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Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI: Ambow Education Appoints James Bartholomew as President to Drive Growth and Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CUPERTINO, Calif., June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ambow Education Holding Ltd. (NYSE American: AMBO), a leading global EdTech and AI-powered solutions provider, today announced the appointment of James Bartholomew as President, effective immediately.

    With more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning private education, manufacturing and transportation, Bartholomew brings a proven track record of driving growth, transformational change, operational excellence and long-term value creation. He currently leads Blue Moon Management, LLC, a boutique advisory firm specializing in business turnarounds, strategic planning and executive leadership, particularly in the education and edtech sectors.

    Most recently, Bartholomew served as Senior Vice President at Adtalem Global Education, where he led the $1.5 billion integration of Walden University and developed technology and product roadmaps across multiple business segments. Previously, as President and CEO of DeVry University, Bartholomew guided the organization through its sale to a private equity firm, spearheaded strategic redesigns to close the tech-driven skills gap and expanded the institution’s B2B partnerships.

    “We are thrilled to welcome James as we advance the growth of HybriU and scale its impact globally,” said Dr. Jin Huang, Chief Executive Officer of Ambow. “His deep expertise in educational innovation, organizational transformation and strategic execution will be invaluable as we reshape the future of learning and deliver powerful outcomes for our partners and learners.”

    Bartholomew is known for integrating robust processes with clear communication, building collaborative and diverse teams, and aligning organizations to achieve measurable results. He holds an MBA in international management from Wake Forest University.

    “I’m excited to work with Ambow at such a pivotal moment in its journey,” said Bartholomew. “I look forward to working with the team to expand HybriU’s reach and create more inroads for this breakthrough learning solution. HybriU’s capabilities go beyond the hybrid experiences we know today, making remote interactions feel remarkably close to in-person connections. Across classrooms, boardrooms and large-scale events, HybriU is building a new global network of engagement, poised to unlock a new wave of accessibility and opportunity for all.”

    Ambow operates HybriU, its flagship phygital (physical + digital) platform that is redefining what is possible in AI-driven education, corporate communications and event production. The suite of HybriU products delivers cutting-edge solutions that help institutions connect, engage and scale. Its suite of products currently includes HybriU Digital Education Solutions for universities and classrooms, as well as HybriU Conferencing for corporations. Designed for flexibility and innovation, HybriU’s expanding ecosystem supports a range of educational and corporate industries and use cases, including higher education, corporate learning and collaboration, large-scale events and emerging phygital experiences.

    About Ambow

    Ambow Education Holding Ltd. is a U.S.-based, AI-driven technology company offering phygital (physical + digital) solutions for education, corporate conferencing and live events. Through its flagship platform, HybriU, Ambow is shaping the future of learning, collaboration and communication—delivering immersive, intelligent, real-time experiences across industries. For more information, visit Ambow’s corporate website at https://www.ambow.com/.

    Follow us on X: @Ambow_Education

    Follow us on LinkedIn: Ambow-education-group

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” and similar statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Ambow and the industry. All information provided in this press release is as of the date hereof, and Ambow undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Ambow believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that its expectations will turn out to be correct, and investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

    For more information, please contact:

    Ambow Education Holding Ltd.
    E-mail: ir@ambow.com
    or
    Piacente Financial Communications
    Tel: +1 212 481 2050
    E-mail: ambow@tpg-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Civic Identity Helps Russians Maintain Mental Health Under Sanctions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Researchers from the National Research University Higher School of Economics have found that being aware of oneself as part of a country can be psychologically helpful during difficult times, especially if a person is inclined to rethink what is happening or turn to spiritual and cultural values. Rethinking, among other things, can somewhat reduce the level of depression.Studypublished in the Journal of Community Psychology.

    Crisis situations – economic, social or personal – inevitably affect the psyche. But why do some people adapt and cope with pressure more easily, while others lose their footing? To answer this question, HSE researchers conducted a sociological study. They found out whether respondents rethink what is happening, whether they turn to religion, rely on help from family, neighbors or social services, or simply wait until everything passes. The survey involved 384 people aged 18 to 54 from different regions of Russia.

    It turned out that people who feel more part of society cope better with psychological difficulties on average. They more often use strategies that help them adapt to change — primarily rethinking (the ability to find meaning in what is happening) and spiritual support (turning to religion, traditions, personal values).

    Interestingly, civic identity did not directly reduce depression, but it did help cope. People who perceived difficulties as a challenge and tried to rethink what was happening felt more resilient. But passively waiting for improvements, on the contrary, increased symptoms of depression. At the same time, people who felt a strong connection to their country were much less likely to choose a passive strategy.

    The study also found that in the Russian context, not only personal but also family support is important. Many people find that joint actions help – discussions with loved ones, mutual assistance, joint planning. This supports the idea that Russian culture places great importance on collective care, and that family becomes a support in difficult times.

    “Psychological resources are not only internal stability, but also a sense of connection with others, belonging to a community. Civic identity is one of these resources. In conditions of instability and threats, it helps maintain support and includes familiar coping strategies: rethinking the situation and turning to spiritual values. These observations can be useful for specialists who support people in periods of uncertainty and change,” says the director. Center for Sociocultural ResearchHSE University Alexander Tatarko.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: GPTBots Drives Enterprise AI Innovation at WaytoAGI Tokyo Hackathon, Showcasing Real-World Agent Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, June 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GPTBots.ai, a leading enterprise-grade AI agent building platform, recently sponsored the “WaytoAGI Global AI Conference – Tokyo 2025” hackathon, which took place on June 7-8 at J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo. The event attracted over 300 participants from Japan, China, and around the world. During the hackathon, developers utilized GPTBots’ enterprise AI agent framework to create impactful solutions addressing global business challenges, showcasing how AI agents can transform enterprise operations.

    Tokyo Hackathon Spotlight: AI Agents Redefining Enterprise Solutions
    The GPTBots hackathon featured four competition tracks—Enterprise Process Automation, AI-Driven Customer Interaction, Data Analysis & Decision Insights, and Open Innovation—challenging teams to build functional AI agents on the GPTBots platform. Three standout projects demonstrated the versatility of GPTBots’ platform across industries:

    • Campai: A Web3 marketing campaign management platform leveraging GPTBots for real-time sentiment analysis of social media trends. The solution assigns sentiment scores to Web3 projects by analyzing mention frequency and emotional tone, enabling data-driven marketing strategies.
    • AI-Driven Nail Art Design Agent: Addressing the $12 billion global nail industry’s design inefficiency, this agent generates personalized nail art concepts based on user preferences, reducing design time from hours to minutes and enabling salons to offer custom creations at scale.
    • Movie Agent: A modular solution breaking down video production into AI agents—from creative development and script generation to storyboard design—streamlining workflows and cutting production costs by 40% for independent creators.

    Other notable projects included:

    • DC Audit Agent: A Hong Kong-focused legal compliance tool that reviews employment contracts against local labor laws, generating compliance scores and optimization reports.
    • Demand Lens: An analytics agent scraping Fiverr order data to reveal service demand trends, pricing insights, and market opportunities.

    Enterprise-Grade Capabilities Showcase at Hackathon
    At the event, Alen Hu, Senior Innovation Manager at GPTBots.ai, led a practical workshop titled “Mastering GPTBots: Building AI Agents for Enterprise,” providing participants with step-by-step guidance on:

    • Core capabilities of GPTBots’ agent framework, including LLM integration, workflow orchestration, and RAG-based knowledge retrieval.
    • Hands-on development of AI agents for real-world scenarios, from customer service to data analysis.
    • Best practices for deploying scalable, secure enterprise AI solutions, highlighted by case studies of GPTBots’ global deployments.

    Global Collaboration and Technical Depth
    “The Tokyo hackathon exemplified how AI agents bridge technology and tangible business value,” said Jerry Yin, VP of GPTBots.ai. “Enterprises now seek scalable AI solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing operations. GPTBots’ platform empowers this through secure, low-code development and enterprise-grade security.”

    The event showcased cross-cultural innovation, with Japanese teams focusing on retail and hospitality applications, while participants from China led in Web3 and DeFi solutions. Developers demonstrated real-world deployments and shared best practices, highlighting the versatility and impact of enterprise AI agents across different industries.

    Advancing Scalable AI Adoption for Enterprises
    As part of the WaytoAGI conference, the hackathon highlighted tangible trends in enterprise AI adoption, with projects directly addressing real-world business needs showcased on the GPTBots platform. The diversity of solutions—from automated compliance and personalized design to advanced analytics and marketing—demonstrated how AI agents are being tailored for industry-specific challenges.

    By enabling rapid prototyping, secure deployment, and seamless integration with existing workflows, GPTBots empowers organizations to accelerate digital transformation and unlock new value streams. The event reinforced the growing demand for enterprise-ready AI solutions that are both scalable and adaptable, as businesses worldwide look to harness AI agents to drive efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.

    About GPTBots.ai
    GPTBots.ai is an enterprise AI agent platform that empowers businesses to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth. Offering end-to-end AI solutions across customer service, knowledge search, data analysis, and lead generation, GPTBots enables enterprises to harness the full potential of AI with ease. With seamless integration into various systems, and support for scalable, secure deployments, GPTBots is dedicated to reducing costs, accelerating growth, and helping businesses thrive in the AI era.

    For more information, visit www.gptbots.ai.

    Media Contact:
    Tanya
    Marketing Director
    marketing@gptbots.ai

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Finding a voice: the bells of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord were consecrated in Belskoye Ustye

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 10, an important event took place in the village of Belskoye Ustye in the Porkhov district. New bells were consecrated in the Church of the Ascension of the Lord. The first rector of the Polytechnic University, Prince Gagarin, is buried near the church, and his estate Kholomki is located nearby.

    The Polytechnic University plays a special role in the revival of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord. It not only provides financial support, but also directly participates in the restoration work. A special event is the installation of new bells, which will give the church a finished look and allow the bell ringing to sound again. They were cast by order of the ANO “Revival of Cultural Heritage Sites of Pskov and the Pskov Region”.

    The rite of consecration of the bells was performed by Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery Matfey (Kopylov), assisted by clergy of the Pskov diocese. The ceremony was also attended by Bishop of Nizhny Tagil and Nevyansk Feodosiy (Chashchin) and Bishop of Karasuk and Ordynsk Philip (Novikov).

    Not long ago we met with Andrey Ivanovich. Seeing his glowing eyes when the speech touched upon the revival of this ancient shrine, I believed at that moment that the temple would be restored and put into operation at all costs. Today we have gathered here to rejoice at the completion of another stage of restoration – the consecration of the bells. I would like to thank the staff of the Polytechnic University for their contribution to this important matter, – shared Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov, Abbot of the Holy Dormition Pskov-Pechersky Monastery Matfey (Kopylov).

    The Metropolitan noted that the church will find its own voice, which will be heard by people and will become a guide for them on the path to God.

    The temple, which was once one of the largest in the Pskov region, needs a full restoration, which has been actively carried out in recent years. Polytechnic is taking part in the restoration of the temple, so employees and graduates support the reconstruction both organizationally and financially. Ten bells were cast in Zhukovsky (Moscow region) with funds allocated by PJSC Rostelecom, for which special thanks to Polytechnic graduate Mikhail Eduardovich Oseevsky, – emphasized the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy.

    The history of the Church of the Ascension of the Lord spans over two centuries. It was built in 1796 by Colonel Artemon Kozhin on his estate. Decades later, in the early 1860s, his son Pyotr Kozhin decided to build a new church due to the dilapidation of the old building. The new building in the style of early classicism with elements of baroque was built according to the design of the St. Petersburg architect Shestakov.

    Over its long history, the temple has witnessed many significant events. In 1920, the funeral service for Prince A. G. Gagarin, an outstanding Russian scientist and engineer, the first director of the Polytechnic, was held here. In 1921–1922, the temple became a magnet for artists, including K. I. Chukovsky, E. I. Zamyatin, M. L. Lozinsky and others.

    Unfortunately, in the 1960s the church was closed due to its emergency condition. Only in 2014 did large-scale work begin to restore the temple by an initiative group, which included representatives of SPbPU, the administration of the Pskov region and the “Orthodox Russia” movement. In 2023, the ANO “Revival of Cultural Heritage Sites of Pskov and the Pskov Region” began working with the architectural monument.

    Today, restoration work on the restoration of this unique architectural monument continues, returning it to its former glory and grandeur.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Agriculture Minister proposes biosecurity compact to safeguard SA’s food systems

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Agriculture Minister, John Steenhuisen, has proposed the development of a National Biosecurity Compact – shared commitment between government, industry, academia, and civil society to strengthen South Africa’s preparedness and resilience against biological threats.

    Speaking at the National Biosecurity Summit 2025, held at the University of Pretoria’s Hatfield Campus on Tuesday, Steenhuisen outlined the objectives of the proposed compact, which aims to coordinate national responses to animal and plant health risks.

    “This compact will define baseline vaccine stock levels; clarify roles and responsibilities during outbreaks; embed data-sharing mechanisms and institutional partnerships like the Biosecurity Hub; and provide a framework for coordinated, credible, and timely responses,” Steenhuisen said.

    Steenhuisen argued that the initiative is not only about defending against risk, but “it is about enabling growth.”

    He said export markets require sanitary and phytosanitary compliance, and they demand evidence of control, traceability, and institutional readiness.

    “Strengthening our biosecurity systems opens the door to new trade opportunities, safeguards jobs, and boosts investor confidence in South African agriculture. Biosecurity is not a “nice-to-have”, [but] it is as fundamental to national stability as clean water, reliable electricity, or functioning roads.

    “When it works, farmers prosper, food remains affordable, and our exports flourish. When it fails, the consequences are steep—economically, socially, and politically. We have the tools [and] the institutions, and now, we have the momentum,” the Minister said.

    The Minister also noted one of the country’s most significant structural weaknesses, vaccine production, highlighting operational backlogs and infrastructure limitations at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) – the country’s primary vaccine producer.

    “We cannot afford to repeat the failures of the past. Vaccines are not a luxury – they are the first line of defence in any biosecurity system, and we will hold OBP accountable.”

    To address these challenges, the Minister announced that his office has implemented quarterly performance reviews, brought independent oversight, and is actively investigating diversification options to reduce dependence on a single supplier.

    Addressing veterinarian shortage

    The Minister also raised concerns about the critical shortage of veterinarians, particularly in the poultry industry and rural areas.
    “Nationally, we require 400 veterinarians. We currently have around 70 in the public system,” the Minister said.

    To close this gap, he said the department is expanding vet training posts, creating rural internships opportunities, and building regional partnerships.

    “Through the Biosecurity Hub, we are also mapping career pathways to attract a new generation of animal health professionals.”

    Biosecurity Hub at Innovation Africa

    Launched in October 2022, the Biosecurity Hub is a joint initiative between the Department of Agriculture, then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), and Department of Science Technology and Innovation.

    The hub is an innovative platform designed to foster collaboration, enhance information sharing, and strengthen our collective capacity to respond to biological threats, not only for South Africa, but potentially across the continent.

    It is a strategic outcome aligned with the overarching objectives of the Agricultural Agro-Processing Masterplan (AAPM) and the Decadal Plan. Both these national frameworks emphasise the importance of safeguarding agricultural value chains, promoting sustainable, trade, agro-processing, and ensuring food security utilising also biotechnologically advanced practices. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Youth crime prevention and financial literacy focus during summer school visit to OSCE

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

    Headline: Youth crime prevention and financial literacy focus during summer school visit to OSCE

    Sixty students got an in-depth look at the OSCE’s comprehensive work on organized crime during a visit to the OSCE in Vienna, Austria on 10 June. Each year a group of students visit the Organization as part of the European Consortium for Political Research’s summer school on transnational organized crime.
    “Young people are both the most vulnerable to organized crime and the most powerful agents of change. Through initiatives like the summer school visit, we equip future leaders with the knowledge and tools — such as financial literacy and inclusive prevention strategies — to drive effective and sustainable solutions in their respective communities,” said Umberto Severini, Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit in the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department.
    This year’s visit focused on emerging trends in youth recruitment into organized crime, particularly in the areas of drug distribution and exploitation. It was also an opportunity for participants to examine key risk factors contributing to youth vulnerability and explore effective prevention strategies.
    Special attention was given to a newly released OSCE publication on financial literacy, which highlights how a lack of financial awareness can increase susceptibility to criminal recruitment, as well as showcases good practices in prevention.
    During hands-on exericses, participants analysed practical tools and approaches that participating States can adopt to counter youth involvement in criminal networks, including through early education and targeted community initiatives. A group activity challenged students to design a youth-focused, financially informed prevention strategy, combining theoretical insights with real-world application.
    The students also had a chance to network with each other and OSCE experts, helping them to consider various career paths and share perspectives across diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
    “Today’s focus on fostering a culture of the rule of law, strengthening anti-corruption literacy, and building youth resilience to criminal recruitment illustrates the critical synergy between education and policy. I am deeply grateful to the OSCE Secretariat — particularly the Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings — for creating such an enriching, hands-on learning experience that equips our students with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to become agents of change”, said Dr. Yuliya Zabyelina, Associate Professor at the University of Alabama, USA, and Director of the Summer School on Transnational Organized Crime.
    “Participating in this summer school and visiting the OSCE Secretariat was a truly eye-opening experience,” said Maral Jumadurdyyeva, a Master of Arts student in Politics and Security at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. “The sessions on youth recruitment into organized crime and trafficking deepened my understanding of the complex vulnerabilities youth face today, and how preventive strategies – especially those grounded in financial literacy – can make a tangible difference.”

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Scientists of the State University of Management are expanding their partnerships: meetings were held with the management of the Leningrad Region Committee for Transport and the Belarusian State Technical University “VOENMEKH”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 10, 2025, as part of expanding opportunities for solving strategic tasks to achieve technological leadership of the Russian Federation and in accordance with existing competencies, scientists and specialists of the State University of Management visited the Leningrad Region Committee for Transport and the BSTU “VOENMEKH” named after D.F. Ustinov.

    The Committee is a sectoral body of the executive power of the Leningrad Region and a structural element of the Administration of the Leningrad Region. Among the tasks of the Committee’s work is the implementation of powers to organize transport services for the population of the region, as well as the formation of a strategy for the development of the transport complex, the development of forms and methods for its implementation based on forecasting, planning and program-target management, coordination and methodological guidance of work on the implementation of the strategy at the municipal level.

    The delegation of the State University of Management included: Vice-Rector Maria Karelina, Chief Researcher of the Scientific Research Coordination Department Aleksey Terentyev and Head of the Department Maxim Pletnev.

    The Chairman of the Committee Mikhail Prisyazhnyuk spoke about the main goals and objectives of the organization. Particular attention was paid to infrastructure projects and the formation of the digital contour of the Leningrad Region. The parties discussed the main areas of interaction and agreed to sign a framework agreement on cooperation. As part of the training of highly qualified personnel, it is planned to develop a network-based postgraduate program in the direction of “Logistics Transport Systems”. The Transport Committee has an extensive practical base, which will allow dissertation research to be carried out in close connection with the needs of the transport industry of the Leningrad Region. The Head of the Committee accepted the offer to participate in the educational process of the State University of Management in the programs “Transport Systems Management”, “Transport and Logistics”.

    Another direction for expanding the scope of scientific projects was worked out with the BSTU “VOENMEKH” named after D.F. Ustinov. The university is one of the leading defense and technical universities in the country and trains specialists for enterprises of the defense-industrial complex in the field of aircraft manufacturing and astronautics, radio engineering, energy, mechatronics and robotics, IT technologies.

    The meeting was attended by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Maria Karelina, the Director of the Engineering Project Management Center Vladimir Filatov, the Researcher of the Center Dmitry Rybakov, the Junior Researcher of the Reverse Engineering Laboratory Nikita Akinshin. From BSTU “VOENMEKH” the negotiations were attended by the Acting Vice-Rector for Research and Innovative Development Vladimir Voronov and the Head of the Rocketry Department Vyacheslav Borodavkin.

    The parties exchanged achievements in the field of scientific research, experience in implementing projects and discussed prospects for joint work on R & D. A representative of the real sector of the economy, Mikhail Petrov, Director of Development of the Petersburg Machine-Building Plant, took part in the meeting. The plant specializes in the production of tractors and agricultural machinery. The meeting participants discussed a joint project to develop a new type of equipment.

    Representatives of BSTU “VOENMEKH” and the Petersburg Machine-Building Plant were invited to the State University of Management to sign a cooperation agreement, get acquainted with the Student Design Bureau at the university and the results of the work on the Large Scientific Project. Colleagues from BSTU “VOENMEKH” were also interested in the competencies of the State University of Management specialists in the field of machine vision.

    Within the framework of the agreement, it is planned to implement network programs in the field of scientific projects – the State University of Management has serious competencies in the field of project management, including scientific projects.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Representatives from 24 countries took part in the XXV Yasin International Scientific Conference of the Higher School of Economics

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Program Committee of the Jubilee XXV Yasinsky (April) International Scientific Conference on Problems of Economic and Social Development (YaMNK) summed up the first results. In 2025, 1,384 people from 24 countries and 29 Russian regions took part in the conference events, 335 people made presentations.

    This year, for the first time, the conference was held in a scientific format only. The architecture of the program also changed, it was compiled within the framework of five scientific topics: “Economics”, “Human Capital and Society”, “Foresight Research”, “International Research”, “Instrumental Methods and Models in Management and Social Sciences”.

    Traditionally, many applications were submitted to the conference. This year, the competition was 3 people per place. Of the 1035 applications, 381 applications passed the scientific examination, and as a result, 335 people presented their papers at the conference.

    “I would like to especially emphasize that many applications were interesting, but during the selection we adhered to the principles that we always talk about, namely: a clear description of the problem under consideration and the extent to which it has been studied, an indication of the research methodology and its main results, their validity and novelty,” says Fuad Aleskerov, Chairman of the XXV YMNC Program Committee. “No less important was the criterion of compliance with the designated volume of the abstract.

    The diversity of affiliations in the program was an important factor. We are interested in making the conference open to many scientific schools, including those from Russian regions and foreign countries.”

    The conference doors were open to many participants. Thus, a total of 1,384 people took part in it, of which 637 were participants in sections and special events, and 747 were conference listeners. Among the participants were guests from 24 foreign countries and 29 Russian regions.

    “We thank everyone who applied and took part in the events. We believe that the discussions were held at the highest level and the Yasin (April) International Scientific Conference has retained its position as one of the leading conferences in its segment. We are already starting to work on organizing the next conference, so stay tuned for announcements and see you in the spring of 2026 at the HSE,” said Fuad Aleskerov.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic presented its initiatives to the rectors of BRICS countries at forums in Brazil

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Rio de Janeiro hosted large-scale events — the second forum of university rectors from Russia, Brazil and Belarus, as well as the second forum of university rectors from the BRICS countries. The events were organized by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro with the support of national rectors’ communities, including the Russian Union of Rectors. They became a powerful platform for strengthening academic ties and promoting joint initiatives. The forums were attended by more than 50 representatives of universities from Russia and Belarus, delegations from Iran, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia and more than 60 universities from Brazil.

    At the section on educational cooperation, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky emphasized the unique role of BRICS in the modern world: In the conditions of international turbulence, it is education and science that are becoming the most important tools for finding joint answers to global challenges. The BRICS association is one of the few international platforms where interaction is built on the principles of mutual respect and equality, where there are no main ones, where everyone is equal and is committed to working together for the sake of a common future. We see that this approach is of interest and response to many countries. The creation of a ranking of BRICS universities is especially relevant in the conditions of political commitment of the headquarters of international rating agencies. The new system for assessing the quality of education is in great demand.

    The Deputy Minister spoke in detail about the dynamic expansion of the association (the accession of new members: Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Indonesia) and the priorities of the educational agenda. This is the development of the BRICS Network University, recognition of qualifications, support for talented youth and the creation of its own BRICS university ranking.

    The key sections and plenary session were held at the Museum of Tomorrow. SPbPU was represented by a delegation consisting of Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade; Ekaterina Belyaevskaya, Head of the Department of International Interuniversity Cooperation; and Nikita Lukashevich and Olga Ergunova, associate professors at the Graduate School of Management and Management. Vladimir Shchepinin spoke at one of the sessions, presenting the Polytechnic University as a key player in the scientific and educational space of Russia in the field of technological development. He drew the attention of the rectors’ community to the potential of SPbPU in solving the problems of sustainable development of the BRICS countries.

    At the thematic session “Artificial Intelligence and Education in the BRICS Countries”, Olga Ergunova presented a report “AI Optimization of Human Resource Management in Smart Cities”, based on the results of a large-scale scientific project supported by the Russian Science Foundation (grant No. 25-28-01469). She described in detail the neural network model developed under the auspices of the RSF for forecasting and managing labor markets in the BRICS megacities (Shanghai, Bangalore, Moscow, Sao Paulo).

    Olga Ergunova drew the attention of those gathered to a successful example of comprehensive cooperation between the BRICS countries — the international competition for young researchers “SMART CITY 2030: Sustainable Development Management of BRICS Cities”. The event was first held in 2024 in pilot mode and generated considerable interest. In 2025, the co-organizers of the competition are SPbPU, the Russian Institute of Tsinghua University (China), Lovely Professional University (India) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The Rectors’ Forum provided an opportunity to announce the expansion of the competition and invite new representatives of the BRICS countries to participate.

    The SPbPU delegation held talks with existing partner universities in Brazil (these are nine leading universities in the country), and also met with new promising educational institutions and agencies. Among them are the Federal Agency for Technological Education, the Secretariat for Supervision and Development in Higher Education. Both agencies operate under the Ministry of Education of Brazil.

    Polytechnic University signed cooperation agreements with the Federal University of Fluminense and the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro.

    During working meetings and negotiations with rectors and representatives of university delegations, projects in the field of joint research, academic mobility, joint educational programs of double degrees and the organization of summer schools were discussed.

    In the context of changing global educational landscapes, Brazilian universities are becoming key centers for ensuring the scientific and technological sovereignty of the BRICS countries. Their competencies in the field of sustainable development, green economy, bioeconomy, agribusiness, artificial intelligence and other areas, supplemented by Russian fundamental science, form a unique ecosystem of cooperation, its integration into the BRICS educational space through the mechanisms of the BRICS Network University. They allow the creation of new formats of cooperation that combine academic mobility with applied research in areas that are strategic for the countries, noted Vladimir Shchepinin.

    A pleasant surprise was the delegation’s meeting with a 1988 Polytechnic graduate, Electo Eduardo Silva Lora. He is currently a professor and holds the post of head of the Scientific Institute at the Federal University of Itajuba, a leading university in the field of electric power and electrical engineering. Electo Silva Lora spoke excellent Russian and recalled his teachers, professors at the Polytechnic University, with great warmth. He expressed a desire to renew scientific and academic ties with his alma mater and is already interacting with colleagues from the Institute of Power Engineering.

    In addition, Olga Ergunova visited the leading business school of Latin America — FGV EBAPE (Getulio Vargas Foundation), holder of the prestigious “Triple Crown” of accreditations (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS). She held business negotiations with the director-dean of the school, Professor Flavio Carvalho de Vasconcelos and the head of the international department of Yuna Fontoura.

    Representatives of the school expressed interest in cooperation with SPbPU. During the negotiations, specific steps were outlined: organizing academic exchanges, joint research in the field of innovation management, technological development and sustainable production.

    For FGV EBAPE, it is always valuable to establish connections with leading universities in the world, such as SPbPU. We are interested in developing academic mobility and joint research initiatives, especially in areas related to technology and innovation, – emphasized Flavio Vasconcelos.

    Universities in Brazil represent a huge potential for partnership. Of course, everyone understands the difficulties and cost of logistics between our continents, but even this does not become an obstacle for such innovative projects as, for example, the Smart Cities competition. A number of government agencies support the mobility of Brazilian students, and these opportunities should be used. Brazil has created the strongest scientific centers and technology hubs in the field of research into renewable energy, artificial intelligence, agricultural and food technologies, oil and gas. Colleagues are interested in joint publications, the development of postgraduate programs, international grants for joint research. There is a lot of work to do to turn today’s agreements into real projects with the participation of the Polytechnic University, – Ekaterina Belyaevskaya summed up.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Professor of the State University of Management took part in the visiting meeting of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Professor of the Department of Public Administration and Political Technologies of the State University of Management Vladimir Volokh took part in the visiting meeting of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, which took place at the Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia named after V. Ya. Kikot – the largest methodological and scientific center, the flagship of departmental education.

    The Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, Police General Vladimir Kolokoltsev took part in the visiting meeting of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and answered questions from graduates of departmental universities. The head of the department expressed confidence that the young generation of police officers, having received good theoretical knowledge, will cope with all challenges with dignity: “I am convinced that your integrity, efforts and achievements will contribute to the stability of the state and increase the level of trust of the population.”

    During the event, graduates of police universities had the opportunity to directly communicate with members of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia – representatives of civil society, people who constructively cooperate with the department, actively participate in joint scientific and practical projects and campaigns, and openly and impartially assess the quality of the work of the law enforcement system.

    Of particular interest were topics such as combating cybercrime, the role of media and social networks in shaping public opinion about the police, migration, the introduction of positive foreign experience into the activities of internal affairs agencies, etc.

    At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Council, Anatoly Kucherena, presented the graduates of departmental educational organizations with a symbolic “Parting Word” from members of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Q+A follows The Project onto the scrap heap – so where to now for non-traditional current affairs?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne

    Two long-running television current affairs programs are coming to an end at the same time, driving home the fact that no matter what the format, they have a shelf life.

    The Project on Channel 10 will end this month after 16 years, and after 18 years on the ABC, Q+A will not return from its current hiatus.

    Each was innovative in very different ways.

    Q+A was designed specifically to generate public participation. Its format of five panellists, a host and a studio audience of up to 1,000 was a daring experiment, because the audience was invited to ask questions that were not vetted in advance.

    This live-to-air approach gave it an edgy atmosphere not often achieved on television. From time to time, the edginess was real.

    In 2022, an audience member made a statement supporting Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and repeated Russian propaganda to the effect that Ukraine’s Azov battalion was a Nazi group that had killed an estimated 13,000 people in the Donbas region.

    After a brief discussion of these allegations, the host Stan Grant asked the man to leave, saying other audience members had been talking about family members who were dying in the war, and he could not countenance the advocating of violence.

    In 2017 the Sudanese-Australian writer Yassmin Abdel-Magied was involved in a fiery exchange with Senator Jacqui Lambie over sharia law.

    They had been asked by an audience member if it was time to define new rules surrounding migration to avoid community conflict, to which Lambie replied: “Anyone that supports sharia law should be deported.”

    Abdel-Magied questioned if Lambie even knew what that meant, before getting into a heated defence of feminism and Islam.

    In 2024, an audience member listening to politicians on the panel debate family violence could not contain his frustration, calling out:

    How dare you go into politics, in an environment like this, when one woman is murdered every four days, and all you […] can do is immediately talk about politics? That is just disgraceful.

    His outburst went viral.

    He had put his finger on what was an increasing problem with the program. It became hostage to fixed political positions among those of its panellists drawn from party politics.

    As a result, it became predictable, and although the surprise element supplied by audience participation remained a strength, the panellists’ responses increasingly became echoes of their parties’ policies.

    While the objective no doubt was to achieve a range of perspectives, it began to look like stage-managed political controversy.

    This is not to criticise the established presenters – Tony Jones, who fronted the program for 11 years, Stan Grant and most recently Patricia Karvelas, all gifted journalists who adroitly managed the time bombs occasionally set off in their midst.

    Unfortunately, especially for Grant, the program was a lightning rod for attacks on the ABC by The Australian newspaper. ABC management’s abandonment of him, after a particularly vicious attack in 2023 over his commentary during coverage of the king’s coronation, was disgraceful.

    Resigning from the program, Grant said: “Since the king’s coronation, I have seen people in the media lie and distort my words. They have tried to depict me as hate filled. They have accused me of maligning Australia. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

    The ABC is promising to continue with audience-participation programming along the lines of Your Say, a kind of online questionnaire which the ABC says was successfully tried during the 2025 federal election.

    How such a format would translate to television is not clear.

    Meanwhile at Ten, there is promise of a new current affairs program, but details are scant.

    The Project will be a hard act to follow. It promised “news done differently” – and it delivered. News stories were given context and a touch of humanity by a combination of humour, accidents, slips of the tongue and the intellectual firepower of Waleed Aly.

    Aly is a Sunni Muslim, and his “ISIL is weak” speech in 2015 spoke directly and passionately to the fears of the public at the peak of one of the many panics over terrorism.

    Inevitably, much of the attention in the wake of the announced closure has been on the celebrated gaffes of long-time presenter Carrie Bickmore, a little rich to be reproduced in a sober article such as this, but findable here.

    It may not be an auspicious time for launching a new current affairs program at Ten. Its ultimate parent company, Paramount, in the United States, is in the process of negotiating a settlement with US President Donald Trump over a trumped-up court case in which the president is suing the company for US$20 billion (A$30.7 billion).

    He says an interview done by another Paramount company, CBS News, with the Democrats’ former presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the election campaign was “deceptively edited”.

    This is said to have no prospect of succeeding in court, but Paramount wishes to merge with Skydance Media and fears the Trump administration would block it if the company doesn’t come across. The Wall Street Journal is reporting it is proposing to settle for $15 million.

    Senior editorial staff at CBS have already resigned in protest at Paramount’s cowardice, so what price editorial independence at Ten?

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

    – ref. Q+A follows The Project onto the scrap heap – so where to now for non-traditional current affairs? – https://theconversation.com/q-a-follows-the-project-onto-the-scrap-heap-so-where-to-now-for-non-traditional-current-affairs-258690

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beatty and Brown Demand Urgent Federal Response to Housing Crisis

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) co-led a House Resolution with Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) calling for urgent, coordinated federal action to address the nation’s worsening housing crisis by preserving and expanding access to affordable housing. 

     

    The Resolution outlines the urgent need to address the housing crisis nationally and calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing it, including: expanding and preserving affordable housing units; strengthening Federal rental assistance programs; promoting equitable zoning and infrastructure alignment; and partnering across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to protect tenants and spur innovation. 

     

    “Housing is a human right, full stop,” said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. “The nation’s ongoing affordable housing shortage hits low-income and minority communities the hardest, making it virtually impossible for millions of families to stay healthy, pursue higher education, maintain steady employment, or achieve financial stability. This resolution recognizes the urgency of addressing the housing crisis in America and affirms a commitment to advancing federal legislation to support rental assistance and housing development so that every American family has a safe, affordable place to call home.”

    “In Northeast Ohio and across America, our housing crisis is pricing families out of stability. It’s harder than ever to find a place to live, pay the bills, keep our families safe and secure, and build wealth. Housing isn’t just having a roof over your head— it is the foundation for safety, security, and opportunity. This crisis is hitting families in every corner of the country, and it’s widening the wealth and racial gaps we’ve been trying to close for generations. I am proud to introduce this resolution with Congresswoman Beatty because it is time that we put the House of Representatives on record on this important issue. The housing crisis is impacting every congressional district, and we need a coordinated federal response,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.   

     

    The United States faces an estimated shortage of over 7 million affordable homes for extremely low-income renters and over 12 million spend more than 50 percent of their income on rent, often sacrificing food, health care, or transportation as a result. 

     

    Since 2020, rents have increased by more than 35%, while median incomes have not kept pace, fueling record-high homelessness and housing instability. Black households are substantially less likely to own a home than white households – 44% homeownership rate for Blacks versus 72% for whites – and the Black homeownership rate remains lower than in the year 2000.

     

    Text of the resolution is available HERE.

     

    This resolution is endorsed by: the National Affordable Housing Management Association, the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research, Northwest Neighborhoods, Providence House, University Settlement, and Loretta’s Helping Hands.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Calligraphy exhibition honors Chinese literary tradition

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

    A calligraphy exhibition by Chao Daishuang, a research fellow at the National Museum of China and director of the Institute of Ancient Chinese Calligraphy, opened June 6 in Beijing, highlighting his decades of research and artistic achievement.

    Chao Daishuang speaks at the opening ceremony of his calligraphy exhibition in Beijing, China, June 6, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

    At the opening ceremony, Chao spoke of the profound reverence inspired by ancient calligraphic works, noting that they embody the intellectual spirit and philosophical depth of China’s traditional scholars.

    Koh Hock Kiat, founding dean of the Confucius Institute at Nanyang Technological University, also attended the event. He called calligraphy “the soul of Chinese culture,” saying its integration with classical poetry and wisdom can exert a subtle yet profound influence on children’s upbringing.

    After the ceremony, Chao spoke with attendees, stressing that mastery of the Chinese language is essential for understanding the classical texts featured in the artwork.

    A section of Chao Daishuang’s calligraphy on display at the exhibition in Beijing, China, June 6, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

    Chao said appreciating calligraphy requires an understanding of its cultural roots. He urged young cultural workers to develop a solid literary grounding, saying, “Only those deeply versed in classics can create truly meaningful calligraphy.” He emphasized that authentic cultural exchanges must be built on genuine traditional foundations.

    On the topic of cultural diplomacy, Chao said its effects are often gradual. “A lecture or an overseas exchange may not yield immediate results,” he said. “But such efforts lay foundations for the future — persistent engagement will naturally bear fruit over time.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Malaria has returned to the Torres Strait. What does this mean for mainland Australia?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor and Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney

    Aspect Drones/Shutterstock

    Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases spread by mosquitoes. Each year, hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected and half a million people die from the disease.

    While mainland Australia was declared malaria-free in 1981, from time to time travellers return to Australia with an infection.

    Infections from local mosquitoes are incredibly rare. However, last week two cases of locally acquired malaria were reported in the Torres Strait.

    So what does this mean for local communities? And is this a risk for mainland Australia?

    What is malaria?

    Unlike other mosquito-borne disease, malaria is caused by protozoan parasites, not viruses. These parasites belong to the Plasmodium genus. While five of these parasites are considered a human health concern, Plasmodium falciparum poses the most serious threat.

    Symptoms can be mild and include fever, chills and headache. But sometimes people develop severe symptoms, such as fatigue, confusion, seizures and difficulty breathing.

    Without appropriate medical care, the disease can be fatal. Those most at risk of life-threatening illness include infants, children under five years, pregnant women and patients with HIV and AIDS.

    How does it spread?

    Malaria parasites are spread by the bite of a mosquito carrying the malaria parasite.

    Not all mosquitoes can carry the parasite. The group of mosquitoes responsible for most malaria transmission is called Anopheles. Aedes and Culex mosquitoes, which are typically associated with the spread of viruses, don’t transmit malaria to people.

    The Anopheles group of mosquitoes play an important role in transmitting malaria parasites.
    Cameron Webb (NSW Health Pathology), CC BY-NC-ND

    While there are medications available to prevent malaria, and these are routinely recommended to travellers, this is not a sustainable approach for communities within regions at risk. The cost of medications, as well as the risk parasites may develop resistance to medications over time, are barriers for routine use in high risk countries.

    Alternative strategies include using insecticide-treated bed nets and controlling mosquitoes by spraying insecticide on and around homes. Early diagnosis and treatment of those suspected to have an infection is also crucial.

    ‘Imported’ versus ‘locally acquired’ infections

    There is an important distinction between “imported” and “locally acquired” cases of malaria.

    “Imported” cases mean the person has been infected overseas and returned to Australia, where they’ve been diagnosed and treated. These cases appear in official statistics but are not the result of local mosquito bites.

    “Locally acquired” cases are where a person is infected without any overseas travel. These cases often result from the parasites first introduced into Australia by infected travellers. The travellers are then bitten by local mosquitoes that go on to bite and spread the pathogens to people who haven’t travelled.

    The last locally acquired malaria outbreak in mainland Australia occurred in 2002, when ten people were infected in Far North Queensland.

    When this happens, it indicates local mosquitoes are carrying the malaria parasites and there is a significant risk further infections have occurred (but are not yet diagnosed) or may be diagnosed in the near future. Mosquito control or other initiatives are required to prevent larger outbreaks.

    In the case of the Torres Strait, there is also the risk infected mosquitoes are transported, either by wind or boats, from Papua New Guinea.

    So, what’s happening in the Torres Strait?

    Queensland Health is currently investigating two recent cases of locally acquired malaria on Saibai Island.

    But cases of locally acquired malaria aren’t unusual in the Torres Strait. They’re often suspected to be linked to movement of people into the islands from PNG, a country that reports more than a million suspected cases of malaria each year.

    Previous locally acquired malaria cases in the Torres Strait were reported in 2023. Before that, a single case was reported in 2013 and eight cases in 2011.

    The tropical climate of the Torres Strait and presence of Anopheles mosquitoes means conditions are right for local spread once the parasites are introduced, either through infected mosquitoes or people.



    Read more:
    Torres Strait Islanders face more than their fair share of health impacts from climate change

    Could malaria spread to mainland Australia?

    Since the 1980s, there have only been a small number of cases reported on mainland Australia. The majority are in travellers returning to Australia who were infected overseas.

    Historically, malaria cases were reported in many parts of the country, especially in the 1940s, including suburbs around Sydney when soldiers infected overseas returned to Australia.

    The mosquitoes capable of spreading the parasites then are still present today. While the most important malaria mosquito in Australia, Anopheles faurati, is limited to northern regions of coastal Australia, Anopheles annulipes is widespread across much of the country.

    But just because the mosquitoes are there, it doesn’t mean there will be an outbreak of malaria.

    The parasite needs to be introduced and it needs to be warm enough for it to complete its life cycle in local mosquitoes. The cooler it is, the less likely that is to happen, even if suitable mosquitoes are present.

    The parasites also face additional challenges. Infected people need to be bitten by local Anopheles mosquitoes, not just any mosquitoes. And with modern health-care systems in Australia, untreated sick people are less likely to be exposed to mosquito bites.

    Malaria is one of the mosquito-borne pathogens considered at risk of increasing as a result of climate change. But there are many other factors at play that will determine future outbreak risk in mainland Australia, especially outside the tropical north of the country, such as a changing climate and seasonal changes in numbers and types of mosquitoes.

    How to stay safe

    The most important way local communities and visitors to the Torres Strait can stay safe is to avoid mosquito bites.

    Cover up when possible with long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered shoes and apply an insect repellent.

    Insect screens, whether on buildings or in the form of bed nets will also provide protection overnight.



    Read more:
    Mozzies biting? Here’s how to choose a repellent (and how to use it for the best protection)

    Cameron Webb and the Department of Medical Entomology, NSW Health Pathology and University of Sydney, have been engaged by a wide range of insect repellent and insecticide manufacturers to provide testing of products and provide expert advice on medically important arthropods, including mosquitoes. Cameron has also received funding from local, state and federal agencies to undertake research into various aspects of mosquito and mosquito-borne disease management.

    – ref. Malaria has returned to the Torres Strait. What does this mean for mainland Australia? – https://theconversation.com/malaria-has-returned-to-the-torres-strait-what-does-this-mean-for-mainland-australia-258289

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbPU students received support from the Rosmolodezh grant competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The results of the first season of the Rosmolodezh.Grants grant competition have been summed up. Students of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University became winners with five projects, receiving funding for a total of 2.5 million rubles.

    The All-Russian competition of youth projects “Rosmolodezh.Grants” is held by the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs and is aimed at supporting initiatives implemented by citizens of the Russian Federation aged 14 to 35. The winners of the first season of the competition in 2025 were five students of SPbPU. The projects cover a wide range of areas: from environmental education and engineering training to scientific volunteering, educational forums and socio-cultural initiatives.

    Alexandra Kuznetsova — project “Educational module on designing and constructing a geodome from recycled polymers”

    The project will include an educational course on separate waste collection and recycling in the Polytech Tower. The plastic recycling equipment, which the students assembled themselves, can be used to make various products from recycled polymers. Usually, these are souvenirs, but the project team has set an ambitious goal: to assemble a geodome from recycled plastic, which will be an addition to the Tower’s summer space next year. The project introduces plastic recycling processes in a visual and interactive form using compact equipment similar to industrial equipment. This creates a logical chain from packaging submitted for recycling to the finished product.

    Anna Melnichuk and the PCPS student club – the project “Autumn school “SPARK””

    The initiative of the PCPS (Polytechnic Club of Physical Students) club is an educational project aimed at 1st-2nd year students of physical and technical fields. The SPARK school is dedicated to the topic of building a career path in science. The event will include lectures and master classes from invited speakers – scientists from the Polytechnic University and other scientific institutions. They will talk about their own path in science, share practical advice, and also conduct classes on developing soft skills: writing a resume, a motivation letter, a scientific article, finding a scientific supervisor and other important aspects of a scientific career.

    Tatyana Tkachuk — the project “Forum of Case Clubs”

    The Case Club Forum is an event aimed at creating a space and favorable conditions for the exchange of ideas and experience between members of student associations promoting the case method in their activities. The project includes a seminar called “Case Club Forum”. The goal of the event is to create a space for the exchange of competencies and experience, allowing for improved communication between associations and the development of joint activities for the further promotion of the case method. Representatives of existing case clubs in St. Petersburg and Moscow will be invited to participate in the forum!

    Alexander Merkuriev – the project “Vaccination is impossible to remain silent”

    The project “Vaccination is not possible to remain silent” is aimed at educating young people about the safety and effectiveness of vaccination. During open lessons in schools in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, young specialists in biology and medicine will tell students from different classes about our immunity, the composition and production of modern vaccines, and myths about the dangers of vaccination. All these and many other questions will be discussed in class after a popular science lecture on the topic.

    Daria Khadjaridi – “Black Bear School” project

    “Black Bear School” is a five-day intensive course in sports management. Over the course of five days, experts will talk about lectures on SMM, photography, video, event organization, and working with partners. The intensive course will be useful for anyone who wants to learn something new in the field of sports media – whether you are a beginner or a pro, because the intensive course is divided into categories by level of training.

    The grant competition has been held since 2005 and is aimed at supporting projects of young people and student associations. The competition provides financial support in the amount of 5 thousand to 1 million rubles for the implementation of socially significant projects. In the first season of 2025, more than 15 thousand applications from all regions of Russia were received for participation. The selection of projects was carried out according to the criteria of relevance, feasibility, social significance and the presence of a sustainable result.

    Support for SPbPU student projects confirms the high level of project activities at the university, as well as the active civic position of students. The university will continue to provide methodological assistance to students and youth associations in participating in such competitions, developing a culture of project thinking and social leadership.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, 27 Colleagues Slam Republican Plan to Rescind Over $1 Billion in Federal Funding for Local Public Broadcasting Stations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    June 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 27 of their U.S. Senate colleagues in slamming a Republican attempt to rescind $1.07 billion in already-allocated funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds local public broadcasting stations across the country.  The $1.07 billion represents 100% of CPB’s funding through September 2027. This move follows President Trump’s executive order directing cuts to federal funding for PBS and NPR.
    “Following the White House’s request to rescind $1.07 billion in federal funding for CPB, we write to express our strong opposition to any rescission of funding for public broadcasting and prohibitions of direct and indirect funding to the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio,” the senators wrote. “This funding is essential to the functioning of the public media system and the communities they serve, and any cuts in funding would have detrimental effects on local stations, which rely on this funding to provide critical services to millions of Americans across the country. Public broadcasting is an essential service that should be protected, not decimated. For this reason, we request that you prioritize maintaining and continuing funding for CPB.”
    The Corporation for Public Broadcasting supports over 1,500 local public television and radio stations that provide free, high-quality programming to millions of households across America. It provides young children who don’t get the chance to attend preschool with educational content that helps them learn to read; airs highly trusted nightly news programming; and shares critical public safety information during emergencies. Local public television stations also provide extensive coverage of local government and elections and host candidate debates, helping Americans stay connected with their elected leaders. Because public television and radio relies heavily on federal funding to operate, particularly in rural communities, losing this funding would force many of these stations to reduce much of their programming or, in some cases, close their doors.
    U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Majority Leader Thune,
    Federal investment in the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) supports over 1,500 local and regional public television and radio stations that provide free, high-quality programming to millions of households across the country. Following the White House’s request to rescind $1.07 billion in federal funding for CPB, we write to express our strong opposition to any rescission of funding for public broadcasting and prohibitions of direct and indirect funding to the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio, as outlined in the Executive Order titled, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media” released on May 1, 2025. This funding is essential to the functioning of the public media system and the communities they serve, and any cuts in funding would have detrimental effects on local stations, which rely on this funding to provide critical services to millions of Americans across the country.
    Our public broadcasting system is a unique American institution that is deeply embedded in our communities and a critical source of lifesaving public safety services, accurate information, and educational programming. The vast majority of the federal funding CPB receives is allocated to local radio and television stations across the country. These cuts will have an immediate and significant impact for stations in rural communities that heavily rely on CPB funding to provide critical services and could likely result in the elimination of programming or outright closure of stations in areas already faced with limited connectivity.
    According to Northwestern University, 55 million people in the United States have no or only one source of local news, and rural counties are far more likely to lose their local news outlets. This number could increase if the two-year advance appropriation for public media is not upheld, resulting in the drastic reduction or complete elimination of free, high-quality local programming. This is especially concerning given the importance of public broadcasting during public emergencies, such as natural disasters, transportation accidents, national security threats, or public safety matters. CPB funds are essential to ensuring that the broadcast infrastructure remains robust and operational in disaster situations, especially scenarios in which local public broadcasters serve as the only source of information for those who need a lifeline. Any cuts in funding will have drastic consequences for communities in need.
    And there is much more to their public safety services in addition to the critical local information they broadcast. Public television’s interconnection technology, which connects local public television stations to PBS, is also one of the backbone pathways for the delivery of our nation’s Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) services – enabling cell phone subscribers to receive geotargeted emergency text alerts no matter where they are in the country. A cut to public broadcasting funding would put this lifesaving service and its nationwide footprint at risk.
    Public television has also pioneered cutting edge technology that helps first responders communicate with each other over the broadcast spectrum without the need for mobile service or broadband. This datacasting technology and public television’s public safety partnerships is already helping with early earthquake warning and has been proven effective in a wide range of scenarios where broadband or cellular service are limited, including rural search and rescue, overwater communications, large event crowd control and more. But this is only possible if stations serving rural and remote areas with limited broadband are healthy and continue operating as they are today.
    On the education front, public television’s early childhood education services ensure that every family has access to high-quality, non-commercial educational content regardless of their ability to pay for such services. This is essential for over 50 percent of three and four-year old children who do not attend formal preschool.
    If funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is eliminated or rescinded, the impact would be devastating. Millions of people across the country whose stations rely on CPB funding for a significant percentage of their budget would be at risk of losing access to public television’s services. These are services that nobody else in the media world is providing, but it’s exactly the work for which public broadcasting was created, and they are delivering to our communities every day. 
    Public broadcasting is an essential service that should be protected, not decimated. For this reason, we request that you prioritize maintaining and continuing funding for CPB. We appreciate your consideration of this request and thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic University is now recruiting for free training in in-demand professions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The Polytechnic University has opened enrollment for free training programs within the framework of the federal project “Active Measures to Promote Employment” of the national project “Personnel”. This is not the first successful experience of the Polytechnic in implementing such initiatives. Every year, the university helps many people master relevant professions and find work. This year, the project continues to form new career prospects for residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

    The programs are designed to meet the needs of the regional labor market and focus on key sectors: industry, construction, energy, and the digital economy. In collaboration with leading regional enterprises, the university offers practice-oriented courses that include working with modern technologies and tools. Participants will be able to obtain not only new knowledge, but also a diploma from one of Russia’s leading universities, which significantly increases their chances of successful employment.

    Our experience shows that such programs are not just training, but a real start for professional growth. We create conditions so that each participant can build a sustainable career, – emphasized the Vice-Rector for Additional and Pre-University Education of SPbPU Dmitry Tikhonov.

    Training is available to anyone looking for a job. Including young people under 35 (in certain categories), people at risk of being laid off, officially unemployed, people with disabilities, parents on maternity leave, citizens over 50, unemployed mothers with children under seven, as well as veterans of the SVO and their family members.

    The training areas include several blocks.

    Engineering and technical professions:

    CNC machine programming; instrumentation and automation fitter; measuring instrument controller; design and technological support for mechanical engineering; industrial safety and labor protection; welder.

    Digital technologies and modeling:

    Building information modeling (BIM, Renga); lean manufacturing and digital transformation; construction and surveying; industrial and civil construction; engineering and geodetic surveys; road reconstruction.

    Service and design:

    artist-designer (interior designer); tourism at an industrial enterprise; quality control of food products.

    The new recruitment for free training programs is not only an opportunity to master a sought-after profession, but also a chance to contribute to the development of key industries in the region.

    Registration is available atproject website.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Young professional makes strides in the engineering field

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Young professional makes strides in the engineering field

    Portia Maposse is one of the country’s young black women who are gradually invading traditionally male-dominated fields.

    The 25-year-old is a systems engineer at the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium in Nigel, Gauteng. Gibela is a black economic empowerment (BEE) rail transport consortium comprising Alstom and uBumbano Rail. 

    It was established in 2013, as a ring-fenced company for the execution of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA) rolling-stock fleet-renewal programme. This contract is meant to deliver 600 trainsets to PRASA and provide technical support and related services.

    PRASA is an entity of the Department of Transport. 

    She joined Gibela in 2023 as a process manufacturing engineering intern and worked her way up to becoming a systems engineer in 2024, bringing her dream to fruition.

    “The journey started in high school. I went to a Technical High school where I chose the Mechanical Technology Stream. Then at the university I pursued Mechanical Engineering. I studied at the University of South Africa (UNISA),” she told SAnews, in a recent interview.

    This as SAnews visited the consortium’s train manufacturing facility in Dunnottor, Nigel, in celebration of the Decade of the Artisan with special focus on female artisans.

    According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, the campaign aims to encourage more young people (high school learners and unemployed youth) to see artisanship as a career of choice.

    The visit formed part of the Government Communication and Information System’s (GCIS) celebrations of 30 Years of Democracy.

    Asked about her feelings in working in what is considered a male-dominated industry, she said: “Women are now leading in the industry. The industry caters, protects and accommodates women. Opportunities are endless. Always keep in mind that results matter and that women are more powerful.”

    Her job at Gibela entails engaging with suppliers to develop systems in accordance with Gibela specifications, then work with cross-functional teams to integrate the systems into the product which is the train.
    She also manages the overall systems performance.

    “My role aligns with all five values of our company namely, costumer focus and care, innovation, trust and respect, teamwork, and partnership, finally focus and accountability,” she said.

    As the only female and the youngest in her team, Maposse is not intimidated by being in the male-dominated industry.
    “Age is not a disadvantage, and I will not be young forever. Therefore I am embracing this by being open to learning and appreciating the opportunity given to me. Gender has never been an issue. Not once have I felt different in the work setting thanks to the Gibela culture on gender-equality. 

    “It is important to be confident in your abilities and participate actively in the day-to-day work activities. Moreover, be yourself,” she said.

    She advised young women who are not sure about their career choices to follow their passion.

    “It is important to be confident in your abilities and participate actively on the day-to-day work activities. Be yourself and maintain confidence. 

    “Education is key to success. Never stop learning; seek mentorship. Being in positive circles…networking is important in building long term connections within the industry,” she advised. 

    Asked about her most memorable moments working at Gibela, Maposse said during her induction days, she had the opportunity to witness a train being manufactured from the profile stage up to testing and commissioning.

    “It was during the same period that I had my first train ride experience here on site and it was an amazing and unforgettable experience.”

    To the young engineer, democracy means a lot as it has enabled her to be where she is today.

    “To me democracy means the importance of youth voices in shaping the future of our country [followed by] the right to free education for all. One might ask why? I would say that is the opportunity I had, and it has led me to where I am today.”

    Maposse says she would want to be remembered as a team player that has contributed to the success of Gibela project through innovation and fostering a collaborative environment.

    Gibela has a staff compliment of over 1 200 with women making 43% of the workforce.

    Gibela’s vision is to elevate South Africa’s commuter rail as the transport mode of choice. – SAnews.gov.za

    Edwin

    4624 views

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Treatment of intensive care patients with disinfectants increases risk of infection A routine disinfection procedure commonly used when admitting patients to intensive care units (ICU) can increase ‘superbug’ infections according to new research from the University of Aberdeen.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    A routine disinfection procedure commonly used when admitting patients to intensive care units (ICU) can increase ‘superbug’ infections according to new research from the University of Aberdeen.
    The study compared bloodstream infections in ICU patients who experienced different types of disinfection when admitted.
    The results showed that the ‘universal disinfection’ of all patients admitted to ICU was linked to the rise of superbug – ‘methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis’ (MRSE) bloodstream infections in vulnerable patients.
    The results are published today, June 11, 2025, in Lancet Microbe
    Universal decolonisation refers to the disinfection of all patients admitted to ICUs and was introduced during the MRSA epidemic in the 1990’s to attempt to control healthcare-associated infections. However, hospital infections and how they respond to antibiotics are known to change over time. This is why the team, led by Professor Karolin Hijazi, sought to re-evaluate the benefits and unintended harms of these infection control practices, particularly for those disinfectants implicated in rise of antimicrobial resistance.
    During universal decolonisation, when patients are admitted to ICU their whole body is disinfected with an antimicrobial called chlorhexidine – a disinfectant also widely used to disinfect medical devices and hospital surfaces. Patients also receive nasal treatment with another disinfectant called mupirocin.
    Currently, there is inconsistency in disinfection practices across hospitals in the UK with some hospitals adopting the universal decolonisation of all patients, whilst others employ a more targeted and risk-based approach of decolonisation of only those patients who have tested positive for MRSA. This means that much larger volumes of the disinfectants chlorhexidine and mupirocin are used in hospitals that practice universal decolonisation.
    The team compared the bloodstream infection type and resistance rates of patients over 13 years across two intensive care units in Scotland practicing the different decolonisation approaches and found that universal decolonisation practices were related to increased MRSE infections compared to a targeted approach.
    Professor Hijazi Chair in Oral & Maxillofacial Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, who led the study explains their findings: “We found that the drastic reduction of disinfectant when using targeted decolonisation of only MRSA-positive patients reduced bloodstream infections related to MRSE. Whilst MRSE is generally not life-threatening, this data is a concern as MRSE increases the burden of circulating antimicrobial resistance.
    “However, reducing disinfectant did not increase all bloodstream infections from serious pathogens. This means that universal decolonisation is not superior to more sparing and targeted approaches in controlling serious bloodstream infections.
    “This research essentially demonstrates that the excess use of disinfectants in universal decolonisation offered no advantage in terms of control of serious blood infections in a low MRSA ICU setting but instead caused the unintended rise of MRSE bloodstream infections.
    “Universal decolonisation is associated with greater risks of antimicrobial resistance and costs at no increased benefit. “According to the findings of our study, in low MRSA settings universal decolonisation is likely an unnecessary and harmful practice.”
    The authors suggest that hospitals should consider the unintended harms of universal decolonisation, particularly in the context of global rise of antimicrobial resistance.
    Professor Hijazi adds: “As the landscape of hospital infections changes over time, it is imperative to re-evaluate the benefits and unintended harms of all antimicrobial treatments including disinfection practices. This is particularly important for disinfectants implicated in antimicrobial resistance.
    “Our research aligns with the top 10 research priorities of the ‘five-year action plan for antimicrobial resistance’ set out by the UK government, agencies and administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland UK, which called to strengthen the evidence of the role of biocides in driving antimicrobial resistance.
    “Our study fits squarely with this commitment and should inform standardised national guidelines for effective and safe patient decolonisation in low MRSA settings.
    “Skin decolonisation must effectively control hospital infections whilst minimising emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance which is ‘the silent pandemic’ of our times.
    “Skin decolonisation of hospital patients is also very costly as it must be prescribed by specialist medical staff and administered by trained nurses. So we anticipate significant cost savings associated with efforts to reduce and avoid this practice where not necessary.”
    Professor Marco Oggioni from the University of Bologna who contributed to the research added: “Antimicrobial stewardship and other measures for infection prevention are our most powerful tools to contrast the global emergency of antimicrobial drug resistance, but this should never hinder our critical re-evaluation of the instruments we utilise to achieve our goals.”
    Professor Ian Gould, Honorary Professor at the University of Aberdeen concluded: “This timely study is the culmination of 25 years’ work in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
    “The original study was borne out of an initial response to control a nationwide epidemic of MRSA, the original superbug, by using universal decolonization.
    “We have subsequently learned to use antibiotics cautiously but this important study provides the firmest evidence yet that antiseptics and disinfectants, which are also commonly misused, should be subject to the same restrictions.”
    This study was funded by NHS Grampian Charity, and was a collaboration with Dundee University, Ninewells Hospital, Leicester University and the University of Bologna.
    ENDS

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Int’l Day for Dialogue among Civilizations celebrated with cultural forum in Athens

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

    The United Nations-designated International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations was marked on Tuesday with a high-level cultural forum in Athens, Greece, under the theme “Civilization and Peace: From the Parthenon to the Old Summer Palace.”

    Held at the University of Athens School of Philosophy, the event “Ancient Capitals Dialogue” brought together officials, scholars, cultural heritage experts and young professionals from China, Greece and other countries to explore the role of ancient civilizations in promoting mutual understanding, peace, and sustainable development.

    UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone Ramirez said in a video address that cultural heritage goes beyond monuments and includes ideas, values, and ways of life. He noted that “the coexistence of ancient traditions and a shared future is not only possible but essential,” describing the dialogue as reflecting “a shared desire to transcend boundaries and build new models of cooperation.”

    Dimitrios Drosos, dean of the host university’s philosophy school, said Greece and China share a deep mutual respect for each other’s cultural legacies and a commitment to preserving wisdom and beauty across time. “This dialogue offers a rare opportunity to trace the deeper links between civilizations,” he said.

    Xiong Chengyu, chair of the Ancient Capitals Dialogue and professor at the Communication University of China (CUC), said global and sustainable cultural communication is key to shared civilizational prosperity.

    Zhang Shuting, president of CUC, said the Parthenon and the Old Summer Palace represent the enduring spiritual resonance of Greek and Chinese civilizations. “Civilization is not only a legacy of the past, but also a force for future development,” he said. “Only through dialogue can we plant the seeds of peace through mutual cultural understanding.”

    Over a dozen academic institutions, including the University of Crete, the University of Athens, Tsinghua University, and the Central Academy of Drama, took part in panel discussions focusing on topics ranging from Sino-Greek philosophy and education to digital heritage preservation and comparative urban aesthetics.

    Cultural institutions from China and Greece also signed cooperation agreements on joint heritage preservation and communication, including efforts to establish the Parthenon and the Old Summer Palace as “sister heritage sites.” A multimedia exhibition titled “Memory and Regeneration of the Old Summer Palace” was unveiled at the University of Athens, the first time it has been displayed in Greece.

    The Ancient Capitals Dialogue is co-organized by the Communication University of China and the University of Athens. Launched in 2022, it has previously been held in cities including Paris and Jaipur. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eulogy by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Special Provincial Funeral of Rev Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, University of Venda Stadium, Thohoyandou

    Source: President of South Africa –

    Programme Directors,
    The Farisani Family,
    Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba,
    Representatives of the African National Congress and the broader liberation movement,
    Leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa,
    Traditional and religious leaders present,
    Leadership of the University of Venda,
    Fellow Mourners,
     
    Fellow South Africans, batho ba Limpopo, muta waDean Farisani,
     
    We are to bid farewell to Dean Tshenuwani Farisani.
     
    His life bears witness to the mission of Christ espoused in the Gospel of Luke chapter 4.
     
    “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed.”
     
    We have lost an extraordinary man who led an extraordinary life.
     
    He was born in 1948, a year that was a turning point in South Africa’s history. 
     
    This was the year the National Party swept to power and ushered in the reviled system of apartheid.
     
    Dean Farisani was born into circumstances that mirrored the lives of millions of black South Africans at the time.
     
    He was just a child, barely three years old, when his family was confronted with the ugly face of injustice.
     
    Many years later, in 1996, he would testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on how his family were victims of forced removed from the Songozi Tsapila area near then Louis Trichardt, now Makhado.
     
    The authorities arrived one day without warning, and his parents were ordered to vacate the area immediately.
     
    He recounted how they had to carry their belongings on their backs and leave, on foot. That which could not be carried, including all the family’s livestock, was left behind.
     
    They were relocated to another empty piece of land and told this was their new home. They were never compensated for the land that was stolen from them.
     
    Eight years later, in 1959, the family were forcibly removed again. 
     
    Two years later, in 1961, again.
     
    These experiences instilled in him a deep sense of justice. 
     
    They planted the seeds of his political consciousness when he was still in his teens.
     
    He only entered formal schooling at the age of 12. Like most children in rural areas at the time, he was a child labourer on the white farms.
     
    At school a missionary from the Evangelical Lutheran Church noticed his academic brilliance and he was prepared to enter theological training.
     
    It was at Maphumulo Theological Seminary in KwaZulu-Natal that he first became acquainted with the Black Consciousness Movement.
     
    Its teachings fired his growing political awareness.
     
    For him, there was no contradiction between the teachings of his faith and the mission of national liberation.
     
    He soon became attracted to liberation theology, and its message that true Christian faith demands active resistance to all forms of oppression and solidarity with the poor.
     
    Apartheid was a great injustice, and he, heroic heart, was not content to choose a quiet life of pastoralism.
     
    He was eventually expelled from the seminary after hebecame involved with underground political organisations like the South African Students Organisation, the Black People’s Convention and the Black Consciousness Movement.
     
    By then he was at the Beuster Mission at Maungani outside Thohoyandou and a rising figure in the BCM, going on to be elected its president in 1973.
     
    I first met Dean Farisani when he spoke at my high school, Mpaphuli.
     
    We formed an immediate and lasting bond.
     
    For many years we worked alongside each other in the Black Evangelical Youth Organisation.
     
    There were many points in the life of the great man we lay to rest today where he found himself sorely tested.
     
    During the late 1970s and 1980s was arrested on a number of occasions for his political activities. But it was his third detention, in 1981, that he found his courage truly tested. His faith tested. His principles tested.
     
    He was detained by the Venda police on suspicion of being involved in the bombing of a police station in Sibasa. 
     
    He was held for more than eight months and severely tortured. 
     
    In his book, Diary from a South African Prison, he recounts the unimaginable ordeal of beatings, electricshocks, being forced to squat for days and being smothered.
     
    In an interview given years later he recounts how his torturers tried everything to force a confession, even offering him the position of Bishop of Venda.
     
    And yet he, strong in will, did not yield.
     
    Fellow Mourners, Comrades, 
    Fellow South Africans,
     
    Dean Farisani was a courageous revolutionary who inspired a generation to reclaim their pride and stand up for their rights. I was amongst them.
     
    He was a beloved father and a grandfather who will be sorely missed by his wife, mufumakadzi Mudzunga, his daughters Nzumbululo and Ndamulelo, by his son Zwovhonala and by the entire extended family.
     
    He was a renowned academic and prolific scholar whose writings gave voice to the voiceless. 
     
    He was a guide and mentor to many. He was a dear friend.
     
    And yet it is Dean Farisani’s most salient quality that I will most remember him for: he was a man of unwavering principle.
     
    Nothing could sway him from what was right, from his dedication to the cause of the South African people, and to their total emancipation.
     
    In detention, he was offered positions and status. He refused them.
     
    When he was released and went into exile in the United States, he could have easily put the entire experience behind him and led a quiet life. 
     
    Instead he campaigned vigorously against the regime from abroad.
     
    When Venda was proclaimed as a so-called independent homeland by the apartheid regime he was outspoken in his opposition, even when this brought him into conflict with church leaders in his circuit.
     
    His activism continued into the democratic South Africa.
     
    He was determined to be part of the struggle to overcome the injustice and inequality bred of apartheid.
     
    He was elected to the first democratic Parliament in 1994. 
     
    He would go on to serve further as an MEC here in Limpopo and as speaker of the Legislature.
     
    These roles placed him in a position of power and influence. Yet they did not change him. 
     
    He did not succumb to the allure of high office. He was never arrogant. 
     
    He was a servant leader who came, served and left, and continued to contribute to the betterment of his beloved country.
     
    He did not regard loyalty to a political cause or party as being above his own principles.
     
    When he saw corruption being perpetrated by those entrusted with public funds, he was vocal and scathing in his criticism. He held power to account.
     
    The Foundation that bears his name continues to be an influential voice in the public space in advancing social justice, including for apartheid’s many victims.
     
    Fellow Mourners,
     
    Neither beatings nor torture could make Dean Farisani surrender his principles. The trappings of power did not interest him. He was content to walk in the footsteps of his Lord with the downtrodden, the oppressed and the marginalised.
     
    He understood his life’s mission and it was not negotiable.
     
    These are the greatest lessons we take from his life. These are the reflections we take today as we lay this great son of the soil to rest.
     
    To the family, we share in your great sorrow. Yet even amidst our mourning we celebrate a man who has left such a deep and lasting impact on all of us. He was an inspiration. 
     
    In Dean Farisani’s book of poetry, titled Justice in my Tears, there is a moving poem.
     
    It is called “The Lord is my Shepherd: Psalm 23 in Pietermaritzburg and Howick.”
     
    It was published in 1977, the period of his first imprisonment.
     
    In it he writes:
     
    “The Lord is my shepherd, 
    I shall not buckle
    He rests me in the land of freedom
    I drink from the cup of liberty,
    Even when I wander in the valley of torture.
    I shall fear no human beasts,
     
    He shall fight my fight.
    His angels and his visions
    Guide me through brutal interrogations
    He gives me life in the hands of murderers
    Giving me a crown for a victory his own”
     
    Dean Farisani, yours was a life of service to others. As the South African people we crown you as you go to your eternal rest.
     
    In the words of the Psalm 23 you so loved, surely goodness and mercy did follow you all the days of your life. May you dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
     
    Fare well brother, comrade, friend, patriot.
     
    I thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s goal is to get smoking rates under 5% for all population groups this year – here’s why that’s highly unlikely

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Hoek, Professor in Public Health, University of Otago

    Getty Images

    Next week is “scrutiny week” in parliament – one of two weeks each year when opposition MPs can hold ministers accountable for their actions, or lack thereof.

    For us, it’s a good time to take stock of whether New Zealand is on track to achieve its smokefree goal of reducing smoking prevalence to under 5% and as close to zero as possible, among all population groups, this year.

    The latest New Zealand Health Survey shows that, for the first time in a decade, smoking rates have flatlined rather than fallen. Stark inequities persist, with daily smoking prevalence among Māori at 14.7% (compared to 6.1% among European New Zealanders).

    To bring New Zealand’s overall smoking prevalence under 5% would require more than 80,000 people to quit this year. Achieving the goal equitably means more than 60,000 of those people would need to be Māori.

    The government’s repeal of earlier measures predicted to bring rapid and equitable reductions in smoking prevalence means achieving the Smokefree 2025 goal for all population groups is now highly unlikely.

    Ending the scourge of tobacco

    Proposed by the Māori Affairs Select Committee and adopted by the then National-led government in 2011, the Smokefree 2025 goal has always had equity at its heart.

    At that time, smoking prevalence among Māori was 37.7% and 14.7% among European New Zealanders. Reducing smoking rates to less than 5% for all population groups offered an opportunity to profoundly reduce health inequities burdening Māori.

    Early discussions recognised the large inequities in smoking rates. Speaking about his role in the select committee inquiry, former National Party leader Simon Bridges stated:

    The picture I had of smoking was quite wrong. Most of the time, smoking is not this idea of a free market with adults who freely consent to take up smoking […] but the more complex, difficult situation of children smoking as a result of parents and grandparents who smoked […]. That means that a more intense, stronger, more interventionist approach is called for.

    The first Smokefree Action Plan, only introduced a decade later in late 2021, included more intense measures and established a Māori and Pacific oversight committee to ensure all actions taken promoted equity.

    The action plan introduced three key initiatives: denicotinisation, a large reduction in outlets selling tobacco, and the smokefree generation strategy.

    All were expected to have strong pro-equity outcomes. Modelling predicted denicotinisation would bring unprecedented reductions in smoking prevalence, eliminating the gaps between Māori and non-Māori. Reducing tobacco availability would end the widespread access to tobacco in lower-income communities.

    The smokefree generation, a longer-term endgame strategy that would have meant anyone born after 2009 could no longer buy tobacco, was predicted to significantly reduce inequity, given the younger Māori (and Pacific) population structure.

    Then Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall noted:

    While smoking rates are heading in the right direction, we need to do more, faster, to reach our goal. If nothing changes, it would be decades till Māori smoking rates fall below 5%, and this government is not prepared to leave people behind.

    Is equity still the goal?

    The coalition government’s repeal of these measures in early 2024 left a void, but Associate Health Minister Casey Costello reaffirmed a commitment to the Smokefree 2025 goal. A January 2024 update to Cabinet stated:

    The government remains committed to further reducing smoking rates and achieving the Smokefree 2025 goal of daily smoking prevalence of less than 5% for all population groups.

    However, by late 2024 the narrative began changing. In November, Costello launched a new smokefree action plan in a final push to reach the headline 5% target. Her plan does not emphasise the structural changes (such as fewer outlets selling tobacco) called for by the Māori Affairs Select Committee.

    Instead, it relies on health promotion programmes to reduce smoking uptake and on increasing attempts to quit by “reinvigorating” stop-smoking messages and improving referral rates to support.

    We argue New Zealand will likely fall well short of its 2025 goal to bring smoking rates below 5% and reduce inequities, despite an ongoing commitment by Health New Zealand-Te Whatu Ora.

    During scrutiny week, we hope Associate Health Minister Costello will be asked how she explains the discrepancy between her earlier commitment to achieving the Smokefree 2025 goal among all population groups and more recent comments which appear to roll back the equity goal.

    More importantly, we hope questions will probe how she plans to reduce smoking prevalence among Māori to a third of its current level, and what evidence she has that the steps she proposes will work.

    Janet Hoek receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Marsden Fund, NZ Cancer Society and NZ Heart Foundation. She is a member of the Health Coalition Aotearoa’s smokefree expert advisory group and of the Ministry of Health’s smokefree advisory group, a member of the HRC’s Public Health Research Committee, and a Senior Editor at Tobacco Control (honorarium paid). She serves on several other government, NGO and community advisory groups.

    Jude Ball receives funding from the Health Research Council of New Zealand, the Marsden Fund, NZ Cancer Society, NIB Foundation, and the Health Promotion Agency. She is affiliated with the Public Health Association of New Zealand, a member of Health Coalition Aotearoa’s smokefree advisory group, and serves on other NGO and community advisory groups.

    – ref. NZ’s goal is to get smoking rates under 5% for all population groups this year – here’s why that’s highly unlikely – https://theconversation.com/nzs-goal-is-to-get-smoking-rates-under-5-for-all-population-groups-this-year-heres-why-thats-highly-unlikely-258592

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is regulation really to blame for the housing affordability crisis?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Gurran, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Sydney

    ymgerman/Shutterstock

    The Albanese government has a new mantra to describe the housing crisis, which is showing no signs of abating: homes have simply become “too hard to build” in Australia.

    The prime minister and senior ministers are taking aim at what they are calling a “thicket” of red tape and regulation, which is making it “uneconomic” to build affordable housing.

    Undoubtedly, the great Australian dream is further out of reach, with average house prices now above A$1 million for the first time.

    But will a war on excessive regulation be enough to address the affordability barriers keeping many people out of the market? Or does the answer lie in systemic change, including tax reform?

    Abundant housing agenda

    Assistant Minister for Productivity Andrew Leigh kick-started the assault on regulation when he recently took aim at local councils for holding back new housing developments:

    Approvals drag on. Rules multiply. Outcomes are inconsistent. They don’t say ‘no’ outright. They just make ‘yes’ harder than it needs to be.

    By lamenting rigid planning processes, Leigh was channelling the zeitgeist. The minister was drawing on the book Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. The book – a smash hit in political circles – calls on progressives to adopt “YIMBY” policies (Yes In My Backyard) and remove the barriers that slow project delivery.

    Leigh was duly applauded by the housing industry, which promotes its own version of abundance as an “unabashed focus on supply-side housing policy mechanisms”.

    More than supply

    New housing construction is certainly critical, as reflected in the government promise to build 1.2 million homes over five years.

    The target is already out of reach, with the regulatory burden being blamed for a forecast shortfall of 262,000 homes by mid 2029.

    But by focusing on planning laws as the main barrier to new supply, Leigh risks diverting attention from the overarching systemic changes needed to improve access to affordable housing.

    While an overhaul of red tape is important, it won’t be enough to address current supply barriers, including market conditions and industry constraints. Nor will unleashing construction be sufficient to make housing affordable for first home buyers or low income renters.

    According to the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, other priority areas for the government should include social housing, protection for renters and tax reform.

    Winding back tax breaks such as negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, would free up resources for public investment in social housing. Targeting financial incentives to new, and preferably affordable homes, would also boost supply.

    Perhaps the size of Labor’s election victory and the calls for reform by a chorus of experts may convince the government to reconsider its refusal to curb these tax breaks.

    Blaming local councils

    Within a system-wide reform agenda, regulatory roadblocks to new land and housing supply should be assessed. But in doing so, accurate data and analysis is critical.

    Leigh singles out North Sydney Council to illustrate his argument that over-regulation is holding back housing starts. He claims just 44 dwelling were approved between July 2024 and February 2025, well short of its state-imposed target of 787 homes:

    This is not a small gap. It is structural failure, Even where planning targets exist, the systems to meet them often don’t.

    But the figures Leigh cites isn’t for development approvals. Instead, they refer to construction certificates issued when a development is ready to commence. According to the NSW Planning Portal, the actual number of new dwellings approved in North Sydney was 446, which was particularly notable given the economic conditions.

    Unfortunately, Leigh’s attack on local councils perpetuates many common misunderstandings about how planning systems operate in Australia. He seems to point the finger at local councils, when land use plans – zoning, height and density controls – are signed off by the states.

    Leigh also recalls a time when housing completions were flowing much more freely in his home town of Canberra, implying the key difference is one of over regulation and not underlying economic circumstances.

    The ACT is particularly prone to a slowdown in building approvals because of the shift from detached homes on greenfield sites towards medium density apartments. And there has been a near total retreat from public sector investment in new supply. For instance, in 1969-70, nearly a third of new homes in Canberra were delivered by the government. These days it’s just 5%.

    Political will

    The tired cliches about housing and zoning continue to circulate.

    The need to relax zoning restrictions to ease house prices was the media’s main takeaway from the OECD’s latest Economic Outlook Report.

    The 280-page document does mention “zoning” in the list of regulatory reforms Australian governments could undertake. But the OECD says the emphasis should be on public investment “to address the housing affordability crisis by boosting supply” especially in social housing.

    As our research has previously demonstrated, calling for zoning and planning reform is a popular technique for seeming concerned about housing while avoiding the systemic change that would deliver additional supply.

    Has housing really become too hard to build?

    Or does the difficultly lie in finding the political will to take the real steps needed to make housing more accessible to generations of Australians who risk missing out?

    Nicole Gurran receives funding from the Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and has received funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Peter Phibbs receives funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)

    – ref. Is regulation really to blame for the housing affordability crisis? – https://theconversation.com/is-regulation-really-to-blame-for-the-housing-affordability-crisis-258077

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SITI at International Society for Stem Cell Research 2025 Annual Meeting (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is the speech by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting today (June 11):

    Professor Greco (President of the ISSCR, Professor Valentina Greco), Mr Alm (Chief Executive Officer of the ISSCR, Mr Keith Alm), Professor Kathryn Cheah (2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee Co-Chair of the ISSCR), Professor Rocky Tuan (Lee Quo Wei and Lee Yick Hoi Lun Professor of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of the Chinese University of Hong Kong), Professor Nancy Ip (President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • IDY 2025: Yoga Sangam Portal crosses 50,000 registrations

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ahead of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025, over 50,000 organisations from across the nation have registered to host Yoga Sangam, setting a new benchmark for collective participation, said the Ministry of Ayush on Tuesday.

    Creating a historic milestone in promoting holistic health and well-being, Yoga Sangam will be hosted on June 21 from 6:30 am to 7:45 am.

    This year’s theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ echoes a universal call for unity and wellness. Premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities, along with many corporates and private players, are actively registering and showcasing their commitment to global wellness.

    Rajasthan has emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive 11,000+ organisations registered for Yoga Sangam 2025, the highest among all states. It is followed by Telangana with over 7,000+ registrations, and Madhya Pradesh with close to 5,000 registrations.

    The IDY events will be held across the snow-capped mountains of Ladakh to the sunlit beaches of Kerala, from school playgrounds and office lawns to railway stations and historic temple courtyards.

    “With over one lakh locations expected to host the IDY event, Yoga Sangam 2025 the Ministry of Ayush invites citizens, institutions, and communities to come together in this global celebration of India’s timeless wisdom. Let us move together, breathe together, and thrive together – for a healthier, more harmonious world,” the Ayush ministry said.

    This year’s IDY celebrations build on the successful decentralised model of previous editions, with the Ministry of Ayush enhancing public engagement through the Yoga Sangam portal: Yoga.ayush.gov.in/yoga-sangam.

    To participate in Yoga Sangam, groups/organisations can register themselves through Yoga Sangam portal. After conducting the Yoga Sangam event on June 21, they can receive the official Certificate of Appreciation by uploading participation details.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Adelaide University appoints new Vice Chancellor

    Source:

    11 June 2025

    The inaugural Adelaide University Vice Chancellor, Professor Nicola Phillips

    Following a comprehensive global search, Australia’s new major university announces Professor Nicola Phillips as its new Vice Chancellor and President (Vice Chancellor) with effect from 12 January 2026.

    The Adelaide University Transition Council has unanimously resolved to appoint Prof. Nicola Phillips as the new Vice Chancellor of Adelaide University following exceptional global interest and a high-quality candidate field.

    Chancellor of the Adelaide University Transition Council (Transition Council), Ms Pauline Carr, said that finding the right person to lead the institution through its formative years was imperative.

    “We are delighted to announce Prof. Phillips as the new Vice Chancellor of Adelaide University as we boldly take our next steps as Australia’s new comprehensive university for the future,” Carr said.

    Prof. Phillips joins Adelaide University from the University of Melbourne, where she is currently the Provost and has served as both Acting and Interim Vice Chancellor. With some 30 years of experience in the higher education sector across Australia and the United Kingdom, Prof. Phillips has cultivated a deep understanding of the sector and brings a local and global perspective to the position.

    “Throughout her career, Prof. Phillips has been a formidable force, guiding significant step-changes across contemporary academic delivery, student access and equity, Aboriginal knowledges, online education, and cultural inclusivity – with strong alignment to Adelaide University’s strategic direction as a differentiated member of Australia’s Group of Eight,” Carr said.

    “The Transition Council would also like to recognise the monumental and continued contributions of the founding co-Vice Chancellors, Professors Peter Høj AC and David Lloyd, who are establishing the solid foundations on which the institution will see sustained success. They will also be instrumental in transitioning the leadership from now until when Prof. Phillips begins the role as well as winding down the foundation universities.”

    Prof. Phillips will actively shape Adelaide University as it begins operations.

    “I am thrilled to be joining Adelaide University at a time of unmatched potential and possibilities – and to call South Australia home,” Prof. Phillips said.

    “I look forward to leading Adelaide University and establishing the institution as a trailblazer for change, where education and research of the highest quality reach into all corners of our society to transform the lives of individuals and communities.”

    The global search was led by the Adelaide University Transition Council, in partnership with executive search firm, Korn Ferry, and informed by the Recruitment Recommendations Panel comprising internal and expert external members.

    Insights on selection criteria deemed most important were also provided by staff, students, alumni and key partners. Inspirational and visionary leadership, being a visible role model with high ethical standards, and building a cohesive and constructive culture as well as having strong academic credentials were identified amongst some of the most valued attributes.

    Prof. Phillips will commence in the role from 12 January 2026 to align with Adelaide University’s opening of its inaugural academic year.

    About Professor Nicola Phillips
    Professor Nicola Phillips is an esteemed leader and academic with some 30 years of experience in the higher education sector across Australia and the United Kingdom. She is a Professor of Political Economy with interests in global economic development, labour standards and inequality.

    Educated at King’s College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science, Prof. Phillips held positions at the Universities of Warwick, Manchester and Sheffield before becoming Vice President & Vice Principal (Education) at King’s College London, and then Provost at the University of Melbourne in September 2021. She has held visiting fellowships and professorships across the world, including the Australian National University, the University of British Columbia, and the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México.

    Among many notable honours, Prof. Phillips holds a Fellowship of the UK Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), and was awarded The J. Ann Tickner Prize from the International Studies Association (ISA) for combining bravery in pursuing pioneering research that pushes the boundaries of the discipline with a deep commitment to teaching and mentorship.

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU took 7th place in the ranking of the best universities in Russia in terms of salaries of IT specialists

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Portal Superjob published a rating of the best Russian universities by the salary level of IT specialists who graduated from the university in 2019-2024. Novosibirsk State University took 7th place, it comes right after the universities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Two more universities are in the same position – Kazan Federal University and National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”. The average income of NSU graduates working in the IT sector was 230 thousand rubles, an increase of 30 thousand rubles compared to last year.

    At NSU, the IT direction is one of the key ones: for example, if you look at the distribution of budget places based on the results of the 2024 admission campaign, more than 20% are in IT. NSU has a specialized Faculty of Information Technology, which turns 25 this year, at the same time IT is represented in almost all faculties and in all institutes. The Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty has a program in systems programming, the Physics Faculty has a program in physical informatics, and the Humanities Institute has a program in fundamental and applied linguistics.

    Machine learning and artificial intelligence have also been actively developing at NSU in recent years. At the end of April this year, the university won a government grant to train top IT specialists and is launching a new bachelor’s degree program in Applied Artificial Intelligence from September 2025. It will be developed in cooperation with industrial partners Rostelecom and Innotech (T1). The pilot enrollment will be 150 students. Grant support will allow students to study for free and receive scholarships from partner companies.

     

    About the rating methodology

    The rating was prepared by the SuperJob research center based on an analysis of the average salaries of graduates of Russian universities graduating in 2019–2024. The source of information is the SuperJob resume database (more than 30 million resumes) and other open sources. The data collection period is 2 months before the rating release date. The sample for each university participating in the rating is at least 70 resumes of graduates of specialized faculties of the specified graduation years, excluding resumes of interns, junior specialists, and applicants with less than 1 year of work experience in their specialty. Resumes for positions in the fields of development, information security, software testing, DevOps, analytics, data research, Machine Learning, Data engineering, etc. are considered.

     

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia-US rift over sanctions on Israeli ministers further complicates Albanese-Trump expected talks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Australia, together with the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, has imposed sanctions on two ministers in the Israeli government for “inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank”.

    Australia and the other countries were immediately condemned by the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called for them to be lifted.

    The move comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese prepares to leave on Friday for the G7 in Canada, where he is expected to meet UN President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the conference.

    Australia’s signing up for the sanctions is just another complication for the anticipated meeting. The Australian government is under pressure from the US administration to significantly boost its defence spending. Meanwhile, Australia is seeking a deal to get some exemption from the Trump tariffs.

    The sanctions are on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

    They include bans on travel to Australia, a freeze on any assets they might have here, and a prohibition on anyone in Australia directly or indirectly making assets available to them.

    Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the two ministers “have been the most extremist and hard line of an extremist settler enterprise which is both unlawful and violent”.

    The Israeli ministers are accused of major violations of human rights, including escalating physical violence and abuse by Israeli settlers. A few days ago they marched through Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter with a group that chanted “death to Arabs”.

    In a social media post, Rubio said the sanctions “do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home, and end the war”.

    “We reject any notion of equivalence: Hamas is a terrorist organization that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.”

    Urging the reversal of the sanctions, Rubio said the US “stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel”.

    Asked whether he was concerned the sanctions would damage Australia’s relations with the US, Albanese told reporters he was not: “Australia makes its own decisions based upon the assessments that we make”. He pointed out the action was in concert with the Five Eyes countries of Canada, the UK and new Zealand.

    Shadow Foreign Minister Michaelia Cash  said sanctioning  democratically elected officials of a key ally was “very serious”.

    “Labor should be clear who initiated this process, on what basis they have done so and who made the decision”, Cash said. The government should also say what, if any, engagement it had had with the US on the matter, she said.

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

    – ref. Australia-US rift over sanctions on Israeli ministers further complicates Albanese-Trump expected talks – https://theconversation.com/australia-us-rift-over-sanctions-on-israeli-ministers-further-complicates-albanese-trump-expected-talks-258691

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are the ‘less lethal’ weapons being used in Los Angeles?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samara McPhedran, Principal Research Fellow, Griffith University

    After United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested multiple people on alleged immigration violations, protests broke out in Los Angeles.

    In response, police and military personnel have been deployed around the greater LA area.

    Authorities have been using “less lethal” weapons against crowds of civilians, but these weapons can still cause serious harm.

    Footage of an Australian news reporter being shot by a rubber bullet fired by police – who appeared to deliberately target her – has been beamed around the world. And headlines this morning told of an ABC camera operator hit in the chest with a “less lethal” round.

    This has provoked debate about police and military use of force.



    Read more:
    In Trump’s America, the shooting of a journalist is not a one-off. Press freedom itself is under attack

    What are ‘less lethal’ weapons?

    As the term suggests, less lethal (also called non lethal or less-than-lethal) weapons are items that are less likely to result in death when compared with alternatives such as firearms.

    Less lethal weapons include weapons such as:

    • pepper spray
    • tear gas
    • tasers
    • batons
    • water cannons
    • acoustic weapons
    • bean-bag rounds
    • rubber bullets.

    They are designed and used to incapacitate people and disperse or control crowds.

    They are meant to have temporary and reversible effects that minimise the likelihood of fatalities or permanent injury as well as undesired damage to property, facilities, material and the environment.

    Fatalities can still occur but this does not necessarily mean the weapon itself caused those.

    In Australia in 2023, for example, 95-year-old aged care resident Clare Nowland was tasered, fell backwards, hit her head and died from her head injury.

    In 2012, responding to a mistaken report about an armed robbery, police physically restrained, tasered and pepper sprayed 21-year-old Roberto Curti multiple times. He died but his exact cause of death (and whether the use of less lethal weapons played a causal role) was not clear.

    Do these weapons work to quell unrest?

    The impetus for police and military use of less lethal force came about, in part, from backlash following the use of lethal force in situations where it was seen as a gross overreaction.

    One example was the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, when police officers in a black township opened fire on an anti-apartheid protest, killing 69 civilians.

    In theory, less lethal force is meant to provide a graduated level of response to events such as riots or protests, where the use of lethal force would be disproportionate and counter-productive.

    It is sometimes described as the “next step” to use after de-escalation techniques (like negotiation or verbal commands) have failed.

    Less lethal weapons can be used when some degree of force is considered necessary to restore order, neutralise a threat, or avoid full-blown conflict.

    How well this works in practice is a different story.

    There can be unintended consequences and use of less lethal force can be seen as an act of aggression by a government against its people, heightening existing tensions.

    The availability of less lethal weapons may also change perceptions of risk and encourage the use of force in situations where it would otherwise be avoided. This in turn can provoke further escalation, conflict and distrust of authorities.

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

    – ref. What are the ‘less lethal’ weapons being used in Los Angeles? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-the-less-lethal-weapons-being-used-in-los-angeles-258687

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Labor’s win at the 2025 federal election was the biggest since 1943, with its largest swings in the cities

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    We now have the (almost!) final results from the 2025 federal election – with only Bradfield still to be completely resolved.

    Labor won 94 of the 150 House of Representatives seats (up 17 from 77 of 151 in 2022), the Coalition 43 (down 15) and all Others 13 (down three). It also won 62.7% of seats, its highest seat share since 1943, when it won 49 of 75 seats (65.3% of seats).

    Since the beginning of the two-party system in 1910, the 28.7% of seats for the Coalition is the lowest ever seat share for the Liberal and National parties combined, or their predecessors. The Coalition had won 23 of the 75 seats in 1943, its previous worst result (30.7% of seats).

    The Poll Bludger said on Wednesday the Liberals could lodge a court challenge to their 26-vote loss in Bradfield to Teal Nicolette Boele within 40 days of the official declaration of the poll (return of the writs).

    Owing to the possibility of a challenge in Bradfield, the Australian Electoral Commission does not want to disturb the ballot papers, which would be required for a Labor vs Liberal two-party count in Bradfield. A two-party count may not be completed until after the courts rule on any Liberal challenge.

    This article has two-party votes and swings nationally, in metropolitan and non-metropolitan seats and in every state and territory. I will report the current AEC figures, but the Bradfield issue means they will overstate Labor slightly nationally, in metropolitan seats and in New South Wales.

    Labor won the national two-party vote against the Coalition by 55.28–44.72, a 3.1% swing to Labor since the 2022 election. This is also Labor’s biggest two-party share since 1943, when they won by an estimated 58.2–41.8. Since the 2019 election, which the Coalition won by 51.5–48.5, Labor has had a swing to it of 6.8%.

    The last time either major party won a higher seat share than Labor at this election was in 1996, when the Coalition won 94 of the 148 seats (63.5% of seats) on a national two-party vote of 53.6–46.4. The last time a major party exceeded Labor’s two-party share at this election was in 1975, when the Coalition won by 55.7–44.3.

    Swing to Labor was bigger in cities

    The AEC has breakdowns for metropolitan and non-metropolitan seats. Metropolitan seats include seats in the six state capitals, Canberra and Darwin. In these seats, Labor won the two-party vote by 60.7–39.3, a 4.1% swing to Labor. In non-metropolitan seats, the Coalition won the two-party by 52.3–47.7, a 1.8% swing to Labor.

    In 2019, Labor won the two-party vote in metropolitan seats by 52.1–47.9, so the two-election swing to Labor in those seats was 8.6%. The Coalition won the two-party vote in non-metropolitan seats by 56.8–43.2, so the two-election swing to Labor was 4.5%.

    In April 2022, I wrote that Labor could do better in future elections because Australia’s big cities have a large share of the overall population. At this election, voters in metropolitan seats made up 58.3% of all voters. The Coalition will need to do much better in the cities to win future elections.

    In all the mainland states, the swing to Labor in the cities exceeded the swing in the regions. In global elections in the last ten years, support for left-wing parties has held up better in cities than elsewhere.

    Tasmania was the big exception to this rule. In non-metropolitan Tasmanian seats, Labor won the two-party vote by 59.0–41.0, an 11.8% swing to Labor. In metropolitan seats, Labor won by 70.1–29.9, a 4.7% swing to Labor.

    State and territory results

    The table below shows the number of seats in a state or territory and nationally, the number won by Labor, the Labor percent of the seats, the number of Labor gains, the Labor two-party vote share, the two-party swing to Labor since 2022, the number of Other seats, the change in Other seats and the number of Coalition seats.

    I have ignored redistributions, with Labor gains calculated as the number of seats Labor won in 2025 minus the number it won in 2022. Labor gained Aston at an April 2023 byelection, then held it at this election. As it was not won by Labor in 2022, it counts as a Labor gain.

    In Queensland, Labor gained seven seats, five from the Liberal National Party (including Peter Dutton’s Dickson) and two from the Greens. But these gains came from a low base, as Labor won just five of 30 Queensland seats in 2022. Queensland remains the only state where the Coalition won the two-party vote (by 50.6–49.4) and won a majority of the seats.

    In NSW, Teal independent-held North Sydney was abolished in the redistribution, but Teal Boele gained Bradfield from the Liberals, and the Nationals lost Calare to former Nationals MP turned independent Andrew Gee. Labor also gained two seats from the Liberals.

    In Victoria, Labor-held Higgins was abolished, but Labor gained three seats from the Liberals and one from the Greens (Adam Bandt’s Melbourne). The Coalition gained its one seat when Liberal Tim Wilson narrowly defeated Teal Zoe Daniel in Goldstein.

    In Western Australia, Bullwinkel was created as a notional Labor seat, and Labor held it. Labor also gained Moore from the Liberals. In South Australia and Tasmania, Labor gained three seats from the Liberals. Tasmania’s 9.0% swing to Labor was the biggest of any state or territory.

    Before the election, it was expected Victoria would be a drag on Labor owing to the unpopularity of the state Labor government. Labor took 71% of Victoria’s seats and had a 1.5% two-party swing to it.

    However, relative to the national swing, Victoria was poor for Labor, and it was only ahead of WA and the Northern Territory in swing terms at this election. In 2022, there was a huge 10.6% swing to Labor in WA, so Victoria’s two-election swing to Labor was much lower than anywhere else except the NT.

    The ACT’s two-party swing of 5.5% to Labor followed a 5.3% swing in 2022. With two senators, a quota for election is one-third or 33.3%. If the ACT’s two senators keep going to the left, it will be difficult for the Coalition to avoid a hostile Senate even if they win elections for the House.

    Other election results and a Morgan poll

    In the previous parliament, the 16 Others included four Greens, but the 13 Others at this election include only one Green. This will make the Others more right-wing than in the last parliament.

    Turnout at this election was 90.7% of enrolled voters, up 0.9% since 2022. But the informal rate rose 0.4% to 5.6%. The informal rate was 13% or higher in five western Sydney seats.

    A large share of non-English speakers, confusion with NSW’s optional preferential voting system at state elections and long candidate lists all contributed to the high informal vote rate at this election.

    A national Morgan poll, conducted May 5 to June 1 from a sample of 5,128, gave Labor a 58.5–41.5 lead, from primary votes of 37% Labor, 31% Coalition, 11.5% Greens, 6% One Nation and 14.5% for all Others. Labor led in all states including Queensland, the only state the Coalition won at the election.

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

    – ref. Labor’s win at the 2025 federal election was the biggest since 1943, with its largest swings in the cities – https://theconversation.com/labors-win-at-the-2025-federal-election-was-the-biggest-since-1943-with-its-largest-swings-in-the-cities-258402

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –