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Category: Science

  • MIL-OSI USA: To the Spacemobile!

    Source: NASA

    In this Nov. 1, 1964, image, three members of NASA’s Lewis Research Center’s (now NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland) Educational Services Office pose with one of the center’s Spacemobile space science demonstration units. Once the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) became NASA, public outreach became one of the agency’s core tenets. Lewis, which had previously been a closed laboratory, began hosting open houses and elaborate space fairs in the early 1960s.
    In addition, the center initiated educational programs that worked with local schools and a robust speaker’s bureau that explained NASA activities to the community. One aspect of these efforts was the Spacemobile Program. These vehicles included a delegated speaker, exhibits, models, and other resources. The Spacemobiles, which made forays across the Midwest, were extremely active throughout the 1960s.
    Image credit: NASA

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: To the Spacemobile!

    Source: NASA

    In this Nov. 1, 1964, image, three members of NASA’s Lewis Research Center’s (now NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland) Educational Services Office pose with one of the center’s Spacemobile space science demonstration units. Once the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) became NASA, public outreach became one of the agency’s core tenets. Lewis, which had previously been a closed laboratory, began hosting open houses and elaborate space fairs in the early 1960s.
    In addition, the center initiated educational programs that worked with local schools and a robust speaker’s bureau that explained NASA activities to the community. One aspect of these efforts was the Spacemobile Program. These vehicles included a delegated speaker, exhibits, models, and other resources. The Spacemobiles, which made forays across the Midwest, were extremely active throughout the 1960s.
    Image credit: NASA

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Alert: Flaring Star, Toasted Planet

    Source: NASA

    A giant planet some 400 light-years away, HIP 67522 b, orbits its parent star so tightly that it appears to cause frequent flares from the star’s surface, heating and inflating the planet’s atmosphere.

    On planet Earth, “space weather” caused by solar flares might disrupt radio communications, or even damage satellites. But Earth’s atmosphere protects us from truly harmful effects, and we orbit the Sun at a respectable distance, out of reach of the flares themselves.
    Not so for planet HIP 67522 b. A gas giant in a young star system – just 17 million years old – the planet takes only seven days to complete one orbit around its star. A “year,” in other words, lasts barely as long as a week on Earth. That places the planet perilously close to the star. Worse, the star is of a type known to flare – especially in their youth.
    In this case, the proximity of the planet appears to result in fairly frequent flaring.

    The star and the planet form a powerful but likely a destructive bond. In a manner not yet fully understood, the planet hooks into the star’s magnetic field, triggering flares on the star’s surface; the flares whiplash energy back to the planet. Combined with other high-energy radiation from the star, the flare-induced heating appears to have increased the already steep inflation of the planet’s atmosphere, giving HIP 67522 b a diameter comparable to our own planet Jupiter despite having just 5% of Jupiter’s mass.
    This might well mean that the planet won’t stay in the Jupiter size-range for long. One effect of being continually pummeled with intense radiation could be a loss of atmosphere over time. In another 100 million years, that could shrink the planet to the status of a “hot Neptune,” or, with a more radical loss of atmosphere, even a “sub-Neptune,” a planet type smaller than Neptune that is common in our galaxy but lacking in our solar system.

    Four hundred light-years is much too far away to capture images of stellar flares striking orbiting planets. So how did a science team led by Netherlands astronomer Ekaterina Ilin discover this was happening? They used space-borne telescopes, NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and the European Space Agency’s CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExoPlanets Telescope), to track flares on the star, and also to trace the path of the planet’s orbit.
    Both telescopes use the “transit” method to determine the diameter of a planet and the time it takes to orbit its star. The transit is a kind of mini-eclipse. As the planet crosses the star’s face, it causes a tiny dip in starlight reaching the telescope. But the same observation method also picks up sudden stabs of brightness from the star – the stellar flares. Combining these observations over five years’ time and applying rigorous statistical analysis, the science team revealed that the planet is zapped with six times more flares than it would be without that magnetic connection.   

    A team of scientists from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, led by Ekaterina Ilin of the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, published their paper on the planet-star connection, “Close-in planet induces flares on its host star,” in the journal Nature on July 2, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Discovery Alert: Flaring Star, Toasted Planet

    Source: NASA

    A giant planet some 400 light-years away, HIP 67522 b, orbits its parent star so tightly that it appears to cause frequent flares from the star’s surface, heating and inflating the planet’s atmosphere.

    On planet Earth, “space weather” caused by solar flares might disrupt radio communications, or even damage satellites. But Earth’s atmosphere protects us from truly harmful effects, and we orbit the Sun at a respectable distance, out of reach of the flares themselves.
    Not so for planet HIP 67522 b. A gas giant in a young star system – just 17 million years old – the planet takes only seven days to complete one orbit around its star. A “year,” in other words, lasts barely as long as a week on Earth. That places the planet perilously close to the star. Worse, the star is of a type known to flare – especially in their youth.
    In this case, the proximity of the planet appears to result in fairly frequent flaring.

    The star and the planet form a powerful but likely a destructive bond. In a manner not yet fully understood, the planet hooks into the star’s magnetic field, triggering flares on the star’s surface; the flares whiplash energy back to the planet. Combined with other high-energy radiation from the star, the flare-induced heating appears to have increased the already steep inflation of the planet’s atmosphere, giving HIP 67522 b a diameter comparable to our own planet Jupiter despite having just 5% of Jupiter’s mass.
    This might well mean that the planet won’t stay in the Jupiter size-range for long. One effect of being continually pummeled with intense radiation could be a loss of atmosphere over time. In another 100 million years, that could shrink the planet to the status of a “hot Neptune,” or, with a more radical loss of atmosphere, even a “sub-Neptune,” a planet type smaller than Neptune that is common in our galaxy but lacking in our solar system.

    Four hundred light-years is much too far away to capture images of stellar flares striking orbiting planets. So how did a science team led by Netherlands astronomer Ekaterina Ilin discover this was happening? They used space-borne telescopes, NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and the European Space Agency’s CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExoPlanets Telescope), to track flares on the star, and also to trace the path of the planet’s orbit.
    Both telescopes use the “transit” method to determine the diameter of a planet and the time it takes to orbit its star. The transit is a kind of mini-eclipse. As the planet crosses the star’s face, it causes a tiny dip in starlight reaching the telescope. But the same observation method also picks up sudden stabs of brightness from the star – the stellar flares. Combining these observations over five years’ time and applying rigorous statistical analysis, the science team revealed that the planet is zapped with six times more flares than it would be without that magnetic connection.   

    A team of scientists from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, led by Ekaterina Ilin of the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy, published their paper on the planet-star connection, “Close-in planet induces flares on its host star,” in the journal Nature on July 2, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: 3 Years of Science: 10 Cosmic Surprises from NASA’s Webb Telescope

    Source: NASA

    Since July 2022, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has been unwaveringly focused on our universe. With its unprecedented power to detect and analyze otherwise invisible infrared light, Webb is making observations that were once impossible, changing our view of the cosmos from the most distant galaxies to our own solar system.
    Webb was built with the promise of revolutionizing astronomy, of rewriting the textbooks. And by any measure, it has more than lived up to the hype — exceeding expectations to a degree that scientists had not dared imagine. Since science operations began, Webb has completed more than 860 scientific programs, with one-quarter of its time dedicated to imaging and three-quarters to spectroscopy. In just three years, it has collected nearly 550 terabytes of data, yielding more than 1,600 research papers, with intriguing results too numerous to list and a host of new questions to answer.
    Here are just a few noteworthy examples.

    Webb was specifically designed to observe “cosmic dawn,” a time during the first billion years of the universe when the first stars and galaxies were forming. What we expected to see were a few faint galaxies, hints of what would become the galaxies we see nearby.
    Instead, Webb has revealed surprisingly bright galaxies that developed within 300 million years of the big bang; galaxies with black holes that seem far too massive for their age; and an infant Milky Way-type galaxy that existed when the universe was just 600 million years old. Webb has observed galaxies that already “turned off” and stopped forming stars within a billion years of the big bang, as well as those that developed quickly into modern-looking “grand design” spirals within 1.5 billion years.
    Hundreds of millions of years might not seem quick for a growth spurt, but keep in mind that the universe formed in the big bang roughly 13.8 billion years ago. If you were to cram all of cosmic time into one year, the most distant of these galaxies would have matured within the first couple of weeks, rapidly forming multiple generations of stars and enriching the universe with the elements we see today.

    Webb has revealed a new type of galaxy: a distant population of mysteriously compact, bright, red galaxies dubbed Little Red Dots. What makes Little Red Dots so bright and so red? Are they lit up by dense groupings of unusually bright stars or by gas spiraling into a supermassive black hole, or both? And whatever happened to them? Little Red Dots seem to have appeared in the universe around 600 million years after the big bang (13.2 billion years ago), and rapidly declined in number less than a billion years later. Did they evolve into something else? If so, how? Webb is probing Little Red Dots in more detail to answer these questions.

    How fast is the universe expanding? It’s hard to say because different ways of calculating the current expansion rate yield different results — a dilemma known as the Hubble Tension. Are these differences just a result of measurement errors, or is there something weird going on in the universe? So far, Webb data indicates that the Hubble Tension is not caused by measurement errors. Webb was able to distinguish pulsating stars from nearby stars in a crowded field, ensuring that the measurements weren’t contaminated by extra light. Webb also discovered a distant, gravitationally lensed supernova whose image appears in three different locations and at three different times during its explosion. Calculating the expansion rate based on the brightness of the supernova at these three different times provides an independent check on measurements made using other techniques. Until the matter of the Hubble Tension is settled, Webb will continue measuring different objects and exploring new methods.

    While NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope made the first detection of gases in the atmosphere of a gas giant exoplanet (a planet outside our solar system), Webb has taken studies to an entirely new level. Webb has revealed a rich cocktail of chemicals, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, and sulfur dioxide — none of which had been clearly detected in an atmosphere outside our solar system before. Webb has also been able to examine exotic climates of gas giants as never before, detecting flakes of silica “snow” in the skies of the puffy, searing-hot gas giant WASP-17 b, for example, and measuring differences in temperature and cloud cover between the permanent morning and evening skies of WASP-39 b.

    Detecting, let alone analyzing, a thin layer of gas surrounding a small rocky planet is no easy feat, but Webb’s extraordinary ability to measure extremely subtle changes in the brightness of infrared light makes it possible. So far, Webb has been able to rule out significant atmosphere on a number of rocky planets, and has found tantalizing signs of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide on 55 Cancri e, a lava world that orbits a Sun-like star. With findings like these, Webb is laying the groundwork for NASA’s future Habitable Worlds Observatory, which will be the first mission purpose-built to directly image and search for life on Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars.

    We already knew that galaxies are collections of stars, planets, dust, gas, dark matter, and black holes: cosmic cities where stars form, live, die, and are recycled into the next generation. But we had never been able to see the structure of a galaxy and the interactions between stars and their environment in such detail. Webb’s infrared vision reveals filaments of dust that trace the spiral arms, old star clusters that make up galactic cores, newly forming stars still encased in dense cocoons of glowing dust and gas, and clusters of hot young stars carving enormous cavities in the dust. It also elucidates how stellar winds and explosions actively reshape their galactic homes.

    Brown dwarfs form like stars, but are not dense or hot enough to fuse hydrogen in their cores like stars do. Rogue planets form like other planets, but have been ejected from their system and no longer orbit a star. Webb has spotted hundreds of brown-dwarf-like objects in the Milky Way, and has even detected some candidates in a neighboring galaxy. But some of these objects are so small — just a few times the mass of Jupiter — that it is hard to figure out how they formed. Are they free-floating gas giant planets instead? What is the least amount of material needed to form a brown dwarf or a star? We’re not sure yet, but thanks to three years of Webb observations, we now know there is a continuum of objects from planets to brown dwarfs to stars.

    When a star like our Sun dies, it swells up to form a red giant large enough to engulf nearby planets. It then sheds its outer layers, leaving behind a super-hot core known as a white dwarf. Is there a safe distance that planets can survive this process? Webb might have found some planets orbiting white dwarfs. If these candidates are confirmed, it would mean that it is possible for planets to survive the death of their star, remaining in orbit around the slowly cooling stellar ember.

    Among the icy “ocean worlds” of our solar system, Saturn’s moon Enceladus might be the most intriguing. NASA’s Cassini mission first detected water plumes coming out of its southern pole. But only Webb could reveal the plume’s true scale as a vast cloud spanning more than 6,000 miles, about 20 times wider than Enceladus itself. This water spreads out into a donut-shaped torus encircling Saturn beyond the rings that are visible in backyard telescopes. While a fraction of the water stays in that ring, the majority of it spreads throughout the Saturnian system, even raining down onto the planet itself. Webb’s unique observations of rings, auroras, clouds, winds, ices, gases, and other materials and phenomena in the solar system are helping us better understand what our cosmic neighborhood is made of and how it has changed over time.

    [embedded content]
    A combination of images and spectra captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope show a giant plume of water jetting out from the south pole of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, creating a donut-shaped ring of water around the planet.Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, G. Villanueva (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center), A. Pagan (STScI), L. Hustak (STScI)

    In 2024 astronomers discovered an asteroid that, based on preliminary calculations, had a chance of hitting Earth. Such potentially hazardous asteroids become an immediate focus of attention, and Webb was uniquely able to measure the object, which turned out to be the size of a 15-story building. While this particular asteroid is no longer considered a threat to Earth, the study demonstrated Webb’s ability to assess the hazard.
    Webb also provided support for NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which deliberately smashed into the Didymos binary asteroid system, showing that a planned impact could deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Both Webb and Hubble observed the impact, serving witness to the resulting spray of material that was ejected. Webb’s spectroscopic observations of the system confirmed that the composition of the asteroids is probably typical of those that could threaten Earth.
    —-
    In just three years of operations, Webb has brought the distant universe into focus, revealing unexpectedly bright and numerous galaxies. It has unveiled new stars in their dusty cocoons, remains of exploded stars, and skeletons of entire galaxies. It has studied weather on gas giants, and hunted for atmospheres on rocky planets. And it has provided new insights into the residents of our own solar system.
    But this is only the beginning. Engineers estimate that Webb has enough fuel to continue observing for at least 20 more years, giving us the opportunity to answer additional questions, pursue new mysteries, and put together more pieces of the cosmic puzzle.
    For example: What were the very first stars like? Did stars form differently in the early universe? Do we even know how galaxies form? How do stars, dust, and supermassive black holes affect each other? What can merging galaxy clusters tell us about the nature of dark matter? How do collisions, bursts of stellar radiation, and migration of icy pebbles affect planet-forming disks? Can atmospheres survive on rocky worlds orbiting active red dwarf stars? Is Uranus’s moon Ariel an ocean world?
    As with any scientific endeavor, every answer raises more questions, and Webb has shown that its investigative power is unmatched. Demand for observing time on Webb is at an all-time high, greater than any other telescope in history, on the ground or in space. What new findings await?
    By Dr. Macarena Garcia Marin and Margaret W. Carruthers, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

    Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.govNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Christine Pulliam – cpulliam@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.

    More Webb News
    More Webb Images
    Webb Science Themes
    Webb Mission Page

    What is the Webb Telescope?
    SpacePlace for Kids
    En Español
    Ciencia de la NASA
    NASA en español 
    Space Place para niños

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: 3 Years of Science: 10 Cosmic Surprises from NASA’s Webb Telescope

    Source: NASA

    Since July 2022, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has been unwaveringly focused on our universe. With its unprecedented power to detect and analyze otherwise invisible infrared light, Webb is making observations that were once impossible, changing our view of the cosmos from the most distant galaxies to our own solar system.
    Webb was built with the promise of revolutionizing astronomy, of rewriting the textbooks. And by any measure, it has more than lived up to the hype — exceeding expectations to a degree that scientists had not dared imagine. Since science operations began, Webb has completed more than 860 scientific programs, with one-quarter of its time dedicated to imaging and three-quarters to spectroscopy. In just three years, it has collected nearly 550 terabytes of data, yielding more than 1,600 research papers, with intriguing results too numerous to list and a host of new questions to answer.
    Here are just a few noteworthy examples.

    Webb was specifically designed to observe “cosmic dawn,” a time during the first billion years of the universe when the first stars and galaxies were forming. What we expected to see were a few faint galaxies, hints of what would become the galaxies we see nearby.
    Instead, Webb has revealed surprisingly bright galaxies that developed within 300 million years of the big bang; galaxies with black holes that seem far too massive for their age; and an infant Milky Way-type galaxy that existed when the universe was just 600 million years old. Webb has observed galaxies that already “turned off” and stopped forming stars within a billion years of the big bang, as well as those that developed quickly into modern-looking “grand design” spirals within 1.5 billion years.
    Hundreds of millions of years might not seem quick for a growth spurt, but keep in mind that the universe formed in the big bang roughly 13.8 billion years ago. If you were to cram all of cosmic time into one year, the most distant of these galaxies would have matured within the first couple of weeks, rapidly forming multiple generations of stars and enriching the universe with the elements we see today.

    Webb has revealed a new type of galaxy: a distant population of mysteriously compact, bright, red galaxies dubbed Little Red Dots. What makes Little Red Dots so bright and so red? Are they lit up by dense groupings of unusually bright stars or by gas spiraling into a supermassive black hole, or both? And whatever happened to them? Little Red Dots seem to have appeared in the universe around 600 million years after the big bang (13.2 billion years ago), and rapidly declined in number less than a billion years later. Did they evolve into something else? If so, how? Webb is probing Little Red Dots in more detail to answer these questions.

    How fast is the universe expanding? It’s hard to say because different ways of calculating the current expansion rate yield different results — a dilemma known as the Hubble Tension. Are these differences just a result of measurement errors, or is there something weird going on in the universe? So far, Webb data indicates that the Hubble Tension is not caused by measurement errors. Webb was able to distinguish pulsating stars from nearby stars in a crowded field, ensuring that the measurements weren’t contaminated by extra light. Webb also discovered a distant, gravitationally lensed supernova whose image appears in three different locations and at three different times during its explosion. Calculating the expansion rate based on the brightness of the supernova at these three different times provides an independent check on measurements made using other techniques. Until the matter of the Hubble Tension is settled, Webb will continue measuring different objects and exploring new methods.

    While NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope made the first detection of gases in the atmosphere of a gas giant exoplanet (a planet outside our solar system), Webb has taken studies to an entirely new level. Webb has revealed a rich cocktail of chemicals, including hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, and sulfur dioxide — none of which had been clearly detected in an atmosphere outside our solar system before. Webb has also been able to examine exotic climates of gas giants as never before, detecting flakes of silica “snow” in the skies of the puffy, searing-hot gas giant WASP-17 b, for example, and measuring differences in temperature and cloud cover between the permanent morning and evening skies of WASP-39 b.

    Detecting, let alone analyzing, a thin layer of gas surrounding a small rocky planet is no easy feat, but Webb’s extraordinary ability to measure extremely subtle changes in the brightness of infrared light makes it possible. So far, Webb has been able to rule out significant atmosphere on a number of rocky planets, and has found tantalizing signs of carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide on 55 Cancri e, a lava world that orbits a Sun-like star. With findings like these, Webb is laying the groundwork for NASA’s future Habitable Worlds Observatory, which will be the first mission purpose-built to directly image and search for life on Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars.

    We already knew that galaxies are collections of stars, planets, dust, gas, dark matter, and black holes: cosmic cities where stars form, live, die, and are recycled into the next generation. But we had never been able to see the structure of a galaxy and the interactions between stars and their environment in such detail. Webb’s infrared vision reveals filaments of dust that trace the spiral arms, old star clusters that make up galactic cores, newly forming stars still encased in dense cocoons of glowing dust and gas, and clusters of hot young stars carving enormous cavities in the dust. It also elucidates how stellar winds and explosions actively reshape their galactic homes.

    Brown dwarfs form like stars, but are not dense or hot enough to fuse hydrogen in their cores like stars do. Rogue planets form like other planets, but have been ejected from their system and no longer orbit a star. Webb has spotted hundreds of brown-dwarf-like objects in the Milky Way, and has even detected some candidates in a neighboring galaxy. But some of these objects are so small — just a few times the mass of Jupiter — that it is hard to figure out how they formed. Are they free-floating gas giant planets instead? What is the least amount of material needed to form a brown dwarf or a star? We’re not sure yet, but thanks to three years of Webb observations, we now know there is a continuum of objects from planets to brown dwarfs to stars.

    When a star like our Sun dies, it swells up to form a red giant large enough to engulf nearby planets. It then sheds its outer layers, leaving behind a super-hot core known as a white dwarf. Is there a safe distance that planets can survive this process? Webb might have found some planets orbiting white dwarfs. If these candidates are confirmed, it would mean that it is possible for planets to survive the death of their star, remaining in orbit around the slowly cooling stellar ember.

    Among the icy “ocean worlds” of our solar system, Saturn’s moon Enceladus might be the most intriguing. NASA’s Cassini mission first detected water plumes coming out of its southern pole. But only Webb could reveal the plume’s true scale as a vast cloud spanning more than 6,000 miles, about 20 times wider than Enceladus itself. This water spreads out into a donut-shaped torus encircling Saturn beyond the rings that are visible in backyard telescopes. While a fraction of the water stays in that ring, the majority of it spreads throughout the Saturnian system, even raining down onto the planet itself. Webb’s unique observations of rings, auroras, clouds, winds, ices, gases, and other materials and phenomena in the solar system are helping us better understand what our cosmic neighborhood is made of and how it has changed over time.

    [embedded content]
    A combination of images and spectra captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope show a giant plume of water jetting out from the south pole of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, creating a donut-shaped ring of water around the planet.Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, G. Villanueva (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center), A. Pagan (STScI), L. Hustak (STScI)

    In 2024 astronomers discovered an asteroid that, based on preliminary calculations, had a chance of hitting Earth. Such potentially hazardous asteroids become an immediate focus of attention, and Webb was uniquely able to measure the object, which turned out to be the size of a 15-story building. While this particular asteroid is no longer considered a threat to Earth, the study demonstrated Webb’s ability to assess the hazard.
    Webb also provided support for NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which deliberately smashed into the Didymos binary asteroid system, showing that a planned impact could deflect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Both Webb and Hubble observed the impact, serving witness to the resulting spray of material that was ejected. Webb’s spectroscopic observations of the system confirmed that the composition of the asteroids is probably typical of those that could threaten Earth.
    —-
    In just three years of operations, Webb has brought the distant universe into focus, revealing unexpectedly bright and numerous galaxies. It has unveiled new stars in their dusty cocoons, remains of exploded stars, and skeletons of entire galaxies. It has studied weather on gas giants, and hunted for atmospheres on rocky planets. And it has provided new insights into the residents of our own solar system.
    But this is only the beginning. Engineers estimate that Webb has enough fuel to continue observing for at least 20 more years, giving us the opportunity to answer additional questions, pursue new mysteries, and put together more pieces of the cosmic puzzle.
    For example: What were the very first stars like? Did stars form differently in the early universe? Do we even know how galaxies form? How do stars, dust, and supermassive black holes affect each other? What can merging galaxy clusters tell us about the nature of dark matter? How do collisions, bursts of stellar radiation, and migration of icy pebbles affect planet-forming disks? Can atmospheres survive on rocky worlds orbiting active red dwarf stars? Is Uranus’s moon Ariel an ocean world?
    As with any scientific endeavor, every answer raises more questions, and Webb has shown that its investigative power is unmatched. Demand for observing time on Webb is at an all-time high, greater than any other telescope in history, on the ground or in space. What new findings await?
    By Dr. Macarena Garcia Marin and Margaret W. Carruthers, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland

    Laura Betz – laura.e.betz@nasa.govNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
    Christine Pulliam – cpulliam@stsci.eduSpace Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Md.

    More Webb News
    More Webb Images
    Webb Science Themes
    Webb Mission Page

    What is the Webb Telescope?
    SpacePlace for Kids
    En Español
    Ciencia de la NASA
    NASA en español 
    Space Place para niños

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp: Shriners Children’s Research Institute Coming to Atlanta

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Shriners Children’s, a nonprofit pediatric specialty healthcare system with locations across North America and a global reach, will establish a new pediatric medical research facility in Atlanta. In addition to creating 470 new jobs, Shriners Children’s will invest more than $153 million into the location at Science Square.

    “Shriners Children’s is an incredible addition to Georgia’s growing nonprofit, R&D, and life sciences communities,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Our commitment to being the Top State for Talent attracts outstanding organizations and partners like this that further life-changing research at our top-ranked research universities across the state. I’m grateful for Shriners Children’s decision to bet on Georgia and our talent to improve lives for generations to come.”

    Shriners Children’s focuses on orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions, burn injuries, spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and cleft lip and palate. Shriners Children’s mission also features a commitment to education and research. A unique pediatric healthcare system founded by members of the Shriners International fraternity in 1922, the organization has brought hope and healing to nearly 2 million patients. Last year, Shriners Children’s served patients from all 50 U.S. states, every province in Canada, and 128 countries.

    “We are thrilled to be establishing this new center for world-class pediatric medical research in Georgia,” said Shriners Children’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Leslie D. Stewart. “The opportunities to advance our research through collaborations and partnerships such as the one with Georgia Tech made Atlanta the clear choice.”

    “The Shriners Children’s Research Institute will serve as a multidisciplinary innovation hub to advance the healthcare of children,” said Dr. Marc Lalande, Shriners Children’s Vice President of Research Programs. “The close partnership with the outstanding biomedical engineers and scientists from Georgia Tech and Emory University will accelerate discovery and spearhead new treatments and therapies.”

    The Shriners Children’s Research Institute will have its home in Science Square Labs, strategically located across from Georgia Tech’s North Avenue Research Area. The organization will recruit talent across research fields, including cell and gene therapies, robotics, artificial intelligence, medical devices, biologics, and data informatics, as well as administrative and support roles. Interested individuals can learn more about Shriners Children’s at www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/careers.

    “Shriners Children’s new healthcare research facility represents more than just a strategic investment in Atlanta’s growing healthcare ecosystem — it’s a powerful commitment to healthier futures for children,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. “This investment will not only create high-quality jobs and drive innovation but also furthers Atlanta’s reputation as a global hub for improving public health through scientific advancement.”

    “Shriners Children’s decision to establish its new Research Institute in Fulton County highlights the strength of our talent pipeline and the region’s growing reputation in life sciences and advanced research,” said Chairman Robb Pitts, Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “Projects like this bring high-quality, high-paying jobs to our residents and reinforce Fulton County’s role as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth.”

    “Backed by metro Atlanta’s world-class universities and a robust talent pipeline, Shriners Children’s new Research Institute exemplifies the region’s momentum in cutting-edge research and global innovation,” said Katie Kirkpatrick, President & CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber. “Their investment strengthens Science Square’s emergence as a hub for AI, data, and life sciences breakthroughs.”

    Project Director Jane Caraway represented the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the Invest Atlanta, Select Fulton, Metro Atlanta Chamber, University System of Georgia, and Georgia Power.

    “Shriners Children’s embodies the kind of investment we strive to attract – a world-class organization that gives back to the community, creates high-quality jobs, and strengthens Georgia’s growing life sciences ecosystem,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “From the exceptional team effort that brought this project to Georgia to the research partnerships it will inspire, the Shriners Children’s Research Institute is a powerful example of our collaborative approach to economic development and innovation.”

    About Shriners Children’s

    Shriners Children’s is changing lives every day by providing innovative pediatric specialty care, conducting research to improve the quality of lives, and of care, and offering outstanding educational programs for medical professionals. For more information, including the full range of care available, please visit shrinerschildrens.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Dialogue with Latvia, Experts of the Human Rights Committee Welcome Law Granting Latvian Citizenship to Stateless Children, Raise Questions on Hate Crimes and Access to Elections for Minorities and Non-Citizens

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Latvia on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Committee Experts welcomed the adoption of the 2020 Latvian citizenship law, which granted Latvian citizenship to children who would otherwise be stateless, while raising questions on hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and access to elections for minorities and non-citizens.

    One Committee Expert welcomed the adoption of a 2020 law which automatically granted Latvian citizenship to children of non-citizens who were not nationals of another State, and the recent reduction in the number of non-citizens.

    Another Expert commended the State party for the establishment of a special unit to investigate hate crimes, and on changes in the criminal law addressing motivations for such crimes, including sexual orientation and gender identity.  How were these changes publicised?  Incidents of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons remained underreported, the Expert noted; how was law enforcement trained to facilitate reporting and to recognise and support victims?

    A Committee Expert said the Pre-Election Campaign Law prohibited pre-election campaign materials in any language other than Latvian, except for European Parliament elections. How did the State party ensure that this prohibition did not unduly restrict accessibility and the participation of minorities in elections? Could the State party explain why non-citizen residents, including long-term residents, were excluded from elections?

    Osams Abu Meri, Minister for Health of the Republic of Latvia, introducing the report, said the fact that Latvia was a neighbouring country of Russia, which had invaded parts of Georgia and launched a full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, must not be overlooked.  According to article 89 of the Constitution, the international human rights obligations binding upon Latvia formed an integral part of the domestic legal system. Domestic courts in Latvia had referred to the general comments and opinions issued by the Committee in numerous cases.

    The delegation said work had been done to raise the awareness of those individuals in charge of prosecuting hate crimes, addressing victims’ rights from a broader, human rights-focused framework.  The Ministry of Justice had also disseminated a circular on the interpretation of existing legal frameworks on hate crime and targeting the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.   As this was a very hot topic for Latvian society, the public broadcaster had also addressed the issue.

    The delegation also said that if someone wanted to be elected or vote in Latvia, they needed to obtain citizenship.  A Constitutional Court decision issued at the beginning of the year stated that the contested legal provisions did not impose a complete ban on the use of foreign languages, and only applied to individual campaigning with voters, hence they were in conformity with the Constitution.  The Court decided that restrictions on fundamental rights were proportional.

    In concluding remarks, Mr. Abu Meri expressed gratitude for the open and constructive dialogue.  Latvia’s experience during these challenging times, as its neighbours Russia and Belarus deployed the full arsenal of hybrid warfare, had a broader relevance.  Latvia would not only withstand these threats but remain steadfast in the rule of law, the principles of human rights and a rule-based law and order.

    Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, expressed gratitude to all who had contributed to the dialogue.  The Committee commended the State party for progress in several areas, including access to justice and gender equality, however remained concerned about the treatment of asylum seekers and non-residents, among other issues.

    The delegation of Latvia was made up of representatives of the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Welfare; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Education and Science; the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Culture; the Ministry of the Interior; the Ministry for Culture on Cooperation with Non-governmental Organisations; the Ministry of Defence; the Prosecutor General’s Office; the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs; the Internal Security Bureau; the State Police; the State Border Guard; the Cadet Force Centre; and the Permanent Mission of Latvia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-fourth session is being held from 23 June to 17 July 2025.  All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m., Wednesday 2 July to begin its consideration of the seventh periodic report of Spain (CCPR/C/ESP/7).

    Report 

     

    The Committee has before it the fourth periodic report of Latvia (CCPR/C/LVA/4). 

    Presentation of the Report

    HOSAMS ABU MERI, Minister for Health of the Republic of Latvia, presenting the report, said the situation in Europe had changed significantly since Latvia had last reported to the Committee.  The fact that Latvia was a neighbouring country of Russia which, starting from 2008, had invaded parts of Georgia and acquired military and political control over parts of Ukraine, and on 24 February 2022 launched a full-scale military aggression against Ukraine, must not be overlooked. Because of these events, Latvia increasingly had legitimate reasons to fear for its security, territorial integrity, and democratic order.  These events, along with information and hybrid warfare operations directed against Latvia, had strengthened efforts to defend democracy, national security, and effectively implement the rights and freedoms protected by the Covenant. 

      

    According to Article 89 of the Constitution of Latvia, the international human rights obligations binding upon Latvia formed an integral part of the domestic legal system. To illustrate, domestic courts in Latvia had referred to the General Comments and opinions issued by the Committee in numerous cases.  

      

    The financial resources allocated to domestic courts had steadily and consistently increased.  Moreover, in 2024, the Academy of Justice, a new institution for the professional development of judges, prosecutors, prosecutor assistants, and investigators, was established. The Ombudsperson’s Office of Latvia had consistently received the highest “A” status of accreditation, and continued to operate in accordance with the highest international standards concerning respect for human rights and good governance. In 2022, Latvia ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.  The Ombudsperson had been entrusted with the function of the national preventive mechanism, and, as of October 2024, had a new Department on the Prevention of Discrimination.  

      

    Latvia had continued to support the naturalisation of non-citizens; these were not stateless persons, as they enjoyed the right to reside in Latvia, along with a set of rights and obligations that extended beyond those prescribed by the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.  In recent years, Latvia had seen a gradual and steady decline in the number of non-citizens residing in the country.  A significant achievement in reducing the number of non-citizens in Latvia was the enactment of the law on the discontinuation of the non-citizen status for children, which had contributed to a substantial decrease in the number of non-citizens among younger age groups. Since 2020, all children born in non-citizen families had been granted citizenship at birth. 

      

    Between 2024 and 2027, Latvia had identified three priority areas for gender equality: increasing equal rights and opportunities in the labour market and education; reducing negative gender stereotypes; and integrating the principle of gender equality into policy planning.

     

    In respect to combating gender-based violence, Latvia had significantly strengthened legal protections, expanded victim support services, and increased awareness-raising campaigns to challenge societal norms that perpetuate violence. Between 2022 and 2024, the authorities, together with non-governmental organisations, held workshops and discussions for young people on how to build non-violent relationships, based on the principle of gender equality.  

      

    In 2024, Latvia took a significant step forward in recognising diverse family forms by introducing civil partnership legislation.  This legal framework allowed both same-sex and opposite-sex couples to register their partnership, granting them a range of rights and protections previously reserved for married couples.  In 2021, the Latvian Parliament enacted amendments to the Criminal Law adding to the list of aggravating circumstances motivation based on “social hatred”, which covered hatred based on sexual orientation.  Additionally, awareness-raising measures were continuously implemented, and investigators, prosecutors, and judges regularly attended trainings on the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes.  

     

    Questions by Committee Experts

     

    A Committee Expert noted the various positive developments linked to civil and political rights, asking for additional information on the legal status of the Committee’s views in the national legal framework.  What steps had Latvia taken to inform the public, including persons who did not read Latvian or English, about their rights under the Covenant and the possibility of submitting cases to the Committee under the Optional Protocol?

    The Committee appreciated the rating of the Ombudsman and the increasing material and financial resources allocated to it, and the Expert asked for information on proposals to amend the Ombudsman’s enabling law.  Regarding the implementation of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Action Plan, what mechanisms were in place to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures?  Regarding judicial integrity, were there plans to adopt additional safeguards to prevent undue political influence in the judiciary?

    Another Expert commended the State party for the establishment of a special unit to investigate hate crimes and on changes in the criminal law, adding “social enmity” and “any other characteristic” to cover sexual orientation and gender identity, and asked how these changes were publicised.  Incidents of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons remained underreported, the Expert noted; how was law enforcement trained to facilitate reporting and to recognize and support victims? 

    Could the State party be more specific about the risks to national security posed by individuals with ties to the Russian Federation?  How could fluency in the Latvian language prevent such risks?  The Expert also asked for the number of persons deported so far, their background and to which countries they were deported.  Had there been a state of emergency in parts of the country, in particular the Belarussian border from August 2021 to August 2023, and could the delegation confirm that Latvia did not derogate from its obligations under the Covenant during that period? 

    Regarding the equality of women, and efforts towards narrowing the gender pay gap, another Committee Expert asked what measures had been helpful so far, and what additional measures the government intended to introduce to narrow it further?  Could the State party provide statistical data on gender-based violence and femicide from the last three years? What measures was the government preparing to improve prevention of the concerning occurrence of online violence against women, including against women journalists and women in politics and other leadership positions? 

     

    Regarding the right to life, a Committee Expert asked for disaggregated data on the high numbers of deaths in all places of detention, including psychiatric facilities. Was the definition of torture in line with that of international treaties, and what measures were in place to protect persons complaining of torture in places of detention? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    Responding to the issues raised, the delegation said concerning the status of the Covenant and awareness-raising on submitting complaints, the Constitutional Court of Latvia had explained that the views of the Committee did not have the status of a legally binding instrument.  While the Committee’s decisions did carry the weight of authoritative interpretation, they were not formally binding.  The Committee’s views and opinions were soft-ball instruments, but had been taken into account by the courts over the years.  Regarding awareness-raising on the United Nations human rights treaties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had published informative material on its website in various languages, including guidance on submitting complaints to various treaty bodies, and ensuring accessible and transparent information for applicants.  This was how Latvia ensured that society was informed about the Committee and the possibility of submitting complaints.

    On training in the armed forces, the delegation said there were education programs which included human rights.  The Ombudsman was appointed after approval by the Parliament.  This aimed to strengthen human rights protection and ensure public awareness of the position.  This approach aligned with the spirit of the Constitution and existing practice, whilst supporting the principles of democratic governance.  On the Department of Discrimination, there was an Anti-Discrimination Unit, consisting of five people.  There was a separation of the powers in Latvia, the delegation said, and there was currently a discussion on the procedure of nomination of the Ombudsman.  There was no influence by political parties on the Ombudsman, and the election was entirely transparent.

    Regarding anti-corruption measures, the Anti-Corruption Action Plan was in place since 2023, and the main reason for lack of fulfilment of its tasks was the lack of funding.  The effectiveness of the Plan itself was usually measured by assessing the percentage of accomplished tasks, as well as feedback from institutions involved in its implementation.  In 2025, six persons were fined in cases relating to corruption, and 2024 data showed that corruption was effectively investigated and sent to prosecution.  On the independence of investigations conducted by the Internal Security Bureau, pre-trial detentions were supervised by a prosecutor.  In accordance with the law, the Minister of the Interior could only supervise the legality and justification of the Bureau’s decisions, and could revoke them if necessary. On transparency of lobbying, work continued on effective implementation of legislation in this regard, and there was no Transparency Register yet.

    The delegation said work had been done to raise the awareness of those individuals in charge of prosecuting hate crimes, addressing victim’s rights from a broader, human rights-focused framework.  A specific hate speech conference event had been held in October 2024, with twenty-two participants who worked on such violations. A training session was also held for judges, prosecutors and investigators, focusing on a victim-centred approach to the justice system.  For the general public, there were two specific web platforms with information about hate speech, hate crime, and related issues, and these were supported by the Ministries of Culture and Education, and the Ombudsman’s Bureau.  The Ministry of Justice had also disseminated a circular on the interpretation of existing legal frameworks on hate crime and targeting the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.   As this was a very hot topic for Latvian society, the public broadcaster had also addressed the issue.  The legal framework, which prescribed criminal liability for social, national and ethnic hatred as an aggravating circumstance was sufficient and proportionate to existing needs.  

    Numbers of hate speech and hate crimes were not so large, usually fewer than 10 criminal cases per year, the delegation said, but this did not reflect the priority of the topic, as the Government was working on the issue.  With regard to ethnic tensions, it was important to look at the information space, and how people used and consumed information inside the country.   According to research and statistics, minorities, as well as the general population, found news and entertainment important, and consumed it at the same rates, showing that society was living in the same space.  There were differences of opinion in society, as should be the case in any healthy society.  Latvian society had gone through traumas, and was dealing with them, including by taking care of minorities, legally, but also practically, including through an annual festival celebrating cultural minorities.

    Latvia saw its society as one which facilitated civic participation, and was working to strengthen this.  Even Roma representatives and organisations were finally putting their projects forward, and they were being supported.  Work was also being done on media literacy, as the current greatest threat to human rights was the great mass of information that was available, meaning critical thinking was a critical tool for building a cohesive society.  Latvia had acquired a large number of refugees, including those fleeing from Ukraine, and was providing measures and support for their language acquisition and cultural and societal integration.

    Latvia was working with the Roma strategy at the European Union level and had its own strategic plan for Roma integration.  Unfortunately, the community was one of the most stigmatised, as it was across Europe.  It was important for this stigmatisation to be approached and that communities were approached, with Roma mediators involved in the efforts to end the stigma.  Hate speech had increased in the digital environment, and a plan was being put together to address it.

    The delegation said the issue of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was not an ethnic issue: it was an issue of international law, colonialism, and history.  This was how society and the government had treated it.  The government had been very clear that this was an issue that had to unite everybody within the country, no matter the language and ethnicity of the individual.  Research showed that there was an increase of differences of opinion on the issue within the country, but these were not aligned with ethnicity.  The Russian minority was very vocal in its lack of support for the actions of Russia.  On the declaration of a State emergency at the border, there had been a deliberate attempt by Belarus to destabilise European countries, including Latvia, in response to the imposition of sanctions on the Belarus regime.  Actions to protect the external borders must be interpreted in the light of the broader geo-political context and the will to protect the system against abuse, including the instrumentalisation of migrants and refugees.

    The gender pay gap had reduced further in Latvia, the delegation said, and female employment rates were relatively high, but the government needed to look into employment equality further, including encouraging women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  Latvia was one of the rare countries that admitted to having problems in its prisons, and the government had approved an action plan to implement the Committee’s recommendations in this regard, showing its determination to tackle the issue.  Prison staff were instructed and trained on sensitive periods in the life of a prisoner, aiming to limit incidents of self-harm and suicide.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    In follow-up questions, Experts asked for figures on deaths in prisons, and the reconciliation between self-administration prisons and the official system, and whether the former was to the detriment of detainees.  Did psychiatric facilities offer education and therapeutic facilities, and was there sufficient staff?  Another Expert asked for clarification on training in hate crimes and hate speech, asking whether it was mandatory and country-wide, or whether people could opt out.  How was disaggregated data and statistics gathered on hate speech and hate crimes?  There appeared to be a tension between language groups, and the Expert wondered how promoting a culture of human rights education and speech could be of help in resolving these matters.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the Ministry of Justice had prepared a general policy planning document to combat and reduce the effects of informal prison hierarchies in Latvian prisons.  This included building a new prison, and the education of prison guards and administration, including a new education centre, among others.  One of the biggest problems in Latvian prisons was the outdated prison infrastructures, and the construction of the new prison to remedy this would be concluded in September 2025, with prisoners to be relocated in 2026.

    There were 26,132 persons with mental disabilities in the country in 2019, and the situation was roughly the same now.  It was very important today for persons with mental disabilities to have access to independent living, and Latvia had 12 social service homes, with between 50 and 150 places to which persons could be admitted voluntarily and could leave freely.  There was only one long-term facility, with approximately 200 beds, meant for persons with severe mental disorders, and this hospital was also only for voluntary treatment.  Regarding treatment and rehabilitation, nowadays in all treatment centres there were muti-professional teams, and staff workers ensuring integrated healthcare.  Great efforts were made to ensure there were recreational facilities at all hospitals.

    There was no mandatory training for judges, except on children’s rights, and training on hate speech and hate crimes were mostly linked to the specialisation of judges.  In Latvia, the media enjoyed independence, and investigative journalism thrived, holding the government and the judiciary to account.  The most common form of corruption involved the use of administrative resources, the delegation said.

    The delegation said amendments had been made to the Criminal Code in 2024, establishing accountability for acts of violence against immediate family or in partner relationships. The amendments introduced the punishment of imprisonment for up to three years if the perpetrator committed a violent act against a family member, spouse or former spouse.  Cases of spousal rape were considered rape under the Criminal Code, and sanctions were higher if there were aggravating circumstances. It was ensured that these crimes were reviewed by the courts in a timely manner.  More than 13 trainings had been conducted for judges, investigators, prosecutors and those who worked on family violence cases.  Every year, at least 20 women were killed by their partner in Latvia. The State believed that, in many instances, these deaths were preventable.  From 1 July, electronic monitoring of offenders could be applied in criminal proceedings, providing an opportunity to prevent both femicides and homicides.

    The ratification of the Istanbul Convention was a significant step in Latvia and was a cornerstone policy for the country.  Changing societal attitudes towards women and violence and shifting deeply ingrained cultural norms and stereotypes required public awareness campaigns, which took time to yield results.  Real-life stories of survivors had been made accessible to the public to raise awareness of the issue and encourage others to come forward.  Services were accessible and no proof was required to receive help.

    In December 2023, preventive visits had been carried out to two prisons, to assess potential risks of violent behaviour.  Conferences had been held in cooperation with the Ombudsman’s office and non-governmental organizations dedicated to the prevention of violent conduct, attended by representatives of the prison administration.  There had been an increase in crimes committed by prison administration officials in 2025, but this was due to the mandate to increasingly investigate these kinds of crimes.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked why Latvia did not systematically collect and publish data on the length and frequency of pretrial detention.  What steps would be taken to address this gap?  Could data be provided on the use of non-custodial alternatives to detention?  How was it ensued that all detainees were fully informed of their rights and access to a lawyer from the outset of detention?  Would the State implement mandatory audiovisual recording of all police interviews with detained persons?  How was it ensured that detainees received timely and effective assistance from qualified lawyers, including during the initial critical hours of detention?

    What specific safeguards existed to prevent undue political influence in the appointment of Supreme Court judges?  How did the State party address reports of politicisation and corruption in the judicial system?  What measures were taken to improve trust in the justice system?  What was the current operational status of the academy of justice? What specific training programmes had been implemented for judges and prosecutors since it opened?  What steps had been taken to ensure timely issuance of judgements?  Could information be provided on the types and lengths of sentences provided to minors? How was it ensured the detention of minors was used only as a last resort and for the shortest possible time?

    Another Committee Expert said the overall national referral mechanism had not yet been established; why was this?  How would the State implement the relevant European Parliament directive in time? How did the conflict in Ukraine impact trafficking in Latvia and different categories of victims, including victims of sexual exploitation and child trafficking?  Were training activities organised for law enforcement in this regard?  How did Latvia’s transition from a country of origin to country of transit and destination impact Government prevention efforts?  What measures were being taken to promptly investigate, prosecute and punish all cases of trafficking?  What remedies were provided to victims?  How many cases had been raised against persons involved in human trafficking?

    In mid-2024, the Ministry of Culture launched a study to ensure the safety of journalists in Latvia. What was its progress thus far? How were its recommendations being implemented?  The Government informed the Committee that the criminal proceedings concerning serious bodily injuries inflicted to the journalist and publisher Leonids Jākobsons were terminated on 19 February 2025, as the authorities were unable to find the perpetrators.  How often were similar cases involving infliction of serious bodily injuries terminated because of lack of success in finding perpetrators?  How would the State ensure that similar incidents did not repeat, and that there was no impunity for perpetrators?

    Could the delegation elaborate on the legal basis for the drastic revocation of TV Rain’s broadcasting licence on 6 December 2022, that was challenged before the Administrative Regional Court?  The National Security Concept of 28 September 2023 served to prohibit the production of public television and radio content in Russian. What was the legal basis for this policy, and had there been any legal and administrative actions taken to implement it thus far?

    Another Committee Expert said that in June 2023, Latvia established an enhanced border regime with restrictive measures, which had been extended to the end of 2025. Could the delegation confirm this? How did the State party justify prolonging these restrictions long after the formal state of emergency had ended? Credible reports indicated that from 2021 to 2025, the State border guard had engaged in 28,000 pushbacks to Belarus and other countries, without assessing the risks individuals would face. How did these pushbacks comply with the principle of non-refoulment?  Refugees at the border were reportedly subjected to violence and abuse and left without water and food.  What concrete actions had the State party taken to monitor the State border guard?  How were the border guards trained to prevent ill-treatment of migrants?

    How many official border crossing points were operating today?  What steps were being taken to facilitate applications for persons seeking protection?  What percentage of asylum seekers were detained and for how long?  The Committee was concerned about the detention of children who sought asylum; would Latvia consider a policy of never detaining children for immigration reasons?  The State had a good practice of providing free legal aid to refugees challenging asylum decisions, however reports stated it was not respected in practice.  How did the State party uphold this commitment in practice?

    The Committee welcomed the adoption of a 2020 law which automatically granted Latvian citizenship to children of non-citizens who were not nationals of another State.  The Committee also welcomed the reduction in the number of non-citizens.  Would the State party consider amending its citizenship law to grant nationality to all children born in Latvia who would otherwise be stateless?  Was the State party considering extending political rights to non-citizens?

    The Committee appreciated the measures adopted to safeguard the rights of conscientious objectors following the re-introduction of compulsory military service for men under Law 75 on the State Defence Service.  The Committee also noted that the term of Alternative Civil Service was equal in length to military service, which was an improvement.  Would the State consider allowing the Conscription Control Commission to operate independently of the miliary?  Were conscientious objectors assigned responsibilities in alternative civil services, as opposed to non-combat roles within the military? How would the State party respect the rights of conscientious objectors during emergencies and armed conflicts?

    A Committee Expert said the Committee understood that the Pre-Election Campaign Law prohibited pre-election campaign materials in any language other than Latvian, except for European Parliament elections.  How did the State party ensure that this prohibition did not unduly restrict accessibility and the participation of minorities in elections?

    Could the State party explain why non-citizen residents, including long-term residents, were excluded from elections?  Would the State party be willing to permit their participation in elections?  Where did the State party see the most need for further improvement regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities in elections?  What measures had the State party taken to follow up on treaty body recommendations, including those calling on political parties to introduce quotas to promote women’s representation in political life?

    The Committee had questions regarding the transition to Latvian as the exclusive language of instruction, eliminating Russian as a second language in schools and preschools. While this transition was envisaged a long time ago, its implementation had been rushed.  How does the State party ensure that schools were ready within the limited timeframe, especially schools where many teachers lacked sufficient proficiency in Latvian?  There were serious concerns about the lack of meaningful minority community consultation and participation during the law’s adoption.  How many stakeholders were involved and how was active participation and meaningful dialogue ensured?   The Committee was informed that national minority pupils at pre-school and primary education levels had a right to request education programmes on their language and cultural history.  Did communities have to fund these programmes themselves?  How were people made aware of these programmes and how easy was it to apply for them?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said that while not all police interviews were recorded, this did not affect police investigations.  All interviews with children were recorded.  All interviews were documented in written form.

    Legal aid was provided by the court administration.  There had been just one case where a higher court judge had not been appointed by the parliament.  Reports of corruption in the court system were legally investigated.  The parliament adopted a law establishing a new judicial academy in 2024.  In January this year, the newly established institution officially commenced its operations.  The academy had been admitted as a member of the European Judicial Network.  During this year, 106 events and trainings had already been held at the academy.

    Latvia remained susceptible to labour exploitation, sham marriages, forced begging, as well as sexual exploitation.  This year, just one criminal investigation had been launched so far in this regard. At the beginning of the Ukrainian refugee crisis, a programme was established that strengthened the capacity of State border guards to identify possible victims of human trafficking. All unaccompanied minors had been given legal assistance.  Since 2022, there had been one case of sexual exploitation of a Ukrainian woman.

    Regarding the case of the grievous bodily harm reflected on the journalist Leonids Jākobsons, despite its best efforts, the State had been unable to identify the perpetrator, and the proceedings had been closed.  However, should new information emerge, the criminal proceedings could be reopened, and investigations could resume.  In a 2019 case involving a journalist who had been persecuted and harassed for over a year, the perpetrator was identified and sentenced to prison for two years.  This emphasised that the State recognised the importance of journalists and were committed to ensuring their safety and security. 

    A study had been launched which looked at updating the legal definition of “the media”. Seminars were provided for journalists that helped them to protect themselves.  Meetings were held with the police once a year, to help them support journalists.  Materials were envisaged for judges to help them on cases involving journalists.

    Latvia was a democratic State that promoted the right to a fair trial and access to justice.  A case was ongoing regarding Russian propaganda channels spreading hate speech in Latvia.  The Government could not assess the outcome of the case at this point.

    No languages had been prohibited in Latvia.  Statistics showed that only 54 per cent of Latvian youth knew Russian language.  The official State language was the Latvian language.

    Around 47 to 50 per cent of television programmes and 35 percent of radio programmes were available in Russian language, and 13 per cent of the printed press was in Russian language.   A law was in place which obligated the public broadcaster to broadcast in minority languages.  The public broadcaster independently decided on media content and in which languages it should be broadcast.  Work was being done to promote the inclusion of more minorities.

    The state of emergency situation at the border with Belarus had been ended, but a new “enhanced border protection regime” had been introduced and would be in force until the end of the year.  During legislative amendments, the State had assessed a proportional and law-based solution, considering European Union court rulings in this field.  A lot of work had been done to comply with international obligations and the principle of non-refoulment.  A document had been developed to instruct personnel at the border on how to deal with these cases.

    Significant training had been provided to border staff, with more than 1,000 border guards trained in 2024 on asylum rights.  The State did not have information on 20 deaths registered at the border with Belarus.  There had been a case in 2024 in which a dead body was found on the Latvian border. This year, there had been 63 applications for asylum so far.  As a rule, asylum seekers were not detained in Latvia and were accommodated in open space centres.  However, due to several circumstances, the law on asylum permitted the detention of asylum seekers, such as in the case of security threats.  Each case was individually and thoroughly assessed. Minors under 14 years old were not detained; they were placed in different facilities.  Efforts were taken to accommodate minors with their families when possible.  State-provided legal assistance could be accessed once an asylum decision had been appealed.

    Regarding conscientious objection, no one from the Ministry of Defence had interfered with the Conscription Control Commission, and changes were not considered.  The State defence service law set basic criteria for alternative service.  So far, just three applications had been received, including for religious and health reasons.  Military service was for a fixed period and a solider could choose whether to extend their contract or not.  International regulations set a two-month resignation notice for military service, which the State believed was a reasonable amount of time.  A reserve solider who could not perform military service due to their beliefs could be enrolled in the national armed force reserves. The State was not considering amending paragraph five of the military law.

    Latvia did not consider “non-citizens” to be stateless persons.  All non-citizens had the right to naturalise.  The number of Latvian non-citizens had decreased by around 77 per cent in recent years.  After a change in regulations in 2020, more than 500 children had been automatically registered after birth.  Several campaigns had been carried out on the possibility of acquiring Latvian citizenship.

    If someone wanted to be elected or vote in Latvia, they needed to obtain citizenship.  A Constitutional Court decision issued at the beginning of the year stated that the contested legal provisions did not impose a complete ban on the use of foreign languages, and only applied to individual campaigning with voters, hence they were in conformity with the Constitution.  The Court decided that restrictions on fundamental rights were proportional. Russian language was still widespread in Latvia, justifying the need to strengthen the use of Latvian as the official State language.  The Constitutional Court had taken article 27 of the Covenant into account, which recognised the obligation to ensure minority groups could use their mother tongue. It found amendments in the law complied with article 27.

    The naturalisation procedure was fairly easy.  The path for non-citizens was wide, short and easy to walk. 

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    The Committee asked follow-up questions regarding actions taken to implement the national security policy before the Constitutional Court; the permanence of the enhanced border regime; ill-treatment of migrants crossing the Belarus/Latvia border between 2021 and 2022; granting citizenship to children born in Latvia who would otherwise be stateless; providing for honourable discharges from military service; the exclusion of non-citizens from all elections; alternative programmes for minority languages in schools; and measures in place to ensure detention of minors was only implemented as a measure of last resort.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the public broadcaster was bound by media laws.  Currently Belarussian authorities at the border were refusing to cooperate with Latvian authorities.  These non-cooperation issues had brought about an increase in criminal activities across the border, including organised crime.  This year, there had been 186 irregular migration cases across the border.  An investigation had been launched in 2021 and 2022 regarding individuals who had attempted to cross the Belarussian border, which had analysed a significant amount of information.  During the investigation, it was determined that injuries to migrants were not caused by the actions of border officials, but were likely obtained during the journey to cross the border.

    Reasons for terminating a military contract prior to its conclusion were not specified in national laws.  An agreement simply needed to be reached. 

    Only persons with Latvian citizenship had the right to vote.  Using languages other than Latvian during political campaigning in the election period was not prohibited.  The provision about using just the official language applied only to the pre-election period.  Non-citizens who chose to keep their status still had the right to receive healthcare and work in the country.

    Teachers were instructed on teaching methodologies in a linguistically diverse environment, and on how to teach students whose native language was not Latvian.  There were targeted grants supporting minority languages and cultures. 

    As of 25 June this year, there were 27 inmates who were children.  Four of these children were detained, with the rest serving their sentences on probation.  This illustrated that incarceration of children in Latvia was a last resort.

    Closing Statements

    HOSAMS ABU MERI, Minister for Health of the Republic of Latvia, expressed gratitude for the open and constructive dialogue.  A wide range of topics had been addressed, including efforts to combat hate crimes, gender equality, and matters of national security.  Latvia’s experience during these challenging times, as its neighbours Russia and Belarus deployed the full arsenal of hybrid warfare, had a broader relevance.  Latvia would not only withstand these threats but remain steadfast in the rule of law, the principles of human rights and a rule-based law and order.  These circumstances reaffirmed Latvia’s commitment to uphold the rights enshrined in the Covenant.  Latvia appreciated the engagement and interest of the Committee.

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chairperson, expressed gratitude to all who had contributed to the dialogue.  The Committee commended the State party for progress in several areas, including access to justice and gender equality, however remained concerned about the treatment of asylum seekers and non-residents, among other issues.  Mr. Soh thanked all involved in the dialogue for their engagement and commitment. 

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CCPR25.013E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Firework Safety Tips for the Upcoming July 4th Holiday

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers to keep safe while celebrating the upcoming July 4th holiday. As part of a multi-agency effort, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, along with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Department of Health, are providing tips to help New Yorkers stay safe while celebrating Independence Day with legal sparkling devices.

    “As Governor, my top priority is public safety, and that is why I’m urging all New Yorkers to celebrate with caution this holiday weekend,” Governor Hochul said. “Those using legal sparkling devices should always follow instructions, keep children and bystanders at a safe distance, and light no more than one at a time to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe from preventable fireworks-related injuries.”

    Every year, thousands of people – including many children, teens and young adults – are injured while using fireworks. Most of these injuries happen in the weeks surrounding the 4th of July. The most recent data collected by the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) includes reports of 14,700 fireworks-related injuries in the United States in 2024, representing an increase of 52 percent from 2023. According to the latest CPSC release, adults ages 25 to 44 accounted for the largest share of reported injuries.

    Common causes of fireworks-related injuries are:

    • Fast-fuse firecracker exploding before it can be thrown.
    • Misguided rocket striking a bystander.
    • Going to investigate why a firecracker “failed” to explode.

    Approximately 20,000 fires are started by fireworks annually according to the National Fire Protection Association, including structure fires, vehicle fires, and outdoor fires.

    Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “As Independence Day celebrations kick off, it’s critical to always put safety first. Even legal sparkling devices can cause serious harm if not handled properly, so the safest choice is to leave fireworks to the professionals. But if you choose to use sparkling devices, be sure to follow these tips to prevent injuries and fires.”

    New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Avoid the emergency room this holiday by leaving the fireworks to the professionals. Safety is always the first priority, and sparkling devices can cause serious harm. Enjoy your holiday by attending an event or streaming a firework show at home.”

    New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Fireworks may seem like harmless fun, but they pose very real dangers, especially to young people. Each year, we see far too many emergency visits due to preventable accidents. This Fourth of July, I urge all New Yorkers to make safety a priority, leave fireworks to trained professionals, and enjoy spending time with family and friends.”

    New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Gathering with friends and family to enjoy professional fireworks displays is a time-honored Fourth of July tradition across New York State. The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring these events are safe and enjoyable for all by conducting thorough inspections of fireworks display operators in advance of each show.”

    The New York State Department of Labor’s Industry Inspection unit thoroughly inspects the safety operations and storage of the 350 NYSDOL certified pyrotechnicians statewide each year. NYSDOL also ensures compliance with regulations by inspecting around 120 pyrotechnic shows per year. To learn more about the regulations for pyrotechnics permits, visit the webpage.

    FIREWORKS – WHAT’S PERMITTED AND WHAT’S NOT IN NEW YORK STATE

    What’s Permitted:

    Sale of sparkling devices by registered sellers from June 1 until July 5 annually. Sparkling devices are ground-based or handheld sparking devices that produce a shower of colored sparks or colored flame, crackling or whistling noise and smoke. They do not launch into the air.

    The possession and use of sparkling devices is PERMITTED in cities with populations of less than one million people and as permitted by local law. Be sure to check that sparkling devices are legal in your city, town, or county as local laws may change. You can contact your local sheriff’s office to ask whether your area allows the use of sparkling devices.

    Users must be 18 years or older to use sparkling devices.

    What’s Not Permitted:
    The possession and use of sparkling devices in cities with populations of more than one million people and where prohibited by local law, including New York City and the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Erie, Nassau, Orange (prohibited in the Cities of Middletown and Newburgh only), Schenectady, Suffolk, Warren and Westchester.

    Fireworks and dangerous fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and aerial devices, are illegal statewide, except for displays conducted by authorized individuals as permitted by law.

    Tips for Using Sparkling Devices Safely:

    • Children and sparklers are a dangerous combination. Never allow children to play with or ignite combustible items, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to melt some metals.
    • Never throw or point sparkling devices toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
    • Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
    • Make sure the person lighting sparkling devices always wears eye protection.
    • Light only one sparkling device at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
    • Always use sparkling devices outdoors. Never light sparklers inside.
    • Store sparkling devices in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
    • If you are impaired by alcohol, don’t use sparkling devices.

    While avoiding the use of illegal fireworks is the best way to prevent injury, people can also take precautions while watching professional fireworks displays. These include using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the launch site, and leaving pets at home. If your pet is nervous around fireworks at home, please consult your veterinarian for ways to protect and comfort them.

    Sales of sparkling devices by certified permanent and specialty retailers can only take place during the year from June 1 to July 5 and sales of sparkling devices by certified temporary stands or tents can only occur from June 20 to July 5. A list of registered sparkling device vendors and a video about avoiding injuries from fireworks appears here.

    Adults are encouraged to provide children and teens with non-flammable alternatives to sparkling devices, which can be easily found at most retail stores including glow sticks and LED Items.

    About the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection
    Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone.

    The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline (1-800-697-1220) is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

    About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on X, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

    Get real time emergency and weather alert texts delivered directly to your phone. Text your county or borough of residence to 333111 to enroll now. Learn more at dhses.ny.gov/emergency-alerts.

    About the New York State Department of Health
    The New York State Department of Health has been overseeing the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers since 1901 – from vaccinations to utilizing new developments in science as critical tools in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In the face of today’s new public health challenges and evolving health care system, health equity is fundamental to everything we do to help all people achieve optimal physical, mental, and social well-being.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Rising star: Meet Dylan, our youngest security researcher

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Rising star: Meet Dylan, our youngest security researcher

    At just 13 years old, Dylan became the youngest security researcher to collaborate with the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). His journey into cybersecurity is inspiring—rooted in curiosity, resilience, and a deep desire to make a difference.

    Early beginnings: From scratch to security

    Dylan’s fascination with technology began early. Like many kids, he started with Scratch—a visual programming language for making simple games and animations. But for Dylan, Scratch was more than a toy; it was the start of a much bigger journey. He quickly moved on to HTML and other languages, and by 5th grade, he was analyzing source code behind educational platforms. One experiment—unlocking games before completing the lessons—landed him in a bit of trouble but also sparked a growing interest in how systems work.

    That curiosity only deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. When his school disabled student access to create Teams meetings, Dylan found a workaround using Outlook. It wasn’t about bypassing rules—it was about helping classmates stay connected in a time of isolation. It was a glimpse of the problem-solver he was becoming.

    Dylan’s first vulnerability

    When his school later disabled student-created Teams chats, Dylan didn’t give up—he got creative. What began as a quest to restore communication options became his introduction to security research. After 9 months of self-teaching, exploration, and trial and error, he discovered a vulnerability that let him take over any Teams group. That breakthrough marked his entry into the world of responsible disclosure—and kicked off his relationship with MSRC.

    Soon after, Dylan submitted his first official vulnerability report to Microsoft. In response, the Bug Bounty team updated its program terms to allow participation from researchers as young as 13. Since then, Dylan has worked closely with MSRC, demonstrating technical insight and professionalism well beyond his age.

    Collaborating with MSRC

    Dylan’s communication skills are as impressive as his technical ones. He’s known for respectfully pushing back when he disagrees with MSRC’s initial assessments—always aiming to understand their perspective and articulate his own clearly. This thoughtful approach has earned him respect and helped drive meaningful results.

    One notable example: Dylan submitted a vulnerability in the Authenticator Broker service that was initially considered out of scope. Through clear, constructive dialogue, he helped MSRC understand its broader implications. The result? Not only was the issue acknowledged, but the bounty program also expanded its scope to include it for future submissions—a testament to Dylan’s impact.

    Challenges and triumphs

    Despite his achievements, Dylan’s path hasn’t been easy. He’s faced misunderstood reports and setbacks, but credits his family—especially his mother, father, stepparents, and grandparents—for helping him stay grounded, patient, and professional.

    His journey hasn’t just been technical. During the pandemic, Dylan also lost his voice due to a health issue and underwent two surgeries to recover it. The experience only strengthened his resolve and resilience.

    What’s next for Dylan?

    Now a junior in high school, Dylan balances schoolwork with extracurriculars like Science Olympiad, math competitions, swimming, biking, and cello. He filed 20 vulnerability reports last summer alone—up from just six total beforehand.

    He’s been named to MSRC’s Most Valuable Researcher list for both 2022 and 2024. In April 2025, Dylan competed at Microsoft’s Zero Day Quest—a premier onsite hacking event in Redmond, Washington—and took home 3rd place, an incredible achievement that placed him among the top researchers globally.

    Despite a busy academic schedule, Dylan continues to see security research as a rewarding hobby. He’s passionate about learning, exploring new vulnerabilities, and giving back to the community. Long-term, he’s open to a range of possibilities, including continued work in cybersecurity, science, or civics.

    Dylan also dreams of attending security conferences as soon as he’s old enough, eager to meet fellow researchers and learn from the best. For other young researchers, his story is proof that age is no barrier—what matters most is creativity, persistence, and a willingness to learn.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Brain Defender Supplement Officially Launches: Natural Memory Lift Support and Brain Health Enhancement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    We are proud to announce the official launch of Brain Defender, our groundbreaking cognitive support formula designed to enhance mental clarity, focus, memory, and long-term brain health. Developed with a powerful blend of science-backed ingredients, Brain Defender offers a natural, stimulant-free solution for individuals seeking peak cognitive performance. Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply focused on healthy aging, Brain Defender empowers your mind to perform at its best. With a commitment to purity, quality, and results, Brain Defender marks a new era in brain wellness. Now available exclusively through our official website—experience the power of sharper thinking today.

    Brain Defender In an era where mental performance is more essential than ever, the unveiling of Brain Defender marks a significant leap forward in the pursuit of optimal brain health. Designed with a powerful fusion of science-backed ingredients, Brain Defender emerges as a holistic solution for individuals seeking sharper focus, increased cognitive endurance, and better memory function. Click Here to Visit Official Website

    With this official launch, Brain Defender aims to lead a transformative shift in how individuals support brain wellness—by blending natural nutrients, neuroprotective compounds, and advanced botanical extracts into one streamlined supplement. 

    Brain Defender: Purpose-Built for Cognitive Protection and Advancement

    Brain Defender is not just another brain supplement—it’s the culmination of extensive research into the neurological needs of the modern mind. The brand’s development was driven by the rising demand for cognitive resilience in the face of stress, fatigue, aging, and digital overstimulation. From students and professionals to older adults prioritizing longevity, Brain Defender Supplement has been formulated to offer powerful cognitive support tailored for all lifestyles.

    Each capsule contains a precise synergy of vitamins, adaptogens, amino acids, and plant-based nootropics that are believed to help nurture neuron pathways, support neurotransmitter balance, and strengthen mental clarity.

    Scientific Rationale Behind Brain Defender’s Development

    The core of Brain Defender’s formulation lies in an understanding of how the brain operates under daily cognitive demand. As individuals navigate through complex tasks, multitasking, and long periods of concentration, the brain often endures oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalance, and a decrease in key nutrients that help maintain mental acuity.

    Brain Defender was meticulously developed to address these challenges. Brain Defender Supplement includes well-researched components such as Bacopa monnieri, Ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine, and L-theanine—each selected for its known role in cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection.

    This evidence-based approach ensures that Brain Defender doesn’t just aim for short bursts of alertness—it works to create a foundation for long-term mental performance, mental calmness, and sharp thinking.

    Key Ingredients That Power Brain Defender

    Brain Defender’s proprietary blend is rooted in transparency and effectiveness. Here is a breakdown of its most notable components and their benefits:

    Bacopa Monnieri

    Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, Bacopa is recognized for promoting attention span and memory processing. It is believed to support dendrite branching, which plays a critical role in long-term memory retention.

    Ginkgo Biloba

    Ginkgo helps support cerebral circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain. This botanical extract is associated with improvements in alertness and cognitive endurance.

    Phosphatidylserine

    This phospholipid is essential for healthy brain cell membranes. It contributes to communication between neurons and has been linked to cognitive fluidity and better memory encoding.

    L-Theanine

    Sourced from green tea, L-theanine promotes calm focus by increasing alpha brain wave activity. This amino acid helps reduce mental distractions while enhancing a state of relaxed alertness.

    Click Here to Get Brain Defender – Power Up Your Mind Today!

    Rhodiola Rosea

    An adaptogen known for its ability to help the body cope with stress, Rhodiola is included to improve stamina, reduce brain fog, and promote a resilient mental state.

    Vitamin B Complex

    Essential B vitamins, including B6, B9 (folate), and B12, are vital for neurotransmitter function, energy metabolism, and brain cell nourishment.

    Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR)

    This amino acid supports mitochondrial function and assists in producing the energy required for sustained cognitive performance.

    Behind the Brand: The Mission of Brain Defender

    Brain Defender was conceived with a bold mission:

    “To empower the brain with the nourishment, clarity, and defense it needs in a demanding, overstimulated world.”

    Modern lifestyles—filled with digital distractions, chronic stress, lack of sleep, poor diets, and aging—take a toll on mental clarity. Brain Defender was developed as a long-term solution, not a temporary stimulant, to help restore and protect cognitive function naturally and effectively.

    What Brain Defender Aims to Solve

    Brain Defender supports individuals dealing with:

    • Mental fatigue
    • Lack of concentration
    • Forgetfulness
    • Low motivation or productivity
    • Stress-induced brain fog
    • Age-related cognitive slowdown

    By focusing on the root causes—such as oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, and poor nutrient availability—Brain Defender provides the brain with tools to perform optimally every day.

    Brain Defender Formulation Philosophy

    Brain Defender uses a synergistic approach. Rather than relying on a single “miracle” ingredient, it combines multiple compounds known to benefit different aspects of cognition, including:

    1. Neuroprotection – safeguarding neurons from damage
    2. Neurogenesis support – encouraging new brain cell growth
    3. Neurotransmitter balance – improving communication between brain cells
    4. Blood flow enhancement – delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the brain

    The product is free from stimulants like caffeine and is non-habit-forming, making it safe for long-term daily use.

    Additional Noteworthy Ingredients

    In addition to the previously mentioned core ingredients, Brain Defender includes:

    • Lion’s Mane Mushroom – A mushroom extract studied for its ability to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), potentially supporting regeneration of brain cells.
    • Citicoline (CDP-Choline) – Supports phospholipid synthesis and memory formation.
    • Huperzine A – A plant-based compound that may inhibit acetylcholinesterase, helping to sustain neurotransmitter levels related to memory and alertness.
    • Ashwagandha Root Extract – Known for its calming, anti-stress adaptogenic effects, promoting a relaxed yet alert cognitive state.

    Manufacturing & Quality Standards

    • GMP-Certified Facility: Brain Defender is produced in a facility compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
    • USA-Made: Manufactured in the United States under strict quality control.
    • Third-Party Tested: Each batch is tested for contaminants, potency, and purity.
    • Vegan-Friendly: Capsules are made from plant cellulose.
    • Free From: Gluten, soy, dairy, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.

    Who Should Consider Brain Defender Supplement?

    Brain Defender is ideal for:

    • Students preparing for exams or seeking sharper recall
    • Professionals who need sustained attention during long work hours
    • Entrepreneurs and creatives seeking mental energy and clarity
    • Seniors interested in maintaining mental agility as they age
    • Health-conscious individuals looking to support brain longevity

    How to Use Brain Defender

    Suggested Use:
    Take 2 capsules daily, preferably with breakfast. For best results, consistent use over a minimum of 30 days is encouraged. Some users may begin to feel subtle improvements in focus and clarity within the first week.

    The Future of Brain Wellness Starts Here

    As we continue into an era where mental performance is vital, Brain Defender Supplement positions itself as more than a supplement—it’s a lifestyle ally. Whether it’s preparing for a boardroom presentation, tackling a creative project, or simply striving to stay mentally agile into your 70s and beyond, Brain Defender is committed to supporting your journey.

    Why Brain Defender Is Different

    While the market is flooded with products promising cognitive enhancement, Brain Defender Supplement stands apart due to its commitment to ingredient synergy, clean formulation, and user-centric design. Here’s what defines the Brain Defender approach:

    • Clinical Doses: Every ingredient is dosed based on studies suggesting the most effective range for cognitive support.
    • No Artificial Fillers: The formula is non-GMO, gluten-free, and free of synthetic additives, preservatives, or stimulants.
    • Long-Term Focus: Brain Defender is not a quick fix. It is intended for sustained use to fortify mental health, protect brain structures, and encourage continuous cognitive function.

    Designed for Modern Lifestyles

    Whether managing a demanding career, preparing for examinations, or simply striving for better focus during daily routines, Brain Defender provides support for those moments that matter.

    For Students and Academics

    Focus and memory retention are vital for academic performance. Brain Defender’s adaptogenic and nootropic combination can aid in learning, information processing, and mental stamina.

    Click Here to Get Brain Defender – Power Up Your Mind Today!

    For Busy Professionals

    Professionals juggling meetings, deadlines, and multitasking demands can benefit from Brain Defender’s ability to support concentration and reduce mental fatigue during prolonged work sessions.

    For Seniors and Brain Longevity Enthusiasts

    As individuals age, maintaining cognitive sharpness becomes a top health priority. Brain Defender Supplement supports brain cell structure, neurotransmitter balance, and mental clarity—all crucial elements of aging well.

    Developed with Industry Experts and Quality Standards

    Brain Defender is the result of collaboration between neuroscientists, holistic health professionals, and supplement formulators with a shared goal—to redefine cognitive wellness.

    The supplement is manufactured in FDA-registered, GMP-certified facilities in the United States. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing for purity, potency, and safety, adhering to the highest industry standards.

    Commitment to Education and Brain Health Awareness

    Beyond the Brain Defender Supplement itself, Brain Defender is committed to promoting brain health awareness. Through blogs, webinars, and partnerships with wellness communities, the brand will offer insights on topics like digital detoxing, nutrition for brain health, and cognitive preservation strategies.

    An official educational campaign will launch Brain Defender Supplement quarter, offering free resources for students, professionals, caregivers, and older adults. This initiative aligns with Brain Defender’s belief that brain wellness should be proactive, accessible, and empowering.

    Testimonials from Health Advocates and Experts

    Although Brain Defender does not rely on customer anecdotes, the product has garnered attention from wellness coaches, cognitive health educators, and holistic practitioners.

    Dr. Elaine Parker, a neuro-nutrition expert, states, “Brain Defender reflects a thoughtful integration of natural neuroprotective agents. Its balanced formulation considers both short-term mental clarity and the long-term preservation of cognitive integrity.”

    Similarly, functional health advisor Marcus Kent shares, “It’s encouraging to see a cognitive supplement built not on trends, but on decades of nutritional neuroscience.”

    Packaging, Sustainability, and Accessibility

    Brain Defender places a strong emphasis on sustainability and ease of use. The product is packaged in recyclable containers, designed with simplicity and elegance to complement modern health-conscious lifestyles. Subscription options will be made available for those looking to maintain consistent cognitive wellness.

    Additionally, Brain Defender Supplement is proud to support neurodiverse and senior communities by offering accessible resources and specialized assistance for individuals managing cognitive change or decline.

    Availability and Launch Offer

    Brain Defender is now available exclusively through the official website. Early adopters will receive access to a limited-time promotional bundle that includes:

    • A 30-day supply of Brain Defender
    • A bonus digital guide titled “Neuro Habits: Building a Brain-Healthy Routine”
    • Free shipping within the United States

    Plans to expand availability to wellness stores, clinics, and international customers are already in motion.

    Join the Brain Health Revolution

    As cognitive demands continue to evolve, Brain Defender Supplement offers a timely, science-aligned, and empowering solution. Whether you’re looking to enhance your focus, protect your mental clarity, or simply build a more resilient brain, Brain Defender is your new ally in the journey toward mental excellence.

    About Brain Defender

    Brain Defender is a next-generation cognitive wellness brand committed to enhancing memory, focus, and long-term mental clarity. By combining powerful botanical extracts, nootropic nutrients, and evidence-based ingredients, Brain Defender Supplement provides individuals with a comprehensive tool for cognitive health. The brand is rooted in science, sustainability, and the belief that everyone deserves the ability to think clearly, feel mentally energized, and live with clarity.

    To learn more about Brain Defender or explore the full formulation, visit the official website at: [Click Here to Visit Official Website]

    Media Contact:

    Project name: Brain Defender
     Tel.: +1 (434) 425-7300
     Company Number: 306178201
     Full Name: Harry Bailey
     Website: https://getbraindefender.com/
    Email: support@Braindefender.com

    Address 35th Dr #100, Aurora, CO 80011

    Attachment

    • Brain Defender

    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025

  • States, UTs hold talks on strengthening higher education’s role in knowledge economy

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In the run-up to the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, the Department of Higher Education on Wednesday organised a national workshop with states and Union Territories on the theme ‘Higher Education: Knowledge Economy’.

    The day-long session, held at the Pragyan Auditorium of the AICTE in New Delhi, brought together senior officials and experts to discuss how higher education can help build a skilled and future-ready workforce for Viksit Bharat.

    The workshop, held in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), is part of a series of preparatory meetings ahead of the Chief Secretaries’ Conference, which will be held later this year under the broader theme ‘Human Capital for Viksit Bharat’. A concept note outlining the sub-theme had been shared with all states and UTs in advance to align local perspectives with national goals.

    Speaking at the event, Dr Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, said states and UTs have a vital role in shaping India’s education sector and driving the country’s development. “If states improve, Bharat improves,” he said, urging states to make better use of existing schemes, adapt policies to local needs, and involve communities beyond state capitals. He described the concept note as a starting point for states to design transformative changes.

    Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, DARE, called for modernising agricultural education by adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and behavioural sciences. He also highlighted the need for collaboration between agricultural universities, IITs and other institutions to help students tackle challenges in the agriculture value chain.

    Former UGC Chairman Prof M Jagadesh Kumar spoke about the National Education Policy 2020 and its aim to break down rigid academic barriers and promote interdisciplinary learning. He said the focus should be on nurturing curiosity and adaptability among students and pointed to frameworks such as the National Credit Framework and National Higher Education Qualification Framework as tools for driving innovation.

    AICTE Chairman Prof T G Sitharam stressed the need for India to move from a service-based economy to a product-driven one by integrating robotics, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies into technical education. He mentioned initiatives like the Smart India Hackathon, the AICTE Internship Portal and the E-Kumbh Portal, which provides free textbooks in various Indian languages.

    States also shared their experiences and local plans. Officials from Maharashtra spoke about developing EduCity in Navi Mumbai and setting up offshore campuses to make the state a global education hub. Universities discussed including Indian Knowledge Systems in mainstream curricula to preserve traditional knowledge alongside modern learning.

    Some states highlighted the need to address brain drain by encouraging Indian scholars abroad to return and contribute to domestic institutions through research collaborations and sabbaticals. Others underlined the need to close faculty gaps and improve infrastructure so that state public universities can match the standards of national institutions. Karnataka officials showcased initiatives such as Nipuna Karnataka and digital learning tools to equip students with industry-ready skills.

    States and UTs have been asked to gather inputs from officers, including those working at the grassroots level, and submit detailed feedback notes by August 20, 2025. State-specific reports are expected by August 31. These submissions will help prepare the background material for the Chief Secretaries’ Conference and guide future discussions on strengthening higher education as a key part of India’s knowledge economy.

    July 3, 2025

  • States, UTs hold talks on strengthening higher education’s role in knowledge economy

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In the run-up to the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, the Department of Higher Education on Wednesday organised a national workshop with states and Union Territories on the theme ‘Higher Education: Knowledge Economy’.

    The day-long session, held at the Pragyan Auditorium of the AICTE in New Delhi, brought together senior officials and experts to discuss how higher education can help build a skilled and future-ready workforce for Viksit Bharat.

    The workshop, held in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), is part of a series of preparatory meetings ahead of the Chief Secretaries’ Conference, which will be held later this year under the broader theme ‘Human Capital for Viksit Bharat’. A concept note outlining the sub-theme had been shared with all states and UTs in advance to align local perspectives with national goals.

    Speaking at the event, Dr Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, said states and UTs have a vital role in shaping India’s education sector and driving the country’s development. “If states improve, Bharat improves,” he said, urging states to make better use of existing schemes, adapt policies to local needs, and involve communities beyond state capitals. He described the concept note as a starting point for states to design transformative changes.

    Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, DARE, called for modernising agricultural education by adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and behavioural sciences. He also highlighted the need for collaboration between agricultural universities, IITs and other institutions to help students tackle challenges in the agriculture value chain.

    Former UGC Chairman Prof M Jagadesh Kumar spoke about the National Education Policy 2020 and its aim to break down rigid academic barriers and promote interdisciplinary learning. He said the focus should be on nurturing curiosity and adaptability among students and pointed to frameworks such as the National Credit Framework and National Higher Education Qualification Framework as tools for driving innovation.

    AICTE Chairman Prof T G Sitharam stressed the need for India to move from a service-based economy to a product-driven one by integrating robotics, artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies into technical education. He mentioned initiatives like the Smart India Hackathon, the AICTE Internship Portal and the E-Kumbh Portal, which provides free textbooks in various Indian languages.

    States also shared their experiences and local plans. Officials from Maharashtra spoke about developing EduCity in Navi Mumbai and setting up offshore campuses to make the state a global education hub. Universities discussed including Indian Knowledge Systems in mainstream curricula to preserve traditional knowledge alongside modern learning.

    Some states highlighted the need to address brain drain by encouraging Indian scholars abroad to return and contribute to domestic institutions through research collaborations and sabbaticals. Others underlined the need to close faculty gaps and improve infrastructure so that state public universities can match the standards of national institutions. Karnataka officials showcased initiatives such as Nipuna Karnataka and digital learning tools to equip students with industry-ready skills.

    States and UTs have been asked to gather inputs from officers, including those working at the grassroots level, and submit detailed feedback notes by August 20, 2025. State-specific reports are expected by August 31. These submissions will help prepare the background material for the Chief Secretaries’ Conference and guide future discussions on strengthening higher education as a key part of India’s knowledge economy.

    July 3, 2025

  • Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit J&K for key meetings, convocation and rural engagements

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will visit Jammu and Kashmir on July 3 and 4. The visit is aimed at reinforcing the Centre’s initiatives in agriculture, natural farming, and rural development in the Union Territory. It will also focus on enhancing academic partnerships and engaging directly with farming communities and rural stakeholders

    On July 3, Chouhan will hold a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.  The focus will be on assessing the progress of central schemes and strategies for expanding sustainable farming practices in the region.

    In the afternoon, the Minister will attend a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Key topics on the agenda include the promotion of natural farming methods and the implementation of the National Oilseeds Mission, both critical to the government’s long-term goals for agricultural sustainability and self-reliance.

    Later in the evening, a courtesy meeting will be hosted in  Chouhan’s honour by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.

    On July 4, the Union Minister will serve as the chief guest at the sixth convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K). The event will take place at the university’s Shalimar Convention Centre. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chancellor of SKUAST-K, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is the Pro-Chancellor, will also attend.

    During the ceremony, degrees will be awarded to 5,250 students, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and PhD scholars. The convocation will also honour 150 gold medalists and 445 students receiving merit certificates for outstanding academic performance.

    Following the convocation, Chouhan will visit saffron and apple orchards at the SKUAST-K campus, where he will interact with horticulture scientists and local farmers to understand region-specific challenges and innovations. Later, in Khonmoh village, the Minister will meet with ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women who have become symbols of empowerment and rural economic success under various self-help and livelihood initiatives.

     

    July 3, 2025

  • Shivraj Singh Chouhan to visit J&K for key meetings, convocation and rural engagements

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, will visit Jammu and Kashmir on July 3 and 4. The visit is aimed at reinforcing the Centre’s initiatives in agriculture, natural farming, and rural development in the Union Territory. It will also focus on enhancing academic partnerships and engaging directly with farming communities and rural stakeholders

    On July 3, Chouhan will hold a high-level review meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.  The focus will be on assessing the progress of central schemes and strategies for expanding sustainable farming practices in the region.

    In the afternoon, the Minister will attend a meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. Key topics on the agenda include the promotion of natural farming methods and the implementation of the National Oilseeds Mission, both critical to the government’s long-term goals for agricultural sustainability and self-reliance.

    Later in the evening, a courtesy meeting will be hosted in  Chouhan’s honour by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.

    On July 4, the Union Minister will serve as the chief guest at the sixth convocation ceremony of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K). The event will take place at the university’s Shalimar Convention Centre. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chancellor of SKUAST-K, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is the Pro-Chancellor, will also attend.

    During the ceremony, degrees will be awarded to 5,250 students, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and PhD scholars. The convocation will also honour 150 gold medalists and 445 students receiving merit certificates for outstanding academic performance.

    Following the convocation, Chouhan will visit saffron and apple orchards at the SKUAST-K campus, where he will interact with horticulture scientists and local farmers to understand region-specific challenges and innovations. Later, in Khonmoh village, the Minister will meet with ‘Lakhpati Didis’—women who have become symbols of empowerment and rural economic success under various self-help and livelihood initiatives.

     

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream Officially Launches: Natural Fast-Acting Solution in US, CA, UK, AU, NZ and IE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    Arthro MD+, a trailblazer in innovative health solutions, proudly announces the official launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, a groundbreaking topical treatment designed to alleviate joint pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance mobility for individuals seeking a natural, effective solution to joint discomfort. This cutting-edge product marks a significant milestone in Arthro MD+’s mission to empower people to live active, pain-free lives through science-backed wellness innovations.
    Addressing the Growing Need for Joint Health Solutions
    Joint pain affects millions of people worldwide, with conditions like arthritis, overuse injuries, and age-related wear-and-tear impacting daily activities and quality of life. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 54 million adults in the United States alone suffer from arthritis, making it one of the leading causes of disability. As the global population ages and active lifestyles become more prevalent, the demand for safe, non-invasive, and effective joint pain relief solutions has never been higher. Click Here To visit Official Website
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream was developed to meet this need, offering a scientifically formulated, non-prescription topical cream that delivers fast-acting, targeted relief without the side effects commonly associated with oral pain medications. By combining clinically studied ingredients with advanced delivery technology, Arthro MD+ sets a new standard in joint care, addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes of joint discomfort.
    The Science Behind Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream
    At the core of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is a proprietary blend of natural and scientifically validated ingredients designed to work synergistically to reduce pain, inflammation, and stiffness while promoting long-term joint health. Unlike many over-the-counter creams that provide only temporary relief, Arthro MD+’s formula penetrates deeply into the skin to target the source of discomfort, delivering lasting results.
    Key ingredients include:

    • Menthol: A natural cooling agent that provides immediate soothing relief to sore, aching joints by stimulating thermoreceptors in the skin, creating a cooling sensation that distracts from pain signals.
    • MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): A naturally occurring compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties, MSM supports joint flexibility and reduces swelling, helping to restore mobility.
    • Glucosamine Sulfate: A well-researched compound that supports cartilage health and promotes joint lubrication, aiding in long-term joint function.
    • Arnica Montana Extract: A plant-based ingredient with a long history of use in traditional medicine, arnica helps reduce bruising, swelling, and pain associated with joint injuries.
    • Boswellia Serrata Extract: Derived from the frankincense tree, this extract is clinically shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways, reducing joint discomfort and supporting overall joint health.
    • Hyaluronic Acid: A key component of synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid helps lubricate joints, reducing friction and improving ease of movement.
    • Turmeric Extract (Curcumin): A potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, curcumin helps combat oxidative stress in joints, supporting long-term joint health.

    The cream utilizes advanced transdermal delivery technology, allowing active ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin and reach affected joints and tissues. This ensures rapid onset of relief while maximizing the bioavailability of each ingredient. The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula leaves no residue, making it ideal for daily use.
    Why Arthro MD+ Stands Out
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is not just another topical pain reliever—it’s a comprehensive joint health solution designed with the consumer in mind. Here’s what sets it apart:

    • Clinically Inspired Formula: Each ingredient in Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is backed by scientific research, ensuring efficacy and safety. The formula was developed in collaboration with leading experts in joint health, including rheumatologists and pharmacologists, to create a product that delivers measurable results.
    • Natural and Safe: Free from parabens, artificial fragrances, and harsh chemicals, Arthro MD+ is gentle on the skin and suitable for long-term use. It is also non-addictive, unlike some oral pain medications that carry risks of dependency.
    • Targeted Relief: The cream’s advanced delivery system ensures that active ingredients reach the affected area, providing fast-acting relief where it’s needed most.
    • Versatility: Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is suitable for a wide range of users, from athletes recovering from intense workouts to seniors managing chronic joint conditions like osteoarthritis.
    • Made in the USA: Manufactured in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility, Arthro MD+ adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.

    For more information, visit (This Link To Read And ORDER).
    The Development Journey
    The journey to create Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream began with a simple yet ambitious goal: to provide a safe, effective, and accessible solution for joint pain that empowers individuals to reclaim their mobility and live life to the fullest. Arthro MD+’s research and development team spent over two years conducting rigorous testing, refining formulations, and collaborating with healthcare professionals to perfect the product.
    “We wanted to create a product that not only relieves pain but also supports long-term joint health,” said Dr. Emily Carter, Chief Scientific Officer at Arthro MD+. “Our team was driven by the stories of millions of people struggling with joint pain, from active individuals to those managing chronic conditions. Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is the result of cutting-edge science and a deep commitment to improving lives.”
    Consumer feedback during the development phase was overwhelmingly positive. In a pre-launch clinical trial involving 200 participants with mild to moderate joint pain, 92% reported a significant reduction in pain within 10 minutes of application, and 87% noted improved mobility after two weeks of daily use. Participants also praised the cream’s pleasant scent and non-greasy texture, making it a convenient addition to their daily routines.
    Who Can Benefit from Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream?
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is designed for anyone experiencing joint discomfort, whether due to aging, physical activity, or chronic conditions. It is particularly beneficial for:

    • Seniors: Those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or general age-related joint stiffness can find relief and improved mobility.
    • Athletes: Runners, weightlifters, and other active individuals can use Arthro MD+ to recover from joint strain caused by intense physical activity.
    • Office Workers: Prolonged sitting or repetitive motions can lead to joint discomfort, which Arthro MD+ can help alleviate.
    • Individuals with Minor Injuries: Sprains, strains, and bruises can benefit from the cream’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

    The cream is easy to use: simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage gently until absorbed. For best results, use two to three times daily or as directed by a healthcare professional.
    A Commitment to Empowering Active Lifestyles
    Arthro MD+’s mission goes beyond providing pain relief—it’s about empowering individuals to live active, fulfilling lives. “Joint pain shouldn’t hold anyone back from doing what they love, whether that’s playing with their grandkids, hiking, or simply getting through the day without discomfort,” said Michael Thompson, CEO of Arthro MD+. “With Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, we’re giving people the tools to take control of their joint health and embrace life without limitations.”
    To support this mission, Arthro MD+ is launching a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate consumers about joint health, the importance of early intervention, and lifestyle strategies to maintain mobility. The campaign includes partnerships with physical therapists, fitness experts, and community organizations to provide resources and support for those managing joint pain. Click Here To visit Official Website
    Availability and Pricing
    Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is now available for purchase exclusively through the official Arthro MD+ website (www.arthromd.com) (www.arthromd.com) and select online retailers. The product is offered in two sizes: a 2 oz. jar for $29.99 and a 4 oz. jar for $49.99. For a limited time, customers can take advantage of a special launch offer, including a 20% discount on their first order and free shipping on purchases over $50.
    Arthro MD+ also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing customers to try the product risk-free. “We’re confident in the effectiveness of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream,” said Thompson. “If it doesn’t meet your expectations, we’ll refund your purchase—no questions asked.”
    The Future of Joint Health with Arthro MD+
    The launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream is just the beginning. Arthro MD+ is committed to expanding its product line to include additional solutions for joint and muscle health, with plans to introduce oral supplements and wearable supports in 2026. The company is also investing in ongoing research to explore new ingredients and delivery methods that could further enhance joint care.
    In addition, Arthro MD+ is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The company uses eco-friendly packaging and partners with suppliers who share its commitment to environmental responsibility. A portion of every sale is donated to arthritis research and advocacy organizations, furthering Arthro MD+’s mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by joint pain.
    Join the Arthro MD+ Movement
    As Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream hits the market, the company invites consumers to join its movement toward pain-free, active living. By combining cutting-edge science with a passion for wellness, Arthro MD+ is redefining what’s possible in joint care.
    For more information about Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream, including detailed ingredient information, Click Here To visit Official Website To stay updated on product launches, promotions, and joint health tips, follow Arthro MD+ on social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
    About Arthro MD+
    Arthro MD+ is a Los Angeles-based health and wellness company dedicated to developing innovative, science-backed solutions for joint and muscle health. With a focus on natural ingredients, rigorous quality standards, and consumer education, Arthro MD+ empowers individuals to live active, pain-free lives. The launch of Arthro MD+ Joint Relief Cream marks the company’s first step toward transforming the joint care industry.
    Media Contact
    Project name: Arthro MD+
     Tel.: +1 (434) 425-7300
     Company Number: 306178201
     Full Name: Harry Bailey
     Website: https://arthromdplus.com
    Email: support@arthromd.com 
    #8909, Lakeland, FL 33804, USA

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    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Congratulates Summer Interns on Service to Arkansas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with his Washington, D.C. interns on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) recognized the college students who served as interns?in his Washington, D.C. and state offices during the first summer session.
    “These bright, energetic young people did a great job supporting Arkansans through their work in my Capitol Hill and Natural State offices this summer. Their contributions benefited my staff as we provided important constituent services and represented our state’s voices in the Senate. I am proud of them and have confidence that this experience has strengthened their understanding of the legislative process as well as encouraged a continued interest in public service,” Boozman said.?
    Harrison McCarty, Alyxander Logan, Ryann Richards, Alex Siwiec, Travis Thrailkill and Reese Turner completed a five-week internship in Boozman’s Washington office. Constituent relations were their primary duty. Additionally, they assisted the legislative and communications teams with various projects and each was also able to shadow the senator for a day –– a unique opportunity?giving them?rare insight into the inner workings of the U.S. Senate.

    U.S. Senator John Boozman pictured with his Arkansas interns at an event in Atkins in May.
    Rhealyn Schmidt, Kyra Chanthakhot and Braden Carr supported Arkansans through internships in the senator’s state offices in Jonesboro, Fort Smith and Little Rock, respectively. They primarily helped with outreach to local communities and learned more about the senator’s casework services for constituents in need of assistance with issues involving federal agencies.
    Harrison McCarty is from Little Rock and graduated from Pulaski Academy in 2022. He is a rising senior at Georgetown University. Harrison attends Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, where he studies culture and politics while pursuing minors in economics and Spanish. He interns with the Georgetown University Alumni and Student Federal Credit Union in addition to being a member of the Blue and Gray Tour Guide Society and creating content for Georgetown’s social media pages. 
    Alyxander Logan is from Fort Smith and a 2022 graduate of Southside High School. He is an incoming senior at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, Oklahoma. He is double majoring in communication/leadership pre-law and English with a minor in Bible. He is the president of his Social Club, Delta Gamma Sigma, and is senior class president. Upon graduation, Alyx plans to attend law school.
    Ryann Richards is from Bentonville and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2022. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in advertising and public relations, with minors in marketing and communication. Ryann is the Vice President of the University of Arkansas Panhellenic Council, overseeing operations for the 2025 Panhellenic Community. She is also a member of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society and Public Relations Student Society. 
    Alex Siwiec is from Rogers and a 2022 graduate of Rogers Heritage High School. She is a rising senior at Pepperdine University majoring in marketing. Alex is an active member of the Waves Marketing Club, which provides full-service strategies to local businesses and clients, and holds the role of Director of Dialogues in Delta Gamma. She has enriched her education through courses at Parsons School of Design as well as studying abroad in Florence, Italy. 
    Travis Thrailkill is from Mena and graduated from Mena High School in 2022. He is an incoming senior at the University of Arkansas and is double majoring in political science and history. He is an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and participates in community outreach and philanthropy. Following his graduation, Travis plans to attend law school with a concentration in the corporate field.
    Reese Turner is from Cabot and graduated from Cabot High School in 2022. She is a rising senior at the University of Arkansas. She is majoring in political science and history with a minor in legal studies. Reese is involved with the University’s Associated Student Government Senate and the Student Ambassador program. She is an active member of Chi Omega Psi, where she has served on both the sisterhood and recruitment committees. After graduating, Reese plans to attend law school. 
    Rhealyn Schmidt is from Walnut Ridge. She is a graduate of Walnut Ridge High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas where she studies political studies and agribusiness pre-law, with minors in English and legal studies. She is involved in the Agribusiness Club, Associated Student Government and Student Ambassadors on campus. She also serves as Director of Philanthropy of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. After graduating, Rhealyn plans to attend law school. 
    Kyra Chanthakhot is from Fort Smith. She graduated from Northside High School and currently attends the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, where she is studying biology with a minor in political science. Upon graduation, Kyra plans to attend law school.
    Braden Carr is from Paragould where he graduated from Greene County Tech High School. He is a rising junior at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. A member of the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, Braden is double majoring in political science and criminal justice. He is a member of the UALR Student Government Association and chair of the Arkansas Federation of College Republicans. Upon graduation, Braden plans to pursue a career in public service. 
    Learn more about internship opportunities in Boozman’s Washington and state offices here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public advisory on Blue Green Algae

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    With the summer holidays underway, now is a good time to highlight the dangers posed to humans and pets by blue-green algae and the importance of reporting any sightings of the algae.

    As a precautionary measure, warning signage will be erected at sites where blue-green algae has been detected, to warn visitors of its presence and advise that adults, children, and animals should avoid contact with the algae and the water close to it due to its harmful effects.

    Swallowing the water can cause stomach upsets or severe illness to people and death to animals. Contact with the water or the blue-green algae can also cause rashes and skin problems.

    HOW TO REPORT BLUE-GREEN ALGAE

    Members of the public are advised to report concerns using the Bloomin’ Algae App to help provide a rapid and more comprehensive picture of harmful algal blooms in the area and inform the relevant environment agency, local authority or landowner. Alternatively you can visit, click here: https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/bloomin-algae

    WHAT IS BLUE-GREEN ALGAE?

    Blue-green algae are natural inhabitants of many inland waters, estuaries and the sea. Although referred to as algae they are, in fact, a type of bacteria (known as cyanobacteria) with the ability to use the sun’s energy to make food in the same way that many plants do. They may be found in suspension, attached to rocks and other surfaces at the bottom of shallow waterbodies and along the edges of lakes and rivers. The term blue-green algae includes a number of different species.

    All species of blue-green algae need nutrients – nitrates and phosphates – to grow. If the water is enriched with nutrients and there is calm, sunny and warm weather conditions, then the growth may become excessive resulting in algal blooms.

    These algal blooms cause the water to appear discoloured green, blue-green or greenish-brown and some species can produce a musty odour. When the blooms die, they break down, using up oxygen in the water and cause problems for other aquatic life, such as fish. In calm, warm weather some bloom-forming species will rise to the water surface and form a scum which may again be coloured.

    For reasons not fully understood, some bloom and scum-forming blue-green algae are capable of producing toxins. Although many blue-green algae blooms are not toxic, some produce nerve or liver toxins and it is therefore safest to assume toxins could be present

    In their most dangerous form, both in quantity and species, blooms have caused death in cows, sheep and dogs drinking significant concentrations at the water’s edge.

    WHO IS AT RISK AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

    Human health risk from exposure to blue-green algae toxins can arise through swallowing or inhaling water containing the algae and through prolonged direct contact with exposed parts of the body including the skin, and sensitive areas such as ears, eyes, mouth and throat.

    Different groups of water users are at different levels of risk, depending on the amount of time they are likely to spend in/close to the affected water. Participants in descending order of likely risk are as follows:

    Swimmers, paddlers, children playing at the water’s edge, dogs, other animals including some farm animals, fishermen using the bank and water’s edge.

    Windsurfers whose level of competence puts them at risk in the prevailing wind conditions of becoming immersed in or blowing into areas of algal scum.

    Dinghy sailors, catamaran sailors, canoeists and windsurfers competent for the prevailing conditions.

    Other boat users and fishermen fishing from a boat or pontoon.

    Essentially the more likely you are to come into direct contact with the algal scum, the greater the risk of effects of exposure. Symptoms of those affected could be easily confused with a range of other illnesses so it is important to be aware of the risk of blue-green algae as a contributory factor.

    Swallowing and/or inhalation can result in mouth and nose ulcers, blistering of the lips, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscular pains, sore throat, dry cough, headaches, hay fever symptoms, dizziness and fatigue.

    For further information, please visit The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “We were able to outperform IT company teams of 15–20 people”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 5, the best projects were defended within the hackathon “Marathon of Digital Solutions” on the case of forecasting and assessing lost sales. The first place was taken by the combined team Faculty of Computer Science HSE and the University of Science and Technology MISIS, consisting of six students.

    Hackathon participants could choose a case of easy, medium or difficult level. The peculiarity of the MCR was the focus on implementing solutions in practice.

    The winners of the KUDO track for forecasting and evaluating lost sales were the MISIS x HSE Microgit team, which included:

    Artem Sokolov, 2nd year bachelor’s student “Software Engineering” HSE Faculty of Computer Science;

    Vladislav Eliseev, 2nd year bachelor’s degree “Applied Mathematics and Computer Science” HSE Faculty of Computer Science;

    Tatyana Zavarykina, 1st year student at MISIS;

    Dmitry Kaykov, 2nd year student at MISIS;

    Rodion Naumov, 2nd year student at MISiS;

    Khabibullin Adil, 2nd year MISIS.

    As a solution, the students presented a web platform that helps managers forecast sales. Forecasts are made by DeepAR and ChronosZeroShot machine learning models with an accuracy of up to 97%.

    Artem Sokolov

    “We had a case from KUDO, we needed to develop a test version of a platform for demand forecasting, as well as create a product recommendation system for customers based on their behavior.

    We decided to participate in the hackathon rather impulsively. This is not our first time participating in such competitions, so we already have a rough idea of what and who to take on. We prepared: we studied the reports of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, talked to businessmen and collected a lot of different data on the topic, which definitely helped us get closer to victory.

    Despite the fact that there were only a few of us, we were able to beat teams of IT specialists from 15–20 people and win.”

    Text: Alexandra Sytnik

    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 –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global

    Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city, police reports suggest motorcycles were involved in 80% of all road-crash deaths registered in Kampala in 2023.

    Promising to solve the safety problem while also improving the livelihoods of moto-taxi workers, digital ride-hail platforms emerged a decade ago on the city’s streets. It is no coincidence that Uganda’s ride-hailing pioneer and long-time market leader goes by the name of SafeBoda.

    Conceived in 2014 as a “market-based approach to road safety”, the idea is to give riders a financial incentive to drive safely by making digital moto-taxi work pay better. SafeBoda claimed at the time that motorcyclists who signed up with it would increase their incomes by up to 50% relative to the traditional mode of operation, in which riders park at strategic locations called “stages” and wait for passengers.

    In the years since, the efforts of SafeBoda and its ride-hail competitors to bring safety to the sector have largely been deemed a success. One study carried out in 2017 found that digital riders were more likely to wear a helmet and less likely to drive towards oncoming traffic. Early press coverage was particularly glowing, while recent academic studies continue to cite the Kampala case as evidence that ride-hailing platforms may hold the key to making African moto-taxi sectors a safer place to work and travel.

    Read more: Ride-hailing in Lagos: algorithmic impacts and driver resistance

    Is it all as clear-cut as this? In a new paper based on PhD research, I suggest not. Because at its core the ride-hail model – in which riders are classified as independent contractors who do poorly paid “gig work” rather than as wage-earning employees – undermines its own safety ambitions.

    Speed traps

    In my study of Kampala’s vast moto-taxi industry – estimated to employ hundreds of thousands of people – I draw on 112 in-depth interviews and a survey of 370 moto-taxi riders to examine how livelihoods and working conditions have been affected by the arrival of the platforms.

    To date, there has been only limited critical engagement with how this change has played out over the past decade. I wanted to get beneath the big corporate claims and alluring platform promises to understand how riders themselves had experienced the digital “transformation” of their industry, several years after it first began.

    Read more: Kenya’s ride-hailing drivers say their jobs offer dignity despite the challenges

    One of the things I found was that, from a safety perspective, the ride-hail model represents a paradox. We can think of it as a kind of “speed trap”.

    On one hand, ride-hail platforms try to moderate moto-taxi speeds and behaviours through managerial techniques. They make helmet use compulsory. They put riders through road safety training before letting them out onto the streets. And they enforce a professional “code of conduct” for riders.

    In some cases, companies also deploy “field agents” to major road intersections around the city. Their task is to monitor the behaviour of riders in company uniform and, should they be spotted breaking the rules, discipline them.

    On the other hand, however, the underlying economic structure of digital ride-hailing pulls transport workers in the opposite direction by systematically depressing trip fares and rewarding speed.

    Under the “gig economy” model used by Uganda’s ride-hail platforms, the livelihood promise hangs not in the offer of a guaranteed wage but in the possibility of higher earnings. Crucially, it is a promise that only materialises if riders are able to reach and maintain a faster, harder work-rate throughout the day – completing enough jobs that pay “little money”, as one rider put it, to make the gig-work deal come good. Or, as summed up by another interviewee:

    We are like stakeholders, I can say that. No basic salary, just commission. So it depends on your speed.

    We already know from existing research that the gig economy places new pressures on transport workers to drive fast and take risky decisions. This is especially the case for workers on low, unsteady pay and without formal safety nets.

    And yet, it is precisely these factors that routinely lead to road traffic accidents. Extensive research from across east Africa has shown that motorcycle crashes are strongly associated with financial pressure and the practices that lead directly from this, such as speeding, working long hours and performing high-risk manoeuvres. All are driven by the need to break even each day in a hyper-competitive informal labour market, with riders compelled to go fast by the raw economics of their work.

    Deepening the pressure

    Ride-hail platforms may not be the reason these circumstances exist in the first place. But the point is that they do not mark a departure from them.

    If anything, my research suggests they may be making things worse. According to the survey data, riders working through the apps make on average 12% higher gross earnings each week relative to their analogue counterparts. This is because the online world gets them more jobs.

    But to stay connected to that world they must shoulder higher operating costs, for: mobile data (to remain logged on); fuel (to perform more trips); the use of helmets and uniforms (which remain company property); and commissions extracted by the platform companies (as much as 15%-20% per trip).

    As soon as these extras are factored in, the difference completely disappears. The digital rider works faster and harder – but for no extra reward.

    Rethinking approaches to safety reform

    Ride-hail platforms were welcomed onto the streets of Kampala as an exciting new solution to unsafe transport, boldly driven by technological innovation and “market-based” thinking.

    Read more: Uganda’s speedy motorbike taxis will slow down for cash – if incentives are cleverly designed

    But it is important to remember that these are private enterprises with a clear bottom line: to one day turn a profit. As recent reports and my own thesis show, efforts to reach that point often alienate and ultimately repel the workers on whom these platforms depend – and whose livelihoods and safety standards they claim to be transforming.

    A recent investment evaluation by one of SafeBoda’s first funders perhaps puts it best: it is time to reframe ride-hailing as a “risky vehicle” for safety reform in African cities, rather than a clear road to success.

    – Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed
    – https://theconversation.com/ugandas-ride-hailing-motorbike-service-promised-safety-but-drivers-are-under-pressure-to-speed-259310

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Summer Fun at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 2, 2025

    Looking for something fun and exciting to do this summer? Look no further than the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) They have exciting exhibits, programing and activities for the whole family. 

    “The Royal Saskatchewan Museum is an exciting destination to visit this summer and learn about the natural world we live in,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “The Museum has fun-filled activities and programs for guests of all ages, in addition to the permanent exhibits and displays such as Scotty, the world’s largest T.rex. There is always something new and exciting at the RSM.”

    Whether it is fan-favourites like Scotty, the World’s Largest T. rex or new additions like the Saskatchewan – North to South or Animal Sounds exhibits, there is always an adventure waiting around the corner.

    Daily exhibits and programming: 

    SaskTel Be Kind Online Learning Lab – weekdays (1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) and weekends and holidays (10 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.)

    Drop-in and explore, discover and learn with our museum educators. There will be different themes bi-weekly tailored for all ages, from toddlers to adults. 

    Scotty Talk – Monday and Friday (11a.m.)

    Ask Scotty, the world’s largest T. rex questions and learn more about dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period.

    Field Station – Open daily (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

    Build a creature with dino building blocks or on the magnet board. For ages 10 and under. Children must be supervised.

    Science on a Sphere – Tuesdays and Thursdays in July at 11 a.m.

    Join a museum educator for a 20-minute presentation about life on our planet. Presented on our globe projection screen. For ages 12 and over. 

    Storytime and Silly Stories – Wednesdays (10:30 to 11 a.m.)

    Join us outside the museum on Wednesday for Storytime, designed for children aged six and under and their caregivers. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. In case of bad weather, it will move indoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 

    • Gail will share Silly Stories about animal characters from our exhibits on July 9, 23 and August 20.
    • Tammy will lead Storytime on July 2, 16 and 30 and August 6, 13 and 27.

    Star of the Week – Available daily

    Find the museum exhibit marked as the Star of the Week. Tell the front desk where you found it to receive a handstamp. For ages six and under.

    Scavenger Hunts – Available daily

    Pick up a scavenger hunt while you explore the museum. Match all the pictures and receive a sticker – there are five different stickers to collect.

    The RSM is Saskatchewan’s provincial natural history museum. Discover our shared history through engaging display and exhibits.

    The RSM is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation.

    To learn more about the RSM’s exhibits, events, programming and world class research, visit: https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/. 

    Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to stay up to date on different themes throughout the summer.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global

    Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city, police reports suggest motorcycles were involved in 80% of all road-crash deaths registered in Kampala in 2023.

    Promising to solve the safety problem while also improving the livelihoods of moto-taxi workers, digital ride-hail platforms emerged a decade ago on the city’s streets. It is no coincidence that Uganda’s ride-hailing pioneer and long-time market leader goes by the name of SafeBoda.

    Conceived in 2014 as a “market-based approach to road safety”, the idea is to give riders a financial incentive to drive safely by making digital moto-taxi work pay better. SafeBoda claimed at the time that motorcyclists who signed up with it would increase their incomes by up to 50% relative to the traditional mode of operation, in which riders park at strategic locations called “stages” and wait for passengers.

    In the years since, the efforts of SafeBoda and its ride-hail competitors to bring safety to the sector have largely been deemed a success. One study carried out in 2017 found that digital riders were more likely to wear a helmet and less likely to drive towards oncoming traffic. Early press coverage was particularly glowing, while recent academic studies continue to cite the Kampala case as evidence that ride-hailing platforms may hold the key to making African moto-taxi sectors a safer place to work and travel.



    Read more:
    Ride-hailing in Lagos: algorithmic impacts and driver resistance

    Is it all as clear-cut as this? In a new paper based on PhD research, I suggest not. Because at its core the ride-hail model – in which riders are classified as independent contractors who do poorly paid “gig work” rather than as wage-earning employees – undermines its own safety ambitions.

    Speed traps

    In my study of Kampala’s vast moto-taxi industry – estimated to employ hundreds of thousands of people – I draw on 112 in-depth interviews and a survey of 370 moto-taxi riders to examine how livelihoods and working conditions have been affected by the arrival of the platforms.

    To date, there has been only limited critical engagement with how this change has played out over the past decade. I wanted to get beneath the big corporate claims and alluring platform promises to understand how riders themselves had experienced the digital “transformation” of their industry, several years after it first began.



    Read more:
    Kenya’s ride-hailing drivers say their jobs offer dignity despite the challenges

    One of the things I found was that, from a safety perspective, the ride-hail model represents a paradox. We can think of it as a kind of “speed trap”.

    On one hand, ride-hail platforms try to moderate moto-taxi speeds and behaviours through managerial techniques. They make helmet use compulsory. They put riders through road safety training before letting them out onto the streets. And they enforce a professional “code of conduct” for riders.

    In some cases, companies also deploy “field agents” to major road intersections around the city. Their task is to monitor the behaviour of riders in company uniform and, should they be spotted breaking the rules, discipline them.

    On the other hand, however, the underlying economic structure of digital ride-hailing pulls transport workers in the opposite direction by systematically depressing trip fares and rewarding speed.

    Under the “gig economy” model used by Uganda’s ride-hail platforms, the livelihood promise hangs not in the offer of a guaranteed wage but in the possibility of higher earnings. Crucially, it is a promise that only materialises if riders are able to reach and maintain a faster, harder work-rate throughout the day – completing enough jobs that pay “little money”, as one rider put it, to make the gig-work deal come good. Or, as summed up by another interviewee:

    We are like stakeholders, I can say that. No basic salary, just commission. So it depends on your speed.

    We already know from existing research that the gig economy places new pressures on transport workers to drive fast and take risky decisions. This is especially the case for workers on low, unsteady pay and without formal safety nets.

    And yet, it is precisely these factors that routinely lead to road traffic accidents. Extensive research from across east Africa has shown that motorcycle crashes are strongly associated with financial pressure and the practices that lead directly from this, such as speeding, working long hours and performing high-risk manoeuvres. All are driven by the need to break even each day in a hyper-competitive informal labour market, with riders compelled to go fast by the raw economics of their work.

    Deepening the pressure

    Ride-hail platforms may not be the reason these circumstances exist in the first place. But the point is that they do not mark a departure from them.

    If anything, my research suggests they may be making things worse. According to the survey data, riders working through the apps make on average 12% higher gross earnings each week relative to their analogue counterparts. This is because the online world gets them more jobs.

    But to stay connected to that world they must shoulder higher operating costs, for: mobile data (to remain logged on); fuel (to perform more trips); the use of helmets and uniforms (which remain company property); and commissions extracted by the platform companies (as much as 15%-20% per trip).

    As soon as these extras are factored in, the difference completely disappears. The digital rider works faster and harder – but for no extra reward.

    Rethinking approaches to safety reform

    Ride-hail platforms were welcomed onto the streets of Kampala as an exciting new solution to unsafe transport, boldly driven by technological innovation and “market-based” thinking.



    Read more:
    Uganda’s speedy motorbike taxis will slow down for cash – if incentives are cleverly designed

    But it is important to remember that these are private enterprises with a clear bottom line: to one day turn a profit. As recent reports and my own thesis show, efforts to reach that point often alienate and ultimately repel the workers on whom these platforms depend – and whose livelihoods and safety standards they claim to be transforming.

    A recent investment evaluation by one of SafeBoda’s first funders perhaps puts it best: it is time to reframe ride-hailing as a “risky vehicle” for safety reform in African cities, rather than a clear road to success.

    Rich received funding for this research from the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

    – ref. Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed – https://theconversation.com/ugandas-ride-hailing-motorbike-service-promised-safety-but-drivers-are-under-pressure-to-speed-259310

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: King’s Birthday Party 2025: His Majesty’s Ambassador Alyson King’s speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    King’s Birthday Party 2025: His Majesty’s Ambassador Alyson King’s speech

    His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Alyson King’s speech on the King’s Birthday Party delivered on 19 June.

    Your Excellency the President of the Republic, represented here by his principal advisor in charge of the College of Environment, Urban Planning and Mobility, HE Ambassador Tosi Mpanu Mpanu,

    Honourable Senators and Members of Parliament,

    Your Excellencies, distinguished members of the national and provincial governments, and their representatives here present,

    Madam SRSG and Head of MONUSCO,

    Excellencies, my fellow Ambassadors and heads of international organisations,

    Dear members of the diplomatic corps and international organisations,

    Distinguished religious and civil authorities, members of political parties,

    Dear partners,

    Eminent representatives of civil society and the world of culture,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    Distinguished guests,

    Dear friends,

    All protocol observed

    Boyei malamu na moto nyonso! (Welcome to everyone!)

    Thank you all for coming. Your presence helps to create a special atmosphere as we celebrate the official birthday of King Charles III. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the links between the UK and the DRC.

    The UK established its first diplomatic mission here in 1902, when a British consulate was built in the then capital, Boma.

    But even though our relationship is 123 years old this year, I think we’re just getting started!

    I’m going to repeat what I said last year:

    We still do not know each other as well as we might. It remains my firm conviction that the more we know and understand each other, the more opportunities we will find to do good things together.

    That’s enough recycling, at least for words!

    The past year has been marked by undeniably negative events, and I’d like to say a few words about them before turning to more encouraging aspects.

    In January, the battle for Goma began when Rwandan troops and the M23 attacked. Many civilians died, as did members of MONUSCO and SAMIDRC. Many people were forced to move – once again – and numerous human rights violations were committed by all the actors on the ground. I was forced to close our office in Goma.

    A few days later, several embassies – both African and Western – and diplomatic residences in Kinshasa were attacked and looted. Perhaps the oldest principle of international public law is “don’t shoot the messenger”. Peaceful demonstration is an essential democratic right and freedom; as diplomats, we are there to understand and convey messages, particularly when the situation is difficult. But this type of violence is unacceptable and counter-productive. It delayed the international response to events in the east of the country rather than encouraging it.

    Today, a record 5 million people live under occupation in the east of the DRC, under the administration of a UN-sanctioned rebel group.

    I want to be very clear.

    The UK Government condemns the actions of all illegal armed groups in eastern DRC, including the M23. The UK Government has expressed its deep concern about the support of the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) to the M23 in offensives that violate the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In response, the UK Government has announced a major reassessment of its policy towards Kigali, including the suspension of the majority of its financial support.

    Security Council Resolution 2773, adopted unanimously by its 15 members, calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the M23 and the RDF. It has not yet been implemented. We welcome all the efforts currently being made to find a political solution to this situation.

    At a time when the international system based on norms and international law is being called into question, whether in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan or the DRC, leadership is required more than ever.

    This leadership must be both courageous and wise, ready to take the necessary difficult measures and brave reforms.

    Against this backdrop, there are many reasons to be optimistic about relations between the UK and the DRC.

    You’ll see many examples of our collaboration in this garden.

    I’m delighted to welcome back some of our Chevening alumni, and even more delighted to announce that we are increasing the number of scholarships available to talented young Congolese leaders to study for a Masters degree, fully funded by the UK, in the UK.

    Much of the UK’s work in the country is targeted at communities in the east. For example, new UK funding will provide clean water and sanitation to around 200,000 displaced people, in partnership with UNICEF and the SAFER consortium.

    On this day, International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, I would like to underline the priority that the UK Government gives to supporting survivors of sexual violence and fighting impunity. I reiterate my congratulations to the DRC for being the first state in the world to condemn the crime of forced pregnancy. I hope we can work together to provide global leadership on these vital issues in the years ahead.  

    We congratulate the DRC on its election to the Security Council as of 1 January and look forward to working together on issues crucial to international peace and security.

    In the field of health, our partnerships with UNICEF and the WHO are supporting the government’s response to the ongoing Mpox and cholera epidemics, and helping more than 4.4 million Congolese people. I was delighted to meet some Mpox survivors in Kinshasa recently; one young man thought he would never get out of hospital alive because he was so ill. Looking at him today, you’d never guess, he’s so healthy and cheerful.

    On climate and the environment, the UK co-chairs the Donor College of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership in the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). Our new £90 million action programme supports local communities around the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, improving economic livelihoods while preserving forests and nature.

    And I’m proud that our programme is also building the DRC’s capacity in climate science in collaboration with British universities.

    I would like to salute the work of the Head of State, for his renewed commitment to economic reform. Tangible improvements to the business climate, such as simpler and more predictable procedures and taxation, as well as greater transparency, will attract foreign direct investment and lead to the creation of well-paid jobs.

    British companies have shown their interest in the economic potential of the DRC. For example, British International Investment’s investment alongside DP World in the DRC’s first deep-water container port at Banana will open up new infrastructure and international trade opportunities for the country.

    As a global centre of mining expertise, trade and finance, the UK is particularly well placed to support the DRC’s ambition to develop its mining sector and bring its critical minerals, which are vital to global economies, to all Congolese.

    This evening, I’m delighted that several Congolese companies with links to the UK are here, and in particular several of them have been able to contribute to this fantastic event.

    I would like to thank our generous sponsors: Socimex, Rawbank, Vodacom, G4S, Helios Towers, HJ Hospital, Médecins de Nuit, Diageo, Canalbox, Manga Flore Gardening Services, Centre Médical Diamant and BAM’s Clean, without whom this evening would not have been possible.

    My thanks also go to my team who work tirelessly, not just for this event, but also for their dedication on a daily basis enabling the Embassy to function well and for us make a difference.

    Dear guests,

    Ladies and Gentlemen,

    The Democratic Republic of Congo is an important partner and friend for the United Kingdom. In recent years, the ties of friendship between our two countries have grown stronger. H.E. President Felix Tshisekedi was one of the first heads of state to meet His Majesty King Charles III after his accession to the throne.

    We salute the work of H.E. Mrs Judith Suminwa, the first female Prime Minister of the DRC, and all the members of the Government present here today.

    My country’s wish is to embark on the next phase of this relationship, working in collaboration with the DRC’s leaders, civil society, businesses and health and climate experts.  

    I sincerely hope that we’ll get to know each other better and that we’ll achieve even more great things together.

    Here’s to the next 123 years of friendship!

    Feti malamu (Enjoy the party!)

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Praise for trial showing how technology can transform adult social care across city

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The council is working on the trial with others to prove how Technology Enabled Care (TEC) can help improve lives.

    The pilot is led by WM5G on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) under the 5G Innovation Region scheme.

    It is focused on the eligible care and support needs of people aged 65 and over, people with learning disabilities and those with physical disabilities.

    As part of the project technology being used in people’s homes to support care needs includes devices and voice activated wireless technologies such as video care phones, smart speakers, smart doorbells and smart smoke alarms.

    Residents have also been making use of digital pendants helping keep them safe at home and when out and about through location pinpointing, fall detection and direct communication with emergency support.

    Wolverhampton resident Carol, who has vascular dementia, is among the participants, supported by WM5G digital care navigators and her daughter Caroline.

    She said: “This technology is like having a friend. I don’t feel alone, I feel safe, and that has given me a lot of confidence both in and out of the house.”

    Caroline said: “Mum is of a generation where technology is not really their thing at all, but this is easy to use, and the support team have been brilliant talking her through it. It has been very beneficial and reassuring for us.”

    You can watch Carol and her daughter talk more about the TEC trial by watching the video here. 

    Councillor Paula Brookfield, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “While we are in the early stages of understanding the potential of this technology, it can help make a positive difference providing tailored packages, optimising carer visits and delaying the need for additional care.”

    Councillor Jeszemma Howl, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Governance and Digital, said: “It is lovely to hear how putting technology to use in this way can transform the lives of people like Carol right across our city, empowering independence and improving wellbeing.”

    More than 301 referrals have been made in Wolverhampton alone since the start of the project in September 2024 with over 2,500 pieces of TEC equipment deployed to support independent living.

    Findings from the project will help inform a business case for development of TEC in the future.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Joveo Recognized as Strategic Challenger in the 2025 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Talent Acquisition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MENLO PARK, Calif., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Joveo, the global leader in AI-led, high-performance recruitment marketing, has been recognized as a Strategic Challenger in the 2025 Fosway Group 9-Grid™ for Talent Acquisition. This recognition underscores Joveo’s innovative approach and unwavering commitment to reshaping the future of recruitment with cutting-edge technology and data-driven solutions.

    The Fosway Group 9-Grid™, a well-regarded market analysis model, evaluates providers on their potential, performance, market presence, trajectory, and total cost of ownership. According to Fosway, Strategic Challengers “provide solid performance with solutions that have a richer and broader suite of capability than most other solutions in the Fosway 9-Grid™.” Joveo’s placement in this category highlights the company’s growing influence, strong capabilities, and proven success within the talent acquisition ecosystem.

    “Market conditions remain challenging for many TA solution providers, mainly due to the confluence of technological change and a high concentration of candidates,” said Dr. Sven Elbert, Head of Analyst Services at Fosway Group. “Despite this, growth in recruitment marketing continues apace with companies like Joveo still innovating and winning business. We congratulate them on their move to Strategic Challenger this year.”

    “This recognition reinforces what we’ve known all along – there’s a better, smarter way to hire,” said Kshitij Jain, Founder and CEO of Joveo. “To us, it’s about attracting the right talent and optimizing their experience to source the best fit. We’re not just improving talent acquisition – we’re rebuilding it from the ground up with AI at the core. Our platform delivers the efficiency, personalization, and measurable ROI that traditional methods can’t match. We’re here to challenge the status quo and redefine what great recruiting looks like.”

    Joveo’s placement in the 2025 9-Grid™ reflects the company’s technology leadership, rapid growth, global expansion, and continuous investment in AI to streamline and optimize recruiting. The recognition also highlights the strong partnerships Joveo has cultivated with leading employers and applicant tracking systems, and the tangible hiring outcomes delivered through its solutions.

    As Joveo continues to challenge the status quo, the company remains focused on delivering scalable, future-ready solutions that address the evolving needs of talent acquisition teams across industries and geographies.

    To learn more about Joveo’s award-winning platform and solutions, visit www.joveo.com.

    About Joveo

    As the global leader in AI-powered, high-performance recruitment marketing, Joveo is transforming talent attraction and recruitment media buying for the world’s largest employers, staffing firms, RPOs, and media agencies. The Joveo platform enables businesses to attract, source, engage, and hire the best candidates on time and within budget.

    Powering millions of jobs every day, Joveo’s AI-led recruitment marketing platform uses advanced data science and machine learning to dynamically manage and optimize talent sourcing and applications across all online channels, while providing real-time insights at every step of the job seeker journey, from click to hire.

    For more information about Joveo’s award-winning platform, visit www.joveo.com.

    Contact:
    Heather van Werkhooven
    Sr. Director, Content and Thought Leadership
    Joveo
    pr@joveo.com

    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Joveo Recognized as Strategic Challenger in the 2025 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Talent Acquisition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MENLO PARK, Calif., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Joveo, the global leader in AI-led, high-performance recruitment marketing, has been recognized as a Strategic Challenger in the 2025 Fosway Group 9-Grid™ for Talent Acquisition. This recognition underscores Joveo’s innovative approach and unwavering commitment to reshaping the future of recruitment with cutting-edge technology and data-driven solutions.

    The Fosway Group 9-Grid™, a well-regarded market analysis model, evaluates providers on their potential, performance, market presence, trajectory, and total cost of ownership. According to Fosway, Strategic Challengers “provide solid performance with solutions that have a richer and broader suite of capability than most other solutions in the Fosway 9-Grid™.” Joveo’s placement in this category highlights the company’s growing influence, strong capabilities, and proven success within the talent acquisition ecosystem.

    “Market conditions remain challenging for many TA solution providers, mainly due to the confluence of technological change and a high concentration of candidates,” said Dr. Sven Elbert, Head of Analyst Services at Fosway Group. “Despite this, growth in recruitment marketing continues apace with companies like Joveo still innovating and winning business. We congratulate them on their move to Strategic Challenger this year.”

    “This recognition reinforces what we’ve known all along – there’s a better, smarter way to hire,” said Kshitij Jain, Founder and CEO of Joveo. “To us, it’s about attracting the right talent and optimizing their experience to source the best fit. We’re not just improving talent acquisition – we’re rebuilding it from the ground up with AI at the core. Our platform delivers the efficiency, personalization, and measurable ROI that traditional methods can’t match. We’re here to challenge the status quo and redefine what great recruiting looks like.”

    Joveo’s placement in the 2025 9-Grid™ reflects the company’s technology leadership, rapid growth, global expansion, and continuous investment in AI to streamline and optimize recruiting. The recognition also highlights the strong partnerships Joveo has cultivated with leading employers and applicant tracking systems, and the tangible hiring outcomes delivered through its solutions.

    As Joveo continues to challenge the status quo, the company remains focused on delivering scalable, future-ready solutions that address the evolving needs of talent acquisition teams across industries and geographies.

    To learn more about Joveo’s award-winning platform and solutions, visit www.joveo.com.

    About Joveo

    As the global leader in AI-powered, high-performance recruitment marketing, Joveo is transforming talent attraction and recruitment media buying for the world’s largest employers, staffing firms, RPOs, and media agencies. The Joveo platform enables businesses to attract, source, engage, and hire the best candidates on time and within budget.

    Powering millions of jobs every day, Joveo’s AI-led recruitment marketing platform uses advanced data science and machine learning to dynamically manage and optimize talent sourcing and applications across all online channels, while providing real-time insights at every step of the job seeker journey, from click to hire.

    For more information about Joveo’s award-winning platform, visit www.joveo.com.

    Contact:
    Heather van Werkhooven
    Sr. Director, Content and Thought Leadership
    Joveo
    pr@joveo.com

    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Stats SA moves into digitally powered future

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Statistics South Africa has now commenced with the development of its digital business transformation strategy, which will guide the institution going forward.

    Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, outlined the institution’s plans when she tabled its Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

    “This strategy aligns with South Africa’s Roadmap for Digital Transformation of government that aims to, amongst others, enhance data exchange for improved access to information for improved service delivery.

    “Stats SA’s digital transformation journey commenced with the Household Survey programme, transitioning from a paper-based data collection approach to a computer assisted methodology, thereby streamlining survey operations, resulting in significant cost savings,” Ntshavheni said.

    She revealed that the institution will, over the next five years, “reinvent its statistical products and processes”.

    Key initiatives over the medium-term include:

    • Researching the use of artificial intelligence in producing official statistics.
    • Introducing web-based data collection methods in economic statistics programmes.
    • Applying data science and modern methods to big data and alternative data sources.
    • Exploring the use of cloud technology in Stats SA.

    “The shift to digital platforms is designed to streamline survey operations, making it more efficient and user friendly,” she said.

    Ntshavheni said Stats SA’s allocation is R2.7 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, rising to R2.91 billion in 2026/27 and reaching R3.04 billion in 2027/28.

    “In a world defined by rapid change, complex challenges and competing narratives, official statistics provides us with one constant: the truth told in numbers.

    “They serve as a mirror through which a nation sees itself not just as it is but how its evolving. From economic performance and health outcomes to education levels and environmental conditions, statistics are the evidence base upon which sound decisions are made.”

    The Minister urged Parliamentarians to support the budget vote to equip Stats SA to help government navigate ever changing global dynamics.

    “It is important to support this budget vote because we are navigating a path in a world that is undergoing rapid and profound changes, and this is equally true in the realm of statistics.

    “Global fundamental shifts are reshaping every aspect of human life from the escalating impact of climate change to the swift advancements in artificial intelligence, the rise of digital economies, changing social dynamics and global political tensions.

    “By accurately capturing and analysing these trends, we can better equip ourselves to respond to the challenges and opportunities they present – ensuring that our nation remains resilient and forward thinking in this ever-evolving landscape,” Ntshavheni emphasised.

    She assured that the institution remains “unwavering in its commitment to the strategy of improving lives through data economic systems”.

    “As the landscape of information technology and data analytics continues to transform, our focus is on harnessing the power of data to enhance the wellbeing of our citizens,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU plan will make Europe a global leader in life sciences

    Source: European Union 2

    The European Commission has launched a new plan to make Europe a global leader in life sciences by 2030. The plan will accelerate innovation, facilitate market access, and build public trust in new technologies, ensuring Europe becomes the most attractive place in the world for life sciences.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “There is a need to develop and understand the phenomenon of digital trust of citizens in the state”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The digital transformation of public administration should increase the speed of data processing and routine procedures, improve the technologies of intra-departmental and interdepartmental interaction. This creates the conditions for the transition to more effective management based on data. Vyshka.Glavnoe talked about the features of the digitalization of government agencies with the head of the International Laboratory of Digital Transformation in Public Administration IGMU HSE Evgeny Styrin.

    — Tell us how the laboratory was created?

    — The idea of the laboratory crystallized into an application in 2020. But five years earlier, colleagues at the HSE Institute of Public Administration and Governance, who were actively involved in expert activities, consulting, and solving everyday management problems, came up with the idea of activating scientific work, including participating in high-level conferences, preparing articles for leading journals, and conducting in-depth research in the field of public administration and related disciplines. Public administration as a science is closely related to management, political science, and even psychology. There was a need to create a separate team of highly qualified scientists. We understood that additional research competencies in public administration and giving a scientific impetus to its study were needed.

    We discussed the idea with the director of the institute, Andrey Borisovich Zhulin. When the university announced a competition to create international laboratories (the project “HSE Centres of Excellence“), we already had a research plan. In 2021, our application became one of the winners.

    — What role does the laboratory’s leading scientist, Professor Eran Vigoda-Gadot, play in its work?

    — Since 2021, the laboratory has been operating as an international one. Due to the difficult international situation, its scientific directors have changed. In early 2023, I offered the position of academic director of the laboratory to Eran Vigoda-Gadot, a professor at the University of Haifa. He agreed, and we managed to establish sustainable cooperation. He is an outstanding scholar, the author of several monographs on public administration and publications in leading global journals. And for him, the proposal to develop the topic of digital transformation was a challenge. A lot of work needs to be done to understand practical developments, transfer them to academic research and publish them. In fact, we need to rethink how all concepts and ideas are affected in the academic discipline of public administration. This is partly being done by our team. But there is an ambition to create a map of comparisons of key concepts of public administration and their evolution under the influence of the potential of digital technologies over the past 10-15 years.

    — What are the priority areas of transformation? How does improving document flow, interaction within and between institutions affect the quality of management?

    — The state and its individual institutions have current tasks, and we were looking for a topic that had not been developed theoretically. When Professor Vigoda-Gadot and I were forming the research program for the laboratory, we found out that a number of issues, for example, the digitalization of government services and even the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies, had been studied from an academic point of view and it was necessary to look for our own scientific niche. And then we turned to a very interesting problem of digital governance based on emotions. From a technological point of view, a lot has been studied. But citizens can reject government products due to emotional or psychophysiological rejection, an inconvenient human-computer interface, difficulties in using online services or, for example, mistrust of digital identification and other digital solutions of the state. We decided to look at the process of digital transformation from the point of view of citizens’ perception. There was a need to develop and understand the phenomenon of citizens’ digital trust in the state.

    At the same time, it was important for the laboratory to realize its mission of adequate implementation of state digital solutions, by which we mean compliance with public and civil values, principles of ethics. We want to expand and develop theories of perception and adaptation of digital technologies by citizens, taking into account the dimensions of digital trust and the emotional component. Now this is the main focus of the academic part of our research.

    — Doesn’t it happen that digitalization of processes leads to duplication of paper documents in electronic form and an increase in the office workload (which doctors and teachers have complained about)? Can this be avoided?

    — We believe that the accumulated experience reflects a fairly high level of digital maturity of government bodies, the ability to create and scale digital solutions. But what the citizen wants has not been fully studied. This is largely due to the technological optimism of digital solution manufacturers on the part of the state, they are confident that their technologies will be in demand by citizens.

    We see that this is not always the case. We are developing models of citizens’ perception of digital transformation, what external and value factors influence it, which takes time to create a foundation, if you will, a new theory of digital emotional management. A series of experiments and studies on this issue are being conducted, in practice, how ordinary citizens perceive and adapt various digital solutions for themselves is being studied.

    – For example?

    — In one of the experiments, we show respondents videos about digital transformation (DT), presenting it in a positive, negative and neutral way, and then ask questions about the perception of DT. We found out during the experiments that if you first evoke negative emotions, then the subsequent perception of digital solutions will be even more negative for a long period, even if the citizen successfully used their results.

    If you show the positive role of technology to the subject, the answer will also be positive, but the positive message evokes a relatively weak response compared to the negative one. This seems obvious, but no one has yet conducted such research specifically in the context of public administration. We did this and launched a cross-cultural comparative study in six countries: the United States, Germany, Poland, Israel, the United Kingdom and Russia.

    — Please name the key projects.

    — The study of emotional state digital governance is a key project that is divided into several areas. It is very important for us, I have given examples of the studies above.

    We believe that this is an area where we can say a new word in science. We hope that taking this factor into account by government bodies will allow for more accurate and personalized creation of digital solutions, taking into account the emotional characteristics of a person, increasing their demand and thereby increasing the efficiency of using budget funds for their development.

    Separate areas are the impact of digital platforms on the labor market and state regulation of communication and expression of will on platforms. This topic is studied by senior research fellow Evgeny Diskin. We also study the role of the personality of managers – vice-mayors, vice-governors, heads of departments – in the pace and direction of transformation (leading research fellow Anna Sanina, research fellow Aisylu Atayeva).

    — What is the laboratory’s work aimed at, when electronic interaction between residents of most cities and various government agencies is already, at first glance, well established?

    — We are investigating how digitalization differs from digitalization and digital transformation. The first involves converting paper documents into an electronic image. It does not yet allow a machine to recognize it. This is the first step, the zero stage for accumulating data in digital form, without it it is difficult to engage in digitalization of management.

    Then the process affects the internal processes of public administration, its interaction with citizens and business. It became clear that it was easier to organize communication when the state front office became electronic, through it it became possible to make requests, send data, and changes began. Electronic document flow appeared, which improved control over the passage of documents, which does not mean the cancellation of parallel circulation of paper documents, the authorities began to collect the first data in digital form in machine-readable formats.

    Digitalization continues, with its different stages occurring in parallel.

    — What is digital transformation then?

    — This is management based on data accumulated during the digitalization stage, using the digital footprint and profile of a citizen acting in different roles: taxpayer, patient, student or recipient of social benefits. Its success depends on how effectively it is possible to form predictive and recommendation models that use data about citizens to create new, higher quality services.

    But digital transformation is innovation and reform in the system of government bodies, often quite abrupt, and the most difficult thing to change is a person in different positions: an official, an elected representative, etc. It is very difficult to form a digital culture, its correct perception by employees, this turned out to be not obvious for the teams themselves within the government bodies, changes require effort and understandable technology.

    — Can you explain its benefits using a specific example?

    — For example, a person feels ill on the street. If there is a digital patient card, the ambulance that arrives on call will quickly understand what could have happened to him, provide him with effective assistance, which will help to avoid serious harm to health and, possibly, save a life. But this requires complete and consistent data, and well protected from fraudsters.

    The state should create not only convenient services, but also, taking into account the needs of citizens, convenient products that accompany different periods of their lives. Then it will be possible to achieve high personalization of the consideration of citizens’ needs and human attitude towards them.

    — What is it? How does personalization for citizens differ from customer-centricity in business?

    — This means that a person does not need to contact the state with a request; it, knowing his needs, will offer him the services he needs. For example, it will offer him a medical examination. And in difficult times — options for convenient options in ensuring health, social well-being, developing skills in the labor market, etc. This is a proactive approach, possible only thanks to digital transformation and high-quality data on the state side.

    — How do you see the practical application of the laboratory’s research?

    — Another of our missions, as we see it, is to form a pool of knowledge and competencies that are in demand by civil servants, so that they, for example, understand how to competently collect data, check and analyze it, form channels for exchanging information for quick interaction between different departments and agencies as a whole. That is, the key task of digital transformation for government agencies is to create a complete, cleaned, verified and balanced set of depersonalized data and exchange it safely.

    To do this, it is necessary to modernize the authorities themselves, change the attitude of civil servants to working with data, as well as improve the interfaces for interaction with citizens and businesses and, most importantly, monitor new technologies, their potential and emerging new digital solutions. At a certain stage, they will have to adapt and include the capabilities of machine learning and AI technologies in everyday activities. At the same time, it is necessary to protect the rights of citizens, the inviolability of their personal information, thereby forming a system of digital trust between the digital contour of the state and citizens.

    We are not only engaged in academic activities; we have a need to implement our ideas and developments in practice in the daily activities of government bodies.

    We are running a project on digital maturity of government bodies using the example of the Moscow City Control Complex. It includes five executive bodies engaged in different types of control in the city. We have implemented a digital maturity model that allows us to determine the current level of technology, the readiness of employees to use it, and also to outline roadmaps, according to which the Control Complex can solve the tasks of the digital control, where we highlight strategic management, personnel and process management, development of models and data, ensuring security and creating digital products.

    The project combines scientific and practical tasks, and now the control bodies have agreed with the assessments of digital maturity and are showing a willingness to change independently.

    — How different is the level of development of digital technologies in public administration in the capital and the regions?

    — We are happy with our interaction with Moscow, but it is a well-off, rich region with high-quality infrastructure and management. Many regions cannot afford large projects. They do not have the resources and competencies of civil servants to formulate the goals of future changes, as well as large IT companies with a sufficient number of qualified employees, that is, a developed IT industry.

    It is also important to understand that digital transformation is not only an expensive process, but also a complex one. You can spend a lot of money and end up with unclaimed digital products.

    Currently, federal authorities are actively promoting a platform approach, whereby regions can use ready-made digital platform solutions and connect to them, introducing components that take into account local specifics.

    Achieving digital maturity means, among other things, how successfully it will be possible to scale solutions developed at the federal level and in leading regions to the rest of Russia. Regions have different potential, digital solutions and the quality of human resources are different, so it is impossible to achieve the same results everywhere in the same amount of time.

    — What other applied projects could you name?

    — Together with Laboratory of human-centeredness and leadership practices HSE, we assessed the human-centricity of bank chatbots by order of the Bank of Russia. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation is concerned about protecting the rights and comfort of citizens as consumers in communication with a chatbot. We studied what properties banking solutions should have for this, and we are proud that the result was sent to all employees of the Bank of Russia, including regional offices.

    We are also developing a system for evaluating government chatbots for convenience and functionality, and we would like to add an emotional component to it – how citizens perceive this convenience, so that digital products are more adapted to their needs.

    — How do you use the results of your research activities in your academic work?

    — Part of the laboratory’s mission is to prepare training courses. We turn academic research into courses, complementing them, and then offer the courses to students and other listeners. This is what Yaroslav Ivanovich Kuzminov talks about — when research helps education and creates new partnerships. The laboratory staff teaches a university-wide elective course on the digital transformation of public administration. We are currently developing a business game for civil servants related to the specifics of working during the digital transformation. We will continue to form these courses and invest in continuing education programs to provide access to everyone — students, specialists improving their qualifications, and especially civil servants: how to adapt technologies, in particular AI, how to implement them so that they are convenient for all users.

    In 2023, we became the methodologists of a unique program for civil servants in African countries, carried out in collaboration with Center for African Studies HSE University. We developed the program content aimed at transferring Russian experience of digital transformation, supported the training of African students. They received DPO certificates in English.

    — What new ideas did you come up with during the implementation of the project?Mirror Laboratories“, jointly with Pskov State University?

    — We studied the geography of local communities, how municipal centers and communities of people in places of residence differ, how they perceive digital solutions and digital transformation, how residents of cities and small towns relate to them.

    — Can we talk about some kind of digital trust?

    — Yes, this is another direction of our research. We are thinking of scaling the project, determining the level of digital trust in the regions and finding out the reasons for the differences. It is important to determine them and understand what influences the different levels of digital trust in neighboring regions or even within the same territory.

    For example, the state has a digital solution, and we need to understand why people do not use it and what motivates citizens to come to the portals of departments. Or those registered on “Gosuslugi” use only part of the opportunities. It is not about technology. People often remember their previous, often even pre-digital experience of interaction with the state, often unsuccessful and unpleasant, and we need to work with citizens so that they use digital solutions more actively, trust them.

    The state should continue to make efforts to ensure that digital services are significantly more convenient than offline services. For example, a super service for applicants when applying to universities on the federal portal of state services, when the applicant adds the Unified State Exam scores, certificate and other documents to the application. This is so convenient that refusing to use the super service puts the citizen in a clearly disadvantageous situation in relation to those who use it.

    But to create such a super service, federal agencies had to organize data exchange, verify applicants’ statuses, and negotiate with universities about their connection to the service and participation in its work.

    — Can we say that some digital government projects did not take off in the provinces? Why?

    — In the Pskov region, we studied, among other things, how citizens use technologies, taking into account the distribution and geographical autonomy of individual districts and municipalities, and tried to understand the differences on the scale of the region. Wherever the federal center offers a ready-made platform solution, the regions receive an interface and design, technological logic and a mechanism for implementing government services, supplement them with their own data and rules, adjust them taking into account the specifics of regional legislation, and the picture in the regions differs.

    In some of them, we see a high level of mistrust in digital solutions, an irrational fear of being “counted”, “chipped”. We have to study this. Sometimes, people who do not want to accept digital products need to be offered unusual solutions and ways of communication. We plan to make a sample and a survey using our methodology and study interregional differences in the context of digital trust.

    — How is your interaction with the university’s departments and campuses organized?

    — We are at least a dual-campus lab: we have employees in Moscow and St. Petersburg. We also collaborated with Professor Svetlana Golovanova from the campus HSE University in Nizhny Novgorod. Therefore, we have a lot of online interaction, including holding international conferences, which does not exclude face-to-face events.

    We are a highly interdisciplinary unit, since public administration involves a combination of many sciences, so we actively interact with Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences, With Faculty of Social Sciences in general. We teach, recruit students, and since the current academic year, we have been working closely with Scientific and educational laboratory of political and psychological research under the leadership of Olga Gulevich. We conduct seminars with ISSEK, we cooperate with colleagues from Institute of Education HSE University. We are open to broad cooperation.

    — How is interaction with other universities developing?

    — We are developing partnerships with the Faculty of Public Administration of Lomonosov Moscow State University (they participate in our conferences), with the Baltic Federal University named after I. M. Kant, ITMO University, and also with St. Petersburg State University.

    — Which foreign universities do you cooperate with?

    — We had close contacts with the Center for Management Technologies at the University of Arizona. I hope they will be unfrozen in the near future. Cooperation with China is currently actively developing, in particular with the School of Public Administration at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. There is a common research program, we have applied for joint grants and hope for success with the City University of Hong Kong.

    Of course, we must mention the University of Haifa. When Professor Eran Vigoda-Gadot became the academic director, we prepared and extended a comprehensive cooperation program. It continues even under the current conditions.

    Finally, in Brazil, we collaborate with a highly ranked university, the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), as well as with the INSPER Institute, which is more of an expert than a scientific center, as well as with universities and expert centers in Kazakhstan and Indonesia. This is important for us to get inside information from experts on how digitalization is happening in other countries.

    — The large volume of data accumulated by the state creates the problem of its safety.

    — Fraud also occurred in the paper, “tube” world. Much data became available even before measures were taken to combat its leaks. We must collectively — the state, business and the scientific community — try to ensure that less new data leaks. Often the weak link is people, not a low level of technological protection. Even employees of large companies and banks used primitive passwords, and sometimes pasted them near their workplaces to the delight of fraudsters and hackers. Other reasons are a passion for enrichment, a lack of understanding of digital hygiene, and inattention. Therefore, we need to work with people, and from childhood, so that they know that hackers and fraud methods are improving and there are no guarantees against hacking. We must come to terms with this and find benefits in using digital tools, including receiving personalized services from the state at the expense of their data, and in a proactive mode.

    — How would you formulate the current goals of the laboratory?

    — We are focused on ensuring that the development of technologies and digital transformation in the public administration system are combined with their humanitarian, scientific and ethical understanding, protection of citizens’ rights and personal information.

    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 –

    July 3, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Elementium awarded $100,000 SuperBoost Grant to scale production of next-generation battery electrolytes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BINGHAMTON, N.Y., July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Elementium, an energy storage startup developing novel battery electrolytes compatible with next-generation lithium-ion chemistries, has been awarded a $100,000 SuperBoost grant from the National Science Foundation Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York. The funding will enable Elementium to advance the scale-up of its proprietary non-carbonate electrolyte formulations in collaboration with Corning Inc., a world-leading innovator in glass, ceramic and materials science.

    The collaboration will help Elementium transition from lab-scale synthesis to pilot-scale production using Corning’s Advanced-Flow™ Reactor (AFR) technology, which helps create faster and inherently safer reactions for battery materials.

    Elementium’s proprietary electrolyte platform is designed to address key challenges faced by conventional carbonate-based systems, including limited voltage stability, flammability, and electrochemical degradation. The company’s formulations are engineered to be intrinsically compatible with a wide range of advanced cathode and anode materials, including silicon, lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC). This platform unlocks improved cycle life, faster charge rates and enhanced safety performance. With more than 30 customer validation projects underway — several of which are with Fortune 500 manufacturers — Elementium is now focused on commercial readiness to meet rising demand.

    “This funding accelerates our ability to scale production of our next-generation electrolytes to meet the growing near-term demand from our U.S. customers,” said Matthew Dawson, Ph.D., CEO of Elementium. “Working with Corning’s world-class team and AFR technology will allow us to demonstrate cost-effective synthesis at scale and lay the foundation for inherently safer domestic manufacturing of longer-lasting, higher-performing battery chemistries.”

    SuperBoost is a signature initiative of the Energy Storage Engine, which supports early-stage companies in rapidly advancing promising energy storage technologies from proof-of-concept to commercial readiness. The program combines targeted funding with access to regional testbeds, technical partners and commercialization expertise.

    The project will move Elementium’s electrolyte synthesis to commercialization, validating both molecule synthesis and large-scale blending processes for commercial cell integration. Pending successful outcomes, the company aims to commission a 1 million kg/year manufacturing facility in the United States in 2026, enabling supply to key domestic customers in sectors ranging from consumer electronics to aerospace and electric mobility.

    “Elementium’s work to develop novel electrolytes aligns closely with our commitment to advancing inherently safer process technology and scalable battery technologies,” said Jamie Huang Chu, program director for energy materials at Corning. “We’re pleased to collaborate on this SuperBoost-supported initiative and look forward to the progress it can drive across the broader energy storage ecosystem.”

    Fernando Gómez-Baquero, director of the Translation Pillar for the Energy Storage Engine, emphasized the importance of scale-up support: “Elementium’s chemistry addresses one of the most fundamental bottlenecks in next-generation battery development. This project showcases how strategic collaboration and infrastructure can help domestic startups rapidly move from the lab bench to market.”

    Meera Sampath, CEO of the Energy Storage Engine, added, “SuperBoost is designed to catalyze the kind of scale-up activity that Elementium is now undertaking. By leveraging assets like Corning’s AFR technology, we are building an ecosystem that supports manufacturing scale-up and positions upstate New York as a key player in the future of energy storage. Supporting technologies like Elementium’s aligns directly with our mission to enable energy self-reliance, bolster national security, and drive regional economic growth.”

    About Elementium

    Elementium is a next-generation battery materials company focused on developing and scaling novel electrolyte formulations for advanced lithium-ion chemistries. The company’s proprietary non-carbonate electrolytes are engineered to deliver enhanced safety, stability, and compatibility with emerging anode and cathode materials, including lithium metal, silicon, LMFP, NMC and sodium. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Elementium partners with leading battery manufacturers and global battery end-users to accelerate the transition to high-performance, cost-effective and domestically manufactured energy storage solutions.

    For more information, visit www.elementium.io.

    Contact:
    Matthew Dawson, Ph.D.
    CEO, Elementium
    Email: info@elementium.io

    About the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York

    The NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, led by Binghamton University, is a National Science Foundation-funded, place-based innovation program. The coalition of 40+ academic, industry, nonprofit, state, and community organizations includes Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Syracuse University, Griffiss Institute, Launch-NY and NY-BEST as core partners. The Engine advances next-gen battery technology development and manufacturing to drive economic growth and bolster national security. Its vision is to transform upstate New York into America’s Battery Capital.

    For more information on the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York, visit https://upstatenyengine.org/.

    Contact:
    Fernando Gómez-Baquero, Ph.D.
    Translation Pillar Director
    NSF Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine
    fernando@cornell.edu

    The MIL Network –

    July 3, 2025
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