerses the audience onto a “Silk Road of sound” that explores the past and future. The programme will also feature distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest to deliver the theme song.
     
    　　For programme enquiries and related additional ticket arrangements, please call 2734 2960 or visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/sound-river.
     
    Additional performances of the Dance Drama “Wing Chun” Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre
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    　　Tickets for the two additional performances will be available at all URBTIX outlets, self-service ticketing kiosks, on the URBTIX website (www.urbtix.hk), by the mobile app URBTIX and telephone (3166 1288). Each person can purchase a maximum of four tickets each time on the first day of ticket sales. Information of the two additional performances are as follows:
     
    Date and time: November 23, 2024 (Saturday), 2.30pm
    　　　　　　　　November 24, 2024 (Sunday), 7.30pm
    Venue: Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
    Prices: $200, $320, $420, $520 and $620
     
    　　The dance drama “Wing Chun” was written by the Chairman of the China Dancers Association, Feng Shuangbai, and co-directed by acclaimed Mainland choreographers Han Zhen and Zhou Liya. The performance integrates martial arts with classical and modern dance, providing audiences with a captivating visual experience. This special edition of “Wing Chun” features a Hong Kong production team and artists, bringing new elements to the original performance. Hong Kong conductor Fung Ka-hing will lead local orchestra The Symphonic Pops in an accompaniment. Huang Danyang, a graduate from the School of Dance of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will also take part in the performance. In addition, renowned Hong Kong singer George Lam was invited to produce a new theme song titled “Wing Chun” for the dance drama. He produced, composed, and sung the song, with lyrics by Keith Chan.
     
    　　For programme enquiries and related additional performance arrangements, please call 2734 2960 or http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/wing-chun-special-edition.
     
    　　Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region, and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.      

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of the State University of Management were told about the nuances of implementing state and municipal programs

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 1, 2024, a master class was held at the State University of Management with Professor, Deputy Governor of the Oryol Region, Head of the Representative Office of the Oryol Region to the Government of the Russian Federation Alexander Biryukov on the topic “State and Municipal Projects and Programs”.

    The event was held as part of a series of open lectures with invited speakers, organized by the Department of Project Management. The participants of the meeting were 2nd-year students of the Master’s program “Project and Program Management”.

    During the master class, Alexander Biryukov spoke about the experience of using various methods of project and program management in the development of the Oryol region, about the specifics of planning and change management in the implementation of state and municipal programs.

    The speaker provided a comparative analysis of the approach to implementing projects in the Belgorod, Kaluga and Oryol regions, and examined examples of implementing a portfolio of PPP projects in the field of agriculture.

    At the end of the event, a discussion with the students took place, during which Alexander Petrovich spoke about the specifics of interaction with various stakeholder groups, with state and federal authorities, and also answered questions about the implementation and planning of projects in an unstable environment using the example of the Belgorod Region.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10/4/2024

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Students of the State University of Management were told about the nuances of implementing state and municipal programs

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL OSI Russia News –