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  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s statement on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands:

    “On May 5, 1945, occupying German forces in the Netherlands surrendered to the Allies, ending five years under the brutal Nazi regime. The Canadian First Army played a central role in defeating the enemy, engaging in fierce battles to remove the occupiers village by village, town by town, canal by canal. Joyous crowds of civilians cheered Canadian troops as the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague were finally liberated.

    “The Dutch also endured a deliberate famine known as the Hunger Winter, during which about 20,000 Dutch people died. With liberation, Canadians and our allies delivered food and other provisions to a grateful people.

    “Canada also provided refuge for the Dutch royal family during the Second World War. During their stay, the Canadian government temporarily declared an Ottawa hospital ward to be extraterritorial land in 1943 so Princess Juliana’s third daughter, Princess Margriet, could be born as a Dutch national. Princess Margriet is scheduled to visit Ottawa later this month to take part in commemorative events, including officially opening the famous Canadian Tulip Festival, which helps keep alive the memory of Canada’s role in liberating her homeland.

    “Our two nations forged lasting bonds from that wartime experience. Many Dutch people immigrated to Canada after the war, including more than 1,800 war brides, leaving their devastated homeland to start new lives in a new nation.

    “The connection between our peoples endures eight decades later. Along with strong commercial ties, the people of the Netherlands have never forgotten the sacrifices made by Canadians in freeing their country from fascist tyranny. Every Christmas Eve, local schoolchildren light a candle for every fallen soldier at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery and the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.

    “The liberation came at a terrible price. More than 7,600 Canadian soldiers, sailors and airmen died in the eight-month campaign to free the Netherlands from Nazi oppression.

    “Today, symbols of the friendship between Canada and the Netherlands can be found across our land. In Victoria, the Netherlands Centennial Carillon with its 62 bells was a gift from British Columbia’s Dutch community to celebrate Canada’s Centennial in 1967.

    “May the ties between our two democratic and peace-loving countries strengthen in an age when authoritarianism is once again on the rise. And may we never forget the sacrifice required to defeat those forces. Lest we forget.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Keynote address by President Pierre Tremblay at the 2025 Canadian Nuclear Association conference

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 17, 2025 

    – Check against delivery –

    Introduction 

    Good morning, everyone. 

    Thank you, Jill, for that kind introduction.  

    Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered here today in Ottawa on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe peoples. 

    I respectfully recognize the relationship that First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples have with the land and waters that all Canadians live in and enjoy. Please take a moment to reflect and offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Nations and communities who are the traditional caretakers of these lands and waters. 

    As mentioned, I am Pierre Tremblay, President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, or CNSC, and I couldn’t be happier to be speaking to you today on behalf of the regulator.  

    My 40 years in Canada’s nuclear sector have been very rewarding. My career has given me a deep appreciation and respect for the people who work in the sector and their shared focus on safety and the culture that supports it.   

    For my remarks this morning, I will share my perspective on the nuclear landscape here in Canada – both our focused oversight of the existing fleet and our readiness to regulate new nuclear. 

    I also want to provide updates on how the CNSC is working to become more efficient in delivering its priorities. And finally, I will offer my thoughts on furthering our own engagement efforts and strengthening trust with all people in Canada – as well as our expectations of industry and proponents.   

    Nuclear in Canada

    This is an important and interesting time for Canada’s nuclear sector – we must step up and face the moment.  

    We recognize the sector will continue to evolve and we will continue to be ready to regulate and respond to advancements without compromising safety. 

    As the regulator, we are expected to continue our efforts to manage regulatory burden, expedite reviews and maintain a competent and talented workforce, innovating and leveraging new techniques, approaches and technologies to find even greater efficiencies.  

    As we do all of this, we will never compromise on safety. The industry must do the same. Together, we can all ensure the deployment of safe nuclear projects. 

    While Canada’s nuclear sector is complex and changing, the continued safe operations of the existing fleet is paramount and fulfilling our mandate and delivering on our important job here at home remains my top priority.  

    We also need to continue to ensure readiness to regulate new technologies and approaches. The CNSC is committed to reviewing and regulating safe nuclear projects in Canada, including new reactors, large and small. 

    That is why we value our strong relationships with international partners such as the US NRC and the United Kingdom’s ONR.  

    And why we are heartened to know they are equally committed and value our ongoing collaboration. 

    There is a drive to build new nuclear and expand infrastructure in support of the growing electricity market; this includes, for example, the appropriate extraction of minerals.  

    Luckily, the CNSC as a life cycle regulator is an extremely capable organization. But the responsibility does not sit with us alone. We need others to engage meaningfully. Only then will the sector move forward. 

    New nuclear

    From my perspective at the regulator, Canada’s nuclear sector continues to be one of this country’s strengths. The mechanisms and tools are in place. But there is a need to embrace the moment. 

    Now, what do I mean by this? 

    More provinces are now looking at carbon-free technologies. Nuclear is naturally seeing more interest. 

    This includes the potential for new units in Ontario and New Brunswick. We are also seeing the sector expand to include new provinces and sites in Saskatchewan and Alberta. 

    On April 4, the Commission issued a Nuclear Power Reactor Construction licence to Ontario Power Generation to construct 1 General Electric Hitachi BWRX-300 reactor at its Darlington New Nuclear Project site in Clarington, Ontario.

    This is the first power reactor licence to construct that the CNSC has issued in its 25 years. And actually, the first power reactor licence to construct in Canada in over 50 years.  

    The CNSC will continue to work with all provincial partners to ensure regulatory clarity and efficiency. 

    With this evolution in the sector, the concept of the traditional nuclear host community in Canada is evolving along with the technology. This requires a change in how the CNSC informs and engages with all people in Canada, a need to continue to modernize our regulatory framework, and a willingness to evolve together. 

    The CNSC at its core 

    This gets to the heart of the CNSC – how we operate, what our priorities and focus are. All of these considerations are essential to the nuclear sector in Canada.  

    The CNSC is a globally recognized, mature nuclear regulator, with all the governance needed to provide strong regulatory oversight. 

    Whether this is working alone or in collaboration the CNSC is willing to evolve and work to improve the regulatory framework and identify efficiencies.  

    Collaboration and regulatory efficiency

    We are open to recognizing and altering how we achieve our goal to ensure the safety of all people in Canada.  

    While we will never reduce our high standards for safety and security that we have established, we recognize there may be different ways to get the same result. And this is where we remain open.

    It is not for me or the CNSC to tell industry how to pivot, but as technology continues to evolve and the sector continues to modernize, there are opportunities to revisit how we work together.  

    Remote monitoring and access to data is something industry is – and should be – considering. Remote access supports efficiency, as the regulator can access more real-time information. 

    The CNSC will evolve along with the sector. We welcome the suggestions and will engage in a meaningful way to identify improvements. 

    But improvement begins at home, and the review of the CNSC’s regulatory framework identified an opportunity to ensure clarity of requirements for SMRs, such as ensuring we are using a technology-neutral, risk-informed, performance-based approach.

    We recognize and are committed to ensuring that our regulations are risk-informed and set out clear performance objectives.  

    For example, exploring amendments to the Nuclear Security Regulations that respond to changes in security threats and adapt to technological advancements.  

    The CNSC as a lifecycle regulator is committed to delivering effective and timely regulatory decisions for nuclear projects. 

    SMRs and other advances in technology continue to afford us the ability to identify challenges and turn them into opportunities to modernize and evolve.

    CNSC readiness 

    I have already mentioned that we are refocusing our energies here at home – there is a need to focus on mission critical and safety significant issues in our existing nuclear fleet, and to be efficient and timely in our work. 

    This of course must be balanced with a readiness for new technologies, techniques and activities – all of which require us to conduct meaningful engagement and consultation with the Indigenous Nations and communities whose rights and interests may be impacted by nuclear activities.  

    Delivering on this considerable agenda means that talent management is vital to ensure that we have the capacity to support our work. 

    This capacity comes from a diverse workforce. We know from experience that our workplace is stronger, better and more capable when it is diverse. We remain unabashedly committed to diversity in the workplace. 

    That is why the CNSC continues to focus efforts on supporting diversity across the nuclear sector. 2025 will see our third Indigenous Girls in STEM workshop, which provides Indigenous girls an inclusive space to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM subjects. The workshop enables them to do so in a way that weaves together learning with Indigenous culture, knowledge and traditions.

    Diverse voices are vital to fostering innovation and lead to better decision-making and better safety outcomes. Complex challenges like those we face in the nuclear sector require varied perspectives. 

    The path to positive results

    I will now offer my thoughts on how we further our engagement efforts and strengthen trust with all people in Canada – this, I believe, is the recipe for success.   

    We are committed to continuing our collaboration, engagement and consultation with Indigenous Nations and communities in support of advancing reconciliation. The CNSC is also committed to engaging with the public and interested parties as part of improving our regulatory processes. 

    We remain flexible and open minded around how we execute our mandate and our requirements. This will enable us to find new ways of working that serve all involved – and we will never compromise on safety.  

    Barriers need to be removed, support and capacity provided and a commitment to meaningful engagement. All of this will allow us to address the key challenges to meaningful engagement, finding tangible solutions to enable an effective path forward for advancing reconciliation. 

    Meaningful engagement and inclusion of Indigenous peoples in relation to the nuclear sector is something that the whole of Government and the nuclear sector must be committed to and actively support. 

    There are a number of examples across the nuclear sector where we have seen some promising relationship-building and partnerships. 

    One such example is the Neya Wabun Guardian Program established through the long-term relationship agreement between the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation or AOPFN, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, AECL and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, CNL. 

    This program establishes an AOPFN monitoring presence at Chalk River Laboratories, enabling reporting back to their leadership. The environmental monitoring program weaves together science with Indigenous Knowledge and values which is an important step towards reconciliation. 

    AOPFN have been willing to engage meaningfully and are working hard to the benefit of their nation and community.  

    The equity partnership between the Saugeen Ojibway Nation or SON and Bruce Power supports the global fight against cancer and provides new economic opportunities within SON Territory, including an equity stake and a revenue-sharing program benefiting the community directly.

    It is important to highlight these partnerships that provide many groups – Indigenous Nations and communities, environmentalists, community members – with access and opportunities to participate.  

    At the CNSC we have made material changes to demonstrate that we are listening and responding to the interests and concerns of rights holders. 

    For example, during our part two hearing for OPG’s application for a licence to construct an SMR at the Darlington site – the Darlington New Nuclear Project, we listened, heard and learned, which led to important and impactful changes to this proceeding that demonstrated inclusivity and recognition of the rights holders. 

    We changed the physical layout of the room by removing the standard stage under the Commission, so we were all on the same level. The Commission also benefitted from the time that was dedicated for Indigenous ceremony, song and prayer. 

    These efforts enhanced the experience of all hearing participants, resulting in a more inclusive and collaborative environment, which in turn serves to continuously strengthen trust.  

    The Commission has also revised its practices, addressing feedback from rights holders and providing more time to ensure the perspectives of rights holders are heard. 

    It is also focused on transparency in its hearing process. Understanding that the public is entitled to hearing information and documentation and that such transparency serves to build and maintain trust in the regulatory process.  

    We must do more. And we are committed to doing more.

    The CNSC remains committed to consultation, engagement and collaboration with Indigenous Nations and communities.  

    This is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act or “UNDA”, which was passed by Canadian Parliament in 2021.

    UNDA requires the development and implementation of an action plan in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples. It also requires we ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the UN Declaration. 

    In addition to supporting the Action Plan efforts, the CNSC actively works to establish long-term relationships with Indigenous Nations, supporting capacity building, enabling studies and data gathering through our funding programs, and collaborating on monitoring and oversight activities, joint assessments and reporting to the Commission.

    Recently, the Federal Court of Canada issued its decision on the Judicial Review application brought by Kebaowek First Nation, KFN, challenging the Commission’s authorization to CNL to construct a Near Surface Disposal Facility.  

    This decision recognizes the CNSC’s “broad, inclusive approach to consultation” and finds that the Commission’s decision concerning the impacts of the proposed NSDF is reasonable. The Court also directed CNL and the CNSC to resume consultation with KFN with a view to implementing the UNDRIP free, prior and informed consent standard 

    There is a need for us to better understand from the perspective of Indigenous Nations and communities what free, prior and informed consent means to them. We need to better understand these perspectives so that we can work together to move forward.  

    All of this is an example of how we are evolving to address the ever-changing landscape. 

    In short, we’re doing our part and expect industry to do the same.  

    Conclusion

    We are at a critical juncture in history. And we have lots to do.  

    The CNSC will be here making sure that safety remains top of mind for everyone. 

    And we will continue to work hard to provide clarity on our expectations and requirements. In return, we expect everyone else to engage and to deliver as well.  

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Recognizing May 5-10 For Safety and Health Week

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 5, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is recognizing May 5-10 as Safety and Health Week in Saskatchewan. 

    “This week is a time to focus on the role each of us can play in creating safe, healthy workplaces and communities,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter said. “There is always more work to be done in building a safer Saskatchewan.”

    Safety and Health Week, formerly known as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, began in 1997 and is observed annually in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The purpose of the day is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

    Visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s website for more information and tools and resources for safety and health in the workplace.

    The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety fosters safe, healthy and productive workplaces for Saskatchewan through education, intervention and enforcement.

                                                                                                                             -30-

    For more information, contact:

    Shane Seilman
    Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
    Regina
    Phone: 306-520-2705
    Email: shane.seilman2@gov.sk.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Celebrating Early Childhood Education Month by Supporting Early Childhood Educators

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 5, 2025

    The month of May has been proclaimed as Early Childhood Education Month in Saskatchewan and May 14th has been proclaimed as Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Appreciation Day. 

    The month provides an opportunity to celebrate and thank the thousands of dedicated professionals who play a significant role in creating and implementing programs that support the physical, social-emotional and intellectual development of children in Saskatchewan.

    To continue building skill and capacity in this profession, the Government of Saskatchewan has updated the Child Care Licensee’s Manual to provide more opportunity for ECE’s by providing all regulated child care facilities two days per licensing year for professional development. 

    In addition to this update, to align with the requirements for family and group home child care operators, changes introduced to The Child Care (Grants) Amendment Regulations, 2025, will require all staff working in child care centres to complete a minimum of six hours of professional development annually. 

    “I am proud to proclaim May as Early Childhood Education month and May 14th as Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Day to celebrate and recognize all that they do for Saskatchewan families,” Education Minister Everrett Hindley said. “We have heard from the sector that there is limited time for staff to carry out planning and learning together. In support of our ECE’s, these additional two days for professional development will further provide Saskatchewan ECEs opportunities to build their knowledge and to stay on top of best practices that support children’s growth and development.”

    “Early childhood educators are the heart of our child care system,” Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association Interim Executive Director Ashley Elgert said. “Every day, they show up with care, creativity and deep commitment to the children and families they support. We are pleased to see the ministry respond to what we and others in the sector have long advocated for – dedicated time for professional development. These changes are a meaningful step forward in valuing ECEs and investing in their continued growth, while recognizing the essential role they play in Saskatchewan communities.”

    Early childhood educators are critical to an expanded, high quality regulated child care system and work in regulated child care centres and homes, Prekindergarten classrooms, the Early Childhood Intervention Program and Early Years Family Resource Centres. 

    In the coming weeks, Saskatchewan residents will see a public awareness campaign focused on a career in early childhood education and the role they play in shaping young minds during their most formative years. Learn more by visiting: www.saskatchewan.ca/early-childhood-educator.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Heelstone Renewable Energy, a Qualitas Energy company, acquires renewable development portfolio from Valor Infrastructure Partners (“VIP”) and appoints new CEO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • The transaction includes the acquisition of VIP’s portfolio of greenfield solar and onshore wind projects located in the Southwest and Western regions of the United States
    • Mike Weich, former CEO of VIP, will assume the role of CEO at Heelstone Renewable Energy (“Heelstone”)
    • This acquisition represents another milestone in Heelstone’s strategic expansion into a fully integrated renewable energy independent power producer (IPP)

    DURHAM, N.C., May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heelstone Renewable Energy (“Heelstone”), a premier U.S. utility-scale renewable energy platform, has acquired the wind and solar development assets and the team of Valor Infrastructure Partners (“VIP”), a renewable energy company based in Palm Beach, Florida. This transaction marks Heelstone’s first acquisition since its purchase in May 2024 by Qualitas Energy, a leading global investment and management platform with a dual focus on both funding and developing renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure.

    The acquired portfolio of development-stage projects includes a number of early-stage onshore wind projects in the Western region of the country, as well as an advanced-stage solar PV project in Texas, which has an expected installed capacity of 190 MWp and a targeted commercial operation date (COD) between 2027 and 2028, subject to development progress.

    As part of the transaction, eleven experienced professionals from VIP will join Heelstone’s team, bringing deep expertise across onshore renewables—including solar, wind, and battery storage. Among them are Mike Weich, former CEO of VIP, who will assume the role of CEO at Heelstone, and Daryl Hart, former Chief Development Officer of VIP, who will take on same role at Heelstone.

    Heelstone, headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, now comprises around 60 professionals whose capabilities span the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects. The team brings a robust understanding of the U.S. market landscape, backed by extensive experience in project execution.

    With a portfolio of over 5 GW and a track record that has been built over more than a decade, Heelstone continues to grow as a premier renewable energy development platform. Under the ownership of Qualitas Energy, the company is evolving into a fully integrated IPP and reinforcing its intention to become a market leader in developing, de-risking, and executing renewable energy projects. This acquisition marks a significant step forward in that objective, as it will expand the company’s capabilities, technology focus, and geographic reach.

    Alejandro Ciruelos, Partner and Country Head USA at Qualitas Energy said: “Heelstone’s resilient business model and solid fundamentals provide a strong foundation for long-term growth. The integration of VIP’s team and select assets enhances our platform, combining best-in-class capabilities with a maturing project pipeline. With this strengthened position, Heelstone is ready to capitalise on strategic opportunities—both organically and through acquisitions—at a pivotal moment for the renewable energy industry, where high-quality execution is key to success.”

    Mike Weich, CEO at Heelstone Renewable Energy, added: “I’m honored to lead Heelstone at such an exciting time for the company. With the support of Qualitas Energy and the addition of the VIP team, we’re well-equipped to expand our footprint and accelerate the delivery of high-quality renewable energy projects. Together, we’re building a stronger, more agile platform ready to meet the growing demand for clean energy across the U.S.”

    About Heelstone Renewable Energy
    Heelstone Renewable Energy, LLC (Heelstone) is a leading solar and storage independent power producer with expertise in development, construction, and operation. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Heelstone has extensive knowledge of project finance and a proven track record from over a decade in bringing utility-scale solar projects to fruition. Heelstone continues to add to its development pipeline and operating portfolio as it expands its presence in markets across the United States. For more information, visit www.heelstoneenergy.com.

    About Qualitas Energy
    Qualitas Energy is a leading global investment and management platform with a dual focus on both funding and developing renewable energy, energy transition, and sustainable infrastructure.

    Since 2006, the Qualitas Energy team has managed investments of over €14 billion in renewable energies worldwide. These investments have been deployed through five vehicles: Fotowatio / FRV, Vela Energy, Qualitas Energy III, Qualitas Energy IV, and Qualitas Energy V.

    Qualitas Energy’s existing portfolio currently comprises over 11 GW of operating and development energy assets across Spain, Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Chile, and the United States. This includes 7 GWp of solar PV, 4 GW of wind energy, 242 MW of concentrated solar power (CSP), 136 MW of battery storage, 66 MW of hydroelectric power, and 1.9 TWh of biomethane.

    Qualitas Energy has produced enough energy to supply 1.2 million homes and has successfully avoided the emission of 1 million metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent since 2022.

    The Qualitas Energy team is composed of more than 540 professionals across fifteen offices in Madrid, Berlin, London, Milan, Hamburg, Wiesbaden, Trier, Cologne, Stuttgart, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Santiago, Durham, Bristol, and Edinburgh.

    Please visit qualitasenergy.com for further information.

    Media contacts
    Henar Hernández
    Global Head of Communications
    henar.hernandez@qenergy.com
    +34 697 11 68 72

    Headland qualitas@headlandconsultancy.com +44 7435 546304 | +44 7311 369929

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b408bdd9-6bd6-41fb-8e09-4615cffe2648

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Investing in agriculture reduces poverty and inequality: economic model finds the best funding mix for 10 African countries

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria

    Africa faces challenges in reducing extreme poverty and inequality. In 2024, 8.5% of the global population was living in extreme poverty (that is, on less than US$2.15 a day). Nearly 67% of these people were living in sub-Saharan Africa.

    To tackle these significant issues of poverty and inequality, it is essential to identify the locations of the most impoverished individuals. This enables investments to focus on generating growth and productivity that are both inclusive of poor people and sustainable.

    About 70% of the poor in sub-Saharan Africa live in rural areas. Most (65% to 70%) are employed in agriculture. Agriculture also contributes 30%-40% to the gross domestic product (GDP).

    Despite its importance, agriculture is underfunded. African countries don’t have enough of their own resources to finance agriculture, and external funding is becoming more scarce.

    The region thus desperately needs an innovative plan to finance agriculture for economic development.

    In a recent study we analysed
    how different ways of funding agricultural investment would affect inclusive growth and the wider economy in 10 African countries. Raising taxes, cutting budgets and external support were the different funding options we explored.

    We created economic models that would help countries with tight budgets understand the trade-offs and choose the best options.

    Our study found that investing more in agriculture – especially with external financing – was best at raising incomes and reducing poverty, particularly in rural areas. External funding avoids the higher costs of domestic financing. But a mix of both is also effective.

    Regardless of the country, all financing options resulted in increased rural incomes, reducing poverty and hunger. This shows that investment in agriculture has a positive impact both nationally and in rural contexts.

    The model

    Our paper uses an economic simulation model which looks at the big picture and also at more detail. It works out how changes in agricultural spending affect people’s lives (in terms of their income and expenditure) as well as the overall economy.

    The countries studied were Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Rwanda, Gabon, Malawi, eSwatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. We chose them based on the availability and accessibility of the data required.

    The model worked out the results of different financing strategies:

    • Increase in taxes (direct ones like household income and property tax or indirect ones like VAT or sales tax). The idea is that spending more on agriculture would be compensated for by higher tax revenues. These would come from households’ growing income and property taxes.

    • Reduction in non-agricultural investment spending. Here, the proportion of government investment dedicated to agriculture remains fixed. So there has to be less investment elsewhere.

    • Increase in government external borrowing or development assistance.

    Key findings

    We found that external financing boosted both national and rural incomes the most. But variations in the exchange rate may trigger an increase in domestic prices and a subsequent decline in export volumes. That could make a country less competitive economically.

    Despite this, the associated costs are generally lower than those of internal financing, aside from Mozambique’s rural income results.

    Between the two internal financing mechanisms tested, the option of reducing non-agricultural investment raised both national income and rural income in all countries except eSwatini.

    So that option should play a key role along with external financing.

    This finding is encouraging for fiscally constrained countries as the modelling showed that domestic financing improved the countries’ agency in sustainable growth.

    In a final modelling phase, the models explored how the policy interventions could transform poverty and inequality outcomes. They did this by following the intricate interplay of income and price dynamics. After a surge in agricultural investments following the policy scenarios, the findings showed a more pronounced reduction in poverty and inequality rates across all nations. There was one notable outlier — Angola. In Angola, investments channelled into the services sector have sparked the most substantial decreases in poverty and inequality, driven by the deep interconnectivity between services and its expansive oil industry.

    Even a small increase in public investment led to a clear drop in poverty, with agriculture investments having the biggest impact, followed by industry and services. Malawi showed the most substantial reduction in poverty. There were also noticeable effects in Rwanda, Botswana, eSwatini and Angola.

    Other countries showed mild impacts, maintaining low poverty levels.

    What can be done

    Scenario modelling can offer valuable insights for policy making because it is forward-looking. It also highlights the implications of strategic priorities.

    The study’s findings show that to achieve inclusive economic growth, countries should aggressively invest in agriculture, using a mix of external and domestic fiscal sources.

    On the back of the findings we made the following proposals.

    African governments are dependent on development aid because of limited domestic finances and weak growth prospects. This gets in the way of their ability to raise funds in the markets. However, if concessional financing is attainable and exchange rate impacts are controllable, external financing should remain a preferable option for financing agriculture investments.

    In the medium term, governments must focus on:

    • cutting unproductive non-agricultural spending

    • eliminating waste

    • ensuring cost-effectiveness.

    Savings should be redirected to agriculture.

    Over the medium term, there should be a focus on reforming tax policies. Direct and indirect taxes should be increased to fund agricultural investment. But maintaining transparency in using tax revenues is crucial. This encourages public support and local ownership of tax reforms by demonstrating their benefits.

    In the long term, governments should synchronise national development plans with ambitious agricultural growth initiatives.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Investing in agriculture reduces poverty and inequality: economic model finds the best funding mix for 10 African countries – https://theconversation.com/investing-in-agriculture-reduces-poverty-and-inequality-economic-model-finds-the-best-funding-mix-for-10-african-countries-252820

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 30 years of free basic education in Ghana: a report card

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Pearl S. Kyei, Senior lecturer, University of Ghana

    Ghana, like many sub-Saharan Africa countries, began investing substantially in free education three decades ago. This led to an increase in the number of children that attend primary school. But what has the impact been on learning outcomes?

    The Conversation Africa spoke to demographer Pearl Kyei, who, with economists Fred Dzanku and Samuel Annim, has researched population literacy and numeracy in Ghana after three decades of free education.

    How long has Ghana offered free basic education?

    Ghana introduced what it calls the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme in 1994. This meant that families could send children to public schools without paying school fees. In 2005, it introduced the Capitation Grant Scheme to further reduce financial barriers to education and increase access. The grant was to discourage schools from charging unapproved fees and levies to make up for the lost tuition fees.

    Basic education in Ghana currently covers the pre-primary, primary and lower secondary levels. Pre-primary involves two years of kindergarten (for ages 4 and 5 years), primary is six years (for ages 6 to 11 years), and lower secondary is three years of junior high school (for ages 12 to 14 years). After junior high school, students have the option to continue to senior high, technical or vocational school (for ages 15 to 17 years).

    Several other countries on the continent, such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, have put in place free basic education policies too. This is due to the adoption of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2016 – 2025) which references the post-2015 commitment of African governments to provide a basic education of 10 to 12 years and to provide at least one year of free pre-primary education.

    How is the policy implemented?

    Ghana’s 1992 constitution states that “basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all”. From 1994, primary and junior high schools had to provide fee-free tuition. Financial support from government was later introduced (capitation grants) to compensate public schools for the loss of fees.

    The Capitation Grant Scheme provides money to schools each term to help cover costs. The government gives a set amount of money per student to public schools every year. This money is distributed to public schools based on the number of enrolled students, and each student receives a specific amount of money under the grant. This amount is in addition to the main education budget. The 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review reported that the capitation grant was GH₵ 15 per child (approximately US$1) per term in 2024.

    Is it working?

    Since the introduction of the 1994 free schooling programme, Ghana has recorded substantial increases in enrolment rates at the basic education level.

    Research shows there are several problems, however. These include:

    All these are likely to affect the quality of education and learning outcomes of students.

    What has the impact been on outcomes?

    We conducted research to understand whether people’s basic reading and math skills in Ghana had improved over time after many years of expanding education. The study compared groups with similar levels of schooling using two national surveys taken 10 years apart to find out if there had been a meaningful change in basic reading and math skills.

    We used data from two nationwide Ghana Living Standards Surveys, conducted in 2006 and 2017. During the data collection, interviewers used flashcards to measure the basic reading and math skills of survey respondents. Persons aged 11 or older were shown flashcards. To answer “yes” to questions about whether they could read or solve written calculations, they had to read a sentence fully and answer a simple math problem correctly.

    In the study we defined “basically literate” as being able to read a short English sentence, and “basically numerate” meant being able to solve a simple written math problem. The sample for our study comprised 25,424 and 42,376 persons in 2006 and in 2017 respectively.

    We found that the percentage of persons 11 years and older in the sample who have never attended school declined from 28% in 2006 to 16% in 2017. But there was a decline in literacy and numeracy for persons with basic education.

    The observed decline was larger for math than for literacy. For instance, those with upper primary education (class 4 to 6) were 14% less likely to be able to correctly read a short sentence in 2017 compared to 2006. For math, the likelihood of persons with upper primary education correctly solving the math problem was 25% lower in 2017.

    The study additionally found that basic literacy and numeracy declined more in urban areas than in rural areas at the lower and upper primary levels. Trends for males and females were largely similar.

    How can it be improved?

    Our findings suggest that without focusing on investments that maintain quality as enrolment increases – like hiring well-trained teachers, providing enough funding, and supplying schools with adequate materials – free education programmes could lead to long-term declines in learning outcomes.

    Such declines in basic literacy and numeracy would likely have a negative effect on job productivity, the economy, and social inclusion in the long run.

    So there is a need to invest more in quality education to go along with increased access. These investments would help students acquire the foundational skills they need and ensure that free education leads to lasting improvements in skills that are crucial for national growth.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. 30 years of free basic education in Ghana: a report card – https://theconversation.com/30-years-of-free-basic-education-in-ghana-a-report-card-253993

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: City police in South Africa’s capital have a bad image – how to fix it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Azwihangwisi Judith Mphidi, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Tshwane University of Technology

    Corruption in South Africa’s public institutions has been a pressing issue for the past two decades. From national government offices to local municipalities, stories of officials enriching themselves at the expense of the public have become all too familiar.

    The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department – responsible for traffic policing, crime prevention, and by-law enforcement in South Africa’s capital city – has not escaped this crisis.

    With over four million residents spread across 6,298 square kilometres, Tshwane plays a vital role in the country’s political and economic landscape. Yet its municipal police department, one of the largest in South Africa, with an average of 4,000 operational staff, is increasingly associated with allegations of bribery, abuse of power and unethical behaviour.

    I am a postdoctoral researcher with a focus on criminal justice, and an active social justice advocate. In a recent research paper, I explored how corruption in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department is damaging public trust and compromising law enforcement and crime prevention.

    I was able to observe the culture and environment of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department as a motorist and as an employee under the city’s Community and Social Development Department.

    My research drew on texts and context rather than analysis of numbers, since the study was written after I left the City of Tshwane. I relied on my first hand experience, and already published and documented evidence. I did not need special permissions to do this but cited sources consulted.

    The study found that motorists view the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department as predators rather than protectors. Corruption in the traffic police is more than a betrayal of public trust. When officers take bribes instead of enforcing traffic laws, road safety suffers.

    Inside the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department

    In recent years, the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department has been accused of recruiting members with criminal records and cases of corruption.

    My key findings were about:

    Hiring practices: Individuals with criminal records have been recruited into the department. Vetting is conducted, but the reports come later when they are already employed, then they are expelled.

    Bribery: Motorists frequently report officers soliciting bribes during routine traffic stops or other bribery related incidences. Some of these reports are made to the mayoral committee member for community safety.

    Lack of accountability: Officers implicated in corruption are not always dismissed, or may face minimal consequences.

    Public complaints: Over 200 officers have been under investigation for various misconduct allegations in recent years.

    Political interference and leadership instability

    In the course of the research, I found that another key factor undermining the effectiveness of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department is political interference in operational matters and leadership appointments as a result of the structure of the municipalities across the country. All mayoral committee executives and council members are politicians.

    Frequent reshuffling of senior leaders based on politics rather than merit weakens strategic direction and fosters corruption. Politically connected individuals often secure positions without proper vetting, either due to delays in completing reports or human resources not waiting for the report before proceeding with appointments.

    The combination of weak vetting processes, inadequate oversight, and political interference has created an environment where corruption is not only possible but, in some cases, normalised.

    Damage to the capital city’s global reputation and tourism

    The corruption within the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department not only affects local residents but also tarnishes Pretoria’s reputation as South Africa’s administrative capital, home to embassies from around the world.

    As the city hosts more than 130 foreign diplomatic missions — the second-largest concentration of embassies in the world after Washington DC — the behaviour of municipal police officers directly influences the capital city’s global image.

    When officers solicit bribes or abuse their power during routine traffic stops, they might not distinguish between local residents, foreign diplomats or tourists. This indiscriminate targeting is likely to create an unsafe environment for international visitors and damage the trust of foreign nations engaging with South Africa.

    What needs to be done

    Addressing corruption in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department will require urgent reforms. Based on the research, I argue that the following actions are essential:

    Stricter recruitment processes: Background checks should be mandatory for all officers. Individuals found to have criminal records should be disqualified from serving.

    Body cameras and digital monitoring: Equipping officers with body cameras would provide an objective record of interactions with the public.

    Independent oversight: An external body should be established to investigate complaints and ensure accountability. Currently, municipal policing is governed by the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigates some complaints. But it appears to have limited resources.

    Ethics training: All officers should get regular training to reinforce the importance of integrity and professionalism. They are currently trained at the Police Academy and get support from academic institutions, including the University of Pretoria.

    Community engagement: Building partnerships between the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department and the communities it serves can help restore trust and improve transparency.

    Municipal policing law

    Restoring public confidence requires more than piecemeal reforms — it demands a new legal framework.

    A South African Municipal Policing Act could create a unified standard for municipal policing across the country, addressing many of the root causes of corruption. This legislation could introduce:

    National municipal police officers register: A centralised database that records applications, criminal background checks, disciplinary history, and performance assessments of all municipal officers.

    Uniform ethical standards: Clear ethical guidelines that apply to all municipal police officers, regardless of location.

    Independent oversight: An investigative body focused solely on municipal policing.

    Mandatory pre-vetting process: All applicants would undergo fingerprint-based criminal record checks.

    Cross-municipal blacklisting: Officers dismissed or suspended from one municipality would be automatically barred from working in another.

    Digital recording systems: All municipal police vehicles and personnel would be equipped with body cameras and GPS tracking systems to improve accountability.

    A framework like this would close loopholes that allow corrupt officers to move between municipalities undetected. It would also prevent the recycling of officers with criminal records.

    Azwihangwisi Judith Mphidi 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. City police in South Africa’s capital have a bad image – how to fix it – https://theconversation.com/city-police-in-south-africas-capital-have-a-bad-image-how-to-fix-it-251505

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Investing in agriculture reduces poverty and inequality: economic model finds the best funding mix for 10 African countries

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Margaret Chitiga-Mabugu, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria

    Africa faces challenges in reducing extreme poverty and inequality. In 2024, 8.5% of the global population was living in extreme poverty (that is, on less than US$2.15 a day). Nearly 67% of these people were living in sub-Saharan Africa.

    To tackle these significant issues of poverty and inequality, it is essential to identify the locations of the most impoverished individuals. This enables investments to focus on generating growth and productivity that are both inclusive of poor people and sustainable.

    About 70% of the poor in sub-Saharan Africa live in rural areas. Most (65% to 70%) are employed in agriculture. Agriculture also contributes 30%-40% to the gross domestic product (GDP).

    Despite its importance, agriculture is underfunded. African countries don’t have enough of their own resources to finance agriculture, and external funding is becoming more scarce.

    The region thus desperately needs an innovative plan to finance agriculture for economic development.

    In a recent study we analysed how different ways of funding agricultural investment would affect inclusive growth and the wider economy in 10 African countries. Raising taxes, cutting budgets and external support were the different funding options we explored.

    We created economic models that would help countries with tight budgets understand the trade-offs and choose the best options.

    Our study found that investing more in agriculture – especially with external financing – was best at raising incomes and reducing poverty, particularly in rural areas. External funding avoids the higher costs of domestic financing. But a mix of both is also effective.

    Regardless of the country, all financing options resulted in increased rural incomes, reducing poverty and hunger. This shows that investment in agriculture has a positive impact both nationally and in rural contexts.

    The model

    Our paper uses an economic simulation model which looks at the big picture and also at more detail. It works out how changes in agricultural spending affect people’s lives (in terms of their income and expenditure) as well as the overall economy.

    The countries studied were Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Rwanda, Gabon, Malawi, eSwatini, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. We chose them based on the availability and accessibility of the data required.

    The model worked out the results of different financing strategies:

    • Increase in taxes (direct ones like household income and property tax or indirect ones like VAT or sales tax). The idea is that spending more on agriculture would be compensated for by higher tax revenues. These would come from households’ growing income and property taxes.

    • Reduction in non-agricultural investment spending. Here, the proportion of government investment dedicated to agriculture remains fixed. So there has to be less investment elsewhere.

    • Increase in government external borrowing or development assistance.

    Key findings

    We found that external financing boosted both national and rural incomes the most. But variations in the exchange rate may trigger an increase in domestic prices and a subsequent decline in export volumes. That could make a country less competitive economically.

    Despite this, the associated costs are generally lower than those of internal financing, aside from Mozambique’s rural income results.

    Between the two internal financing mechanisms tested, the option of reducing non-agricultural investment raised both national income and rural income in all countries except eSwatini.

    So that option should play a key role along with external financing.

    This finding is encouraging for fiscally constrained countries as the modelling showed that domestic financing improved the countries’ agency in sustainable growth.

    In a final modelling phase, the models explored how the policy interventions could transform poverty and inequality outcomes. They did this by following the intricate interplay of income and price dynamics. After a surge in agricultural investments following the policy scenarios, the findings showed a more pronounced reduction in poverty and inequality rates across all nations. There was one notable outlier — Angola. In Angola, investments channelled into the services sector have sparked the most substantial decreases in poverty and inequality, driven by the deep interconnectivity between services and its expansive oil industry.

    Even a small increase in public investment led to a clear drop in poverty, with agriculture investments having the biggest impact, followed by industry and services. Malawi showed the most substantial reduction in poverty. There were also noticeable effects in Rwanda, Botswana, eSwatini and Angola.

    Other countries showed mild impacts, maintaining low poverty levels.

    What can be done

    Scenario modelling can offer valuable insights for policy making because it is forward-looking. It also highlights the implications of strategic priorities.

    The study’s findings show that to achieve inclusive economic growth, countries should aggressively invest in agriculture, using a mix of external and domestic fiscal sources.

    On the back of the findings we made the following proposals.

    African governments are dependent on development aid because of limited domestic finances and weak growth prospects. This gets in the way of their ability to raise funds in the markets. However, if concessional financing is attainable and exchange rate impacts are controllable, external financing should remain a preferable option for financing agriculture investments.

    In the medium term, governments must focus on:

    • cutting unproductive non-agricultural spending

    • eliminating waste

    • ensuring cost-effectiveness.

    Savings should be redirected to agriculture.

    Over the medium term, there should be a focus on reforming tax policies. Direct and indirect taxes should be increased to fund agricultural investment. But maintaining transparency in using tax revenues is crucial. This encourages public support and local ownership of tax reforms by demonstrating their benefits.

    In the long term, governments should synchronise national development plans with ambitious agricultural growth initiatives.

    – Investing in agriculture reduces poverty and inequality: economic model finds the best funding mix for 10 African countries
    – https://theconversation.com/investing-in-agriculture-reduces-poverty-and-inequality-economic-model-finds-the-best-funding-mix-for-10-african-countries-252820

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 30 years of free basic education in Ghana: a report card

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Pearl S. Kyei, Senior lecturer, University of Ghana

    Ghana, like many sub-Saharan Africa countries, began investing substantially in free education three decades ago. This led to an increase in the number of children that attend primary school. But what has the impact been on learning outcomes?

    The Conversation Africa spoke to demographer Pearl Kyei, who, with economists Fred Dzanku and Samuel Annim, has researched population literacy and numeracy in Ghana after three decades of free education.

    How long has Ghana offered free basic education?

    Ghana introduced what it calls the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme in 1994. This meant that families could send children to public schools without paying school fees. In 2005, it introduced the Capitation Grant Scheme to further reduce financial barriers to education and increase access. The grant was to discourage schools from charging unapproved fees and levies to make up for the lost tuition fees.

    Basic education in Ghana currently covers the pre-primary, primary and lower secondary levels. Pre-primary involves two years of kindergarten (for ages 4 and 5 years), primary is six years (for ages 6 to 11 years), and lower secondary is three years of junior high school (for ages 12 to 14 years). After junior high school, students have the option to continue to senior high, technical or vocational school (for ages 15 to 17 years).

    Several other countries on the continent, such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, have put in place free basic education policies too. This is due to the adoption of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2016 – 2025) which references the post-2015 commitment of African governments to provide a basic education of 10 to 12 years and to provide at least one year of free pre-primary education.

    How is the policy implemented?

    Ghana’s 1992 constitution states that “basic education shall be free, compulsory and available to all”. From 1994, primary and junior high schools had to provide fee-free tuition. Financial support from government was later introduced (capitation grants) to compensate public schools for the loss of fees.

    The Capitation Grant Scheme provides money to schools each term to help cover costs. The government gives a set amount of money per student to public schools every year. This money is distributed to public schools based on the number of enrolled students, and each student receives a specific amount of money under the grant. This amount is in addition to the main education budget. The 2024 Mid-Year Budget Review reported that the capitation grant was GH₵ 15 per child (approximately US$1) per term in 2024.

    Is it working?

    Since the introduction of the 1994 free schooling programme, Ghana has recorded substantial increases in enrolment rates at the basic education level.

    Research shows there are several problems, however. These include:

    All these are likely to affect the quality of education and learning outcomes of students.

    What has the impact been on outcomes?

    We conducted research to understand whether people’s basic reading and math skills in Ghana had improved over time after many years of expanding education. The study compared groups with similar levels of schooling using two national surveys taken 10 years apart to find out if there had been a meaningful change in basic reading and math skills.

    We used data from two nationwide Ghana Living Standards Surveys, conducted in 2006 and 2017. During the data collection, interviewers used flashcards to measure the basic reading and math skills of survey respondents. Persons aged 11 or older were shown flashcards. To answer “yes” to questions about whether they could read or solve written calculations, they had to read a sentence fully and answer a simple math problem correctly.

    In the study we defined “basically literate” as being able to read a short English sentence, and “basically numerate” meant being able to solve a simple written math problem. The sample for our study comprised 25,424 and 42,376 persons in 2006 and in 2017 respectively.

    We found that the percentage of persons 11 years and older in the sample who have never attended school declined from 28% in 2006 to 16% in 2017. But there was a decline in literacy and numeracy for persons with basic education.

    The observed decline was larger for math than for literacy. For instance, those with upper primary education (class 4 to 6) were 14% less likely to be able to correctly read a short sentence in 2017 compared to 2006. For math, the likelihood of persons with upper primary education correctly solving the math problem was 25% lower in 2017.

    The study additionally found that basic literacy and numeracy declined more in urban areas than in rural areas at the lower and upper primary levels. Trends for males and females were largely similar.

    How can it be improved?

    Our findings suggest that without focusing on investments that maintain quality as enrolment increases – like hiring well-trained teachers, providing enough funding, and supplying schools with adequate materials – free education programmes could lead to long-term declines in learning outcomes.

    Such declines in basic literacy and numeracy would likely have a negative effect on job productivity, the economy, and social inclusion in the long run.

    So there is a need to invest more in quality education to go along with increased access. These investments would help students acquire the foundational skills they need and ensure that free education leads to lasting improvements in skills that are crucial for national growth.

    – 30 years of free basic education in Ghana: a report card
    – https://theconversation.com/30-years-of-free-basic-education-in-ghana-a-report-card-253993

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: City police in South Africa’s capital have a bad image – how to fix it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Azwihangwisi Judith Mphidi, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Tshwane University of Technology

    Corruption in South Africa’s public institutions has been a pressing issue for the past two decades. From national government offices to local municipalities, stories of officials enriching themselves at the expense of the public have become all too familiar.

    The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department – responsible for traffic policing, crime prevention, and by-law enforcement in South Africa’s capital city – has not escaped this crisis.

    With over four million residents spread across 6,298 square kilometres, Tshwane plays a vital role in the country’s political and economic landscape. Yet its municipal police department, one of the largest in South Africa, with an average of 4,000 operational staff, is increasingly associated with allegations of bribery, abuse of power and unethical behaviour.

    I am a postdoctoral researcher with a focus on criminal justice, and an active social justice advocate. In a recent research paper, I explored how corruption in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department is damaging public trust and compromising law enforcement and crime prevention.

    I was able to observe the culture and environment of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department as a motorist and as an employee under the city’s Community and Social Development Department.

    My research drew on texts and context rather than analysis of numbers, since the study was written after I left the City of Tshwane. I relied on my first hand experience, and already published and documented evidence. I did not need special permissions to do this but cited sources consulted.

    The study found that motorists view the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department as predators rather than protectors. Corruption in the traffic police is more than a betrayal of public trust. When officers take bribes instead of enforcing traffic laws, road safety suffers.

    Inside the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department

    In recent years, the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department has been accused of recruiting members with criminal records and cases of corruption.

    My key findings were about:

    Hiring practices: Individuals with criminal records have been recruited into the department. Vetting is conducted, but the reports come later when they are already employed, then they are expelled.

    Bribery: Motorists frequently report officers soliciting bribes during routine traffic stops or other bribery related incidences. Some of these reports are made to the mayoral committee member for community safety.

    Lack of accountability: Officers implicated in corruption are not always dismissed, or may face minimal consequences.

    Public complaints: Over 200 officers have been under investigation for various misconduct allegations in recent years.

    Political interference and leadership instability

    In the course of the research, I found that another key factor undermining the effectiveness of the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department is political interference in operational matters and leadership appointments as a result of the structure of the municipalities across the country. All mayoral committee executives and council members are politicians.

    Frequent reshuffling of senior leaders based on politics rather than merit weakens strategic direction and fosters corruption. Politically connected individuals often secure positions without proper vetting, either due to delays in completing reports or human resources not waiting for the report before proceeding with appointments.

    The combination of weak vetting processes, inadequate oversight, and political interference has created an environment where corruption is not only possible but, in some cases, normalised.

    Damage to the capital city’s global reputation and tourism

    The corruption within the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department not only affects local residents but also tarnishes Pretoria’s reputation as South Africa’s administrative capital, home to embassies from around the world.

    As the city hosts more than 130 foreign diplomatic missions — the second-largest concentration of embassies in the world after Washington DC — the behaviour of municipal police officers directly influences the capital city’s global image.

    When officers solicit bribes or abuse their power during routine traffic stops, they might not distinguish between local residents, foreign diplomats or tourists. This indiscriminate targeting is likely to create an unsafe environment for international visitors and damage the trust of foreign nations engaging with South Africa.

    What needs to be done

    Addressing corruption in the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department will require urgent reforms. Based on the research, I argue that the following actions are essential:

    Stricter recruitment processes: Background checks should be mandatory for all officers. Individuals found to have criminal records should be disqualified from serving.

    Body cameras and digital monitoring: Equipping officers with body cameras would provide an objective record of interactions with the public.

    Independent oversight: An external body should be established to investigate complaints and ensure accountability. Currently, municipal policing is governed by the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigates some complaints. But it appears to have limited resources.

    Ethics training: All officers should get regular training to reinforce the importance of integrity and professionalism. They are currently trained at the Police Academy and get support from academic institutions, including the University of Pretoria.

    Community engagement: Building partnerships between the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department and the communities it serves can help restore trust and improve transparency.

    Municipal policing law

    Restoring public confidence requires more than piecemeal reforms — it demands a new legal framework.

    A South African Municipal Policing Act could create a unified standard for municipal policing across the country, addressing many of the root causes of corruption. This legislation could introduce:

    National municipal police officers register: A centralised database that records applications, criminal background checks, disciplinary history, and performance assessments of all municipal officers.

    Uniform ethical standards: Clear ethical guidelines that apply to all municipal police officers, regardless of location.

    Independent oversight: An investigative body focused solely on municipal policing.

    Mandatory pre-vetting process: All applicants would undergo fingerprint-based criminal record checks.

    Cross-municipal blacklisting: Officers dismissed or suspended from one municipality would be automatically barred from working in another.

    Digital recording systems: All municipal police vehicles and personnel would be equipped with body cameras and GPS tracking systems to improve accountability.

    A framework like this would close loopholes that allow corrupt officers to move between municipalities undetected. It would also prevent the recycling of officers with criminal records.

    – City police in South Africa’s capital have a bad image – how to fix it
    – https://theconversation.com/city-police-in-south-africas-capital-have-a-bad-image-how-to-fix-it-251505

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier urges all-out medical treatment after southwest China boat accident

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

    Chinese vice premier urges all-out medical treatment after southwest China boat accident

    Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, learns about the search and rescue operations on-site after a boat capsize accident in Qianxi City of Bijie in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, May 5, 2025. Following General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping’s instructions and Premier Li Qiang’s request, Zhang led a team to the site on May 4 to guide the rescue and relief work. [Photo/Xinhua]

    GUIYANG, May 5 — Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Monday urged all-out emergency rescue and medical treatment efforts following an accident involving the capsizing of multiple boats in southwest China’s Guizhou Province.

    Sudden strong winds on Sunday afternoon caused four boats to capsize in a Qianxi City river, plunging 84 people into the water. All those involved in the accident had been found by 12:45 p.m. Monday, with 10 dead, 70 injured and four unharmed.

    Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, went to the accident site and later a local hospital to guide emergency rescue and medical assistance efforts.

    Medical experts and resources should be fully mobilized to treat those injured to reduce fatalities and disabilities, he said at a meeting early Monday morning, urging full support to be provided to grieving families.

    Regarding safety measures, he called for the reinforced implementation of safety management standards, including those related to accident prevention, hazard identification and issue rectification, with the aim of effectively preventing and curbing major safety incidents in the future.

    Focus should be directed toward critical areas such as tourist attractions, large public venues, residential communities and transportation sectors to identify and eliminate risks, he said.

    Severe weather monitoring and early warning systems should be strengthened, with clear response and emergency coordination processes, while measures to restrict access to tourist sites and limit passenger ship operations during severe weather conditions must be rigorously enforced to ensure public safety, Zhang said.

    Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visits a person injured in a boat capsize accident at a hospital in Qianxi City of Bijie, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, May 5, 2025. Following General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping’s instructions and Premier Li Qiang’s request, Zhang led a team to the site on May 4 to guide the rescue and relief work. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn’s Dr. Cato T. Laurencin Mentors Students at University of Maryland School of Medicine

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dr. Cato T. Laurencin’s talk, “Regenerative Engineering, The Future is Here,” delivered this Spring, was sponsored by the University of Maryland Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP).

    The endowed biennial lectureship was established to honor the memory of Stephen R. Max, Ph.D., a great scientist, and the former and founding MD-Ph.D. Program Director. The lectureship invites an outstanding physician scientist to visit the scientific community, interact with and mentor MSTP students there, and deliver a major scientific lecture.

    Laurencin earned a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University. He completed the Harvard Medical School Medical Scientist Training Program, earning his MD from the Harvard Medical School, Magna Cum Laude, and his Ph.D. in biochemical engineering/biotechnology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    Laurencin is the University Professor at UConn and the Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute named in his honor at UConn.

    In his talk, he encouraged students to pursue excellence in all they do. He discussed his autobiography entitled, Success is What You Leave Behind, published by Elsevier. He encouraged students to give back throughout their careers. Laurencin’s work in mentorship is well known. He has created and established numerous programs in his career including the UConn Young Innovative Investigator Program, the UConn M-1 Program, the UConn Pre-K Program, the UConn NSF EFRI Regenerative Engineering REM and REU Programs, and the UConn NIH T32 Regenerative Engineering at the University of Connecticut alone. The UConn Foundation established the Cato T. Laurencin Scholars Award given to undergraduate students, while nationally, the Society for Biomaterials created the Cato T. Laurencin, MD, Ph.D. Travel Award given to undergraduate students in Biomaterials Science. He is the first to receive the three principal national awards for mentoring: the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mentor Award, the Beckman Award for Mentoring, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, and Engineering Mentoring given to him by President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House.

    The pioneer of the field of Regenerative Engineering, Laurencin is the first surgeon elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Inventors. As an orthopaedic surgeon physician-scientist he is the first individual to receive the Nicolas Andry Award (highest honor of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons), the Kappa Delta Award (highest research honor of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons), the Marshal Urist Award (highest honor in regeneration of the Orthopaedic Research Society), and the American Orthopaedic Association’s (AOA) Distinguished Contributions to Orthopaedic Surgery with induction into the AOA Awards Hall of Fame.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Having Traveled Over 7,000 Miles to Continue Her Education, This First-Year UConn Nursing Ph.D. Student Is Making a Name for Herself

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Netsayi Chimenya ’27 (NURS), RNM-MSN, knows first-hand the difficulties of working as a nurse in an environment that is understaffed and under-resourced. Having worked and trained in Malawi, Africa as a children’s nurse she is a witness to many challenges surrounding infant care.

    With a shortage of healthcare workers and a high burden of patients, Malawi is faced with a high infant mortality rate. Chimenya says at times they could be working in units where there are three nurses to 60 or 70 babies.

    While they try their best to provide care, they are simply not able to give everything to everyone. This leads to some tasks being left up to the mother.

    “When everyone comes to do research in Malawi, they’re usually talking about empowering healthcare workers,” Chimenya says. “But we also have moms who are a huge part of doing those tasks that nurses are supposed to do.”

    One of those tasks is nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (OG) tube feeding: a thin and soft tube that is inserted through the nose or mouth to deliver food to the pre-term infant’s stomach. The motion of feeding is very complicated for a pre-term infant which makes the NG/OG tube feeding a crucial part in the baby’s growth and nutrition.

    Chimenya says they have moms who are not taught what tube feeding is and how to monitor complications. At the same time, they expect that they should be providing specialized care for their sick babies.

    When complications do arise, they don’t have a solid reason as to why the problem occurred because the tasks were left to the mothers who are not properly trained. She says some of those problems – respiratory, stomach irritation, or cardiac arrest – can be caused by the NG/OG tube being inserted incorrectly.

    “So, I thought maybe we should target these moms and have an education program so that we empower them to do this task as we want them to do because we rely hugely on moms,” Chimenya says.

    Since Malawi doesn’t have a direct neonatal nursing pathway, Chimenya started looking at schools in the UK and the US that would best fit her research.

    “When I was applying to UConn, I saw that Dr. Casavant has done a lot of research with pre-term babies,” she says. “I felt like she was a good fit for my interests, and she’s been supportive with my topics.”

    Sharon Casavant, Ph.D., RN. (Contributed Photo)

    “She essentially sent me what could be a very rough draft of a dissertation proposal before she had even applied for the program,” says Sharon Casavant, Ph.D., RN, assistant professor.

    “What I love about Netsayi is that she’s always hungry. If I see something that I think she could apply for and she would be eligible for, I just kind of toss it her way and she goes for it.”

    Already, Chimenya was accepted to the New York Academy of Medicine’s (NYAM) Forum on Intercollegiate Regional Events (FIRE) for Social and Academic Discourse and the UConn Graduate Student Research Symposium.

    FIRE is a planning group showcasing doctoral student work and is comprised of nursing doctoral program directors and students from ten tri-state area schools in NY, CT, and NJ.

    The event was on April 29, 2025, where Chimenya got to present her research. “I got good feedback, networked, and established connections with professors and students from other universities,” she said.

    “It’s a really big deal to have an abstract accepted to the National Academics of Science in New York,” says Casavant. “She’s just amazing and she’s so committed to her babies and to Malawi. It’s beautiful. She’s a very hard worker and very, very, bright.”

    The UConn Graduate Student Research Symposium is a poster competition that took place on April 23, 2025.

    Any UConn graduate student is eligible to apply and present their research. Chimenya was one of hundreds to be selected to attend. Even though she didn’t win, she received praise from the judges on her work.

    “To make matters more exciting, when we went to the pre-workshop, it was only two first-years and I think I was the only nurse,” says Chimenya.

    “It has really motivated me to work on my own topic because other people are accepting it,” Chimenya says.

    With an already accomplished start, Chimenya doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

    “I’m really excited to be working with Sharon and the other experts who are doing infant nutrition at UConn, and I feel like this is the right place for me to augment my science and I’m here to update my skills,” she says.

    She intends to bring the knowledge and research she has acquired here back to Malawi to help “the healthcare workers, the mothers, and the children.”

    When recounting her experiences at UConn so far, she emphasizes that she has already been taught so much.

    “We are used to being under pressure and under-resourced and we are used to improvising,” she says. “Coming to a country where they have the resources, and they do things in an ideal way has taught me a lot.”

    Chimenya wants to impart the knowledge she has learned here when she returns home. She aims to bridge the gap between Malawi and the U.S. with the connections and relationships that she has made here.

    She’s expecting that when she goes back to Malawi to establish a research unit, “it will have a huge impact on infant health that is going to benefit a lot of children in Malawi.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SUN Bucks Food Program is Back for Second Summer in North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: SUN Bucks Food Program is Back for Second Summer in North Carolina

    SUN Bucks Food Program is Back for Second Summer in North Carolina
    stonizzo

    The SUN Bucks food program is back for 2025 and is expected to provide benefits to more than one million school children in North Carolina this summer. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction are partnering again to administer the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program known as “SUN Bucks.”

    SUN Bucks provides a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food at retailers and farmers markets that accept EBT, including most major grocery stores in North Carolina. SUN Bucks is one of three NC Summer Nutrition (SUN) Programs for Kids  that keep children fueled during the summer while schools are out.

     “Many students rely on their public school to provide them with healthy meals during the school year as nearly one in six children in North Carolina face food insecurity,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai. “The SUN Bucks program helps them receive nutritious food while school is not in session, so they may continue to thrive.”

    Notifications from NCDHHS have been sent to eligible families in recent weeks alerting them that their child is automatically certified to receive SUN Bucks benefits. If you received a call, email, or text from NCDHHS, please do not disregard. 

    Families with questions can visit the website at ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks or call the NC SUN Bucks Call Center at 1-866-719-0141, select a language, then select option 2 to speak with a SUN Bucks representative.

    Most eligible children will automatically qualify for the program and were auto enrolled by May 2, 2025. Children automatically qualify if they are eligible for any of the following programs: 

    • Free and reduced-price (FRP) meals at schools by approved FRP application
    • Food and Nutrition Services (also called FNS or food stamps)
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Cherokee Tribal Food Distribution Program (CTFDP)
    • Child is in Foster Care
    • Child is enrolled in the McKinney-Vento program (experiencing homelessness or runaway)
    • OR if they receive NC Medicaid benefits and have a household income below 185% of the federal poverty level

    Families with children who qualify will receive a new 2025 SUN Bucks card in the mail.  

    If your child goes to a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) but doesn’t fit into any of the categories above, you’ll have to apply. SUN Bucks is an income-based food assistance program and is only open for students enrolled in a NSLP or CEP school during the 2024-2025 school year.

    The SUN Bucks program had a major impact in North Carolina in its first year of operation in 2024:  

    • Close to 1.1 million of the 1.5 million children in North Carolina’s public schools received benefits to increase healthy food choices during the summer months.
    • Almost $130 million in SUN Bucks food assistance benefits was issued in our state. These dollars were invested in local grocery stores, farmers markets and supermarkets across the state.

    SUN Bucks complements existing USDA Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids, which are available at no cost to families for ages 18 and younger. Through SUN Meals, kids and teens can eat meals and snacks and engage in fun fitness and educational activities during the summer at schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. In rural areas where it may be difficult to access and participate in SUN Meals, SUN Meals To-Go may be available for pick up or delivery. Families can locate nearby summer meals for youth and more information at SummerMeals4NCKids.org.

    The SUN Bucks program also works with other available nutrition programs, such as Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to provide consistent access to nutrition to children and families. Families who may be eligible for nutrition programs like FNS, WIC and others can learn more at ncdhhs.gov/fns.

    NCDHHS and NCDPI prioritize nutrition security for children and families across the state and support access to healthy food during the summer months.

    El programa de alimentos SUN Bucks regresa para 2025 y se espera que brinde beneficios a más de un millón de niños en edad escolar en Carolina del Norte este verano. El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS, por sus siglas en inglés) y el Departamento de Instrucción Pública de Carolina del Norte (NCDPI, por sus siglas en inglés) se asocian nuevamente para administrar el Programa de Transferencia Electrónica de Beneficios (EBT) de Verano del Departamento de Agricultura conocido como “SUN Bucks”. 

    SUN Bucks proporciona un pago único de $120 por niño elegible en una tarjeta de débito que se puede usar para comprar alimentos nutritivos en minoristas y mercados de agricultores que aceptan transferencia electrónica bancaria (EBT), incluyendo la mayoría de las principales tiendas de comestibles en Carolina del Norte. SUN Bucks es uno de los tres programas de nutrición de verano para niños (SUN, por sus siglas en inglés) de NC que mantienen a los niños alimentados durante el verano mientras las escuelas están fuera de clases.

    “Muchos estudiantes confían en que su escuela pública les brinde comidas saludables durante el año escolar, ya que casi uno de cada seis niños en Carolina del Norte enfrenta inseguridad alimentaria”, dijo el secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte, Dev Sangvai. “El programa SUN Bucks les ayuda a recibir alimentos nutritivos mientras la escuela no está en sesión, para que puedan seguir prosperando”.

    Las notificaciones de NCDHHS se han enviado a las familias elegibles en las últimas semanas avisando que su niño está certificado automáticamente para recibir los beneficios de SUN Bucks. Si recibió una llamada, correo electrónico o mensaje de texto de NCDHHS, no lo ignore. 

    Las familias con preguntas pueden visitar el sitio web: ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks o llamar al Centro de llamadas de NC SUN Bucks al 1-866-719-0141, seleccionar un idioma y luego oprima la opción 2 para hablar con un representante de SUN Bucks.

    La mayoría de los niños elegibles calificarán automáticamente para el programa y fueron inscritos automáticamente antes del 2 de mayo de 2025. Los niños califican automáticamente si son elegibles para cualquiera de los siguientes programas:

    • Comidas gratuitas y a precio reducido (FRP) en las escuelas por solicitud de FRP aprobada
    • Servicios de alimentación y nutrición (también llamados FNS o cupones de alimentos)
    • Asistencia Temporal para Familias Necesitadas (TANF)
    • Programa de Distribución de Alimentos Tribales Cherokee (CTFDP)
    • Niños en hogares de crianza temporal
    • El niño está inscrito en el programa McKinney-Vento (sin hogar o fugitivo)
    • O si reciben beneficios de Medicaid de Carolina del Norte y tienen un ingreso familiar inferior al 185% del nivel federal de pobreza

    Las familias con niños que califiquen recibirán una nueva tarjeta SUN Bucks 2025 por correo.

    Si su niño va a una escuela que participa en el Programa Nacional de Almuerzos Escolares (NSLP) o en la Disposición de Elegibilidad Comunitaria (CEP) pero no pertenece a ninguna de las categorías anteriores, tendrá que presentar una solicitud. SUN Bucks es un programa de asistencia alimentaria basado en los ingresos y solo está abierto para los alumnos matriculados en una escuela NSLP o CEP durante el año escolar 2024 a 2025.

    El programa SUN Bucks tuvo un gran impacto en Carolina del Norte en su primer año de funcionamiento en 2024:

    • Cerca de 1.1 millones de los 1.5 millones de niños en las escuelas públicas de Carolina del Norte recibieron beneficios para aumentar las opciones de alimentos saludables durante los meses de verano.
    • En nuestro estado se emitieron casi $130 millones en beneficios de asistencia alimentaria de SUN Bucks. Estos dólares se invirtieron en tiendas de comestibles locales, mercados de agricultores y supermercados en todo el estado.

    SUN Bucks complementa los actuales programas para niños de nutrición de verano del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés), que están disponibles sin costo para las familias con hijos de 18 años o menos. A través de SUN Meals, los niños y adolescentes pueden comer y tener bocadillos cuando participan en actividades divertidas de acondicionamiento físico y educativas durante el verano en escuelas, parques y otros lugares del vecindario. En las zonas rurales donde puede ser difícil acceder y participar en SUN Meals, puede estar disponible SUN Meals To-Go para recogida o entregada. Las familias pueden encontrar comidas de verano cercanas para los jóvenes y más información en SummerMeals4NCKids.org

    El programa SUN Bucks también funciona con otros programas de nutrición disponibles, como Servicios de alimentación y nutrición(FNS) y el Programa de nutrición suplementaria para mujeres, bebés y niños (WIC) para proporcionar acceso constante a la nutrición para niños y familias. Las familias que pueden ser elegibles para programas de nutrición como FNS, WIC y otros pueden obtener más información en ncdhhs.gov/fns.

    El NCDHHS y el NCDPI priorizan la seguridad nutricional para los niños y las familias en todo el estado y apoyan el acceso a alimentos saludables durante los meses de verano.

    May 2, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: SkyFire Energy and Jayman BUILT Celebrate 10 MW Milestone by donating solar system to support Discovery House and the families it serves

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SkyFire Energy is marking a significant clean energy milestone: 10 megawatts (MW) of installed solar capacity achieved through its longstanding partnership with Jayman BUILT by giving back to the community in a powerful way.

    To mark the occasion, SkyFire Energy is launching a special edition of Power Your Purpose, its flagship community impact initiative that donates solar power systems to non-profits. This edition’s recipient is Discovery House, a Calgary-based non-profit that supports women and children leaving domestic violence. With the installation of a fully donated solar system, Discovery House will be able to lower its utility bills and reduce operational costs, enabling the organization to invest more deeply in life-saving programs and services.

    “Reaching the 10-megawatt milestone with Jayman BUILT reflects the power of long-term, purpose-driven collaboration,” said David Vonesch, President and CEO at SkyFire Energy. “Through Power Your Purpose, the benefits of solar energy are extended to organizations like Discovery House – creating meaningful, community-level impact.”

    Focused on empowering change through clean energy, the Power Your Purpose initiative helps reduce operational costs for these organizations, allowing them to reinvest in mission-driven services. Built on a community engagement and environmental stewardship foundation, Power Your Purpose represents a growing legacy of impact, supporting organizations creating lasting, positive change and advancing a more sustainable and equitable future.

    “At the heart of our organization is a deep commitment to giving back to the communities where we live, work, and play. We are proud to continue our partnership with SkyFire Energy in support of a deserving Calgary charity—demonstrating our shared dedication to sustainability,” says Stephanie Myers, Vice President, Jayman BUILT. “ Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. By investing in organizations like Discovery House, we are investing in people—their potential, their dignity, and their future.”

    “Discovery House is thrilled to be the recipient of a new solar system. With this system installed, the organization can reduce its energy costs, which have risen greatly in the past decade,”  says Leslie Hill, Executive Director. Discovery House. “This will allow us to use our funds to help the families we serve recover, rebuild, and reimagine their lives. Many thanks to SkyFire Energy and Jayman BUILT for this tremendous boost that will make an impact for years to come.” 

    SkyFire Energy is currently accepting nominations for the next Power Your Purpose recipient in British Columbia. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate a local non-profit making a meaningful difference in their communities. Nominations close on May 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM MST.

    Nominate a deserving organization now at: https://skyfireenergy.com/power-your-purpose/

    For more information, visit SkyFire Energy and Jayman BUILT.

    Media Contacts:

    SkyFire Energy Inc.
    Amanda Schewaga
    marketing@skyfireenergy.com
    403-251-0668

    Jayman BUILT
    Vanessa Sambrooke
    vsambrooke@jayman.com
    403-723-7662

    Discovery House
    Iboro Edem, Communications Specialist
    iedem@discoveryhouse.ca
    403-998-4914

    About SkyFire Energy Inc.
    SkyFire Energy Inc. is Western Canada’s leading solar installer. Since 2001, the company has designed and installed thousands of grid-connected solar power systems throughout Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. Its portfolio includes the design and installation of more than 200 MWp of solar PV systems, and its operations and maintenance team has serviced over 2 GWp of utility-scale solar and BESS projects.

    For more information: https://skyfireenergy.com

    About Jayman BUILT
    For over 40 years, Jayman BUILT has continually redefined the way new homes are built, bought and, most importantly, lived in. Customer experience remains central to the company’s mission. Active in community developments in Calgary, Cochrane, Edmonton, Leduc, St. Albert and Sherwood Park, Jayman BUILT is one of Alberta’s largest homebuilders, having welcomed over 30,000 new homeowners.

    For more information: https://www.jayman.com

    About Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society
    Discovery House is a non-profit organization providing a continuum of care to women and their children leaving domestic violence. The organization offers transitional, longer-term, safe housing while families begin rebuilding their lives. Discovery House provides mothers access to counselling, support, and programs designed to ensure they do not return to abusive environments, helping to prevent the cycle of violence from continuing.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Welcomes Karl Cheong to Spearhead ETF Strategy and Innovation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP, one of Canada’s leading independent investment managers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karl Cheong, CFA, as Executive Vice President, Head of ETFs.

    Karl Cheong, CFA brings over 20 years of experience in designing and distributing innovative investment solutions. He held senior leadership roles at Claymore Investments (acquired by BlackRock) and First Trust, where he played a key role in launching and expanding their ETF businesses across Canada. Over his career, Karl has led the creation of several industry-first ETFs in Canada, and was one of the original working group members of the Canadian ETF Association, helping shape the foundation of the industry.

     “Joining Ninepoint partners is an opportunity to help establish the firm’s ETF platform as an innovation leader in the Canadian market,” said Karl Cheong. “I’ve dedicated my career to building meaningful, investor-first solutions, and Ninepoint’s entrepreneurial culture, alternatives platform, and broad distribution reach make it an ideal home to continue that mission.”

    “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Karl to Ninepoint. His strategic insight, industry relationships and leadership, will be instrumental as we expand our ETF platform and continue to innovate for Canadian investors,” commented James Fox, Co-CEO and Managing Partner at Ninepoint.

    With Karl’s appointment, Ninepoint is poised to accelerate the development of a differentiated ETF line-up focused on alternative income, yield strategies, real asset exposure, and other strategies designed to diversify investor’s portfolio and support their financial goals.

    About Ninepoint Partners LP

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit ninepoint.com or please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Media Inquiries:
    Longacre Square Partners
    Kate Sylvester / Liz Shoemaker
    ninepoint@longacresquare.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SMX and DZYNE Technologies Partner to Revolutionize Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations with SMX Elevate ISR℠

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAMPA, Fla., May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SMX®, a leader in digital innovation and mission solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with DZYNE Technologies to advance the future of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Together, the two organizations are redefining ISR capabilities through the integration of SMX’s Elevate ISR platform and DZYNE’s cutting-edge autonomous systems.

    This collaboration represents a bold leap forward in ISR operations, combining AI-driven analytics, autonomous unmanned platforms, and dynamic data integration to provide persistent, scalable, and adaptive intelligence solutions. The partnership empowers military, homeland security, and humanitarian operations to act decisively in complex and contested environments.

    “By pairing Elevate ISR with DZYNE’s autonomous technologies, we are enhancing the entire intelligence cycle—from tasking to dissemination,” said Dana Dewey, SMX President of Global Defense. “This partnership accelerates decision-makers’ ability to act with unprecedented speed, precision, and foresight.”

    Together, SMX and DZYNE are delivering enhanced situational awareness through the fusion of autonomous sensing and real-time analytics, while enabling ISR systems to dynamically adapt to evolving conditions using commercial and publicly available data. The combined solution is highly scalable, supporting both wide-area surveillance such as border security, and more localized applications like environmental monitoring. The modular, best-of-breed approach future-proofs ISR capabilities, ensuring they remain agile and relevant in the face of rapidly changing mission demands. Moreover, the partnership enables persistent surveillance even in contested, denied, or degraded environments, providing continuous coverage where traditional systems are challenged.

    Matt McCue, CEO of DZYNE, noted “This collaboration enables scalable, adaptive ISR solutions for wide-area surveillance needs across a variety of domains. We are excited to partner with SMX to integrate Elevate ISR across our LEAP and ULTRA autonomous flight vehicles and look forward to delivering unmatched value for our customers.”

    As global challenges outpace traditional ISR capacity, SMX and DZYNE’s combined approach ensures stakeholders are equipped with the intelligence infrastructure needed for today’s missions and to combat tomorrow’s threats. To learn more about Elevate ISR or explore how SMX and DZYNE can support your mission, please visit SMX | SMX Elevate ISR.

    About SMX
    SMX is an industry leader providing digital solutions for mission-oriented clients, operating in close proximity to a vast set of clients across the United States and around the globe. SMX delivers scalable and secure solutions combined with the mission expertise needed to accelerate outcomes for the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other public and private sector clients. For more information on our solutions, please visit https://www.smxtech.com/. 

    About DZYNE
    DZYNE is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of airborne and ground-based autonomous defense solutions purpose-built to meet modern defense needs around the globe. The company’s solutions encompass the entire autonomous defense lifecycle and include multiple U.S. Government Programs of Record across UAS and C-UAS technologies. DZYNE is proud to support U.S. and allied military and civil defense partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.dzyne.com.

    For inquiries about this press release, please contact us at communications@smxtech.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU were invited to build a career in the companies “Region” and “Petersburg-Dorservis”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Students of SPbGASU are already actively immersed in the industry during their studies. In April, our university was visited by representatives of the companies “Region” and “Petersburg-Dorservis”. The meetings were organized by the Department of Water Use and Ecology.

    The professionals told the students about the intricacies of their work and the prospects that open up for future young specialists.

    Alexey Shchukin, founder and CEO of Region, graduated from SPbGASU in 2003. He is the founder of a company that has completed more than 230 projects in the field of designing water supply and sanitation facilities and maintains a personal expert blog. From his speech, students learned about the methodology for designing water intakes for cities and enterprises, and about the mistakes and problems that specialists in this field encounter.

    Maria Bezruk, a marketer at Region, emphasized that the team consists of people with different experience, skills, and qualities. This helps young professionals gain knowledge directly from people who have worked on large-scale, unique projects. “You will gain the skill of designing complex industrial water supply and sanitation facilities; an understanding of how to achieve your goals and the goals of the team; the opportunity to reveal your full personal and professional potential. And, in addition, knowledge of the basics of construction, which will allow you to build your dream home or your parents’ house in the future!”

    Students took part in a production-themed game and received corporate souvenirs.

    Vladimir Fedotov, Deputy General Director for Non-Urban and Special Facilities at Petersburg-Dorservis, has worked for the company for 33 years. He introduced the audience to the company, which designs and builds highways, city streets, bridges, overpasses, tunnels and other road infrastructure facilities.

    Company representatives invited students for internships, practical training, and, in the future, jobs.

    Ekaterina Dundukova, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy, is already working at Region. According to her, the company has a very friendly and pleasant atmosphere, the employees are genuinely interested in their work and are always happy to help each other, share their work knowledge and experience.

    Under the scientific supervision of Yulia Romanova, assistant of the Department of Water Use and Ecology, Ekaterina is writing her final qualification work “Reconstruction of water intake and water treatment facilities in the city of M.” The object of the study is being developed by the design organization “Region”.

    The student is confident in the relevance of her work for two reasons. Firstly, at present, a significant portion of the existing water intake and water treatment facilities throughout the country are becoming obsolete and require reconstruction or complete replacement, as their service life is coming to an end. Secondly, the required productivity is growing due to the increase in the scale of production in individual cities and the migration of the population within the country from small settlements to larger ones.

    “I plan to connect my future life with this specialty, because I consider it interesting and necessary, because no person and no production can do without water. I like to see the results of my work and know that it will benefit people,” Ekaterina shared.

    “Defending a final qualifying work is a key moment in the educational process of each student. This stage not only demonstrates accumulated knowledge and research skills, but also opens the way to a future professional career. Effective interaction with a production supervisor can significantly improve the quality of the final work and the student’s confidence in successful defense,” believes Yulia Romanova.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: AssetMark Announces 2025 Practice Excellence Award Recipients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CONCORD, Calif., May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AssetMark, a leading wealth management platform for financial advisors, today announced the recipients of its 2025 Practice Excellence Awards. These awards, now in their eighth year, recognize financial advisory firms that have made significant achievements in the areas of operational excellence and technology adoption at AssetMark.

    This year’s honorees are:

    2025 Operations Excellence Award – Accuracy of Submitted Client Requests
    Barrigan Nelson, Capital Financial Planners (Salem, OR)
    Scott Barber, Barber Financial (DuBois, PA)
    Christopher Tool, Advantage Investment Services, (Canyon Lake, CA)
    John McBride & Hayley Bowen​, Stewardship Wealth Advisors (Phoenix, AZ)

    2025 Digital Practice Award – Overall Adoption of AssetMark Digital Tools
    Marissa Nehlsen​​, Freedom Financial Group (Minot, ND)
    Eric Jensen​​, Foxton Financial (Littleton, CO)
    Eric Nagel​​, Midwest Legacy Group, LLC (Lisle, IL)
    Charlie Hirling, Brad Hirling, and Stephanie Ruello, Hirling Financial Group (Metairie, LA)

    2025 Green Planet Award – Adoption of eDelivery
    Derek Pilkington, Pilkington Financial​​ (Denver, CO)
    Jonathan Whitehouse, EastRise Wealth Management (Williston, VT)
    Bryan Schod​​, Lifetime Financial Growth, LLC. (Morgantown, WV)
    Mark Trice​, ClearVista Financial (Waco, TX)

    “It’s incredibly thrilling to honor these financial advisory firms for their adoption of AssetMark’s digital tools to transform traditionally manual middle- and back-office tasks,” said Carrie Hansen, EVP and COO of AssetMark. “Their enthusiastic embrace of technology has set a new standard, enabling advisors to handle client requests with unprecedented speed and precision, and freeing up invaluable time to focus wholeheartedly on serving their clients.”

    The Practice Excellence Awards were announced during the kick-off of AssetMark’s annual Customer Obsession Week, a week-long celebration starting today through May 9, 2025. “Customer Obsession Week is one of the most exciting times of the year for our company,” Hansen noted. “This is a time when we bring the entire AssetMark team together to celebrate our people, our amazing advisors, and the incredible work they do to support their clients’ hopes, dreams, and aspirations. By honoring these twelve award recipients for their outstanding achievements in operational excellence and technology adoption, we’re highlighting the critical importance for financial advisors of leveraging digital tools to enhance their client-focused culture and remain competitive.”

    The 2025 Practice Excellence Awards are issued by AssetMark and recognize financial advisory firms for embracing AssetMark technology to perform traditionally manual middle- and back-office functions. Award recipients were selected by a panel of senior leaders in AssetMark’s Operations and Service organization. Nominees were evaluated based on usage of our digital tools, accuracy, and volume of work. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results.

    About AssetMark
    AssetMark operates a wealth management platform whose mission is to help financial advisors and their clients. AssetMark, together with its affiliates AssetMark Trust Company, Voyant, and Adhesion Wealth Advisor Solutions, serves advisors at every stage of their journey with flexible, purpose-built solutions that champion client engagement and drive efficiency. Its ecosystem of solutions equips advisors with services and capabilities to help deliver better investor outcomes by enhancing their productivity, profitability, and client satisfaction. 

    With a history going back to 1996, AssetMark has over 1,000 employees, and its platform serves over 10,700 financial advisors and over 317,000 investor households. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had over $139 billion in platform assets. AssetMark, Inc. is a Registered Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.assetmark.com. Follow us on LinkedIn. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: EnerPure Further Strengthens Board with New Independent Director, John Cooper

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Winnipeg, MB, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EnerPure Inc. (“EnerPure” or the “Company”), a recycling and energy transition company, is pleased to announce that John Cooper has joined the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of EnerPure and joins Todd Habicht, Rick Koshman, Albert Krahn, Rachel Carroll, Robert Peterson, and Paul Paradis who were re-appointed as Directors at the Company’s Annual General Meeting held on April 30, 2025.

    “Over the years we have always looked to continually strengthen our Board to help ensure we can deliver on the tremendous opportunity before us. The addition of John, with his 30+ years of experience in the energy industry and broad-based leadership experience will provide invaluable guidance as we transition from development into commercialization.” commented Todd Habicht, Founder and Executive Chairman.

    “I’m honoured to join the Board of EnerPure and support the management team as it enters its commercialization and growth phase.” said John Cooper. “The EnerPure team has done a great job developing a commercial solution related to the handling of UMO. It is innovated and sized very well to address underserved markets across North America.”

    About John Cooper – LinkedIn

    With over 30 years of leadership in public and private entities with significant experience in energy, industrial waste and logistics, Mr. Cooper is currently CEO of PTW Energy Services. Prior to PTW, he has served in various senior positions including as Chief Executive Officer of Tervita Corporation; President and Chief Executive Officer of ClearStream Energy Services Inc.; Chief Operating Officer of Savanna Energy Services Corp.; President and Chief Executive Officer at Enermax Services Inc.; General Manager at Waste Management and President of Superior Propane Inc. Mr. Cooper holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Western Ontario.

    About EnerPure – https://enerpure.tech

    “We recycle Used Motor Oil (UMO) to reduce GHG emissions while producing a lower carbon-intensive marine fuel.”

    Each year ~17 billion litres of UMO* are improperly burned or dumped, causing widespread environmental harm. EnerPure sees a tremendous opportunity to solve this problem through the deployment of its modular micro-scale recycling plants using its patented technology to convert UMO into high-quality marine fuel.

    EnerPure is entering its next phase of growth, with our first commercial plant planned for Alberta. Our recycling plants require ~5% of the capex of traditional solutions, enabling localized recycling (while reducing the cost of collection) and providing strong economic returns.

    Our technology has been proven via our pilot plant (operating at 43% of scale) with 1.6 million litres processed and validated through the sale of over 1.2 million litres. Our drop-in ISO 8217-compliant marine fuel is in high demand in a growing market with its 14.6% lower carbon intensity. Annually each recycling plant can reduce greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and criteria air contaminants by 36,315 and 437 tonnes, respectively.

    EnerPure, while delivering strong economic returns, offers a proven, scalable platform where environmental need meets commercial opportunity, powering the energy transition through smart regional recycling.

    *UMO is defined as any petroleum-based or synthetic lubricating oil that cannot be used for its original purpose due to contamination.

    Disclosure and Caution

    This press release may contain certain disclosures that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. In making the forward-looking statements, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. However, the forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to economic, capital expenditures, and engineering projections, that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

    The securities referred to in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Justice Bid Secures Strategic Investment From OnDean Forward’s Legal Technology Fund

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    $4 Million Backing Accelerates Justice Bid’s Ability to Fill Market Gap
    For Enterprises – Ensure Transparency And ROI Clarity for Outside Counsel Selection

    CHICAGO, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Justice Bid, the leading solution provider that delivers transparency and ROI in outside counsel selection by automating the RFP process, announced it has secured a strategic investment of $4 million from OnDean Forward, a new legal technology investment vehicle backed by Andrew Sieja and former executives from Relativity.

    Despite being a relatively new company, Justice Bid has dozens of Fortune 1000 legal departments using its product to bring efficiency and transparency to outside counsel selection. Justice Bid streamlines the panel management and RFP process for corporate legal departments, leveraging advanced technology, including AI, to enhance decision making with greater speed, transparency, and insight. Instead of being in the dark on law firms’ proposed strategies, teams, and pricing, customers compare bids and see real-time pricing movement. In-house legal teams can optimize matter outcomes and generate as much as 30 percent cost savings.

    “We shift control to in-house legal teams, enabling them to make smarter, faster, and cost-efficient decisions on law firm selection,” Justice Bid CEO Omar Sweiss said. “Justice Bid resets the standard for fiscally responsible outside counsel selection, making law firms and enterprises accountable to each other for driving legal outcomes that matter materially to a business. We take great pride in how we support our customers. This investment from OnDean Forward represents a great validation of our market opportunity and value to customers.”

    Justice Bid is one of OnDean Forward’s core investments. The company will benefit from go-to-market and technology expertise of OnDean Forward, which includes former Relativity executives Marcin Wojtczak and Nick Robertson who have decades of experience in the legal space.

    “We’ve been selective in what companies we work with,” Sieja said. “It’s pretty simple. We like companies that have great technology and a leadership team that understands what it means to deliver outstanding customer service to the legal market. We were excited about Justice Bid from our first meeting and demo. They are solving a problem that has long frustrated in-house legal teams.”

    Greg Bennett, Director of Global Legal Services, AI and Technology, at Workday, agreed with Sieja’s sentiment about Justice Bid resolving nagging problems for corporate legal departments.

    “At Workday, our legal teams must move with speed, intelligence, and accountability to drive meaningful ROI for the business,” Bennett said. “That starts with full transparency into the value of our outside counsel — from selection through performance. Justice Bid has become a critical partner in that effort. Their platform brings much-needed structure, data, efficiency, and innovation to a process that’s long overdue for transformation. It’s helping set a new industry standard for how law firm relationships are built and managed.”

    This week Justice Bid is exhibiting at the CLOC event in Las Vegas. For more information, stop by Booth 12 or visit www.justicebid.com

    About Justice Bid
    Justice Bid, headquartered in Chicago, is a minority-owned analytics and RFP/e-auction company that increases the transparency, value, and impact of outside counsel selection. Corporate legal departments rely on Justice Bid for all types of outside counsel selection scenarios – panel refreshes, AFAs (e.g., time-based, fixed-fees, etc.), consolidations, rate reviews, matter-level RFPs, etc. Justice Bid’s platform is powered by data-driven insights that bring the selection of outside counsel into the fold of procurement best-practices, thereby ensuring corporate legal departments obtain better matter outcomes, control costs, and simplify processes.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: FHLBank Atlanta Contributes Nearly $6 Million to Help Homeowners Safeguard their Inheritances

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, May 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta) is awarding a total of $5.9 million to 21 organizations committed to preventing and resolving heirs’ property issues through its Heirs’ Property Family Wealth Protection Fund (FWP).

    Heirs’ property issues arise when a homeowner passes away without a will/trust or estate plan or when a property is left to multiple beneficiaries without a plan to manage it, resulting in a tangled or fractured title.

    A 2024 Harris Poll survey sponsored by FHLBank Atlanta found that 90% of homeowners expect the equity in their home to benefit their heirs, yet 43% don’t have a will/trust or estate plan. Further, more than a third (38%) of homeowners without a will/trust or estate plan intend to leave their property to more than one heir.

    Click here to view the grant recipients of the Family Wealth Protection Fund, which are each delivering services to homeowners to resolve tangled titles, executing wills and estate plans, or provide education on heirs’ property.

    “As part of our broader work to address housing challenges, we added a program to focus on heirs’ property issues,” said FHLBank Atlanta President and CEO Kirk Malmberg. “Without the proper paperwork or legal process, it is often difficult for homeowners or their heirs to benefit from those assets, which are often purchased with the goal of building generational wealth. The organizations receiving these grants work with homeowners to resolve tangled titles, execute wills and estate plans and provide education to ensure their intended heirs can benefit from the hard-earned equity in their homes.”

    Organizations receiving the grant funding assist property owners located in low-to-moderate income areas within the FHLBank Atlanta district: Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

    “In addition to our programs that provide downpayment assistance to homeowners and expand access to affordable housing, we introduced the Family Wealth Protection Fund to address another key challenge impacting the housing sector,” said FHLBank Atlanta Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment Services Tomeka Strickland. “This program aims to help individuals ensure they have clear titles and to strengthen communities, which are impacted by neighborhood blight when homes cannot be maintained or sold.”

    About FHLBank Atlanta
    FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank’s members are commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district Banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $9.1 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than 1.2 million households.  

    For more information, visit www.fhlbatl.com.

    CONTACT:
    Sheryl Touchton
    Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
    stouchton@fhlbatl.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A pope of the Americas: What Francis meant to 2 continents

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Neomi De Anda, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Dayton

    A portrait of Pope Francis is projected onto a water fountain in Lima, Peru, on April 21, 2025. AP Photo/Martin Mejia

    Most stories about Pope Francis mention that he made history as the first pontiff from Latin America. In fact, Francis was the first pope in centuries to be born outside Europe. But what impact did that actually have on the Catholic Church? The Conversation U.S. asked Neomi De Anda, a theologian at the University of Dayton, to explain the significance of having a pope from the Southern Hemisphere.

    Where do you see the influence of Pope Francis’ Latin American background?

    In reality, Francis is not only the first Latin American pope; he’s the first American pope. Francis is Argentine, the child and grandchild of Italian immigrants, and the first to be born in “América.” Though geography divides it into two continents, North and South, it is one land – one many Indigenous communities call “Turtle Island” or “Abya Yala.”

    In the pope’s 2024 video message to the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, he called upon them “to be bridge-builders between the Americas” and to be a church that “welcomes, accompanies, and integrates” migrants. Speaking in Spanish, he invited the academy “to do theology with your head, your hearts, and your hands” and to integrate “the richness of both cultures, North and South, at the service of a dignified life.”

    Pope Francis arrives for a massive open-air Mass in a park just a few yards from the U.S. border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on Feb. 17, 2016.
    AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills

    This message emphasizes Francis’ view of “synodality” – meaning a church that walks together – and his understanding of the connection among all people in the Americas and the Caribbean. It also shows a recurring theme of his papacy: the connections between pastoral care and theology.

    The greeting also highlights his desire for all to have a life of well-being, or “buen vivir,” through God’s love. As Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” This is also a key theme in a 2007 document produced after a meeting of Latin American bishops, known as Aparecida. Francis, then a cardinal, was a primary drafter.

    Aparecida points out Latin America’s abundance of aquifers and forest lands, which are “humanity’s lungs.” It laments economic factors leading to environmental destruction and climate change – themes that would prove important to Francis’ papacy. The document stresses God’s care for people whose lands are being pillaged and who are forced to migrate. It claims “nothing and no one” can take away the strength, joy and peace God gives to the world’s most vulnerable.

    Francis repeatedly acknowledged the Catholic Church’s role in crimes against Indigenous people, and he apologized. How did ideas about colonialism shape his papacy?

    Francis spent much time and attention learning more about the experiences of Native communities: from his visit to Chiapas, Mexico, in 2016; to the Amazon Synod, a meeting of Catholic bishops from the Pan-Amazon Region, Indigenous leaders from this region, theologians and other subject matter experts in 2019; to his tour across Canada in 2022.

    After the synod, Francis released a letter titled Querida Amazonia, which includes a call for Catholic leaders to learn more about the lives of Native peoples from across the nine countries of the Amazon.

    During the papal Mass Francis celebrated in Chiapas, Mexico, in 2016, you can see the deep intermixing of local cultures and customs with the liturgy. For example, women spread incense across the altar using clay vessels, alongside deacons using a thurible, the metal burner typically used in services. Animal images at the front of the platform represented the integration of all of creation.

    Pope Francis delivers his message during Mass in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, on Feb. 15, 2016.
    AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

    Throughout his trip to Canada in 2022 – whose purpose, in part, was to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in the Indigenous boarding school system – Francis presented a disposition of listening and care. He spent more time meeting with people and hearing about their experiences than giving prepared speeches on the perspective of the church.

    For First Nations peoples, the pope’s visit was an opportunity for reconciliation – but for some, it also reopened old wounds. One of their requests was that the church reject the Doctrine of Discovery: ideas about conversion to Christianity that colonial powers used to justify abuses.

    Talking to reporters on the plane returning to Rome, Francis named what had been done to Indigenous children in boarding schools as “genocide.” The following year, the Vatican released a repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery and documents associated with those ideas.

    Are there other ways that the pope did – or didn’t – make the church feel more inclusive?

    Francis’ papacy did less to change teachings on another topic shaped by colonialism: gender, sexuality and women. The Catholic Church maintains that there are two genders – male and female – which complement each other, a binary system that replaced more flexible ways of thinking about gender in some cultures.

    Members of a delegation of Indigenous peoples in Quebec await a meeting with Pope Francis on July 29, 2022.
    Ciro Fusco/Pool ANSA via AP

    The question of whether to ordain women as deacons arose from the Amazon Synod and continued at the church’s global Synod on Synodality, but without resolution.

    An emphasis on women’s role as child-bearers is embedded in the theological understanding of Mary as mother of Christ and the mother of the church. Whether intentionally or not, however, I would argue Francis laid groundwork for teaching about women and gender to expand.

    Appointments of women to high Vatican positions point to small shifts in practice. The presence of trans people among the last people who paid respects to Francis at his funeral marks a sign of possibilities that hopefully will continue.

    Although of “the church” might make us think of clergy, all who are baptized are the church. Around the world, Catholic communities have developed in many ways, with multiple forms of leadership – especially women lay leaders. The Vatican needs to continue to affirm that reality.

    The Catholic Church understands diversity as a gift of the Holy Spirit. My hope is for someone to continue in Francis’ vein of appreciating that pluralism.

    Neomi De Anda consults for the Louisville Institute, funded by Lily Endowment Inc. She receives funding from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Religion and Theology. She is a past president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States and is affiliated with the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative.

    – ref. A pope of the Americas: What Francis meant to 2 continents – https://theconversation.com/a-pope-of-the-americas-what-francis-meant-to-2-continents-255093

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis encouraged Christian-Muslim dialogue and helped break down stereotypes

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Craig Considine, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, Rice University

    Tributes being paid to Pope Francis at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church in Lahore, Pakistan, on April 22, 2025. AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary

    Pope Francis’ pontificate marked a distinct shift in the Catholic Church’s engagement with the Muslim world. While his predecessors fostered dialogue and tolerance, Francis sought more active engagement with Muslims, particularly in the Middle East.

    Francis framed his efforts around the “culture of encounter,” which he explained in a 2016 morning meditation. Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 7, he noted that this approach was about “active engagement” rather than passive observation. He urged individuals to embody Jesus by “not just seeing, but looking; not just hearing, but listening; not just passing people by, but stopping with them.”

    In my 2025 book “Beyond Dialogue – Building Bonds Between Christians and Muslims,” I stress the importance of moving beyond mere tolerance to collaboration as a way to engage with religious diversity − something that Francis demonstrated in his interfaith dialogue efforts with Muslim countries.

    Francis in Iraq after IS destruction

    In 2021, Francis visited regions in Iraq once held by the Islamic State, or IS. This was the first papal visit to the country. He held masses in Irbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, and he addressed a gathering in the courtyard of the Al-Tahera church, the hub of the Syriac Catholic population in Mosul. The historic 18th-century church was partially destroyed by IS during its occupation of the city from 2014 to 2017. An estimated 5,000 Christians were killed and some 125,000 displaced in Iraq during that time.

    Iraqis put up a poster with Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the leader of Iraqi Shiite Muslims, in Najaf, Iraq, on March 4, 2021.
    AP Photo/Anmar Khalil

    At Church Square in Mosul, where there are four churches, Francis prayed for the victims of the conflict and called for harmonious coexistence between Christians and Muslims. He also invited displaced Christians to return to their homes and praised the young Iraqi volunteers – both Christians and Muslims – working side by side to rebuild the churches and mosques destroyed by IS.

    In addition, he convened an interreligious gathering in Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, a prophet revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims.

    His actions not only brought together Christians and Muslims but also helped break down stereotypes.

    The year of tolerance

    In 2019 he visited the United Arab Emirates, marking the first papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula, the birthplace of Islam. The visit coincided with the Emirati government proclaiming 2019 the Year of Tolerance, promoting coexistence, diversity and respect.

    During his visit in Abu Dhabi in 2019, Francis celebrated a historic Catholic Mass in Zayed Sports City, drawing 180,000 attendees from over 100 countries, for which the UAE government declared a special holiday.

    This unprecedented event challenged negative Western stereotypes about the Arabian Peninsula’s religious intolerance. The UAE Constitution, for example, guarantees religious freedom to all people, albeit with restrictions on proselytization among non-Islamic communities. It also offered a counternarrative of unity between Christians and Muslims in a region often viewed through a lens of religious strife and war.

    Francis’ visit to the UAE also culminated in some crucial interfaith initiatives. In Abu Dhabi, Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, Ahmed El-Tayeb, cosigned the document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. The document stresses the need to work together to promote a “culture of reciprocal respect.” While the Emirati president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, did not directly sign the document, he supported the interfaith initiatives that followed Francis’ trip.

    This document led to the setting up of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, a collaborative project of a diverse groups of academic, cultural and religious leaders and entities from around the world. The committee created the Human Fraternity Education and Leadership for Peace program, a global youth movement. It also worked with the United Nations General Assembly to designate Feb. 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity.

    The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity also guided the construction of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, a shared space for a church, mosque and synagogue that opened in 2023.

    I had the opportunity to attend the opening ceremony of the Abrahamic Family House in 2023. It was a memorable experience. A Christian girl, a Muslim boy and Jewish boy each brought a cube representing each house of worship to the center platform of the forum and placed them side by side on the ground. The simple act mirrored the architectural design of the Abrahamic Family House by bringing the abstract concept of interfaith harmony to life in a concrete and relatable way. The Emirati youth provided a glimpse into what a tolerant future could look like.

    History of Catholic-Muslim relations

    The closest historical comparison to the Document on Human Fraternity is the Nostra Aetate, a declaration from the Second Vatican Council of 1965, when major reforms were initiated in the Catholic Church.

    Nostra Aetate marked a turning point in the Catholic Church’s relations with Islam and all non-Christian traditions. After a history of conflict, limited positive engagement and mutual suspicion, it emphasized harmony, dialogue and respect with Islam.

    However, the Document on Human Fraternity went further. For starters, it was a joint declaration with prominent Muslim leaders, signifying a deeper commitment to Christian-Muslim partnership, whereas Nostra Aetate was an internal Catholic document. The document called for grassroot activities, pointing to a more action-oriented approach to Christian and Muslim relations. Given that it was signed by the pope, it held influence within the Vatican leadership and among liberal cardinals. Its core principles are being integrated into pastoral initiatives and interreligious dialogue at the national and international levels.

    Francis’ approach to Christian-Muslim dialogue differed notably from his predecessors. While Pope John Paul II focused on intellectual exchange and theological dialogue, Francis emphasized that they were insufficient on their own. In turn, he prioritized direct action and personal engagement with others as a means to a deeper understanding of the other.

    Pope Benedict XVI, despite his commitment to dialogue, faced challenges due to remarks that outraged Muslims worldwide. During his Regensburg address in 2006, he mentioned a medieval dialogue attributed to Manuel II Palaiologus, the Byzantine emperor who reigned from 1391 to 1425, a period of growing power of the Ottoman Empire. Manuel II had criticized the concept of jihad in Islam and referred to Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, as “evil” and “inhuman.” While Benedict repeatedly emphasized that he was quoting Manuel II’s views on the relationship between faith and reason and not personally endorsing the emperor’s assessment of Islam, the pope’s comments were perceived as disrespectful toward the Islamic faith and its prophet.

    Upon Francis’ death, the president of the UAE – Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – described him as “a symbol of human fraternity, cultural coexistence and interfaith dialogue,” adding that he inspired “future generations in upholding the values of tolerance and mutual understanding.”

    Francis’ gestures of solidarity, personal relationships and frequent visits to Muslim countries, I believe, laid a tangible foundation to move beyond dialogue and toward human fraternity.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis encouraged Christian-Muslim dialogue and helped break down stereotypes – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-encouraged-christian-muslim-dialogue-and-helped-break-down-stereotypes-255193

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: National security advisers manage decision-making as advocates or honest brokers

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory F. Treverton, Professor of Practice in International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

    Mike Waltz speaks with reporters in the press room at the White House on Feb. 20, 2025. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    The removal of Mike Waltz as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser – formally the assistant to the president for national security affairs – raises the question of just what that position entails and also what it means that Marco Rubio will now act as secretary of state and national security adviser.

    The National Security Act of 1947 created the National Security Council to advise the president on matters of national security. It’s also tasked with integrating domestic, foreign and military policies.

    But the national security adviser position is neither enshrined in law nor accountable to Congress.

    I’m an economist and international relations scholar who has worked with three national security advisers − Zbigniew Brzezinski, Samuel “Sandy” Berger and Susan Rice.

    I’ve seen the job up close. The core of the national security adviser’s role is managing the national security decision-making process, as decisions on issues from Ukraine to Gaza to nuclear proliferation are made. It’s a coordinating role.

    Honest broker

    National security advisers set the timing and flow of policy analysis and recommendations to the National Security Council committees − first, the principals committee, which brings together the Cabinet secretaries with national security responsibilities from the State Department, Department of Defense, the CIA and others.

    While the principals committee typically rarely meets and virtually never with the president in the chair, not so the deputies committee. That committee brings together the Nos. 2 and 3 in the same departments.

    In my most recent stint in Washington as chair of the National Intelligence Council in the Obama administration, the deputies committee met almost every day, sometimes more than once. Its formal role is to tee up issues for decision by the principals and the president.

    National security advisers have the advantage of proximity to the president, with an office footsteps from the Oval, as it is known in Washington lingo. They also manage a relatively lean staff.

    In my time on the National Security Council staff in the Carter administration, it was perhaps 150 all told, including the watch officers in the White House Situation Room. In the Biden administration it was on the order of 350 staff.

    For us National Security Council staffers, if we disagreed with our counterparts at the State Department or the Defense Department, we could let the principals decide. We knew that we could get to Brzezinski faster, for example, than they could get to their Cabinet secretaries.

    National security adviser Susan Rice walks with Fang Changlong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, in Beijing, in September 2014.
    AP Photo/Wang Zhao

    In Washington, proximity is opportunity. And, not surprisingly, national security advisers since McGeorge Bundy in the John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson administrations have become central figures in the foreign policy arena. The have had to manage the balance between seeking to influence the president and remaining an honest broker.

    As Berger put it, “You have to be perceived by your colleagues as an honest representative of their viewpoint, or the system breaks down.”

    Managing the tension

    National security advisers have managed the tension in their roles in different ways. And two models of those roles have emerged.

    Henry Kissinger, who served Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, was a powerful strategist driving presidential policy, often bypassing traditional channels. He, like Secretary of State Marco Rubio will do, served a dual role from 1973 to 1975 as national security adviser and secretary of state. Condoleezza Rice, the national security adviser who served George W. Bush, also later became secretary of state.

    Brent Scowcroft, who served both Ford and President George H. W. Bush, is the exemplar of the other model − an “honest broker” ensuring a fair, collegial policy process. He was the consummate insider: low-key, meticulous about process and influencing through quiet proximity. The Bush administration he served was also, as described by a friend, as collegial as the men’s locker room of an upscale country club. Still, while I never had the chance to work with him, he is my standard for the role of national security adviser.

    Waltz served too briefly to evaluate his record. It’s ironic that what seems to have done him in was the Signalgate scandal, in which Waltz added a journalist to a Signal group chat in which government officials discussed details about a planned U.S. military strike in Yemen.

    That was an example of Waltz’s coordinating role, bringing most of the relevant policy officials together to discuss an important issue. The purpose was right, but the means was extremely unwise.

    Henry Kissinger shakes hands with Chinese Premier Chou En-lai in Peking, China, in July 1971.
    AP Photo/White House

    Learning from the past

    Historically, the worst crisis of the National Security Council system ensued when it sought to conduct operations, not just organize them. That was the case in the Iran-Contra affair of the Reagan administration.

    Robert McFarlane took over as national security adviser in October 1983. A former Marine officer and deputy national security adviser, he was conscientious to a fault: In one meeting while he was consulting during the transition from President George H. W. Bush to President Bill Clinton, we asked him about work hours. He replied: “They’re not bad. I’m out of here by eight most nights, earlier on Sunday.”

    He was done in by Iran-Contra, a clandestine effort run by the National Security Council to trade arms to Iran − then under a U.S. arms embargo − in hopes of freeing American hostages, with proceeds diverted to fund the Nicaraguan Contras, despite a congressional ban on funding them. He pleaded guilty in 1988 to withholding information from Congress.

    It’s a telling lesson for Rubio and other Waltz successors as the national security adviser of the dangers of moving from honest broker and quiet advocate to operator − especially if the operation is contrary to public U.S. policy and perhaps against the law.

    This story is part of a series of profiles of Cabinet and high-level administration positions.

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

    – ref. National security advisers manage decision-making as advocates or honest brokers – https://theconversation.com/national-security-advisers-manage-decision-making-as-advocates-or-honest-brokers-255760

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian delegation travelling to Toronto to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe Day

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Remembering those who fought for peace and freedom.

     

    5 May 2025 – Toronto, ON – Veterans Affairs Canada

     

    All Canadians share a responsibility to keep Veterans’ stories alive, recognize the cost of war and honour their sacrifices that led to the privileges and peace we know today.

    From the fall of 1944 to the spring of 1945, Canadian soldiers served in Western Europe helping to liberate the Netherlands from German occupiers. Town by town, canal by canal, their perseverance paved the road to liberation and the eventual surrender of the remaining German forces. The friendship between the Netherlands and Canada has been shaped by our shared history and has only grown stronger over the years.

    To mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, an official Government of Canada delegation is travelling to Toronto to participate in a variety of commemorative events and ceremonies.

    The delegation includes Veterans—some of whom served in the Second World War—and their families, along with representatives of Veterans’ organizations, and departmental officials. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces will also participate in events and ceremonies in Toronto.

    On 6 May 2025, following a wreath-laying ceremony at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, the Government of Canada will host a commemorative ceremony at CIBC SQUARE to welcome the Boots of Remembrance. Combat boots symbolize the service and sacrifice of Canadians who left their hometowns, boarded trains, and embarked from Halifax to fight in Europe.

    On 8 May 2025, the Department will commemorate Victory in Europe Day with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Victory-Peace Monument in Coronation Park. Later, at sunset, a national commemorative ceremony for the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe and the Liberation of the Netherlands will take place in the heart of Toronto, at Canada Lands Square. The commemoration will include the lighting of the CN Tower—along with national landmarks across Canada and in France—as Beacons of Peace, a lantern-lighting ceremony, and a symbolic presentation of the Boots of Remembrance.

    Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtags #CanadaRemembers or visit veterans.gc.ca/CanadaRemembers.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Notable efforts to address electoral integrity but certain aspects of Romania’s presidential campaign left without sufficient oversight: international observers

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Notable efforts to address electoral integrity but certain aspects of Romania’s presidential campaign left without sufficient oversight: international observers

    Notable efforts to address electoral integrity but certain aspects of Romania’s presidential campaign left without sufficient oversight: international observers | OSCE
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    Home Newsroom News and press releases Notable efforts to address electoral integrity but certain aspects of Romania’s presidential campaign left without sufficient oversight: international observers

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Presidential Message on National Astronaut Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-left”>Sixty-four years ago today, a brave American sat in the cockpit of the Mercury rocket, ready to face the unknown.  After years of scientific advancement and growing competition in space exploration, Commander Alan B. Shepard undertook a dangerous mission that held the promise of groundbreaking achievement, national pride, and a future defined by American leadership in space.
    With three simple words—“light this candle”—Shepard launched into the vast expanse of space, becoming the first American to break the bounds of Earth.  His spacecraft, Freedom 7, was a tribute to the seven Project Mercury astronauts, and to one of our Nation’s founding principles: freedom.  
    That same spirit of courage, innovation, and resolve has defined American space exploration ever since.  Just 8 years later, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted the Stars and Stripes on the Moon.  Last month, we saw the same strength again when I ordered the rescue of stranded astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, whose 8-day mission turned into a 286-day journey aboard the International Space Station.  It was the vitality of our Nation’s space programs that rose to the challenge and brought them safely home.  
    As we celebrate National Astronaut Day, we honor the legacy of those who have blazed the trail into the final frontier.  Under my leadership, America’s space program will continue to push the boundaries of discoveries, with bold plans for lunar missions, Mars exploration, and beyond.  By fostering innovation, strengthening our partnerships with private space companies, and advancing our technological capabilities, we are ensuring that the United States remains the global leader in space for generations to come. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement from IOM Spokesperson: IOM Chief Visit to Tunisia

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva/ Tunis, 5 May 2025 – At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, IOM Director General Ms Amy Pope arrived in Tunisia today to hold high-level meetings with Government officials and key partners to strengthen cooperation and support coordinated and effective approaches to address migration challenges and opportunities in the country. 

    During her visit, DG Pope will attend a thematic workshop on diaspora engagement taking place in the context of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD). The GFMD event, on 6 May, will focus on boosting diaspora engagement, attracting investment, retaining skilled talent, and supporting Tunisia’s youth. With over 15 per cent of Tunisians living abroad, primarily in Europe, their remittances account for more than five per cent of the country’s GDP, supporting key sectors such as services, industry, and agriculture. 

    IOM works with the Government of Tunisia and key partners, including the European Union and African countries, to develop integrated solutions across key routes, managing migration and harnessing the contribution of migration for joint prosperity. This means addressing trafficking and abuse of migrants, assisting those who choose to return home, and helping them reintegrate and rebuild their lives.

    In 2024, IOM supported 19,785 people in Tunisia through essential services, including assistance to vulnerable migrants, healthcare, voluntary return and reintegration, and protection efforts as well as supporting Tunisian youth find opportunity safely through regular migration pathways.

    Tunisia is a key country in global migration efforts. It is crucial for donors and policymakers to work closely with the Government to support migrants and host communities, as well as the voluntary return of migrants in irregular situations to their homes with the strict respect of their human dignity.

    IOM works globally to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration, supporting rights-based pathways that enable people to move and work with dignity and opportunity.

    For more information, please contact IOM Media Centre 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –