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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI Global: Five children’s books that feature positive male role models – from toddlers to teens

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Vincent Straub, PhD Candidate, Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford

    Shutterstock

    We are facing an apparent crisis of masculinity among young boys. As the success of the Netflix show Adolescence has highlighted, young men are lacking positive role models – and increasingly looking to misogynistic online influencers to fill the void.

    In response, we’ve asked five academic experts to recommend a book they’d read with a boy or young man that features a positive male role model. The stories they’ve selected celebrate kindness, integrity and vulnerability. Suitable for readers from infancy to late adolescence, these picks aim to teach boys what it means to be responsible, compassionate and confident men.

    1. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (2019)

    Suitable for all ages

    As a researcher inspired by bell hooks’ adult non-fiction work, The Will to Change (2004), I’m drawn to children’s books that nurture the emotional lives of boys and challenge traditional ideas of masculinity.

    One such book is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. Its quiet, reflective narrative centres on emotional openness, friendship and the strength found in vulnerability. These are also core themes in hooks’ call to liberate men and boys from the emotional constraints of patriarchal masculinity.

    The characters gently model care, empathy and the courage to ask for help, offering children and their parents a vision of masculinity grounded in love and connection, rather than fear or dominance. In a culture that often discourages boys and the men they become from expressing tenderness, this book provides a vital counterbalance. It invites young readers to see emotional depth as a strength – planting early seeds for a more compassionate and expansive way of being.

    Recommended by Vincent Straub, PhD Candidate at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science

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    2. Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too), by Keith Negley (2015)

    Most suitable for ages three-five

    As a response to the pervasive damage caused by gendered play and storytelling, there is much excellent work which focuses on the empowerment of young women and girls. Yet, the promotion of emotional intelligence among young men and boys is still lagging.

    Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) is a great example of a story which promotes respect, care and empathy while making space for the hyper-masculine. The book documents archetypal “strong men” – superheroes, wrestlers, astronauts and cowboys – struggling, and often failing.

    Negley reframes these archetypes by pairing a young boy’s combative imagination with the care and compassion of his father. If I return to my childhood, I think of the impact of Sheriff Woody and Intergalactic Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise. I watched as the characters competed for alpha status, and saw them ultimately work together through recognising their own limitations and faults. What I take from their story, and Negley’s, is that we need to be teaching our children not just to fly but to fail – with style.

    Recommended by Michael Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography

    3. The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (2023)

    Most suitable for ages ten-11

    Nate, the ten-year-old protagonist of Matt Goodfellow’s The Final Year must square up to year six without either his ex-best-mate Parker Smith, or a dad. Both his father and the fathers of his two siblings are, variously, missing, in prison or unknown.

    It’s in Nate’s new teacher Mr Joshua that we find our role model. He handles Nate with patience and empathy, and hands out wisdom gleaned from singer Bob Marley and children’s author David Almond alike.

    The book is a punchy, easy read, written in vernacular and narrative verse, with an obvious appeal to boys and otherwise reluctant readers. Pleasingly, Mr Joshua’s talisman is the tender book Skellig by David Almond (1998). Almond is a former primary school teacher and a worthy role model himself. He once declared all writers for children “hope hunters”. It’s a mantle admirably upheld by Goodfellow.

    Recommended by Jo Nadin, Associate Professor of Creative Writing

    4. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2008)

    Suitable for ages 14+

    For teenagers, I recommended The Knife of Letting Go by Patrick Ness, because of its promotion of emotional literacy and appreciation of difference. Through the unique metaphor of audible thoughts (known as “noise”), readers are shown that courage can be evoked through the acknowledgement of feelings, as opposed to their suppression.

    From its outset, the story confronts and challenges aggressive stereotypes and toxic masculinity, affirming more positive forms through healthier role models, who personify strength through empathy and kindness. As the protagonist, Todd journeys with Viola, the story’s underlying beliefs of gender equality and respectful interaction are promoted. During their experiences, tough choices shape character through ethical decision-making, while the story provides alternative solutions to violence and aggression.

    Ultimately, Ness’ novel guides boys in trials of adversity, offering understanding in lieu of bitterness, and endorsing empathy and resilience. It’s an invaluable aid in the fostering of emotional masculine maturity.

    Recommended by Rob Walker, PhD Candidate in Education

    5. This Boy’s Life by Tobias Wolff (1989)

    Suitable for ages 16+

    This memoir is a beautifully written, perceptive account of boyhood. The story does not shy away from troublesome tropes including adolescent alienation, a brutish father figure, the temptations of gun culture and more.

    At the centre of This Boy’s Life is a clever but vulnerable boy trying to navigate his way through the minefields and mixed messages of masculinity. A wonderful, quirky mother is a feature of the story, but so are good male friendships and mentors.

    There’s no sugar coating here. The story is formed and written with a kind of unsentimental tenderness. The result is an insightful and ultimately hopeful account of a complicated life, showing how boys – even those who are angry and confused – can grow into decent, generous, gentle men.

    Recommended by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, Professor of Teaching, Learning and Creative Practice

    Vincent Straub is supported by UKRI (HORIZON-MSCA-DN-2021 101073237) and the Leverhulme Trust (RC-2018-003).

    Joanna Nadin, Michael Joseph Richardson, Robert Walker, and Sarah Moore Fitzgerald 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. Five children’s books that feature positive male role models – from toddlers to teens – https://theconversation.com/five-childrens-books-that-feature-positive-male-role-models-from-toddlers-to-teens-253082

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: EPA must use the best available science − by law − but what does that mean?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By H. Christopher Frey, Glenn E. Futrell Distinguished University Professor of Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University

    Science is essential as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency carries out its mission to protect human health and the environment.

    In fact, laws passed by Congress require the EPA to use the “best available science” in many decisions about regulations, permits, cleaning up contaminated sites and responding to emergencies.

    For example, the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to rely on science for setting emission standards and health-based air quality standards. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to consider the best available peer-reviewed science when setting health-based standards. The Clean Water Act requires the agency to develop surface water quality criteria that reflect the latest science. The Toxic Substances Control Act requires the EPA to use the best available science to assess risk of chemicals to human health and the environment.

    But what exactly does “best available science” mean?

    That’s an important question as the Trump administration launches an effort to roll back clean air and water regulations at the same time it is preparing to replace all the members of two crucial EPA science advisory boards and considering eliminating the Office of Research and Development – the scientific research arm of the EPA.

    What is best available science?

    Some basic definitions for best available science can be found in laws, court rulings and other sources, including the EPA’s own policies.

    The science must be reliable, unbiased, objective and value-neutral, meaning it is not influenced by personal views. Best available science is the result of the scientific process and hypothesis testing by scientists. And it is based on current knowledge from relevant technical expertise and must be credible.

    The EPA’s scientific integrity policy includes “processes and practices to ensure that the best available science is presented to agency decision-makers and informs the agency’s work.” Those include processes to ensure data quality and information quality and procedures for independent reviews by scientific experts outside of government.

    Environmental Protection Agency employees and others protest the Trump administration’s actions involving the agency on March 25, 2025, in Philadelphia.
    AP Photo/Matt Rourke

    I have seen the importance of these processes and procedures personally. In addition to being an academic researcher who works on air pollution, I am a former member of the EPA’s Science Advisory Board, former chair of the EPA’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, and from 2022 to 2024 served as assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Research and Development and the EPA science adviser.

    Advisory boards and in-house research

    The EPA Science Advisory Board plays an important role in ensuring that the EPA uses the best available science. It is tasked with reviewing the scientific and technological basis of EPA actions.

    The 1978 Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act ordered EPA to establish the board. The Science Advisory Board’s members must be “qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information on matters referred to the Board.” But those members can be replaced by new administrations, as the Trump administration is planning to do now.

    During the first Trump administration, the EPA replaced several independent scientists on its advisory boards in a manner that deviated from established practice, according to the Government Accountability Office, and brought in scientists connected with the industries the EPA regulates. I was one of the independent scientists replaced, and I and others launched an independent review panel to continue to deliver expert advice.

    No matter who serves on the EPA’s advisory boards, the agency is required by law to follow the best available science. Failing to do so sets the stage for lawsuits.

    The same law that established the Science Advisory Board is also a legal basis for the Office of Research and Development, the agency’s scientific research arm and the EPA’s primary source for gathering and developing the best available science for decision-makers.

    During my time at the EPA, the Office of Research and Development’s work informed regulatory decisions involving air, water, land and chemicals. It informed enforcement actions, as well as cleanup and emergency response efforts in EPA’s regions.

    State agencies and tribal nations also look to the EPA for expertise on the best available science, since they typically do not have resources to develop this science themselves.

    Federal courts affirm using best available science

    Federal courts have also ordered the EPA to use the best available science, and they have recognized the importance of reviews by external experts.

    In 2024, for example, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied an industry petition to review an EPA standard involving ethylene oxide, a pollutant emitted by some chemical and industrial facilities that has been associated with several types of cancer.

    The court accorded an “extreme degree of deference” to the EPA’s evaluation of scientific data within its area of expertise. The court listed key elements of the EPA’s best available science, including “an extensive, eighteen-year process that began in 1998, involved rounds of public comment and peer review by EPA’s Science Advisory Board (‘SAB’), and concluded in 2016 when EPA issued a comprehensive report on the subject.”

    The District of Columbia Circuit in 2013 also affirmed the central role of science to inform revisions of National Ambient Air Quality Standards, which set limits for six common air pollutants.

    In that case, Mississippi v. EPA, the court noted that the EPA must receive advice from its Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, or CASAC. The court advised that, while the agency can deviate from the committee’s scientific advice, “EPA must be precise in describing the basis for its disagreement with CASAC.”

    The Trump administration in 2025 dismissed all members of CASAC and said it planned to replace them.

    What does this all mean?

    Requiring the agency to use the best available science helps ensure that decisions are based on evidence, and that the reasoning behind them is the result of well-accepted scientific processes and free from biases, including stakeholder or political interference.

    The scientific challenges facing the EPA are increasing in complexity. Responding to them effectively for the health of the population and the environment requires expertise and robust scientific processes.

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

    – ref. EPA must use the best available science − by law − but what does that mean? – https://theconversation.com/epa-must-use-the-best-available-science-by-law-but-what-does-that-mean-253209

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is reinforcement learning? An AI researcher explains a key method of teaching machines – and how it relates to training your dog

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Ambuj Tewari, Professor of Statistics, University of Michigan

    Training an AI system and training a dog have a basic principle in common. Westend61 via Getty Images

    Understanding intelligence and creating intelligent machines are grand scientific challenges of our times. The ability to learn from experience is a cornerstone of intelligence for machines and living beings alike.

    In a remarkably prescient 1948 report, Alan Turing – the father of modern computer science – proposed the construction of machines that display intelligent behavior. He also discussed the “education” of such machines “by means of rewards and punishments.”

    Turing’s ideas ultimately led to the development of reinforcement learning, a branch of artificial intelligence. Reinforcement learning designs intelligent agents by training them to maximize rewards as they interact with their environment.

    As a machine learning researcher, I find it fitting that reinforcement learning pioneers Andrew Barto and Richard Sutton were awarded the 2024 ACM Turing Award.

    What is reinforcement learning?

    Animal trainers know that animal behavior can be influenced by rewarding desirable behaviors. A dog trainer gives the dog a treat when it does a trick correctly. This reinforces the behavior, and the dog is more likely to do the trick correctly the next time. Reinforcement learning borrowed this insight from animal psychology.

    But reinforcement learning is about training computational agents, not animals. The agent can be a software agent like a chess-playing program. But the agent can also be an embodied entity like a robot learning to do household chores. Similarly, the environment of an agent can be virtual, like the chessboard or the designed world in a video game. But it can also be a house where a robot is working.

    Just like animals, an agent can perceive aspects of its environment and take actions. A chess-playing agent can access the chessboard configuration and make moves. A robot can sense its surroundings with cameras and microphones. It can use its motors to move about in the physical world.

    Agents also have goals that their human designers program into them. A chess-playing agent’s goal is to win the game. A robot’s goal might be to assist its human owner with household chores.

    The reinforcement learning problem in AI is how to design agents that achieve their goals by perceiving and acting in their environments. Reinforcement learning makes a bold claim: All goals can be achieved by designing a numerical signal, called the reward, and having the agent maximize the total sum of rewards it receives.

    Reinforcement learning from human feedback is key to keeping AIs aligned with human goals and values.

    Researchers do not know if this claim is actually true, because of the wide variety of possible goals. Therefore, it is often referred to as the reward hypothesis.

    Sometimes it is easy to pick a reward signal corresponding to a goal. For a chess-playing agent, the reward can be +1 for a win, 0 for a draw, and -1 for a loss. It is less clear how to design a reward signal for a helpful household robotic assistant. Nevertheless, the list of applications where reinforcement learning researchers have been able to design good reward signals is growing.

    A big success of reinforcement learning was in the board game Go. Researchers thought that Go was much harder than chess for machines to master. The company DeepMind, now Google DeepMind, used reinforcement learning to create AlphaGo. AlphaGo defeated top Go player Lee Sedol in a five-match game in 2016.

    A more recent example is the use of reinforcement learning to make chatbots such as ChatGPT more helpful. Reinforcement learning is also being used to improve the reasoning capabilities of chatbots.

    Reinforcement learning’s origins

    However, none of these successes could have been foreseen in the 1980s. That is when Barto and his then-Ph.D. student Sutton proposed reinforcement learning as a general problem-solving framework. They drew inspiration not only from animal psychology but also from the field of control theory, the use of feedback to influence a system’s behavior, and optimization, a branch of mathematics that studies how to select the best choice among a range of available options. They provided the research community with mathematical foundations that have stood the test of time. They also created algorithms that have now become standard tools in the field.

    It is a rare advantage for a field when pioneers take the time to write a textbook. Shining examples like “The Nature of the Chemical Bond” by Linus Pauling and “The Art of Computer Programming” by Donald E. Knuth are memorable because they are few and far between. Sutton and Barto’s “Reinforcement Learning: An Introduction” was first published in 1998. A second edition came out in 2018. Their book has influenced a generation of researchers and has been cited more than 75,000 times.

    Reinforcement learning has also had an unexpected impact on neuroscience. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a key role in reward-driven behaviors in humans and animals. Researchers have used specific algorithms developed in reinforcement learning to explain experimental findings in people and animals’ dopamine system.

    Barto and Sutton’s foundational work, vision and advocacy have helped reinforcement learning grow. Their work has inspired a large body of research, made an impact on real-world applications, and attracted huge investments by tech companies. Reinforcement learning researchers, I’m sure, will continue to see further ahead by standing on their shoulders.

    Ambuj Tewari receives funding from NSF and NIH.

    – ref. What is reinforcement learning? An AI researcher explains a key method of teaching machines – and how it relates to training your dog – https://theconversation.com/what-is-reinforcement-learning-an-ai-researcher-explains-a-key-method-of-teaching-machines-and-how-it-relates-to-training-your-dog-251887

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released

    A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released.

    Image of a bumblebee collecting pollen from a bluebell.

    A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released today.  

    Developed by the Government Office for Science and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework (CARIF) outlines the research and innovation needed around climate adaptation. 

    CARIF is designed to make it easier for government, industry, and research communities to work together to tackle the challenges we face around adapting to climate change. The new framework is the first time the UK research needs across government and across sectors have been brought together in one place.   

    Environment Minister Emma Hardy said:

    We are already seeing the impact of climate change and extreme weather on people’s lives, from transport disruption to flooding in people’s homes.  

    This is why, alongside our research into climate adaptation, we are exploring how we can set out stronger objectives to drive action to increase our preparedness for the impacts of climate change up to and beyond the next National Adaptation Programme in 2028.

    Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean said:

    We need new research to make the UK more resilient to climate change, and innovation to improve how effectively and affordably we ready systems for change. The UK has world-leading science capabilities which we can harness to ensure we are ready for future climate impacts.  

    We have spoken with academia, industry, UK government and the financial sector to produce this first Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework. It aims to drive use of our science capabilities to address the climate adaptation challenge.

    CARIF covers 11 sectors including nature, working land and seas, food security, water supply, energy, telecommunications and ICT, transport, town and cities and community preparedness/response, buildings, health, and business and finance.  

    Read the Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn, URI, and General Dynamics Electric Boat Launch Workforce Development Program

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The University of Connecticut and University of Rhode Island (URI) were jointly awarded a 5-year contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to provide regional workforce development support to the Maritime Industrial Base.

    The ANCHOR (Advancing Naval Careers through Higher-ed Outreach and Research) grant was celebrated in a launch event at UConn Avery Point on April 3. Representatives from UConn, URI, GDEB, and local and state governments were present to support the extensive program.

    The contract will support ongoing activities and drastically expand the work of the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition, which, since 2017, has developed a K-16 pipeline across southern New England to encourage both the skilled trades and engineering careers needed to build submarines.

    The UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition was established in 2017 through the leadership of Michael Accorsi at UConn and David Taggart at URI via funding from the Office of Naval Research. In 2021, the program was expanded under the current leadership of Alexandra Hain at UConn and Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi at URI, through a grant from the DoDSTEM National Defense Education Program. Hain and Maier-Speredelozzi will continue as the institutional leads of the contract.

    U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, whose Congressional district includes southeastern Connecticut, also attended Thursday.

    UConn Engineering Dean JC Zhao addresses the audience. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Photo).

    “There’s no question that shipyard workloads’ are going to continue well into the 2040s,” Courtney said. “That means the people that are going to be working the yards are in grade schools today… That’s really what is the genius about this whole initiative. It’s to get undergraduate engineering students into young classrooms, because that’s really where the magic is.”

    U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) was unable to attend the event, but sent his regards for the UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition via a letter recited that evening.

    UConn and URI Engineering leadership were pleased by the partnership and the renewed contract.

    “By working alongside URI and General Dynamics Electric Boat, we are not only advancing naval engineering and skilled trades but also inspiring a pipeline of talent to meet the demands of this vital sector,” said UConn Engineering Dean JC Zhao. “The coalition’s efforts will have a substantial impact on southern New England and beyond, ensuring that our students and workforce are equipped to lead in submarine production and innovation for decades to come.”

    “The Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island region – which includes two public flagship research universities, GDEB’s campuses in Groton and Quonset Point, and U.S. Navy operations in New London and Newport – is the undisputed global epicenter of submarine research, development and manufacturing,” said URI Engineering Dean Anthony Marchese. “For decades, UConn and URI have responded to the research and workforce development needs of our regional Maritime Industrial Base partners and we are proud to continue to fulfill that mission through the ANCHOR program.”

    In the last three years, the coalition has steadily increased its presence across southern New England, engaging over 13,000 students in the fundamentals of naval science and engineering. The Navy STEM Coalition’s staff and engineering university student members have taught Connecticut and Rhode Island students the fundamentals of buoyancy, additive manufacturing, and the core trades essential to submarine production through over 75 regional classroom visits and more than 20 large-scale outreach events nationwide. The coalition has also engaged and trained dozens of teachers through programs ranging from day-long workshops to year-long residencies.

    (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Photo).

    Maier-Speredelozzi said, “Inspiring undergraduates and K-12 students to pursue STEM careers is always rewarding, and we are excited to expand our outreach with K-12 teachers. When we work with teachers, we magnify the impact to include not only the students in their classes today, but also for years to come.”

    Looking forward, the ANCHOR contract will enable the coalition to significantly increase activities in the region, including the development of multiple new summer programs at both campuses for K-12 students, undergraduate summer researchers, and pre-service teachers.

    Thursday’s event also included the recognition of several URI and UConn students. The UConn winners included: Adeline Smith for the Naval Engineering Achievement Award, Jada Veracosa for the Navy STEM Excellence in Engineering Education Award, and Oliver MacKinnon for the Naval STEM Rising Star Award.

    The URI winners included: Olivia Daniello for the Navy STEM Excellence in Education Award, Sam Miller for the Naval Engineering Achievement Award, Hope Kelley for the Naval STEM Rising Star Award, and Megan Gimple for the Naval STEM Graduate Student Award.

    Regarding the growth of K-12 summer programming, Hain said, “Through targeted summer programs in engineering and skilled trades, we are committed to preparing students for careers in the submarine industrial base. By offering partial and full scholarships, along with free options, we’re dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of talent, breaking down barriers to ensure that a skilled workforce is ready to meet the unique demands of submarine production and innovation.”

    The coalition will also offer significant funding for those already working within the industrial base to come back to either UConn or URI for graduate school in a partnership with the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, the premier fundamental research facility for submarine development in the region.

    In expanding to support GDEB and the wider industrial base, the coalition will establish a comprehensive pipeline for submarine production from elementary education to graduate school, ensuring students in southern New England are supported in their path to building the future of the underwater fleet.

    Leadership from UConn, URI, and GDEB with student award winners. (Matthew Hodgkins/UConn Photo).

    “The UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition recognizes the critical support from the ANCHOR contract, managed by General Dynamics Electric Boat and funded by the U.S. Navy through the Maritime Industrial Base Program, which enables continued investment in workforce development and STEM education,” said Erica Logan, the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Deputy Director of Workforce.

    With the United States Navy indicating that the Maritime Industrial Base will need over 150,000 new employees in the next decade to meet procurement demands, the submarine sector will be vibrant for decades to come. Once called “the Silicon Valley of undersea warfare” by former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, southern New England is set to see much of that growth, and thus is in vital need of the pipeline development GDEB and the coalition will be achieving through this partnership.

    “The ANCHOR program demonstrates the power of public institutions investing in their local communities and their student body by leveraging the private sector of the Maritime Industrial Base,” said Sean Morrone, Electric Boat’s Manager of Supplier and Workforce Development. “Partnerships like this create a sustainable impact on the economic growth and community well-being of our region.”

    Meeting the needs of the Maritime Industrial Base at this time requires innovative collaborations between industry, government, and academia, and the coalition is eager to continue inspiring the next generation to “build giants.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Switzerland participates on the NATO Science and Technology Board

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Due to its contributions in the fields of research and technology over the years as part of the Partnership for Peace, Switzerland has been invited by NATO to regularly attend the meetings of the Science and Technology Board (STB) of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) from March 2025 onwards. From 7 to 9 April 2025, Switzerland will be represented by the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse at the STB meeting in Brussels, where it will present its priorities in the area of research and technology development.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Teachers Flock into ‘Digital Flocks’: The Secret Life of Moscow’s ‘Invisible College’ Revealed

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Thousands of Moscow teachers are forming virtual “digital flocks” and don’t even know it. Educator and researcher Evgeny Patarakin reveals this phenomenon in his new monographs. The book was published by the Moscow State Pedagogical University. The author created it together with students of the course “Building online communities“, which takes place at the base Institute of Education HSE. They found that in the age of digital platforms, educational materials are no longer born in the offices of individuals. Now knowledge emerges thanks to the collective creativity of people who may never meet in person.

    Let’s imagine a football field where the ball is passed from player to player. Every touch is a digital trace, every pass is a connection between people. This is how modern educational platforms work: a document or lesson plan becomes the ball that unites teachers from different schools.

    “We found that 75% of teachers copying each other’s projects form a single community – a giant component,” notes Patarakin, who studied digital traces at the Moscow Electronic School (MES).

    Digital analysis has revealed a surprising picture: teachers who have never met in person form invisible but strong bonds. When a mathematician from Bibirevo downloads a presentation created by a historian from Kuzminki and then refines it, they become part of the same team without even realizing it.

    In science, such communities of experts linked by common interests rather than formal affiliation with an organization are called “invisible colleges.” The term dates back to the 17th century and refers to informal associations of scientists.

    “It’s like a complex, self-organizing system where each participant acts according to their own rules, but together they create something bigger,” Patarakin explains. In his research, he found that teachers in the digital space form “digital flocks” of sorts — groups that act in concert, although their members may not even be aware of each other’s existence.

    To understand the mechanisms of this phenomenon, the researcher developed several virtual “sandboxes” using the programming languages Scratch, Snap! and others. In these models, digital characters, following elementary algorithms, create complex structures that are strikingly reminiscent of real educational communities.

    The researcher built a virtual world with digital teachers and lesson scenarios. It turned out to be something like a computer game, where instead of fantasy heroes there are teachers, and instead of artifacts there are educational materials. In this model, it is possible to configure how accessible the materials are for different teachers: for example, whether they only see scenarios for their subject or can discover the developments of colleagues from other disciplines.

    These computer models have serious practical implications. They help create educational platforms where knowledge is shared more effectively and teachers can find and improve each other’s materials more quickly. In such a world, the collective intelligence of thousands of educators surpasses the capabilities of even the most brilliant individual experts.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SUNDAY SHOWS: President Trump’s Bold Vision for Economic Prosperity

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    This morning, officials from the Trump Administration took to the networks to outline President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal trade plan as he ends the globalist policies of economic destruction that have shipped American jobs and industries overseas at the expense of American workers.
    Here’s what you missed:
    Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent on Meet the Press
    On tariffs during President Trump’s first term: “A 20% tariff on China led to a 0.7% price level increase over four years. I think that’s pretty good — if we can take in 20% in tariffs and it’s a 0.7% increase … Households saw real net wages go up, so if wages go up faster than prices — which is not what happened over the past four years.”
    On making goods in America: “We saw during COVID that [our] supply chains are not resilient … President Trump has decided that we cannot be at risk like that for our crucial medicines, for our semiconductors, for shipping.”
    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on Face the Nation
    On trade as an issue of national security: “We don’t make medicine in this country anymore. We don’t make ships. We don’t have enough steel and aluminum to fight a battle … We got to stop having all the countries of the world ripping us off.”
    On trade imbalances: “In 1980, we were a net investor, meaning we owned more of the rest of the world than they owned of us — and now, they own $18 trillion of us, net … Eventually, we’re not going to own America and we are going to be owned by the rest of the world.”
    National Economic Director Kevin Hassett on This Week
    On so-called free trade: “China entered the WTO in 2000. In the 15 years that followed, real incomes declined about $1,200 cumulatively over that time … We got the cheap goods at the grocery store, but then we had fewer jobs.”
    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on State of the Union
    On using tariffs to level the playing field: “This whole concept is about rebuilding an American economy around American goods, around American industry … Mexico won’t take our corn. Australia won’t take our beef … It is time for a change.”
    On the EU’s refusal to take American ag exports: “They are using fake science and unsubstantiated claims to not take our products … We produce the safest, the most secure, the best food in the world.”
    On the agricultural trade deficit: “In the last four years, the cost of inputs for our farmers went up 30%. In the last four years, we had an agricultural export deficit that increased from zero when President Trump left to $49 billion.”
    Attorney General Pam Bondi on Fox News Sunday
    On lawfare: “Just since January 20th, we’ve had over 170 lawsuits filed against us. That should be the constitutional crisis right there — 50 injunctions … trying to control his executive power.”
    Senior Counselor Peter Navarro on Sunday Morning Futures
    On the need for tariffs: “It’s all these things that these foreign countries do that are designed, explicitly, to cheat us, and are sanctioned by the WTO. So, President Trump says, ‘No more’ … We’re headed towards a strong America that makes things again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The II National (All-Russian) Round Table “Science in a Foreign Language – a Step into the Future of a Professional” was held at SPbGASU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants and listeners of the section “Architecture today and tomorrow: design, innovations and trends”

    On April 3, the Department of Intercultural Communication of SPbGASU held the II National (All-Russian) Round Table “Science in a Foreign Language – a Step into the Future of a Professional”.

    This year, the round table brought together students, postgraduates and graduate students from St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Penza, Omsk, as well as students of the preparatory department of SPbGASU and students studying in master’s and postgraduate programs from China, Morocco, Algeria, Serbia, who presented the results of their scientific research in English and Russian as a foreign language.

    The chairperson of the organizing committee, head of the department of intercultural communication Elena Selezneva addressed the participants with a welcoming speech, expressing confidence: in the modern world, knowledge of a foreign language is no longer just an advantage, but a necessity for success in any scientific field. The ability to convey your scientific ideas, regardless of language barriers, is of decisive importance.

    The Deputy Chair of the Organizing Committee, Professor of the Department of Intercultural Communication Elena Chirkova also gave a welcoming speech. Elena Ivanovna spoke about the word cloud created last year – a visual representation of key concepts and ideas that arose during the discussions.

    The round table was organized in four areas: architecture, construction, economics and intercultural communication.

    Section “Architecture today and tomorrow: design, innovation and trends”

    The section meeting discussed a wide range of issues in the modern development of architecture and the preservation of cultural heritage, including the role of lighting, innovative approaches to design, the development of the urban environment and leisure infrastructure, and technologies for the restoration of historical buildings in Russia and abroad.

    Anastasia Nasedkina (SPbGASU) presented a report on “Landscape architecture techniques for designing public spaces in northern cities.”

    “My report was dedicated to landscape architecture techniques in designing public spaces in northern cities based on the concept of a “winter city”. I chose this topic because projects often do not take into account how the object will look or be used in winter, and this can be a very long time,” shared Anastasia.

    Tatyana Lazareva (SPbGASU) presented a report entitled “15-minute city as a solution to the urban crisis.”

    “I reviewed the model of urban development aimed at creating comfortable, accessible and environmentally friendly urban spaces. I listed the key principles of this approach, successful examples of its implementation in different countries, as well as the challenges that modern megacities face,” the student said.

    Section “Construction today and tomorrow: design, innovation and trends”

    The participants of this section raised such important issues as geological surveys to ensure safety in construction, innovative technologies and building materials and their properties for the stability of structures.

    Liu Zichi (SPbGASU) spoke about approaches to the restoration of historical buildings in China and Russia. The audience also learned about the differences in the choice of building materials between the two countries, which are influenced by the natural environment, climate conditions, cultural traditions and conditions of technological development.

    Yassin Sekuri (SPbGASU) covered the topic “Application of innovative construction technologies in cramped urban environments.”

    “The use of innovative technologies in construction in urban development conditions is a necessary step for sustainable urban development. Digitalization and modular technologies improve the quality of construction, reduce timeframes and minimize the impact on the environment. Safety at construction sites is maintained through new monitoring and automation systems,” Yassin is confident.

    Section “Economy in the era of change: challenges and prospects”

    The section’s reports were devoted to the problems of logistics and digitalization, ecology and tourism, motivation and communication in the economic sphere. It is also worth noting the participants’ interest in using artificial intelligence to solve practical problems.

    Vladislav Tikkoev (SPbGASU) introduced the audience to the prospects and difficulties of the transition to electronic executive documentation in construction.

    “In my report, I drew attention to new methods of maintaining documentation during the construction of capital construction projects. Modern EDI tools now also apply to such an important aspect of the activities of construction companies as the certification of completed works. I cited the main provisions that regulate the forms and procedure for maintaining documentation, distribute areas of responsibility between construction participants, and also provided examples from domestic and foreign practice. I spoke about the problems and prospects of using digital forms of acts in the conclusion. In further research, I will assess the impact of a systematic approach to the preparation of executive documentation on the financial stability of organizations and the feasibility of capital construction projects,” said Vladislav.

    Pavel Timofeev (SPbGASU) presented a report entitled “Problems of logistics in the implementation of the Arctic development program.”

    “My report is dedicated to the main tasks set by the Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and Ensuring National Security for the Period up to 2035, as well as logistical problems that may hinder the implementation of these tasks. The report reveals why the projects specified in the strategy, which are of strategic interest to our country, may be under threat, and what decisions are being made to prevent these threats or minimize their consequences,” Pavel said.

    Jamil-Nezhar Benshaban (Saint Petersburg State Forest Engineering University named after S. M. Kirov) presented a report on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Gamification on the Motivation of Company Employees”.

    “What if work felt less like work and more like a game? Imagine you’re at your desk, working on a project, and suddenly bam – you’ve earned points, unlocked a new level, and your name moves up the leaderboard. Your colleague at the next desk says ‘high five’, and your boss sends you a reward. It’s not science fiction. Companies in Algeria, Russia, and elsewhere are already using AI-powered gamification to turn routine work into exciting competitions,” Jamil-Nezhar said.

    The speaker looked at the reasons why people love games; gave examples of how this method is used in some companies; called for starting small – creating a leaderboard for a weekly team competition, conducting employee surveys using AI tools, introducing a rewards system. In his opinion, we need to think globally: “The future is not about making people stay at work: we need to make them want to stay.”

    Section “Intercultural communication, language interaction and translation practice”

    Postgraduate student Li Ruimin, participant of the section “Intercultural communication, language interaction and translation practice”

    During the work of this section, reports were heard on current issues of translation of scientific and technical texts; special attention was paid to the prospects of using artificial intelligence for translation purposes. In addition, the participants conducted a comparative analysis of the organization of the educational process in Russian and Chinese universities. Everyone agreed on the importance and necessity of studying a foreign language for future professional activity.

    Martina Kojović (SPbGASU) presented a report “Serbian and Russian. Language proximity – help or obstacle in mastering the Russian language?” According to the student, the linguistic proximity of Serbian and Russian can be both an assistant and an obstacle in learning. It is important to be aware of the similarities and differences in order to effectively master the language, avoiding traps and “false friends” (words that are similar but have different meanings), grammatical errors.

    The sections were moderated by students Anna Aleshina, Daria Nikulina, Sofia Myagkaya and Fyodor Romanchuk, who successfully completed the professional training program “Translator in the Sphere of Professional Activity” last year.

    “This was my first experience moderating a round table. From it I learned the importance of flexibility and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations, which will certainly come in handy in the future. I enjoyed interacting with an active audience and, of course, I would like to develop in this direction,” Fedor shared.

    “It was interesting to try myself in a new role and learn more about modern architectural research. I gained valuable experience – I learned how to build interaction between the speaker and the audience, and also met interesting people,” said Anna Aleshina.

    A round table in a foreign language is not only a platform for discussing the results of scientific research, but also an opportunity to improve language skills, which are a significant component of professional growth.

    This year the round table program was very rich. Participants of all sections raised topical issues that are of serious scientific interest.

    The Department of Intercultural Communication of SPbGASU expresses gratitude to all participants and invites them to discuss new scientific achievements next year.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Libraries Offering Brain Exercises Can Become Centers for Brain Health

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, April 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Libraries have long been centers for knowledge and learning, but now that libraries frequently offer free access to online apps, many libraries are taking a further step to become centers for brain health. Posit Science, the developer of the BrainHQ brain training app, is helping libraries offer online brain training to patrons — without the library patron even needing to leave their home.

    “We first started working with libraries in 2015 at the invitation of one of the oldest and largest library suppliers,” noted Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science, “however, they decided to exit from supplying software to libraries last year. We really value the library channel, so we have now enabled libraries to work directly with us and to integrate easily across most library management systems. We are pleased to announce this relaunch with libraries during National Library Week.”

    While there are scores of brain apps available, BrainHQ is unique because it has been shown effective in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published in science and medical journals, across varied populations, including older adults, people with a broad range of health conditions, and people engaged in peak performance activities. Library patrons seem to really appreciate this proven brain health app, and the libraries that offer it.

    “I think all of us 80 and over are concerned about memory, because we all have times in which we forget something,” observed Judy Russell, a retired gerontological nurse practitioner, who started using BrainHQ in 2020, through her library in Jefferson County, Colorado. “BrainHQ is appropriate for people of all ages; it’s not just for the elderly. It’s a real service for all populations that libraries should be offering… I love my library.”

    Librarians also report that offering BrainHQ can make patrons love their libraries even more.

    “We wanted to prioritize brain health for adults because we didn’t really have a similar service that we were already offering,” said Courtney Cosgriff, Director of Digital Services at the Schaumberg Township District Library in Schaumberg, Illinois. “BrainHQ fills those gaps for us and our patrons love it! We love to provide digital resources that are educational, but it’s also important that we offer services that are educational and … fun!”

    BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits in more than 300 studies. Such benefits include gains in cognition (attention, speed, memory, decision-making), in quality of life (depressive symptoms, confidence and control, health-related quality of life) and in real-world activities (health outcomes, balance, driving, workplace activities). BrainHQ is used by leading health and Medicare Advantage plans, by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities, and by elite athletes, the military, and other organizations focused on peak performance. Consumers can try a BrainHQ exercise for free daily at https://www.brainhq.com.

    Libraries can get more information at https://www.brainhq.com/brainhq-for-libraries.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University became the winner of the RSF competitions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Russian Science Foundation has summed up the results of the 2025 competition “Conducting Fundamental Scientific Research and Exploratory Scientific Research by Individual Scientific Groups”. The Polytechnic University submitted 43 applications, of which four projects were supported by grants.

    A total of 4,491 applications were submitted to the competition. The Expert Council supported 534 projects with grants.

    The following projects of the Polytechnic University received grants:

    “Machine Learning Models for Assessing the Effect of Treatment with Heterogeneous Diagnostic Information with Expert Rules”, supervised by Professor Lev Utkin, IKNC; “Identification of Neuron Models and Reconstruction of Their Parameters from Experimental Signals”, supervised by Professor Ilya Sysoev, IFiM; “Strategic Management of Intellectual Maturity of Industrial Ecosystems in the Context of the Data Economy: Methodology, Framework, Tools”, supervised by Professor Vladimir Glukhov, IPMEiT; “Multilevel Microstructural Models of Inelastic Deformation and Fracture of Mono- and Polycrystalline Heat-Resistant Alloys under Complex Thermomechanical Loading”, supervised by Associate Professor Artem Semenov, PhysMech.

    The results of the 2025 competition “Conducting Fundamental Scientific Research and Exploratory Scientific Research by Individual Research Groups” for extending the deadlines for projects supported by RSF grants in 2022 were also announced. A total of 554 applications were received, of which experts supported 280 projects. The Polytechnic University submitted three applications. The project “Research and Development of Complex Optimization Methods for Assembly of Aircraft Structures” under the supervision of Associate Professor Sergei Lupulyak was among the winners.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Head of the Project Management Department, former rector of the State University of Management Alexey Lyalin has passed away

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 7, 2025, Doctor of Economics, Professor Alexey Mikhailovich Lyalin (04.07.1947–07.04.2025) passed away at the age of 78.

    Alexey Mikhailovich’s entire career is connected with our native university. In 1970, he graduated from the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute named after S. Ordzhonikidze, where he subsequently worked his way up from a department assistant to the university rector, defending his candidate and doctoral dissertations.

    He worked as a senior lecturer, associate professor of the Department of Economics, Organization and Management in Urban Economy until December 1987. At the same time, the staff elected him chairman of the trade union committee of the university. In 1981, he was appointed dean of the preparatory faculty. From 1990 to 2006, he worked as vice-rector for academic work at the State University of Management.

    From April 25, 2006 to February 7, 2011, he was the rector of the State University of Management. Recently, Alexey Mikhailovich worked as a professor, head of the project management department, under his scientific supervision, postgraduate students worked, and a number of scientific studies were conducted. Since 2018, he has been the chairman of the Council of Elders of the State University of Management.

    Alexey Mikhailovich was awarded a number of state and departmental awards: the medal “In Memory of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow”, the jubilee certificate of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Construction, Architecture and Housing Policy, the title of “Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation”, the Certificate of Honor of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, the medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” of the 2nd degree.

    Alexey Mikhailovich was distinguished by his great diligence, exactingness towards himself and others, and a very friendly attitude towards them. He had well-deserved authority and respect not only among students and the department staff, but also among all university employees.

    Alexey Mikhailovich put his whole soul and heart into teaching students, and showed truly paternal care both in terms of their acquiring professional knowledge and in terms of their understanding of their civic responsibility.

    The staff of the State University of Management mourns the irreparable loss and offers sincere condolences to his family and friends.

    The memory of the talented scientist and outstanding leader Alexei Mikhailovich Lyalin will forever remain in our hearts.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/07/2025

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Bar-Ilan University

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Bar-Ilan University is a public research university in the Tel Aviv District city of Ramat Gan, Israel. Established in 1955, Bar Ilan is Israel’s second-largest academic university institution.

    Bar-Ilan University has ten faculties: Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Law, Education, Jewish Studies (the largest of its kind in the world), Medicine (the only faculty located on its own campus in Safed), and the Interdisciplinary Studies Unit (Mechina Program). In addition, the university is home to over seventy research institutes covering a vast array of fields.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Comprehensive Security in Universities: The Ministry of Education and Science and the National Anti-Corruption Commission held a seminar for rectors

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On April 4 and 5, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted a training seminar on “Comprehensive Security in a Higher Education Organization” for rectors of Russian universities. The event was organized by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the National Anti-Terrorism Committee. Participants discussed issues of comprehensive security for universities under the jurisdiction of the ministry.

    The seminar was opened by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Valery Falkov. In his video address, he drew the attention of university rectors to the need to personally monitor student safety issues.

    In the context of a special military operation, the topic of comprehensive security of universities is more relevant than ever. External national threats – extremism, terrorism, “school shooting”, “Columbine”, interethnic and interfaith conflicts – are taking place against the backdrop of an unprecedented hybrid war declared against our state. Today, personal attention and participation of university management in ensuring anti-terrorist security is necessary, – emphasized Valery Falkov.

    In this regard, on behalf of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia has developed and launched a refresher course on “Integrated Security in a Higher Education Organization” for rectors of universities subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. As a result of the training, participants will gain knowledge of effective methods of countering threats among young people and a corresponding certificate.

    Every rector without exception should know the basics of comprehensive security. All universities should develop their own comprehensive security program, which is designed to preserve the lives and health of students, teachers and staff. The management should approach the development of security measures in a comprehensive manner, not only include in the program measures to increase the level of physical security, but also conduct training for staff and students on emergency response measures, noted Valery Falkov.

    The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation called on university leaders to establish cooperation with regional authorities and law enforcement agencies on all issues, especially those related to security. He emphasized that universities should do a lot of work to debunk myths and refute unreliable facts in connection with the information attack, which is primarily aimed at young people.

    Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky also addressed the participants.

    We thank the rector of SPbPU Andrey Ivanovich Rudskoy for organizing the venue for the event. Polytechnic University is an outstanding university, one of our leading universities, so everyone will surely find something interesting here. Rectors face many tasks, and the most important of them is to create conditions for our young people to receive a quality education, to train highly qualified specialists. And such issues as comprehensive security must definitely be in the rectors’ field of vision, – said Konstantin Mogilevsky.

    He said that comprehensive security is a multi-level system that can be divided into two areas: physical protection of facilities and preventive work. Together with the NAC, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science’s universities have developed algorithms for the actions of personnel, employees of private security organizations and students in the event of the commission (threat of commission) of terrorist crimes. Interaction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Russian Guard, the FSB has also been defined, and a model of behavior for offenders has been developed. Konstantin Mogilevsky presented the activities of the Coordination Council and coordination centers on issues of developing an active civic position among young people, preventing interethnic and interfaith conflicts, countering the ideology of terrorism and preventing extremism.

    Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy shared the experience of the Polytechnic University in the field of ensuring comprehensive security.

    This task is one of the priorities for our university community. Taking into account modern realities, we must ensure the sustainable functioning of educational institutions, create safe conditions for students to study for the benefit of Russia’s further development. In recent years, the Polytechnic University has created a fairly effective system of measures to ensure the safety of students and employees, Andrey Rudskoy emphasized.

    Andrey Ivanovich spoke about the technical equipment of the university facilities, interaction with law enforcement agencies and security organizations, and the activities of the University Security Center. The Polytechnic regularly conducts training in various areas with the involvement of the city’s law enforcement agencies. Particular attention is paid to issues of prevention of possible involvement of employees and students in illegal activities using phones and other messengers. Also, the Polytechnic carries out extensive information work in the field of security.

    State Secretary — Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Denis Ashirov spoke about joint work with the National Anti-Terrorism Committee. First Deputy Head of the Office of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee Igor Kulyagin gave a lecture on “Comprehensive Security of an Educational Organization of Higher Education in Counteracting Terrorism. The Structure of Preventive Work”. Director of the National Center for Information Counteraction to Terrorism and Extremism in the Educational Environment Sergey Churilov spoke about ensuring anti-terrorist security within the framework of comprehensive security of an educational organization of higher education.

    The seminar participants considered the most important issues of security in universities, discussed anti-terrorist activities, information threats, and the prevention of illegal actions. In addition, they were given a tour of the laboratories of the Technopolis Polytech research complex.

    On April 5, Andrey Tolmachev, Director of the Department of Information Policy and Comprehensive Security of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, presented certificates to rectors who had completed the training.

    Photo archive

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US college students showcase Chinese language skills at speech contest

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Performers perform Shaolin martial arts during the Greater Houston Spring Festival Gala in Houston, Texas, the United States, Jan. 26, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “You are a distant long road, the light in the fog and mountains. I am a child, walking in your eyes.” Ari Watts, a junior student majoring in neuroscience at North Central College in Chicago’s western suburban city of Naperville, was singing the Chinese song titled “As wished” in perfect Chinese Saturday.

    Some 60 U.S. students from eight colleges in the Midwestern states of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa gathered at North Central College to show off their Chinese skills at the 2025 Midwest College Chinese Speech Contest.

    Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Deputy Consul General in Chicago Zhang Yiqi said that “China is willing to offer support and provide convenience for the American public, American youth in particular, to learn Chinese.” She urged U.S. students to go to China to see for themselves.

    “Understanding is what helps us to make the world a better place, whether you’re in business, whether you’re in education, whether you’re in social work, (or) whether you’re in health care, that perspective is critical,” said Abiodun Goke-Pariola, president of North Central College. “So I commend you for the curiosity that has made you step outside your comfort zone.”

    Students attending the contest each gave a three-minute speech in Chinese, showed their proficiency in Chinese singing and dancing skills, and recited tongue twisters and Tang poems. One of them performed the “Butterfly Lovers,” a Chinese legend akin to “Romeo and Juliet,” on the violin.

    “All of your hopes and all of your dreams are something that I hope to accomplish, and I hope to walk the path that you walk,” Watts told Xinhua about her understanding of the song “As wished.”

    “I really like that sort of meaning and also the melody, the way that it’s sung, it’s just very pretty,” said Watts.

    Meredith Newcomb, a junior at North Central College, recalled her China travels, calling them “life changing.” “It was a really special experience to be able to have at such a young age,” she told Xinhua.

    “I think the opportunity to be able to learn from people from different places and to open your mind to what the world can be is a very valuable one. And I was very grateful to have it at such a formative age,” Newcomb said, adding she would love to go back one day, as “there’s a lot of China.”

    The contest was jointly organized by Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and North Central College.

    “We have been organizing the contest for 25 years, and the theme of the contest this year is ‘We are the world,’” Northwestern University professor and organizing committee co-chair Gu Licheng told Xinhua.

    The contest aims to “promote Chinese teaching progress at the university level in the U.S. Midwest, encourage students to learn Chinese and become interested in Chinese language and culture,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Stresses Tech-Driven Fodder Solutions at ICAR- IGFRI, Jhansi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 06 APR 2025 11:27AM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, visited the ICAR–Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Jhansi on 5th April 2025 to assess the ongoing research efforts and field-level innovations aimed at enhancing fodder availability and sustainable grassland management across the country. Accompanied by Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, and Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, the Union Minister interacted with scientists and reviewed a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the latest fodder technologies and best practices being promoted by the institute.

    Addressing the gathering, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh expressed concern over the prevailing national green fodder deficit, currently estimated at 11%, and stressed upon the need for technology-led interventions to address this challenge. He noted that while only 8.5 million hectares are presently under cultivated fodder, the country possesses approximately 11.5 million hectares of grasslands and nearly 100 million hectares of wastelands that can be harnessed efficiently. He emphasized, “Efficient utilisation of these underused resources is essential for achieving fodder self-reliance and improving livestock productivity.” 

    The Union Minister praised IGFRI’s research and development work and called for speedy dissemination of its technologies through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across states. He particularly emphasized the importance of perennial grasses that are tolerant to abiotic stress, highlighting their potential to rejuvenate degraded lands, contribute to ecological balance, and provide sustainable green fodder throughout the year. Reiterating government’s  commitment to building a resilient livestock sector, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh stated that science, innovation, and cooperative governance would be the cornerstones of advancing fodder security and achieving Atmanirbhar Krishi and Pashupalan. He also held discussions with IGFRI researchers, encouraging the institute to position itself as a central knowledge and innovation hub for fodder development and grassland improvement in India.

    Among the key technologies demonstrated during the visit were livestock-based Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) tailored for all categories of farmers; apomictic breeding in perennial grasses to ensure genetic uniformity and sustainability; development of specialized fodder farm machinery aimed at reducing manual labour; seed standards and certification systems for quality assurance in forage crops; and the innovative use of drones for seed pellet-based grassland rejuvenation at scale.

    Ms. Alka Upadhyaya underlined the significance of state-level convergence to support the wider adoption of location-specific fodder technologies. She highlighted the scope for integrating fodder cultivation in fallow spaces within coconut orchards in Kerala as a promising example of such convergence. To further promote this model, she informed that a joint meeting will be held in Kerala on 8th April 2025, bringing together representatives of the State Government, KVKs, and IGFRI scientists.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Agri StartUps fast emerging as lucrative avenue of livelihood by intelligently blending traditional organic farming practices with cutting-edge scientific technologies: Dr Jitendra Singh

    Source: Government of India

    Agri StartUps fast emerging as lucrative avenue of livelihood by intelligently blending traditional organic farming practices with cutting-edge scientific technologies: Dr Jitendra Singh

    Addresses the “Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025” at Shankarpalli near Hyderabad:

    Agri Startups Blending Tradition with Tech to Drive Rural Prosperity: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Organic is the Future: Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Tech-Enabled, Chemical-Free Farming at Hyderabad Summit

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 3:50PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh has said  “Agri StartUps are fast emerging as lucrative avenue of livelihood by intelligently blending traditional organic farming practices with cutting-edge scientific technologies.”

    Addressing the “Natural and Organic Farmers Summit 2025” at Shankarpalli near here, the Minister lauded the efforts of grassroots innovators and farmer-entrepreneurs who are embracing science to scale up agriculture, enhance productivity, and ensure sustainable incomes.

    “Startups in agriculture are not just about farming anymore,” Dr. Jitendra Singh said. “They are applying science, using innovations developed by institutions like CSIR, and adopting tools like drones and soil health cards to make farming more productive and cost-effective. With this, they are cultivating more in less time while safeguarding health and the environment.”

    Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that organic agriculture, once considered difficult and niche, is now poised to become mainstream—driven by increasing health concerns and awareness about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides.

    Highlighting the growing relevance of organic food in the context of rising lifestyle diseases, the Minister said, “Every third person today is either diabetic or has fatty liver. Cancer cases are rising. The possible role of chemically-laden produce cannot be ignored. Organic farming is not just a healthier choice, but a necessary one.”

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also pointed to the broader impact of agri-startups on employment generation and rural development, citing the success of initiatives like the Purple Revolution and the Aroma Mission. Lavender cultivation, once confined to Jammu and Kashmir, has spread across the country thanks to scientific inputs from CSIR’s Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine and IICT Hyderabad.

    “You don’t need a PhD to be part of this movement. Many successful startups have been founded by those who haven’t even completed graduation,” he said, adding that agriculture, long neglected in the startup space, is finally getting its due.

    The Minister shared how innovations like floriculture—especially tulip cultivation in Himachal Pradesh—are creating new sources of income. “The tulips offered at the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya were grown at our Palampur institute,” he said, underlining the symbolic and economic potential of such initiatives.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh also spotlighted emerging technologies like the Pheromone Application Device (PAD) being developed by IIT Hyderabad to reduce pesticide usage through eco-friendly pest control methods.

    The Minister urged the scientific community and agri-preneurs to participate in the upcoming National Startup Expo in Hyderabad on April 22 and 23. “Let this be a platform to showcase your innovations to the nation. The Government is fully supportive, whether it is financial aid, technical help, or marketing support,” he said. He acknowledged the work of the Eklavya Grameen Foundation whose initiatives in organic farming have made it simpler, economical, and more widely adopted in rural India.

    The Minister concluded by reinforcing that India’s march to become a developed nation by 2047 would be incomplete without uplifting the rural economy and tapping into the vast, underexplored potential of agriculture. “The farmer of today is an agri-entrepreneur. And the field is no longer a place of hardship but a hub of opportunity,” he said.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government and Poultry Industry Collaborate to Prevent Bird Flu Outbreaks

    Source: Government of India

    Government and Poultry Industry Collaborate to Prevent Bird Flu Outbreaks

    Implements Three-Pronged Strategy of  Biosecurity Measures, Strengthened Surveillance and Mandatory Registration of Poultry Farms

    Posted On: 05 APR 2025 2:44PM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying held a high level meeting on 4th April 2025 in New Delhi to discuss the recent outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the  country. Chaired by Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary DAHD, the meeting brought together scientific experts, poultry industry representatives and policymakers to review the current situation of avian influenza and explore strategies to contain the disease and prevent its spread.

    A three-pronged strategy to prevent and control Bird Flu has been decided by DAHD in consultation with the stakeholders. It encompasses Stricter

    Biosecurity Measures wherein poultry farms must enhance hygiene practices, control farm access and follow stringent biosecurity protocols to minimize the risk of infection, Strengthened Surveillance and Mandatory Registration of Poultry Farms to enhance disease tracking and control (All poultry farms must register with state animal husbandry departments within a month. The government has urged poultry industry stakeholders to ensure 100% compliance with this directive).

     

    Speaking at the meeting, Smt. Alka Upadhyaya emphasized, “Protecting our poultry sector is critical for food security and rural livelihoods. Strict biosecurity, scientific surveillance, and responsible industry practices are essential in our fight against Bird Flu.” Additionally, Secretary DAHD stated the need for developing a predictive modelling system for early warning and environmental surveillance which would enable proactive disease detection and response, minimizing the risk of outbreaks and protecting the poultry industry. DAHD has permitted the use of the H9N2 (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) vaccine, developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, which is now available commercially.  A national study will evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness of LPAI vaccination. The meeting also extensively discussed the possibility of allowing the use of a vaccine against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in India.  Representatives from the poultry industry urged the government to explore vaccination as a strategy to prevent further economic losses in the sector. Scientific experts highlighted that currently available HPAI vaccines do not provide sterile immunity but only reduce virus shedding. Given these complexities, it was agreed that further scientific evaluation is needed before making a policy decision. The meeting recommended conducting detailed science-based assessments to determine the feasibility of HPAI vaccination in India. Research efforts have also been initiated to develop an indigenous HPAI vaccine following global best practices.

     

    The meeting saw participation from top animal health experts and leading poultry industry players including poultry vaccine manufacturers, poultry associations and government & research institutions like ICAR-NIHSAD, ICAR-IVRI, ICAR-CARI, ICAR-NIVEDI, and ICAR-Directorate of Poultry Research.

     

    About Avian Influenza and Current Status in India

     

    Avian Influenza is a highly infectious viral disease affecting birds, with occasional transmission to mammals. Since its first detection in India in 2006, outbreaks have been reported annually across multiple states. This year, the virus has shown cross-species transmission, impacting not just poultry but also wild birds and even big cats in some areas. Currently, six active outbreak zones remain in Jharkhand, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh in the country.

     

    Present situation on HPAI (From 1st January-4th April 2025)

     

    Domestic Poultry

     

    Parameter

    Details

    States Affected

    Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Bihar (Total: 8 states)

    Total Number of Epicentres

    34

    Active Epicentres

    6 (3 States – Jharkhand (Bokaro and Pakur), Telangana (Ranga Reddy, Nalagonda  and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri & Chhattisgarh (Baikunthpur, Korea)

     

    Non Poultry Species Affected (From 1st January-4th April 2025)

    Name of the State

    Species affected

    Maharashtra

    Tiger, Leopard, Vulture, Crow, Hawk and Egret

    Madhya Pradesh

    Pet Cat

    Rajasthan

    Demoiselle crane, Painted Stork

    Bihar

    Crow

    Goa

    Jungle Cat

    Comprehensive Approach to Controlling Avian Influenza

    The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) has implemented a series of initiatives to control and prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in India. The country follows a strict “detect and culling” policy, which involves culling infected birds, restricting movement, and disinfecting areas within a 1 km radius of outbreaks. States have been instructed to report daily on control measures, with increased surveillance and preparedness, especially during winter when migratory birds pose a higher risk. Surveillance for HPAI has also been expanded to non-poultry species, with negative results from tested cattle, goats, and pigs. In the global effort to combat potential pandemics, India has shared sequencing data of H5N1 isolates and related samples with international networks. Central teams, along with the National Joint Outbreak Response Team, are being deployed to manage outbreaks, and regular coordination meetings are being held with State Animal Husbandry Departments and other relevant authorities, including the Health and Wildlife Departments. India follows a test-and-cull policy to contain Avian Influenza outbreaks. Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme, the government compensates affected farmers for culled birds, destroyed eggs, and feed, with costs shared 50:50 between the Centre and States.

    ****

    Aditi Agrawal

    (Release ID: 2119198) Visitor Counter : 22

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Yellowstone’s edge: The Beartooth Mountains and the Stillwater Complex

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week’s contribution is from Stanley Mordensky, geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.

    Granite Peak (center) as seen from the north flank of Tempest Mountain. Note: The photographer did not approach this mountain goat. Instead, the mountain goat, which has likely learned to associate human behavior as a source of sodium (a common problem throughout the region), approached the photographer. USGS photo by Stanley Mordensky, August 2020.

    Before any volcanic material could erupt at what is now Yellowstone National Park, the Yellowstone hotspot had to melt through a diverse sequence of rocks including Absaroka volcanic deposits (53 to 43 million years old), Mesozoic (251 to 65 million years old) and Paleozoic (542 to 251 million years old) sedimentary rocks, and crystalline granites and gneisses (4 to 2 billion years old). These older rocks, which were brought to the Earth’s surface by the flat-slab subduction during the Laramide Orogeny—a mountain building event about 70 to 40 million years ago—are visible throughout the region, including in the Beartooth Mountains. 

    The Beartooth Mountains are renowned for allowing visitors to drive amidst alpine tundra and towering peaks soaring above 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), including Montana’s highest point, Granite Peak, which reaches an elevation of 3,900 meters (12,799 feet) along the Beartooth Highway (US 212). Although the high elevation elicits many to celebrate the Beartooth Mountains as the “Top of the World”, the age of the rocks in these mountains creates even greater distinction—some of these crystalline rocks constitute not just the oldest rocks of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, but the second oldest rocks yet found in North America and the third oldest in the world.

    Map of the geologic domains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Boundaries are approximate.

    The Beartooth Mountains consist of four distinct blocks of rock: 1) the South Snowy Block; 2) the North Snowy Block; 3) the Plateau Block; and 4) the Stillwater Block. The South Snowy Block is found along the northern boundary of Yellowstone National Park. The North Snowy Block defines the northeastern side of Paradise Valley and extends east to, and is separated from, the Plateau Block by the Mill Creek-Stillwater Fault System. The Stillwater Block shares its southern boundary with the northern extent of the North Snowy and Plateau blocks. The North Snowy, Plateau, and especially South Snowy blocks are probably buried in part by younger Absaroka volcanism. 

    The South Snowy and North Snowy blocks are composed of metamorphosed oceanic sedimentary deposits and igneous rocks ranging from 2.8 to 2.5 billion years old and indicate the presence of an ancient ocean basin. Much like the South Snowy and North Snowy blocks, the Plateau Block is composed of metamorphosed sedimentary rock, but the Plateau Block appears to be older in age than the Snowy blocks. At Quad Creek, where the Beartooth Highway climbs up to the Beartooth Mountains from the east, age estimates of some zircon crystals are as old as 3.96 billion years. Only two other places in the world (western Australia and northern Canada) have ages older than this. By way of comparison, the youngest Yellowstone caldera-forming eruption is 0.016 % the age of the oldest dated zircon crystals in the Beartooth Mountains.

    The Stillwater Block shares some qualities with the South Snowy, North Snowy, and Plateau Blocks, like having > 2.5 billion year old crystalline rock, but the Stillwater Block also has the notable distinction of hosting an exceptionally large volume of crystalized magma called the Stillwater Complex.  The complex intruded into the crystalline rock around 2.7 billion years ago. The magma crystallized as layers, earning a special classification as a geologic formation  known as a layered mafic intrusion. Large layered mafic intrusions often host important ore types. The Stillwater Block contains the nation’s largest reserves of platinum, palladium, and chromium. Because of its distinction of having some of the highest-grade metal ore deposits in the world, as well as containing some remarkable layered igneous features, the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) designated the Stillwater Complex as a ‘key place with geological elements and/or processes of international scientific relevance, used as a reference, and/or with a substantial contribution to the development of geological sciences through history’, a distinction held by only 99 other locations around the world.

    View of Twin Peaks (left-most prominent peak), Mt. Hague (second-left-most prominent peak), and Mt. Wood East (second-right-most prominent peak, center of frame) from the appropriately named Frozen to Death Plateau (a sub-region of the Beartooth Plateau Block). The Bull Lake and Pinedale glaciations carved the valley walls and plateau tables to become steep and smooth. USGS photo by Stanley Mordensky, August 2020.

    That was a lot of information to take in, so let us summarize the geologic story of the Beartooth Mountains. 

    1. Between about 3.96 and 3 billion years ago, erosion from ancient granites deposited sediment into ancient basins.
    2. Between about 3 to 2.5 billion years ago, those sedimentary deposits were buried to great depths (> 20 km, or 12 miles), where most of the buried rock recrystallized and metamorphosed as the gneisses and granites we see today. Some of the ancient granite, like the zircon crystals, survived the metamorphism intact.
    3. Over the next 2+ billion years, tectonic forces moved the recrystallized gneisses and granites as blocks of rock within the Earth’s subsurface. During this time, these blocks were subject to varying degrees of magmatic intrusions, the most significant of which created the Stillwater Complex and its high-grade ore.
    4. Uplift, most recently during the Laramide Orogeny about 70 to 40 million years ago, eventually raised and repositioned these blocks of crystalline rock to their present configuration.

    Most recently, the Bull Lake (about 150,000 years ago) and Pinedale (20,000–15,000 years ago) glaciation events sculpted the terrain, giving us the Beartooth Mountains we recognize today.

    So if you want to take a trip back in time—wayyyyyy back in time!—check out the Beartooth Mountains!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Text adopted – Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security – P10_TA(2025)0066 – Thursday, 3 April 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Parliament,

    –  having regard to its previous resolutions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),

    –  having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

    –  having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

    –  having regard to the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which guarantees the right to freedom of conscience and the free exercise of religious worship for all citizens,

    –  having regard to the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 November 1981,

    –  having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights,

    –  having regard to Rules 136(2) and (4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A.  whereas the eastern DRC has endured decades of widespread violence and instability; whereas the situation continues to deteriorate significantly, with persistent human rights violations by armed groups, mass displacement, attacks on civilians and alarming humanitarian conditions further exacerbated by armed conflicts, such as the conflict between the DRC Government, the Rwanda-backed armed rebel group March 23 Movement (M23) and other militias, which has already resulted in the forceful internal displacement of 4,6 million people in the eastern DRC; whereas around 100 separate armed groups are estimated to be operating in the eastern DRC; whereas a series of overlapping issues are driving destabilisation in the country;

    B.  whereas M23 has intensified attacks in North Kivu and on 19 March 2025, it seized the mineral-rich town of Walikale, defying the ceasefire;

    C.  whereas the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is one of the most prominent extremist groups with explicitly religious objectives, especially since its leader pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2019, becoming its Central Africa Province branch (ISCAP); whereas the ADF’s attacks need to be seen in the wider African context of a rise in the number of Islamist groups, in particular those affiliated to ISIS, in the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa, Mozambique, Nigeria and the DRC; whereas the ADF has been designated a terrorist group by Uganda and the United States;

    D.  whereas in May 2024, the UN Group of Experts on the DRC warned that the ‘armed group established strong networks in prisons, particularly in Kinshasa where ADF detainees were active in recruiting and mobilising combatants and collaborators’, using not only ideological means, but also coercion, deception, abduction and financial incentives to attract members and collaborators;

    E.  whereas the ADF has a long history of committing terrorist attacks in the eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri provinces; whereas North Kivu is a resource-rich region, with vast supplies of critical raw materials including cobalt, gold and tin, which are necessary for the global digital and energy transitions; whereas it is known that the ADF and other armed groups, including M23, have been relying on, among other sources of financing, the illegal exploitation of these resources to fund their activities; whereas the Congolese Catholic Church claims that the ADF is responsible for the deaths of around 6 000 civilians in Beni between 2013 and 2021 and more than 2 000 in Bunia in 2020 alone; whereas in 2024, a large number of Christians were killed in the DRC by jihadists; whereas civilians in the DRC’s eastern provinces are facing an increasing number of attacks, killings and abductions, as well as church bombings and the destruction of (religious) property, perpetrated by armed groups with extremist and jihadist ideologies; whereas most victims of ADF attacks have been Christian; whereas these attacks undermine religious freedom and exacerbate intercommunal tensions; whereas the Catholic bishops of the DRC spoke out in an April 2021 statement about the threat of the ‘Islamization of the region [North Kivu] as a sort of deeper strategy for a long-term negative influence on the general political situation of the country’;

    F.  whereas in 2021, a prominent local Muslim leader received death threats from the ADF, and he was later gunned down; whereas in 2023, the ADF bombed services at a Pentecostal church in Kasindi, killing 14 people; whereas the ADF has been linked to an attack on the village of Mukondi in 2023, in which at least 44 civilians were killed, according to local authorities; whereas the group claimed 48 attacks in December 2024 alone, killing over 200 people; whereas in January 2024, the ADF killed eight people in Beni during an attack on a Pentecostal church and, in May 2024, ADF assailants reportedly killed 14 Catholics in the North Kivu province for refusing to convert to Islam; whereas the ADF also reportedly executed 11 Christians in the village of Ndimo in Ituri province and kidnapped several others;

    G.  whereas local and international human rights organisations have documented numerous instances of religious violence in the DRC, while stressing the urgent need for the state to provide adequate protection; whereas, while the DRC Government has demonstrated a strong intention to address the impacts of armed group violence in the eastern DRC, other recent developments call into question the government’s commitment to safeguarding religious freedom specifically; whereas women and children are particularly vulnerable to rape as weapon of war, human trafficking and sexual slavery;

    H.  whereas the Armed Forces of the DRC have been conducting a joint military offensive, Operation Shujaa, with the Ugandan People’s Defence Force against the ADF and other insurgent forces in the eastern DRC since November 2021; whereas the conflict between the DRC Government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels has led to a decrease in the funds, personnel and equipment being allocated to this counterterrorism operation;

    I.  whereas the right to freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right and must be protected given the high level of violence and persecution; whereas the Constitution of the DRC provides for freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religious belief;

    J.  whereas over 7 million people in the DRC are currently displaced because of the wider ongoing conflicts, with limited access to food, water, healthcare and essential services; whereas state authorities and rebel groups have obligations to civilians under international humanitarian law, including protecting and facilitating access to humanitarian assistance, and permitting freedom of movement;

    K.  whereas women and children in the DRC face increased levels of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape as a weapon of war, resulting in there being one victim of rape every four minutes;

    L.  whereas the illegal exploitation of mineral resources continues to fuel conflict in the region, necessitating stronger international oversight and responsible sourcing policies;

    M.  whereas in March 2025, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda issued a joint statement announcing a ceasefire; whereas despite this, the violence perpetrated by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continues;

    N.  whereas the DRC has one of the highest rates of internal displacement in the world; whereas many women and children live in precarious conditions and are being exposed to the risk of harassment, assault, sexual exploitation and forced military recruitment; whereas displaced populations often receive no basic life-saving services and are at risk of malnutrition and disease; whereas cities that host internally displaced people in precarious circumstances are also targets of attacks by different militias, causing great distress to the displaced communities and to the local population;

    O.  whereas the EU has committed to supporting stability in the DRC through diplomatic engagement, financial assistance and targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for violence and human rights abuses; whereas on 17 March 2025, the EU imposed sanctions on nine individuals and one entity responsible for acts that constitute serious human rights violations and abuses or that sustain the conflict in the DRC, including through the illegal exploitation of resources, but further diplomatic and economic measures may be necessary;

    P.  whereas the Council has renewed the EU’s financial support for the deployment of Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) troops in Mozambique under the European Peace Facility (EPF); whereas the head of these forces was previously deployed in the eastern DRC to support abuses committed by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, giving rise to serious doubt as to whether there are sufficient safeguards attached to EPF support, including effective vetting and other human rights requirements;

    Q.  whereas the EU has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the promotion and protection of religious freedom globally, and has taken steps to combat religious persecution and intolerance in various parts of the world; whereas Christians are the largest persecuted religious group in the world;

    R.  whereas Parliament has consistently called for the strengthening of international efforts to combat religious persecution and to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on minority communities;

    1.  Strongly condemns the occupation of Goma and other territories in the eastern DRC by M23 and the RDF as an unacceptable breach of the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; urges the Rwandan Government to withdraw its troops from DRC territory, the presence of whom is a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, and cease cooperation with the M23 rebels; demands that Rwanda and all other potential state actors in the region cease their support for M23;

    2.  Expresses deep concern at the alarming continuation of violence; deplores the loss of life and the attacks, both indiscriminate and targeted, against civilians; expresses deep concern over the worsening security and humanitarian crises in the eastern DRC as a whole; calls for the immediate cessation of all forms of violence and for the commitment of all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC to respect international humanitarian law;

    3.  Strongly condemns the targeted terrorist attacks carried out by the ADF against Christian communities in the eastern DRC, including killings, abductions and the destruction of religious property, and calls for an immediate halt to such acts of violence; expresses its solidarity with the families of the victims and with Christian communities;

    4.  Strongly condemns the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group and the ADF, as well as other rebel groups, and their egregious human rights abuses that amount to crimes against humanity in accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC); underlines that there must be no impunity for the perpetrators of these acts and that those responsible should be referred to the ICC; encourages the establishment of an international commission of inquiry to examine the human rights violations committed in the DRC, renewed investigations in North Kivu by the ICC Prosecutors Office and the creation of a special tribunal for atrocity crimes in the DRC, including crimes committed against Christian communities; backs the efforts by the National Episcopal Conference of Congo and the Church of Christ in Congo, which launched the ‘Social pact for peace and coexistence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes Region’, with the aim of restoring peace in the country’s eastern provinces;

    5.  Supports the international efforts against the ADF, including the Shujaa counterterrorism operation carried out jointly by the DRC and Ugandan armed forces; encourages the EU Member States to consider ways of contributing to these efforts, including increased efforts to trace and interdict ISIS secret funds held overseas and to trace any raw materials stemming from their illegal exploitation by the ADF; calls for the EU to support the necessary capacity-building and expertise to combat ADF ideology and rhetoric, particularly within the Muslim communities of both Uganda and the DRC, to prevent recruitment among those communities; requests the application of the EU global human rights sanctions regime to those responsible for planning, ordering or participating in the killing of Christians in the DRC;

    6.  Calls for an immediate and effective ceasefire, and for the full implementation of diplomatic agreements, including the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes; underlines the urgent need for the stabilisation of the country and reiterates its call on M23 to halt its territorial advances and withdraw from the territory of the DRC;

    7.  Reiterates its full support for the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) in protecting civilians and stabilising the region; urges the EU to cooperate with all actors on the ground, in particular MONUSCO, to ensure the protection of civilians in the eastern DRC; calls on the UN to work towards a stronger mandate for MONUSCO in order to enable peacemaking; calls on the UN to ensure the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law;

    8.  Urges the international community to increase support for services in the eastern DRC so that civilians who have been targeted can have access to legal services and psychological support; calls on the DRC Government to counter extremist propaganda; calls for the establishment of early warning mechanisms to more effectively prevent and respond to attacks by the ADF and other armed groups against civilians;

    9.  Reiterates its call for all parties, including armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, to allow and facilitate humanitarian access to address the urgent need for essential services in the eastern DRC and neighbouring countries, notably Burundi; emphasises that humanitarian workers must be able to operate safely to deliver life-saving assistance to Congolese civilians; stresses that this is a central obligation under international humanitarian law, and that perpetrators violating these obligations should be held to account; calls on all parties to provide a safe environment for civil society organisations;

    10.  Is appalled by the shocking use of sexual violence against women and children as a tool of repression and weapon of war in the eastern DRC, and by the unacceptable recruitment of child soldiers by the various rebel groups; demands that these matters be addressed by the international community without delay;

    11.  Calls for stricter enforcement of the EU regulation on conflict minerals(1) to prevent illicit trade from fuelling armed groups in the DRC; reiterates its previous call on the Commission to suspend the EU’s Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda; requests that the Commission share detailed mapping of current projects with Rwandan authorities and its assessment of whether they may contribute to addressing or may fail to address human rights violations either inside Rwanda or in the DRC;

    12.  Calls for the EU and its Member States to support the DRC in implementing the recommendations of the 2010 mapping report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including reforming the security sector, strengthening its efforts to prevent further atrocities against civilians, and ending support for or collaboration with abusive armed groups; urges the DRC Government to ensure accountability for human rights violations and prosecute those responsible for attacks; calls for the EU and its Member States to support the DRC in fighting corruption, strengthening governance and the rule of law, improving security and ensuring the lasting protection of communities at risk, including religious communities, and to ensure that perpetrators of attacks are brought to justice;

    13.  Underlines the role of communities, including religious communities and faith-based organisations in the DRC, in promoting peace, social cohesion and the well-being of local communities;

    14.  Calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to intensify diplomatic efforts by working closely with regional partners, including the African Union, the East African Community and the United Nations, in order to step up diplomatic efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution to the conflict and prevent extremist groups from using religion as a tool for violence and division;

    15.  Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase humanitarian aid to address the urgent needs of displaced persons and vulnerable communities in the DRC, ensuring safe access to food, medical care and shelter;

    16.  Supports the imposition of further targeted EU sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for financing or engaging in violence, human rights abuses and resource exploitation; calls for the implementation of the sanctions outlined in the OHCHR mapping report;

    17.  Confirms its commitment to freedom of thought, conscience and religion as a fundamental human right guaranteed by international legal instruments recognised as holding universal value, and to which most countries in the world have committed, and which is enshrined in the Constitution of the DRC;

    18.  Echoes the calls for international solidarity in defending religious freedom and the protection of religious minorities in conflict zones, particularly in the DRC, while addressing the root causes of violent extremism in the DRC and its neighbourhood;

    19.  Urges the EU to uphold its commitment to the promotion of religious freedom and the protection of communities, including religious communities, ensuring that the rights of these groups are prioritised in the EU’s external policies;

    20.  Notes, with concern, the growing influence of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa, which is a staunch supporter of the Putin regime and its violent, unlawful war in Ukraine; underlines that this development raises significant questions regarding the broader geopolitical and ideological objectives of the Russian Federation in Africa;

    21.  Deplores the fact that Rwanda announced the termination of its diplomatic relations with Belgium, and expresses its solidarity with Belgium;

    22.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Governments and Parliaments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the African Union, the secretariats of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community, and other relevant international bodies.

    (1) Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas (OJ L 130, 19.5.2017, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/821/oj).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft geologists celebrate professional holiday with new discoveries

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Rosneft geologists celebrate their professional holiday on the first Sunday of April. The professional date was established in 1966 in honor of the merits of Soviet scientists in creating the country’s mineral resource base. The Company’s enterprises successfully implement measures aimed at increasing hydrocarbon reserves.

    Over the past 5 years, Rosneft geologists have discovered 37 fields and 847 hydrocarbon deposits with total reserves in the АВ1С1 В2С2 category of more than 3.1 billion tons of oil equivalent.

    This year, the Company’s geological service approached the holiday with traditionally high results. By the end of 2024, testing of 62 wells was completed onshore with a success rate of 89%. The penetration in production drilling exceeded 12 million meters, over 3 thousand new wells were put into operation, 72% of which were horizontal. Onshore, 2D seismic exploration work was carried out in the amount of 1.2 thousand linear km and 5.3 thousand square kilometers of 3D seismic work.

    High efficiency of geological exploration allowed the Company to discover 7 fields and 97 new hydrocarbon deposits with reserves of 0.2 billion tons of oil equivalent (AB1C1 B2C2 category) in 2024. As a result, Rosneft’s hydrocarbon reserves according to the Russian classification at the end of 2024 amounted to 21.5 billion tons of oil equivalent (AB1C1 B2C2 category).

    According to the results of the audit of reserves according to the international classification PRMS (Hydrocarbon Resource Management System), the Company’s hydrocarbon reserves in the 2P category amounted to 11.4 billion tons of oil equivalent. The replenishment of production by the increase in 2P reserves exceeds 100%.

    In the reporting year, the perimeter of the Vostok Oil project expanded from 52 to 60 license areas, while the resource base according to the Russian classification increased to 7.0 billion tons of oil. 0.7 thousand linear km of 2D seismic exploration work and 0.6 thousand sq. km of 3D work were completed. Four wells have been successfully tested, one well is being drilled, and three more wells are being tested. Rosneft prioritizes innovation and defines technological leadership as a key factor in competitiveness in the oil market.

    The company is the industry leader in the development of science-intensive and high-tech software in the field of geology and development of hydrocarbon deposits. The software products RN-KIM (hydrodynamic modeling), RN-GRID (modeling of hydraulic fracturing), RN-KIN (analysis of field development) are the flagships of software used in the oil industry. Coverage of all aspects of exploration and field development is also provided by dynamically developing new software products for modeling and data interpretation.

    With the participation of geologists from the Tyumen Oil Research Center, two fields were discovered in 2024, one of which is large in terms of reserves, and 29 new deposits were put on the balance sheet, geological support was provided for 830 oil production wells, 90% of which were wells of complex design (horizontal and multi-well). Work was also completed on building a unique seismic facies geological model at the Russkoye field (Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug), which will allow more accurate determination of oil-bearing zones when drilling wells.

    In 2024, the corporate institute in Tomsk conducted 18.5 thousand studies of core samples for scientific support of the efficiency of field development. The justification of the selected tools for searching and developing new deposits, as well as increasing production at the Company’s existing assets, was carried out, among other things, using proprietary developments – laboratory tomographic complexes that create virtual copies of the pore space of rocks with record speed and detail.

    In particular, using ultra-precise core and fluid analysis, Rosneft scientists from Tomsk determined the exact nature of hydrocarbons in the Siberian platform (Eastern Siberia). The data obtained formed the basis for basin modeling, the results of which determined new directions for searching for oil deposits.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 7, 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 –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Closing Statement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Closing Statement

    UK Closing Statement for the 58th HRC. Delivered in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    The UK remains fully committed to implementing the Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. In respect of the resolution L.7 on the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, the UK notes that States take different approaches, appropriate to the constitutions of their country, to implement the Covenant. The Covenant binds the UK in international law but is unincorporated. Unincorporated treaties are not justiciable domestically so UK courts would not normally contribute to identifying gaps in legislation in respect of Covenant rights. The UK continues to progressively realise the rights recognised in the Covenant through a combination of legislation and administrative measures, in accordance with Article 2 (1) of the Covenant.

    The UK also notes that Article 2 (1) of the Covenant accommodates different States’ resources through the progressive realisation of Covenant rights. International human rights law does not, however, accommodate the notion of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is a concept set out in certain international environmental treaties. Any attempt to imply that concept forms part of international human rights law, in resolution L.26 Rev.1 on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, is a mischaracterisation of the law. The UK recognises that the Paris Agreement will be implemented to reflect equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. The UK remains committed to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), the Paris Agreement, and to accelerating action in this critical decade on the basis of the best available science, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty.

    The UK thanks for the core groups for their constructive engagement on both resolutions.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 7 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Antarctica’s hidden threat: meltwater under the ice sheet amplifies sea-level rise

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chen Zhao, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

    LouieLea, Shutterstock

    One of the biggest challenges in predicting Antarctica’s deeply uncertain future is understanding exactly what’s driving its ice loss.

    A vast network of lakes and streams lies beneath the thick ice sheet. This water can lubricate the ice, allowing it to slide more rapidly toward the ocean.

    Our new research shows “subglacial water” plays a far larger role in Antarctic ice loss than previously thought. If it’s not properly accounted for, future sea-level rise may be vastly underestimated.

    Including the effects of evolving subglacial water in ice sheet models can triple the amount of ice flowing to the ocean. This adds more than two metres to global sea levels by 2300, with potentially enormous consequences for coastal communities worldwide.

    How hidden lakes threaten Antarctic Ice Sheet stability. (European Space Agency)

    Understanding the role of subglacial water

    Subglacial water forms when the base of the ice sheet melts. This occurs either due to friction from the movement of the ice, or geothermal heat from the bedrock below.

    The presence of subglacial water enables ice to slide over the bedrock more easily. It can also cause further melting under ice shelves, leading to even faster ice loss.

    So it’s crucial to understand how much subglacial water is generated and where it goes, as well as its effect on ice flow and further melting.

    But subglacial water is largely invisible. Being hidden underneath an ice sheet more than two kilometres deep makes it incredibly difficult to observe.

    Scientists can drill boreholes through hundreds to thousands of metres of ice to get to it. But that’s an expensive and logistically challenging process.

    Alternatively, they can use ice-penetrating radar to “see” through the ice. Another technique called laser altimetry examines changes in the height of the ice at the surface. Bulges might appear when lakes under the ice sheet fill, or disappear when they empty.

    More than 140 active subglacial lakes have been identified beneath Antarctica over the past two decades. These discoveries provide valuable insights. But vast regions — especially in East Antarctica — remain unexplored. Little is known about the connections between these lakes.

    Hot water drilling at Shackleton Ice Shelf, East Antarctica.
    Duanne White, University of Canberra/Australian Antarctic Division

    What we did and what we found

    We used computer simulations to predict the influence of subglacial water on ice sheet behaviour.

    We used two computer models:

    Then we explored how different assumptions about subglacial water pressure affect ice sheet dynamics. Specifically, we compared scenarios where water pressure was allowed to change over time against scenarios where it remained constant.

    When the effects of changing subglacial water pressure were included in the model, the amount of ice flowing into the ocean under future climate nearly tripled.

    These findings suggest many existing sea-level rise projections may be too low, because they do not fully account for the dynamic influence of subglacial water.

    Our research highlights the urgent need to incorporate subglacial water dynamics into these models. Otherwise we risk significantly underestimating the rate and magnitude of future sea-level rise.

    We simulated subglacial water pressure across Antarctica, revealing vulnerable regions potentially influenced by subglacial water, and mapped both active (blue) and stable (yellow) subglacial lakes and subglacial water channels (black lines).
    Zhao, C., et al, 2025. Nature Communications.

    In the video below, the moving dark lines show where grounded ice begins to float. The left panel is a scenario where subglacial water is not included in the ice sheet model and the right panel is a scenario that includes the effects of evolving subglacial water.

    Simulated Antarctic ice velocity over 1995–2300, using the Elmer/Ice model of ice sheets.

    A looming threat

    Failing to account for subglacial water means global sea-level rise projections are underestimated by up to two metres by 2300.

    A two-metre rise would put many coastal cities in extreme danger and potentially displace millions of people. The economic damage could reach trillions of dollars, damaging vital infrastructure and reshaping coastlines worldwide.

    It also means the timing of future tipping points are underestimated too. This is the point at which the ice sheet mass loss becomes much more rapid and likely irreversible. In our study, most regions cross this threshold much earlier, some as soon as 2050. This is deeply concerning.

    The way forward

    Understanding Antarctica’s hidden water system is challenging. The potential for rapid, catastrophic and irreversible ice loss remains.

    More observations are needed to improve our models, particularly from remote regions such as East Antarctica. Continuing to gather information from boreholes, ice-penetrating radar and satellites will help us better understand how the underside of the ice sheet behaves. These techniques can then be combined with computer simulations to enable more accurate projections of future ice loss and sea-level rise.

    Our new research shows integrating subglacial water dynamics into ice sheet models is a top priority. Understanding this hidden threat is crucial as the world grapples with the consequences of global warming especially rising seas.

    Chen Zhao is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Dr Zhao is affiliated with Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP), at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, supported under the Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative program.

    Ben Galton-Fenzi is also affiliated with Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP), at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), supported under the Antarctic Science Collaboration Initiative program, and the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science, supported under the Australian Research Council Special Research Initiative, both based at the University of Tasmania.

    – ref. Antarctica’s hidden threat: meltwater under the ice sheet amplifies sea-level rise – https://theconversation.com/antarcticas-hidden-threat-meltwater-under-the-ice-sheet-amplifies-sea-level-rise-250780

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberra in focus on Gardening Australia

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Volunteer Carol can spot a caterpillar at ten paces, even if it is hidden under the husk of a corn cob.

    The popular Gardening Australia program will have a distinctly Canberra flavour on Friday 17 May.

    ABC TV’s gardening flagship will air a story featuring two ACT schools, several students and much-loved volunteer Carol Quashie-Williams, scientist in residence at both Farrer Primary and Namadgi School.

    As a CSIRO STEM Professional in Schools, Carol has enriched the lives of thousands of young people during two decades of volunteering.

    She teaches life skills in gardening, nutrition, cooking and teamwork, with lessons in biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, physics, maths, literacy and art sprouting here and there.

    An agricultural and environmental scientist and entomologist, Carol can spot a caterpillar at ten paces, even if it is hidden under the husk of a corn cob.

    Namadgi School Principal Gareth Richards says Carol’s way of engaging the kids means her presence is felt whether she is on site or not.

    “Even when she’s not at school, the kids are still carrying on with activities she’s taught them,” he said.

    “We’ll see them walking around the garden with magnifying glasses in hand, inspecting bugs they find along the way. She has a lasting impact on our students’ lives.”

    Another legacy of Carol’s involvement is professional growth and development.

    “She builds the capacity of our staff. Working shoulder to shoulder with Carol they have picked up expertise they’ve been able to go on to share with our students,” Gareth said.

    Named Volunteer of the Year at the 2019 ACT Public Education Awards, Carol started volunteering when her own children were at school and found it so rewarding she continued after they had left.

    With a day job in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, she says her involvement in the schools program enables her to maintain her pest surveillance and diagnostic and science communication skills.

    “I enjoy inspiring the next generation of scientists and gardeners and love the enthusiasm of the students when working outside and in the environment centres,” she said.

    ‘My Garden Path – Carol STEM’ airs on Gardening Australia this Friday 17 May at 7:30pm (repeated Sunday 1:30pm, or catch up via iView or the Gardening Australia website).

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Everything about admission to GUU: answers to the most important questions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The 2025 admissions campaign will begin in June. Information for applicants is available on the official website of the GUU Admissions Committee and in the Telegram channel “Applicant’s Assistant”.

    However, we decided to get answers to the most frequently asked questions directly from the head of the department for organizing admissions of applicants at our university, Vadim Dikikh.

    What applicants need to do now

    At the moment, applicants do not have much time left before the start of the admissions campaign, so it is important to start preparing a portfolio for admission now.

    Applicants to bachelor’s degree programs can pass the GTO, participate in tournaments held by universities and various organizations, and receive volunteer hours.

    Applicants to Master’s programs can take part in SUM tournaments and also publish articles in the Russian Science Citation Index and Higher Attestation Commission.

    Applicants to postgraduate programs can participate in all-Russian and/or international student Olympiads and competitions, publish articles in journals included in the core of the Russian Science Citation Index (RSCI), in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission (HAC) categories K1, K2, K3, monographs indexed in the RSCI database, and also undergo professional retraining.

    In addition to the above, it is necessary to choose the direction and university in which the potential will be best revealed.

    What areas are recruited at the State University of Management?

    In 2025, recruitment is underway in 16 bachelor’s degree programs, 13 master’s degree programs, and 14 postgraduate research specialties.

    How many budget and contract places are provided in 2025

    I would like to note that this year the innovations affected places for training under a contract: now their specific number is set at the beginning of the campaign and does not change anymore, so the competition here may become stricter and you should not postpone the conclusion of the contract until the last days of the campaign.

    In 2025, the State University of Management has allocated 188 budget places and 2029 contract places for undergraduate studies, and 37 and 1206 places for graduate studies, respectively.

    In 2025, 15 budget places and 98 contract places are provided for in scientific specialties of postgraduate studies at the State University of Management.

    Who can apply using the Unified State Exam, and who will have to take entrance examinations

    For applicants to bachelor’s degree programs who graduated from Russian schools and do not have benefits, admission will be based solely on the results of the Unified State Exam; no additional entrance examinations need to be taken.

    For graduates with secondary vocational education (colleges, technical schools, etc.), there is the possibility of admission based on the results of the Unified State Exam and/or based on the results of entrance examinations in a specialized field, conducted by the State University of Management independently.

    Other categories that have the right to take general education entrance examinations (in subjects and assignments of the Unified State Exam), conducted by the State University of Management independently:

    disabled persons; applicants entitled to a separate quota (participants, children of participants of the Secondary Military School); foreign citizens who have not passed the Unified State Exam; graduates of schools located in the territory of foreign states and who do not have the Unified State Exam results.

    Applicants to master’s and postgraduate programs, regardless of category, take entrance examinations.

    What entrance examinations will you have to take and in what form?

    In 2025, entrance examinations at the State University of Management will be held online using neural networks and a proctoring system.

    The full list of entrance examinations required for applicants to bachelor’s degree programs is set out in Appendix No. 1 to the Admission Rules and is available at the link. For convenience, we have prepared visual cards with the names of subjects and the minimum acceptable scores.

    To enroll in a Master’s program, you must pass 1 entrance exam for each area of study, for example, to enroll in the Management area, you must pass the comprehensive entrance exam “Management”. Entrance exams for the corresponding areas of study are taken in a similar manner.

    The minimum score for admission in all areas of study is 40.

    Applicants to postgraduate studies must pass 3 entrance examinations

    Entrance examinations

    Number of points

    Philosophy

    30

    Foreign language

    35

    Special discipline

    45

    A special discipline is a comprehensive entrance examination in the chosen specialty. For example, for applicants to the specialty “Regional and Sectoral Economics”, the entrance examination is “Special Discipline (Regional and Sectoral Economics)”

    What individual achievements are taken into account and for what period

    Infographics with ranking of achievements have been prepared for applicants to the bachelor’s degree. In addition, applicants to targeted training can receive 5 points for participating in career guidance events of customers of targeted training.

    It is important to note that the All-Russian and list Olympiads of the Ministry of Education and Science are taken into account exclusively for the 11th grade, and all other things being equal, the average grade point average will play an important role.

    You can also find out what individual achievements are taken into account on the website of the Admissions Committee of the State University of Management.

    What individual achievements provide the greatest advantages when applying

    The most obvious individual achievement that gives the highest score at all levels of education is an educational document with honors.

    In addition, scientific activity and participation in tournaments and olympiads provide a great advantage in both undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies.

    “Today is exactly the time when applicants can get additional points and increase their chances of admission.”

    What documents must be provided to confirm achievements

    The document confirming an individual achievement may vary, depending on the type of achievement.

    Since 2025, most individual achievements will be verified and confirmed through the public services portal when submitting documents.

    For example, to receive additional points for graduating from an educational institution with honors, you must provide a scanned copy or receive confirmation on government services when submitting documents.

    For reliability, we recommend that you attach all documents that confirm individual achievements (diplomas, certificates, etc.).

    Minimum passing scores for budget/contract courses last year

    How to apply for targeted training: step-by-step instructions

    Start filling out an application for admission to a university on public services. Indicate that you are ready to consider targeted training. You will see a list of offers from customers of targeted training. The offer includes the university and the competitive group, the future employer, the conditions of study and work, and support measures. Select the ones you like — at this stage, you can indicate several offers. Finish filling out the application to the university. Make sure that you have selected the competitive groups specified in the application for targeted training. After sending the application, the customer of targeted training will receive your application automatically. If you are under 18, your legal representative must give consent to conclude an agreement on targeted training. He will receive a notification in his personal account. The submitted application will be available in your personal account. Edit it if you find an error. For example, you can check whether the competitive groups from the application for targeted training have been added to it. Pass the competitive selection and wait for enrollment in the university. An agreement on targeted training will be sent to your personal account, sign it in the Gosklyuch application. The terms of the contract can be changed by agreement with the customer. If the terms of the contract are not met, you will have to pay a fine – the details will be specified in the contract

    What documents are needed for admission?

    How to submit documents

    Documents can be submitted in any convenient way:

    in person; online through the unified portal of public services; online through the university’s personal account; via a postal operator.

    Is it possible to submit documents online: pros and cons

    Submitting documents online has many advantages:

    Submission of documents without being tied to a specific location; step-by-step and convenient procedure for submitting documents; the ability to track the status of document processing; a convenient procedure for concluding an agreement on the provision of paid educational services.

    One of the disadvantages is the lack of live communication with university representatives.

    What to do if an applicant is in another city or country and cannot submit documents in person

    In 2025, applicants located in other cities and countries have an excellent opportunity to submit documents for admission to the State University of Management remotely in two ways:

    online through the unified portal of public services; online through the university’s personal account.

    It is important to know that if an applicant does not have a SNILS, application can only be submitted through the university’s personal account.

    The most common mistakes of applicants

    Critical

    changing a passport right before the day of the entrance exam; submitting documents through State Services without having a full account in your personal account; typos in certificates that no one checked when they were received at school.

    Simple but inconvenient

    travel time to the university (if you live in the Moscow region, the university will not be able to provide a dormitory right away, since applicants from distant regions will be given priority); loss of SNILS, passport or even a volunteer book; refusal to take the Unified State Exam in specialized mathematics.

    Frequent changes in statuses on the State Services portal, which can lead to a technical error in the service and universities simply will not see changes in priorities or documents that have changed more than 5-8 times in an hour.

    Advice for applicants for successful admission this year

    Do not miss the admissions campaign checklist dates and get into the desired university. Do not be afraid to participate in the budget competition, use any opportunity to get a higher education. While there is an opportunity, try to participate in Olympiads and competitions, and even if you have not yet tried to engage in volunteer activities, do not waste a minute, you can still manage to gain the necessary 100 hours to qualify for individual points in most universities in the country. Upload all the achievements that you have, and the admissions committee staff will check the entire set of documents and select those achievements that give additional points. Do not make emotional and ill-considered decisions that can only be changed during the next admissions campaign, and thereby lose an entire year of study.

    The most important thing is to make a conscious choice of higher education institution and the field of study. Try to understand the profession now, and if you have any questions, come to the Open Days, we will definitely help you make the right choice.

    Key dates of the admission campaign

    For applicants to bachelor’s degree programs

    June 20 – start of accepting documents; July 15 – end of accepting documents from applicants to the budget based on entrance examinations; July 25 – end of accepting documents from applicants to the budget based on the Unified State Exam results; July 27 – publication of competitive lists of applicants to the budget; August 1, 12:00 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants under quotas; August 3 – publication of the order on enrolling applicants to places within quotas; August 5 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the budget; August 7 – publication of the order on enrolling applicants to budget places; August 15 – end of accepting documents from applicants to a contract based on entrance examinations; August 23 – end of accepting documents from applicants to a contract based on the Unified State Exam results; August 24 – end of concluding contracts; August 25 – publication of an order on the enrollment of applicants to contractual places.

    For applicants to Master’s programs

    June 20 – start of accepting documents; August 20 – end of accepting documents from applicants to the budget; August 24 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the budget; August 29 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to budget places; September 10 – end of accepting documents from applicants to a contract; September 18 – end of concluding contracts; September 20 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to contract places.

    For applicants to postgraduate specialties

    June 20 – start of accepting documents; September 7 – end of accepting documents; September 23 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the target quota; September 24 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to the target quota; September 25 – end of submitting consent for enrollment from applicants to the budget; September 26 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to the budget; September 27 – end of concluding an agreement; September 28 – issuing an order on enrolling applicants to an agreement.

    How can I get advice and answers to questions from the admissions committee if the applicant cannot come to the university in person?

    We are always available not only in person, but also remotely on social networks VKontakte and Telegram, and during working hours we answer phone calls at 8 (495) 371-00-55.

    If the question includes the need to check a certificate or other copy of a document, it is better to contact via e-mail prkom@guu.ru

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/07/2025

    официальном сайте Приёмной комиссии ГУУ и в телеграм-канале «Помощник абитуриента»….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/ГУУ-2024.1.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b2%d1%81%d1%91-%d0%be-%d0%bf%d0%be%d1%81%d1%82%d1%83%d0%bf%d0%bb%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b8-%d0%b2-%d0%b3%d1%83%d1%83-%d0%be%d1%82%d0%b2%d0%b5%d1%82%d1%8b-%d0%bd%d0%b0-%d1%81%d0%b0%d0%bc%d1%8b%d0%b5/”>

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Gut health links to frailty in old age explored The role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Dr Candice QuinThe role gut health plays in contributing to frailty in our old age is the subject of a new study which has been awarded a share of £7.6 million.
    Researchers at the University of Aberdeen will try to pinpoint what change occurs in gut microbiota as we get older which may lead to us suffering more illnesses.
    Frailty can increase the risk of vulnerability to infections and inflammatory diseases including cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
    Older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience disability, yet the factors which contribute to some people becoming frail while others do not are poorly understood.
    The microbiota – bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. – that live in our intestine play a critical role in regulating our immune systems and as we age, the composition of this microbiota changes.
    The Aberdeen researchers will attempt to zero-in on the specific changes which occur in later life.
    The research project is one of 62 across 41 UK universities receiving a share of £7.6 million through the Academy for Medical Science’s Springboard programme, in its largest ever funding initiative. The funding for early-career researchers aims to tackle urgent health challenges.
    Lecturer in Immunology at the University of Aberdeen Dr Candice Quin, who will lead the project, received £125,000 to further her research on frailty in older adults.
    “There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies,” said Dr Quin. We have shown that age-related changes in the intestinal microbiome contribute to the development of frailty, providing an exciting new avenue for therapeutic intervention.

    There is an urgent need to reduce the economic, societal and individual costs of frailty in our ageing population, yet we currently do not have any effective therapeutic strategies.” Dr Candice Quin

    “The proposed experiments in this Springboard application will identify novel microbial targets that contribute to frailty with age, which we can selectively deplete in future intervention studies and clinical trials. Vaccination with the microbiota has already been shown to improve metabolism and reduce diet-induced obesity.
    “This research will pave the way for similar cutting-edge interventions against frailty and ultimately provide older people with more years of healthy, independent living.”
    Dr Quin will conduct the research in collaboration with Dr Marius Wenzel from the School of Biological Sciences and Dr Huan Cao from the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition.
    Professor James Naismith FRS FRSE FMedSci, Vice-President (Non-Clinical) at the Academy of Medical Sciences, said: “This record investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to supporting the next generation of research leaders. By backing these talented early-career researchers, we’re not only addressing today’s urgent health challenges but also strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in medical research.
    The breadth and ambition of projects funded by the Academy’s Springboard programme is remarkable–from understanding teenage drinking behaviours to investigating why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Each Springboard awardee brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches that will ultimately translate to improved health outcomes for patients and the public.
    “The Academy is proud to provide the financial resources and career development support needed to help these outstanding scientists establish their independent research careers.”
    UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas. “Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their own groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Capgemini to establish AI Center of Excellence in Egypt to accelerate AI-driven innovation for global clients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press contact:
    Mollie Mellows
    Tel.: + 44 (0)7342 709384
    E-mail: mollie.mellows@capgemini.com

    Capgemini to establish AI Center of Excellence in Egypt to accelerate AI-driven innovation for global clients

    Cairo, April 7, 2025 – Capgemini today announced it will establish an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) in Egypt focused on accelerating the generative and agentic AI transformation journeys of clients worldwide. Through this new cutting-edge AI hub, Capgemini will invest in research and development, collaborate with local academic institutions, and leverage technology partnerships to help accelerate client adoption of AI at scale. This initiative bolsters Capgemini’s strong ties with Egypt as a strategic innovation hub for global organizations. It also further cements Capgemini’s leadership in AI, reinforcing its commitment to developing talent, leveraging strategic industry partnerships, and accelerating AI-driven innovation to unlock significant value for clients.

    Capgemini is committed to driving continued growth and innovation in Egypt. By the end of 2025, it plans to double the number of employees in the country, reaching approximately 1200 highly talented professionals in the fields of digital transformation and innovation.

    The new AI hub will house a diverse team of architects, data scientists, product engineers, and project managers, expert in delivering transformative projects from business operations and design to engineering. Clients will benefit from the advantages of time zone alignment, multi-lingual skills, and ease of travel to this conveniently located Global Delivery Center.

    “The AI Center of Excellence in this strategic location allows us to support our clients in scaling AI within their own businesses, ensuring they remain at the forefront of innovation,” said Aiman Ezzat, CEO of Capgemini, on the occasion of the France-Egypt Investment Forum. “By investing in the region’s impressive talent and establishing this dedicated AI hub, we are not only fostering significant technological advancements but also creating a robust ecosystem for AI development. Our clients will benefit from enhanced service delivery, industry-specific solutions, and the unique advantages of being supported from Egypt.”

    With implementation starting in May 2025, the new AI hub will apply Capgemini’s deep industry-specific expertise to develop intelligent agents that are bespoke to highly regulated industries, such as energy, life sciences and aerospace. It is designed for clients to explore, design and implement cutting-edge technologies that can optimize operations and strategically transform their business, including supply chain and product innovation. By applying advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, Capgemini will help clients across Europe, America, the Middle East, and Asia elevate customer experience to a strategic value driver.

    Hossam Seifeldin, CEO of Capgemini in Egypt, said “Egypt is experiencing an impressive growth trajectory, fueled by digitalization and exceptional talent in AI. I am excited to build on the strong foundation we have established in the region. Doubling our workforce and establishing this new AI Center of Excellence will not only drive cutting-edge innovation but also create valuable opportunities for local talent to thrive in a global arena.”

    About Capgemini

    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 7 April 2025 Russian-Chinese Construction Forum to be held as part of AmurExpo The 2nd Russian-Chinese Construction Forum and Exhibition of Construction Achievements will take place on 24–25 May 2025 at the AmurExpo Russian-Chinese Economic Forum in Blagoveshchensk, Russia. The AmurExpo is an offsite venue for the Eastern Economic Forum, which will be held on 3–6 September in Vladivostok. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    Source: Eastern Economic Forum

    7 April 2025

    Russian-Chinese Construction Forum to be held as part of AmurExpo

    The 2nd Russian-Chinese Construction Forum and Exhibition of Construction Achievements will take place on 24–25 May 2025 at the AmurExpo Russian-Chinese Economic Forum in Blagoveshchensk, Russia. The AmurExpo is an offsite venue for the Eastern Economic Forum, which will be held on 3–6 September in Vladivostok. The EEF is organized by the Roscongress Foundation.

    “Holding such events provides professionals from the Amur Region with an opportunity to exchange experience with representatives of public associations and business communities from the regions and participating countries, as well as discuss business integration issues and how to build new logistics chains in the industry with their colleagues. The Forum participants will address issues concerning state construction policy and discuss the measures needed for the high-quality and rapid development of the Far East, including interaction mechanisms and methods to create attractive territories for integrated development,” Deputy Chairman of the Amur Region Government Pavel Matyukhin said.

    The Forum participants will attend the official opening of AmurExpo 2025 and the strategic session ‘Integrated Development of Territories: Infrastructure and Construction of the Future’, where experts and speakers will discuss the digitalization of the industry, the development of smart cities, best international practices in construction, and the integrated development of territories. In addition, the regional agenda will include the seminar ‘Establishment of Urban Development Systems of Russia and China’. Cadets from the Muravyov-Amursky programme plan to hold a roundtable titled ‘Modern Challenges and Prospects for Cooperation in Training Personnel in the Construction Industry’.

    The Forum guests will also have a chance to view the exhibition of achievements in construction and industry, where construction companies from Russia and China will present their successes.

    “The integrated development of territories is one of the priorities for the Far East. To this end, interregional cooperation and exchanging experience at the forum platforms of the Far Eastern Federal District are of paramount importance. Key approaches to solving issues that affect all regions of the federal district are traditionally hammered out there. The Eastern Economic Forum is a gathering point for the most successful practices, ideas, and proposals, where practical tools for the development of the macro-region are created and improved. I am confident that the results of the discussions at AmurExpo could be reflected in the programme of the EEF 2025, which will be held in Vladivostok on 3–6 September,” First Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the Eastern Economic Forum Igor Pavlov said.

    The Russian Centre for National Construction Policy, the organizer of the Russian-Chinese Construction Forum, signed a cooperation agreement at the AmurExpo 2024 in Blagoveshchensk. The first Forum was held in April 2024 in Harbin, China (Heilongjiang Province). The Forum brought together more than 10,000 participants, including representatives of business, science, and government from both countries, and primarily focused on the introduction of digital technologies in construction, smart design systems, as well as construction technologies for work in emergency situations.

    “The second Russian-Chinese Construction Forum is a logical continuation of the policy of strengthening cooperation that began last year. The first Forum clearly demonstrated the vast potential of and mutual interest in developing a partnership in the construction industry. We saw there is demand for such platforms for a direct dialogue, exchange of experience, and discussion of key issues. The interest of business entities from both countries confirms the prospects for implementing joint projects. I firmly believe that the second Forum will be an important step in strengthening long-term and mutually beneficial relations between Russia and China in the construction sector. We are counting on the active participation of all interested parties and invite them to engage in a constructive dialogue at the Forum,” Russian Centre for National Construction Policy Director Alexander Moor said.

    AmurExpo will take place on 22–25 May. The first day, 22 May, will be devoted to the regional agenda. The business programme architecture has been posted on the event’s website.

    The Forum is being held with the support of the Russian Ministry for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, and other federal institutions.

    AmurExpo is being organized by the Amur Region government, the Amur Region Investment Promotion Agency, and the Roscongress Foundation.

    The Forum operators are the Roscongress Foundation and the Amur Region Territory Development Centre.

     

    Read more

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Quadient Receives SBTi’s Validation of its GHG Emission Reduction Targets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, announces that the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has validated its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. SBTi is a corporate climate action initiative that provides companies with science-based guidance to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement. This validation confirms that Quadient’s commitments align with scientific requirements to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

    Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is a cornerstone of Quadient’s sustainability strategy, as part of its ‘Elevate to 2030’ strategic plan. The company has established ambitious near- and long-term targets, committing to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 64% and Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. Looking further ahead, Quadient is dedicated to achieving a 90% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions by 2050.

    “SBTi’s validation marks a significant milestone for Quadient, reaffirming our deep commitment to climate action. Sustainability is not just a goal—it’s woven into how we operate, innovate, and collaborate with our customers, partners, and stakeholders,” said Brandon Batt, Chief People and Transformation Officer at Quadient. “We recognize the scale of the challenge ahead and are proactively driving the transformation needed to build a low-carbon future. Our decarbonization efforts go beyond compliance, they represent a strategic opportunity to create value, strengthen our business resilience to changing environments, and contribute to a more sustainable global economy. This validation reinforces our leadership in corporate sustainability and underscores that bold climate action is both a business imperative and a shared responsibility.”

    To translate its commitments into action, Quadient is executing a comprehensive decarbonization roadmap. This strategy focuses on optimizing energy use across operations by modernizing facilities, transitioning to renewable energy, and enhancing overall efficiency. The company is also accelerating the shift to a low-carbon vehicle fleet and promoting remote collaboration technologies to cut business travel-related emissions.

    Beyond operational improvements, Quadient is leveraging product innovation and circular economy principles to reduce environmental impact. Its remanufacturing program has made significant strides, with over 62.8% of mail-related solutions remanufactured in 2024—demonstrating a strong commitment to extending product lifecycles and minimizing waste. Additionally, the company is actively working with its supplier network to drive emission reductions throughout the value chain, aiming to secure carbon reduction commitments from at least 30% of its strategic partners by 2026.

    Transparency and accountability remain central to Quadient’s climate strategy. The company rigorously tracks and reports its progress annually through its sustainability report and the CDP Climate Change Questionnaire. Independent verification of its carbon footprint ensures credibility and reinforces its commitment to meaningful, science-backed climate action. For more information about Quadient’s CSR program, visit www.invest.quadient.com/CSR.

    About Quadient®
    Quadient is a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC® Mid & Small and EnterNext® Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing. For more information about Quadient, visit www.quadient.com.

    Contacts

    Sandy Armstrong, Sterling Kilgore Joe Scolaro, Quadient         
    VP of Media & Communications Global Press Relations Manager
    +1-630-699-8979 +1 203-301-3673
    sarmstrong@sterlingkilgore.com j.scolaro@quadient.com

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Agriculture Research – Climate change conditions impacting critical element for plant growth, fertiliser need

    Source: AgResearch

    Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are altering phosphorus (P) available for plant growth, potentially leading to costly and unnecessary fertiliser application by farmers.

    New research published in the Global Change Biology journal by scientists from AgResearch and Lincoln University has found that the test used in New Zealand to estimate the amount of available P in the soil may be underestimating the true accessibility of this crucial element for pasture plant growth.

    The research, which drew on data from a long-running AgResearch experiment* in which carbon dioxide is artificially elevated on an area of grazed pasture, is the latest to throw up surprising new results about what happens under rising carbon dioxide levels tied to climate change.

    “For decades, New Zealand farmers have relied on the Olsen P test to determine the P available in soils and to guide decisions about fertiliser use,” says lead author Zac Beechey-Gradwell. 

    “The data from the AgResearch experiment shows a substantial and sustained reduction in available P in the topsoil extracted by the Olsen P measure under elevated carbon dioxide, prior to annual P fertiliser application. In addition, the effectiveness of P fertiliser in raising Olsen P was significantly reduced.”      

    “Scientists have known for a while that elevated carbon dioxide reduces the amount of P extracted by the Olsen P test, but we didn’t fully understand why or what the consequences of this might be. Our latest research confirms that more of the fertiliser P that is applied under elevated carbon dioxide is rapidly converted into organic forms in the topsoil, in a process called ‘biological immobilisation’. This essentially makes it invisible to standard soil P tests.”

    “If a soil P test indicates phosphorus deficiency, farmers may respond by applying more fertiliser than is necessary, driving up costs without improving pasture performance. Phosphorus is an essential macro-nutrient for plant growth. Without it, production will decline.”

    “At a minimum, this research suggests we are going to need to recalibrate soil P test targets under elevated carbon dioxide to ensure that P fertiliser recommendations remain cost-effective and environmentally sustainable in the years ahead.”

    AgResearch principal scientist Alec Mackay says the phosphorus findings have landed against a backdrop of expected gains in pasture productivity not materialising under climate change.

    “We need further research to see if similar trends are occurring in different soil types, and what the impact is on clovers and nitrogen fixation.”

    Research co-author, Professor Leo Condron of Lincoln University, says: “Phosphorus fertiliser manufacture in New Zealand is dependent on imported phosphate rock and the cost has increased and become more volatile since 2007-08, and it is therefore important to ensure that fertiliser P is being used efficiently”.

    Read the full research at: https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70150

    *New Zealand’s globally unique Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment has allowed scientists to study plant and soil responses to elevated carbon dioxide in a sheep grazed pasture for almost 24 years (1997-2021). Read more at:https://www.agresearch.co.nz/our-research/future-facing-experiment-helping-to-combat-climate-change/

    AgResearch’s core focus is to deliver high quality science to enhance the value, productivity and sustainability of New Zealand’s pastoral, agri-food and agri-technology sectors. More at www.agresearch.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –