NewzIntel.com

Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – [ALPHA GROUP INTERNATIONAL PLC – 23 06 2025] – (CGAML)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: CANACCORD GENUITY ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED (for Discretionary clients)
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		 N/A
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 ALPHA GROUP INTERNATIONAL PLC
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 23 JUNE 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 0.2p ORDINARY
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 1,358,812 3.2120    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 1,358,812 3.2120    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    0.2p ORDINARY SALE 5,000 2915.15p
    0.2p ORDINARY SALE 5,000 2935.5p

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    NONE        

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
    NONE              

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
    NONE      

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    NONE

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 24 JUNE 2025
    Contact name: MARK ELLIOTT
    Telephone number: 01253 376539

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mplify Emerges as New Brand for MEF, Reflects Bold Vision for the AI-Driven Digital Economy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEF, a global industry association accelerating enterprise digital transformation, today announced it has rebranded as Mplify Alliance, marking the start of a new era defined by scale, openness, and collective impact. The new name reflects the organization’s evolution into a global alliance of enterprises, service providers, cloud providers, data center operators, technology providers, and systems integrators. United by a shared purpose to connect and empower the world, Mplify’s mission is to amplify global network and service innovation, interoperability, and resilience through collaboration, standardization, and certification.

    Why the Change

    The transition to Mplify aligns the organization’s identity with its growing role and the expanding diversity of its community. As the market shifts toward cloud-like service consumption, intelligent automation, and AI-optimized networking, Mplify provides a clear, more modern expression of the alliance’s mission and value.

    The rebrand was guided by three strategic goals:

    • Expand the organization’s identity beyond telecom to include enterprises, service providers, cloud providers, technology providers, data centers, and systems integrators.
    • Clarify its purpose: enabling secure, automated, standards-based service delivery.
    • To modernize its voice to attract new contributors and reflect where the market is heading.

    The name Mplify encapsulates the organization’s role in amplifying collaboration, scaling adoption, and driving shared innovation. This evolution reflects both the organization’s legacy and its forward-looking mission.

    “Mplify is built on everything that made MEF successful and designed for what the future demands,” said Nan Chen, CEO of Mplify. “In cybersecurity especially, the industry has long been opaque, with every provider claiming to be secure but offering no shared definition or proof. Through standardization and certification, we’re introducing trust and transparency into a space that badly needs both. Mplify gives us the platform and momentum to bring the ecosystem together, educate the market, and define what secure, automated, AI-powered services should look like.”

    What’s Changing and What’s Not

    While the name and identity are new, Mplify builds on more than two decades of leadership as MEF. The organization remains rooted in the same mission: advancing standardized, secure, and automated services through collaboration and certification.

    Mplify continues the foundational work that positioned MEF a defining force in standardizing Carrier Ethernet (CE) with MEF 3.0 CE certified services, and they remain the gold-standard for high-performance, standardized, and increasingly on-demand connectivity, support AI requirements and other advanced use cases.

    The organization is driving industry-wide automation with Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs and launching the only certification program for Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions. These pillars remain central as Mplify extends its global reach.

    All existing programs, memberships, and initiatives continue under the Mplify brand. Members can expect the same trusted community and technical rigor now with a modern voice, more accessible identity, and expanded opportunities for innovation.

    The rebrand comes at a time when cross-industry collaboration and trusted frameworks are more critical than ever.

    “The name Mplify captures the momentum the alliance is seeing across the global network ecosystem,” said Debika Bhattacharya, Mplify Board Chair and Chief Technology Solutions Officer of Verizon Business Group. “This evolution isn’t just about a new name — it’s about creating a more open, inclusive, and action-oriented alliance that brings the entire ecosystem together to define the future of connectivity. AI, automation, and cybersecurity are transforming how services are delivered, and Mplify offers a stronger foundation from which to drive that change.”

    NaaS: The Road Ahead

    Mplify’s rebrand signals a strategic shift toward enabling Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) at global scale. Defined by standardized, automated, and certifiable service components, NaaS is the foundation for delivering secure, AI-optimized digital experiences across increasingly dynamic, distributed environments.

    As demand grows for programmable, on-demand, and multi-cloud services, Mplify is accelerating the frameworks and certifications that make NaaS real. From Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) certification, the alliance is focused on turning collaboration into scalable, production-ready capability.

    This evolution will be on display at the Global NaaS Event (GNE), 10-14 November, where production use cases, AI-powered automation, and new service models will take center stage.

    Learn More

    Visit https://www.mplify.net/ and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.

    For details on the Global NaaS Event (GNE), the premier gathering of industry leaders advancing the future of NaaS, visit http://GNE.Mplify.net.

    About Mplify

    Mplify is a global alliance of network, cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise organizations working together to accelerate the AI-powered digital economy through standardization, automation, certification, and collaboration. As the defining authority behind Carrier Ethernet, Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) APIs, and certified SASE and SD-WAN, Mplify has developed the global blueprint for Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) that is empowering the industry to innovate, interoperate, and scale trusted network services across a global ecosystem.

    Media Contact:
    Melissa Power
    Mplify
    pr@mplify.net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji advocacy group slams Indonesian role in MSG as a ‘disgrace’

    Asia Pacific Report

    A Fiji-based advocacy group has condemned the participation of Indonesia in the Melanesian Spearhead Group which is meeting in Suva this week, saying it is a “profound disgrace” that the Indonesian Embassy continues to “operate freely” within the the MSG Secretariat.

    “This presence blatantly undermines the core principles of justice and solidarity we claim to uphold as Melanesians,” said We Bleed Black and Red in a social media post.

    The group said that as the new MSG chair, the Fiji government could not speak cannot credibly about equity, peace, regional unity, or the Melanesian family “while the very agent of prolonged Melanesian oppression sits at the decision-making table”.

    The statement said that for more than six decades, the people of West Papua had endured “systemic atrocities from mass killings to environmental devastation — acts that clearly constitute ecocide and gross human rights violations”.

    “Indonesia’s track record is not only morally indefensible but also a flagrant breach of numerous international agreements and conventions,” the group said.

    “It is time for all Melanesian nations to confront the reality behind the diplomatic facades and development aid.

    “No amount of financial incentives or diplomatic charm can erase the undeniable suffering of the West Papuan people.

    “We must rise above political appeasement and fulfill our moral and regional duty as one Melanesian family.

    “The Pacific cannot claim moral leadership while turning a blind eye and deaf ear to colonial violence on our own shores. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

    ‘Peaceful, prosperous Melanesia’
     Meanwhile, The Fiji Times reports that the 23rd MSG Leaders’ Summit got underway on Monday in Suva, drawing heads of state from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and representatives from New Caledonia’s FLNKS.

    Hosted under the theme “A Peaceful and Prosperous Melanesia,” the summit ended yesterday.

    This year’s meeting also marked Fiji’s first time chairing the regional bloc since 1997.

    Fiji officially assumed the MSG chairmanship from Vanuatu following a traditional handover ceremony attended by senior officials, observers, and dignitaries at Draiba.

    Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape arrived in Suva on Sunday and reaffirmed Papua New Guinea’s commitment to MSG cooperation during today’s plenary session.

    He will also take part in high-level talanoa discussions with the Pacific Islands Forum’s Eminent Persons Group, aimed at deepening institutional reform and regional solidarity.

    Observers from the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and Indonesia were also present, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand the bloc’s influence on issues like self-determination, regional trade, security, and climate resilience in the Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Semen allergies may be suprisingly common – here’s what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Michael Carroll, Reader / Associate Professor in Reproductive Science, Manchester Metropolitan University

    Yuriy Maksymiv/Shutterstock

    Imagine itching, burning, swelling, or even struggling to breathe just moments after sex. For a small but growing number of women, that’s not an awkward anecdote – it’s a medical condition. It’s called seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) – an allergy to semen.

    This rare but underdiagnosed allergy isn’t triggered by sperm cells, but by proteins in the seminal plasma — the fluid that carries sperm. First documented in 1967, when a woman was hospitalised after a “violent allergic reaction” to sex, SPH is now recognised as a type 1 hypersensitivity, the same category as hay fever, peanut allergy and cat dander.

    Symptoms range from mild to severe. Some women experience local reactions: burning, itching, redness and swelling of the vulva or vagina. Others develop full-body symptoms: hives, wheezing, dizziness, runny nose and even anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening immune response.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Until 1997, SPH was thought to affect fewer than 100 women globally. But a study led by allergist Jonathan Bernstein found that among women reporting postcoital symptoms, nearly 12% could be classified as having probable SPH.

    I conducted a small, unpublished survey in 2013 and found a similar 12% rate. The true figure may be higher still. Many cases go unreported, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as STIs, yeast infections, or general “sensitivity”. One revealing clue: symptoms disappear when condoms are used.

    A 2024 study reinforced this finding, suggesting that SPH is both more common and more commonly misdiagnosed than previously believed.

    The problem isn’t the sperm

    The main allergen appears to be prostate-specific antigen (PSA): a protein found in all seminal plasma, not just that of a particular partner. In other words, women can develop a reaction to any man’s semen, not just their regular partner’s.

    There’s also evidence of cross-reactivity. For example, Can f 5, a protein found in dog dander, is structurally similar to human PSA. So women allergic to dogs may find themselves reacting to semen too. In one unusual case, a woman with a Brazil nut allergy broke out in hives after sex, probably due to trace nut proteins in her partner’s semen.

    Diagnosis begins with a detailed sexual and medical history, often followed by skin prick testing with the partner’s semen or blood tests for PSA-specific antibodies (IgE).

    In my own research involving symptomatic women, we demonstrated that testing with washed spermatozoa, free from seminal plasma, can help confirm that the allergic trigger is not the sperm cells themselves, but proteins in the seminal fluid.

    And it’s not just women. It’s possible some men may be allergic to their own semen.

    This condition, known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), causes flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog and muscle aches, immediately after ejaculation. It’s believed to be an autoimmune or allergic reaction. Diagnosis is tricky, but skin testing with a man’s own semen can yield a positive reaction.

    What about fertility?

    Seminal plasma hypersensitivity doesn’t cause infertility directly, but it can complicate conception. Avoiding the allergen – usually the most effective treatment for allergies – isn’t feasible for couples trying to conceive.

    Treatments include prophylactic antihistamines (antihistamine medications taken in advance of anticipated exposure to an allergen, or before allergy symptoms are expected to appear to prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions), anti-inflammatories and desensitisation using diluted seminal plasma. In more severe cases, couples may choose IVF with washed sperm, bypassing the allergic trigger altogether.

    It’s important to note: SPH is not a form of infertility. Many women with SPH have conceived successfully – some naturally, others with medical support.

    So why don’t more people know about this?

    Because sex-related symptoms often go unspoken. Embarrassment, stigma and a lack of awareness among doctors mean that many women suffer in silence. In Bernstein’s 1997 study, almost half of the women who had symptoms after sex had never been checked for SPH, and many had spent years being misdiagnosed and getting the wrong treatment.

    If sex routinely leaves you itchy, sore or unwell – and condoms help – you might be allergic to semen.

    It’s time to bring this hidden condition out of the shadows and into the consultation room.

    Michael Carroll 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. Semen allergies may be suprisingly common – here’s what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/semen-allergies-may-be-suprisingly-common-heres-what-you-need-to-know-259308

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What Glastonbury is like for deaf people – one of the festival’s DeafZone coordinators explains

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dai O’Brien, Associate Professor, BSL and Deaf Studies, York St John University

    The sense of community is something Deaf people share with how hearing people experience festivals. Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    For the past few years at Glastonbury, sign language interpreters have gone viral on social media for enthusiastically signing songs beside the stage. But those clips tell us nothing about what the overall experience of the festival is like for deaf people. How do deaf people experience and enjoy live music, and how do they create their own alternative space which is not focused around sound?

    I am deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) as my preferred language. As well as my academic job teaching BSL and Deaf studies at York St John University, I am also one of the coordinators of DeafZone. It’s a small charity which organises, among other things, the BSL interpreters of events like Glastonbury.

    But a key reason for setting up DeafZone was to instigate a space for cultural exchange. In the DeafZone, the more progressive, open-minded people who are attracted to Glastonbury’s tradition as a space of radical thought and alternative lifestyles may be open to learning more about deaf people, our languages and cultures.

    An absolutely key element of deaf people’s experience of festivals is the creation of alternative deaf spaces. Deaf people do not experience festivals in the same way as hearing people in more ways that the simple absence of sound.

    We create our own spaces which are visual and tactile. The interpretation of song lyrics into BSL is only a small, albeit very visible, part of this alternative festival space.

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

    People often look at me strangely when I tell them that one of my best every festival experiences was in a portaloo. Understandable, I suppose, when you consider what usually happens in portaloos in festivals.

    However, this particular experience was focused on the way in which the plastic walls of the portaloo acted as a gigantic amplifier of the sound vibrations in the air. This made the inside of the loo an intensely tactile experience of music, with different frequencies vibrating through different parts of my body.

    A less smelly way of accessing this tactile experience of music is through plastic drinks holders or balloons. Balloons can be a risky option, however, as security sometimes confiscate them under the impression that they are full of nitrous oxide. This is frustrating, but can result in conversations which invite them into the lived deaf space we are inhabiting and give them an alternative way of appreciating music which does not rely on sound.

    Of course, deaf people often also simply position themselves directly in front of the sound stacks. But the key is that the experience of sound is again a physical, tactile one, subverting the idea that music must be enjoyed as an auditory experience.

    The values of the space created have some overlaps with those of the wider festival. Deaf spaces centre the use of signed languages. Their creators – including myself – firmly believe that deaf children should have access to signed languages from birth to stave off language deprivation.

    We also resist the medicalisation of deafness. These are beliefs which find common ground in the radical political roots of Glastonbury, in which ideas of equality and acceptance are core principles.

    This means that at its heart, the festival is a very welcoming space for deaf people, regardless of whether there is a shared language or not. There’s a shared respect for humanity that transcends language modality.

    This comes back to the fact that DeafZone is not just about organising interpreters for access to song lyrics. We give non-signing people a chance to engage with us in our space, to appreciate our values, and to learn about the mistreatment that deaf communities and cultures have suffered.

    Regardless of whether you’re deaf or hearing, the uniqueness of the Glastonbury festival provides opportunities to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s languages. If that includes room for dancing together to your favourite band, so much the better.

    Dai O’Brien is affiliated with DeafZone.

    – ref. What Glastonbury is like for deaf people – one of the festival’s DeafZone coordinators explains – https://theconversation.com/what-glastonbury-is-like-for-deaf-people-one-of-the-festivals-deafzone-coordinators-explains-258532

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What Glastonbury is like for deaf people – one of the festival’s DeafZone coordinators explains

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dai O’Brien, Associate Professor, BSL and Deaf Studies, York St John University

    The sense of community is something Deaf people share with how hearing people experience festivals. Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    For the past few years at Glastonbury, sign language interpreters have gone viral on social media for enthusiastically signing songs beside the stage. But those clips tell us nothing about what the overall experience of the festival is like for deaf people. How do deaf people experience and enjoy live music, and how do they create their own alternative space which is not focused around sound?

    I am deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) as my preferred language. As well as my academic job teaching BSL and Deaf studies at York St John University, I am also one of the coordinators of DeafZone. It’s a small charity which organises, among other things, the BSL interpreters of events like Glastonbury.

    But a key reason for setting up DeafZone was to instigate a space for cultural exchange. In the DeafZone, the more progressive, open-minded people who are attracted to Glastonbury’s tradition as a space of radical thought and alternative lifestyles may be open to learning more about deaf people, our languages and cultures.

    An absolutely key element of deaf people’s experience of festivals is the creation of alternative deaf spaces. Deaf people do not experience festivals in the same way as hearing people in more ways that the simple absence of sound.

    We create our own spaces which are visual and tactile. The interpretation of song lyrics into BSL is only a small, albeit very visible, part of this alternative festival space.

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

    People often look at me strangely when I tell them that one of my best every festival experiences was in a portaloo. Understandable, I suppose, when you consider what usually happens in portaloos in festivals.

    However, this particular experience was focused on the way in which the plastic walls of the portaloo acted as a gigantic amplifier of the sound vibrations in the air. This made the inside of the loo an intensely tactile experience of music, with different frequencies vibrating through different parts of my body.

    A less smelly way of accessing this tactile experience of music is through plastic drinks holders or balloons. Balloons can be a risky option, however, as security sometimes confiscate them under the impression that they are full of nitrous oxide. This is frustrating, but can result in conversations which invite them into the lived deaf space we are inhabiting and give them an alternative way of appreciating music which does not rely on sound.

    Of course, deaf people often also simply position themselves directly in front of the sound stacks. But the key is that the experience of sound is again a physical, tactile one, subverting the idea that music must be enjoyed as an auditory experience.

    The values of the space created have some overlaps with those of the wider festival. Deaf spaces centre the use of signed languages. Their creators – including myself – firmly believe that deaf children should have access to signed languages from birth to stave off language deprivation.

    We also resist the medicalisation of deafness. These are beliefs which find common ground in the radical political roots of Glastonbury, in which ideas of equality and acceptance are core principles.

    This means that at its heart, the festival is a very welcoming space for deaf people, regardless of whether there is a shared language or not. There’s a shared respect for humanity that transcends language modality.

    This comes back to the fact that DeafZone is not just about organising interpreters for access to song lyrics. We give non-signing people a chance to engage with us in our space, to appreciate our values, and to learn about the mistreatment that deaf communities and cultures have suffered.

    Regardless of whether you’re deaf or hearing, the uniqueness of the Glastonbury festival provides opportunities to learn from each other and enjoy each other’s languages. If that includes room for dancing together to your favourite band, so much the better.

    Dai O’Brien is affiliated with DeafZone.

    – ref. What Glastonbury is like for deaf people – one of the festival’s DeafZone coordinators explains – https://theconversation.com/what-glastonbury-is-like-for-deaf-people-one-of-the-festivals-deafzone-coordinators-explains-258532

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How aid cuts may be affecting humanitarian workers

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lucia Berdondini, Associate Professor in Psychology, University of East London

    Humanitarian work takes a profound emotional toll on workers. It places them at the frontline of global crises, at times witnessing the devastating impacts of war, famine, natural disasters, mass displacement and systemic injustice. Humanitarian workers have to cope with emotional exhaustion and burnout, with stress levels in some humanitarian settings comparable to those in combat zones.

    The emotional burden deepens when workers feel unable to live up to the very values that initially drew them to the sector. It can be emotionally painful for people to watch aid fail, or to carry out policies they believe are wrong.

    Psychologists refer to this distress as moral injury — a form of psychological, emotional and spiritual distress that arises when people perpetrate, witness or fail to prevent actions that violate their deeply held moral beliefs. Moral injury arises from guilt, shame, betrayal and anger. This is often directed at others and sometimes at oneself for participating in a harmful system.

    As governments cut foreign aid, this disillusionment is likely to worsen. In our 2023 study published in Displaced Voices, we interviewed aid workers across international organisations and charities working in Calais and Dunkirk.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Participants shared their experiences of working in environments where they feel they are no longer making a positive impact — or where they must conform to work within systems they perceive as failing those who need assistance. Recent aid cuts are likely to exacerbate these sentiments.

    In the UK, Keir Starmer announced aid would fall from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income by 2027 — the lowest level since 1999 — to fund increased defence spending.

    In the US, the Trump administration suspended over 90% of USAid contracts worth around US$60 billion (£44 billion) — halting support for HIV treatment, reproductive health and crisis response. These cuts represent significant structural blows to humanitarian infrastructure. From mass layoffs in Kenya to the sudden closure of programmes worldwide, the consequences have been immediate and demoralising.

    Funding cuts don’t just disrupt operations, they erode the mental and moral resilience of humanitarian workers. Without support for their wellbeing, the sector’s ethical and effective functioning is at risk. Yet research on humanitarian mental health, especially moral injury, remains limited.

    Aid worker distress

    Based on our experience researching the sector, we expect that recent aid cuts in the UK and US will deepen moral injuries among humanitarian workers.

    In an ongoing pilot study, we are examining how aid cuts impact the psychological wellbeing of humanitarian workers. We have analysed 15 publicly available sources (ten blogs and five podcasts) created by aid professionals between 2023 and 2025. While the findings are not yet published, our observation reveals clear patterns of distress linked to moral injury.

    We have also observed some evidence of moral injury stemming from the aid cuts. Some workers expressed moral fatigue – slow exhaustion caused by ethical strain, and a sense of futility and loss of meaning. One practitioner wrote in a blog: “I used to believe we were helping — now I feel like I’m sweeping water uphill.”

    Several blog posts and podcast episodes suggested a sense of complicity; the pain of being part of organisational silence or failure. Workers spoke of “being the face of a broken system” or “used to justify programmes we knew were failing.” As one put it: “Being a human is messy; serving humanity is messier.”

    Still others described the ethical vacuum left by aid cuts, where workers are expected to care without mandate or resources.

    Protesters in the US gather in opposition to the USAid cuts.
    Philip Yabut/Shutterstock

    Our findings so far reveal a troubling overlap between ethical strain and systemic failure in the humanitarian sector. As aid budgets shrink and resources dwindle, workers are overwhelmed, emotionally disoriented and psychologically vulnerable — often forced to choose between compromise and burnout.

    Some may leave the sector; others will stay, but with hardened hearts. We’ve seen this first-hand through our work on the UEL Mental Wellbeing Portal, where professionals share stories of programme closures, job loss, grief and a deep sense of powerlessness — echoing our pilot-study findings.

    A sustainable (and compassionate) aid system must urgently recognise and address the psychological toll of working in a system that workers feel no longer aligns with their humanitarian values. This crisis of moral injury is not inevitable. The sector needs investment not just in operations, but in the people who carry them out. That starts with understanding and acknowledging the emotional cost of aid cuts.

    Lucia Berdondini: I received funding from DifD in 2010, the British Council in 2011 and the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2020. I am an Associate Professor at the University of East London, where I lead the MSc in Humanitarian Intervention (Distance Learning) and the UEL Mental Wellbeing Portal for Humanitarian Workers. I also collaborate with NGOs and academic institutions in the humanitarian field. These affiliations are relevant to the subject of this article.

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

    – ref. How aid cuts may be affecting humanitarian workers – https://theconversation.com/how-aid-cuts-may-be-affecting-humanitarian-workers-257482

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand hints at life of a Renaissance amputee

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Heidi Hausse, Associate Professor of History, Auburn University

    Technology is more than just mechanisms and design — it’s ultimately about people.
     Adriene Simon/College of Liberal Arts, Auburn University, CC BY-SA

    To think about an artificial limb is to think about a person. It’s an object of touch and motion made to be used, one that attaches to the body and interacts with its user’s world.

    Historical artifacts of prosthetic limbs are far removed from this lived context. Their users are gone. They are damaged – deteriorated by time and exposure to the elements. They are motionless, kept on display or in museum storage.

    Yet, such artifacts are rare direct sources into the lives of historical amputees. We focus on the tools amputees used in 16th- and 17th-century Europe. There are few records written from amputees’ perspectives at that time, and those that exist say little about what everyday life with a prosthesis was like.

    Engineering offers historians new tools to examine physical evidence. This is particularly important for the study of early modern mechanical hands, a new kind of prosthetic technology that appeared at the turn of the 16th century. Most of the artifacts are of unknown provenance. Many work only partially and some not at all. Their practical functions remain a mystery.

    But computer-aided design software can help scholars reconstruct the artifacts’ internal mechanisms. This, in turn, helps us understand how the objects once moved.

    Even more exciting, 3D printing lets scholars create physical models. Rather than imagining how a Renaissance prosthesis worked, scholars can physically test one. It’s a form of investigation that opens new possibilities for exploring the development of prosthetic technology and user experience through the centuries. It creates a trail of breadcrumbs that can bring us closer to the everyday experiences of premodern amputees.

    But what does this work, which brings together two very different fields, look like in action?

    What follows is a glimpse into our experience of collaboration on a team of historians and engineers, told through the story of one week. Working together, we shared a model of a 16th-century prosthesis with the public and learned a lesson about humans and technology in the process.

    A historian encounters a broken model

    THE HISTORIAN: On a cloudy day in late March, I walked into the University of Alabama Birmingham’s Center for Teaching and Learning holding a weatherproof case and brimming with excitement. Nestled within the case’s foam inserts was a functioning 3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand.

    Fifteen minutes later, it broke.

    This 3D-printed model of a 16th-century hand prosthesis has working mechanisms.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    For two years, my team of historians and engineers at Auburn University had worked tirelessly to turn an idea – recreating the mechanisms of a 16th-century artifact from Germany – into reality. The original iron prosthesis, the Kassel Hand, is one of approximately 35 from Renaissance Europe known today.

    As an early modern historian who studies these artifacts, I work with a mechanical engineer, Chad Rose, to find new ways to explore them. The Kassel Hand is our case study. Our goal is to learn more about the life of the unknown person who used this artifact 500 years ago.

    Using 3D-printed models, we’ve run experiments to test what kinds of activities its user could have performed with it. We modeled in inexpensive polylactic acid – plastic – to make this fragile artifact accessible to anyone with a consumer-grade 3D printer. But before sharing our files with the public, we needed to see how the model fared when others handled it.

    An invitation to guest lecture on our experiments in Birmingham was our opportunity to do just that.

    We brought two models. The main release lever broke first in one and then the other. This lever has an interior triangular plate connected to a thin rod that juts out of the wrist like a trigger. After pressing the fingers into a locked position, pulling the trigger is the only way to free them. If it breaks, the fingers become stuck.

    The thin rod of the main release lever snapped in this model.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    I was baffled. During testing, the model had lifted a 20-pound simulation of a chest lid by its fingertips. Yet, the first time we shared it with a general audience, a mechanism that had never broken in testing simply snapped.

    Was it a printing error? Material defect? Design flaw?

    We consulted our Hand Whisperer: our lead student engineer whose feel for how the model works appears at times preternatural.

    An engineer becomes a hand whisperer

    THE ENGINEER: I was sitting at my desk in Auburn’s mechanical engineering 3D print lab when I heard the news.

    As a mechanical engineering graduate student concentrating on additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, I explore how to use this technology to reconstruct historical mechanisms. Over the two years I’ve worked on this project, I’ve come to know the Kassel Hand model well. As we fine-tuned designs, I’ve created and edited its computer-aided design files – the digital 3D constructions of the model – and printed and assembled its parts countless times.

    This view of the computer-aided design file of a strengthened version of the model, which includes ribs and fillets to reinforce the plastic material, highlights the main release lever in orange.
    Peden Jones, CC BY-SA

    Examining parts midassembly is a crucial checkpoint for our prototypes. This quality control catches, corrects and prevents any defects, such as misprinted or damaged parts. It’s crucial for creating consistent and repeatable experiments. A new model version or component change never leaves the lab without passing rigorous inspection. This process means there are ways this model has behaved over time that the rest of the team has never seen. But I have.

    So when I heard the release lever had broken in Birmingham, it was just another Thursday. While it had never snapped when we tested the model on people, I’d seen it break plenty of times while performing checks on components.

    Our model reconstructs the Kassel Hand’s original metal mechanisms in plastic.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    After all, the model is made from relatively weak polylactic acid. Perhaps the most difficult part of our work is making a plastic model as durable as possible while keeping it visually consistent with the 500-year-old original. The iron rod of the artifact’s lever can handle more force than our plastic version, at least five times the yield strength.

    I suspected the lever had snapped because people pulled the trigger too far back and too quickly. The challenge, then, was to prevent this. But redesigning the lever to be thicker or a different shape would make it less like the historical artifact.

    This raised the question: Why could I use the model without breaking the lever, but no one else could?

    The team makes a plan

    THE TEAM: A flurry of discussion led to growing consensus – the crux of the issue was not the model, it was the user.

    The original Kassel Hand’s wearer would have learned to use their prosthesis through practice. Likewise, our team had learned to use the model over time. Through the process of design and development, prototyping and printing, we were inadvertently practicing how to operate it.

    We needed to teach others to do the same. And this called for a two-pronged approach.

    Perspective on using the Kassel Hand, as a modern prosthetist.

    The engineers reexamined the opening through which the release trigger poked out of the model. They proposed shortening it to limit how far back users could pull it. When we checked how this change would affect the model’s accuracy, we found that a smaller opening was actually closer to the artifact’s dimensions. While the larger opening had been necessary for an earlier version of the release lever that needed to travel farther, now it only caused problems. The engineers got to work.

    The historians, meanwhile, created plans to document and share the various techniques to operating the model the team hadn’t realized it had honed. To teach someone at home how to operate their own copy, we filmed a short video explaining how to lock and release the fingers and troubleshoot when a finger sticks.

    Testing the plan

    Exactly one week after what we called “the Birmingham Break,” we shared the model with a general audience again. This time we visited a colleague’s history class at Auburn.

    We brought four copies. Each had an insert to shorten the opening around the trigger. First, we played our new instructional video on a projector. Then we turned the models over to the students to try.

    The team brought these four models with inserts to shorten the opening below the release trigger to test with a general audience of undergraduate and graduate students.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    The result? Not a single broken lever. We publicly launched the project on schedule.

    The process of introducing the Kassel Hand model to the public highlights that just as the 16th-century amputee who wore the artifact had to learn to use it, one must learn to use the 3D-printed model, too.

    It is a potent reminder that technology is not just a matter of mechanisms and design. It is fundamentally about people – and how people use it.

    Heidi Hausse received funding from the Herzog August Bibliothek; the Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine; the American Council of Learned Societies; the Huntington Library; the Society of Fellows in the Humanities at Columbia University; and the Renaissance Society of America.

    Peden Jones received funding from Renaissance Society of America.

    – ref. 3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand hints at life of a Renaissance amputee – https://theconversation.com/3d-printed-model-of-a-500-year-old-prosthetic-hand-hints-at-life-of-a-renaissance-amputee-256670

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand hints at life of a Renaissance amputee

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Heidi Hausse, Associate Professor of History, Auburn University

    Technology is more than just mechanisms and design — it’s ultimately about people.
     Adriene Simon/College of Liberal Arts, Auburn University, CC BY-SA

    To think about an artificial limb is to think about a person. It’s an object of touch and motion made to be used, one that attaches to the body and interacts with its user’s world.

    Historical artifacts of prosthetic limbs are far removed from this lived context. Their users are gone. They are damaged – deteriorated by time and exposure to the elements. They are motionless, kept on display or in museum storage.

    Yet, such artifacts are rare direct sources into the lives of historical amputees. We focus on the tools amputees used in 16th- and 17th-century Europe. There are few records written from amputees’ perspectives at that time, and those that exist say little about what everyday life with a prosthesis was like.

    Engineering offers historians new tools to examine physical evidence. This is particularly important for the study of early modern mechanical hands, a new kind of prosthetic technology that appeared at the turn of the 16th century. Most of the artifacts are of unknown provenance. Many work only partially and some not at all. Their practical functions remain a mystery.

    But computer-aided design software can help scholars reconstruct the artifacts’ internal mechanisms. This, in turn, helps us understand how the objects once moved.

    Even more exciting, 3D printing lets scholars create physical models. Rather than imagining how a Renaissance prosthesis worked, scholars can physically test one. It’s a form of investigation that opens new possibilities for exploring the development of prosthetic technology and user experience through the centuries. It creates a trail of breadcrumbs that can bring us closer to the everyday experiences of premodern amputees.

    But what does this work, which brings together two very different fields, look like in action?

    What follows is a glimpse into our experience of collaboration on a team of historians and engineers, told through the story of one week. Working together, we shared a model of a 16th-century prosthesis with the public and learned a lesson about humans and technology in the process.

    A historian encounters a broken model

    THE HISTORIAN: On a cloudy day in late March, I walked into the University of Alabama Birmingham’s Center for Teaching and Learning holding a weatherproof case and brimming with excitement. Nestled within the case’s foam inserts was a functioning 3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand.

    Fifteen minutes later, it broke.

    This 3D-printed model of a 16th-century hand prosthesis has working mechanisms.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    For two years, my team of historians and engineers at Auburn University had worked tirelessly to turn an idea – recreating the mechanisms of a 16th-century artifact from Germany – into reality. The original iron prosthesis, the Kassel Hand, is one of approximately 35 from Renaissance Europe known today.

    As an early modern historian who studies these artifacts, I work with a mechanical engineer, Chad Rose, to find new ways to explore them. The Kassel Hand is our case study. Our goal is to learn more about the life of the unknown person who used this artifact 500 years ago.

    Using 3D-printed models, we’ve run experiments to test what kinds of activities its user could have performed with it. We modeled in inexpensive polylactic acid – plastic – to make this fragile artifact accessible to anyone with a consumer-grade 3D printer. But before sharing our files with the public, we needed to see how the model fared when others handled it.

    An invitation to guest lecture on our experiments in Birmingham was our opportunity to do just that.

    We brought two models. The main release lever broke first in one and then the other. This lever has an interior triangular plate connected to a thin rod that juts out of the wrist like a trigger. After pressing the fingers into a locked position, pulling the trigger is the only way to free them. If it breaks, the fingers become stuck.

    The thin rod of the main release lever snapped in this model.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    I was baffled. During testing, the model had lifted a 20-pound simulation of a chest lid by its fingertips. Yet, the first time we shared it with a general audience, a mechanism that had never broken in testing simply snapped.

    Was it a printing error? Material defect? Design flaw?

    We consulted our Hand Whisperer: our lead student engineer whose feel for how the model works appears at times preternatural.

    An engineer becomes a hand whisperer

    THE ENGINEER: I was sitting at my desk in Auburn’s mechanical engineering 3D print lab when I heard the news.

    As a mechanical engineering graduate student concentrating on additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, I explore how to use this technology to reconstruct historical mechanisms. Over the two years I’ve worked on this project, I’ve come to know the Kassel Hand model well. As we fine-tuned designs, I’ve created and edited its computer-aided design files – the digital 3D constructions of the model – and printed and assembled its parts countless times.

    This view of the computer-aided design file of a strengthened version of the model, which includes ribs and fillets to reinforce the plastic material, highlights the main release lever in orange.
    Peden Jones, CC BY-SA

    Examining parts midassembly is a crucial checkpoint for our prototypes. This quality control catches, corrects and prevents any defects, such as misprinted or damaged parts. It’s crucial for creating consistent and repeatable experiments. A new model version or component change never leaves the lab without passing rigorous inspection. This process means there are ways this model has behaved over time that the rest of the team has never seen. But I have.

    So when I heard the release lever had broken in Birmingham, it was just another Thursday. While it had never snapped when we tested the model on people, I’d seen it break plenty of times while performing checks on components.

    Our model reconstructs the Kassel Hand’s original metal mechanisms in plastic.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    After all, the model is made from relatively weak polylactic acid. Perhaps the most difficult part of our work is making a plastic model as durable as possible while keeping it visually consistent with the 500-year-old original. The iron rod of the artifact’s lever can handle more force than our plastic version, at least five times the yield strength.

    I suspected the lever had snapped because people pulled the trigger too far back and too quickly. The challenge, then, was to prevent this. But redesigning the lever to be thicker or a different shape would make it less like the historical artifact.

    This raised the question: Why could I use the model without breaking the lever, but no one else could?

    The team makes a plan

    THE TEAM: A flurry of discussion led to growing consensus – the crux of the issue was not the model, it was the user.

    The original Kassel Hand’s wearer would have learned to use their prosthesis through practice. Likewise, our team had learned to use the model over time. Through the process of design and development, prototyping and printing, we were inadvertently practicing how to operate it.

    We needed to teach others to do the same. And this called for a two-pronged approach.

    Perspective on using the Kassel Hand, as a modern prosthetist.

    The engineers reexamined the opening through which the release trigger poked out of the model. They proposed shortening it to limit how far back users could pull it. When we checked how this change would affect the model’s accuracy, we found that a smaller opening was actually closer to the artifact’s dimensions. While the larger opening had been necessary for an earlier version of the release lever that needed to travel farther, now it only caused problems. The engineers got to work.

    The historians, meanwhile, created plans to document and share the various techniques to operating the model the team hadn’t realized it had honed. To teach someone at home how to operate their own copy, we filmed a short video explaining how to lock and release the fingers and troubleshoot when a finger sticks.

    Testing the plan

    Exactly one week after what we called “the Birmingham Break,” we shared the model with a general audience again. This time we visited a colleague’s history class at Auburn.

    We brought four copies. Each had an insert to shorten the opening around the trigger. First, we played our new instructional video on a projector. Then we turned the models over to the students to try.

    The team brought these four models with inserts to shorten the opening below the release trigger to test with a general audience of undergraduate and graduate students.
    Heidi Hausse, CC BY-SA

    The result? Not a single broken lever. We publicly launched the project on schedule.

    The process of introducing the Kassel Hand model to the public highlights that just as the 16th-century amputee who wore the artifact had to learn to use it, one must learn to use the 3D-printed model, too.

    It is a potent reminder that technology is not just a matter of mechanisms and design. It is fundamentally about people – and how people use it.

    Heidi Hausse received funding from the Herzog August Bibliothek; the Consortium for History of Science, Technology and Medicine; the American Council of Learned Societies; the Huntington Library; the Society of Fellows in the Humanities at Columbia University; and the Renaissance Society of America.

    Peden Jones received funding from Renaissance Society of America.

    – ref. 3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand hints at life of a Renaissance amputee – https://theconversation.com/3d-printed-model-of-a-500-year-old-prosthetic-hand-hints-at-life-of-a-renaissance-amputee-256670

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses the South African Trade and Investment Seminar.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    The Deputy President Paul Mashatile addresses the South African Trade and Investment Seminar, at the SPIEF 2025.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nYZuizcco

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Deputy President Paul Mashatile paid a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    Deputy President Paul Mashatile paid a courtesy call on President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVIoUDyWcUg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Care leavers show they are up for the cup in national finals

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Reach Leaving Care Team in collaboration with Wolves Foundation, the inspiring six-a-side football tournament offered care experienced young people aged 16-24 the opportunity to compete, connect, and showcase their skills on Molineux’s hallowed turf.

    Following a series of knock out matches involving 20 teams from as far afield as Yorkshire and Milton Keynes, Warwickshire County beat Redcar and Cleveland in the final to claim the coveted 2025 Championship Cup – but, in reality, all of the participants were winners.

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We were delighted to support this annual event which once again proved the old adage that football can be more than just a game.

    “For some, it can be an escape and a breath of fresh air, and the day enabled these young people – who have already faced so many challenges in their lives – to not only showcase their talents on the pitch of one of England’s most prestigious sporting venues, but also to demonstrate their resilience and spirit off it.”

    Tournament organiser Sam Neath, a Young Person Advisor with the council’s Children’s Services, said: “Some participants woke up at 4am, others couldn’t sleep because they were that excited. A young person that hadn’t engaged with me for six months found out about the tournament and came training; that’s the power of football.

    “The National Championship Cup is getting bigger and better each year, and I want to take it to Wembley next year and for hundreds more young people to be able take part. I want Sky Sports and BBC to be there – I want these young people to be celebrated and championed.”

    Young people explained how the tournament had helped them. Ubi, from Wolverhampton Warriors, said: “If you play in a team, it gives you life experience and it helps you to build confidence. Some of us aren’t that confident; playing sports gets me out of my comfort zone and gets me interacting with people that I wouldn’t usually talk to.”

    Shahla, who travelled from Chesterfield to represent the Derbyshire team, added: “It definitely helps my mental health. Being a care leaver, you are quite singled out in life, so this helps us get out and feel less isolated.”

    Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, was on hand to help with the presentation of the cup and later celebrated the success of the tournament with his fellow MPs in Parliament, congratulating the young people, EFL in the Community, the council, Wolves Foundation and social impact company Spectra for supporting the event, and adding that “recognising and celebrating the potential of our young people in this way can empower them to thrive for themselves and for our communities.”

    Robert Macpherson from the Department of Education said: “Congratulations on hosting such a great event – it must have taken so much time and effort to organise.”

    A Redcar and Cleveland representative described it as a “day they will remember for a long time”, while a representative from the Stoke-on-Trent side added: “It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved, and we’re genuinely grateful to have been included.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Expanding Opportunities: At SPIEF 2025, GUU signed a number of cooperation agreements

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev signed several cooperation agreements at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

    One of the new partners of the State University of Management has become ANO “Eurasia”, with which it is planned to conduct joint programs, internships, forums and projects where students will be able to grow and take part in various activities.

    “We are pleased with the new cooperation, it opens up new opportunities for both our organizations. It seems to me that we have a happy, working and friendly future for the benefit of our Eurasia,” said Vladimir Stroyev, Rector of the State University of Management.

    State Duma deputy, Chairperson of the Council of the ANO “Eurasia” Alena Arshinova also noted the importance and benefits of future joint projects:

    “It’s good when such platforms unite us, because the efforts we make become visible to an even larger circle of partners. This is where the integration takes place, because our “Eurasia” is precisely about integration and about promoting the development of international cooperation, first and foremost. So thank you very much for agreeing to sign an agreement with us.”

    Also at SPIEF-2025, the rector signed agreements with such organizations as Rostelecom, Tsifroinvest Management Company, the Fatherland Defenders Foundation, Rostransnadzor, and Transmashholding.

    In addition, Vladimir Stroyev spoke at the session “Investments in the Future: How Business Inspires and Supports Youth Initiatives” and presented awards to the winners of the “My Country – My Russia” competition.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Take Extreme Caution as Heat and Severe Weather Persist

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to take safety precautions during periods of extreme heat throughout Primary Day. New Yorkers can expect dangerously hot and humid conditions to continue today with feels-like temperatures between 90-106 degrees statewide. In addition, there is the potential for severe thunderstorms throughout most of the state this afternoon and evening that could contain damaging winds. Feels-like temperatures on Wednesday are expected to be 82-100 degrees with the potential for severe thunderstorms with damaging winds in the southern part of the state possible in the afternoon and evening. In response to the severe weather that impacted Central New York over the weekend, Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency in 32 counties and state agencies are responding to assist New Yorkers with storm damage and impacts from extreme heat.

    “With dangerously hot weather expected throughout most of the state today, I am urging all New Yorkers to stay cool and safe — especially those waiting in line to cast ballots,” Governor Hochul said. “State emergency response personnel are standing by and prepared to help New Yorkers through this extreme weather, and as this heat wave peaks, I am reminding everyone to have a safe place to stay cool, limit time outdoors, and drink plenty of water.”

    This weekend, Governor Hochul signed legislation repealing an outdated section of New York’s election law — the new legislation now supports voters by allowing refreshments to be provided as they wait in line to exercise their civic duty.

    Governor Hochul today directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to offer extended hours at State swimming and cooling facilities and other State parks during the current heat wave as a way to help New Yorkers beat the heat.

    New Yorkers can also stay cool by utilizing nearby cooling centers. Find a cooling center near you on the State Department of Health website. Residents of New York City can find cooling center information here. Certain State Park swimming facilities will also extend their hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.

    For Those Impacted by Storms on Sunday
    In response to severe weather that impacted the State over the weekend, Governor Hochul declared a State of Emergency in 32 counties. At the Governor’s direction, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has activated the State Emergency Operations Center to Enhanced Monitoring Mode to track the storms and damage. They are working closely with local emergency managers and governments to support requests and provide assistance as requested. State agencies stand ready to respond with equipment and personnel. Light towers have been provided to Oneida County and other materials stored in the State’s nine stockpiles including generators and pumps are also available to support local needs.

    Homeowners and businesses in impacted areas are encouraged to fill out an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or businesses. The purpose of this form is solely to collect information that may help state and local officials identify supplemental damages to develop and augment potential requests for available federal assistance programs. This is not an application for relief programs.

    The Department of Financial Services also has a number of resources for homeowners dealing with their insurance companies following a disaster:

    • File Claims Promptly
    • Making Necessary Repairs
    • Keep Records of Dealings with Insurance Representatives
    • Inventory Your Belongings
    • Flood Damage
    • Keep Your Receipts If You Relocate During Repairs
    • Filing Complaints
    • Information on Homeowners’ Insurance

    More resources are available at the DFS Disaster and Flood Recovery Resource Center.

    State Agency Response

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Office of Emergency Management is in regular contact with county emergency managers to ensure cooling centers are available, and to offer support and advise on extreme heat risks. In addition, the agency is facilitating preparations and coordinating guidance and communications with State agency partners. Information on how to manage extreme heat can be found online. To receive real time weather and emergency alerts, New Yorkers are encouraged to text the name of their county or borough to 333111.

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
    The following State Park swimming facilities will be open for extended hours:

    Long Island

    • Jones Beach State Park: Field 6 & Central Mall; extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Robert Moses State Park: Field 2 & 5; extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Sunken Meadow State Park: Main Beach; extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Hither Hills State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    Hudson Valley

    • Bear Mountain State Park: extended swimming until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Lake Tiorati State Park: extended swimming until 6:45 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Rockland Lake State Park: extended swimming until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Lake Minnewaska: extended swimming until 7:45 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Lake Minnewaska-Awosting: extended swimming until 6:30 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    New York City

    • Gantry Plaza State Park: spray pad hours extended to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Four Freedoms State Park: spray pad hours extended to 6:45 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    Capital District

    • Grafton Lakes State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday
    • Thompson’s Lake Campground/Thacher State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday
    • Moreau Lake State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday
    • Saratoga Spa State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday
    • Lake Taghkanic State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Taconic-Copake State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Taconic Kiddie Pool: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    Western New York

    • Allegany State Park – Red House Lake: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Allegany State Park – Quaker Lake: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Beaver Island State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Evangola State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Fort Niagara State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Woodlawn Beach State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    Central New York

    • Green Lakes State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Delta Lake State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Verona Beach State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Chenango Valley State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    Finger Lakes

    • Letchworth State Park: extended swimming until 7:45 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Fair Haven Beach State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Robert Treman State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Seneca Lake-Spray Ground: spray ground hours extended until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Taughannock Falls State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Sampson State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Filmore Glen State Park: extended swimming until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    North Country

    • Southwick Beach State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Westcott Beach State Park: extended swimming until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday

    Swimming availability may be affected by hazardous weather, changing water conditions or staffing. Please check State Parks’ website parks.ny.gov or call the park you wish to visit directly to confirm availability.

    Department of Financial Services
    After contacting insurance companies, residents can get assistance with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on how to document their losses and safeguard their property by calling the Department’s Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759.

    New Yorkers who have been impacted by flooding are encouraged to visit the DFS Disaster and Flood Recovery Resource Center for helpful information.

    New York State Department of Public Service
    DPS is tracking electric system conditions and overseeing utility response to any situations that may arise as a result of this week’s extreme heat and potential thunderstorm activity. There are currently 9,997 electric outages reported statewide. DPS remains in direct contact with utility operations Leadership to ensure they are continuously tracking system conditions and responding to cases of trouble and outages as quickly as possible to restore the system and customers. New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available, as necessary, to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across New York State for this heat event. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    During heat waves, increased usage of electric devices such as air conditioners place a considerable demand on the state’s electricity system and instances of low voltage or isolated power outages can result. The record for such usage was set on July 19, 2013, when it reached 33,956 MWs (one megawatt of electricity is enough to power up to 1,000 average-sized homes).

    National Grid will continue with repair and restoration efforts today for the remaining electric customers impacted by Sunday morning’s severe thunderstorms. Some portions of National Grid’s territory experienced straight-line winds exceeding 90 mph and an EF-1 tornado with winds up to 105 mph, with more than 101,000 electric customers affected statewide.

    Department of Health
    The State Health Department is taking a number of steps to promote the safety of all New Yorkers in periods of extreme heat, especially those most at risk. The Department has distributed guidance to all hospitals, diagnostic and treatment centers, adult care facilities, home care and hospice providers and nursing homes and has issued additional guidance to hosts of any scheduled public events with more than 5,000 people in attendance. The Department is working with DSHES and local health departments and emergency managers to ensure access to cooling centers and safe spaces during this extreme heat.

    Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

    The New York State Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

    NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
    The agency has compiled important information, including preventative measures, to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat on farm workers and farm animals. The Department will also be working closely with partners at The New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) at Cornell University to monitor any potential impacts of the extreme heat expected this week. NY EDEN is also a resource for farmers and farm workers during a heat wave, and additional information can be found at https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/natural-hazards/heat-wave/.

    Department of Environmental Conservation
    DEC reminds outdoor adventurers that unpredictable weather — including rapidly changing temperatures and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas — can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, mud and warmer temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

    Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures and general recreation information.

    Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

    • Slow your pace.
    • Drink water and rest often.
    • Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight.
    • Bring at least 2 liters of water for any hike.
    • Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes.
    • Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
    • Wear sunscreen.
    • Leave your pets at home — the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks.
    • Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve.

    Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

    Whether you are hiking, mountain biking or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Air Quality
    DEC is continuing to monitor air quality across the State and will issue air quality health advisories as necessary. New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

    Extreme Heat
    DEC recently released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage  and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the State.

    Harmful Algal Blooms
    Following periods of heavy rainfall, nutrient runoff can cause harmful algal blooms (HABs) to form in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. New Yorkers should avoid swimming, boating, recreating in, or drinking water with a bloom.

    When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to “KNOW IT, AVOID IT, REPORT IT”:

    • KNOW IT – HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water to long, linear green streaks, pea soup or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.  
    • AVOID IT – People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface.  
    • REPORT IT – If members of the public suspect a HAB, report it through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC’s website. Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs should be reported to New York State Department of Health at [email protected]. 

    The New York State Department of Labor has released comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme heat and advises workers and employers to engage in extreme heat best practices such as:

    • Ensure access to clean drinking water at no cost to workers, available at all times and as close to the worksite as possible.
    • Provide shade and paid rest when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and more frequent rest breaks once the heat index exceeds 90 degrees.
    • Wear proper PPE so long as they do not interfere with safety equipment, including sunscreen, cooling vests, wide-brim hats, and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

    More information on best practices for working in extreme heat can be found here.

    Thruway Authority maintenance crews will be conducting standard daily operations during times where temperatures are lowest and will enhance patrols monitoring the highway. Motorists are reminded and encouraged to take breaks at one of 26 service areas or three Welcome Centers located on the Thruway system.

    Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct most outdoor work during morning hours and follow established hydration and rest protocols to help mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures.

    Office of Children and Family Services
    The agency is taking a number of actions to ensure activities at residential centers, detention programs and congregate care programs are conducted in a safe manner during the heat. This includes checking cooling equipment, ensuring proper amounts of water are available and consumed, rescheduling activities and meetings, and identifying staff and clients who may be affected by heat. They are also providing guidance to child care programs and groups associated with the Commission for the Blind statewide.

    New York State Office of Mental Health
    In advance of the hot conditions, New Yorkers should be aware of the impact high heat may have on individuals receiving antipsychotic medications, who are at particular risk of heat stroke and neuroleptic malignant syndrome during periods of extreme heat, which is more likely in poorly ventilated areas. Children and the elderly are at increased risk.

    In addition to monitoring individuals at risk, such conditions are best prevented by a heightened attention to hydration, particularly those at high risk, including individuals taking antipsychotic medications, the elderly, children and those with poor fluid intake.

    Also, individuals at high-risk should remain in cooler areas; be monitored for temperature elevations; avoid direct exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Anticholinergic medications may interfere with sweating and should be minimized.

    Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
    The agency is reminding local departments of social services and emergency homeless shelter operators of the need to provide fans to help maintain reasonable air circulation during times of extreme heat and humidity. Also, shelter providers should provide a cooling room in the facility for residents, if feasible.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority
    To reduce potential impacts to service and reduce response times to heat-related events, NYC Transit will implement heat patrols to proactively increase track inspections and stage extra personnel in key risk areas including power substations, machine rooms, generators, cables, and connections. To ensure functioning air conditioning, subway railcars and buses will be inspected before being placed in service. Paratransit service providers are reminded vehicles must have functioning air-conditioning. Buses and operators will be on standby for any support needed with subways or emergency service. NYC Transit also completes a continuous welded rail watch when rail temperatures exceed 100 degrees to be vigilant of rail kinks or other issues.

    Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad crews will be staged at key locations to be able to respond quickly to weather-related issues. The railroads will monitor rail temperatures, deploy heat patrols to inspect the rails for any kinks, and stage additional Power Department personnel to protect power substations and overhead aerial lines. Train crews have been instructed to report any rail conditions that need attention.

    The Port Authority Office of Emergency Management coordinates with facility teams to monitor weather conditions and operational impacts and maintains communication with regional partners to support response readiness during periods of elevated temperatures.

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously deported Mexican national sentenced to 262 months for methamphetamine distribution, second Mexican national sentenced to 168 months

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TYLER, Texas – Two Mexican nationals were sentenced to lengthy federal prison sentences for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Leopoldo Alonso-Palacios, 38, and Juan Luis Salinas-Leon, 37, both Mexican nationals illegally living in Center, were sentenced to 168 months and 262 months, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on June 23, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on March 4, 2025, Alonso-Palacios and Salinas-Leon were stopped while driving on Interstate-20 in Wills Point for speeding.  During the stop, they consented to a search of the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of 937.7 grams of methamphetamine.  During his arrest, officers found Salinas-Leon in possession of a firearm. The two men then confessed to having additional methamphetamine at their homes in Center.  Federal agents searched the residences, where they discovered large plastic tubs containing chicken lard that tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine, along with paraphernalia such as metal pots and mesh screens, materials commonly used in a methamphetamine conversion lab. At such clandestine labs, methamphetamine concealed in other substances is extracted by applying chemical processes and reconstituted into distributable drugs. In total, agents recovered more than six kilograms of methamphetamine ready for distribution as well as 22 kilograms of liquids in various stages of the conversion process, which also tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

    Immigration records reveal that both men were unlawfully present in the United States and that Salinas-Leon has been previously prosecuted for illegally entering the country.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive; Gregg County Sheriff’s Office; and Wills Point Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: AI at Work: New Global Study Links AI to Greater Happiness

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Workers who use AI daily are 34% more satisfied with their jobs and feel more optimistic about the future.
    • Job satisfaction strongly influences life satisfaction with happy employees 4.5 times more likely to feel happy in life.
    • AI users report higher fulfilment as two-thirds of those with high job satisfaction also report high satisfaction in life.
    • Paradoxically, frequent AI users are also likely to be up to 20% more stressed, as well as more concerned about their job security.

    LOWELL, Mass., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jabra, the world’s leading professional audio brand, today released the results of new research exploring whether AI can do more than just improve efficiency. This global study conducted in partnership with The Happiness Research Institute examines the connection of GenAI with wellbeing at work, and in everyday life. The data shows that while much of the conversation about AI has centered on efficiency, the real opportunity may lie in something far more human: happiness.

    The study, Work and Wellbeing in the Age of AI, surveyed over 3,700 knowledge workers1 across 11 countries and provides a first-of-its-kind look at how the growing use of AI tools is influencing job satisfaction, stress levels and life happiness.

    The link between AI and wellbeing
    The research reveals a clear correlation between frequent AI use and elevated job satisfaction. Workers who use AI daily report being 34% more satisfied with their roles compared to those who do not. They report stronger goal achievement (78% of frequent AI users vs. 63% of infrequent AI users) and more opportunities for advancement (70% of frequent AI users vs. 38% of infrequent AI users) than those who use AI just once a week or less.

    Similarly, compared with workers who don’t use AI regularly, frequent AI-users are more optimistic about their future job satisfaction (47% vs. 27%), and more confident that their work will remain enjoyable (44% vs. 23%) and fulfilling (45% vs. 24%). In conclusion, individuals using AI frequently are significantly more likely to experience a stronger sense of purpose and feel optimistic about the general future of work.

    Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute and author of The Little Book of Hygge explains, “It’s easy to talk about AI in terms of productivity. But we need to start talking about it in terms of psychology. How it affects identity, motivation and what people believe their future looks like. The future of work isn’t just technological — it’s emotional.”

    Why workplace wellbeing matters
    The findings indicate that workplace wellbeing is closely linked to broader life satisfaction. Employees who are happy at work are 4.5 times more likely to report being satisfied with life overall. Two-thirds of those who report high job satisfaction also describe themselves as happy in their personal lives.

    Paul Sephton, Global Head of Brand Communications at Jabra, commented: “We need to understand how technology and wellbeing intersect. As we engineer products, we are innovating for a future where people collaborate not just with other people, but also with AI. This shift means evolving our solutions to support not only human interaction, but also to enable AI systems with the audio and video input they need to be more helpful, more contextual and more emotionally intelligent.”

    How we use AI also linked to stress
    While the overall sentiment around AI is positive, the study notes, paradoxically, that frequent AI users also report 20% higher levels of stress than infrequent users. This could be driven by the pressure to master new tools, craft the “right” prompts, and continuously adapt to evolving systems. Some of this strain may also come from the added mental load of reviewing and interpreting AI-generated outputs. Workers not only have to use these tools but also stay vigilant, double-checking results and making judgment calls more frequently.

    However, all stress is not equal. Workers who report slightly elevated stress levels (those who feel stretched but not overwhelmed) report higher purpose, greater happiness, and stronger satisfaction at work than those with moderate or neutral stress levels. In these cases, stress may be a proxy for engagement: a sign that workers are invested, motivated, and challenged in ways that feel meaningful.

    Big opportunity in AI deployment
    Despite the hype around AI, the majority of workers are still not using it regularly. In fact, nearly one-third of high-skilled professionals have never used AI at work. Among those who do, flexibility appears to be a defining factor. Workers are engaging with AI across a wide variety of inputs, from typing to using voice prompts, and using it for diverse tasks in multiple environments. This suggests a critical moment for businesses: AI has the potential to both support and detract from wellbeing. What organizations choose to do now will shape how successfully their workforce can adapt and thrive in the future.

    This study signals a new frontier for businesses navigating the integration of AI. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency, Jabra and The Happiness Research Institute suggest that the emotional experience of work must become a design priority. As AI becomes a regular part of the workplace, there is growing potential to build environments that foster both productivity and wellbeing.

    Download the full report at www.jabra.com/happinessresearch

    Note to Editors
    1 Knowledge workers are defined as professionals whose roles rely on skills such as communication, critical thinking and managing information, including but not limited to office workers like analysts, consultants, marketers and customer support specialists.

    PR Contact
    Hayley Minardi
    hminardi@jabra.com

    About Jabra
    Jabra is a world leading brand in audio, video, and collaboration solutions – engineered to empower businesses. Proudly part of the GN Group, we are committed to bringing people closer to one another and to what is important to them. GN’s R&D team utilizes innovative hardware, software, and AI-enabled technologies and expertise across hearing, enterprise, and gaming product groups. This engineering excellence allows Jabra to create integrated and customer-centric tools for call centers, offices, and collaboration to help professionals work more productively from anywhere. www.jabra.com

    Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO). GN’s solutions are sold in 100 countries across the world. Visit our homepage GN.com. 

    © 2025 GN Group. All rights reserved. Jabra® is a registered trademark of GN Group. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners (design and specifications are subject to change without notice).

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95dd8129-a639-40c6-85cf-c839cd39c231

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AI at Work: New Global Study Links AI to Greater Happiness

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Workers who use AI daily are 34% more satisfied with their jobs and feel more optimistic about the future.
    • Job satisfaction strongly influences life satisfaction with happy employees 4.5 times more likely to feel happy in life.
    • AI users report higher fulfilment as two-thirds of those with high job satisfaction also report high satisfaction in life.
    • Paradoxically, frequent AI users are also likely to be up to 20% more stressed, as well as more concerned about their job security.

    LOWELL, Mass., June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jabra, the world’s leading professional audio brand, today released the results of new research exploring whether AI can do more than just improve efficiency. This global study conducted in partnership with The Happiness Research Institute examines the connection of GenAI with wellbeing at work, and in everyday life. The data shows that while much of the conversation about AI has centered on efficiency, the real opportunity may lie in something far more human: happiness.

    The study, Work and Wellbeing in the Age of AI, surveyed over 3,700 knowledge workers1 across 11 countries and provides a first-of-its-kind look at how the growing use of AI tools is influencing job satisfaction, stress levels and life happiness.

    The link between AI and wellbeing
    The research reveals a clear correlation between frequent AI use and elevated job satisfaction. Workers who use AI daily report being 34% more satisfied with their roles compared to those who do not. They report stronger goal achievement (78% of frequent AI users vs. 63% of infrequent AI users) and more opportunities for advancement (70% of frequent AI users vs. 38% of infrequent AI users) than those who use AI just once a week or less.

    Similarly, compared with workers who don’t use AI regularly, frequent AI-users are more optimistic about their future job satisfaction (47% vs. 27%), and more confident that their work will remain enjoyable (44% vs. 23%) and fulfilling (45% vs. 24%). In conclusion, individuals using AI frequently are significantly more likely to experience a stronger sense of purpose and feel optimistic about the general future of work.

    Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute and author of The Little Book of Hygge explains, “It’s easy to talk about AI in terms of productivity. But we need to start talking about it in terms of psychology. How it affects identity, motivation and what people believe their future looks like. The future of work isn’t just technological — it’s emotional.”

    Why workplace wellbeing matters
    The findings indicate that workplace wellbeing is closely linked to broader life satisfaction. Employees who are happy at work are 4.5 times more likely to report being satisfied with life overall. Two-thirds of those who report high job satisfaction also describe themselves as happy in their personal lives.

    Paul Sephton, Global Head of Brand Communications at Jabra, commented: “We need to understand how technology and wellbeing intersect. As we engineer products, we are innovating for a future where people collaborate not just with other people, but also with AI. This shift means evolving our solutions to support not only human interaction, but also to enable AI systems with the audio and video input they need to be more helpful, more contextual and more emotionally intelligent.”

    How we use AI also linked to stress
    While the overall sentiment around AI is positive, the study notes, paradoxically, that frequent AI users also report 20% higher levels of stress than infrequent users. This could be driven by the pressure to master new tools, craft the “right” prompts, and continuously adapt to evolving systems. Some of this strain may also come from the added mental load of reviewing and interpreting AI-generated outputs. Workers not only have to use these tools but also stay vigilant, double-checking results and making judgment calls more frequently.

    However, all stress is not equal. Workers who report slightly elevated stress levels (those who feel stretched but not overwhelmed) report higher purpose, greater happiness, and stronger satisfaction at work than those with moderate or neutral stress levels. In these cases, stress may be a proxy for engagement: a sign that workers are invested, motivated, and challenged in ways that feel meaningful.

    Big opportunity in AI deployment
    Despite the hype around AI, the majority of workers are still not using it regularly. In fact, nearly one-third of high-skilled professionals have never used AI at work. Among those who do, flexibility appears to be a defining factor. Workers are engaging with AI across a wide variety of inputs, from typing to using voice prompts, and using it for diverse tasks in multiple environments. This suggests a critical moment for businesses: AI has the potential to both support and detract from wellbeing. What organizations choose to do now will shape how successfully their workforce can adapt and thrive in the future.

    This study signals a new frontier for businesses navigating the integration of AI. Rather than focusing solely on efficiency, Jabra and The Happiness Research Institute suggest that the emotional experience of work must become a design priority. As AI becomes a regular part of the workplace, there is growing potential to build environments that foster both productivity and wellbeing.

    Download the full report at www.jabra.com/happinessresearch

    Note to Editors
    1 Knowledge workers are defined as professionals whose roles rely on skills such as communication, critical thinking and managing information, including but not limited to office workers like analysts, consultants, marketers and customer support specialists.

    PR Contact
    Hayley Minardi
    hminardi@jabra.com

    About Jabra
    Jabra is a world leading brand in audio, video, and collaboration solutions – engineered to empower businesses. Proudly part of the GN Group, we are committed to bringing people closer to one another and to what is important to them. GN’s R&D team utilizes innovative hardware, software, and AI-enabled technologies and expertise across hearing, enterprise, and gaming product groups. This engineering excellence allows Jabra to create integrated and customer-centric tools for call centers, offices, and collaboration to help professionals work more productively from anywhere. www.jabra.com

    Founded in 1869, GN Group employs more than 7,000 people and is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (GN.CO). GN’s solutions are sold in 100 countries across the world. Visit our homepage GN.com. 

    © 2025 GN Group. All rights reserved. Jabra® is a registered trademark of GN Group. All other trademarks included herein are the property of their respective owners (design and specifications are subject to change without notice).

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95dd8129-a639-40c6-85cf-c839cd39c231

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Granite Credit Union Breaks Ground on First Utah County Branch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SALT LAKE CITY, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Monday, June 23, 2025, Granite Credit Union celebrated a historic moment as it broke ground on its first branch in Utah County, located in the fast-growing city of Eagle Mountain. The new branch reflects the credit union’s continued growth, success, and dedication to serving communities across Utah.

    The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by members of the credit union’s board of directors and executive leadership team, along with representatives from the Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, the Eagle Mountain City Council, the mayor’s office, and members of the community. Once complete, the Eagle Mountain branch will be Granite’s 12th physical location or 13th, including its one-of-a-kind mobile branch.

    “This is more than just a groundbreaking—a celebration of Granite Credit Union’s growth, our commitment to service, and the enduring trust our members have placed in us for 90 years,” said Mark Young, president and CEO of Granite Credit Union. “Establishing a permanent presence in Utah County, specifically in Eagle Mountain, reflects our belief in this community’s future and our desire to be a financial partner residents can count on for generations to come.”

    The new branch will offer complete financial services and provide convenient, community-centered banking to individuals and families in Eagle Mountain and the surrounding area.

    Melissa Clark, president and CEO of the Valley Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, enthusiastically welcomed the announcement. “Granite Credit Union’s investment in Eagle Mountain is a testament to the exciting momentum happening here. We are thrilled to welcome a trusted financial institution that shares our vision for building a strong, thriving, and inclusive community.”

    As Granite Credit Union continues to celebrate its 90th anniversary throughout 2025, the Eagle Mountain expansion represents its mission to make life happen for more Utahns through personal service, trusted guidance, and community impact.

    To learn more about Granite Credit Union, please visit: granite.org. 

    To learn more about the Valley Crossroads Chamber, please visit: https://www.valleycrossroads.com/.

    About Granite Credit Union
    Founded in 1935, Granite Credit Union serves over 37,000 members, has 12 branch locations, and has nearly $900 million in assets. Committed to helping members achieve their financial goals, Granite Credit Union offers a variety of financial products and services, including competitive rates, flexible lending options, and personalized financial guidance. With a vision of “always there… so you can make life happen,” the credit union strives to empower members with the tools and support they need to succeed financially. Members enjoy access to secure mobile banking services, online tools, and personalized in-branch assistance at locations across Utah. Granite Credit Union is dedicated to positively impacting the communities it serves through financial education, trusted relationships, and exceptional service. Granite Credit Union is always there… so you can make life happen.

    Media Contact:
    marketing@granite.org 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Matrixdock Expands Real-World Asset Tokenization to Include Silver, Platinum, and Palladium

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amid rising global demand for alternative precious metals, Matrixdock, the real-world asset (RWA) tokenization platform under the Matrixport Group, announces its strategic plan to expand beyond gold by introducing tokenized silver, platinum, and palladium. Following the success of its flagship gold-backed token, XAUm.This expansion plan represents Matrixdock’s next step toward bringing a full suite of precious metals on-chain, broadening access for institutions, corporates, and individuals through enhanced transparency and liquidity.

    The new tokens will follow the same institutional-grade structure as XAUm, including a bankruptcy-remote setup, trusted vaulting partners, third-party reserve audits, on-chain transparency, and seamless DeFi integration. By expanding its product suite to include silver, platinum, and palladium, Matrixdock continues to bridge traditional commodities with blockchain-native finance, unlocking new possibilities for portfolio diversification, financial inclusion, and the evolution of next-generation capital markets.

    “XAUm gold token was a groundbreaking step,” said Eva Meng, Head of Matrixdock. “With our secure vaulting network, trusted procurement network, and proven tokenization infrastructure already in place, silver, platinum, and palladium are natural next steps. We’re committed to expanding real-world assets on chain. Driven by strong demand for hard assets, year-to-date, silver has rallied 25%, a clear break-through long-held resistance above $35, while platinum has surged 44% amid tightening supply and industrial demand. “It’s meaningful to enable broader ownership of the full suite of precious metals and help level the playing field,” Meng added.

    The tokenized gold XAUm launched by Matrixdock is one of the Top 3 gold tokens by chain adoption rate. It has been integrated with on-chain protocols such as UniSwap, PancakeSwap, Kinza Finance, etc., and supports dollar-cost averaging (DCA) to enable users to build a gold portfolio on a regular basis over time. Currently, Matrixdock manages 12,569 troy ounces of gold assets, each XAUm is backed by one troy ounce of 99.99% purity, London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) accredited gold.

    About Matrixport

    Founded in 2019, Matrixport is the world’s leading all-in-one hub for crypto financial services. The platform is committed to providing every user with a personalized Super Account that integrates crypto trading, investment, loan, custody, RWA, research, and more. With $6 billion in AUM (assets under management), Matrixport offers global users diverse crypto-financial solutions designed for optimal capital efficiency and sustainable returns.

    Matrixport official website:：https://www.matrixport.com

    About Matrixdock

    Matrixdock is a premier platform under Matrixport Group that offers access to high-quality Real World Assets (RWA) through advanced tokenization technology. As the first in Asia to introduce a tokenized short-term treasury bill product, STBT, Matrixdock earned the Ecosystem Excellence TADS Award in 2023 for Trading & Liquidity Solutions. In 2024, Matrixdock launched XAUm, a tokenized gold asset fully backed by 99.99% purity gold, providing investors with a trusted and transparent digital asset linked to LBMA-accredited gold.

    With a steadfast focus on building a trusted and secure RWA ecosystem for cryptocurrency, Matrixdock aims to provide diversified investment opportunities while setting new standards for trust and governance in the digital asset space.

    Matrixdock official website: https://www.matrixdock.com/

    Media Contact: Cici.Lu@matrixport.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Matrixport. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/166d4d48-4294-4a8d-80f2-449bcee634cd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: XRP May Fall to $1.18, PFMCrypto Launches XRP Mining Contracts to Provide Daily Income for XRP Holders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TEXAS CITY, Texas, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Analysts are warning of a potential correction in XRP’s price down to $1.18, prompting long-term holders to brace for increased volatility. Despite strong fundamentals and growing institutional interest, XRP has struggled to break the $2.40 resistance level—driving many investors to seek alternative income strategies amid bearish market sentiment.

    PFMCrypto, an AI-powered cloud mining platform, is stepping in with a timely solution: short-term XRP mining contracts that generate daily rewards, allowing token holders to profit even during downturns.

    Explore PFMCrypto’s official site: https://pfmcrypto.net

    PFMCrypto Offers a Hedge for XRP Holders During Market Slowdowns
    PFMCrypto is a new-generation platform focused on remote, hardware-free cryptocurrency mining. It recently launched a 1-day XRP mining contract designed for maximum accessibility with low cost, no commitment, and instant activation. With a $10 sign-up bonus, even new users can start mining without any upfront investment.

    As XRP faces a possible price pullback, the platform provides a much-needed income alternative: daily withdrawable rewards backed by an AI-optimized infrastructure and a proven business model.

    XRP Mining Contracts Now Live on PFMCrypto
    PFMCrypto has introduced a flexible lineup of XRP mining contracts tailored to suit a variety of investor profiles. Each plan offers predictable earnings without any hardware or technical know-how:
    1-Day Contract – $10 (Free Bonus) – Earn $0.66
    2-Day Contract – $100 – Earn $3.00/day + $2 bonus
    9-Day Contract – $1,000 – Earn $13.10/day
    30-Day Contract – $5,000 – Earn $78.50/day
    All contracts include full capital protection upon maturity, allowing users to withdraw their principal after the term ends.

    Click here to view all XRP mining contracts.

    Why More XRP Holders Are Choosing PFMCrypto?
    PFMCrypto has gained rapid traction within the XRP community thanks to its ultra-low entry threshold, maintenance-free model, and AI-powered profit engine. The platform adjusts computing resource allocation in real time to maximize returns, even when the market is consolidating or trending downward.
    Key Benefits:
    1. No hardware or setup required – Cloud mining made simple
    2. AI-optimized earnings – Dynamic yield adjustment
    3. Instant rewards for new users – $10 bonus on registration
    4. Daily withdrawals + capital protection – Liquidity + security
    In the past week alone, PFMCrypto has seen a 240% increase in new XRP miner sign-ups, as more investors seek ways to hedge against downside risk.

    How to Start XRP Cloud Mining with PFMCrypto?
    1. Register – Sign up today and receive a $10 welcome bonus plus $0.60 in daily sign-in rewards.
    Click here to register now.
    2. Choose a Plan – Select from over a dozen XRP mining contracts—starting with the free 1-day plan.
    3. Start Earning – Once your contract is activated, daily mining rewards will be automatically credited—no setup needed.

    About PFMCrypto
    Founded in 2018, PFMCrypto is a global leader in AI-powered cloud mining technologies. The platform delivers data-driven mining services for major cryptocurrencies including XRP, BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, and SOL. Serving over 9.2 million users across 192 countries, PFMCrypto is redefining how crypto holders generate passive income—whether in a bull or bear market.
    As XRP enters a potential correction phase, PFMCrypto stands out as a low-risk, high-efficiency solution for holders looking to stay productive while waiting for the next rally.

    For full details and participation options, visit: https://pfmcrypto.net

    Media Contact:

    Amelia Elspeth
    PFMcrypto
    info@pfmcrypto.net

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b33cbec3-8986-4c58-ab52-75a29a28e4c5

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Welcomes Ceasefire Agreement between Iran and Israel

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, June 24, 2025

    The State of Qatar welcomes the ceasefire agreement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Israel.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses Qatar’s hope that the agreement serves as a meaningful step toward adopting dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in the region and beyond. Qatar underscores the importance of using peaceful means to achieve lasting stability and comprehensive, sustainable peace at the same time, the Ministry reaffirms that the Iranian violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and airspace forms part of a dangerous escalation in the region, which require sincere and collective efforts to deter all irresponsible actions.

    The Ministry reaffirms that the State of Qatar will continue to serve as a driving force for peace. Its commitment to peace is grounded in principle and is not influenced by specific events or shifting political considerations. Qatar remains dedicated to the values of good neighborliness and fully supports all sincere efforts aimed at resolving crises and building a more secure, cooperative, and prosperous world.

    The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s sincere appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency President Donald Trump, President of the United States of America, in facilitating this agreement. It also expresses hope that both parties will fully uphold and adhere to its terms.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Death toll from recent floods continues to rise

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has confirmed that the official death toll from the recent floods has risen to 100, following additional recoveries by search teams. 

    The numbers are likely to increase, as there are still individuals who have been reported missing by their families and search operations continue in the affected areas.

    The floods, which swept through the province early this month, have caused widespread loss of life, disruption in livelihoods and significant damage in infrastructure. 

    “As per the latest report, 94 bodies have been positively identified and handed over to their families, while processes are ongoing to identify the six remaining bodies. OR Tambo accounts for 76 of the deceased, while Amathole is 10, Alfred Nzo five, Chris Hani five, Joe Gqabi two and Sarah Baartman two. 

    “Out of the 100 deceased persons, 63 are adults and 37 children of which 22 are learners,” said the provincial government in a statement on Tuesday.

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has extended heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and “are now left with a profound and multifaceted impact on their lives”. 

    The disaster has significantly disrupted families and Eastern Cape communities at large. 

    The provincial government continues with the provision of psychosocial support to the affected communities and schools, as well as the provision of relief efforts to overcome this disastrous situation. 

    “The provincial government further wishes to applaud the multidisciplinary search and recovery teams for their commendable work since the onset of the tragic weather event in the province. 

    “Their tireless efforts have been instrumental in recovering dozens of bodies and providing critical support to affected families, even as the search continues.

    The provincial government continues to provide humanitarian support in partnership with NGOs and the private sector, with Old Mutual and Amathole District Municipality due to implement a two-day humanitarian aid programme in Mnquma Local Municipality, on 26–27 June 2025. 

    The intervention will provide essentials, including blankets for beneficiaries. 

    Meanwhile, the OR Tambo District Municipality has made notable progress in restoring basic water services following the devastating floods. 

    Currently, 95% of the affected areas are receiving water, although some parts of Mthatha West, Coffee Bay, Mdlankala, and Mhlanga remain without water. 

    The municipality is providing water tankers in the affected areas. 

    “The provincial government expresses its sincere gratitude to the community for their patience while our teams work around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure, restore stability, and ensure access to clean water across the affected areas. 

    “Government remains committed to accelerating recovery programmes and ensuring that displaced and affected communities receive the assistance they need to rebuild their lives.” – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Infrastructure development key to economic growth

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr David Masondo, has reiterated that infrastructure development plays a significant role in government’s ongoing efforts to grow the economy, create jobs and deliver services to citizens.

    “As the South African government, we have committed significant investments towards infrastructure development. We have ambitious infrastructure development programs that have been undertaken in our country,” Masondo said on Tuesday, at the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI20) Summit.

    The SAI20 is an engagement group of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from countries that make up the Group of Twenty (G20). It is chaired by the SAI of the country holding the G20 presidency. 

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024 and it will run until November 2025 under the theme: Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.

    The Deputy Minister said the country’s ambitious infrastructure development is necessitated by government’s desire to grow the economy through increasing the role of the private sector in the supply of electricity, freight logistics, telecommunications and water.

    “We are working with other international partners towards revitalising ports and harbours. We are upgrading our electricity and digital infrastructure. We are building roads, hospitals and schools. We do all these to improve the socio-economic conditions of ordinary South Africans,” Masondo said.

    In March 2025, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy launched an online Request for Information to develop an enabling environment for private sector participation and enhanced investment in rail and port infrastructure and operations.

    Last month Transnet issued a R17 billion concession contract to five private sector partners to fund, construct and operate several liquid bulk terminals at the Port of Richards Bay.

    Government has been collaborating with stakeholders to address bottlenecks and inefficiencies to turn around the fortunes of the rail and ports logistics systems.

    Through Operation Vulindlela, government is accelerating the implementation of structural reforms to enable economic growth and job creation.

    Operation Vulindlela is a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury.

    In its first phase, the reform programme focused on five area, namely energy, logistics, water, telecommunications, and the visa system, which were identified as the most important constraints on economic growth. 

    Government has made significant progress in advancing the reform agenda during implementation of Phase I of Operation Vulindlela as almost all of the reforms included in Phase I are either completed or on track.

    The initiative is now in its second phase and the focus areas include improving the performance of local government, addressing spatial inequality through housing policy and other reforms, and advancing digital transformation.

    It will include a rapid rollout of digital public infrastructure, such as digital identity and payments to enable economic activity and improve access to government services. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Capped leave liability in the public sector stood at R16.24 billion- report

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The total capped leave liability in the public sector stood at R16.24 billion as of December 2023, the Public Service Commission (PSC) said on Tuesday.

    Standing at R16.24 billion and covering 189,039 employees, the total capped leave liability represents approximately 14% of the total public service workforce. 

    “It is important to note that this cost continues to increase in line with cost-of-living adjustments and/or appointments into higher positions,” PSC Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya said at a media briefing in Pretoria.

    Addressing media on the commission’s Quarterly Bulletin titled: “The Pulse of the Public Service”, Gxoyiya said the majority of employees holding capped leave are concentrated in the education and health sectors. Most of them were also closer to retirement and according to the Commissioner, that raises concern about potential future skills shortages in these critical areas if not proactively addressed.

    WATCH | PSC media briefing 

    [embedded content]

     
    “In relation to study leave, which is a type of special leave, data from national departments indicates that 17 733 – 20 651 employees took study leave from 2020 to 2023,” he said.

    At provincial level, 21 004 – 23 265 employees took study leave from 2020 to 2023.

    “In some provinces, over 70% of these employees were from the Health and Education Departments.  On average, study leave days ranged from five to eight days, with national departments having the highest average at 8.5 days. KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces followed with 7.4 and 6.5 days respectively,” he said.

    The Commissioner further explained that special leave is a negotiated benefit in terms of the public service employment conditions.

    “Prior to the adoption of the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council Resolution 2 of 2024, departments operated under varied special leave policies, leading to a lack of uniformity across the public service.”

    Meanwhile, there was also a notable increase in sick leave usage observed in 2022, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the return to full-time workplace operations.

    Grievances

    With regard to the number of grievances handled by the PSC, Gxoyiya said that as at 31 March 2025, the PSC registered 439 grievances, including 85 cases carried-over from the previous financial year.

    “Of the 439 grievances, 338 (77%) have been concluded and 101 (23%) remained pending as at end of 31 March 2025. 

    “Of the 338 concluded cases, 18 (5%) was substantiated, 84 (25%) were unsubstantiated, nine  (3%) were partially substantiated, 43 (13%) were internally resolved within departments following the PSC’s intervention and the remaining 184 (54%) were closed for various reasons, including those that were also pending before different sectoral bargaining councils, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration or courts.”

    Of the 439 grievances (including 85 cases carried over from the previous financial year), 403 were for employees on salary levels 2-12 and 36 for members of the Senior Management Service (SMS).

    Of the 403 grievances of employees on salaries level 2 to 12, 309 were concluded, of which 282 (91%) were concluded within 150 working days of receipt by the PSC investigator.

    Of the 36 grievances of SMS members, 29 were concluded, of which 24 (83%) were concluded within 150 working days of receipt by the PSC investigator.

    The Commission also expressed concern with the continued failure by some departments to conclude grievances within the timeframes prescribed in the bargained Resolution 14 of 2002 for grievances of employees on salaries level 2 to 12, and Chapter 10 of the SMS Handbook.

    “The PSC will in future investigate the cause of delays in grievance conclusion by departments This will assist in determining whether or not the delays are as a result of the agreed timeframes being unrealistic, or whether it is the human resource capacity issue or whether it is because of any other reason other than these,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Chikunga welcomes life sentences in murder of disabled woman

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has welcomed the sentencing of two men convicted in the brutal murder of Nosipho ‘Nomdundu’ Mafani of KwaNokuthula, Western Cape.

    The two men, Mboneli Msila and Monde Tshemese, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of South Africa: Western Cape Division sitting in Knysna, for their role in conspiracy to commit the murder of Mafani, a 23-year-old woman with a mental disability.

    Msila, the adoptive father of Mafani, orchestrated the murder in order to claim funeral policy payouts totalling R600 000.

    He hired three men, Mbulelo Jack, Monde Tshemese, and Lungisile Lucas, to carry out the hit.

    Chikunga said Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) remains a national crisis in South Africa, with disproportionately high rates of violence against women, girls, and vulnerable group, including women in female-headed households, women with disabilities, and Black African women.

    “Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is a deeply rooted societal issue. Women with disabilities, in particular, are often subjected to extreme forms of sexual and physical violence. Despite being one of the most vulnerable groups, their experiences continue to be overlooked and under-addressed in society,” Chikunga said.

    The Minister highlighted that Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on GBVF, which places strong emphasis on Justice, Safety, and Protection, aims to address systemic shortcomings in the legal and system, and seeks to enhance the overall response to GBVF cases.

    It also aims to ensure that survivors have access to justice and are afforded safety and protection through improvements to the legal framework and its implementation.

    Although often committed in private settings, the Minister warned that GBVF is not a private matter, but a serious public crime.

    She acknowledged that GBVF is an ongoing diabolic act of violation of human rights, particularly “the rights of persons with disabilities should never be justified and must be confronted with all resources available.”

    “It deprives women and girls of their fundamental human rights, including the right to live free from violence, discrimination, and violation of bodily integrity. Failure to take meaningful action to prevent, prosecute, and punish such acts, constitutes a violation of human rights.

    “All incidents of physical or sexual abuse, intimidation, or threats must be reported to the nearest SAPS station to obtain a case number and/or protection order. Alternatively, victims of sexual offences can seek assistance from the nearest Thuthuzela Care Centre or similar support facilities,” the Minister said.

    Government has also established the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) to provide 24-hour support to victims of abuse and violence.

    “We share a strong reminder that our government will continue to stand firm to protect and defend human rights as enshrined by the constitution,” Chikunga said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SIU secures interim interdict against pension withdrawal

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured an interim interdict preventing Sanele Dlamini, a former senior manager at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), from withdrawing his pension benefits pending the outcome of ongoing litigation.

    The interdict bars Dlamini from accessing his pension benefits until the SIU’s main case  – a civil recovery action tied to the misallocation of R6 million in NLC grant funds – is concluded. 

    The fourth respondent, Liberty’s Corporate Selection Umbrella Retirement Fund, has been directed to assess and disclose the value of Dlamini’s pension within 60 days. 

    This preservation is intended to ensure that funds remain available for potential recovery should the SIU succeed in its claim.

    Dlamini, who held several senior positions at the NLC, including Provincial Manager for KwaZulu-Natal, Senior Manager: Grant Operations, and Acting Chief Operations Officer, was found guilty on four of six disciplinary charges related to misconduct during his tenure. 

    The charges included approving falsified progress reports, as well as gross negligence and dereliction of duty. His dismissal was finalised on 04 October 2024 following the disciplinary process.

    The SIU’s investigation revealed that the NLC-funded project – a sports complex – was never initiated, and supporting documents, including progress reports and financial statements, were falsified. 

    Dlamini, who facilitated the irregular disbursement of R3 million to the Motheo Sports and Entertainment Foundation, co-signed the fraudulent progress report without verifying the site or documentation, enabling the unlawful payout.

    “The SIU pursues a preservation order to limit the risk of a ‘hollow judgment’ if funds were released, noting concerns that Dlamini may lack sufficient assets to satisfy future claims.

    “The order of the Special Tribunal implements SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions because of corruption or negligence. The order forms part of a broader investigation into corruption involving NLC grants intended for community development projects,” the SIU said.

    The SIU is empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by corruption, fraud, or maladministration. 

    In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Last chance for SNP to stop funding Israel’s arms dealers

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Jun 2025 Justice

    Scottish Greens call for an apology for the Scottish Government’s role in the Tinker Experiment.

    More in Justice

    The Scottish Government must apologise for its role in the Tinker Experiment if it wants to tackle the ongoing prejudice faced by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community, says Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman.

    Scottish Green MSPs Maggie Chapman and Mark Ruskell have both been campaigning for a public apology from the Scottish Government for its role in the Tinker Experiment. This programme – run by the UK Government and Scottish local authorities – forcibly removed Gypsy Traveller children from their families, and moved communities from their homes into unsafe and substandard accommodation.

    The Scottish Greens asked the Scottish Government for an apology in mid-May, but the Minister for Equalities failed to confirm if the Scottish Government would be making an apology. However, a statement from the Scottish Government on this issue is now expected in Parliament later this week.

    This Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, Maggie has called on the Scottish Government to finally commit to a public apology.

    Commenting further, Maggie said:

    “Gypsy Traveller communities were irreparably damaged by the Tinker Experiment, a cruel practice which was allowed to go on for far too long. This should be a great shame of Scotland’s past, yet it is a hidden moment in our history, one that has been covered up and too often forgotten by those in power.

    “Prejudice against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities is still very alive and normalised across Scotland. We see discrimination against these communities in our schools and in our social services, with many people I’ve spoken to being refused services because their way of living is deemed unsuitable, and is misunderstood.

    “If we’re serious about addressing the prejudices faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities across Scotland, the Scottish Government needs to apologise for the Tinker Experiment – something which caused such harm to so many children and families. People have been waiting far too long.

    “I hope by this time next year, we don’t have to ask for an apology for previous harms, and instead can use this month to celebrate Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture and highlight all the exciting activity in these communities, from the North East to Govanhill and Perthshire.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stoke-on-Trent under the spotlight at Centenary Heritage Festival

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 24th June 2025

    A ceramic symposium, a Northern Soul exhibition and new heritage events will feature in a jam-packed festival which will shine a spotlight on Stoke-on-Trent’s past, present and future.

    The Stoke-on-Trent 100: Heritage Festival for the Centenary, which is being jointly organised by the city council and key partners, is launching in 2025 – as the city celebrates 100 years since receiving official city status.

    It follows a successful bid for £186,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

    Between now and March 2026, 17 heritage projects will be taking place which will highlight Stoke-on-Trent’s World Craft City status, showcase the work which has been delivered through the Living Heritage City initiative, and outline the city’s ambitions for heritage in the future.

    Councillor Lyn Sharpe, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s heritage champion, said: “Anyone who knows me knows I love Stoke-on-Trent – so it’s great to be able to celebrate our heritage during our Centenary year and beyond.

    “There’s loads of different events taking place across the city throughout 2025 and there’s something for everyone.

    “So, keep your eyes peeled for more information about the events in the coming months.”

    Projects include:

    • A two-day Ceramic Symposium curated by Professor Neil Brownsword and Dr Alasdair Brooks of Re-Form Heritage at Jubilee Hall
    • A photographic exhibition showcasing the city and its people over the last century with a series of historical walking tours at Stoke Minster
    • An audio documentary exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station highlighting the city’s role in the Northern Soul movement
    • The creation of new heritage based performance pieces and
    • The development of new family-friendly workshops at Ford Green Hall

    Lynne Ball, Chair of the Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent, said: “The Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent brings together heritage groups and the owners of heritage sites across the city to work together and learn from each other.

    “The Heritage Open Days festival in September provides a unique opportunity to highlight the heritage of The Potteries and provide free access to historic sites and special events.

    “Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for this support, which will build significantly upon our local success, involving more organisations, hosting more events and attracting more visitors to help celebrate our city’s centenary year.”

    For more information about the city’s Centenary celebrations, visit www.sot100.org.

    The full list of events which are taking place as part of the Stoke-on-Trent 100: A Heritage Festival for the Centenary are:

    • A two-day Ceramic Symposium curated by Professor Neil Brownsword and Dr Alasdair Brooks at Jubilee Hall. This will be linked to a co-curated exhibition on ceramic collections from Jingdezhen (China) and Spode Museum.
    • A recollecting of canal heritage through the creation of an original piece of promenade theatre, devised and researched together with community groups, and performed in a heritage venue.
    • A reshowing of Sam Ivin’s ‘Settling Project’, which navigates the topic of human migration to Stoke-on-Trent
    • An event at the Victoria Hall showcasing the musical work of schools celebrating the heritage of their communities
    • A commemoration of the Abolition of the Slave Trade and impact for inland populations with Kwanzaa Collective
    • A photographic exhibition showcasing the city and its people over the last century, aligned with a series of historical walking tours around Stoke Minster and the surrounding area.
    • An exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station, relating to the city’s role in the Northern Soul movement
    • The creation of new performance pieces animating the route of the new Living Heritage City Pilot Route by FRONTLINE Dance
    • The development of a series of podcasts celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary by All the Small Things CIC
    • The development of new family history workshops at Ford Green Hall – documenting the Hall’s historical connections to the surrounding nature reserves
    • An event at Etruria Industrial Museum, exploring the changes in energy use across the last century
    • A new space for exhibitions within The Dudson Museum/Centre for the Arnold Bennett Society.
    • Events, open days and workshops devised by Re-Form Heritage, showcasing the current Heritage Development programme across the city and the part Middleport Pottery has played in Stoke-on-Trent’s history. Including open days at Bethesda Methodist Chapel.
    • Operational support for the Heritage Open Days programme
    • Walks and paddling events devised by Canal and River Trust at Harecastle Tunnel, celebrating the role of canals in Stoke-on-Trent, encouraging community use and raising environmental awareness
    • Celebratory events at Gladstone Pottery Museum

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Consultation Process Approved to Tackle Standards in the Private Rented Sector in Preston

    Source: City of Preston

    In a bid to tackle unscrupulous landlords in Preston and improve the quality of the Private Rented Sector (PRS) homes in the city, an external consultant will be employed to work on behalf of the council to carry out a consultation that will consider the introduction of Selective Licensing in three pilot wards in Preston.

    The three wards where this consultation will take place are St Matthews, City Centre and Plungington.

    Selective Licensing in the PRS is a scheme where local authorities designate areas that will benefit from tighter regulation, requiring landlords in those areas to obtain a licence for their privately rented properties.

    Under Selective Licensing, Preston Council can ensure landlords or their property managers are subject to criminal record checks and their rental properties are checked to meet certain standards and conditions like having up-to-date fire and gas safety checks, damp proofing, tenant welfare, good management practices etc; this helps to address issues such as poor property conditions, anti-social behaviour and low demand.

    If landlords fail to comply with the licensing conditions, local authorities can take enforcement action which could include fines and penalties.

    Councillor Zafar Coupland, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Preston City Council said:

    “Around a quarter of all housing in Preston is privately rented and due to many factors such as the cost of living crisis and the ongoing recovery from the Covid pandemic, a lack of investment in privately owned, rented housing stock has seen living standards decline, with many of our residents experiencing poor living conditions, which is unacceptable.

    The introduction of Selective Licensing to help better regulate the Private Rented Sector and tackle the most deprived areas of the city, is a priority in our emerging Corporate Plan, and this consultation around the three pilot wards, where deprivation is prevalent, is the first crucial step in rolling out a more robust way to tackle poor quality housing and raise the housing standards for our residents.”

    Main image credit – Tony Worrall

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Packed programme of summer holiday fun returns to Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Children who receive benefits-related free school meals can enjoy a wide range of free activities this summer as the popular Fit and Fed programme returns to Plymouth.

    Fit and Fed offers eligible children access to free holiday clubs, where they are encouraged to get active and receive a nutritious lunch each day.

    The summer activity programme for 2025 is now available to view, with holiday club bookings opening from Monday 30 June.

    There’s a huge range of holiday clubs on offer for eligible children aged between four and 16-years-old. Activities include circus skills, football, dance, karate, water sports and more creative pursuits too, including filmmaking, photography and arts and crafts. There are also SEND specific holiday clubs to support children with more complex needs.

    Young people taking part in Fit & Fed activities in 2024

    Young people between 12 and 16-years-old can also sign up for Teen Taster activities, giving them the opportunity to try new activities such as go karting, adventure golf and trampolining.

    There’s also a range of family activity sessions on offer, so children can enjoy a day out with their parents or carers. These sessions include bowling, tennis, bike rides and golf.

    New for this year, Plymouth Active Leisure are offering a huge range of free activities to eligible children too, with the chance to swim at one of the indoor pools or Tinside Lido. Other activities include bouldering, junior gym sessions, pickle ball and bowls.

    Every year, Fit and Fed also goes on tour. While the bookable activities are only available to children who receive benefits-related free school meals, the ‘on tour’ sessions are held in parks and green spaces across Plymouth and everyone is welcome to attend. The fun days feature a huge range of free activities, and children are provided with a healthy lunch. This year, the programme will visit:

    • Victoria Park on Tuesday 5 August
    • Ernesettle Green on Tuesday 12 August
    • Tothill Park on Tuesday 19 August
    • Central Park on Tuesday 26 August.
    Fit and Fed on tour 2024

    Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Fit and Fed programme will be returning this year with even more activities for children, young people and their families to enjoy.

    “It’s such an important programme, which not only helps children by encouraging them to get active, try new things and make amazing memories with new friends, but also supports families by helping to alleviate some of the financial pressures of the school holidays by giving children access to healthy lunches and activities that may otherwise be unaffordable.”

    Fit and Fed is funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. The aim is to provide children with healthy and nutritious meals during the school holidays, while also encouraging physical activity and giving children and young people the opportunity to have fun and meet new friends.

    In summer 2024, more than 2,400 children and young people took part in holiday clubs while thousands more attended the Fit and Fed on Tour events where 1,900 packed lunches were handed out.  

    For more information about this year’s Fit and Fed programme, please see: www.plymouth.gov.uk/fit-and-fed.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –