Category: Science

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Portsmouth nurtures trade partnerships with Canada

Source: City of Portsmouth

The city of Portsmouth recently hosted a significant visit from Jason Guidry, Director of Trade and International Partnerships from Halifax Partnership Canada, along with a large delegation of Canadian businesses. This four-day event, held from 7 to 10 April aimed to foster new business relationships and explore collaborative opportunities between Portsmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The visit commenced with an event hosted by Maritime UK Solent at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, bringing together over 70 Solent-based and Canadian businesses. This gathering provided a platform for sharing maritime business opportunities.

Following on from the first day, Jason Guidry then had personal meetings with 14 Portsmouth businesses across the city who were interested in diversifying their supply chain by finding trading partners and new markets and customers in Canada.

The discussions focused on expanding opportunities in data and digital services, life sciences, satellite applications and maritime. Additionally, both sister cities are keen to explore partnerships between naval bases and ports, visitor economy links, and best practices in clean technology and sustainability.

Jason Guidry, Director of Trade and International Partnerships at Halifax Partnership said:

“Strengthening ties between Portsmouth and Halifax opens the door to new and expanded business, trade, investment, and supply chain opportunities and partnerships that will accelerate business and economic growth in both our regions.”

Councillor Steve Pitt Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibilities for Economic Development commented on the visit, saying:

“In a changing world, international cooperation is vital. We are seizing every opportunity to help our businesses grow and strengthen our local economy.

Welcoming the Canadians highlighted a real potential to further develop significant partnerships for our businesses and visitor economy.”

The business who took advantage of the opportunity included Visitor Chat Ltd, Sirius Analysis, Red Penquin, Metaverse VR, SI Digital, Mary Rose, Exposure Analytics Ltd, Nova Systems, CTS Europe Ltd (recent winner of Global Business of the Year at the Portsmouth Business Awards), Solent Sky Services, Velocetec, Houlder, Space South Central and Qinetiq. These meetings were held at various locations across the city, including Lakeside North Harbour, Portsdown Technology Park, and Dunsbury Park.

This visit marks a notable step in the ongoing partnership between Portsmouth and Halifax Nova Scotia which became sister cities in 2023. The formal agreement signed between the two cities aims to expand opportunities for businesses and foster economic growth through international collaboration.

For more information about Portsmouth businesses visit investportsmouth.co.uk

Image: From L to R: Jason Guidry with Ella Vandenberghe and Abbie-Rose Smith from Visitor Chat Ltd

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn Seniors Win Awards for Landscape Architecture Projects

Source: US State of Connecticut

Two students in the UConn landscape architecture program won awards from the Connecticut chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (CTASLA) for their community-centered ideas.

Brendan Pugmire ‘25 (CAHNR) and Matthew Bacon ‘25 (CAHNR) were the winners of the 2025 CTASLA Honor Award and Merit Award, respectively.

“It’s very special,” Pugmire says. “It’s very validating to all of the hard work I put into this project to have it recognized at a professional level by my peers.”

Both Pugmire and Bacon developed their projects as part of their junior-year coursework.

“We’re excited and proud of them for achieving these awards, for being recognized,” Jill Desimini, director and associate professor of landscape architecture, says. “We have a growing collaboration with the Connecticut Chapter of the ASLA, and it just highlights the caliber of student work, of teaching, and the types of projects we’ve been able to achieve.”

The landscape architecture program is part of the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.

Pugmire’s project titled “Rooted in Time” introduces features to the 180-year-old Brookside Farm in East Lyme to revitalize the site, developed as part of his Design III course with Mariana Fragomeni, assistant professor of landscape architecture.

“The thing about historic restoration is that most projects were not made with modern-day technology and features,” Pugmire says. “So, for me it was about trying to find the happy medium between historic preservation and the modern functionality we see with newer landscapes.”

Pugmire’s design includes an orchard that would revive the farm’s history of growing apples.

It also develops the Brookside Barn into a historical attraction with exhibits of antique farming equipment and other artifacts.

The third element of “Rooted in Time” is a tea garden and kitchen where visitors would pick edible plants like hibiscus, beebalm, and lavender to make fresh teas.

“All of these plants are either native or cultivated,” Pugmire says. “So, they still add to the local ecology.”

Developed as part of his Design III course with Mariana Fragomeni, assistant professor of landscape architecture, Brendan Pugmire ’25 (CAHNR) revitalizes an 180-year-old farm in East Lyme, CT. (Contributed photo)

The plan for the garden includes plants that would bloom in multiple seasons and trees to offer year-round appeal.

Bacon’s project “Pollinator Pathways” presents a plan to use part of the Northeast Science Quad on the UConn Storrs campus as a biodiverse native pollinator garden.

“I wanted to create something that looked very natural and attracted pollinators,” Bacon says.

This project was completed as part of his Planting Design class with Sohyun Park, associate professor of landscape architecture.

Given that there is a laboratory less than a foot below the ground, this limited what plants Bacon could use in his design. The site is also largely in the shade, leading Bacon to choose native plants that could tolerate both less-than-ideal conditions like indigo, ferns, poppies, and grasses.

Bacon chose specific plants to attract pollinators as well, like milkweed for monarchs, and other plants for hummingbirds, bees, and beetles.

“This is the first project that I’ve done that is this style of planting and really going super in-depth with plant species, so it was cool to get recognition for that,” Bacon says.

The site plan also includes bird houses and “pollinator hotels” for bees, benches, and a rain garden.

Any student or first-year graduate attending UConn or living in Connecticut is eligible to enter the contest. UConn students have won these awards in the past, Desimini says. Developing plans for real-world projects in the community is a cornerstone of the nationally accredited landscape architecture program. It provides students with unique experience that helps them hit the ground running in the job market.

Students can also enter their projects for national awards.

“We hope that this will build the confidence of our students and that more students will apply for awards and recognition in the future,” Desimini says. “We feel really good about their projects and the curriculum.”

This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Fostering Sustainable Landscapes at the Urban-Rural Interface.

Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

MIL OSI USA News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn Journalism’s Smith Receives Carnegie Fellowship

Source: US State of Connecticut

Steven G. Smith, an award-winning multimedia storyteller and professor in the Department of Journalism, has been named an Andrew Carnegie Fellow for 2025, joining just 25 other scholars nationally in receiving the prestigious honor for researchers in the humanities and social sciences.

Each fellow will receive $200,000 for research focusing on subjects related to political polarization, with the aim of eventually producing a book or other major study, the Carnegie Corporation of New York announced Wednesday.

“Receiving the Carnegie Fellowship is an honor, and I’m excited to continue working on ‘These United States,’ my long-term documentary photo essay exploring American identity in the 21st century,” says Smith, who won a Pulitzer Prize for photography as part of the Rocky Mountain News photo essay team that was honored in 2003. “The fellowship will provide invaluable time and resources to develop the project further and share stories from across the country. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for the support provided by the Carnegie Foundation and the University of Connecticut.”

(Courtesy of Steven G. Smith)

Smith, whose previous work includes the award-winning documentary films “The Long Goodbye: A Caregiver’s Journey” and “One World, One People,” has already been working on his current project for a year and a half, traveling the U.S. and documenting its people in photography.

“My perspective as a visual journalist is to see what our country looks like right now,” Smith says. “It’s a portrait of America at the time of its 250^th birthday.”

Visual media like photography and film offer a chance to examine complicated and emotionally charged subjects with unique nuance, Smith says, which is partly what drew him to the project.

“I’m a big believer in a wide variety of approaches,” he says. “Human beings are complex, and photography and visual communication can bring these subtleties and details to the surface that might otherwise be overlooked.”

Smith is just the second UConn faculty member to receive a Carnegie fellowship; Yonatan Morse, associate professor of political science, became the first in 2020.

Under the leadership of Carnegie president Dame Louise Richardson, the 2025 class marks the second year of the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program’s focus on building a body of research focused on political polarization. Carnegie will commit up to $18 million to this effort over the three-year period.

The winning proposals approach polarization through a wide array of disciplines and methods. Projects include analyzing the causes of the increasing political divides between men and women; assessing where Americans find common ground when it comes to their health; and understanding how partisan media, consultants, and entertainment industries are driving polarization for short-term profits, among other areas of research.

“Through these fellowships Carnegie is harnessing the unrivaled brainpower of our universities to help us to understand how our society has become so polarized,” says Richardson. “Our future grantmaking will be informed by what we learn from these scholars as we seek to mitigate the pernicious effects of political polarization.”

The focus on political polarization attracted more than 300 applications for the fellowship. A panel of jurors, chaired by Richardson and comprised of current and former leaders from some of the nation’s preeminent institutions, made the final selections. They prioritized proposals based on the originality and promise of the research, its potential impact on the field, and the applicants’ plans for communicating the findings to a broad audience.

Smith says the final shape of his project is still to be determined, but envisions possibilities like a book and exhibition of the work.

“I’d like to see this project be less overtly political and more a celebration of who we are,” Smith says. “Sometimes, when you’re out taking the pulse of the country, it can be a little frightening. But as I get out and shake hands and meet people and learn about their lives, I see a lot of kindness. That’s been very healing, to meet all these wonderful people and try to get just a little bit of their story.”

Founded in 2015, the Andrew Carnegie Fellows Program provides the most generous stipend of its kind for research in the humanities and social sciences. To date, Carnegie has named almost 300 fellows, representing a philanthropic investment of more than $59 million. Congressional testimony by past fellows has addressed topics such as social media and privacy protections, transnational crime, governmental responses to pandemics, and college affordability. Fellows have received honors including the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, and National Book Award.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: No kidding: goats prove brainier than sheep and alpacas

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Megan Quail, PhD Candidate at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University

shutterstock Dudarev Mikhail/Shutterstock

When we think about intelligent animals, farm species aren’t usually the first to spring to mind. We may picture tool-using primates or puzzle-solving crows. But my recent research suggests that sheep, goats and alpacas – staples of the barnyard – deserve more credit.

In two separate studies, I tested how these animals learn, remember and make sense of the world around them. The findings reveal not only that we’ve underestimated their cognitive abilities, but also that there are important differences between species.

Of the three, goats came out on top – outperforming both sheep and alpacas in tasks testing memory and problem-solving.

Initial testing focused on spatial memory, which is the ability to remember the location of something important, like food. In the wild, this is a important survival skill. Animals need to recall where to find water, food or shelter.

I set up a simple experiment. Each animal had to locate food hidden in one of several buckets in a small arena. Once they’d learned where the food was, I changed the positions and tested how quickly and accurately they could relocate it.

Goats appeared to show the strongest spatial memory, finding the food faster and making fewer errors than the others. Sheep also performed well, although they made more mistakes than the goats. The alpacas, however, struggled to complete the tasks within the time limit.

They’re cute but they lack some of the brain power of their goat counterparts.
Siam Stock/Shutterstock

This stronger spatial memory in goats could be linked to their evolutionary history. They have adapted to forage across wide, rocky landscapes and they have probably developed a sharp memory to help them navigate efficiently and return to good food sources.

The second study looked at more complex cognitive skills: object permanence, numerical competence and categorisation – all central to making sense of a changing world.

You may have tested object permanence without realising it, for example, if you’ve ever played peekaboo with a baby. This skill is knowing that an object still exists even when it’s hidden from view. It seems easy, but this ability is an important developmental milestone for humans. Other animals use object permanence to track food, predators, prey, or their own young. It’s an essential skill for survival.

So, for this experiment, I placed food under a cup and gradually made the task harder. I added empty cups, or switched the positions of the cups so the animal had to mentally track the hidden reward.

The goats again excelled at this task. They showed a higher awareness of object permanence than the sheep and alpacas, demonstrating the ability to mentally reconstruct where the hidden object was concealed.

In other tasks, all three could tell the difference between larger and smaller quantities of food, usually picking the container with more treats. But when it came to grouping shapes that looked similar, they all found it equally difficult.

Smarter than we think

Together, these studies offer evidence to dispute the idea that farm animals are not intellectually gifted. Each species has different strengths. But my research suggests that goats understand, remember and process information with greater efficiency in the abilities tested than sheep and alpacas.

Understanding how animals think isn’t just an academic exercise either – it has real-world implications. If we know more about an animal’s cognitive abilities, we can design better environments and improve their welfare. We can also better predict how they’ll behave when grazing or adapting to new surroundings.

For instance, animals with poorer spatial memory may need extra help navigating a field or enclosure. Those with higher cognitive skills may benefit from more stimulating environments that allow them to explore and solve problems.

There may be more going on in the barnyard than we often assume. So, next time you’re at a petting zoo or walking past a farm, don’t be fooled by the woolly coats and demeanour. Especially when it comes to the goats – they may just be outsmarting everyone.

Megan Quail 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. No kidding: goats prove brainier than sheep and alpacas – https://theconversation.com/no-kidding-goats-prove-brainier-than-sheep-and-alpacas-253669

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: 16 April 2025 Departmental update Global momentum builds: World Health Organization (WHO) convenes second Global Clinical Trials Forum to drive efficiency and impact, accelerate clinical trials
Source: World Health Organisation

A future where clinical trials are faster, more inclusive and directly embedded in health systems came closer to reality as over 100 global stakeholders gathered at WHO headquarters in Geneva for the second Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF). This was a pivotal event accelerating the implementation of WHO’s Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials and the vision of World Health Assembly Resolution WHA75.8.

Themed “Action for Impact,” this year’s Forum marked a significant step in translating global standards into national reforms and institutional workplans. Participants included national health research governance agencies, clinical trial regulators and ethics bodies, funders, civil society organizations, academic institutions and industry leaders.

Turning guidance into action

The Forum came at a crucial moment, just months after the launch of WHO’s Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials in September 2024, and amid final preparations for the release of the Global Action Plan for Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS). This action plan, built on stakeholder consultations between 2022 and 2025, outlines tangible, measurable steps to strengthen trial governance, infrastructure, workforce and inclusion across diverse settings.

Centring people and ethics in research

A major theme of the Forum was putting people at the centre of clinical research. With new WHO guidance aligned to the revised Declaration of Helsinki, the Forum spotlighted patient involvement, diversity, and equity – not as add-ons but as cornerstones of good science.

Inclusion is not optional. It’s central to generating reliable, actionable evidence that serves all populations.

From global commitments to national action

The Forum featured powerful examples of national reform. Case studies from Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Africa showcased how countries are adopting WHO guidance to transform their clinical research ecosystems. This includes removing unnecessary bureaucracy, digitizing submission systems, setting up single research ethics committee models, embedding patient involvement and community engagement structures, and providing one-stop shops for sponsors to discuss how to navigate clinical trial systems. These case studies illustrated how countries are localizing global guidance to fit their contexts, demonstrating that change is possible and already underway.

Participants engaged in a series of technical sessions and breakout groups to co-develop 12–18-month workplans aligned to the nine pillars of the GAP-CTS, including:
- strengthening national ecosystems and leadership
- expanding inclusive training initiatives
- addressing barriers faced by underrepresented populations
- embedding trials into health systems
- scaling up digital solutions and registry transparency
- enabling adoption of innovative trial designs
- advancing international collaboration.
Looking ahead

WHO will continue to support countries and partners that are prioritizing clinical research strengthening as part of their health systems strengthening and public health preparedness. Translation of WHO Guidance into WHO official languages is underway, and regional workplans will be developed in partnership with WHO regional offices.

As countries and organizations move from commitments to concrete actions, the GCTF provides a powerful platform for collaboration, peer learning and collective impact, ensuring that clinical trials are ethical, inclusive, scientifically sound and built for real-world relevance, and benefiting all people, everywhere.

MIL OSI United Nations News –
April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The MOST Theatre is playing “Gudok!” Evgeny Slavutin on the premiere dedicated to young Soviet literature

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

On April 17, the premiere of the play will take place on the main stage of the MOST Theatre “Beep!”, dedicated to the legendary editorial board of the newspaper of the same name. Its employees at the dawn of their careers were Valentin Kataev, Eduard Bagritsky, Yuri Olesha and other famous writers. “Kultura Moskvy” talked to Evgeny Slavutin, director, teacher, founder and artistic director of the theater, about choosing a plot for a production, the importance of creative energy and the ability to stay young at any age.

— Evgeny Iosifovich, why did you decide to stage a play about young Soviet literature now? What makes this topic relevant?

— Our theatre is young — this is its indisputable advantage and feature, which we try to take into account when choosing material for productions. In this case, we took a certain historical moment into work: young Odessans of the 1920s, passionately interested in poetry, passionately dream of making it and move to Moscow for this purpose.

The age of our actors coincides with the age of their characters, and this is a good prerequisite for creating a live performance. We allowed the performers in the characters to look further, to go through their life’s journey to the end. This means that the performance will have an important psychological component that will be interesting to both the actors and the audience. Our task is to create a performance that penetrates the soul of the viewer, which will be relevant in its uniqueness. Relevance is not a task, but the result of the work.

And then, it’s just very interesting material! A completely unique case: all our heroes find themselves in the same editorial office, moreover, in the same premises of the newspaper “Gudok”. Here, an amazing atmosphere of humor and creative energy arises, with the help of which they transform routine, utilitarian work, filling it with the brilliance of wit, turning it into a unique school of literary mastery. They raced to amaze each other, thereby setting a certain trend of cheerful, mischievous, and most importantly, real literature. And at this takeoff, they begin to write their big books. They create them in a festive atmosphere, despite the recent Civil War, hunger and domestic instability. They compose works that will make a splash.

— You defined the genre of the play as a documentary phantasmagoria. What elements characterize it?

— The script is based on the memories of real people. But literary memories, which sometimes become documents, are one thing, and a performance in which directors and actors convey the living energy of events, passing them through themselves, is quite another. In our case, through the energy of youth.

Another important condition is the use of certain artistic techniques that involve the audience in the proposed events. Including a system of monologues built in the form of a direct appeal to the public. In short, this is a document, but played out and fertilized by the actor’s and director’s element.

— The legendary newspaper “Gudok” was distinguished, among other things, by its amazing sense of humor. Were its satirical nature transferred to the production? What techniques did you use?

— Satire is a reaction to topical moments in life. And despite the fact that our heroes wrote their newspaper articles brilliantly, the topic is a thing of the past. But a sense of humor is priceless, and we hope we managed to preserve it.

— The performance was also prepared with the help of the plastic director Vladimir Belyaikin and the director-choreographer Elena Ershova. Does this mean that the audience should expect many dance numbers?

— The theater requires an actor to demonstrate the ability to work with different capabilities. Not only intonation and voice, psychological expressiveness and authenticity are important, but also control of the body, which must be mobile and rhythmic. I have known Vladimir Belyaikin, winner of the Golden Mask award, for about 30 years. His works are amazing. Elena Ershova started in our theater as an actress, and now she is a candidate of pedagogical sciences, a dance specialist. But I would say that she is a co-director in the performance. Elena prepares dance and plastic numbers that express a certain essence of specific moments of the action. That is, the audience will see not isolated inclusions, but plastic solutions deeply connected with the course of the performance, in which not specially trained dancers take part, but actors.

— Among the heroes of the play are Valentin Kataev, Eduard Bagritsky, Yuri Olesha, Mikhail Bulgakov, Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov — figures of incredible scale for Russian literature, bright, original. Was it difficult to choose suitable performers for these roles?

– No, it’s not difficult. We have a very large troupe – about 80 people – talented, charged with art, obsessed people who have gone through our school. Acting talent, in my opinion, consists of obsession with the material and the complex of tasks with which the artist goes on stage.

A wonderful coincidence occurred here: first we chose the actors, then we looked at photographs of the heroes of our play and were surprised by the striking resemblance.

— In collaboration with Alexander Vilkin, you once wrote the play “How It Was” based on the works of Ilf and Petrov. Did that experience help you to become even more deeply involved with the characters of the new production?

– Of course, it helped. Alexander Vilkin is a very talented person. At one time, the play “How It Was” was brilliantly performed at the Moscow Theater of Miniatures, so it was impossible not to use some of the techniques. But still, these are different plays, even in formal moments. In that one there were two hosts – Ilya Ilf and Evgeny Petrov, in “Gudok!” most of the narration is from the point of view of Valentin Kataev, and the story of Ilf and Petrov is just one of the lines.

— The ability to see and describe life like the characters in a play seems simple, but in reality, not everyone has it. What, in your opinion, will help develop it for those who would also like to become a great writer one day?

— I have been teaching acting all my adult life: first at the Lomonosov Moscow State University Theatre, and for the last 25 years at the MOST Theatre. And I can say for sure that an actor is born and raised in collective work. You can’t train a person in acting techniques — the same goes for literary creativity. There must be some groups in which interesting cross-pollination occurs. If Ilya Ilf, Yevgeny Petrov, Yuri Olesha, Eduard Bagritsky and Mikhail Bulgakov sit and work in the same room, then most likely something incredible is happening there. They influenced each other willy-nilly, it is no coincidence that all these characters burst into the country’s leading theatre at almost the same time.

— What is the essence of creativity and the main source of inspiration for you?

— Passion, youth (at any age) and non-pragmatism. Yes, Alexander Pushkin’s phrase is well-known: “Inspiration is not for sale, but a manuscript can be sold.” But a manuscript must first be born in a state of inspiration. A person must write because he cannot help but write.

And the source of inspiration for me is our actors. After all, these are people who are not crushed by their profession. People with talent, who unite in our acting school and then stay in the theater. We recruit study groups twice a year and literally after 12 classes we graduate artists who are free, easy and in love with their work. And the question of professionalism does not arise – all viewers note the special, bright energy and intelligent eyes of our actors. I attribute this to the fact that they are not only artists, but also physicists, biologists, journalists, that is, people living in a diverse, multi-tasking world, studying this world in its entirety. And working with such people, sometimes very difficult in the process of achieving those artistic goals that we are working on, endlessly inspires me.

The next performance will be on May 20 and 21. Tickets can be purchased at Mos.ru.

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

Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152653073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

April 17, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Arts Festivals Summit 2025 Edinburgh: A celebration of culture, collaboration, and community

Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

Writing in today’s Evening News, Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker welcomes the 2025 European Festivals Association (EFA) Arts Festival Summit to Edinburgh

Later this month, Edinburgh will host the 2025 European Festivals Association (EFA) Arts Festival Summit. This event will bring together festival representatives, policymakers, and cultural partners from around Europe for a four-day, in-person exchange about the arts and their role in society.

Co-hosted by the Edinburgh International Festival, Festivals Edinburgh, and the Council, this year’s summit offers a unique opportunity for the European festivals community to collaborate and work more closely together.

Edinburgh is home to 11 major international festivals that take place throughout the year. These festivals contribute to the city’s well-earned reputation as The World’s Festival City.
Currently, the Edinburgh Science Festival is underway. As the world’s first and largest celebration of science, it will finish this weekend, having hosted 115 events across 30 venues. I’m always very impressed with the interactive exhibits, workshops, and shows designed to make science fun and accessible for children.

Next is the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival in May, followed by the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival in July, and of course, the grand month of August. With preparations for the summer festivals already in full swing, it’s clear that our cultural calendar is packed with dynamic events.

However, these festivals are about much more than performances and exhibitions, they are powerful drivers of community engagement, cultural exchange and economic growth. The Arts Festivals Summit will delve into how Edinburgh’s festivals have helped shape the city’s global reputation, how they continue to define its identity today and how they can support our city into the future both economically and socially.

One theme of the Summit will be the development of the EFFE Seal for Festival Cities and Regions – with the Council as one of its seven founding members – as a European community where knowledge is exchanged, and produced, about the role of festivals in their local areas. With the Council continually working to balance the needs of residents, visitors, and businesses while keeping the spirit of the Festival City alive, this international community can become a valuable resource for sharing insights and developing pan-national initiatives.

While I take great pride in how Edinburgh’s dedication to supporting its festivals has become a model for cities around the world, I also believe that we should continually look to learn from others.

This is especially important at this moment in time because Edinburgh’s success story is not without its challenges. The summit will look at the hurdles faced in maintaining its festival culture. Rising costs, accommodation, environmental concerns, and the pressure to evolve in an ever-changing international landscape all present challenges. These are issues many festivals and their host locations across the globe are grappling with, and I’m confident the Summit will provide an invaluable space for sharing solutions, strategies, and ideas that ensure festivals thrive not just survive.

Ultimately, the Arts Festivals Summit is not just a celebration of Edinburgh’s cultural landscape, it’s a recognition of the transformative power of festivals. As Edinburgh continues to lead by example, this summit serves as a reminder of the critical role arts festivals play in shaping the future of our societies, celebrating diversity, and nurturing creativity.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Delegation of the Humanitarian Institute visited the Gumilyov Eurasian University

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

As part of the Decade of Science, a delegation of teachers from the Humanitarian Institute visited the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan). The long-standing and fruitful cooperation between the Humanitarian Institute of SPbPU and the Philological Faculty of ENU continues to strengthen, acquiring new formats of academic interaction.

Commenting on the importance of interaction between universities, Director of the Humanitarian Institute Natalia Chicherina noted: International cooperation today is not just an exchange of knowledge, it is a joint search for new meanings, a unification of efforts in understanding the challenges of the time and the formation of transformative scientific thinking.

The delegation included:

Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages Maya Bernavskaya; Member of the Union of Designers of Russia, Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations Evgenia Tuchkevich; Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy Evgenia Vorontsova.

The visit to Astana was an important step towards further expansion of interuniversity cooperation and strengthening of academic partnership. Polytechnics met with the Dean of the Faculty of Philology of ENU Serikzat Duysengazy, the Head of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics Evgeniya Zhuravleva, and the Professor of the Department Sholpan Zharkynbekova. The specialists discussed the prospects for expanding cooperation, strengthening scientific ties and implementing joint academic initiatives.

SPbPU teachers spoke at the scientific seminar “New paradigms of scientific research in the era of AI: opportunities and transformation of research practices”, where they presented current approaches to the use of artificial intelligence technologies in scientific activities.

They also held lectures for students of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, dedicated to the issues of digital transformation of education and the introduction of AI into the educational process. The lectures aroused great interest and became the reason for meaningful discussions with students.

SPbPU expresses its sincere gratitude to Professor of the Department of Theoretical and Applied Linguistics Sholpan Zharkynbekova for the high level of organization of events and contribution to the development of scientific and educational dialogue between universities.

Our delegation noted the high level of organization of the visit and the atmosphere of open academic dialogue: We were sincerely impressed by the attention to the scientific agenda, the interest of students and colleagues, as well as the warm welcome that was felt at every stage of our stay. Such meetings inspire further cooperation and give impetus to joint scientific projects.

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 –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4511-4512: Low energy after a big weekend?

Source: NASA

Written by Lauren Edgar, Planetary Geologist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center
Earth planning date: Monday, April 14, 2025
We all know the feeling: it’s Monday morning after a big weekend and you’re coming into the week wishing you’d had a little more time to rest and recharge. Well, Curiosity probably feels the same way today. Curiosity accomplished a lot over the weekend, including full contact science, a MAHLI stereo imaging test, testing the collection of ChemCam passive spectral data at the same time as data transmission with one of the orbiters, and some APXS and MAHLI calibration target activities, plus a long 57 m drive. It was great to see all of those activities in the plan and to see some great drive progress. But that means we’re a bit tight on power for today’s plan!
I was on shift as Long Term Planner today, and the team had to think carefully about science priorities to fit within our power limit for today’s plan, and how that will prepare us for the rest of the week. The team still managed to squeeze a lot of activities into today’s 2-sol plan. First, Curiosity will acquire Mastcam mosaics to investigate local stratigraphic relationships and diagenetic features. Then we’ll acquire some imaging to document the sandy troughs between bedrock blocks to monitor active surface processes. We’ll also take a Navcam mosaic to assess atmospheric dust. The science block includes a ChemCam LIBS observation on the bedrock target “Santa Margarita” and a long distance RMI mosaic of “Ghost Mountain” to look for possible boxwork structures. Then Curiosity will use the DRT, APXS and MAHLI to investigate the finely-laminated bedrock in our workspace at a target named “The Grotto.” We’ll also collect APXS and MAHLI data on a large nodule in the workspace named “Torrey Pines” (meanwhile the Torrey Pines here on Earth was shaking in today’s southern California earthquakes! All is well but it gave some of our team members an extra jolt of adrenaline right before the SOWG meeting). The second sol is focused on continuing our drive to the south and taking post-drive imaging to prepare for Wednesday’s plan.
Phew! Good job Curiosity, you made it through Monday.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sols 4509-4510: A weekend of long drives

Source: NASA

Written by Abigail Fraeman, Planetary Geologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Earth planning date: Friday, April 11, 2025
Curiosity is continuing to book it to the potential boxwork structures. The rover drove over 50 meters on Wednesday, and we plan to drive more than 50 meters again in today’s plan thanks to an unusually good viewshed that allows us to see far ahead. We’ve been able to see glimpses of the boxwork structures in the distance for a few weeks now, and I am really excited about being able to plan long drives that get us closer and closer. What will we find when we reach them?
Power was on everyone’s mind as we put the plan together today. The science team had lots of amazing ideas about observations to collect from our current location, but we had to carefully plan and prioritize them to make sure we didn’t use too much power and leave the rover battery lower than we’d like for Monday’s plan. Winter on Mars certainly keeps us on our toes! We ended up putting together what I think is a pretty good set of activities for the weekend. MAHLI, APXS, and ChemCam will all work together to observe a flat rock in front of us named “Iron Mountain.” MAHLI will also do an experiment with this rock, testing different combinations of camera positions to see which produces the best data to help us generate 3D models of the rock’s surface. I know rocks don’t have feelings, but if they did, I hope Iron Mountain can use this time to feel a bit like a movie star on the red carpet, getting photographed from all angles. Mastcam will also be photographing the surroundings, working with ChemCam’s RMI imager to take images the ridge containing boxwork structures named “Ghost Mountain,” and taking some solo shots of targets in the foreground named “Redondo Flat,” “Silverwood Sanctuary,” and the oft photographed Gould Mesa. Navcam, REMS, and DAN round out the science plan with some environmental observations. We’ll be getting one more science and engineering hybrid observation when we collect ChemCam passive spectral data of the instrument’s calibration target in parallel with one of our communication passes. This observation is part of a series of tests we’re doing to run rover activities in parallel with these passes, and if successful, will allow us to be more even more power efficient in the future.
We’re also celebrating a soliday this weekend, which means we only have a two-sol plan instead of our usual three as the Mars and Earth time zones re-align for the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing where Curiosity drives next week.

MIL OSI USA News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: 16 April 2025 EEF travelling session dedicated to scientific and educational partnership between the Russian Far East and Indonesia was held in Jakarta As part of the Russia–Indonesia Business Forum in Jakarta, the Eastern Economic Forum held a travelling session entitled ‘Expanding Business Interaction through the Mechanisms of Scientific and Educational Partnership between the Russian Far East and Indonesia’. It was devoted to the prospects for cooperation between the Far East and Indonesian regions in the educational sphere.

Source: Eastern Economic Forum

16 April 2025

EEF travelling session dedicated to scientific and educational partnership between the Russian Far East and Indonesia was held in Jakarta

As part of the Russia–Indonesia Business Forum in Jakarta, the Eastern Economic Forum held a travelling session entitled ‘Expanding Business Interaction through the Mechanisms of Scientific and Educational Partnership between the Russian Far East and Indonesia’. It was devoted to the prospects for cooperation between the Far East and Indonesian regions in the educational sphere.

The panel discussion was attended by representatives of leading universities and specialized departments from Russia and Indonesia. The speakers included Ahmad Najib Burhani, Director General for Science and Technology at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia; Tatachipta Dirgantara, Rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology; Evgeny Vlasov, Vice-Rector for International Relations of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU); Tri Andika Kurniawan, Vice-Chancellor of Bakri University; Yury Marfin, Rector of the Pacific State University (PSU); Hamdi Muluk, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Indonesia; Elena Kharisova, General Director of the Fund for Development of the Russky Innovation Science and Technology Centre. The moderator was Elvira Nurgalieva, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic.

During her speech, Elvira Nurgalieva noted that the scientific and educational partnership between the Far Eastern Federal District as a region of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Indonesia is not just an exchange of knowledge, but a valuable practical tool for expanding business cooperation.

“Implementing joint training programmes, launching new research projects, working to improve the quality of education – all this can create a basis for long-term economic cooperation. We attribute an important role in this process to the work of the Innovation Science and Technology Centre on Russky Island. We are creating a concentrate of science, technology, education and production at the ISTC, where comprehensive programmes will be implemented with government support to attract the best scientists, engineering teams, and specialists in various fields of science and technology, including world-class ones. ISTC will become an important platform for interaction with scientists from Asia-Pacific countries, in particular Indonesia,” noted Elvira Nurgalieva.

In turn, Yuri Marfin noted that expert support for the development of the Far East and strengthening Russia’s influence in the Asia–Pacific region are tasks that are part of the PSU development programme.

‘That is why we prioritize the development of co-operation with representatives of the academic and business sectors of the Asia–Pacific Region. Universities can and should become a significant entry point to start a meaningful dialogue on cooperation in science and technology. To address these challenges, our university has been increasing the number of international students, including those from Indonesia, year after year. We have developed entrepreneurship training programmes for students and implement them both in Russia and in our partner universities in the Asia–Pacific region. We design joint business missions to exchange topical projects. The joint development of young people through university education in our countries, academic and cultural exchanges is the key to long-term and effective co-operation. We are making the greatest efforts in this direction,’ emphasized Yuri Marfin.

Boris Korobets noted that FEFU has been a key partner in the development of Russian-Indonesian co-operation in science, education and new technologies for more than a decade.

‘We are joining forces with scientists from Indonesia to solve urgent problems in medicine, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology development. Today, FEFU is the largest scientific and educational hub in the Far East with a network of more than 200 partners in APR countries. Our university has 3,500 international students, and we plan to increase this number to 7,500 by 2030. The university has access to unique infrastructure for joint initiatives, including the Russky Island ISTC, which is a special economic zone with attractive tax preferences. Our technologies can make a significant contribution to Indonesia’s ambitious oil and gas targets, while our expertise in biodiversity monitoring will help with environmental projects for ocean conservation. The synergy of science, education and business that we are creating at FEFU will become a powerful platform for developing Russian-Indonesian co-operation and solving the global challenges of our countries,’ said Boris Korobets.

‘Bakrie University, part of the Bakrie Group ecosystem, is focused on addressing the challenge of ‘connectivity and alignment’ between industry needs and the higher education system. This is fulfilled through active engagement with industry. Currently 250 Bakrie Group companies support the university in the implementation of apprenticeship programmes. Bakrie University expresses its readiness to cooperate with Russian universities through internship programmes for students from Russia at Bakrie Group enterprises,’ said Vice Chancellor of Bakrie University Tri Andika Kurniawan.

Igor Pavlov, First Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Eastern Economic Forum, emphasized that international communication platforms are a working tool for establishing interstate cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

‘The Eastern Economic Forum demonstrates sustainable development dynamics, consistently strengthening its position as a global discussion platform for developing strategic solutions, including in the sphere of new technologies, education and science. As a new co-operation architecture is being formed, we are concentrating our efforts on deepening the international track. In this regard, we are actively co-operating with the Ministry for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, demonstrating the EEF’s capabilities at international events. This allows us not only to scale the business agenda, but also to build long-term partnerships with Asia–Pacific countries,’ said Igor Pavlov.

‘Today’s meeting was a starting point for meaningful dialogue and joint work. The next session, a large-scale gathering of university rectors from Indonesia and Russia lies ahead. There we will continue to communicate on a more substantive plane, focusing on the development of joint educational and scientific programmes. Our countries have long-standing friendly relations, cultural proximity and mutual aspirations for development. Today, all rectors have demonstrated openness, interest and readiness for co-operation. I take this opportunity to invite all participants to join us at the Eastern Economic Forum, which is held annually in Vladivostok with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at the economic potential of the Far East, its development programmes, and the region’s key venues – namely, FEFU and the Russky Island Innovation Science and Technology Centre – as part of the Indonesian delegation,’ Elvira Nurgalieva summed up the Eastern Economic Forum’s outgoing session in Jakarta.

The Russia–Indonesia Business Forum was held on 14 April in Jakarta as part of the 3rd meeting of the Russian-Indonesian Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation. The organizers were the Roscongress Foundation under the Roscongress International brand and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). The Forum was supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, and the Russia–ASEAN Business Council. A multi-sectoral business mission organized by the Russian Export Center was also launched as part of the Business Forum. More than 30 companies from 12 regions are presenting their solutions to potential partners under the national brand ‘Made in Russia’ with the support of the REC.

The EEF Business Forum session was part of the large-scale cultural and educational project ‘The Word about the Russian Heart’, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Indonesia and the 100th anniversary of Rossotrudnichestvo. The discussion was organized by the Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic together with the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation (FEDC), the Roscongress Foundation, the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), and the New City Creative Industries Centre.

Read more

MIL OSI Economics –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amy Jo Murray, Social psychologist, University of Johannesburg

There are 861,000 domestic workers employed in South Africa. They make up about 25% of the informal (non-agricultural) labour sector. By and large, it is still uneducated, black working-class females who clean and care for the country’s middle- to upper-class homes. It’s an eerily familiar scene.

Paid domestic work provides a microcosm of South Africa’s continuing struggle with its apartheid past. While the slavery of the colonial era and the servitude of black people under apartheid’s white minority rule are now gone, paid domestic work has adapted to post-apartheid realities. A great deal has changed in the country’s legal landscape, but domestic labour preserves racial identities and inequalities.

Read more:
What is apartheid? New book for young readers explains South Africa’s racist system

We have researched domestic labour in South Africa extensively for more than a decade, including the first author’s PhD. We have done in-depth interviews with over 70 employers and workers through a range of studies in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Our research shows that these racial identities and inequalities persist, particularly when domestic employers and workers avoid discussing the racial aspects of their relationships, feeling these are “too close for comfort” and liable to evoke explosive apartheid-era stereotypes.

It’s clear that the injustices of paid domestic labour cannot be solved through legislation alone. The history, norms, and pain from the country’s past run too deep. They touch people personally, and affect the way they engage each other (or don’t).

Social change requires innovative solutions to disrupt the status quo, while also facing the country’s haunting past.

Changes on paper

The end of apartheid in 1994 brought about a wave of changes, including equal rights for all citizens. Labour laws were extensively reformed. Rights and standards for domestic workers were introduced to address wages, working conditions, and other aspects of employment, theoretically ensuring fair treatment.

These legal advancements led to some improvements in the minimum wage and the use of employment contracts of domestic workers. But they didn’t stop entrenched practices like payments-in-kind (for example giving groceries or housing instead of cash) and unpaid overtime.

Read more:
Why Nigerian women in Oyo state use child domestic workers

The informal and private nature of domestic work makes it difficult to regulate. Progressive laws cannot reach here to eliminate cultural attitudes and behaviours that echo apartheid.

In other words…

In her 1980 book Maids and Madams, South African sociologist Jacklyn Cock was one of the first researchers to treat paid domestic labour as a reflection of broad structures of oppression in the country. She set out how apartheid racial hierarchies were overt, widely acknowledged, and crudely enacted. Domestic workers faced conditions close to slavery, with employers wielding unchecked power over their lives. Domestic work reinforced a rigid racial hierarchy, clearly demarcating the roles and status of the “madam” and the “maid”.

Through a close analysis of extensive interviews, our research shows how language underpins this relationship today, both through what is said and what isn’t. Domestic workers and employers go to great lengths not to talk about themselves as the “maid” or the “madam”. They focus instead on intimacy, reciprocation, and mutual support, avoiding the need to negotiate their employment relationship or any other topic that might arouse issues relating to race or inequality.

Read more:
Household gardeners in South Africa: a survivalist life with little protection

Middle- to upper-class employers are particularly sensitive to racial stereotypes and avoid language that hints at hierarchy or power. They sometimes say that domestic workers “feel like one of the family”, which obscures the underlying power dynamics.

This matters because it allows potentially unfair or exploitative labour practices to be carried out under the guise of “familial” relations. For example, we might expect an aunt to go the extra mile for the family, staying late to help out and showing she cares about the household. Outside of these familial boundaries, an “employee” should not have these obligations.

Polite language can create a veneer of equality that hides ongoing exploitation. To avoid sounding like “the baas” (boss) or “the madam”, with racial overtones, many employers are reluctant to give direct feedback or set clear boundaries for their employees.

Instead, we found that many give ambiguous instructions, or no instructions at all, avoiding the uncomfortable post-apartheid situation of being a middle-class white woman telling a working-class black woman what to do. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and potentially unfair treatment. As a result, employers may feel that their expectations go unfulfilled and workers don’t know what is required of them.

Read more:
Male domestic workers in South Africa – study sheds light on the experiences of Malawian and Zimbabwean migrants

Calculations based on Quarterly Labour Force Statistics consistently demonstrate that only 20% of domestic workers are registered for the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund. Instead, work relationships are regulated by informal understandings between parties, a fact that became apparent when domestic workers could not access unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

A contract requires negotiations that would make the employment-centred nature of the relationship, with its hierarchy and expectations, undeniable for all involved.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, these sensitivities and avoidances are apparent in conversations with domestic workers too. Workers prefer to focus on the value of their labour and justify, subvert, and evaluate their place in their employer’s household. Sometimes they talk about themselves as being “the boss” or “the owner” of the house, based on the responsibilities they have, the types of work they do – like caring for children or the elderly in the household – and the amount of time that they spend tending the home.

However, these assertions have a hollow ring when workers are excluded from big decisions in the household, like their right to have visitors, or small decisions like where to place household furniture. Feeling like part of the family is ruptured by exclusion from intimate moments like family celebrations, creating an all too familiar reminder of race and hierarchy.

Moving forward

The very real progress that has been made over the past 30 years of democracy should be celebrated. Legal reforms have achieved basic rights for domestic workers. Nevertheless, the spectre of apartheid still haunts South Africa and it’s clear that much work remains to be done.

It’s our view that disrupting the patterns that seem so ingrained in this relationship will take fresh thinking. Mutually negotiated employment contracts should be a norm. Professionalising paid domestic labour provides the opportunity to break the informality that has come to define domestic labour relations in South Africa.

And, with increasing access to the internet in South Africa, the digitisation of domestic labour holds promise for instituting social change through technology.

This has been successful in the developing world, including the African continent.

Read more:
12% of working women in South Africa are domestic workers – yet they don’t receive proper maternity leave or pay

Workers have greater agency to market themselves, choose where and who to work for, and to rate and regulate employers. Online platforms could also provide the opportunity for vetting each other and for negotiating compliance with regulations.

Kevin Durrheim receives funding from the National Research Foundation.

Amy Jo Murray 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. South Africa’s domestic workers still battle with echoes of a racist past – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-domestic-workers-still-battle-with-echoes-of-a-racist-past-250302

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: A Book as a Personal Reflection: HSE Publishing House at the non/fictioN Fair

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

At the beginning of April, the International Fair of Intellectual Literature non/fictioN took place in the Central Exhibition Hall “Manezh” in Moscow. Publishing house Vyshki traditionally took part in the event, presenting its new books, including an updated edition of Vadim Radaev’s book “Watching Movies, Understanding Life: 23 Sociological Essays“.

For several years in a row, the fair has gathered under one roof more than 200 large and small publishing houses, many authors, and readers eager to learn something new. The main goal is to popularize scientific knowledge and introduce new products in the field of scientific and intellectual literature. An important part is made up of meetings with authors, lectures, and master classes offering an in-depth look at current topics in science, culture, and education.

“Traditionally, at non/fictioN we prepare various new releases, and one of them today is the updated, third edition of Vadim Radaev’s book.”Watching Movies, Understanding Life: 23 Sociological Essays”, which included an analysis of new films,” said Alexander Pavlov, head of publishing projects at the HSE Publishing House. Among the Publishing House’s other new releases are “Conflict, war, revolution» Paula Kelly and «Parliamentary Procedures in Russia: Constitutional Standards» Alexey Koshel.

Vadim Radaev, First Vice-Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, personally presented his book to readers. The first thing he drew attention to was that the book is not about cinema, but about those life questions and problems that worry each of us: about human fears and elusive love, male mythology and women’s games, intergenerational conflicts and professional dilemmas, features of the national character and the painful parting with the Soviet past.

“Cinema is a visual way to talk about what you consider important. It all started in 2003, when I decided to organize a Christmas Film Seminar (a meeting of HSE researchers and students to watch and discuss a film, which is traditionally held at the university in December. — Ed.). People were surprised then, I had my doubts myself, and now we hold them every year, and two months before the event, people start asking what film we will analyze. 20 years later, I thought about what to give myself for the anniversary of the film seminar, and decided to secretly write a book,” shared Vadim Radaev. In the new edition, the author included an analysis of such films as “Boomer”, “Brother 2”, “Limit”, “Walk”, “What Men Talk About”, “The Train Stopped”, “Acid”, “Elena”, “12”, “Loveless”, “Chaos”, “Terminator” and many others.

“What is it that draws us to the theme of the gangster subculture?” asks Vadim Radaev, analyzing the films “Boomer”, “Brother 2”, “Brigada”. “This theme does not let us go, through it we try to overcome and play out our fears of violence. These are the situations in which we are afraid to find ourselves. The film “The Word of a Boy” does not leave us either, because it is the same theme.”

The author also reflects on who can be called the hero of our time, or rather, of several eras – the 80s, 90s and 2000s. “In the 80s, of course, it was “Courier”. And you remember, this guy is very nice, not stupid, but without any life plan, incapable of anything. In the 90s, the film “Limit” comes out, where there is a completely different hero. Instead of an apathetic Muscovite, there appears a motivated provincial guy, inclined to risk, who does not stop at any obstacles. And in the 2000s, Zvyagintsev’s debut – “The Return”. A new hero appears, with an incomprehensible secret past, which is better not to remember, which disappears with him, in the dark waters, “- says Vadim Radaev.

If viewers want to see what games women play, the author of the book suggests paying attention to the film “Walk” by Alexey Uchitel. “This is a master class in women’s manipulation techniques of the highest level,” he believes.

Vadim Radaev also examines relationships and conflicts between generations. “There was a film called ‘Acid’, where this topic is particularly acutely traced, children do not conflict with their parents, but there is no understanding between them,” the researcher explained.

The film “The Truman Show” makes you think about why people put their lives on public display. And the mini-series “The Department” raises questions about how a university should develop: should it keep up with the times and move towards something new, or should it rely on the classics.

“My book is not entirely scientific. I use the results of my own research and that of others, it contains references to scientific works and quotes from songs. To a large extent, this is a personal reflection,” Vadim Radaev summed up.

Sergei Filonovich, professor Department of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management HSE, a regular co-presenter of the Christmas Seminar, gave a short guide on how to use Vadim Radaev’s book. “I would not recommend reading it straight through, it is pointless to read chapters about films you have not seen, because there is no exact retelling of the plot, there is an analysis of impressions, the thoughts that the author generates. It should be read chapter by chapter after watching a specific film,” the professor is sure. Sergei Filonovich believes that Vadim Radaev’s readers will be able to evaluate the films they have watched from a different angle: “That is why I would say that this book is not only for young viewers, but also for fairly experienced ones.” In his opinion, this publication is a kind of dialogue between readers and the author: “Sometimes you want to discuss a film with an intelligent person, but where can you find one? He is not always at hand, and here is a book by an intelligent person, where his impressions are told.”

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 –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ2: Organisations promoting and co-ordinating development of innovation and technology

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Siu-hung and a written reply by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, in the Legislative Council today (April 16):

Question:

It is learnt that there are different organisations in Hong Kong (e.g. research and development centres, research institutes and statutory bodies) which are responsible for promoting and co-ordinating the development of innovation and technology (I&T), and among them, some are wholly owned by or established with funding support from the Government, while some others are established as independent legal entities. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) of the following information on the aforesaid organisations, which are wholly owned by, established or operated with funding support from the Government, and statutory bodies (such as the Cyberport and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation) (including the existing ones and those under formation): (i) ‍objectives of the organisations, (ii) positioning of the organisations, and (iii) their responsibilities, together with a breakdown by their respective sectors (i.e. upstream, midstream and downstream) in the I&T ecosystem;

(2) whether it has examined if the organisations mentioned in (1) have overlapping or similar functions; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(3) whether it will adopt a “zero-based mindset” (i.e. a mindset of getting rid of the existing framework and thinking from scratch) in planning afresh the resources currently allocated to I&T development, such as by reorganising or merging organisations with similar functions, so as to better dovetail with the development strategies put forward in the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint?

Reply:

President,

The consolidated reply in response to the questions raised by the Hon Chan Siu-hung is as follows:

Infrastructure is the cornerstone of innovation and technology (I&T) development, while the foundation of such development is research and development (R&D). In the past years, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has devoted substantial resources to implement a series of infrastructural projects and established various R&D institutes and platforms, with a view to enhancing our local I&T ecosystem continuously. Such organisations include the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), Cyberport, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the R&D Centres under the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC).

Established in 2001, the HKSTPC is a statutory body wholly owned by the Government. As an I&T flagship in Hong Kong, the HKSTPC is committed to providing infrastructure facilities, incubation programmes and one-stop support services for I&T enterprises, thereby promoting the development of a comprehensive I&T ecological chain encompassing the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors in Hong Kong. The HKSTPC is responsible for managing and operating the Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and the three InnoParks in Tai Po, Yuen Long and Tseung Kwan O, supporting around 1 700 enterprises, covering various technology areas including biomedical technology, electronics, green technology, information and communications technology, and material and precision engineering.

Cyberport, a company wholly-owned by the Government, has been in operation since 2004. As Hong Kong’s digital technology flagship, Cyberport comprises more than 2 200 enterprises including over 900 onsite companies and nine Hong Kong unicorns, covering areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, smart living, financial technology and blockchain. It endeavours to promote the development of the digital technology ecosystem in Hong Kong through a series of incubation programmes and support measures targeting the development needs of digital technology start-ups at different stages. Cyberport also supports R&D and application projects of different I&T institutes and companies through its digital and computing power facilities including the AI Supercomputing Centre.

As for the HKPC which was established in 1967, it is a statutory organisation dedicated to promoting the productivity excellence of Hong Kong’s enterprises through advanced technologies and innovative services. The HKPC has set out development priorities focusing on, among other areas, “Intelligent Manufacturing”, “New Industrialisation – Made in Hong Kong”, “Smart and Green Living” and “FutureSkills”, to serve small and medium enterprises and start-ups and promote commercialisation in the downstream.

Meanwhile, the R&D Centres under the ITC (including the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute (NAMI)) have been taking forward industry-driven applied R&D work that suits market needs and transferring technologies to the industries through contract researches, licensing arrangements, etc, to commercialise their R&D outcomes.

To expedite Hong Kong’s progress of developing into an international I&T centre, the current-term Government announced the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint (Blueprint) in end-2022. The Blueprint provides a systematic strategic plan to promote the development of I&T in Hong Kong. Alongside consolidating our strengths in upstream basic R&D, the mid-to-downstream transformation and commercialisation of the R&D outcomes would also be strengthened, with a view to further enhancing our I&T ecosystem and accelerating the development of Hong Kong’s new real economy. In the past two years or so, following the development directions and strategies set out in the Blueprint, the current-term Government has been making meticulous preparation in policy formulation and resource allocation. Layout of Hong Kong’s I&T system’s structural framework has been set, which is crucial to pooling international I&T resources and talents. The objective is to promote the innovation and diversification of industries through I&T to achieve Hong Kong’s high-quality development.

On the basis of the two existing major I&T parks, the HKSAR Government is taking forward the construction of the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park) with enhanced speed and efficiency. The Hong Kong Park is developed in two phases from west to east, and focuses on the development of frontier technological fields, such as life and health technology, AI and data science, as well as new technologies and advanced manufacturing. It mainly engages in R&D, pilot production and small-scale production. Batch 1 of Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park comprises eight buildings. The first three buildings are all about to complete and the Hong Kong Park will officially enter into its operational phase later this year. The Hong Kong-Shenzhen I&T Park Limited, vested with the responsibility to build the superstructure of, as well as to operate, maintain and manage the Hong Kong Park, is pressing ahead with the work on attracting tenants as well as the construction of the other five buildings. With the official opening of the Hong Kong Park this year, the “north, central, south” layout plan for the three major I&T parks in Hong Kong will essentially be realised. For the Hong Kong Park to the north of Hong Kong, which connects to Shenzhen in the north and the San Tin Technopole in the south, it will become a key hub for R&D as well as pilot production and transformation in Hong Kong in future. The Science Park in the central part of Hong Kong will continue to support the R&D of deep technology and nurture more local technology start-ups. As for Cyberport to the south of Hong Kong, it will continue to focus on promoting the development of the local digital technology and AI ecosystem, as well as incubating more relevant start-ups and talents.

Besides, taking into account the technological development and in line with the development strategies set out in the Blueprint, we will restructure the overall layout of Hong Kong’s public research institutes with a focus on frontier technological fields at the forefront of the country’s and Hong Kong’s development priorities, including life and health technology, AI and robotics and microelectronics technology. Apart from incorporating the Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre into the HKPC earlier and our plans to merge the ASTRI and the NAMI, we established the Hong Kong Microelectronics R&D Institute last year to provide targeted support for the R&D of third-generation semiconductor core technology. We are also pressing ahead at full steam to set up two third-generation semiconductor pilot lines (Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN)), striving to put them into operation next year to promote the transformation of R&D outcomes and industry development.

In addition, the HKSAR Government has already allocated $6 billion from the $10 billion earmarked for the promotion of life and health technology to launch the Subsidy Programme for the Setup of Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s) (the Subsidy Programme), thereby supporting local universities to set up life and health technology research institute(s). Institutions have been invited to submit proposals for the Subsidy Programme to foster cross university/institutional and multi-disciplinary collaboration.

Furthermore, the 2025-26 Budget announced that $1 billion has been set aside for the establishment of the Hong Kong AI R&D Institute (AIRDI), which will spearhead and support Hong Kong’s innovative R&D and industry applications of AI, facilitating upstream R&D, midstream and downstream transformation of R&D outcomes, and expanding application scenarios. The Digital Policy Office is formulating a detailed plan for the establishment of AIRDI, including drawing up its public mission, implementation strategy and work objectives.

We believe that, upon establishing the new I&T system with three major I&T parks and five key R&D institutes, it will create an important platform and more favourable conditions to attract international I&T resources and talents to Hong Kong, providing key support to Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Could CT scans be fuelling a future rise in cancer cases, as a new study suggests?

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

CT scans are a vital part of modern medicine. Found in every hospital and many clinics, they give doctors a fast and detailed look inside the body – helping to diagnose everything from cancer and strokes to internal injuries. But a new study suggests there may be a hidden cost to our growing reliance on this technology.

The study, published in Jama Internal Medicine, warns that CT scans performed in the US in 2023 alone could eventually lead to over 100,000 extra cancer cases. If the current rate of scanning continues, the researchers say CT scans could be responsible for around 5% of all new cancers diagnosed each year.

That figure has raised concerns. Especially when you consider that the number of CT scans done in the US has jumped by 30% in just over a decade. In 2023, there were an estimated 93 million CT exams carried out on 62 million people.

The risk from a single scan is low – but not zero. And the younger the patient, the greater the risk. Children and teenagers are especially vulnerable because their bodies are still developing, and any damage caused by ionising radiation may not show up until many years later.

That said, over 90% of CT scans are performed on adults, so it’s this group that faces the largest overall impact. The most common cancers linked to CT exposure are lung, colon, bladder and leukaemia. For women, breast cancer is also a significant concern.

What makes this latest estimate so striking is how much it has grown. In 2009, a similar analysis projected around 29,000 future cancers linked to CT scans. The new number is over three times higher – not just because of more scans, but because newer research allows for a more detailed analysis of radiation exposure to specific organs.

The study also makes an eye-catching comparison: if things stay as they are, CT-related cancers could match the number of cancers caused by alcohol or excess weight – two well-known risk factors.

Not all scans carry the same level of risk. In adults, scans of the abdomen and pelvis are thought to contribute the most to future cancer cases. In children, it’s head CTs that pose the biggest concern – especially for babies under the age of one.

Often life-saving

Despite all this, doctors stress that CT scans are often life-saving and remain essential in many cases. They help catch conditions early, guide treatment and are crucial in emergencies. The challenge is making sure they’re only used when really needed.

Newer technologies could help reduce the risk. Photon-counting CT scanners, for example, deliver lower doses of radiation, and MRI scans don’t use radiation at all. The researchers suggest that better use of diagnostic checklists could also help doctors decide when a scan is necessary, and when a safer alternative like MRI or ultrasound might do the job.

It’s worth noting that this study doesn’t prove CT scans cause cancer in individual people. The estimates are based on “risk models” – not direct evidence. In fact, the American College of Radiology points out that no study has yet linked CT scans directly to cancer in humans, even after multiple scans.

Still, the idea that radiation can cause cancer isn’t new. It’s scientifically sound. And with the huge number of scans being done, even small risks can add up.

CT scans save lives, but they’re not risk-free. As medical technology evolves, so too should the way we use it. By cutting down on unnecessary scans, using safer alternatives where possible, and keeping radiation doses as low as practical, we can ensure CT scans continue to help more than they harm.

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

– ref. Could CT scans be fuelling a future rise in cancer cases, as a new study suggests? – https://theconversation.com/could-ct-scans-be-fuelling-a-future-rise-in-cancer-cases-as-a-new-study-suggests-254633

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Today, the 63rd International Scientific Student Conference opened at NSU — MNSC

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

Today, the 63rd International Scientific Student Conference started at Novosibirsk State University. This year, more than 3,100 participants registered for the largest such event beyond the Urals, more than 2,800 of them passed the scientific selection. More than half of the participants are representatives of NSU, the number of participants in school sections increased to 453, which is 16% of the total. 40% of students and young scientists represent other universities in Russia.

The MNSC has a wide geography of participants. Thus, this year, schoolchildren, students and young scientists from 40 regions of Russia, as well as participants from abroad – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Belarus – will present their reports at the conference.

Sergey Golovin, director Advanced Engineering School of NSU, delivering a welcoming speech, drew attention to the interest of out-of-town students in the university and the opportunities provided by the Akademgorodok ecosystem:

— I am very glad to see that half of the guys are not from NSU, and this is very good, because you consider the university and our conference as a platform where you can come and discuss many interesting things. We are located in a unique place — in the Akademgorodok of Novosibirsk. In this relatively small area there are more than 30 research institutes and more than 5,000 research staff work on a variety of topics. It is also very important: there is a Technopark on our territory, it is one of the most successful in Russia, because it was created on the initiative of those innovators, those companies that wanted this technopark to appear. Now it has more than 350 residents who earn more than 50 billion rubles a year. Being in such an ecosystem, of course, everyone who studies here and everyone who comes here has very great opportunities to develop themselves and implement their projects through this ecosystem.

The conference will be held in 46 sections and 143 subsections. This year, two new sections have appeared: “Intercultural Communication and Translation” and “Romano-Germanic Philology and Theory of Language”.

It is important that in recent years, not only schoolchildren, students and young scientists, but also representatives of companies, partners of the university, have taken part in the events of the MNSC. And this is no coincidence, since NSU does a lot to build closer cooperation with the real sector. The university is integrating into the socio-economic agenda and is more actively working on solving industrial problems, replicating the experience of many years of successful interaction with research institutes to high-tech companies.

This transformation in the university’s strategy was noted by Igor Marchuk, Dean Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU:

— Now the country faces the task of achieving technological leadership, it is impossible to solve this task without science. I am sure that your reports, many of the results that will be presented, will serve to achieve this goal. Now it is important to link science and production, to work in closer connection with the real sector. Thus, at the NSU Mathematical Center, we are just beginning to work in such a product logic, although for mathematicians it is not so easy, since we mainly have theorems, proofs, algorithms. Nevertheless, we know many examples when the results of scientific research have a significant impact on the development of industries. Thus, we are now in the auditorium of the NSU Faculty of Economics — the Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich auditorium. He is an outstanding mathematician, who is a Nobel laureate in economics. The results of his work have had a huge impact on technology.

The MNSC will be held from April 16 to 22. You can find the detailed conference program on the website.

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 –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Moldova and Ukraine: Strengthening energy resilience in the face of extreme weather with OSCE workshop in Chisinau

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

Headline: Moldova and Ukraine: Strengthening energy resilience in the face of extreme weather with OSCE workshop in Chisinau

Participants in an OSCE workshop on strengthening energy resilience in the face of extreme weather in Chisinau, 14 April 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

As extreme weather events become more frequent and climate conditions continue to evolve, the energy sectors face increasing risks. From heatwaves straining power grids to storms damaging infrastructure and climate variability disrupting natural resources, these challenges add uncertainty to energy diversification and transition efforts.
To help Moldova and Ukraine build resilience in the face of these growing threats, the OSCE held a workshop on 14 and 15 April in Chisinau, Moldova: “Building Energy System Resilience Against Extreme Weather and Evolving Conditions in Moldova and Ukraine: Modelling and its Applications for Energy Planning”.
The event brought together more than 40 experts and decision-makers from Moldova and Ukraine, including Moldova’s State Secretaries for Energy and Environment and Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy. Participants explored how to assess climate vulnerabilities in critical energy infrastructure and integrate climate risks into energy planning, security, and transition strategies.
A key focus of the workshop was improving access to downscaled climate data: detailed, localized projections essential for protecting energy infrastructure and informing policy and investment decisions. Through a partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, the OSCE provided participants with critical high-resolution datasets and modelling tools to support science-based decision-making.
Attendees were also trained on how to use this granular data to evaluate risks and opportunities across the energy sector. This support strengthens the capacity of both countries to plan for future climate scenarios and protect vital energy systems.
This workshop is the first in a series of regional trainings under the OSCE’s project “Mitigating Climate Change Threats to the Energy Sector in the OSCE Region”, set to continue throughout 2025 and 2026.

MIL OSI Europe News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: North Wales plays a vital role in the UK Government’s missions
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release

North Wales plays a vital role in the UK Government’s missions

English

Cymraeg

Welsh Secretary visits businesses in the region to discuss their contributions to the UK Government’s clean energy and economic growth missions.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens at Wockhardt UK Ltd.

Welsh Secretary champions the value of innovative businesses in north Wales

Projects to reduce carbon emissions have potential to help deliver government’s net zero ambitions

Cutting-edge life science sector drives economic growth and contributes well paid jobs

The Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens has spent two days (10th & 11th April) in north Wales meeting leading businesses in the region and discussing their contributions to the UK Government’s clean energy and economic growth missions. The missions are cornerstones of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, which aims to raise living standards across the UK and put more money in people’s pockets.

At Heidelberg Materials’ cement works in Padeswood near Mold, the Secretary of State heard about a pioneering Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project, which aims to decarbonize cement production and contribute to the UK’s net-zero goals.

Heidelberg Materials is proposing a £600 million plus investment at its Padeswood works which would enable it to capture up to 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per year and create around 50 new jobs.

At Enfinium’s Parc Adfer facility in Deeside, the Secretary of State saw how the plant today converts unrecyclable waste into energy and other useful products and the company showcased their plans to retrofit a Carbon Capture Plant.

The CCS project represents a £200 million investment in North Wales’s green economy and Enfinium estimates that it has the potential to actively remove up to 125,000t of carbon from the atmosphere each year from the organic material the plant already processes.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

It’s fantastic to see north Wales at the forefront of plans for Carbon Capture and Storage. It’s a technology that has huge potential for helping us achieve our net zero ambitions.

As part of our Plan for Change we want to encourage innovation and investment like that being shown by these North Wales companies, bringing economic growth as well as the well-paid secure jobs of the future.

Simon Willis, CEO at Heidelberg Materials UK, said:

We were delighted to welcome Jo Stevens to Padeswood and to have the opportunity to showcase our plans for the site.

Our CCS project, which was granted planning permission earlier this month, would bring significant investment and opportunity to the region, boosting the north Wales economy and securing the long-term future of hundreds of skilled jobs.

Once operational, it would also provide net zero building materials for major projects across the country, setting the construction industry on a path to decarbonisation and helping the UK government meet its 2050 net zero targets.

Enfinium CEO Mike Maudsley said:

We were delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales to our Parc Adfer facility in Deeside, to discuss our plans to invest in the region and help grow the green economy in North Wales.

To deliver net zero, Wales and the UK needs to find a way to produce carbon removals at scale. Installing carbon capture at Parc Adfer will not only decarbonise Wales’s unrecyclable waste, but it will also transform the site into the largest carbon removal project in Wales.

While in north Wales the Secretary of State also saw cutting-edge businesses in the area’s life science sector.

Wockhardt UK Ltd is a subsidiary of a global pharmaceutical company which has its UK headquarters in Wrexham. The site also has a sterile injectable manufacturing facility which has been instrumental in producing the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine.

During her visit Jo Stevens toured the laboratory and manufacturing areas, met with apprentices, and discussed the company’s impact on the regional economy. She reiterated the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the life sciences sector and driving sustained economic growth through investment and innovation.

In her final engagement the Secretary of State for Wales visited Ipsen Biopharm, a global biopharmaceutical company with a neuroscience centre of excellence in Wrexham. She saw their work to develop and manufacture neurotoxins, which are used to treat people living with neurological conditions.

Ipsen has invested more than £100 million into its Wrexham site over the last three years, in order to expand its research and development (R&D) as well as manufacturing capabilities.The site uses 100% renewable energy across its production and research units.

Managing Director of Wockhardt UK Ltd Ravi Limaye said:

We were honoured to welcome the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, to our facility. Wockhardt has been in Wrexham for 21 years and has seen the town become a city and famous on the world stage.

We were involved in the COVID vaccine manufacture and are immensely proud of our dedicated staff who made this happen despite unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic.

Jeannette Brend, Site Head at Ipsen in Wrexham, said:

Ipsen Wrexham manufactures products that are exported to patients in over 90 countries around the world. Wrexham is an important site for Ipsen, and we are proud to be a major employer in the local community and invest in the area.

We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to supporting the life sciences sector and hope that this will continue so innovation can keep flourishing.’’

Throughout her visits, the Secretary of State highlighted the UK Government’s priority of economic growth and clean energy, emphasizing the importance of investments in green technologies and life sciences to support regional development and job creation.

ENDS

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Published 16 April 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £20 Million Partnership for City Projects
Source: Scotland – City of Dundee
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£20 Million Partnership For City Projects
16/04/25

Details of projects in Dundee that will receive a share of £20 million of UK Government funding are set to be outlined to councillors.

A committee convener is welcoming the award, stressing it is the result of direct lobbying by the council and reflects on the city’s successful record of project delivery.

The city was allocated the cash by the former Levelling Up Partnership, which is now named the Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP) under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the city council and MHCLG outlining the expected delivery approach for the CRP.

Some of the projects included are:

• Life Sciences Innovation District (Protein Degradation Centre) £2m

• Legal Tech Education and Incubator Facility                             £1.1m

• Central Waterfront Phase 3 Office Development        £3m

• Historic Buildings Renewal Fund        £2m

• Fabric First Grant Fund        £1m

• Eastern Quarter Improvements        £1m

• Dundee Museum of Transport       £1.2m

• Dundee & Angus College Future Skills Programme       £4.5m

• Dundee & Angus College Social/ Health Care Facility       £500,000

• Drug and Rehabilitation Infrastructure       £500,000

• Community Facilities Grant Scheme       £2.5m

The city council will be the lead authority for the programme delivery which includes standalone capital projects by the council or third partner parties, challenge funds where organisations and firms are invited to bid, and revenue investment.

Projects are grouped under one of three themes: Accelerating Dundee’s Business Ambitions, Enhancing the City Centre and Bridging the Divide.

The programme will be outlined to the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee at its meeting on April 21.

Committee convener Councillor Steven Rome said: “We welcome this funding and I am pleased to see the work that has been ongoing to distribute it to projects across the city that have been identified and agreed with the UK Government.

“The council and its partners want this investment to make a real difference Dundee and its people, so this programme boosts our economy and offers new opportunities for them.

“The council successfully lobbied for this money and was able to prove a long track record of major project delivery.

“I am excited to see this programme move onto the next stages and really enhance our city’s prospects for the future.”

Results of Consultation around Drumgeith Community Campus

Results of Consultation around Drumgeith Community Campus

The results of a major consultation exercise over delivery of community services in the North East and East End of Dundee will be discussed by councillors next week.

Hundreds of people…

15/04/25

Cycling Conference to Wheel into Dundee

Cycling Conference to Wheel into Dundee

A Community Clean-Up has taken place this week in Dundee’s city centre area as part of the long-standing Take Pride in Your City campaign.

The campaign, which aims to make a difference to…

04/04/25
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Daily summary of the Berlin offensive operation

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

Exactly 80 years ago, on April 16, 1945, the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation began, ending the Great Patriotic War with the complete and unconditional victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany.

The Guinness Book of Records lists this operation as the largest-scale battle in world history. About 3.5 million people, 52 thousand guns and mortars, 7,750 tanks and 11 thousand aircraft took part in it on both sides. The German capital was attacked by forces from three fronts: the 1st Belorussian under the command of Georgy Zhukov, the 2nd Belorussian under the command of Konstantin Rokossovsky and the 1st Ukrainian under the command of Ivan Konev.

The scale of the operation is clearly described by Zhukov in his book “Memories and Reflections”: “On the first day, 1,197,000 shots were planned for artillery alone, but in fact 1,236,000 shots were fired. Think about these numbers! 2,450 train cars of shells, that is, almost 98 thousand tons of metal fell on the enemy’s head.”

On April 16, at exactly 4 a.m., the final chord of retribution for Germany’s treacherous attack sounded – the code signal “Rodina” swept through the communication lines and the battle began. Having recovered from the first artillery barrage, the Germans put up serious resistance, the Soviet tanks got bogged down in heavy fighting and were unable to outpace the infantry.

On April 17, as a result of bloody battles, the Seelow Heights, 50-60 kilometers from Berlin, were taken; they were considered by the German command to be the most reliable line of defense.

On April 18, the Red Army began to cross the Ost-Oder.

On April 19, the breakthrough of the entire Oder defensive line was completed.

On April 20, Soviet long-range artillery began shelling Berlin.

On April 21, troops of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian Fronts reached the eastern and southern outskirts of the city, respectively. The first street battles began.

On April 22, the German command transferred troops of the Frankfurt-Guben group from the Western Front to stop the envelopment of Berlin from the north. This attack was repelled by Soviet troops with the help of the 2nd Polish Army.

On April 23, during particularly fierce battles, the 9th Rifle Corps of Major General Ivan Roslov captured the Karlshorst and Kölönig areas, and immediately crossed the Spree River, where the Dnieper military flotilla was already operating.

On April 24, in the southeast of Berlin, in the Bonsdorf area, troops of the 1st Belorussian and 1st Ukrainian fronts met, encircling the German Frankfurt-Guben group.

On April 25, the troops of the same fronts united in the Ketzin area, encircling the enemy’s Berlin group. At the same time, the famous meeting on the Elbe with the troops of the 1st US Army took place.

On April 26, the two-day air operation “Salute” ended, during which 1,222 tons of bombs were dropped on the central districts of Berlin to suppress the enemy – 70 tons per square kilometer.

On April 27, the assault on the central districts of the German capital began – the city front stretched from the southeast to the northwest in a narrow strip 16 km long and 2-3 km wide. The Red Army seemed to be plunging into the capital of Germany with a bayonet.

On April 28, the commander of Army Group Vistula, Gotthard Heinrici, ordered his troops to retreat, for which he was removed from command and later surrendered to British troops. Meanwhile, the Russians reached the Reichstag area.

On April 29, the Moltke Bridge leading to the Government Quarter of Berlin was captured.

April 30 – German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler committed suicide. On the same day, the Frankfurt-Guben group, the largest German unit at the time, numbering about 200 thousand soldiers, was liquidated. The Ministry of Internal Affairs building next to the Reichstag was captured. Red flags also began to rise over the Reichstag itself. There was more than one Victory Banner; a total of nine special flags were prepared for the Red Army assault groups.

On May 1, the German government announced Hitler’s death and offered to conclude a truce, but did not agree to an unconditional surrender. The storming of the Government Quarter resumed.

On May 2, still at night, a radio message in Russian arrived at the headquarters of the 1st Belorussian Front asking for a ceasefire. At 6 a.m., after brief negotiations, the commander of the Berlin defense, Helmut Weidling, surrendered and signed the capitulation order. The units that refused to surrender were destroyed by the end of the day.

Thus ended the Berlin offensive operation. And although the capitulation of all of Germany was still ahead, it was already a matter of time. The main result of the battle was the destruction of the last large forces of Germany and the capture of its top leadership, as well as the liberation from captivity of hundreds of thousands of civilians of the Soviet Union and many European countries. About 1 million Red Army servicemen were awarded the Medal “For the Capture of Berlin”. Among them were employees and graduates of the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute, heroes of the Scientific Regiment of the State University of Management: – Georgy Bryansky – Dean of the Faculty of Organizers of Industrial Production and Construction, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor, during the war assistant to the division commander for political affairs; – Boris Ionas – Head of the Department of Construction Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, twice Knight of the Order of the Red Star; – Alexey Kozhin – Professor of the Department of Management in Automobile Transport, Candidate of Economic Sciences, during the war commander of a control platoon, and later a battery of a howitzer-artillery regiment; — Arkady Pashenin – 1941 graduate of the Moscow Institute of Power Engineering, retired lieutenant colonel, during the war a major in the headquarters of the 5th Shock Army, standard-bearer at the signing ceremony of the act of surrender of Germany; — Alexey Strigin – associate professor, candidate of historical sciences, retired lieutenant, during the war served as a tank platoon commander.

#Scientific regiment

Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/16/2025

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 –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Manjal Jimalji (Devil’s Thumb) trail reopened

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 16 Apr 2025

The iconic Manjal Jimalji (Devil’s Thumb) trail has reopened following the realignment of a new access track to the trail head.

The trail was closed in November to allow rangers from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to conduct the necessary works.

Clearance and maintenance works has also been conducted along the trail to improve the visitor experience.

The 10.6-kilometre trail is considered one of the best walks in far north Queensland and attracts national and international visitors.

The challenging trail showcases the unique vegetation of the upland and lowland rainforests and the amazing range of bird life that calls the Daintree home. It also provides an incredible view of the coastline and the surrounding rainforest.

A grade four walking track, the trail takes around ten hours return and should be attempted by experienced hikers with an above average level of fitness.

Manjal Jimalji is a significant cultural site for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji that tells the story of fire creation.

MIL OSI News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Are we really capable of resurrecting extinct animals?

Source: Anglia Ruskin University

An illustration of a woolly mammoth

By Timothy Hearn, Anglia Ruskin University

From dire wolves to woolly mammoths, the idea of resurrecting extinct species has captured the public imagination. Colossal Biosciences, the Dallas-based biotech company leading the charge, has made headlines for ambitious efforts to bring back long-lost animals using cutting edge genetic engineering.

It recently announced the birth of pups with key traits of dire wolves, an iconic predator last seen roaming North America more than 10,000 years ago. This followed on the heels of earlier project announcements focused on the woolly mammoth and the thylacine. This all fuels a sense that de-extinction is not only possible but imminent.

But as the science advances, a deeper question lingers: how close must the result be to count as a true return? If we can only recover fragments of an extinct creature’s genome – and must build the rest with modern substitutes – is that really de-extinction, or are we simply creating lookalikes?

To the public, de-extinction often evokes images of Jurassic Park-style resurrection: a recreation of a lost animal, reborn into the modern world. In scientific circles, however, the term encompasses a variety of techniques: selective breeding, cloning, and increasingly, synthetic biology through genome editing. Synthetic biology is a field that involves redesigning systems found in nature.

Scientists have used selective breeding of modern cattle in attempts to recreate an animal that resembles the auroch, the wild ancestor of today’s breeds. Cloning has been used to briefly bring back the pyrenean ibex, which went extinct in 2000. In 2003, a Spanish team brought a cloned calf to term, but the animal died a few minutes after birth.

This is often cited as the first example of de-extinction. However, the only preserved tissue was from one female animal, meaning it could not have been used to bring back a viable population. Colossal’s work falls into the synthetic biology category.

These approaches differ in method but share a common goal: to restore a species that has been lost. In most cases, what emerges is not an exact genetic copy of the extinct species, but a proxy: a modern organism engineered to resemble its ancestor in function or appearance.

Take the case of the woolly mammoth. Colossal’s project aims to create a cold-adapted Asian elephant that can fulfil the mammoth’s former ecological role. But mammoths and Asian elephants diverged hundreds of thousands of years ago and differ by an estimated 1.5 million genetic variants. Editing all of these is, for now, impossible. Instead, scientists are targeting a few dozen genes linked to key traits like cold resistance, fat storage and hair growth.

Compare that to humans and chimpanzees. Despite a genetic similarity of around 98.8%, the behavioural and physical differences between the two are huge. If comparatively small genetic gaps can produce such major differences, what can we expect when editing only a tiny fraction of the differences between two species? It’s a useful rule of thumb when assessing recent claims.

As discussed in a previous article, Colossal’s dire wolf project involved just 20 genetic edits. These were introduced into the genome of a gray wolf to mimic key traits of the extinct dire wolf. The resulting animals may look the part, but with so few changes, they are genetically much closer to modern wolves than their prehistoric namesake.

Colossal’s ambitions extend beyond mammoths and dire wolves. The company is also working to revive the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger), a carnivorous marsupial that was once native to mainland Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. The last example died at Hobart Zoo in 1936. Colossal is using a genetic relative called the fat-tailed dunnart – a tiny marsupial – as the foundation. The goal is to engineer the dunnart’s genome to express traits found in thylacines. The team says it is developing an artificial uterus device to carry the engineered foetus.

Colossal also has a project to revive the dodo, a flightless bird that roamed Mauritius until the 1600s. That project will use the Nicobar pigeon, one of the dodo’s closest living relatives, as a basis for genetic reconstruction.

In each case, the company relies on a partial blueprint: incomplete ancient DNA, and then uses the powerful genome editing tool Crispr to edit specific differences into the genome of a closely related living species. The finished animals, if born, may resemble their extinct counterparts in outward appearance and some behaviour – but they will not be genetically identical. Rather, they will be hybrids, mosaics or functional stand-ins.

That doesn’t negate the value of these projects. In fact, it might be time to update our expectations. If the goal is to restore ecological roles, not to perfectly recreate extinct genomes, then these animals may still serve important functions. But it also means we must be precise in our language. These are synthetic creations, not true returns.

Technology to prevent extinction

There are more grounded examples of near-de-extinction work – most notably the northern white rhinoceros. Only two females remain alive today, and both are infertile. Scientists are working to create viable embryos using preserved genetic material and surrogate mothers from closely related rhino species. This effort involves cloning and assisted reproduction, with the aim of restoring a population genetically identical to the original.

Unlike the mammoth or the thylacine, the northern white rhino still has living representatives and preserved cells. That makes it a fundamentally different case – more conservation biology than synthetic biology. But it shows the potential of this technology when deployed toward preservation, not reconstruction.

Gene editing also holds promise for helping endangered species by using it to introduce genetic diversity into a population, eliminate harmful mutations from species or enhance resilience to disease or climate change. In this sense, the tools of de-extinction may ultimately serve to prevent extinctions, rather than reverse them.

So where does that leave us? Perhaps we need new terms: synthetic proxies, ecological analogues or engineered restorations. These phrases might lack the drama of “de-extinction” but they are closer to the scientific reality.

After all, these animals are not coming back from the dead – they are being invented, piece by piece, from what the past left behind. In the end, it may not matter whether we call them mammoths or woolly elephants, dire wolves or designer dogs. What matters is how we use this power – whether to heal broken ecosystems, to preserve the genetic legacy of vanishing species or simply to prove that we can.

But we should at least be honest: what we’re witnessing isn’t resurrection. It’s reimagination.

Timothy Hearn, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Anglia Ruskin University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to China being approved to access UK Biobank GP records

Source: United Kingdom – Science Media Centre

April 16, 2025

Scientists comment on China being approved to access half a million UK Biobank GP records.

Professor Patrick Chinnery, Executive Chair, Medical Research Council (MRC; a founding funder of UK Biobank), said:

“UK Biobank is an exceptional resource for global health researchers, and the MRC is proud to be one of its original and ongoing funders. It was set up to enable international research, allowing scientists from around the world to apply for secure access to anonymised data from half a million volunteer participants, driving impactful scientific discoveries that shape the future of population health.”

“The findings coming out of UK Biobank-powered research are a testament to their managed access model which allows researchers internationally to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets, treatments and diagnostics. Their data protection procedures are comprehensive, and we have full confidence in how these are implemented.”

Prof Sir John Hardy, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, said:

“Making data freely available is what drives progress and as long as confidentiality is maintained we should see this in that light. It is unfortunate that US and Chinese researchers are the major users of these data but this reflects the bureaucratic and financial hurdles facing UK researchers which limited their effective access. That is what we need to change”

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/15/revealed-chinese-researchers-access-half-a-million-uk-gp-records

Declared interests

No reply to our request for DOIs was received.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The final stage of the Siberian Geological Olympiad was held at NSU

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

On March 30, the final stage of the Siberian Geological Olympiad ended at Novosibirsk State University, bringing together schoolchildren from all over Siberia and the Urals. Participants demonstrated their knowledge of geology, exchanged mineralogical findings and visited Scientific and educational center “Evolution of the Earth”, taking a step towards a future career in science and geological exploration.

How the Olympiad was held: first, schoolchildren sent their own research on one of the proposed topics. For example, in 2024, the children were asked to complete work related to “mineralogy and petrography”, “the evolution of the organic world and climate in the history of the Earth” and other topics. The author’s personal contribution, the originality of the topic and presentation of the material, the degree of fulfillment of the goals and objectives set in the work, as well as literacy were assessed. After summing up the results of the correspondence round, for three days, the invited schoolchildren from the 5th to the 11th grades immersed themselves in the study of geology. In addition to the Olympiad tasks, which consisted of the oral and written rounds, the children participated in master classes and seminars. During master classes with NSU teachers, the children observed the extraction of gold from ore, examined all stages of 3D printing and much more, and the seminars allowed them to apply the knowledge they had gained in practice.

— At first, we introduced only popular science lectures: we took schoolchildren to geological laboratories of scientific institutes of Akademgorodok, to various museums. This year, master classes and popular science seminars for schoolchildren appeared. At first, the children did not really understand what it was. We tried to reconstruct a simplified seminar, but intended for schoolchildren, so that they would feel a little like students and understand what it is like to study with us. This is an open dialogue: in the master class, we simply show – they repeat, and at the seminar we show how scientists, teachers and students of the Faculty of Geology and Geology obtain this knowledge. We helped the children master a piece of knowledge that is not yet available to them in geological clubs, — said Olga Khokhryakova, candidate of geological and mineralogical sciences, senior lecturer Faculty of Geology and Geophysics of NSU.

The Olympiad is special in that the priority for evaluation is not so much knowledge as the ability to think logically, the ability to build a sequence of conclusions from ignorance with the help of erudition and horizons in order to arrive at a final answer, even if it is incomplete or not entirely correct.

— I learned about the Olympiad through my geology tutors. I was motivated by the fact that I had been studying it for about a year and wanted to participate. The skills I acquired during field work came in very handy. Most of all, I liked the tasks in the oral round; they were in the question-and-answer format, — shared his impressions Alexander Yarson, one of the Olympiad participants.

The Olympiad has traditionally been held at NSU for 52 years. Its main goal is to popularize geology as a science in order to broaden the horizons of schoolchildren. First, participants complete tasks in the correspondence round, then the best are selected and invited to the final stage at the university.

A diploma from the Siberian Geological Olympiad for the 3 years preceding the year of admission gives from 3 to 10 additional points for applicants to NSU in the field 05.03.01 “Geology”.

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 –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Two NSU Master’s students became winners of the Alpha-Chance grant competition

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

This year, 82 applications were submitted to the NSU Alpha Chance program, two of which were approved. The grant recipients were Veronika Komlyagina, a second-year master’s student Faculty of Natural Sciences, and Maxim Yemelyanov, a first-year master’s student Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU.

Here’s what students have to say about winning and participating in the program:

— Two years ago I already tried my hand at this competition, but it didn’t work out then. That failure became valuable for me — I analyzed my mistakes and purposefully worked to make my application stronger this time. I decided to try again because I believe in the importance of my scientific work.

I plan to use the grant to purchase a powerful computer for quantum chemical calculations. The new equipment will allow me to perform more complex and resource-intensive calculations and will significantly speed up my work, – Veronika Komlyagina shared her experience.

As the student says, the selection for Alpha Chance consisted of one stage. It was necessary to prepare a detailed motivation letter, where Veronika talked about her scientific interests, goals and principles. A separate letter about hobbies was also required, in which the student shared information about her sports achievements, additional education received and other various life activities. In addition, it was necessary to provide documents confirming achievements – scientific publications, diplomas from conferences and competitions, sports awards. The student paid special attention to significant publications.

— I am incredibly happy with this victory! It proves that persistence and working on mistakes really do lead to success. My advice to future participants:

1. Don’t be afraid to apply to this and any other competitions, even if it seems like the competition is high.

2. Pay special attention to motivation letters – they should reveal your personality and can bring a significant number of points to your grant application.

3. Systematize the grant application – divide all the files into folders, give clear names to each file, so it will be easier for experts to evaluate the application, – Veronica shared her emotions and advice.

Maxim Yemelyanov also persistently pursued his goal – he applied for the Alpha-Chance scholarship for several years in a row and finally achieved a result.

— For the competition for the Alpha-Chance scholarship, I recorded a video business card, where I spoke in detail about my achievements, goals and hobbies. Receiving the scholarship will help me improve my professional competencies and reach a new level in my work.

I advise students not to be afraid to apply for interesting competitions – everyone always has their own chance! – Maxim noted.

On behalf of the university, we congratulate the students and wish them further success in their studies and professional activities!

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 –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government Cuts – Job losses at Callaghan Innovation continue to climb – 64 redundancies announced today – PSA

Source: PSA

Another 64 proposed redundancies were announced by Callaghan Innovation today in its continued disestablishment as part of the Government’s overhaul of the science sector.

Included in the proposed redundancies are 48 scientists working in Callaghan Innovation’s Applied Technologies group.

“There are scientists working in medical technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and mechatronics that are proposed to lose their jobs. New Zealand needs their skills and expertise,” says Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.

“These are experts that could have had a home in the Advanced Technology Public Research Organisation the Government says its planning to establish, we call on the Minister to intervene urgently and make sure we retain these staff in our science system.”

“People with valuable skills are being cast aside, even though their skills are important for the future science system. The Minister has said that the science reforms are not about job losses but you only have to look at Callaghan Innovation to see this simply is not true.”

“Instead, of planning properly the Government pushed the cuts through in a rush leaving talented science professionals with nowhere to go,” Fitzsimons says.

“While Minister Dr Shane Reti did save some scientists’ roles by extending the funding for the Biotechnologies teams out to 30 June 2027, this has not gone far enough,” Fitzsimons says.

Today’s proposed cuts are on top of 43 redundancies progressed from a February proposal in response to the science sector reforms outlined by the then Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins. Another 13 roles have been lost through attrition during this time

Looking back further, since July 2024 Callaghan Innovation will have lost 164 roles, 42% of its workforce, which includes redundancies from previous restructures and reduction in roles via attrition.

The coalition Government changes aim to merge the seven CRIs into three PROs, establish a fourth Advanced Technology PRO, and disestablish Callaghan Innovation.

“Today’s announcement underscores the poorly planned way in which changes in the public science sector are being implemented. There’s been little consideration as to how roles might be retained or transferred to the new PROs, risking New Zealand losing innovative experience and knowledge,” said Fitzsimons.

Union figures show there will be 224 employees working at Callaghan Innovation by 1 October 2025, which will continue to decrease until the entity’s full disestablishment in mid-2026.

This group is made up of roles transferring elsewhere (including the Measurement Standards Laboratory, Biotechnologies, and grants and funding functions), staff employed to support these functions in the interim (such as, IT, finance, HR, administration), and those whose future is still uncertain. Further redundancies are likely, if the roles aren’t lost via attrition first.

“When Callaghan is finally disestablished in 2026 New Zealand will have no government agency dedicated to applied technology research despite this being a clear focus of the government’s reforms,” Fitzsimons says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets delegation led by Tuvalu Deputy Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Details
2025-04-10
President Lai pens Bloomberg News article on Taiwan’s response to US reciprocal tariffs
On April 10, an article penned by President Lai Ching-te entitled “Taiwan Has a Roadmap for Deeper US Trade Ties” was published by Bloomberg News, explaining to a global audience Taiwan’s strategy on trade with the United States, as well as how Taiwan will engage in dialogue with the aim of removing bilateral trade barriers, increasing investment between Taiwan and the US, and reducing tariffs to zero. The following is the full text of President Lai’s article: Last month, the first of Taiwan’s 66 new F-16Vs rolled off the assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina. Signed during President Donald Trump’s first term, the $8 billion deal stands as a testament to American ingenuity and leadership in advanced manufacturing. Beyond its economic impact – creating thousands of well-paying jobs across the US – it strengthens the foundations of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This deal is emblematic of the close interests shared between Taiwan and the US. Our bond is forged by an unwavering belief in freedom and liberty. For decades, our two countries have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in deterring communist expansionism. Even as Beijing intensifies its air force and naval exercises in our vicinity, we remain resolute. Taiwan will always be a bastion of democracy and peace in the region. This partnership extends well beyond the security realm. Though home to just 23 million people, Taiwan has in recent years become a significant investor in America. TSMC recently announced it will raise its total investment in the US to $165 billion – an initiative that will create 40,000 construction jobs and tens of thousands more in advanced chip manufacturing and R&D. This investment will bolster the emergence of a new high-tech cluster in Arizona. Taiwan is committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in manufacturing and innovation. As a trade-dependent economy, our long-term success is built on trade relationships that are fair, reciprocal and mutually beneficial. Encouraging Taiwanese businesses to expand their global footprint, particularly in the US, is a vital part of this strategy. Deepening commercial ties between Taiwanese and American firms is another. These core principles will guide our response to President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs. First, we will seek to restart trade negotiations with a common objective of reducing all tariffs between Taiwan and the US. While Taiwan already maintains low tariffs, with an average nominal rate of 6%, we are willing to further cut this rate to zero on the basis of reciprocity with the US. By removing the last vestiges to free and fair trade, we seek to encourage greater trade and investment flows between our two countries. Second, Taiwan will rapidly expand procurement of American goods. Over the past five years, rising demand for semiconductors and AI-related components has increased our trade surplus. In response to these market trends, Taiwan will seek to narrow the trade imbalance through the procurement of energy, agriculture and other industrial goods from the US. These efforts will create thousands of new jobs across multiple sectors. We’ll also pursue additional arms procurements that are vital to our self-defense and contribute to peace and stability over the Taiwan Strait. During President Trump’s first term, we secured $18 billion in arms deals, including advanced fighter jets, tanks and anti-ship missiles. Future purchases, which are not reflected in trade balances, build on our economic and security partnership while being essential to Taiwan’s “Peace Through Strength” approach. Third, new investments will be made across the US. Already, Taiwanese firms support 400,000 jobs throughout all 50 states. Beyond TSMC, we also see emerging opportunities in electronics, ICT, energy and petrochemicals. We will establish a cross-agency “US Investment Team” to support bilateral trade and investment – and we hope that efforts will be reciprocated by the Trump administration. Fourth, we are committed to removing non-tariff trade barriers. Taiwan will take concrete steps to resolve persistent issues that have long impeded trade negotiations. And finally, we will strongly address US concerns over export controls and improper transshipment of low-cost goods through Taiwan. These steps form the basis of a comprehensive roadmap for how Taiwan will navigate the shifting trade landscape, transforming challenges in the Taiwan-US economic relationship into new opportunities for growth, resilience and strategic alignment. At a time of growing global uncertainty, underpinned by growing Chinese assertiveness, closer trade ties are more than sound economics; they are a critical pillar of regional security. Our approach is long-term and principled, grounded in a lasting commitment to our friendship with the US, a firm belief in the benefits of fair and reciprocal trade, and an unwavering dedication to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We are confident that our shared economic and security interests will not only overcome turbulence in the international trade environment – they will define the future of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Details
2025-04-08
President Lai receives credentials from new Tuvalu Ambassador Lily Tangisia Faavae
On the morning of April 8, President Lai Ching-te received the credentials of new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tuvalu to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lily Tangisia Faavae. In remarks, President Lai welcomed the ambassador to her new post and thanked Tuvalu for its long-term support for Taiwan’s international participation. The president also noted that joint efforts between our two countries have produced fruitful results in such areas as medicine and public health, agricultural and fisheries technology, and information and communications technology. He expressed his hope that we will continue to deepen our bilateral relations so as to generate even greater well-being for our peoples and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a great pleasure today to receive the credentials of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tuvalu Lily Tangisia Faavae. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend my warmest welcome to you. Last year, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Tuvalu celebrated 45 years of diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Feleti Teo visited Taiwan in May last year for the inauguration of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao and again in October for our National Day celebrations. When I visited Tuvalu last December, I was warmly received by the government and people of Tuvalu, and I deeply felt that our two countries were like family. Ambassador Faavae’s posting to Taiwan demonstrates the importance Prime Minister Teo places on our ties. Widely recognized for her exceptional talent, Ambassador Faavae is an outstanding official with extensive experience in public service. Moreover, during her term as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, she voiced support for Taiwan at the World Health Assembly. I believe that with her assistance, our two nations will further advance cooperation and exchanges. I want to thank the government of Tuvalu for long supporting Taiwan’s international participation. Furthermore, joint efforts between our two countries have produced fruitful results in such areas as medicine and public health, agricultural and fisheries technology, and information and communications technology. Last year, Prime Minister Teo and I signed a joint communiqué on advancing the comprehensive partnership between Taiwan and Tuvalu. Going forward, we will stand together in tackling the challenges we face, including climate change and expanding authoritarianism. And we will continue to deepen our bilateral relations so as to generate even greater well-being for our peoples and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific region. Once again, I warmly welcome Ambassador Faavae to her new post in Taiwan. Please convey warmest regards from Taiwan to Prime Minister Teo and all of our friends in Tuvalu. I wish you all the best in work and life during your term in Taiwan. Ambassador Faavae then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great honor and privilege to meet with President Lai today as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tuvalu to Taiwan, and to present to him her letter of credence. She then extended, on behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, her warmest greetings and deep respect to the president and people of Taiwan. The letter of credence, she noted, signifies the trust and confidence that her government and governor-general have placed in her to represent their nation and to foster and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our countries. Ambassador Faavae said that our two countries have enjoyed a longstanding relationship of 45 years based on mutual respect, cooperation, and shared values. She added that we have collaborated, and continue to do so, in such fields as education, health, climate change adaptation and sea level rise mitigation, agriculture, clean energy, and internet connectivity. Ambassador Faavae pointed out that Tuvalu remains committed to deepening ties with Taiwan and that it values people-to-people connections and our shared Austronesian heritage. She noted that the people of Tuvalu, a small developing nation, have greatly benefited from Taiwan’s advanced technical expertise and diverse financial assistance. She said she believes Tuvalu and Taiwan share a common interest and are united in our efforts and commitment to upholding democracy, peace, stability, and prosperity for our people and making the world better and safer. Ambassador Faavae stated that as ambassador of Tuvalu to Taiwan, she pledges to work diligently and respectfully to enhance our bilateral relations, promote mutual understanding, and facilitate collaboration in areas of shared concern. The ambassador said she looks forward to collaborating closely with the Taiwan government and other stakeholders to achieve our common objectives and to continue building a more prosperous and harmonious future for our nations. In closing, she thanked President Lai for the opportunity to serve and to further the enduring friendship between our two countries.

Details
2025-03-28
President Lai meets British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones
On the afternoon of March 28, President Lai Ching-te met with British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones. In remarks, President Lai welcomed Representative Bradley-Jones as she takes up her post in Taiwan, and thanked the United Kingdom government and parliament for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. The president indicated that Taiwan and the UK enjoy close economic and trade ties, and our industries complement each other well, with great potential for collaboration in such fields as semiconductors, AI, unmanned vehicles, and medium- and low-orbit satellites. He stated that he looks forward to expanding exchanges with the UK across all domains so as to enhance democratic and economic resilience, jointly advancing the prosperous development of the Indo-Pacific region and economic security around the world. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: It is a pleasure to meet Representative Bradley-Jones here at the Presidential Office for this exchange. I understand that she has proactively called at many government agencies since taking up her post last month. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome. Taiwan and the UK are partners that share the values of freedom and democracy. In recent years, our bilateral relations have continued to deepen. With the efforts of Representative Bradley-Jones and our respective governments, I look forward to the expansion of dialogue and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. This will further elevate our bilateral ties. Especially in the face of expanding authoritarianism, the UK is not only playing an important role in crafting a unified European response; it is also demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through various channels. For example, joint statements released after the Australia-UK ministerial consultations, as well as the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, underlined a high level of concern for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The UK government has publicly expressed support for Taiwan’s international participation on multiple occasions. And last November, the UK House of Commons passed a motion clearly asserting that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. These actions attest to the UK’s belief in supporting democracy and peace, and have further solidified our countries’ friendship. I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to the UK government and parliament. Currently, the UK is Taiwan’s fourth largest trading partner in Europe and second largest source of investment from Europe. We enjoy close economic and trade ties, and our industries complement each other well. There is also great potential for collaboration in such fields as semiconductors, AI, unmanned vehicles, and medium- and low-orbit satellites. We look forward to expanding exchanges with the UK across all domains so as to enhance democratic and economic resilience. We also hope the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership so that together, we can work with more like-minded partners, jointly advancing the prosperous development of the Indo-Pacific region and economic security around the world. Once again, I welcome Representative Bradley-Jones to Taiwan and wish her all the best with her work. I anticipate that Taiwan-UK relations will continue to steadily advance through our joint efforts. Representative Bradley-Jones then delivered remarks, first saying in Mandarin that she is honored to meet with President Lai to discuss topics of mutual concern and jointly deepen Taiwan-UK relations, promoting mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. She went on to say that she came to Taiwan last August to study Mandarin, and began her post as British Office Taipei representative in February this year, noting that every day she learns more about and gains a deeper understanding of Taiwan. Last year, she said, she visited Tainan and Wanli, and found Tainan’s wetlands and the scenery in Wanli very impressive. She added that she has also tried many different Taiwanese foods, and is looking forward to experiencing even more of Taiwan’s local culture and customs over the next four years. Continuing her remarks in English, Representative Bradley-Jones stated that since taking up her post, she has borne witness to the strength of the relationship between Taiwan and the UK and the potential for it to continue to grow. She said that on trade and investment, there is significant complementarity between Taiwan’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the UK’s Industrial Strategy, particularly in areas such as digital technologies, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy. Both governments are also together supporting Taiwan and UK businesses through our Enhanced Trade Partnership and annual trade talks, she said. Representative Bradley-Jones went on to say that on science and technology, Taiwan and the UK can and should do more together. She noted that the UK has the third largest tech sector in the world and is valued at over US$1.1 trillion, while Taiwan is the center of the semiconductor and AI hardware world. Given our complementary strengths, especially in areas such as semiconductors, space, and communications technology, she said, the UK has stepped up its level of activity in Taiwan, including by regularly hosting a UK Pavilion at SEMICON and funding 18 joint R&D programs through our new collaborative R&D fund, and looks forward to doing more together in the future. In support of Taiwan’s whole-of-society resilience, the representative said, the UK is supporting valuable exchanges, co-hosting GCTF (Global Cooperation and Training Framework) workshops, sharing lessons on financial sector resilience, and reaching out to mayors and community leaders across Taiwan. From financial resilience to cyber resilience, she said, the UK’s public sector and private industries have plenty to share and learn. Representative Bradley-Jones stated that on people-to-people links, parliamentarians, civil society, and academics are continuing to deepen contact, and that she is particularly excited by a new smart parliament partnership agreed upon by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and the UK’s Westminster Foundation for Democracy, which aims to facilitate cross-party, cross-society, and cross-border exchanges on issues such as democratic governance, AI, inclusive policy-making, and public safety. The representative indicated that the examples she mentioned just scratch the surface of the full potential of the Taiwan-UK relationship. She said that the UK’s longstanding policy remains unchanged, and fundamentally, that is because we share a common set of values and interests. We are together focused on how to make our societies safer and more prosperous tomorrow than they are today, she said, and as like-minded democracies, innovative economies, and practical partners, the sincere and pragmatic cooperation between Taiwan and the UK is bringing material benefits to the prosperity and well-being of our people every day.

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2025-03-21
President Lai meets Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
On the morning of March 21, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy. In remarks, President Lai said that Alaska has long been an important trading partner of Taiwan, and that we have built a solid foundation for cooperation in such fields as energy, fisheries, and tourism. The president expressed hope that Taiwan and Alaska will have more frequent engagement and exchanges so that our relations can continue to grow to create prosperous development for both sides. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to our guests. This is Governor Dunleavy’s first visit to Taiwan, and last night, we both attended the Hsieh Nien Fan (謝年飯) banquet hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan. I am delighted to have this opportunity to meet with Governor Dunleavy today at the Presidential Office for further dialogue. Alaska has long been an important trading partner of Taiwan. Our sister-state relationship was established in 1988, and we have built a solid foundation for cooperation in such fields as energy, fisheries, and tourism. Currently, Taiwan is Alaska’s eighth largest export market and ninth largest source of imports. This goes to show just how close our trade and economic ties are and how much potential there is for further growth. As I said in my remarks at last night’s Hsieh Nien Fan banquet, Taiwan is interested in buying Alaskan natural gas. I am sure that Governor Dunleavy’s visit will help us explore even more opportunities for cooperation and continue to deepen Taiwan-United States relations. In the face of such challenges as expanding authoritarianism, climate change, and pandemics, we look forward to strengthening collaboration between Taiwan and the US. By drawing on our strengths, we can jointly build non-red supply chains to bolster our economic resilience and drive the advancement of global technology. I want to thank the US government for reiterating the importance it attaches to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and its opposition to any attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. These statements backing Taiwan help in maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific region. Once again, I thank Governor Dunleavy for traveling such a long way to Taiwan. We hope to see more frequent engagement and exchanges between Taiwan and Alaska so that our relations can continue to grow, and we can create prosperous development for both sides. Governor Dunleavy then delivered remarks, saying that their trip to visit friends in Taiwan has been fantastic, thanking President Lai for the invitation to meet, and thanking all the staff. Governor Dunleavy said that as the pandemic was raging, the world went from “before COVID” to “after COVID.” Before COVID, he said, the world relied on a number of systems that were in place for decades after World War II involving supply chains, alliances, sources of energy, trading partners, and friends. He went on to say that as we go beyond COVID, we are reestablishing and reevaluating who our friends are, where we are going to get our energy, and who our trading partners are going to be. The governor said that we are creating a new world for the next 50 years with the new administration in Washington, and this is an opportunity for us to reevaluate and reinvest with our friends for the next 50 years in each other, our futures, and our security. Governor Dunleavy stated that one thing is for certain: that Taiwan is a friend of the US and a friend of Alaska, and has been for many, many decades. He said that it is their hope in this trip and subsequent trips to establish an even tighter bond among their friends in Taiwan, the US, and Alaska. The governor also said that we have much in common in that we are members of the Pacific family, are democracies, and believe in freedom, free speech, and capitalism. He indicated that he has much optimism for the future, and that as we reestablish relationships throughout the world, energy is going to be the key and the basis for our economic development, our national security, and our friendship. Governor Dunleavy said that he believes this trip is going to lay the groundwork for a fantastic future between Taiwan, Alaska, and the US, and that with President Lai’s support as well as the support of the US administration, we can work together to build even better relationships.

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2025-03-20
President Lai attends AmCham Taiwan 2025 Hsieh Nien Fan
On the evening of March 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the annual Hsieh Nien Fan (謝年飯) banquet hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan). In remarks, President Lai pointed out that the United States is now a major source of investment in Taiwan, adding that last year US investment accounted for 11.5 percent of total foreign investment in Taiwan. The president also pointed out that the US has become Taiwan’s largest investment destination, as Taiwan’s direct and indirect investment in the US accounted for more than 40 percent of its total outbound investment last year. President Lai expressed hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. He also emphasized that one essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. The president expressed his belief that, so long as we coordinate our efforts, we can achieve more in our respective defense industries and build non-red supply chains, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: I’m delighted to be here tonight. I want to wish everyone and their families a happy, healthy, and prosperous year ahead. For many years now, AmCham has acted as a bridge between Taiwan and the US. It not only advocates for Taiwan to various sectors in the US, but also offers advice for the development of Taiwan’s industries. So tonight, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our friends from the American business community. The 2025 Business Climate Survey, published by AmCham this January, demonstrates the confidence foreign businesses have in the Taiwan market. We are happy to see that over 80 percent of survey respondents reported stable or increased revenue last year, and around 80 percent expressed confidence in Taiwan’s economic prospects for the coming year. Moreover, 90 percent of businesses surveyed are planning to maintain or expand their investments in Taiwan. The positive developments in Taiwan made by our American friends here tonight, their outlook for the future, and their confidence in Taiwan, are further proof of Taiwan’s ideal environment for investment. The US is now a major source of investment in Taiwan. Last year, US investment accounted for 11.5 percent of total foreign investment in Taiwan. In 2023, Entegris opened a new manufacturing facility in Kaohsiung and Micron launched a new facility in Taichung. Last year, Google further solidified Taiwan as its biggest R&D hub outside of the US by opening a new office here. AMD, Nvidia, and major cloud computing companies from the US have also been choosing Taiwan to expand their presence. Over the past several years, the US has also become Taiwan’s largest investment destination. Taiwan’s direct and indirect investment in the US accounted for more than 40 percent of our total outbound investment last year. Four years ago, TSMC’s [Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company] investment in facilities in Arizona became the biggest FDI [foreign direct investment] in a greenfield project in US history. And this month, TSMC announced it would expand that investment, breaking another record and highlighting the enduring prosperity shared by Taiwan and the US. In addition to TSMC, Taiwan’s GlobalWafers has built a 12-inch silicon wafer factory in Texas, the biggest in the US. This will be followed by many other industries. These companies are confidently expanding their global presence across the Pacific and eastward into the Americas. The US is moving to reindustrialize its manufacturing industry and consolidate high-tech leadership, as it moves to become a global AI hub. In these efforts, Taiwan is an indispensable partner for the US. While the US is a leader in chip design, Taiwan’s semiconductor manufacturing plays an irreplaceable part in the supply chain. Adapting to the changing geopolitical landscape and the coming era of smart technology, Taiwan will continue to promote its Five Trusted Industry Sectors of semiconductors, AI, military, next-gen communications, and security and surveillance. This will drive the next stage in our economic development. A great time to invest in Taiwan is now. We will continue to better connect relevant government agencies and align with international standards to foster a friendlier investment environment. And I am confident that Taiwanese and American companies can leverage their respective high-tech expertise and invest in each other, boosting growth in industrial innovation and development for both our economies. At the same time, we hope to continue deepening Taiwan-US trade relations. Last year, Taiwan was the seventh largest trading partner of the US, up one spot from the previous year, and bilateral trade grew by 24.2 percent. Taiwan is going to expand procurement from the US of industrial and agricultural products, as well as natural gas. I am very happy to welcome Governor [Mike] Dunleavy of Alaska, who has specially come all the way to Taiwan. Alaska is a source of high-quality natural gas, and its relatively short distance from Taiwan facilitates transportation. So we are very interested in buying Alaskan natural gas because it can meet our needs and ensure our energy security. We hope that AmCham will continue to offer support in quickly resolving the issue of double taxation and removing tax barriers to bilateral investment and trade, further enhancing the mutually beneficial Taiwan-US economic and trade partnership. One essential element for our economic prosperity is maintaining security and stability, both regionally and globally. So we are grateful for the joint leaders’ statement issued by [US] President [Donald] Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, in which they expressed their solid support for maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. As we face growing authoritarianism, Taiwan will continue to uphold our values of freedom and democracy and will be a responsible actor in regional and global security. Currently, Taiwan’s defense budget stands at about 2.5 percent of GDP. Going forward, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. At the same time, we will continue to reform national defense, further enhancing Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. And we will advance our cooperation with the US and other democracies in upholding regional stability and prosperity. We also welcome continued Taiwan-US cooperation in the defense sector. I believe that, so long as we coordinate our efforts, we can achieve more in our respective defense industries and build non-red supply chains, advancing peace, stability, and prosperity. In closing, I look forward to seeing even greater achievements from Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Thank you. After remarks, President Lai, AmCham Chairperson Dan Silver, American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director Raymond Greene, and Governor Dunleavy raised their glasses in recognition of the strong Taiwan-US friendship.

Details
2025-04-06
President Lai delivers remarks on US tariff policy response
On April 6, President Lai Ching-te delivered recorded remarks regarding the impact of the 32 percent tariff that the United States government recently imposed on imports from Taiwan in the name of reciprocity. In his remarks, President Lai explained that the government will adopt five response strategies, including making every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations, adopting a support plan for affected domestic industries, adopting medium- and long-term economic development plans, forming new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements, and launching industry listening tours. The president emphasized that as we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and expressed hope that all parties, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: My fellow citizens, good evening. The US government recently announced higher tariffs on countries around the world in the name of reciprocity, including imposing a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. This is bound to have a major impact on our nation. Various countries have already responded, and some have even adopted retaliatory measures. Tremendous changes in the global economy are expected. Taiwan is an export-led economy, and in facing future challenges there will inevitably be difficulties, so we must proceed carefully to turn danger into safety. During this time, I want to express gratitude to all sectors of society for providing valuable opinions, which the government regards highly, and will use as a reference to make policy decisions. However, if we calmly and carefully analyze Taiwan’s trade with the US, we find that last year Taiwan’s exports to the US were valued at US$111.4 billion, accounting for 23.4 percent of total export value, with the other 75-plus percent of products sold worldwide to countries other than the US. Of products sold to the US, competitive ICT products and electronic components accounted for 65.4 percent. This shows that Taiwan’s economy does still have considerable resilience. As long as our response strategies are appropriate, and the public and private sectors join forces, we can reduce impacts. Please do not panic. To address the reciprocal tariffs by the US, Taiwan has no plans to adopt retaliatory tariffs. There will be no change in corporate investment commitments to the US, as long as they are consistent with national interests. But we must ensure the US clearly understands Taiwan’s contributions to US economic development. More importantly, we must actively seek to understand changes in the global economic situation, strengthen Taiwan-US industry cooperation, elevate the status of Taiwan industries in global supply chains, and with safeguarding the continued development of Taiwan’s economy as our goal, adopt the following five strategies to respond. Strategy one: Make every effort to improve reciprocal tariff rates through negotiations using the following five methods: 1. Taiwan has already formed a negotiation team led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun (鄭麗君). The team includes members from the National Security Council, the Office of Trade Negotiations, and relevant Executive Yuan ministries and agencies, as well as academia and industry. Like the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, negotiations on tariffs can start from Taiwan-US bilateral zero-tariff treatment. 2. To expand purchases from the US and thereby reduce the trade deficit, the Executive Yuan has already completed an inventory regarding large-scale procurement plans for agricultural, industrial, petroleum, and natural gas products, and the Ministry of National Defense has also proposed a military procurement list. All procurement plans will be actively pursued. 3. Expand investments in the US. Taiwan’s cumulative investment in the US already exceeds US$100 billion, creating approximately 400,000 jobs. In the future, in addition to increased investment in the US by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, other industries such as electronics, ICT, petrochemicals, and natural gas can all increase their US investments, deepening Taiwan-US industry cooperation. Taiwan’s government has helped form a “Taiwan investment in the US” team, and hopes that the US will reciprocate by forming a “US investment in Taiwan” team to bring about closer Taiwan-US trade cooperation, jointly creating a future economic golden age. 4. We must eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade. Non-tariff barriers are an indicator by which the US assesses whether a trading partner is trading fairly with the US. Therefore, we will proactively resolve longstanding non-tariff barriers so that negotiations can proceed more smoothly. 5. We must resolve two issues that have been matters of longstanding concern to the US. One regards high-tech export controls, and the other regards illegal transshipment of dumped goods, otherwise referred to as “origin washing.” Strategy two: We must adopt a plan for supporting our industries. For industries that will be affected by the tariffs, and especially traditional industries as well as micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, we will provide timely and needed support and assistance. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) and his administrative team recently announced a package of 20 specific measures designed to address nine areas. Moving forward, the support we provide to different industries will depend on how they are affected by the tariffs, will take into account the particular features of each industry, and will help each industry innovate, upgrade, and transform. Strategy three: We must adopt medium- and long-term economic development plans. At this point in time, our government must simultaneously adopt new strategies for economic and industrial development. This is also the fundamental path to solutions for future economic challenges. The government will proactively cooperate with friends and allies, develop a diverse range of markets, and achieve closer integration of entities in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of industrial supply chains. This course of action will make Taiwan’s industrial ecosystem more complete, and will help Taiwanese industries upgrade and transform. We must also make good use of the competitive advantages we possess in such areas as semiconductor manufacturing, integrated chip design, ICT, and smart manufacturing to build Taiwan into an AI island, and promote relevant applications for food, clothing, housing, and transportation, as well as military, security and surveillance, next-generation communications, and the medical and health and wellness industries as we advance toward a smarter, more sustainable, and more prosperous new Taiwan. Strategy four: “Taiwan plus one,” i.e., new “Taiwan plus the US” arrangements: While staying firmly rooted in Taiwan, our enterprises are expanding their global presence and marketing worldwide. This has been our national economic development strategy, and the most important aspect is maintaining a solid base here in Taiwan. We absolutely must maintain a solid footing, and cannot allow the present strife to cause us to waver. Therefore, our government will incentivize investments, carry out deregulation, and continue to improve Taiwan’s investment climate by actively resolving problems involving access to water, electricity, land, human resources, and professional talent. This will enable corporations to stay in Taiwan and continue investing here. In addition, we must also help the overseas manufacturing facilities of offshore Taiwanese businesses to make necessary adjustments to support our “Taiwan plus one” policy, in that our national economic development strategy will be adjusted as follows: to stay firmly rooted in Taiwan while expanding our global presence, strengthening US ties, and marketing worldwide. We intend to make use of the new state of supply chains to strengthen cooperation between Taiwanese and US industries, and gain further access to US markets. Strategy five: Launch industry listening tours: All industrial firms, regardless of sector or size, will be affected to some degree once the US reciprocal tariffs go into effect. The administrative teams led by myself and Premier Cho will hear out industry concerns so that we can quickly resolve problems and make sure policies meet actual needs. My fellow citizens, over the past half-century and more, Taiwan has been through two energy crises, the Asian financial crisis, the global financial crisis, and pandemics. We have been able to not only withstand one test after another, but even turn crises into opportunities. The Taiwanese economy has emerged from these crises stronger and more resilient than ever. As we face this latest challenge, the government and civil society will work hand in hand, and I hope that all parties in the legislature, both ruling and opposition, will support the measures that the Executive Yuan will take to open up a broader path for Taiwan’s economy. Let us join together and give it our all. Thank you.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dedicated to the heroes. Moscow museum projects for the 80th anniversary of Victory

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

City museums are preparing special projects dedicated to the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. About what exhibitions can be seen in the Moscow Museum of Modern Art, the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow and other cultural institutions – in the material mos.ru.

“Dedicated to Heroes” at the Ilya Glazunov Gallery

Dates: April 3 – December 30

Address: Izmailovsky Boulevard, Building 30

Age limit: 6

The exhibition “Dedicated to Heroes” introduces the indomitable strength and courage of the Russian army, captured in the paintings of naive artists and in the works of masters of heroic popular prints. The exhibition presents works dedicated not only to the Great Patriotic War, but also to the stories of other military exploits over many centuries.

Popular prints on military subjects are unique documents, they preserve the people’s memory of the exploits and glory of heroes. Many popular prints still serve as a source of knowledge about the military history of tsarist Russia.

Buy tickets you can on mos.ru.

“Immortal Regiment of Russian Geneticists” at the State Darwin Museum

Dates: April 15 – June 29

Address: Vavilov street, house 57, building 1

Age limit: 12

The scientists discussed at the thematic exhibition in the State Darwin Museum are the cream of Russian genetics. They made a great contribution to the overall victory. Among the front-line soldiers were famous practicing doctors of science who managed to distinguish themselves during the war years, many were awarded military orders and medals, and achieved high military ranks. Visitors will be able to see portraits of outstanding geneticists, learn about their scientific work, participation in military operations, and awards.

You can visit the exhibition with an entrance ticket to the museum.

“Hero Cities” at the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow

Dates: April 18 – June 30

Address: Michurinsky Prospect, Olympic Village, Building 3

Age limit: 6

The new exhibition will be dedicated to 12 cities of the Soviet Union and the Brest Fortress, which became famous for their heroic defense during the Great Patriotic War and received the titles of “Hero City” and “Hero Fortress”.

The exhibition will feature unique items from the collection of the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow. The hero cities will be represented by graphics by Ivan Tsarevich, Vasily Medvedev, Pavel Baranov, Vasily Konovalov, Yaroslav Titov and other artists who fought at the front. The works reflect the mood of the war years: the will to win, the suffering of civilians and the hard work of soldiers. Each painting is a true portrait of the city.

Buy tickets you can on mos.ru.

“The Darwin Museum during the Great Patriotic War” at the State Darwin Museum

Dates: April 22 – July 27

Address: Vavilov street, house 57, building 1

Age limit: 6

Visitors will learn how the State Darwin Museum survived many difficult trials from 1941 to 1945, but did not stop its educational activities. The exhibition is based exclusively on items from the institution’s collections: photographs, archival materials, original and printed graphics.

Already in the third week of the war, several employees went to the front with the people’s militia units, and 11 people continued to work in the museum, for whom it became a matter of honor to preserve the collections and throw the ideas reflected in them into the fight against the enemy.

The specialists took patronage over several Moscow hospitals, where they carried out cultural and educational work. In a short period of time, they prepared lectures, supplemented with visual material. For example, the theme “Animals on the Fronts of the Great Patriotic War” was illustrated by paintings by Konstantin Flerov and Alexey Komarov, painted within the walls of the Darwin Museum during this difficult time.

Entrance to the exhibition – with a museum ticket.

Exhibition for the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War at the Nikolai Ostrovsky Museum

Dates: April 22 – June 29

Address: Tverskaya street, house 14

Age limit: 0

Nikolai Ostrovsky was a figure inspiring Soviet people to feats – during the Great Patriotic War, not only military equipment but also military units of various purposes (for example, partisans) bore his name. The new exhibition will tell about the lives and feats of people united by a common goal.

Visitors will see exhibits evacuated from the museum in August 1941, letters from frontline soldiers, and materials about the Ostrovsky family’s participation in the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition will feature documents and photographs from the institution’s employees’ archives, telling about their work at the front and support for servicemen in the rear.

Among the interesting exhibits is the book “How the Steel Was Tempered”, donated by members of the Nikolai Ostrovsky partisan detachment, which was part of the Alexander Suvorov brigade. In rare moments of rest, the fighters were inspired by the story of Pavka Korchagin, whose main motto was the words: “Only forward, only to the line of fire, only through difficulties to victory.”

Entrance to the exhibition – with a museum ticket.

“Maestro, take off!” at the Cosmonautics Museum

Dates: April 24 – October 6

Address: Mira Avenue, Building 111

Age limit: 6

The 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Berlin Red Banner Order of Bohdan Khmelnitsky Regiment (5th GIAP) became the most effective air combat unit of the Great Patriotic War. The pilots carried out over 15 thousand combat sorties, destroyed over 700 enemy aircraft, inflicted great damage on ground troops, and collected important intelligence data.

The profession of a pilot was extremely popular and in demand in the USSR in the first half of the 20th century. The exploits of its representatives had a huge impact on the younger generation: the flight of Valery Chkalov, the rescue of the Chelyuskinites, in which the future head of the first cosmonaut detachment Nikolai Kamanin took part, the dropping of the Victory Banner on the roof of the Reichstag (for this the 5th GIAP received the title of “Berlin”). Yuri Gagarin in his autobiography described a meeting with pilots during the occupation and his admiration for these amazing people: “In the morning the pilots flew away, leaving behind bright memories. Each of us wanted to fly, to be as brave and beautiful as they were. We experienced some strange, unknown feeling.” The first cosmonauts, whose childhood fell on the war years, became military pilots – thus the baton of heroes was passed on.

The exhibition is based on the story of two people united by the goal of preserving the memory of the heroic past of their ancestors: the son of ace pilot Ivan Laveykin, Hero of the Soviet Union, USSR pilot-cosmonaut No. 61 Alexander Laveykin, and the great-grandson of sniper Vasily Zaytsev, Vladimir Donshin.

Visitors will see the squadron’s authentic battle flag — a sacred symbol of the regiment, personifying the glory and valor of the military unit. Descendants of the heroes will help them learn their stories: the exhibition will feature documentary and photo materials, personal belongings, including priceless relics — uniforms and awards. One of the sections of the exhibition will be a large-scale video installation, which combines newsreel footage and fragments of the film “Only Old Men Are Going to Battle”. Among the artifacts on display is the heart of the legendary combat vehicle, the fiery engine. At the end of the exhibition, you can learn the story of the feat of Pyotr Kalsin, who was nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but did not have time to receive the award, as he went missing.

Entrance to the exhibition – with museum tickets.

“And courage, like a banner, was carried” in the Alexander Shilov Gallery

Dates: April 24 – May 30

Address: Znamenka street, building 5

Age limit: 6

“Such concepts as love for the Motherland, readiness to defend it, the image of a person standing guard over the Fatherland have always been very close to me,” says Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, People’s Artist of the USSR Alexander Shilov. The theme of the Great Patriotic War is one of the main ones in his work, portraits of veterans are a genuine chronicle of the war years created by the artist. With these images, Alexander Shilov tells about courage, patriotism, high human dignity of people who went through severe trials. His heroes were generals and doctors, pilots and sailors, partisans, intelligence officers and ordinary soldiers.

Over the years of his work, the master has created the history of Russia in faces. The exhibition will feature the following portraits: “On Victory Day. Machine Gunner P.P. Shorin”, “Sister of Mercy (Elena Mikhailovna Ogneva)”, “Special Purpose Partisan M. Stroganov”, “War Veteran I.F. Rubtsov”, “Hero of the Soviet Union Attack Pilot V.B. Yemelyanenko”, “Participant in the Victory Parade Colonel N.A. Gorbachev”, “Hero of the Soviet Union Intelligence Officer G.A. Vartanyan” and a number of other paintings. More than 50 portraits, each with its own story, its own destiny. You can get acquainted with them at the exhibition “And Courage, Like a Banner, They Carried”.

Tickets – on mos.ru.

“Victory Salute” at the State Museum of the Defense of Moscow

Dates: April 25 – August 31

Address: Michurinsky Prospect, Olympic Village, Building 3

Age limit: 6

On May 9, 1945, to commemorate the victory over Germany, a special salute was given in Moscow: 30 artillery salvos from one thousand guns, accompanied by the cross-beams of 160 searchlights and the launch of multi-colored rockets.

The Victory Salute is an exceptional event with unique aesthetics and impeccable organization based on engineering and management solutions that were unique for its time. The exhibition at the State Museum of Defense of Moscow will tell the story of this most regulated festive event. The exposition will feature paintings, photographs, and rare materials from personal archives.

Tickets are available for purchase on mos.ru.

“With faith in the victory of life…” in the panorama museum “Battle of Borodino”

Dates: April 29 – July 20

Address: Kutuzovsky Prospect, Building 38, Building 1

Age limit: 12

The exhibition will feature drawings by Nikolai Zhukov, Leonid Golovanov, Vladimir Gorbachenko, Anatoly Gorpenko, Pavel Kirpichev, Yuri Tsishevsky, Dmitry Pyatkin and other front-line artists. They showed how peaceful life was gradually reviving in the territories liberated from occupation. At the same time, the drawings are filled with tragic signs of war, reminding us that battles had recently taken place here. But these works are characterized by faith in victory, historical optimism and humanism.

You can buy tickets on mos.ru.

“Victory Park. Images of Memory in Contemporary Russian Art” at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art

Dates: April 30 – August 24

Address: Petrovka street, house 25, building 1

Age limit: 6

The exhibition at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art dedicated to the victory in the Great Patriotic War focuses on modern sculptural monuments. Each room will feature photographs, texts and other exhibits to present a monument, and works from the museum’s collection will be gathered around it.

Visitors will be able to see how the themes of war and Victory have been represented over the last three decades. These events, which in one way or another touched every corner of the country, became a powerful impulse for artists who created countless works throughout Russia and beyond. The exhibition will feature photographs, texts and graphics created at the front, as well as works by veteran and nonconformist artists such as Ernst Neizvestny, Nikolai Vechtomov, Vadim Sidur and other masters.

Tickets are available for purchase on mos.ru.

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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152643073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

April 16, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: 3 in 4 meth users relapse – outcomes could improve if treatments considered the drug’s effect on impulsive behaviour

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca Bodeker, Teaching Assistant in Behavioural Psychology, University of Canterbury

Getty Images

Methamphetamine is New Zealand’s most harmful illicit drug and wastewater testing shows its use and availability are on the rise.

Much of the harm results from reckless and impulsive behaviour – including ram raids and gang violence – some people show when under methamphetamine’s influence.

Methamphetamine impairs decision making because it increases the likelihood of users acting impulsively, without regard to risk or long-term consequences.

Impulsivity is a maladaptive pattern of choice behaviour linked to crime, violence and drug use. Research shows higher levels of impulsivity are associated with a higher risk of initiating drug use, increase the amounts used, drop out of rehabilitation programmes and relapse.

Our new research investigates how methamphetamine affects impulsivity in rats. We argue that our findings are applicable to people and could improve treatments to reduce the high relapse rate of about 77% of methamphetamine users.

Stimulant drugs and impulsive behaviour

There has been substantial research and several tests have been developed to measure and define impulsivity. However, the effect of stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine on impulsivity remains unclear.

Some studies report amphetamines reduce impulsivity whereas others have found methamphetamine increases it. A probable cause of these conflicting results is the multi-dimensional nature of impulsivity.

Although often reported as a singular concept, impulsivity comprises several distinct but related components that must be assessed individually.

Laboratory research can help us better understand impulsivity. Specially designed behavioural experiments present animals with choices that provide an equivalent of those humans might experience.

The results can help us unravel the complex nature of impulsivity which we can then translate to human experience and inform treatment programmes. In our research we used rats to study two situations related to impulsivity.

The first is a choice between a smaller reward given sooner or a larger reward received later, known as “delay discounting”. The other choice is between a smaller but certain reward and a larger uncertain reward, known as “probability discounting”. We also examined how the overall magnitude of the rewards affected choice.

How we consider choices

In human studies, people are often asked to make hypothetical choices about money.

In delay discounting, opting for the smaller/sooner reward is an impulsive choice. For example, imagine you are given a choice between $400 now and $500 in one year, and choose the $400 now.

However, if you were asked instead to choose between $40,000 now and $50,000 in one year, you may select the delayed option. When the rewards are larger, we are less likely to choose impulsively.

In probability discounting, choice of the larger/uncertain reward is impulsive. Imagine you are given a choice between $50 for sure or a 50% chance at $100. You might be willing to gamble on the larger amount.

But what if your choice was between $5,000,000 for sure and a 50% chance at $10,000,000? You would be more likely to choose the certain reward because we tend to be less impulsive when the possible loss is greater.

Complex nature of impulsivity

In our research, rats could choose between two alternatives that resulted in food rewards by pressing levers in an experimental chamber.

Some rats completed delay discounting sessions in which they chose between smaller/sooner and larger/later food outcomes. Other rats completed probability discounting sessions and chose between smaller/certain and larger/uncertain outcomes.

We also varied the overall amounts of food to confirm rats were less likely to choose impulsively with larger amounts. We measured the rats’ sensitivity to differences between delay, probability and magnitude.

Results were similar to studies with humans in that the rats’ choices reflected trade-offs between delay, probability and the amount of food. Impulsive choices were reduced with larger amounts.

We then gave the rats gradually increasing doses of methamphetamine and observed how their choices changed. Our results reflected the complex nature of impulsivity. Increasing methamphetamine doses resulted in decreasing sensitivity to the most salient difference between the two choices the rats experienced.

On methamphetamine, more rats chose the larger delayed reward. This means a decrease in impulsive choice because sensitivity to delay was reduced and the smaller/sooner option was less attractive.

However, we found the opposite in probability discounting. Here, methamphetamine increased preference for the larger/uncertain reward, indicating an increase in impulsivity because sensitivity to risk decreased.

Sensitivity to magnitude also decreased, meaning rats were more likely to choose impulsively even when the reward was large.

What this means for people

People are obviously cognitively more complex, but methamphetamine users also demonstrate decreased sensitivity to risk in response to tasks similar to those we used with rats.

Therefore our findings are applicable to human methamphetamine users and highlight that long-term changes to impulsivity should be taken into account in treatment programmes. This is especially important because effects on decision making can persist long after drug use during periods of abstinence.

Psycho-education on impulsivity could be incorporated into existing treatment programmes. This would mean educating methamphetamine users about their increased risks related to decision making and how that may affect treatment outcomes.

The Salvation Army’s Bridge Programme, a well-known drug rehabilitation programme with 20 centres throughout the country, is a good example. It uses a community reinforcement approach as part of their treatment, which involves participants building skills to cultivate rewarding experiences outside of drugs or alcohol use.

Rehabilitation processes could implement a psycho-education component focused on the increased vulnerability to risky choices, regardless of amount, of current and former methamphetamine users. This could raise the personal agency of participants by making them more aware of the increased risk factors for relapse and other negative decision making.

Psycho-education could help release people from the grip of this pervasive and increasingly prolific drug.

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

– ref. 3 in 4 meth users relapse – outcomes could improve if treatments considered the drug’s effect on impulsive behaviour – https://theconversation.com/3-in-4-meth-users-relapse-outcomes-could-improve-if-treatments-considered-the-drugs-effect-on-impulsive-behaviour-253439

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

April 16, 2025
MIL-OSI China: More weight management clinics opened across China

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

People exercise at a city park in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, Aug. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
It is a balmy spring afternoon at the Anhui Acupuncture and Moxibustion Hospital, and a queue of young women waits patiently outside. But these women are not seeking traditional medical treatment — they are on the hunt for weight loss solutions.
“All those delicious holiday feasts have left me with quite a belly,” said Zhu Rongrong, 23, adding that the extra weight has left her constantly feeling drained and affected her sleep.
In March, Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission (NHC), announced plans to establish more weight management clinics at medical and health facilities, helping people shed pounds safely and pivot to healthier lifestyles. This not only provides professional services, but also gives birth to new form of medical services.
The Anhui Acupuncture and Moxibustion Hospital opened a dedicated weight loss clinic in March, offering Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies such as acupuncture to address the growing demand.
According to Fei Aihua, an endocrinologist at the hospital, the number of patients seeking treatment for weight-related conditions more than quadrupled year on year in the first quarter of 2025.
“Acupuncture for weight management is about holistic body regulation,” Fei said. “Effective weight control requires long-term, sustainable habits and a healthy lifestyle.”
Fei has observed that some young women seeking treatment do not meet the clinical standards for obesity or show related symptoms, but are preoccupied with achieving a slimmer figure.
“For them, a balanced diet and moderate exercise remain the best options,” she said.
Alongside TCM approaches, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key part of China’s weight management programs.
A new AI-powered assistant, developed by local medical institutions and health tech companies, is helping doctors improve their diagnostic efficiency and tailor their intervention plans.
“Now, with structured health data generated through patient interactions with the AI model, I can obtain a complete patient health profile in just 30 seconds,” said Zheng Xueying, an endocrinologist at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China.
Zheng’s team is exploring additional tech applications, including AI-generated diet plans and photo-based food recognition programs to assess daily calorie intake and nutritional balance.
Weng Jianping, president of Anhui Medical University, said that integrating AI and professional clinical expertise can produce personalized obesity interventions and preventive healthcare strategies.
Hospitals nationwide are now establishing multidisciplinary clinics to provide comprehensive weight management services.
At the Anhui Provincial Children’s Hospital, an 8-year-old girl aroused laughter when she told doctors, “The food my mom makes is just too delicious. I can’t help eating it!” But the laughter turned to concern after tests revealed early signs of puberty linked to the patient’s obesity.
“Our first step is to correct her perception and help her understand the health risks,” said Wang Ya, who works at the hospital’s new weight management clinic, which has the endocrinology, cardiology and psychology departments.
Thanks to the hospital’s multidisciplinary clinic unveiled in March, such cases are now promptly referred for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.
“Childhood obesity affects more than just physical health, and it often brings psychological challenges during these sensitive years,” Wang said.
In Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Second Nanning People’s Hospital has launched an integrated weight management clinic combining gastrointestinal surgery, clinical nutrition and endocrinology departments.
The clinic offers one-stop, full-cycle services from evaluation and intervention to follow-up care for scientific and personalized weight control solutions.
In Tianjin, the TEDA Hospital has opened a multidisciplinary clinic that integrates metabolic control, integrated Traditional Chinese and Western medicine services, nutrition and exercise therapies, and behavioral intervention to support lifelong weight management.
In Wuhan, Hubei province, the Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology has inaugurated a weight management center that integrates 14 clinical departments.
The center aims to screen 50,000 overweight or obese patients each year while providing tiered treatment, complication prevention and long-term follow-up services.

MIL OSI China News –

April 16, 2025