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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)

    Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.

    The allure of California

    For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.

    In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.

    Surfing’s impact on local communities

    Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.

    Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.

    The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas

    Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.

    One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.

    Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    The role of public authorities

    In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.

    In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.

    Gaps in regulation

    Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.

    Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.

    Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.

    Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.

    This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.

    Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.

    – ref. Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave – https://theconversation.com/bali-to-biarritz-surf-spot-overcrowding-and-the-fight-to-protect-the-essence-of-catching-a-wave-244550

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)

    Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.

    The allure of California

    For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.

    In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.

    Surfing’s impact on local communities

    Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.

    Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.

    The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas

    Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.

    One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.

    Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    The role of public authorities

    In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.

    In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.

    Gaps in regulation

    Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.

    Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.

    Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.

    Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.

    This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.

    Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.

    – ref. Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave – https://theconversation.com/bali-to-biarritz-surf-spot-overcrowding-and-the-fight-to-protect-the-essence-of-catching-a-wave-244550

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave

    Source: The Conversation – France – By Jérémy Lemarié, Maître de conférences à l’Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)

    Invented in Hawaii, surfing gained popularity in the United States and Australia in the 1950s before becoming a global phenomenon. Now practiced in more than 150 countries, its spread has been driven by media and tourism. Surf tourism involves travelling to destinations to catch waves, either with a surfboard or through activities such as body surfing or bodyboarding. Tourists range from seasoned surfers to beginners eager to learn.

    The allure of California

    For many, surf tourism evokes exotic imagery shaped by California production companies. Columbia Pictures in 1959 and Paramount Pictures in 1961 introduced surfing to the middle class, showcasing the sport as a gateway to summer adventure and escape. However, it was the 1966 movie The Endless Summer, directed and produced by Bruce Brown, that became a box office success. The film follows two Californians travelling the globe in search of the perfect wave, which they ultimately find in South Africa. Beneath the seemingly lighthearted portrayal of a “surf safari”, it carries undertones of colonial ambition.

    In the film, the Californians tell people in Africa that waves are untapped resources ready to be named and conquered. This sense of Western cultural dominance over populations in poorer countries has permeated surf tourism. Since the 1970s, French surfers have flocked to Morocco for its long-breaking waves, Australians have flocked to Indonesia and Californians to Mexico. The expansion of surfing to Africa, Asia and Latin America was enabled by easier international travel and economic disparities between visitors and hosts.

    Surfing’s impact on local communities

    Indonesia, for instance, became a surfing hotspot after Australian surfers started to explore the waves of Bali and the Mentawai Islands in the 1970s. Once remote regions with modest living standards, these areas saw tourism infrastructure mushroom to meet demand. Today, destinations such as Uluwatu in Bali and Padang Padang in Sumatra attract surfers of all skill levels.

    Similarly, Morocco has experienced a surge in surf tourism, with spots such as Taghazout drawing European visitors in search of affordable waves and sunshine. While this has boosted local economies, it has also raised concerns about environmental degradation and the strain of tourism on previously untouched areas.

    The challenges of overtourism in coastal areas

    Although surfing is often seen as an activity in harmony with nature, mass tourism has created tensions between local surfers and visitors. Overtourism refers to the negative impact of excessive tourist numbers on natural environments and local communities.

    One response to overtourism is localism – where local surfers assert ownership of waves, sometimes discouraging or even intimidating outsiders. This has been particularly pronounced in economically dependent surf destinations. For example, in Hawaii during the 1970s and 1980s, local surfers protested against the influx of professional Australian surfers and international competitions. Today, localism persists globally, from Maroubra in Sydney to Boucau-Tarnos in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. These places are not systematically off-limits to beginners, but major conflicts can arise during peak tourist seasons.

    Surf schools, while crucial for teaching newcomers, also exacerbate crowding. During high seasons, beaches such as Côte des Basques in Biarritz become overcrowded, straining relations between experienced surfers, instructors and novices. Beginners, often unaware of surf etiquette and safety rules, contribute to frustrations among seasoned surfers.


    A weekly e-mail in English featuring expertise from scholars and researchers. It provides an introduction to the diversity of research coming out of the continent and considers some of the key issues facing European countries. Get the newsletter!

    The role of public authorities

    In response to these challenges, public initiatives have emerged to promote sustainable surf tourism. For instance, the Costa Rican government has established marine protected areas and regulated tourism activities to preserve a part of the coastal environment. Local authorities have also begun capping the number of surf schools and making access to the practice more difficult.

    In southwestern France, municipalities use public service delegations (DSP), temporary occupation authorisations (AOT) and other tools to regulate surf schools operating on public beaches. Environmental awareness programmes have been launched to educate tourists on responsible behaviour toward beaches and oceans.

    Gaps in regulation

    Despite these measures, many coastal regions face insufficient action to address the environmental and social challenges posed by surf tourism. In Fiji, a 2010 decree deregulated the surf tourism industry, eliminating traditional indigenous rights to coastal and reef areas. This allowed unregulated development of tourism infrastructure, often ignoring long-term ecological impacts.

    Similar issues are seen in Morocco, where lax regulations allow foreign investors to exploit coastal land for hotel development, often providing little benefit to local communities.

    Yet, there are success stories. In Santa Cruz, California, the initiative Save Our Shores mobilises citizens and tourists to protect beaches through anti-pollution campaigns and regular cleanups.

    Surf tourism has brought significant economic benefits to many coastal regions. However, it has also introduced social and environmental challenges, including localism, overcrowding and ecological strain. Managing these issues requires a collaborative approach, with governments, local stakeholders and tourists working together to preserve the sport’s connection to nature.

    This article was published as part of the 2024 Fête de la Science, of which The Conversation France was a partner. The year’s theme, “Oceans of Knowledge,” explored the wonders of the marine world.

    Jérémy Lemarié is a member of the Fulbright network, as the recipient of the “Chercheuses et Chercheurs” grant from the Franco-American Commission in 2022-2023.

    – ref. Bali to Biarritz: Surf spot overcrowding and the fight to protect the essence of catching a wave – https://theconversation.com/bali-to-biarritz-surf-spot-overcrowding-and-the-fight-to-protect-the-essence-of-catching-a-wave-244550

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: AI is advancing even faster than sci-fi visionaries like Neal Stephenson imagined

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Rizwan Virk, Faculty Associate, PhD Candidate in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology, Arizona State University

    In Stephenson’s novel ‘The Diamond Age,’ a device called the Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer offers emotional, social and intellectual support. Christopher Michel/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Every time I read about another advance in AI technology, I feel like another figment of science fiction moves closer to reality.

    Lately, I’ve been noticing eerie parallels to Neal Stephenson’s 1995 novel “The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer.”

    “The Diamond Age” depicted a post-cyberpunk sectarian future, in which society is fragmented into tribes, called phyles. In this future world, sophisticated nanotechnology is ubiquitous, and a new type of AI is introduced.

    Though inspired by MIT nanotech pioneer Eric Drexler and Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman, the advanced nanotechnology depicted in the novel still remains out of reach. However, the AI that’s portrayed, particularly a teaching device called the Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer, isn’t only right in front of us; it also raises serious issues about the role of AI in labor, learning and human behavior.

    In Stephenson’s novel, the Primer looks like a hardcover book, but each of its “pages” is really a screen display that can show animations and text, and it responds to its user in real time via AI. The book also has an audio component, which voices the characters and narrates stories being told by the device.

    It was originally created for the young daughter of an aristocrat, but it accidentally falls into the hands of a girl named Nell who’s living on the streets of a futuristic Shanghai. The Primer provides Nell personalized emotional, social and intellectual support during her journey to adulthood, serving alternatively as an AI companion, a storyteller, a teacher and a surrogate parent.

    The AI is able to weave fairy tales that help a younger Nell cope with past traumas, such as her abusive home and life on the streets. It educates her on everything from math to cryptography to martial arts. In a techno-futuristic homage to George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play “Pygmalion,” the Primer goes so far as to teach Nell the proper social etiquette to be able to blend into neo-Victorian society, one of the prominent tribes in Stephenson’s balkanized world.

    No need for ‘ractors’

    Three recent developments in AI – in video games, wearable technology and education – reveal that building something like the Primer should no longer be considered the purview of science fiction.

    In May 2025, the hit video game “Fortnite” introduced an AI version of Darth Vader, who speaks with the voice of the late James Earl Jones.

    The estate of James Earl Jones gave Epic Games permission to use the late actor’s voice for an AI Darth Vader.
    Jim Spellman/WireImage via Getty Images

    While it was popular among fans of the game, the Screen Actors Guild lodged a labor complaint with Epic Games, the creator of “Fortnite.” Even though Epic had received permission from the late actor’s estate, the Screen Actors Guild pointed out that actors could have been hired to voice the character, and the company – in refusing to alert the union and negotiate terms – violated existing labor agreements.

    In “The Diamond Age,” while the Primer uses AI to generate the fairy tales that train Nell, for the voices of these archetypal characters, Stephenson concocted a low-tech solution: The characters are played by a network of what he termed “ractors” – real actors working in a studio who are contracted to perform and interact in real time with users.

    The Darth Vader “Fortnite” character shows that a Primer built today wouldn’t need to use actors at all. It could rely almost entirely on AI voice generation and have real-time conversations, showing that today’s technology already exceeds Stephenson’s normally far-sighted vision.

    Recording and guiding in real time

    Synthesizing James Earl Jones’ voice in “Fortnite” wasn’t the only recent AI development heralding the arrival of Primer-like technology.

    I recently witnessed a demonstration of wearable AI that records all of the wearer’s conversations. Their words are then sent to a server so they can be analyzed by AI, providing both summaries and suggestions to the user about future behavior.

    Several startups are making these “always on” AI wearables. In an April 29, 2025, essay titled “I Recorded Everything I Said for Three Months. AI Has Replaced My Memory,” Wall Street Journal technology columnist Joanna Stern describes the experience of using this technology. She concedes that the assistants created useful summaries of her conversations and meetings, along with helpful to-do lists. However, they also recalled “every dumb, private and cringeworthy thing that came out of my mouth.”

    AI wearable devices that continuously record the conversations of their users have recently hit the market.

    These devices also create privacy issues. The people whom the user interacts with don’t always know they are being recorded, even as their words are also sent to a server for the AI to process them. To Stern, the technology’s potential for mass surveillance becomes readily apparent, presenting a “slightly terrifying glimpse of the future.”

    Relying on AI engines such as ChatGPT, Claude and Google’s Gemini, the wearables work only with words, not images. Behavioral suggestions occur only after the fact. However, a key function of the Primer – coaching users in real time in the middle of any situation or social interaction – is the next logical step as the technology advances.

    Education or social engineering?

    In “The Diamond Age,” the Primer doesn’t simply weave interactive fairy tales for Nell. It also assumes the responsibility of educating her on everything from her ABCs when younger to the intricacies of cryptography and politics as she gets older.

    It’s no secret that AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are now being widely used by both teachers and students.

    Several recent studies have shown that AI may be more effective than humans at teaching computer science. One survey found that 85% of students said ChatGPT was more effective than a human tutor. And at least one college, Morehouse College in Atlanta, is introducing an AI teaching assistant for professors.

    There are certainly advantages to AI tutors: Tutoring and college tuition can be exorbitantly expensive, and the technology can offer better access to education to people of all income levels.

    Pulling together these latest AI advances – interactive avatars, behavioral guides, tutors – it’s easy to envision how an AI device like the Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer could be created in the near future. A young person might have a personalized AI character that accompanies them at all times. It can teach them about the world and offer up suggestions for how to act in certain situations. The AI could be tailored to a child’s personality, concocting stories that include AI versions of their favorite TV and movie characters.

    But “The Diamond Age” offers a warning, too.

    Toward the end of the novel, a version of the Primer is handed out to hundreds of thousands of young Chinese girls who, like Nell, didn’t have access to education or mentors. This leads to the education of the masses. But it also opens the door to large-scale social engineering, creating an army of Primer-raised martial arts experts, whom the AI then directs to act on behalf of “Princess Nell,” Nell’s fairy tale name.

    It’s easy to see how this sort of large-scale social engineering could be used to target certain ideologies, crush dissent or build loyalty to a particular regime. The AI’s behavior could also be subject to the whims of the companies or individuals that created it. A ubiquitous, always-on, friendly AI could become the ultimate monitoring and reporting device. Think of a kinder, gentler face for Big Brother that people have trusted since childhood.

    While large-scale deployment of a Primer-like AI could certainly make young people smarter and more efficient, it could also hamper one of the most important parts of education: teaching people to think for themselves.

    Rizwan Virk owns shares of investments funds which own stock in various private AI companies such as Open AI and X.ai. He owns public stock in Google and Microsoft. Virk has family members who work for a wearable AI company.

    – ref. AI is advancing even faster than sci-fi visionaries like Neal Stephenson imagined – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-advancing-even-faster-than-sci-fi-visionaries-like-neal-stephenson-imagined-257509

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: AI is advancing even faster than sci-fi visionaries like Neal Stephenson imagined

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Rizwan Virk, Faculty Associate, PhD Candidate in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology, Arizona State University

    In Stephenson’s novel ‘The Diamond Age,’ a device called the Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer offers emotional, social and intellectual support. Christopher Michel/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Every time I read about another advance in AI technology, I feel like another figment of science fiction moves closer to reality.

    Lately, I’ve been noticing eerie parallels to Neal Stephenson’s 1995 novel “The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer.”

    “The Diamond Age” depicted a post-cyberpunk sectarian future, in which society is fragmented into tribes, called phyles. In this future world, sophisticated nanotechnology is ubiquitous, and a new type of AI is introduced.

    Though inspired by MIT nanotech pioneer Eric Drexler and Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman, the advanced nanotechnology depicted in the novel still remains out of reach. However, the AI that’s portrayed, particularly a teaching device called the Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer, isn’t only right in front of us; it also raises serious issues about the role of AI in labor, learning and human behavior.

    In Stephenson’s novel, the Primer looks like a hardcover book, but each of its “pages” is really a screen display that can show animations and text, and it responds to its user in real time via AI. The book also has an audio component, which voices the characters and narrates stories being told by the device.

    It was originally created for the young daughter of an aristocrat, but it accidentally falls into the hands of a girl named Nell who’s living on the streets of a futuristic Shanghai. The Primer provides Nell personalized emotional, social and intellectual support during her journey to adulthood, serving alternatively as an AI companion, a storyteller, a teacher and a surrogate parent.

    The AI is able to weave fairy tales that help a younger Nell cope with past traumas, such as her abusive home and life on the streets. It educates her on everything from math to cryptography to martial arts. In a techno-futuristic homage to George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play “Pygmalion,” the Primer goes so far as to teach Nell the proper social etiquette to be able to blend into neo-Victorian society, one of the prominent tribes in Stephenson’s balkanized world.

    No need for ‘ractors’

    Three recent developments in AI – in video games, wearable technology and education – reveal that building something like the Primer should no longer be considered the purview of science fiction.

    In May 2025, the hit video game “Fortnite” introduced an AI version of Darth Vader, who speaks with the voice of the late James Earl Jones.

    The estate of James Earl Jones gave Epic Games permission to use the late actor’s voice for an AI Darth Vader.
    Jim Spellman/WireImage via Getty Images

    While it was popular among fans of the game, the Screen Actors Guild lodged a labor complaint with Epic Games, the creator of “Fortnite.” Even though Epic had received permission from the late actor’s estate, the Screen Actors Guild pointed out that actors could have been hired to voice the character, and the company – in refusing to alert the union and negotiate terms – violated existing labor agreements.

    In “The Diamond Age,” while the Primer uses AI to generate the fairy tales that train Nell, for the voices of these archetypal characters, Stephenson concocted a low-tech solution: The characters are played by a network of what he termed “ractors” – real actors working in a studio who are contracted to perform and interact in real time with users.

    The Darth Vader “Fortnite” character shows that a Primer built today wouldn’t need to use actors at all. It could rely almost entirely on AI voice generation and have real-time conversations, showing that today’s technology already exceeds Stephenson’s normally far-sighted vision.

    Recording and guiding in real time

    Synthesizing James Earl Jones’ voice in “Fortnite” wasn’t the only recent AI development heralding the arrival of Primer-like technology.

    I recently witnessed a demonstration of wearable AI that records all of the wearer’s conversations. Their words are then sent to a server so they can be analyzed by AI, providing both summaries and suggestions to the user about future behavior.

    Several startups are making these “always on” AI wearables. In an April 29, 2025, essay titled “I Recorded Everything I Said for Three Months. AI Has Replaced My Memory,” Wall Street Journal technology columnist Joanna Stern describes the experience of using this technology. She concedes that the assistants created useful summaries of her conversations and meetings, along with helpful to-do lists. However, they also recalled “every dumb, private and cringeworthy thing that came out of my mouth.”

    AI wearable devices that continuously record the conversations of their users have recently hit the market.

    These devices also create privacy issues. The people whom the user interacts with don’t always know they are being recorded, even as their words are also sent to a server for the AI to process them. To Stern, the technology’s potential for mass surveillance becomes readily apparent, presenting a “slightly terrifying glimpse of the future.”

    Relying on AI engines such as ChatGPT, Claude and Google’s Gemini, the wearables work only with words, not images. Behavioral suggestions occur only after the fact. However, a key function of the Primer – coaching users in real time in the middle of any situation or social interaction – is the next logical step as the technology advances.

    Education or social engineering?

    In “The Diamond Age,” the Primer doesn’t simply weave interactive fairy tales for Nell. It also assumes the responsibility of educating her on everything from her ABCs when younger to the intricacies of cryptography and politics as she gets older.

    It’s no secret that AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are now being widely used by both teachers and students.

    Several recent studies have shown that AI may be more effective than humans at teaching computer science. One survey found that 85% of students said ChatGPT was more effective than a human tutor. And at least one college, Morehouse College in Atlanta, is introducing an AI teaching assistant for professors.

    There are certainly advantages to AI tutors: Tutoring and college tuition can be exorbitantly expensive, and the technology can offer better access to education to people of all income levels.

    Pulling together these latest AI advances – interactive avatars, behavioral guides, tutors – it’s easy to envision how an AI device like the Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer could be created in the near future. A young person might have a personalized AI character that accompanies them at all times. It can teach them about the world and offer up suggestions for how to act in certain situations. The AI could be tailored to a child’s personality, concocting stories that include AI versions of their favorite TV and movie characters.

    But “The Diamond Age” offers a warning, too.

    Toward the end of the novel, a version of the Primer is handed out to hundreds of thousands of young Chinese girls who, like Nell, didn’t have access to education or mentors. This leads to the education of the masses. But it also opens the door to large-scale social engineering, creating an army of Primer-raised martial arts experts, whom the AI then directs to act on behalf of “Princess Nell,” Nell’s fairy tale name.

    It’s easy to see how this sort of large-scale social engineering could be used to target certain ideologies, crush dissent or build loyalty to a particular regime. The AI’s behavior could also be subject to the whims of the companies or individuals that created it. A ubiquitous, always-on, friendly AI could become the ultimate monitoring and reporting device. Think of a kinder, gentler face for Big Brother that people have trusted since childhood.

    While large-scale deployment of a Primer-like AI could certainly make young people smarter and more efficient, it could also hamper one of the most important parts of education: teaching people to think for themselves.

    Rizwan Virk owns shares of investments funds which own stock in various private AI companies such as Open AI and X.ai. He owns public stock in Google and Microsoft. Virk has family members who work for a wearable AI company.

    – ref. AI is advancing even faster than sci-fi visionaries like Neal Stephenson imagined – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-advancing-even-faster-than-sci-fi-visionaries-like-neal-stephenson-imagined-257509

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: The Supreme Court upholds free preventive care, but its future now rests in RFK Jr.’s hands

    Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Paul Shafer, Associate Professor of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University

    The Affordable Care Act has survived its fourth Supreme Court challenge. Ted Eytan via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY

    On June 26, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a 6-3 ruling that preserves free preventive care under the Affordable Care Act, a popular benefit that helps approximately 150 million Americans stay healthy.

    The case, Kennedy v. Braidwood, was the fourth major legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act. The decision, written by Justice Brett Kavanaugh with the support of Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, ruled that insurers must continue to cover at no cost any preventive care approved by a federal panel called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

    Members of the task force are independent scientific experts, appointed for four-year terms. The panel’s role had been purely advisory until the ACA, and the plaintiffs contended that the members lacked the appropriate authority as they had not been appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Supreme Court rejected this argument, saying that members simply needed to be appointed by the Health and Human Services Secretary – currently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – which they had been, under his predecessor during the Biden administration.

    This ruling seemingly safeguards access to preventive care. But as public health researchers who study health insurance and sexual health, we see another concern: It leaves preventive care vulnerable to how Kennedy and future HHS secretaries will choose to exercise their power over the task force and its recommendations.

    What is the US Preventive Services Task Force?

    The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force was initially created in 1984 to develop recommendations about prevention for primary care doctors. It is modeled after the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, which was established in 1976.

    Under the ACA, insurers must fully cover all screenings and interventions endorsed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
    SDI Productions/E+ via Getty Images

    The task force makes new recommendations and updates existing ones by reviewing clinical and policy evidence on a regular basis and weighing the potential benefits and risks of a wide range of health screenings and interventions. These include mammograms; blood pressure, colon cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis screenings; and HIV prevention. Over 150 million Americans have benefited from free coverage of these recommended services under the ACA, and around 60% of privately insured people use at least one of the covered services each year.

    The task force plays such a crucial role in health care because it is one of three federal groups whose recommendations insurers must abide by. Section 2713 of the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to offer full coverage of preventive services endorsed by three federal groups: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. For example, the coronavirus relief bill, which passed in March 2020 and allocated emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, used this provision to ensure COVID-19 vaccines would be free for many Americans.

    The Braidwood case and HIV prevention

    This case, originally filed in Texas in 2020, was brought by Braidwood Management, a Christian for-profit corporation owned by Steven Hotze, a Texas physician and Republican activist who has previously filed multiple lawsuits against the ACA. Braidwood and its co-plaintiffs argued on religious grounds against being forced to offer preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a medicine that prevents HIV infection, in their insurance plans.

    At issue in Braidwood was whether task force members – providers and researchers who provide independent and nonpartisan expertise – were appropriately appointed and supervised under the appointments clause of the Constitution, which specifies how various government positions are appointed. The case called into question free coverage of all recommendations made by the task force since the Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010.

    In the ruling, Kavanaugh wrote that “the Task Force members’ appointments are fully consistent with the Appointments Clause in Article II of the Constitution.” In laying out his reasoning, he wrote, “The Task Force members were appointed by and are supervised and directed by the Secretary of HHS. And the Secretary of HHS, in turn, answers to the President of the United States.”

    Concerns over political influence

    The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is meant to operate independently of political influence, and its decisions are technically not directly reviewable. However, the task force is appointed by the HHS secretary, who may remove any of its members at any time for any reason, even if such actions are highly unusual.

    Kennedy recently took the unprecedented step of removing all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which debates vaccine safety but also, crucially, helps decide what immunizations are free to Americans guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act. The newly constituted committee, appointed in weeks rather than years, includes several vaccine skeptics and has already moved to rescind some vaccine recommendations, such as routine COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and children.

    Kennedy has also proposed restructuring out of existence the agency that supports the task force, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. That agency has been subject to massive layoffs within the Department of Health and Human Services. For full disclosure, one of the authors is currently funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and previously worked there.

    The decision to safeguard the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force as a body and, by extension, free preventive care under the ACA, doesn’t come without risks and highlights the fragility of long-standing, independent advisory systems in the face of the politicization of health. Kennedy could simply remove the existing task force members and replace them with members who may reshape the types of care recommended to Americans by their doctors and insurance plans based on debunked science and misinformation.

    Partisanship and the politicization of health threaten trust in evidence. Already, signs are emerging that Americans on both side of the political divide are losing confidence in government health agencies. This ruling preserves a crucial part of the Affordable Care Act, yet federal health guidelines and access to lifesaving care could still swing dramatically in Kennedy’s hands – or with each subsequent transition of power.

    Portions of this article originally appeared in previous articles published on Sept. 7, 2021; Dec. 1, 2021; Sept. 13, 2022; April 7, 2023; and April 15, 2025.

    Paul Shafer receives research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Department of Veterans Affairs. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of these agencies or the United States government.

    Kristefer Stojanovski receives funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of these agencies or the United States government.

    – ref. The Supreme Court upholds free preventive care, but its future now rests in RFK Jr.’s hands – https://theconversation.com/the-supreme-court-upholds-free-preventive-care-but-its-future-now-rests-in-rfk-jr-s-hands-260072

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: The rule of law is key to capitalism − eroding it is bad news for American business

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Robert Bird, Professor of Business Law & Eversource Energy Chair in Business Ethics, University of Connecticut

    Something dangerous is happening to the U.S. economy, and it’s not inflation or trade wars. Chaotic deregulation and the selective enforcement of laws have upended markets and investor confidence. At one point, the threat of tariffs and resulting chaos evaporated US$4 trillion in value in the U.S. stock market. This approach isn’t helping the economy, and there are troubling signs it will hurt both the U.S. and the global economy in the short and long term.

    The rule of law – the idea that legal rules apply to everyone equally, regardless of wealth or political connections − is essential for a thriving economy. Yet globally the respect for the rule of law is slipping, and the U.S. is slipping with it. According to annual rankings from the World Justice Project, the rule of law has declined in more than half of all countries for seven years in a row. The rule of law in the U.S., the most economically powerful nation in the world, is now weaker than the rule of law in Uruguay, Singapore, Latvia and over 20 other countries.

    When regulation is unnecessarily burdensome for business, government should lighten the load. However, arbitrary and frenzied deregulation does not free corporations to earn higher profits. As a business school professor with an MBA who has taught business law for over 25 years, and the author of a recently published book about the importance of legal knowledge to business, I can affirm that the opposite is true. Chaotic deregulation doesn’t drive growth. It only fuels risk.

    Chaos undermines investment, talent and trust

    Legal uncertainty has become a serious drag on American competitiveness.

    A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that public policy risks — such as unexpected changes in taxes, regulation and enforcement — ranked among the top challenges businesses face, alongside more familiar business threats such as competition or economic volatility. Companies that can’t predict how the law might change are forced to plan for the worst. That means holding back on long-term investment, slowing innovation and raising prices to cover new risks.

    When the government enforces rules arbitrarily, it also undermines property rights.

    For example, if a country enters into a major trade agreement and then goes ahead and violates it, that threatens the property rights of the companies that relied on the agreement to conduct business. If the government can seize assets without due process, those assets lose their stability and value. And if that treatment depends on whether a company is in the government’s political favor, it’s not just bad economics − it’s a red flag for investors.

    When government doesn’t enforce rules fairly, it also threatens people’s freedom to enter into contracts.

    Consider presidential orders that threaten the clients of law firms that have challenged the administration with cancellation of their government contracts. The threat alone jeopardizes the value of those agreements.

    If businesses can’t trust public contracts to be respected, they’ll be less likely to work with the government in the first place. This deprives the government, and ultimately the American people, of receiving the best value for their tax dollars in critical areas such as transportation, technology and national defense.

    Regulatory chaos also allows corruption to spread.

    For example, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits businesses from bribing foreign government officials, has leveled the playing field for firms and enabled the best American companies to succeed on their merits. Before the law was enacted in 1977, some American companies felt pressured to pay bribes to compete. “Pausing” enforcement of the law, as the current presidential administration has done, increases the cost of doing business and encourages a wild west economy where chaos thrives.

    When corruption grows, stable and democratic governments weaken, opportunities for terrorism increase and corruption-fueled authoritarian regimes, which oppose the interests of the U.S., thrive. Halting the enforcement of an anti-bribery law, even for a limited time, is an issue of national security.

    Legal uncertainty fuels brain drain

    Chaotic enforcement of the law also corrodes labor markets.

    American companies require a strong pool of talented professionals to fuel their financial success. When legal rights are enforced arbitrarily or unjustly, the very best talent that American companies need may leave the country.

    The science brain drain is already happening. American scientists have submitted 32% more applications for jobs abroad compared with last year. Nonscientists are leaving too. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has witnessed a 50% increase in Americans taking steps to obtain an Irish passport. Employers in the U.K. saw a spike in job applications from the United States.

    Business from other countries will gladly accept American talent as they compete against American companies. During the Third Reich, Nazi Germany lost its best and brightest to other countries, including America. Now the reverse is happening, as highly talented Americans leave to work for firms in other nations.

    Threats of arbitrary legal actions also drive away democratic allies and their prosperous populations that purchase American-made goods and services. For example, arbitrarily threatening to punish or even annex a closely allied nation does not endear its citizens to that government or the businesses it represents. So it’s no surprise that Canadians are now boycotting American goods and services. This is devastating businesses in American border towns and hurts the economy nationwide.

    Similarly, the Canadian government has responded to whipsawing U.S. tariff announcements with counter-tariffs, which will slice the profits of American exporters. Close American allies and trading partners such as Japan, the U.K. and the European Union are also signaling their own willingness to impose retaliatory tariffs, increasing the costs of operations to American business even more.

    Modern capitalism depends on smart regulation to thrive. Smart regulation is not an obstacle to capitalism. Smart regulation is what makes American capitalism possible. Smart regulation is what makes American freedom possible.

    Clear and consistently applied legal rules allow businesses to aggressively compete, carefully plan, and generate profits. An arbitrary rule of law deprives business of the true power of capitalism – the ability to promote economic growth, spur innovation and improve the overall living standards of a free society. Americans deserve no less, and it is up to government to make that happen for everyone.

    Robert Bird 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. The rule of law is key to capitalism − eroding it is bad news for American business – https://theconversation.com/the-rule-of-law-is-key-to-capitalism-eroding-it-is-bad-news-for-american-business-254922

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mining industry “filled with exciting opportunities for investors and the economy” – Mantashe

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Despite the challenging global environment, South Africa’s mining industry is an industry on the rise.

    This view was shared by Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, who delivered the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

    In his written remarks, Mantashe explained that Mintek – the country’s national mineral research organisation – has completed a study on the state of mining in the country and the Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy for implementation, which shows great potential in the industry.

    “Having produced individual commodity reports on 21 minerals, the critical minerals strategy shows that minerals, such as platinum, manganese, iron ore, coal and chrome ore, are poised to play a critical role in the South African mining industry and the economy for the foreseeable future.

    “In contrast to the sceptic view that the South African mining industry is a sunset industry, with the comprehensive and up-to-date insights into key developments within global commodity markets, mineral production trends in South Africa and the mining sector’s contribution to the economy, we are now more convinced than ever that the South African mining industry is a sunrise industry.

    “This mining frontier is filled with exciting opportunities for investors and the economy,” he said.

    Mantashe acknowledged that the industry is operating in a challenging global landscape.

    Despite these challenges, including escalating trade tensions, evolving geopolitical relationships and the United States of America’s imposition of tariffs on some mineral exports, the industry remains a strong contributor to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    “Despite the challenging global environment, mining gross value-added rebounded by 0.3% in 2024, from a 0.5% decline in 2023. Effectively, in Rand terms, 2024 saw the mining sector contributing R451 billion to the country’s GDP, thus sustaining the 6% total contribution to the GDP.

    “In the same period, the mining industry’s export earnings totalled R674 billion, comprising R586.4 billion from primary minerals and R87.5 billion from processed minerals, representing a decrease of 0.6% from R678 billion in 2023,” the Minister said.

    Expanding mineral exploration

    The Minister highlighted that the sustainability and future of mining in South Africa is dependent on new mineral discoveries – making the Junior Mining Exploration Fund critical for discovery and transformation.

    “Established through a R200 million allocation from National Treasury, matched by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), this fund is poised to unlock new mineral discoveries and drive transformation. The first funding call has already resulted in the signing of legal contracts with black-owned junior miners. 

    “As the country navigates the natural decline of legacy commodities like gold, this fund will enable the discovery of new minerals that are essential for a range of industries, from advanced manufacturing to technology and infrastructure development.

    “Expanding this fund is not just an investment in new mining frontiers but a commitment to ensuring that our mineral wealth contributes to a more inclusive and transformed industry,” he insisted.

    Mantashe noted that, for its part, the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has implemented its Integrated and Multi-Disciplinary Mapping Programme to expand its onshore mapping coverage to meet the needs of the exploration community.

    “This work provides the fundamental basis to outline the mineral potential and geological systems at an enhanced scale, allowing [for] greater clarity to focus on exploration initiatives. 

    “For the 2025/26 financial year, the CGS will continue with the implementation of this backbone programme, both onshore and offshore, to make available key pre-competitive geological data, information and knowledge for considered investment in minerals exploration,” he said.

    The budget

    The department’s budget allocation for the 2025/26 financial year is R2.86 billion, of which R1.16 billion will be transferred to public entities, municipalities, and other implementing institutions to “enable them to fulfil their constitutional mandates”.

    Some specific projects to receive funding include:

    • R134.7 million for the rehabilitation of derelict and ownerless mines implemented by Mintek.
    • R22.4 million for the Mine Rehabilitation Research Project implemented by the Council for Geoscience.
    • R32.3 million allocated to the CGS for the Mine Water Ingress Project.
    • R46.1 million allocated to the Petroleum Agency South Africa (PASA) for the implementation of the Shale Gas Project. 

     – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: Revised science awards to boost core innovation

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

    China has updated its guidelines for the national science and technology awards with the aim of aligning innovation in the sector with major national strategies.

    The revised guidelines, announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Monday, emphasize the need for the awards to focus on the global forefront of science and technology, key economic battlefields, major national needs, and public health and wellbeing — areas deemed critical to the country’s development.

    The awards aim to align with China’s medium to long-term science and technology development plans and foster a deeper integration between scientific research and industrial innovation.

    The changes also affect the evaluation criteria used in order to ensure that scientists and frontline technical workers are prioritized. This guarantees that the focus is on individuals who demonstrate creativity in fundamental research, applied basic research, significant breakthroughs in core technologies and those promoting new quality productive forces. This shift aims to contribute to China’s self-reliance and strength in the field of science and technology.

    For example, the State Preeminent Science and Technology Awards will now primarily recognize breakthroughs in key technological domains that address significant national needs. Candidates for these awards must demonstrate loyalty to the country, embody the spirit of scientists, and remain active in cutting-edge science and technology.

    The guidelines also outline clear criteria and procedures to ensure that the most deserving individuals and projects are recognized. National science and technology awards will be conferred biennially. The State Preeminent Science and Technology Awards can be granted to a maximum of two individuals at a time, with the prize money increased to 8 million yuan ($1.12 million), all of which goes directly to the recipients.

    The State Natural Science Awards, State Technological Invention Awards, and State Scientific and Technological Progress Awards combined will amount to fewer than 300 prizes. The International Science and Technology Cooperation Awards of the People’s Republic of China will have a maximum of 10 prizes each time.

    A strong emphasis has been placed on research integrity. Individuals who have violated ethical standards or have been involved in research misconduct are ineligible for nomination. The guidelines establish a nomination accountability framework, requiring nominators to verify the authenticity of materials and assess the morality and political stances of nominees.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: A robot revolution in building the largest railway station in west China

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

    As the new section of the Chongqing-Xiamen high-speed railway, from Chongqing to Qianjiang, officially opened a week ago, the key hub along this route, Chongqing East Railway Station, was also put into operation.

    From obtaining the design blueprints in May 2022 to its official inauguration, it has taken 38 months to complete what is now the largest high-speed rail station in west China. Behind this monumental construction project are a group of unsung heroes — robots.

    According to Sun Haoran, a manager of the railway station project under China Railway Construction Engineering Group, the station serves as a pilot for the “integration of stations and cities” as part of the nation’s efforts to strengthen transportation infrastructure.

    Located in the Nan’an District of Chongqing, the station features 15 platforms and 29 tracks. The station building spans eight floors with a total construction area of 1.22 million square meters, equivalent to 170 standard football fields. Its roof covers approximately 120,000 square meters and weighs 16,500 tonnes.

    “The scale of the station’s roof alone is colossal, making the construction difficult and posing high safety risks,” Sun said.

    Indeed, in this city where temperatures regularly hit 40 degrees Celsius during furnace-like summers, building a vast transportation hub on its rugged topography demands innovation.

    Robots have conducted a quiet revolution, transforming conventional construction in extreme environments.

    “Ground leveling in 40-degree heat used to mean workers often collapsing from heatstroke,” said Huang Pinqing, a senior official with China Railway 11th Bureau Group Corporation Limited, who is in charge of the railway station project.

    “Now, laser-guided bots did the job with millimeter precision at three times human speed, cutting labour costs by 40 percent.”

    “Meanwhile, in this mountain furnace in summer, steel never sweats,” he added.

    Huang proudly introduced his “robot army.”

    Four-wheel laser screed machines, equipped with LiDAR sensors, AI algorithms, and 5G connectivity, replaced manual concrete smoothing. While workers remotely monitor them from shaded shelters, their precision reduces waste.

    Patrol robots, undeterred by night or rain, became 24/7 sentinels. Using AI vision, they detect the absence of hard hats or misplaced vehicles within 100 meters during the day or 50 meters at night, slashing hazard identification time by 90 percent and quadrupling the quality inspection efficiency, he said.

    Glass installation robots tackle 800-kilogram panels needed for soaring facades. Precision servo arms position the massive glass units with millimeter accuracy, accelerating installation threefold while reducing accident risks by 90 percent compared to manual hoisting by dozens of workers.

    Omni-directional welding robots were used for joining overhead pipe installations. Capable of 0.1-millimeter accuracy swing control, they sealed an 800-millimeter diameter steel pipe joint in two hours — one-third the time required manually — ensuring consistent quality on high-altitude tasks.

    “Robots free our teams from the worst heat exposure,” Huang said. “They aren’t gimmicks but essential partners.”

    Data from China Railway 11th Bureau Group Corporation Limited confirmed that robotics tripled average work efficiency and nearly halved labour costs.

    In addition, safety incidents dropped by 90 percent, despite Chongqing’s challenging topography, where summer heatwaves now regularly test construction limits, including record-breaking temperatures in 2022 and 2024, forcing traditional sites to suspend daytime work.

    “This is how technology serves people — building faster, safer, and smarter, even in Chongqing’s furnace,” said Huang.

    This mountainous metropolis is also accelerating the power of automation to reshape infrastructure development and beyond.

    According to the Chongqing Municipal Economy and Information Technology Commission, in recent years, Chongqing has drafted action plans to boost robot application and cultivate future industries, empowering the development of the robotics industry from a top-level institutional perspective.

    By 2024, the city’s robotics output exceeded 60,000 units, with the total industrial chain output value surpassing 37 billion yuan (about 5.17 billion U.S. dollars).

    Meanwhile, the city is creating an internationally competitive intelligent equipment industrial cluster.

    Currently, Chongqing has gathered over 300 key robotics enterprises, and hosts 31 research and development platforms, such as the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a national robotics testing center.

    This has led to the establishment of a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing research and development, manufacturing, testing, system integration, component supply, talent training and application services. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft Oil Company Holds Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

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

    Rosneft held its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, where it has been decided to approve the payment of dividends for 2023 in the amount of 29.01 roubles per share. 

    July 9, 2024 was set as the dividend record date. The dividends will be paid to nominee shareholders and trustees not later than July 23, 2024, and to other shareholders registered in the shareholder register not later than August 13, 2024.

    The shareholders have elected a new Board of Directors consisting of 11 members:

    • Andrey I. Akimov – Chairman of the Management Board, Gazprombank (Joint-Stock Company);
    • Pedro A. Aquino, Jr. – CEO of OIL & PETROLEUM HOLDINGS INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES LIMITED, Independent Director (the Republic of the Philippines);
    • Faisal Alsuwaidi – Representative of Qatar Investments Authority (the State of Qatar);
    • Hamad Rashid Al-Mohannadi – Representative of Qatar Investments Authority (the State of Qatar);
    • Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada – Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Doha University  for Science and Technology, member of the Board of Directors of Nesma Infrastructure & Technology, member of the Advisory Committee of the GCC Supreme Council, Independent Director (the State of Qatar);
    • Viktor G. Martynov – Rector of Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University), Independent Director;
    • Alexander D. Nekipelov –  Director of the Moscow School of Economics at the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Independent Director;
    • Alexander V. Novak – Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation;
    • Maxim S. Oreshkin – Deputy Head of the RF President Administration;
    • Govind Kottieth Satish – Managing Director of VALUE PROLIFIC CONSULTING SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED, Independent Director (India);
    • Igor I. Sechin – Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Management Board of Rosneft Oil Company;

    The Meeting of Shareholders has also approved the Annual Report and Financial Statements, and decided to elect an Audit Commission consisting of five members.

    Information and Advertising Department
    Rosneft
    June 28, 2024

    These materials contain statements regarding future events and expectations that constitute forward-looking statements. Any statement in these materials that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to differ. We assume no obligations to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in factors affecting these statements.

    Keywords: Corporate Governance 2024

    Please note; this information is the raw content received directly from the information source. This is exactly what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Rosneft and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) develop cooperation in the social sphere

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

    Rosneft and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) signed an Agreement on financing the construction of a cultural center in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

    The documents were inked by Igor Sechin, Chief Executive Officer of Rosneft, and Aysen Nikolaev, Head of the Republic of Sakha.

    In accordance with the arrangements reached, a Multifunctional Cultural Center will be built in the village of Tas-Yuryakh, Mirny District, using the Company’s funds. The complex will include a village culture center, a library, a post office, an assembly hall and a gym.

    In 2023, Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha (part of Rosneft), supported the establishment of a Growth Point center for industry-specific and digital education at the school of Tas-Yuryakh village – the rooms for robotics, 3D modeling, and the school press center were renovated. The school was provided with a TV studio, a language laboratory, and a local history museum that features an exhibition and educational exposition.

    Rosneft pays great attention to supporting educational, social, cultural and enlightenment projects in the Republic. According to the Cooperation Agreement signed between the Company and the Government of the region in 2015, major joint projects are being implemented.

    In 2022, in the year of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Sakha, Rosneft opened the Small Academy of Sciences in the village of Chapaevo, Khangalassky District, which has become a kind of hub of research and project activities for schoolchildren throughout the Far Eastern region. Children from both big cities and remote areas of the Republic study in the new 7,000 m2 building. The facility functions according to the model of the Sirius Educational Center.

    In addition, the Company allocated funds in 2023 to establish a Full Cycle Oil and Gas Process Factory training center on the basis of the Regional Technical College in the town of Mirny. The Center is scheduled to be opened this year.

    Reference:

    Rosneft is represented in Yakutia by Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha, which is developing the Srednebotuobinskoye oil and gas condensate field. The entity is one of the three largest Rosneft assets in the East Siberian oil cluster. Production exceeds 5 million tons of oil per year. The entity carries out large-scale geological exploration in the Republic of Sakha.

    Department of Information and Advertising
    Rosneft Oil Company
    September 4, 2024

    These materials contain statements regarding future events and expectations that are forward-looking estimates. Any statement in these materials that is not historical information is a forward-looking statement that involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the expected results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to adjust the data contained herein to reflect actual results, changes in underlying assumptions or factors affecting the forward-looking statements.

    Keywords: Social News 2024

    Please note; this information is the raw content received directly from the information source. This is exactly what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUDN University Celebrates the 2nd Annual Swahili Culture Day: Bridging People through Language and Culture

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On 4th of April 2025, RUDN University hosted the 2-nd annual event on Swahili.

    The representatives from four diplomatic missions, including the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda, researchers and students from Moscow universities, as well as schoolchildren, attended the forum.

    In his inaugural address, RUDN Rector professor Oleg Yastrebov, highlighted the university’s unwavering commitment to guide a new generation of specialists to embrace the boundless possibilities of their chosen domains еnriched by the profound gift of Swahili proficiency, covering the language mastery and translation skills.

    With profound dedication, we have taken a decisive step forward by introducing a Swahili language course, offered free of charge to our most exceptional students. This endeavor stems from a deep recognition of the growing and urgent demand for experts in the field across international industries.

    Oleg Yastrebov

    His Excellency Haba Niankoye, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guinea warmly welcomed the attendees and wished success to all those studying the Swahili language.

    Ms. Semeni Nandonde, First Secretary of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Russian Federation, passionately affirmed Tanzania’s steadfast support for RUDN noble efforts in promoting the Swahili language learning among Russian students. She reiterated her country’s enduring commitment to championing this initiative.

    Thomas Edwin Williams, the President of the Association of African Students at RUDN University inspired those gathered to enhance their awareness of African culture and unique linguistic landscape, while learning the Swahili language that speaks to the soul of a vibrant and vast continent.

    The research part of the event incorporated reports by distinguished representatives of Academia, youth scientists, and leaders of non-profit educational initiatives. Aslan Abashidze (RUDN Law Institute Director, Full Professor, Dr in Laws, member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), Andrey Barinov (PhD in Economics, Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences), and Alexander Brumarov (founder and leader of AfrikaDa, Russia’s first school of African Languages) highlighted multifaceted treasures of Africa, its cultural and linguistic jewels that serve as living testaments to the continent enduring legacy.

    The program of the event was adorned with heartfelt performances prepared by students and schoolchildren who are dedicated to learning Swahili at Moscow’s esteemed universities and schools. A theatrical parable in Swahily from students of the Russian State University of Humanities warned against selfishness through the story of a haughty tree. The audience was also captivated by passionate Swahili songs from MGIMO and RUDN students, as well as from schoolchildren of Moscow school № 1517 . Multilingual sketches about students’ life imbued the event with a true spirit of an international university.

    We are delighted to participate in Swahili Day at RUDN University for the second year in a row. It is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, share knowledge, and showcase our creative potential through the Swahili language.

    Sevgi Akhmedova, Mikhail Smirnov, Russian State University of Humanities

    Student communities from African countries supported the event with cultural exhibitions and stanning dancing performances.

    Developing Swahili as one of educational tracks, RUDN University enriches a multilingual agenda in education, and fosters its belief in the transformative power of education.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUDN received the ‘Time of Innovations’ award for its own patented development ‘Digital Pre-University Faculty’

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Peoples‘ Friendship University of Russia (’RUDN’) has been awarded the All-Russian prize “Time for Innovations” for its patented development ‘Digital Pre-University Faculty’, which allows you to study Russian from anywhere in the world.

    RUDN project stood out among many participants in the nomination ‘Innovative and Active Company of the Year’ in the category ‘IT and Digital Technologies’.

    Currently, the platform has trained more than 16,000 users from 82 countries who have studied and continue to study Russian using their native intermediate language. This unique feature of the platform makes the learning process more accessible and effective.

    Speakers of 9 languages can learn Russian through their native language: Chinese, Farsi, Turkish, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, Vietnamese, Myanmar.

    Russian language rules, instructions and hints are available in users’ native language. 

    In addition to Russian, users can also study 8 general education disciplines on the platform, including maths, computer science, chemistry, physics, biology, history, literature and social studies.

    Despite the large number of educational resources, there are currently no similar learning platform software solutions in the world, the use of which is possible without prior preparation – knowledge of the alphabet and the ability to read in the language being learnt, which makes the Digital Pre-University Faculty a truly unique development. The project is currently at the stage of improvement and expansion of technological and user capabilities.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: V.F. Stanis 100th anniversary medal: RUDN foreign alumni

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The aaniversary medal to the 100th anniversary of V.F. Stanis is awarded to RUDN current and ex-employees and students for: significant contribution to the university development; long-standing commitment to maintaining ties with the university; fruitful cooperation of Russian and foreign organizations, scientists and public figures with the university.

    The aaniversary medal to the 100th anniversary of V.F. Stanis is awarded to RUDN current and ex-employees and students for:

    • significant contribution to the university development;
    • long-standing commitment to maintaining ties with the university;
    • fruitful cooperation of Russian and foreign organizations, scientists and public figures with the university.

    RUDN foreign alumni

    For their contribution to the promotion of RUDN abroad, for maintaining relations with the university and cooperation, 16 foreign graduates received the V.F. Stanis anniversary medal:

    1. Galina Abbas (Lebanon);
    2. Hamed Muhieddin Abou Zahr (Lebanon, Peru);
    3. Al-Twal Salam Fakhri (Jordan);
    4. Gupta Sudhir (India);
    5. Georges Aoun (Lebanon);
    6. Kalumbi Shangula (Namibia);
    7. Mizanur Rahman (Bangladesh);
    8. Mustafa Hammoud Al-Nawaise (Jordan);
    9. Navin Saxena (India);
    10. Najim Riad Yousef (Lebanon);
    11. Nilakshi Suryanarayan (India);
    12. Gagan Patwardhan (India);
    13. Rigoberto Santos Hilario (Dominican Republic);
    14. Ruben Dario Flores (Colombia);
    15. Auelbek Tokzhanov (Kazakhstan);
    16. Jose Hidalgo Salazar (Ecuador).

    Faculty of Economics and Law

    • Mizanur Rahman, graduate ‘81 — head of the Association of Alumni of Russian and Soviet Universities in Bangladesh.
    • Mustafa Hammoud Al-Nawaise, graduate ‘91 — international lawyer, former Secretary General of the Constitutional Court of Jordan.
    • Hamed Muhieddin Abou Zahr, graduate ‘92 — President of the Arab-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce, Vice-president of the Association of RUDN Alumni in Peru, Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Peru.

    Faculty of Science

    Graduate ‘78 of the Faculty of Science, majoring in Chemistry, Navin Saxena is the President of the international group of pharmaceutical companies: Rusan Pharma (India), Euro-Med (Russia), Pharmaker (Great Britain), Uzpharmaker (Uzbekistan), Pharmaker (Ukraine), Pharmaker (UAE) and owns the pharmaceutical companies Rusan Pharma and Pharmaker. In 2005, Rusan Pharma became a supplier of vital drugs under the Benefit-2005 program in the Russian Federation. It still remains one of the largest suppliers of drugs to the Russian Ministry of Health, the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, as well as to the services of the Russian Army. Navin Saxena is the author of a large number of publications in Russian and foreign scientific journals, has drugs copyright certificates and patents.

    Faculty of History and Philology

    • Ruben Dario Flores, graduate ‘83 — Director of the Leo Tolstoy Institute of Culture in Bogota, Colombia.
    • Nilakshi Suryanarayan, graduate ‘80 — Head of the Department of Slavonic and Finno-Ugrian Studies at the University of Delhi, professor, teacher of Russian language and literature.
    • Galina Abbas, graduate ‘92 — President of RUDN University Alumni Association in Lebanon.

    All of them actively promote Russian education and the Russian language in their countries. Thus, Nilakshi Suryanarayan is the author of a popular manual among Indian students of philology, “Russian Verbs with Prefixes: Meaning and Usage”. Galina Abbas was awarded the Pushkin Medal, and Ruben Dario Flores is a translator of works by Russian poets A.Pushkin, B.Pasternak and A.Tarkovsky.

    Faculty of Medicine

    In 1978, Najim Riad Youssef graduated from the Faculty of Medicine. Najim Riad Youssef is the CEO of RamTEK LLC and Vice-Chairman of the Lebanese-Russian Friendship Society, popularizing Russian higher education and science abroad, which made him the Ambassador of Russian Education and Science.

    Kalumbi Shangula graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 1983. He is the Minister of Health and Social Services of Namibia. He is member of the Medical Association of Namibia, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in Great Britain, and the New York Academy of Sciences.

    Faculty of Engineering

    The largest number of graduates awarded the medal to the 100th anniversary of V.F. Stanis graduated from the Engineering faculty: Jose Hidalgo Salazar in 1973, Patwardhan Gagan in 1975, Al-Twal Salam Fakhri in 1983, Rigoberto Hilario Santos and Georges Aoun in 1984.

    They continue to maintain contact with RUDN, creating new opportunities for the future students. Jose Hidalgo Salazar, CEO of IGGEKO LLC, became a laureate of the Order of Friendship. Al-Twal Salam Fakhri, a senior specialist in the regional office of the UN Development Program, member of the Jordan-Russia Friendship Society was awarded the Order of Friendship by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation. Rigoberto Hilario Santos, CEO of the engineering and construction company CONSUDOM SRL, member of the Presidium of the Dominican College of Architects and Geodesic Engineers, former Director of the Department of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications of the Dominican Republic, became the Ambassador of Russian Education and Science. Patwardhan Gagan, Head of Union Exports LLC, received the Order of Friendship for promoting the Russian language in Western India. Professor Georges Aoun, Head of the department of basic disciplines at the engineering faculty of the Lebanese University, organized summer schools with the Agrarian and Technological Institute, Engineering Academy and the Institute of the Russian language, as well as a double degree program with the Philological faculty of RUDN, author of a number of publication on teaching Russian as a foreign language.

    Faculty of Agriculture

    Auelbek Tokzhanov, a 1982 graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture, is currently the CEO of Skymax Technologies Group of Companies, AK Karal Diatomit Industry. He heads the UDN-RUDN Alumni and Friends Association in Kazakhstan and is a member of the expert group in the Innovative Economy direction of the Nur Otan party. Aulbek Tokzhanov is a co-founder of the Literary Alliance Public Foundation, which supports the work of Olzhas Suleimenov and young talents.

    Gupta Sudhir is a 1983 graduate of the Faculty of Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amtel Corporation. To support students, he has established 80 personal scholarships of 3,000 rubles per month. Gupta Sudhir was also awarded the Order of Friendship.

    V.F. Stanis anniversary medals were also awarded to 28 Russian graduates, employees and partners of RUDN University.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Indonesia and RUDN: Exchange of environmental research insights

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The international scientific seminar hosted by RUDN Institute of Ecology “Experience of participation in student organizations as a way to form career skills” united scholarship recipients of the International Student Mobility Awards 2024 and Open Doors, along with members of the scientific student society “GreenLab” and the professional student association “Kostyor (Bonfire)” shared their projects focused on environmental protection.

    During the international seminar, participants exchanged insights on how student-led initiatives can be implemented within university settings.

    Student research is an invaluable source of new ideas and bold solutions that play an important role in the development of science.

    Anna Popkova

    Deputy Director for International activities at the Institute of Ecology

    Among the speakers was Yusriani Mardia Arifin from Indonesia, who presented the results of her research on groundwater potential zoning in the Cisarua area of Bogor district, using cutting-edge GIS technologies.

    It is commonly believed that there is an abundance of groundwater in this area, while the study reveals a shortage. I’ve identified four distinct zones with varying groundwater potential, which will aid in more effective water resource management.

    Yusriani Mardia Arifin

    Muhammad Filzah Zulfakar introduced the Mulang project, a UNESCO-supported initiative under the “Youth as Researchers” program. This comprehensive study focuses on the village of Lovokdoro, home to waste pickers, and examines various aspects including spatial, environmental, health, economic, and social factors. The findings aim to develop strategies that can be applied to similar challenges in other villages.

    Abigail Tabita highlighted the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in driving sustainable development in Indonesia. With a large number of these enterprises, she sees a lot of opportunities for a stable growth in the future. Abigail shared her plans to conduct five mentoring sessions, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, involving around 30 SMEs in each session. This initiative will help these businesses to adapt to evolving market demands, while exporters will gain more opportunities to expand their markets.

    International consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability. They are shifting away from unsustainable practices towards more responsible approaches throughout the supply chain!

    Abigail Tabita

    The international scientific seminar served as a vibrant platform for fostering collaboration between representatives from Russia and Indonesia.

    A huge thank you to RUDN, especially the Institute of Ecology, for organizing this science workshop. It allowed us to exchange and share our projects with other international students. I look forward to many more opportunities to connect and expand our understanding of scientific advancements worldwide!

    Wahdini Aulia Rizki

    In the latter part of the event, international students were introduced to the diverse scientific activities at the PFUR Institute of Ecology. Pavel Zhigarlovich represented the professional student association “Koster,” sharing insights about the club’s scientific expeditions, historical and geographical quests, and volunteer efforts in protected areas. The Indonesian students were particularly captivated by the results of fieldwork conducted on Baikal in early 2024.

    Daniil Mironov, Vice Chairman of the Scientific Student Society “GreenLab,” also took the stage to discuss initiatives aimed at engaging students in scientific pursuits. He highlighted the association’s efforts to organize lectures with leading experts in various ecological fields, field trips, and intellectual games designed to spark curiosity and involvement.

    Seminar “Experience of Participation in Student Organizations as a Way to Build Career Skills,” marked a significant milestone in the decade of environmental science, education, and awareness at RUDN.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian education abroad: RUDN University hosts conference “Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science”

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Ambassadors of Russian education and science met at a conference in RUDN University to discuss how they can increase the visibility of Russian universities and research organizations in the world, and attract more international students in Russia.

    More than 70 people gathered at the conference:

    • 13 new Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science from Burkina Faso, Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mozambique, Mongolia, the Republic of Guinea, Sri Lanka and Ecuador.
    • representatives of Russian educational organizations from among the founders of the program “Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science”;
    • members of the Consortium Council;
    • representatives of international services of Russian higher education institutions;
    • heads of the main educational divisions of RUDN University.

    “Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science” is a RUDN University project that brings together graduates of Russian universities, government and public figures from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the CIS. They voluntarily and gratuitously promote Russian education, brands of Russian educational and scientific organizations, and the Russian education and science system as a whole in their countries.

    Graduates of Russian and Soviet universities are guides of Russian education and science in their countries. Cooperation with them will increase the number of international students in Russia, strengthen the authority and reputation of Russian education and science, and strengthen cooperation between foreign countries and Russia. Promotion of the Russian language as one of the world’s languages will also be important.

    Vladimir Filippov

    President of RUDN University, Chairman of the Consortium Council

    Head of the Department of External Relations and International Projects of the Center for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation Elena Averkova spoke on key international humanitarian projects:

    • “Russian Teacher Abroad” united 28 countries and 245 schools in the Association of Russian Schools Abroad. Its participants are Russian teachers who teach in foreign schools in Russian.
    • International school “Interdom” named after E. D. Stasova has trained more than 5,000 foreign students. They return to their home countries taking prominent public and state posts there, and strengthening ties with Russia.

    Acting Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Nikolai Kudryavtsev stressed that Russia ranks 4th in the list of countries where current heads of foreign states and governments got their degrees. He added that currently in Russia there are 77 bilateral and 15 multilateral agreements in the field of mutual recognition of education, qualifications and academic degrees. Another 50 draft agreements are under development.

    Ambassador of Russian Education and Science, General Director of the International Coordinating Council of Graduates of Educational Institutions (INCORVUZ-XXI) Kochofa Aniset Gabriel noted important areas of work to promote Russian education and science:

    • mutual coordination of projects at the international level with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation;
    • opening schools and centers for learning the Russian language with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo and Russian embassies in other countries.

    The participants of the meeting shared their vision of the development and promotion of Russian education and science abroad. They suggested speeding up the registration of study visas for foreign applicants coming to Russia. The Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science also believe that it is necessary to involve Rossotrudnichestvo and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation to supply textbooks on the Russian language and literature to Russian schools and Russian language learning centers created on the initiative of foreign graduates of Soviet and Russian universities.

    Following the conference, participants outlined a work plan for 2025.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Achievements of RUDN University staff and alumni recognized with state and departmental awards

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    RUDN University staff and alumni received state and departmental awards at the State Kremlin Palace during a festive concert in honor of RUDN 65th anniversary.

    State awards

    The honorary title “Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation” for great contributions to science and many years of conscientious work was awarded to:

    • Aslan Abashidze, Head of the Department of International Law, RUDN Law Institute, Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Laws;
    • Vitaly Eremyan, Head of the Department of Constitutional Law and Constitutional Legal Proceedings, RUDN University Law Institute, Honored Lawyer of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Laws.

    For merits in science and education, training of highly qualified specialists, and many years of diligent work, the Medal of the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” II Class was awarded to:

    • Vladimir Vorobyov, Head of the Department of the Russian Language and linguoculturology, Institute of the Russian Language, Doctor of Pedagogical sciences.
    • Natalya Sokolova, Director of the Institute of Foreign Languages, Head of the Department of Theory and practice of foreign languages, PhD of Philological Sciences.

    The honorary title “Honored Inventor of the Russian Federation” for many years of productive inventive activity was awarded to Alexander Stepanov, Head of the Department of Dentistry of the Institute of Medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences.

    Departmental awards

    Andrey Kostin, First Vice-Rector — Vice-Rector for Research of RUDN University, Doctor of Medical Sciences, was awarded the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Honor for achievements in science and education, training of highly qualified specialists, and many years of conscientious work.

    By the order of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the honorary title “Honorary Worker of Education of the Russian Federation” for significant contributions to education and diligent work was conferred on:

    • Svetlana Balashova, Head of the Department of Economic and mathematical modeling, RUDN Faculty of Economics, PhD of Physical and Mathematical Sciences;
    • Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva, Head of the Department of Russian History, RUDN Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, PhD of Historical Sciences

    State awards to foreign alumni

    State awards were also presented to foreign alumni who made significant contributions to strengthening international ties and promoting Russian education and science abroad.

    The Order of Friendship was awarded to :

    1. Hamed Muhieddin Abou Zahr (Lebanon), President of the Arab-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce;
    2. Mustafa Hammoud Al-Nawaise (Jordan), Lawyer;
    3. Najim Riad Yusef (Lebanon/Russia), General Director, RamTEK LLC;
    4. Navin Satyapal Saxena (India), Director, pharmaceutical company “Rusan Pharma”.

    За достижения в области гуманитарных наук и литературы, вклад в изучение и сохранение культурного наследия России и сближений культур наций трое выпускников награждены Медалью Пушкина:

    For achievements in the field of the humanities and literature, contributions to the study and preservation of Russia’s cultural heritage, and bringing national cultures closer together, the Pushkin Medal was awarded to:

    1. Galina Abbas (Russia/Lebanon), President of RUDN University Alumni Association in Lebanon;
    2. Liu Xin (China), Chairman of the Board of Directors of MBDK International Group;
    3. Tony François Simon-Pierre Ngan (Cameroon), Chairman of Alumni Association of Russian (Soviet) Universities in Cameroon “Soyuzniki”

    RUDN University congratulates its staff and alumni on receiving these awards!

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUDN University hosts the first youth forum “Russia – Asia: human resources potential of the nuclear industry in the region”

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The forum attracted over 400 representatives from 36 countries, including delegates from 16 Asian countries, experts from the nuclear industry, supporting and partner universities of Rosatom.

    This forum brought together leaders who are committed to stating their ideas and forming teams. You can connect with like-minded people and explore new areas for collaboration. It is essential to support the initiatives of talented students from Asia, who will return to their home countries and develop the nuclear industry in the region.

    Vladimir Filippov

    President of RUDN University

    With the support of Rosatom State Corporation, more than 800 students from Asia are studying in Russia in nuclear engineering programs.

    Rosatom is a global leader in nuclear energy. We successfully export both advanced technologies and best educational practices. Our unique educational ecosystem enables us to train top-class specialists starting from school. Within the framework of joint educational initiatives, we collaborate with 17 Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. We offer comprehensive solutions for human resource development – ranging from staff training and university education in Russia to advanced professional development and joint research projects. We take into account the specific needs of each partner country and through transfer of education and technologies we generate new industries and job opportunities.

    Tatyana Terentieva

    Rosatom Deputy Director General for HR

    The forum featured presentations across seven thematic sections covering nuclear energy and its related applications: Nuclear Reactors, Radiation Safety, Agrotechnologies, Environmental Science, Nuclear Medicine, as well as Youth and Public Organizations and Contribution of Alumni to Regional Development.

    Speakers included students and young researchers from the supporting and partner universities of Rosatom: MEPhI, TPU, UrFU, NNSTU n.a. R.E. Alekseev, Yuri Gagarin SSTU, Peter the Great SPbPU, BMSTU, IKBFU, LETI and RUDN.

    The forum spanned 36 countries, with 16 of them representing Asia. Participants and experts came from Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and other Asian countries.

    Please note; this information is raw content received directly from the information source. It is an accurate account of what the source claims, and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow schoolchildren have begun retaking the Unified State Exam

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Retake days for Moscow schoolchildren have begun in the capital. This year, graduates can improve their results in one of the subjects of the Unified State Exam (USE) on July 3 and 4. This was reported by the press service of the capital Department of Education and Science.

    “In 2024, schoolchildren will have the opportunity to improve their results on the Unified State Exam in one subject for the first time. This year, one subject can be retaken on July 3 and 4. Almost 14 thousand graduates will take advantage of this opportunity. Among them are high-scoring schoolchildren who scored almost the maximum score – 96, 97 and even 98 points. This speaks of the determination and perfectionism of the children, who are ready to make every effort to get the highest result,” the department’s press service reported.

    Almost 100 exam sites have been set up in the capital. The results of the Unified State Exam, which Moscow schoolchildren will retake on July 3 and 4, will be available no later than July 12. Participants will be able to find them out in their personal account on the mos.ru portal or at their school. The main period of the state final certification for eleventh-graders will end on July 4, and the additional period will be held from September 4 to 23.

    Moscow schoolchildren annually show high results in the Unified State Exam. Thus, this year, Muscovite Nadezhda Yashmolkina scored 400 points in four subjects: advanced level mathematics, Russian language, physics and computer science. So far, this is the only such result in the country.

    Sergei Sobyanin congratulated a schoolgirl who passed the Unified State Exam with the maximum 400 pointsFor Moscow graduates: mos.ru will help you quickly find out your exam results

    Moscow has a comprehensive system for preparing eleventh-graders for the Unified State Exam. In the second half of the year, practical training for exam preparation begins — it takes up at least 40 percent of the study time. In addition, schoolchildren write practice papers in the Unified State Exam format, which are conducted by the Moscow Department of Education and Science.

    To effectively prepare for the Unified State Exam, Moscow schoolchildren can use the capabilities of the Moscow Electronic School platform (“MESH”). The Exams service offers video analysis of assignments, tests with automatic checking, and interactive applications. Students can watch videos on how to fill out forms, manage time, and cope with nervous tension. The MESH library has all the necessary manuals and collections of assignments. In addition, the platform offers an online course to prepare for the Unified State Exam, developed by the best teachers of the Center for Pedagogical Excellence.

    You can find out more about the state final certification in the capital on the website Regional Information Processing Center of the City of Moscow, and also by phone: 7 499 653-94-50.

    Conducting preparatory activities for successful passing of state exams by schoolchildren and writing of the final essay not only helps students achieve high results in tests, but also contributes to the development of children’s talents and the formation of skills that will be useful to them in their future profession, and also corresponds to the objectives of the project “All the best for children” of the national project “Youth and Children”.

    Quickly find out the main news of the capital inofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156203073/

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU defended a thesis on digital marketing of agribusiness in a Russian-Indonesian project

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The Higher School of Service and Trade (HSST) of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade of SPbPU successfully defended the final qualification works of bachelors. The event became a key stage in the implementation of a large-scale joint research grant with the partner Indonesian University of Gunadarma.

    Students of the Higher School of Social Sciences of the Institute of Mathematics, Economics and Telecommunications of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Anastasia Pakhaturidi and Yulia Mavlyutova presented the results of their research carried out within the framework of the project “Cross-cultural research and promotion of smart agribusiness of growing marigolds based on digital marketing (a joint project of Indonesia and Russia)”. Both defenses were rated excellent.

    The aim of the project is to study the potential of smart agribusiness and digital marketing in the flower industry, specifically focusing on marigolds, which have high economic importance for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. The project is unique in its cross-cultural approach, synchronizing the agribusiness models of Russia (temperate climate, EAEU) and Indonesia (tropical climate, ASEAN) through the prism of digitalization.

    Anastasia Pakhaturidi (supervisor — PhD in Economics, Associate Professor Nelli Kozlova) and Yulia Mavlyutova (supervisor — Doctor of Economics, Professor Svetlana Bozhuk) developed a strategy for promoting the project in the Indonesian and ASEAN markets using digital marketing tools. Optimal promotion channels for the B2B and B2C segments were identified, their specifics were described, and recommendations on content were given. An in-depth analysis of the Russian flower market and marketing tools for promoting marigolds was also conducted, including the development of a brand concept and a content plan for the VKontakte social network.

    Working on the GUT Marigold project was not easy, but it left only pleasant impressions! The most interesting thing for me was studying consumers, since even at the initial stage it became clear how much the buyer in Asia differs from the Russian one I am used to. This expanded my worldview and gave me knowledge that I hope to apply in my profession in the future. I am grateful to my scientific supervisor Nelli Anatolyevna Kozlova for the opportunity, competent and qualified guidance and support, – shared Anastasia Pakhaturidi.

    The research project will continue next year.

    Yulia Mavlyutova noted: It was interesting to work on a part of a real project and feel my contribution to the common cause. Most of all I liked creating the concept of a new flower brand and making a content plan. I am very glad that I had the opportunity to work with Svetlana Bozhuk. She very competently guided me along the way and also gave very good advice.

    This initiative not only has high scientific and practical value in the field of digital marketing and smart agriculture, but also strengthens the position of St. Petersburg as a center of innovation and international cooperation. The project opens up new opportunities for St. Petersburg enterprises in the agricultural sector and promotes the development of international programs in the field of agrobiotechnology and digital marketing in the city’s scientific and educational institutions, fully consistent with its strategic development goals until 2035.

    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-Evening Report: Too much vitamin B6 can be toxic. 3 symptoms to watch out for

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University

    Selena3726/Shutterstock

    Side effects from taking too much vitamin B6 – including nerve damage – may be more widespread than we think, Australia’s medicines regulator says.

    In an ABC report earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) says it may have underestimated the extent of the side effects from vitamin B6 supplements.

    However, there are proposals to limit sales of high-dose versions due to safety concerns.

    A pathologist who runs a clinic that tests vitamin B6 in blood samples from across Australia also appeared on the program. He told the ABC that data from May suggests 4.5% of samples tested had returned results “very likely” indicating nerve damage.

    So what are vitamin B6 supplements? How can they be toxic? And which symptoms do you need to watch out for?

    What is vitamin B6?

    Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, plays an important role in keeping the body healthy. It is involved in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats in food. It is also important for the production of neurotransmitters – chemical messengers in the brain that maintain its function and regulate your mood.

    Vitamin B6 also supports the immune system by helping to make antibodies, which fight off infections. And it is needed to produce haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body.

    Some women take a vitamin B6 supplement when pregnant. It is thought this helps reduce the nausea associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Some women also take it to help with premenstrual syndrome.

    However, most people don’t need, and won’t benefit from, a vitamin B6 supplement. That’s because you get enough vitamin B6 from your diet through meat, breakfast cereal, fruit and vegetables.

    You don’t need much. A dose of 1.3–1.7 milligrams a day is enough for most adults.

    Currently, vitamin B6 supplements with a daily dose of 5–200mg can be sold over the counter at health food stores, supermarkets and pharmacies.

    Because of safety concerns, the TGA is proposing limiting their sale to pharmacies, and only after consultation with a pharmacist.

    Daily doses higher than 200mg already need a doctor’s prescription. So under the proposal that would stay the same.

    What happens if you take too much?

    If you take too much vitamin B6, in most cases the excess will be excreted in your urine and most people won’t experience side effects. But there is a growing concern about long-time, high-dose use.

    A side effect the medical community is worried about is peripheral neuropathy – where there is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This results in pain, numbness or weakness, usually in your hands and feet. We don’t yet know exactly how this happens.

    In most reported cases, these symptoms disappear once you stop taking the supplement. But for some people it may take three months to two years before they feel completely better.

    There is growing, but sometimes contradictory, evidence that high doses (more than 50mg a day) for extended periods can result in serious side effects.

    A study from the 1990s followed 70 patients for five years who took a dose of 100 to 150mg a day. There were no reported cases of neuropathy.

    But more recent studies show high rates of side effects.

    A 2023 case report provides details of a man who was taking multiple supplements. This resulted in a daily combined 95mg dose of vitamin B6, and he experienced neuropathy.

    Another report describes seven cases of neuropathy linked to drinking energy drinks containing vitamin B6.

    Reports to the TGA’s database of adverse events notifications (a record of reported side effects) shows 174 cases of neuropathy linked with vitamin B6 use since 2023.

    What should I do if I take vitamin B6?

    The current advice is that someone who takes a dose of 50mg a day or more, for more than six months, should be monitored by a health-care professional. So if you regularly take vitamin B6 supplements you should discuss continued use with your doctor or pharmacist.

    There are three side effects to watch out for, the first two related to neuropathy:

    1. numbness or pain in the feet and hands

    2. difficulty with balance and coordination as a result of muscle weakness

    3. heartburn and nausea.

    If you have worrying side effects after taking vitamin B6 supplements, contact your state’s poison information centre on 13 11 26 for advice.

    Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. He is a member of the Haleon Australia Pty Ltd Pain Advisory Board. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design and testing.

    Slade Matthews provides scientific evaluations to the Therapeutic Goods Administration as a member of the Therapeutic Goods Assessment and Advisory Panel. Slade serves on the NSW Poisons Advisory Committee for NSW Health as the minister-nominated pharmacologist appointed by the Governor of NSW.

    – ref. Too much vitamin B6 can be toxic. 3 symptoms to watch out for – https://theconversation.com/too-much-vitamin-b6-can-be-toxic-3-symptoms-to-watch-out-for-260400

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Young scientists of the State University of Management will take part in the formation of the country’s personnel strategy

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On July 2, young scientists from the State University of Management presented one of the best projects of the forum “Strong Ideas for a New Time” and were invited to a strategic session on the formation of a personnel strategy at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.

    Head of the Scientific Research Coordination Department of the State University of Management Maxim Pletnev and specialist of the Center for Scientific Research Coordination, graduate student of the State University of Management Nikita Akinshin presented the project “Creation of a flexible, practice-oriented system for training scientific personnel” at the pitch session.

    The proposed initiative is aimed at reforming the training programs for scientific and pedagogical personnel in postgraduate studies by ensuring closer interaction between higher education institutions and enterprises in the real sector of the economy.

    The key basis of the proposal is the creation of conditions under which this interaction will be beneficial to all participants and will ensure unprecedented growth in scientific and technological development and the importance of science, as well as the status of scientists in Russia.

    Based on the successful experience of reorganizing the educational process in the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel in the postgraduate program of the State University of Management, a new approach was proposed that combines management, scientific and industrial competencies.

    A special feature of the new generation educational program is the presence of a scientific supervisor with experience in organizations in the real sector of the economy, who himself completed postgraduate studies, has a candidate/doctoral degree and understands the needs of industrial enterprises.

    As a result, the project of the SUM scientists entered the top 100 ideas in the direction of the “National Personnel Initiative”.

    To develop the idea, the project team was invited to a strategic session on the formation of a personnel strategy at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.

    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 Asia-Pac: Summer Library Festival 2025 to explore local cultural stories with readers (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Summer Library Festival 2025 to explore local cultural stories with readers  
         A series of interesting parent-child workshops will be held at public libraries in various districts, where parents and children can learn more about the life and culture of Hong Kong, such as the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival, street food and the love for giant pandas through making handicrafts together such as small ornaments, clay keychains and origami. Young readers can participate in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) workshops with their parents to make mini neon signs and distinctive music boxes, while learning about the science behind them. For teenaged and adult readers, they can participate in the Landscape Painting with Hong Kong Characteristics workshops to learn about drawing and painting Hong Kong’s beautiful scenery with coffee and pencils, or the Transportation 3D Origami workshops to make paper crafts of Hong Kong’s public transport icons.
     
         Storytelling workshops with the theme of traditional festivals will also be held at public libraries in various districts. Children will learn about the significance of traditional festivals and make related handicrafts in the workshops to cultivate their interest in reading. The storytelling workshops will be conducted in Cantonese, Putonghua or English.
     
         The HKPL will launch an online programme with the theme “From the Dining Table to the Writing Desk”. In the four-episode series, Professor Tam Ka-chai and Dr Tsang Cheuk-yin will guide readers to learn more about the history and cultural meanings in Hong Kong’s food culture and recommend related books. The programme videos will be uploaded onto the HKPL YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/hkplgovhkchannel 
         Public libraries in Kwai Tsing District, Southern District and Sham Shui Po District will also organise various activities including exhibitions on the history of Hong Kong in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and intangible cultural heritage, different handicraft as well as traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy workshops, large-scale calligraphy performances featuring the history and culture of the Qin and Han dynasties, and more.

         All activities are free of charge. Seat reservations are required for some of the programmes. For details, please visit the SLF 2025 website. Members of the public can also visit the “Reading is Joyful” Facebook page (

    www.facebook.com/readingisjoyfulIssued at HKT 15:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Indian scientists develop next-gen green energy material for supercapacitors

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major scientific breakthrough, Indian researchers have developed a new green energy material that could revolutionize energy storage technology. Scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), have engineered a lanthanum-doped silver niobate (AgNbO₃) compound that significantly enhances supercapacitor performance.

    Supercapacitors, known for their rapid charging and discharging abilities, often fall short in energy storage capacity. The new material overcomes this limitation by increasing energy density without sacrificing speed or stability.

    Led by Dr. Kavita Pandey, the team introduced lanthanum—a rare-earth element—into silver niobate nanoparticles, improving their electrical conductivity and shrinking particle size to increase surface area. This led to a remarkable 118% energy retention after repeated use and an unprecedented 100% coulombic efficiency, meaning no energy was lost during charging cycles.

    A prototype asymmetric supercapacitor using the new material successfully powered an LCD display, pointing to potential real-world applications in everything from portable electronics to renewable energy systems.

    Published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds, the study positions lanthanum-doped AgNbO₃ as a leading candidate for high-performance, eco-friendly energy storage. Researchers now aim to explore similar doping strategies in other materials and scale up production to enable commercial use.

    This innovation marks a significant step in India’s contribution to sustainable energy solutions amid the global push for cleaner and more efficient technologies.

  • MIL-Evening Report: 10 steps governments can take now to stamp out child sexual abuse in care settings

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Mathews, Distinguished Professor, School of Law, Queensland University of Technology

    Recent cases of prolific alleged child sexual abuse in Melbourne and other Australian early childhood education and care settings have shocked even experienced people who work to prevent child sexual abuse. Parents are right to be outraged, scared and uncertain.

    The most pressing issue, then, is what we do about it.

    Regulation and practice is still falling short, despite all our knowledge and prior recommendations. We have the benefit of the gold-standard Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (including Volume 6 on making institutions child-safe). We can also draw on rigorous scientific work about how best to prevent child sexual abuse in child and youth-serving organisations.

    Criminal history checks are essential, but many offenders will not have a criminal record. These checks are only one part of an entire safety system. Other measures are arguably even more important.

    The federal government, together with states and territories, recently announced new measures. However, these are acknowledged as only a first step.

    Children have a right to be safe from sexual violence. Continued failure is unacceptable. National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds’ demand for a national inquiry, which can fully understand current limitations in the system and create a comprehensive blueprint for reform, is compelling.

    The established evidence has already identified some of these pillars of reform. Here are ten key actions for policy-makers to create key components of safe early childhood education and care settings.

    1. Policy. Every organisation needs to operate under a comprehensive policy about child safety. This should include specific guidelines for the prevention of sexual abuse. The policy should also include clear definitions and objectives, and be driven by a zero-tolerance approach.

    2. Safe screening and hiring. Every organisation needs to recruit staff through rigorous processes, including criminal history checks (supported by information-sharing within and between jurisdictions). But this is only a starting point. Staff are educators and carers, not babysitters; they should be properly qualified and appropriately remunerated.

    Should men be banned from employment in these settings? Employment discrimination based on gender is likely a step too far, but considerations of risk are important and children’s best interests are paramount. Nearly all sexual abuse of young children is by men, and stringent measures could be employed when recruiting men to child-related positions.

    3. Code of conduct. A detailed code of conduct is essential. This is the operating manual for the organisation and its staff, and should be made available to parents. A robust code will specify what conduct is prohibited, and what is required. It will have special rules for high-risk situations – for example, bathrooms, changing clothes, physical interaction, and technology use.

    4. Supervision and monitoring. A safe organisation must have appropriate measures for the implementation of the safety framework. It must also monitor the framework and its components. For example, there must be: appropriate staff supervision, recording of the approach to safety and its implementation, external auditing and oversight. Parents should be involved in oversight.

    All childcare centres should have rigorous prevention, supervision and reporting procedures in place.
    Shutterstock

    5. Environmental risk reduction. Often called “situational crime prevention”, these are actions to create safe environments. It can include measures to prohibit secluded spaces, and improve lines of sight and visibility. This can also include ensuring appropriate ratios of staff to children.

    6. Reporting of suspected cases. Across Australia, there are now clear legal requirements for practitioners in these settings to report suspected cases of child sexual abuse. Every organisation needs to ensure its staff knows about these duties, and how to comply with them. Every organisation then needs to deal appropriately with any report that is made.

    7. Education and training. Child sexual abuse is a complex field. Staff and leaders need high-quality education and training about child sexual abuse (including its nature, indicators and outcomes), organisational policy, reporting processes, legal and ethical obligations, and the protections they have as employees.

    Good education increases knowledge, attitudes and appropriate reporting, and overcomes ignorance, apathy, fear and inaction. This education needs to be multidisciplinary, high-standard, and itself the subject of oversight and monitoring. It is not clear we have high-quality education of practitioners in Australia, both when obtaining qualifications and especially in service.

    8. Leadership. We need knowledgeable and ethical leadership in child- and youth-serving organisations, and by regulators and policy-makers alike.

    Knowledge about child sexual abuse, and empathy towards children and young people, are preconditions for effective and ethical responses. Organisational leaders set the tone for the broader organisation. If leaders are seen to be knowledgeable, ethical and authentically committed to child safety, it is far more likely staff will be inspired to emulate these qualities.

    9. Oversight, enforcement and improvement. The entire system needs to be overseen by an effective regulatory framework and an efficient national regulator.

    We need to create comprehensive and stringent regulatory requirements for provider accreditation. Providers that do not meet these standards should be compelled to meet them, or lose funding and eligibility to operate. It is insufficient to be merely “working towards” the standards.

    Other accountability mechanisms should also be created; for example, owners of childcare centres could be subject to appropriate financial and other penalties.

    10. Locate prevention in these settings as part of a national strategy. As a nation, we have made progress in reducing the prevalence of child sexual abuse in organisational settings. This is partly due to tighter regulation through child-safe standards, legal requirements to report suspected cases of abuse and associated better reporting, and increased social awareness.

    However, no case is acceptable, and we have the capacity and duty to dramatically reduce the prospect that any individual can be a prolific offender. These prevention principles apply equally in schools and other settings serving children and youth.

    We have work to do: among all Australians aged 16 and over, nationally representative data has shown one in four experienced child sexual abuse. In contemporary Australia, this abuse is still prevalent, with data from 16–24-year-olds showing one in three girls are affected, and one in seven boys. The next generation of prevention is already here, but we know what is required to meet this challenge.

    This can be a turning point for Australia. The social and economic return from taking children’s rights seriously and investing in prevention far outweighs the cost of inaction. Safe, effective early childhood education and care is a nation-building strategy, both required for today’s workforce and a key factor in educating and developing young Australians.

    Ben Mathews has received grant funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Department of Social Services, the National Office for Child Safety in the Attorney-General’s Department, the Australian Institute of Criminology, and the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse. He takes sole responsibility for the views in this article.

    – ref. 10 steps governments can take now to stamp out child sexual abuse in care settings – https://theconversation.com/10-steps-governments-can-take-now-to-stamp-out-child-sexual-abuse-in-care-settings-260405

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Planisware accelerates its development in Asia and announces the opening of an office in Seoul

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Planisware accelerates its development in Asia and announces the opening of an office in Seoul

    Paris, France, July 3, 2025 – Planisware, a leading B2B provider of SaaS in the rapidly growing Project Economy market, announces the opening of an office in Seoul. This move aligns with the company’s international development strategy, and strengthens its footprint in Asia, where it already has a presence in Singapore and Japan.

    Ranked among the OECD’s most innovative countries, South Korea represents a high-potential market for Planisware. The country boasts a dynamic economy, driven by cutting-edge industries such as electronics, chemicals, life sciences and industrial equipment. These are all sectors in which Planisware has recognized expertise and a solid portfolio of international customers.

    The opening of this office aims to forge relationships with new South Korean players, providing them with local support, while consolidating links with existing customers, notably subsidiaries of major international groups. This local presence will enable more effective support for their digital transformation and the management of complex projects, particularly in the financial, telecoms, industrial and public sectors.

    “Asia is a major strategic hub for Planisware,” says Loïc Sautour, CEO of Planisware. “The opening of this third office in Asia marks an important step in our regional expansion. This latest inauguration in South Korea will enable us to support our growth in an economy renowned for its technological excellence and industrial dynamism. I am delighted to welcome Victor Mercier as head of this new office. His experience, in-depth knowledge of our solutions and ability to support our customers’ transformation will be invaluable assets in accelerating our development in South Korea.“

    Yves Humblot, co-founder of Planisware, adds: “South Korea offers a unique environment, at the crossroads of innovation, industrial excellence and digitalization. This new office will enable us to better serve our customers and forge strong partnerships with key local players.”

    With over 15 years’ experience in complex project management and digital transformation, Victor Mercier joined Planisware in 2021. He held the position of Project Director for over four years before taking over the management of the South Korean subsidiary. Prior to this, he spent over seven years with Accenture, where he carried out numerous consulting projects in the energy, industry and infrastructure sectors, developing recognized expertise in IT project management, agile methods and change management. An engineering graduate of IMT Atlantique (2010), he brings solid expertise in digital transformation and complex project management.

    Contact

    Investor Relations: Benoit d’Amécourt

    benoit.damecourt@planisware.com
    +33 6 75 51 41 47

    Media: Brunswick Group
    Hugues Boëton / Tristan Roquet Montégon
    planisware@brunswickgroup.com
    +33 6 79 99 27 15 / +33 6 37 00 52 57

    About Planisware

    Planisware is a leading business-to-business (“B2B”) provider of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) in the rapidly growing Project Economy. Planisware’s mission is to provide solutions that help organizations transform how they strategize, plan and deliver their projects, project portfolios, programs and products.

    With circa 750 employees across 18 offices, Planisware operates at significant scale serving around 600 organizational clients in a wide range of verticals and functions across more than 30 countries worldwide. Planisware’s clients include large international companies, medium-sized businesses and public sector entities.

    Planisware is listed on the regulated market of Euronext Paris (Compartment A, ISIN code FR001400PFU4, ticker symbol “PLNW”).

    For more information, visit planisware.com and connect with Planisware on LinkedIn.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Karolinska Development receives update from Organon concerning OG-6219

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – July 3, 2025. Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) today announces an update from Organon on the development of the drug candidate OG-6219, acquired by Organon through its acquisition of Forendo Pharma in 2021. Following results from a Phase 2 clinical study with OG-6219, Organon plans to discontinue the clinical development of the drug candidate.

    Organon has announced results from the Phase 2 ELENA proof-of-concept, where the drug candidate OG-6219 was evaluated in patients with endometriosis-related pain. The outcomes of the study failed to demonstrate improvement in moderate-to-severe endometriosis-related overall pelvic pain compared to placebo. Based on the results, Organon plans to discontinue the clinical development program with OG-6219.

    As part of the 2021 acquisition, Organon acquired Forendo Pharma containing two drug candidate projects, of which OG-6219 was the most advanced drug development project.

    According to the agreement with Organon, Karolinska Development is entitled to earn-out payments. Before the announcement, Karolinska Development estimated the risk-adjusted net present value (rNPV) of future cash flows (earn-outs), after the initial payment in December 2021 and payments in 2022 and 2023, to SEK 76.2 million. Karolinska Development recognizes the need to implement an impairment if Organon decides to discontinue the project. Final impairment will be presented in the interim report for the second quarter 2025.

    For further information, please contact:

    Viktor Drvota, CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 73 982 52 02, e-mail: viktor.drvota@karolinskadevelopment.com

    Johan Dighed, General Counsel and Deputy CEO, Karolinska Development AB
    Phone: +46 70 207 48 26, e-mail: johan.dighed@karolinskadevelopment.com

    TO THE EDITORS

    About Karolinska Development AB

    Karolinska Development AB (Nasdaq Stockholm: KDEV) is a Nordic life sciences investment company. The company focuses on identifying breakthrough medical innovations in the Nordic region that are developed by entrepreneurs and leadership teams. The Company invests in the creation and growth of companies that advance these assets into commercial products that are designed to make a difference to patients’ lives while providing an attractive return on investment to shareholders.

    Karolinska Development has access to world-class medical innovations at the Karolinska Institutet and other leading universities and research institutes in the Nordic region. The Company aims to build companies around scientists who are leaders in their fields, supported by experienced management teams and advisers, and co-funded by specialist international investors, to provide the greatest chance of success.

    Karolinska Development has a portfolio of eleven companies targeting opportunities in innovative treatment for life-threatening or serious debilitating diseases.

    The Company is led by an entrepreneurial team of investment professionals with a proven track record as company builders and with access to a strong global network.

    For more information, please visit www.karolinskadevelopment.com.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does eating cheese before bed really give you nightmares? Here’s what the science says

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charlotte Gupta, Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia

    Phoenixns/Shutterstock, The Conversation, CC BY

    Have you heard people say eating cheese before bed will cause you to have vivid dreams or nightmares?

    It’s a relatively common idea. And this week, a new study has landed this suggestion back in the spotlight.

    But is it true? Let’s unpack the evidence.

    A gouda night’s sleep?

    Canadian researchers recently investigated this idea in a sample of 1,082 undergraduate psychology students. The students completed a survey, which included questions about how they perceived their diet influenced their sleep and dreams.

    Some 40% of participants reported certain foods impacted their sleep, with 25% of the whole sample claiming certain foods worsened their sleep, and 20% reporting certain foods improved their sleep.

    Only 5.5% of respondents believed what they ate affected the nature of their dreams. But many of these people thought sweets or dairy products (such as cheese) made their dreams more strange or disturbing and worsened their sleep.

    In contrast, participants reported fruits, vegetables and herbal teas led to better sleep.

    This study used self-reporting, meaning the results rely on the participants recalling and reporting information about their sleep and dreams accurately. This could have affected the results.

    It’s also possible participants were already familiar with the notion that cheese causes nightmares, especially given they were psychology students, many of whom may have studied sleep and dreaming.

    This awareness could have made them more likely to notice or perceive their sleep was disrupted after eating dairy. In other words, the idea cheese leads to nightmares may have acted like a self-fulfilling prophecy and results may overestimate the actual likelihood of strange dreams.

    Nonetheless, these findings show some people perceive a connection between what they eat and how they dream.

    While there’s no evidence to prove cheese causes nightmares, there is evidence that does explain a link.

    The science behind cheese and nightmares

    Humans are diurnal creatures, meaning our body is primed to be asleep at night and awake during the day. Eating cheese before bed means we’re challenging the body with food at a time when it really doesn’t want to be eating.

    At night, our physiological systems are not primed to digest food. For example, it takes longer for food to move through our digestive tract at night compared with during the day.

    If we eat close to going to sleep, our body has to process and digest the food while we’re sleeping. This is a bit like running through mud – we can do it, but it’s slow and inefficient.

    Cheese can be particularly challenging to digest at night because of high concentrations of fat and protein, which slows down our digestion.

    If your body is processing and digesting food instead of focusing all its resources on sleep, this can affect your shut-eye. Research has shown eating close to bedtime reduces our sleep quality, particularly our time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is the stage of sleep associated with vivid dreams.

    People will have an even harder time digesting cheese at night if they’re lactose intolerant, which might mean they experience even greater impacts on their sleep. This follows what the Canadian researchers found in their study, with lactose intolerant participants reporting poorer sleep quality and more nightmares.

    It’s important to note we might actually have vivid dreams or nightmares every night – what could change is whether we’re aware of the dreams and can remember them when we wake up.

    Poor sleep quality often means we wake up more during the night. If we wake up during REM sleep, research shows we’re more likely to report vivid dreams or nightmares that we mightn’t even remember if we hadn’t woken up during them.

    This is very relevant for the cheese and nightmares question. Put simply, eating before bed impacts our sleep quality, so we’re more likely to wake up during our nightmares and remember them.

    What we eat, particularly just before bed, can affect our sleep.
    Ivan Oboleninov/Pexels

    Can I still have brie before bedtime?

    Don’t panic – I’m not here to tell you to give up your cheesy evenings. But what we eat before bed can make a real difference to how well we sleep, so timing matters.

    General sleep hygiene guidelines suggest avoiding meals at least two hours before bed. So even if you’re eating a very cheese-heavy meal, you have a window of time before bed to digest the meal and drift off to a nice peaceful sleep.

    How about other dairy products?

    Cheese isn’t the only dairy product which may influence our sleep. Most of us have heard about the benefits of having a warm glass of milk before bed.

    Milk can be easier to digest than cheese. In fact, milk is a good choice in the evening, as it contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps promote sleep.

    Nonetheless, we still don’t want to be challenging our body with too much dairy before bed. Participants in the Canadian study did report nightmares after dairy, and milk close to bed might have contributed to this.

    While it’s wise to steer clear of food (especially cheese) in the two hours before lights out, there’s no need to avoid cheese altogether. Enjoy that cheesy pasta or cheese board, just give your body time to digest before heading off to sleep. If you’re having a late night cheese craving, opt for something small. Your sleep (and your dreams) will thank you.

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

    – ref. Does eating cheese before bed really give you nightmares? Here’s what the science says – https://theconversation.com/does-eating-cheese-before-bed-really-give-you-nightmares-heres-what-the-science-says-260205

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Experiencing extreme weather and disasters is not enough to change views on climate action, study shows

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Omid Ghasemi, Research Associate in Behavioural Science at the Institute for Climate Risk & Response, UNSW Sydney

    STR / AFP via Getty Images

    Climate change has made extreme weather events such as bushfires and floods more frequent and more likely in recent years, and the trend is expected to continue. These events have led to human and animal deaths, harmed physical and mental health, and damaged properties and infrastructure.

    Will firsthand experience of these events change how people think and act about climate change, making it seem immediate and local rather than a distant or future problem?

    Research so far has offered a mixed picture. Some studies suggest going through extreme weather can make people more likely to believe in climate change, worry about it, support climate policies, and vote for Green parties. But other studies have found no such effects on people’s beliefs, concern, or behaviour.

    New research led by Viktoria Cologna at ETH Zurich in Switzerland may help to explain what’s going on. Using data from around the world, the study suggests simple exposure to extreme weather events does not affect people’s view of climate action – but linking those events to climate change can make a big difference.

    Global opinion, global weather

    The new study, published in Nature Climate Change, looked at the question of extreme weather and climate opinion using two global datasets.

    The first is the Trust in Science and Science-related Populism (TISP) survey, which includes responses from more than 70,000 people in 68 countries. It measures public support for climate policies and the extent that people think climate change is behind increases in extreme weather.

    The second dataset estimates how much of each country’s population has been affected each year by events such as droughts, floods, heatwaves and storms. These estimates are based on detailed models and historical climate records.

    Public support for climate policies

    The survey measured public support for climate policy by asking people how much they supported five specific actions to cut carbon emissions. These included raising carbon taxes, improving public transport, using more renewable energy, protecting forests and land, and taxing carbon-heavy foods.

    Responses ranged from 1 (not at all) to 3 (very much). On average, support was fairly strong, with an average rating of 2.37 across the five policies. Support was especially high in parts of South Asia, Africa, the Americas and Oceania, but lower in countries such as Russia, Czechia and Ethiopia.

    Exposure to extreme weather events

    The study found most people around the world have experienced heatwaves and heavy rainfall in recent decades. Wildfires affected fewer people in many European and North American countries, but were more common in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

    Cyclones mostly impacted North America and Asia, while droughts affected large populations in Asia, Latin America and Africa. River flooding was widespread across most regions, except Oceania.

    Do people in countries with higher exposure to extreme weather events show greater support for climate policies? This study found they don’t.

    In most cases, living in a country where more people are exposed to disasters was not reflected in stronger support for climate action.

    Wildfires were the only exception. Countries with more wildfire exposure showed slightly higher support, but this link disappeared once factors such as land size and overall climate belief were considered.

    In short, just experiencing more disasters does not seem to translate into increased support for mitigation efforts.

    Seeing the link between weather and climate change

    In the global survey, people were asked how much they think climate change has increased the impact of extreme weather over recent decades. On average, responses were moderately high (3.8 out of 5) suggesting that many people do link recent weather events to climate change.

    Such an attribution was especially strong in Latin America, but lower in parts of Africa (such as Congo and Ethiopia) and Northern Europe (such as Finland and Norway).

    Crucially, people who more strongly believed climate change had worsened these events were also more likely to support climate policies. In fact, this belief mattered more for policy support than whether they had actually experienced the events firsthand.

    What does this study tell us?

    While public support for climate policies is relatively high around the world, even more support is needed to introduce stronger, more ambitious measures. It might seem reasonable to expect that feeling the effects of climate change would push people to act, but this study suggests that doesn’t always happen.

    Prior research shows less dramatic and chronic events like rainfall or temperature anomalies have less influence on public views than more acute hazards like floods or bushfires. Even then, the influence on beliefs and behaviour tends to be slow and limited.

    This study shows climate impacts alone may not change minds. However, it also highlights what may affect public thinking: helping people recognise the link between climate change and extreme weather events.

    In countries such as Australia, climate change makes up only about 1% of media coverage. What’s more, most of the coverage focuses on social or political aspects rather than scientific, ecological, or economic impacts.

    Many stories about disasters linked to climate change also fail to mention the link, or indeed mention climate change at all. Making these connections clearer may encourage stronger public support for climate action.

    Omid Ghasemi receives funding from the Australian Academy of Science. He was a member of the TISP consortium and a co-author of the dataset used in this study.

    – ref. Experiencing extreme weather and disasters is not enough to change views on climate action, study shows – https://theconversation.com/experiencing-extreme-weather-and-disasters-is-not-enough-to-change-views-on-climate-action-study-shows-260308

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –