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Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI Global: Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Chris Tenove, Assistant director, Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, University of British Columbia

    Fears of foreign interference loom over the Canadian election. The federal inquiry on foreign interference revealed that entities aligned with India and China interfered in recent elections, albeit without major impact on the results, and concluded that disinformation campaigns pose the greatest threat to Canada’s long-term democratic health.

    Now, with a Canada-bashing American president adding to those foreign interference risks, Canada’s election integrity seems to be in an unprecedented state of fragility.

    However, foreign interference has a longstanding history in Canadian elections. Understanding what is and is not new about current efforts may help to turn down the heat and focus more on how Canadians can make their own decisions this election.



    Read more:
    Thanks to social media platforms, election interference is more insidious and pervasive than ever

    Covert techniques

    For starters, what is foreign interference?

    The commission, following established practice, defined it as an action whereby “states pursue their global interests using covert, corrupt, illegal or coercive techniques.” That means public comments on our election by foreign politicians is not interference, as Canadian government officials have made clear.

    While we largely agree with the commission’s definition, we argue that the interfering entity isn’t necessarily a state. Foreign corporations, crime syndicates and terrorist networks can also interfere in our elections.

    Elon Musk is a tricky case. He is a Canadian citizen, but his current role with the United States government may mean that he can be considered a “foreign entity” according to Canada’s election law, as legal scholar Eve Gaumond has pointed out.

    U.S. interference isn’t new

    History reveals a long menu of options for foreign interference, ranging from bribery to espionage and polling assistance.

    In the 1872 election campaign, Sir Hugh Allan, a Montréal shipping and railroad magnate, successfully used more than $350,000 of mostly U.S. funds to pressure John A. Macdonald and other Conservative party members to award Allan and his allies the contract to build the Canadian Pacific Railway. This was bribery to advance corporate aims.

    After these machinations became public in 1873, Macdonald eventually resigned over what became known as the Pacific Scandal, and Allan lost the Canadian Pacific Railway contract. Today his actions would be a violation of campaign finance laws, which prohibit foreign funding of electioneering. But until the late 19th century, such donations weren’t uncommon.

    Foreign policy has shaped Canadian elections before, even if the last Canadian election that focused almost primarily on tariffs with the U.S. was in 1911. But concerns about relations with other countries are different from foreign interference.

    To date, the most significant foreign interference came in Canada’s 1962 and 1963 elections. Again, Americans were behind it. The John F. Kennedy administration was frustrated by positions taken by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker.

    The Conservative government continued to trade with Cuba despite American sanctions, had made a deal to sell grain to the People’s Republic of China, and — most importantly — had not agreed to a U.S. proposal to station air defence missiles with nuclear warheads on Canadian soil.

    Rather than bribery, the U.S. provided Lester B. Pearson’s Liberal Party with assistance from pollster Lou Harris. Harris was a key figure both in Kennedy’s 1960 election win and in the nascent use of computer-assisted analysis of opinion polls to target specific demographic groups.

    The Kennedy administration went further in 1963 and issued a press release in the midst of the election, calling Diefenbaker a liar and disputing his positions on air defence. Neither of these actions was illegal at the time, though the secret provision of in-kind assistance to the 1962 Liberal campaign would now run afoul of the prohibition on foreign support for electioneering.

    Soviet, American interference

    The Soviets too were interested in Canadian politics, with some Canadians allegedly recruited as spies, according to Igor Gouzenko, a cipher clerk based at the Soviet embassy in Ottawa who defected to Canada in 1945.

    The revelations even led to the arrest of one member of Parliament, Fred Rose.

    In fact, American and Russian interference in general elections around the world was common in the 20th century. Political scientist Dov Levin has estimated that from 1946 to 2000, the U.S. and Soviet Union (Russia after 1991) intervened in 11.3 per cent of all global national elections.

    New digital techniques

    All these techniques can be pursued today, but there are at least three new forms of interference.

    First, foreign interference can include threats made against party leaders or other candidates. As in the past, these can come through clandestine networks or hired thugs. But today, an insult or false accusation from Trump, Musk or others with huge, hostile followings can expose politicians and others to a blizzard of online threats and abuse.

    Second, foreign interference can occur by providing money for electioneering. Rather than a single bundled sum offered to John A. Macdonald, funds are more likely to come through online donations, possibly including crypto-currency transfers that are difficult to monitor.

    For instance, in Romania’s 2024 election, the far-right, Russia-supporting candidate Calin Georgescu was accused of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal campaign support. In late March, a crypto-currency businessman was arrested and accused of using TikTok’s “gifts” feature to provide US$879,000 to induce 265 people to vote for Georgescu.

    Such acts would be illegal in Canada. More ambiguous is whether social media platforms use their algorithms to amplify some views and diminish others.

    There is no doubt that X, Facebook and TikTok platforms have the capability to do this. While government officials said such actions would be investigated, it is less clear whether they could be detected or what the government would do in response.

    Finally, foreign interference can occur by trying to influence Canadians’ voting choices by threatening illegal or coercive actions or promoting misinformation.

    Trump has already violated trade agreements with Canada and threatened future illegal activities, even going as far as to threaten annexation. Any comments that link these threats to voting outcomes — for example, if Trump said something like “if Canadians choose Carney, they will see tariffs like they have never seen before” — would constitute interference.



    Read more:
    Forget booing the anthem, Canada must employ strategic communications to fight Trump’s lies

    What can be done?

    There are systems in place to detect foreign interference.

    Canadian intelligence agencies and law enforcement are monitoring for foreign interference, and a panel of five senior bureaucrats makes non-partisan decisions about whether to alert the public.

    Global Affairs Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism is monitoring the online information environment for foreign interference. Elections Canada is also monitoring for violations of election law.

    Members of the public can help. Anyone can share cases of manipulated images and other misleading information related to the election with the Digital Threats Tipline, created by the Canadian Digital Media Research Network. (Our Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions at the University of British Columbia is a member of this McGill University-based network.)

    These monitoring efforts will help us keep an eye on social media platforms. The companies have agreed to act on interference in the election, but experts are skeptical of their commitment.

    If platforms are pipelines of election interference, they should be more tightly regulated. For instance, the European Union’s Digital Services Act has enabled investigations and potential accountability measures in response to interference in Romania’s election.

    The most important thing Canadians can do is vote in this election based on their own well-informed priorities, worries and aspirations.

    While remaining alert to foreign interference, Canadians can perhaps take some comfort in the resilience of our democratic institutions in the face of a long history of attempts to undermine elections.

    Chris Tenove receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to research global policies to address online interference in elections.

    Heidi J. S. Tworek receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canada Research Chair programe. She is a senior fellow with the Centre for International Governance Innovation and testified before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in October 2024.

    – ref. Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new – https://theconversation.com/foreign-interference-threats-in-canadas-federal-election-are-both-old-and-new-253600

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Infertility Support 101: What women want to hear (and what they don’t)

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ashley A Balsom, Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland

    By making small but intentional shifts in how we communicate, we can help ensure that individuals experiencing infertility feel supported. (Shutterstock)

    Infertility is more than a medical condition — it is an emotional journey that can leave people feeling isolated and misunderstood. For the one in six couples affected, experiencing infertility can be the most upsetting period of their lives.

    Even when loved ones try to offer support, their words sometimes miss the mark, inadvertently deepening feelings of loneliness.

    To better understand these experiences, we set out to explore what people with infertility find helpful versus unhelpful in social interactions. This question became especially relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic when fertility treatments were put on hold, heightening feelings of uncertainty and loss.

    We surveyed 80 women from Canada and the United States whose fertility treatments had been cancelled during the pandemic. By examining the kinds of comments people facing infertility received, we identified six meaningful ways to offer support.

    What helps: Meaningful ways to show support

    One of the most striking findings from our study was that the most appreciated form of support was simply being listened to without interruption. This aligns with research on other health conditions, such as cancer and chronic pain, where empathetic listening has been shown to improve well-being.

    Participants valued hopeful statements that didn’t dismiss their emotions. They also appreciated shared lived experiences and encouragement to engage in activities beyond fertility treatments. Practical support — whether emotional support (for example, “I’m here for you”) or tangible help (assisting with appointments or finances) — was particularly meaningful.

    One of the most striking findings from our study was that the most appreciated form of support was simply being listened to without interruption.
    (Freepik), FAL

    What hurts? Commonly harmful comments

    Despite good intentions, certain types of comments often left participants feeling worse. Some interactions, while meant to encourage, came across as dismissive or intrusive.

    A key example was toxic positivity, where statements like “Just stay positive” or “Everything happens for a reason” were perceived as minimizing real pain. Similarly, unsolicited advice — such as “Just relax and it will happen” — was frustrating because it overlooked the complexity of infertility and placed blame on the individual.

    Repeated prying about fertility treatments or pregnancy updates was also widely reported as distressing. Being asked “Any news yet?” or “Are you pregnant?” created a sense of pressure and invasion of privacy during an already vulnerable time.

    A model for providing support

    These findings formed the basis of LIFTED and DOWN — models designed to help loved ones offer support in ways that are both compassionate and helpful. Each of these strategies aligns with the interactions participants in our study found most helpful, offering a clear, research-backed guide for those who want to support someone experiencing infertility.

    LIFTED stands for Listening without judgment, Inspiring hope, Finding common ground, Tangible support, Emotional validation and Distraction encouragement. Together, these points embody helpful methods for supporting those facing infertility, as outlined by the participants in our study.

    DOWN stands for Dismissive positivity, Overbearing advice, Withholding validation and Nosy prying. These make up the main routes to avoiding taking when comforting those with infertility struggles. For example, offering solutions to issues without being asked and minimizing real emotions were regarded as unhelpful by participants.

    Fine line between encouraging, dismissing

    An important distinction our study identified was between inspiring hope and engaging in dismissive positivity.

    Hopeful statements were often perceived as helpful, but only when paired with emotional validation. For example, “I know this is incredibly difficult, and it’s OK to feel upset. But no matter what, you are not alone” conveys both acknowledgement of distress and encouragement.

    In contrast, statements like “Just be positive!” or “It will happen when you stop stressing” felt dismissive and invalidating. The key difference is whether the person’s emotions are recognized or disregarded.

    Similarly, distraction can be a valuable coping tool — but only when it aligns with the individual’s values and needs. Encouraging someone to engage in meaningful activities, such as exercise, creative hobbies or community engagement, can be helpful. However, saying “Just keep busy” or “Think happy thoughts” risks coming across as minimizing their experience.

    Shared understanding and self-education

    Another key takeaway from our study is that individuals struggling with infertility often found the most comfort in speaking with others who had gone through similar experiences. Lived experience provided a rare sense of understanding, reducing feelings of isolation.

    However, even those without direct experience can still play a meaningful role in providing support. Self-education — reading firsthand accounts, watching documentaries or following advocacy organizations — can help loved ones gain insight into the emotional impact of infertility.

    Educating oneself can also prevent unintentional harm by reducing the likelihood of saying something dismissive, offering unhelpful advice or making assumptions about the person’s experience.

    Shifting support to be more meaningful

    If someone in your life is facing infertility, the most meaningful support may be simple.

    It’s not about coming up with the perfect thing to say or having all the right answers, it’s about being present, listening without judgment and validating their emotions.

    By making small but intentional shifts in how we communicate, we can help ensure that individuals experiencing infertility feel supported rather than dismissed, heard rather than pressured and uplifted rather than brought down.

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

    – ref. Infertility Support 101: What women want to hear (and what they don’t) – https://theconversation.com/infertility-support-101-what-women-want-to-hear-and-what-they-dont-250747

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tax Day highlights the costs of single living – but demographics are forcing financial change

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Peter McGraw, Professor of Marketing and Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder

    Tax Day is right around the corner – an annual reminder that without the option to file jointly, singles pay more per dollar earned than married people. Tax advantages are just one of over 1,000 legal and economic benefits married couples enjoy, a disparity worsened by marketplace and employer practices.

    Despite its disadvantages, single living is on the rise. While the average age of first marriage was just 21 in 1960, today it has risen to 29. Half the adults in the U.S. are unmarried, and half of them aren’t seeking a relationship. As many as a third of Zoomers may never tie the knot.

    But this shift is more than cultural – it’s redefining the rules of personal finance. Freed from the constraints of shared decision-making, single people are earning, spending and investing on their own terms.

    And as a behavioral economist who studies single living, I think this could mean big things for the future of money. As more people opt out of marriage, I expect that governments, businesses and financial systems will adapt – just as they did in response to women’s economic independence.

    The price of singlehood

    As a lifelong bachelor, I have a cheeky response when filing my taxes: “That’s the price of freedom.”

    For many singles, the price is too steep. More than half of singles over 30 feel financially insecure, one survey found, and their economic reality backs it up. For example, singles spend about US$5,500 more annually than their married peers – which adds up to more than $200,000 over a 40-year career.

    Some of the challenge is mathematical. Married couples split major expenses like housing, transportation and travel, and rely on dual incomes as a buffer against job loss or disability.

    Policy amplifies the financial burdens. One-person households are the most common type in the U.S., yet developers still prioritize building large single-family houses – driving up apartment and condo costs. Retirement presents another stark contrast. Singles can’t claim spousal or survivor Social Security benefits and solely fund their retirement.

    Employers design benefits around families – offering spousal coverage, dependent tax breaks and family leave. Single employees tend to shoulder more responsibilities yet receive 3.6 fewer paid days off per year than their married peers.

    In the marketplace – from travel to tech and insurance – businesses often price goods and services with couples and families in mind. Solo travelers often pay single supplements on cruises and tours. Streaming, phone and retail memberships offer “family plans” with no option for solo users subscribing as part of a group. Even auto insurance penalizes solo drivers – two-door cars cost 16% more to insure.

    The costs add up – but the news for singles isn’t all bad.

    Peter McGraw discusses living single in a financial system built for two.

    The financial upside of going solo

    I study how singles build financial security through the hallmarks of single living: autonomy and adaptability.

    An obvious financial factor is the cost of children. While some singles are parents, they’re far less likely than married couples to shoulder the expense of raising a child – an outlay of more than $300,000 per child before college.

    A key advantage: Singles have complete financial control. They choose how to earn, save and spend. There’s less risk of absorbing a partner’s credit card or student loan debt, covering for reckless spending, or facing the financial fallout of divorce.

    Career flexibility is another key advantage. Singles can more easily relocate for higher-paying jobs or lower-cost locales – freedom that enables powerful financial arbitrage. Many digital nomads, most of them single, choose countries with lower costs and better quality of life.

    Singles also have greater control over when and how they retire. Unlike couples, who must coordinate timing and strategies, singles have more freedom to retire early, ride out a down market, or ease into semiretirement.

    Building a financial system for everyone

    As a business school professor, I’ve seen how slow business and government can be to respond to demographic shifts. The tax system won’t change overnight – governments have long used the tax code to promote marriage – but other policies and practices will evolve. I believe the rise of singles – and the power of their votes and dollars – will make the status quo unsustainable.

    Scandinavia and parts of Asia are setting precedents. In Sweden, solo adults are recognized as a “family of one,” with access to housing support, parental leave and pension benefits – no marriage required. Smart companies will also adapt to recruit and retain singles, who make up a large portion of the labor force. I expect to see an expansion of single-inclusive offerings like caregiving leave, flexible work arrangements and individual-friendly health plans.

    Singles also build lifelong support systems outside marriage. Sweden again offers a glimpse of what might be: A landmark court case recently granted life insurance benefits to a platonic partner, proving that legal protections don’t have to hinge on romance.

    Housing remains another legacy system built for couples. While most new developments still prioritize single-family homes, markets like Japan and
    Hong Kong have embraced lower-cost micro-apartments with shared community spaces – an appealing model for solo dwellers. Some U.S. cities are beginning to experiment with similar designs, signaling a shift toward more inclusive urban housing.

    China’s celebration of solo living, Singles’ Day – held every year on 11/11 – is now the world’s largest e-commerce holiday, generating more sales than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined. The company that created it, Alibaba, promotes deals on single-serve appliances, one-way flights and self-care bundles.

    Western companies are catching on: Travel brands are waiving singles supplements, restaurants are welcoming solo diners with dedicated seating, and telecom companies are rolling out “friends and family” plans that don’t require a romantic partner.

    Finally, I believe wealth management will respond to the rise of singles. While I’ve found that most financial advice still assumes that people will eventually marry, solo earners need different strategies, such as bigger emergency funds, flexible housing options and proactive estate planning. Expect a wave of financial products designed for solo living, from retirement tools to mortgages built for one.

    As singles become the majority in many countries, governments, businesses and financial institutions will adapt by necessity.

    The bottom line

    As an advocate for singles, I am an optimist. Yes, singles pay more on Tax Day – among other challenges. But they also have one undeniable advantage: financial freedom. Singles can do more than survive in a system built for two – they can thrive.

    Americans are not going back to the 1960s. As solo living becomes the norm, financial systems will evolve. Governments will face pressure to modernize policy, businesses will launch products and services for one-person households, and financial professionals will adapt to better serve solo earners.

    The institutions that recognize this shift first will shape the future – for everyone.

    I have a book (“Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own”) and a podcast (“Solo – The Single Person’s Guide to a Remarkable Life”) that are relevant to this article.

    – ref. Tax Day highlights the costs of single living – but demographics are forcing financial change – https://theconversation.com/tax-day-highlights-the-costs-of-single-living-but-demographics-are-forcing-financial-change-254035

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to express their faith in the workplace

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elaine Howard Ecklund, Professor of Sociology, Rice University

    Many Black Americans want to bring their faith to work but face discrimination. Keeproll/E+ via Getty Images

    Nearly 40% of Black workers feel comfortable talking about their faith with people at work, the highest of any U.S. racial group, our two recent studies found. But they also risk facing religious discrimination.

    For the past 15 years, we have been studying religion in workplaces. Recently we conducted two studies, including two online surveys involving 15,000 workers and in-depth interviews with nearly 300. Our respondents included Christian, Jewish, Muslim and nonreligious individuals.

    The majority of Black Americans – nearly 8 in 10 – identify as Christians. And we found that Black workers from all faiths are more likely than other racial groups to use their traditions to find meaning and purpose in their work and to feel “called” to their work.

    Although not all Black Americans are religious or want their faith to intersect with their work, we found that many Black Americans very much want to bring their religious beliefs to work. This goes beyond just talking about them at work, such as their holiday celebrations or the importance of their church in their lives. In addition, Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to display or wear religious symbols, such as jewelry or head coverings.

    Why it matters?

    Scholars have often focused on racial discrimination in workplaces. However, the potential overlap between racial and religious marginalization has not been studied as much.

    Some Black Christians told us that when they mention faith at work, they fear they will be discriminated against because of their race and because of their faith – what we call “double marginalization.”

    For example, we interviewed a Black Christian woman who worked as an assistant professor of English. She told us she was reluctant to describe the challenges she faced in academia as religious discrimination but said the humanities “tend to not always be welcoming toward religious people and Christians specifically.” She recalled several instances when she was treated differently due to her faith.

    Black people can feel negatively judged on account of their faith.
    Andrey Popov/iStock Getty Images Plus

    Black Christians we interviewed said that co-workers stereotyped them as narrow-minded or sanctimonious in ways that felt marginalizing. For example, some said the term “holy” – which might seem positive in certain kinds of contexts – can be applied in pejorative ways to Black Christians. A man we interviewed who attends a majority Black congregation said he talks about his faith openly in the workplace and often feels negatively judged.

    Members of minority religions may feel even more at risk. The largest group of Muslims in the U.S. are Black Americans. Black Muslim female workers, for example, feel three times marginalized – feeling at risk for gender, racial and religious discrimination – our study found.

    Their faith sometimes makes Black Americans less likely to address inequality in their workplaces. We found they sometimes draw on religious values like forgiveness and their belief that “God is in control” to justify remaining quiet about religious and racial discrimination.

    What’s next

    This contrasts with our previous work, where we argued that religion can be used to address inequalities at work. We need more research that examines the inextricable link between religion and race in workplaces. Workplace leaders who care about lessening inequality need to understand that racial and religious identities are often deeply intertwined.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    Elaine Howard Ecklund receives funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc., the Templeton Religion Trust, and the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation.

    Christopher P. Scheitle receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation.

    Denise Daniels receives funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

    – ref. Black Americans are more likely than other racial groups to express their faith in the workplace – https://theconversation.com/black-americans-are-more-likely-than-other-racial-groups-to-express-their-faith-in-the-workplace-253203

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Schools are harnessing artificial intelligence to revolutionize courses in hospitality management

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Betsy Pudliner, PhD, Associate Professor of Hospitality and Technology Innovation, University of Wisconsin-Stout

    Generative AI helps create dynamic simulations that provide students with hands-on, project-based learning experiences. Matt Bird/Getty Images

    Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.

    Title of course:

    Hospitality Employee Relations

    What prompted the idea for the course?

    The idea came from my frustration with traditional methods used to teach hospitality management. As a professor and industry professional, I saw the need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world skills.

    Internships and fieldwork are valuable. But they may not be available to students, especially those in online or hybrid programs. I wanted to offer students an opportunity to gain hands-on learning experiences.

    Using Articulate’s Rise 360 – an e-learning development platform – I created dynamic simulations based on stories from my own experiences, as well as from other industry professionals.

    For example, an interactive lost wallet scenario I created with my instructional design team involves a person who realizes they’ve left their wallet behind after visiting a nursing home. It includes decision points that enhance critical thinking and decision-making through the use of concept art.

    AI-driven prompts aid in transforming industry experiences into online course content. The Pinnacle Golf Resort, a made-up resort I created using Rise 360, engages students with dynamic cause-and-effect decision trees with realistic managerial challenges.

    What does the course explore?

    Students engage with real-world challenges, such as:

    • Managing guest complaints

    • Handling staffing issues

    • Dealing with financial challenges

    • Implementing operational solutions

    • Moral and ethical issues and conflict resolution

    Students are tasked with making decisions that affect the outcome of each scenario, with immediate feedback on their choices. That provides personalized learning experiences tailored to their progress.

    The course focuses on connecting theory to practice, such as application of leadership styles − autocratic, democratic or different types of power − to solve problems and improve guest satisfaction.

    One scene in the Pinnacle Golf Resort simulation involves a restaurant manager handling a disruptive guest during a high-profile event. I realized I needed a decision-rating scale to assess the student’s choices. Generative AI refined decision options and aided in the construction of that decision-rating scale.

    This ensures that choices − such as offering a goodwill gesture or removal of the guest − have realistic consequences. Therefore, the total number of points affixed would determine whether the restaurant manager would be promoted or need more training.

    Why is this course relevant now?

    As the hospitality industry becomes more competitive and complex − with higher turnover rates and shifting workforce expectations − effective decision-making and problem-solving skills become crucial in managing guest experiences.

    Traditional internships and fieldwork are valuable.

    But online and hybrid programs may struggle to provide these opportunities. As hospitality programs shift to online and hybrid formats, the demand for scalable, hands-on learning tools has increased.

    What’s a critical lesson from the course?

    A key lesson is the importance of adaptive decision-making and understanding the consequences of one’s actions. Through simulations created with the help of generative AI, students see firsthand how their decisions impact multiple areas of a hospitality business.

    These scenarios allow students to experience real-world challenges. And this helps them practice making decisions in a dynamic environment.

    By participating in the simulations, students learn that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in hospitality management. They must adapt their leadership style based on the situation and the individuals involved.

    What materials does the course feature?

    The course creates interactive simulations using Articulate 360 and Rise 360.

    These simulations replicate real-world hospitality situations such as managing guest complaints or financial decision-making.

    The class uses stories drawn from the instructor’s own industry experience. This exposes students to the complexities of hospitality management.

    Feedback is generated based on the student’s decisions in the simulations, developed with the help of ChatGPT. This fosters self-reflection and promoting continual improvement in their leadership abilities.

    What will the course prepare students to do?

    Upon completion, students will be able to:

    • Navigate complex guest relations and manage complaints in real time.

    • Make informed operational decisions while balancing guest satisfaction, employee performance and financial considerations.

    • Apply various leadership styles to motivate teams, resolve conflicts and ensure high service standards.

    • Assess their leadership style and adapt it to different situations in hospitality management.

    Betsy A. Pudliner is affiliated with ICHRIE-International Council of Hospitality, Restaurant and Institutional Educators.

    – ref. Schools are harnessing artificial intelligence to revolutionize courses in hospitality management – https://theconversation.com/schools-are-harnessing-artificial-intelligence-to-revolutionize-courses-in-hospitality-management-249423

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Race isn’t a ‘biological reality,’ contrary to recent political claims − here’s how scientific consensus on race developed in the 20th century

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John P. Jackson, Jr., Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Michigan State University

    ‘The Dying Tecumseh,’ a marble sculpture at the Smithsonian, depicts the Shawnee leader in a heroic light. Frederick Pettrich, Smithsonian American Art Museum, CC BY

    In the recent flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump, one warned of “a distorted narrative” about race “driven by ideology rather than truth.” It singled out a current exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum titled “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture” as an example. The exhibit displays over two centuries of sculptures that show how art has produced and reproduced racial attitudes and ideologies.

    The executive order condemns the exhibition because it “promotes the view that race is not a biological reality but a social construct, stating ‘Race is a human invention.’”

    The executive order apparently objects to sentiments such as this: “Although a person’s genetics influences their phenotypic characteristics, and self-identified race might be influenced by physical appearance, race itself is a social construct.” But those words are not from the Smithsonian; they are from the American Society of Human Genetics.

    Scientists reject the idea that race is biologically real. The claim that race is a “biological reality” cuts against modern scientific knowledge.

    I’m a historian who specializes in the scientific study of race. The executive order places “social construct” in opposition to “biological reality.” The history of both concepts reveals how modern science landed at the idea that race was invented by people, not nature.

    Race exists, but what is it?

    At the turn of the 20th century, scientists believed humans could be divided into distinct races based on physical features. According to this idea, a scientist could identify physical differences in groups of people, and if those differences were passed on to succeeding generations, the scientist had correctly identified a racial “type.”

    The results of this “typological” method were chaotic. A frustrated Charles Darwin in 1871 listed 13 scientists who identified anywhere between two and 63 races, a confusion that persisted for the next six decades. There were almost as many racial classifications as racial classifiers because no two scientists could seem to agree on what physical characteristics were best to measure, or how to measure them.

    One intractable problem with racial classifications was that the differences in human physical traits were tiny, so scientists struggled to use them to differentiate between groups. The pioneering African American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois noted in 1906, “It is impossible to draw a color line between black and other races … in all physical characteristics the Negro race cannot be set off by itself.”

    But scientists tried. In an 1899 anthropological study, William Ripley classified people using head shape, hair type, pigmentation and stature. In 1926, Harvard anthropologist Earnest Hooton, the leading racial typologist in the world, listed 24 anatomical traits, such as “the presence or absence of a postglenoid tubercle and a pharyngeal fossa or tubercle” and “the degree of bowing of the radius and ulna” while admitting “this list is not, of course, exhaustive.”

    All this confusion was the opposite of how science should operate: As the tools improved and as measurements became more precise, the object of study − race − became more and more muddled.

    Malvina Hoffman’s sculptures illustrate a map titled Races of the World and Where They Live.
    Malvina Hoffman/Field Museum of Natural History

    When sculptor Malvina Hoffman’s “Races of Mankind” exhibit opened at Chicago’s Field Museum in 1933, it characterized race as a biological reality, despite its elusive definition. World-renowned anthropologist Sir Arthur Keith wrote the introduction to the exhibition’s catalog.

    Keith dismissed science as the surest method to distinguish race; one knows a person’s race because “a single glance, picks out the racial features more certainly than could a band of trained anthropologists.” Keith’s view perfectly captured the view that race must be real, for he saw it all around him, even though science could never establish that reality.

    In the scientific study of race, however, things were about to change.

    Turning to culture to explain difference

    By 1933, the rise of Nazism had added urgency to the scientific study of race. As anthropologist Sherwood Washburn wrote in 1944, “If we are to discuss racial matters with the Nazis, we had better be right.”

    In the late 1930s and early 1940s, two new scientific ideas came to fruition. First, scientists began looking to culture rather than biology as the driver of differences among groups of people. Second, the rise of population genetics challenged the biological reality of race.

    In 1943, anthropologists Ruth Benedict and Gene Weltfish wrote a short work also titled The Races of Mankind. Writing for a popular audience, they argued that people are far more alike than different, and our differences owe to culture and learning, not biology. An animated cartoon short later gave these ideas wider circulation.

    ‘The Brotherhood of Man’ was based on Benedict and Weltfish’s pamphlet and pointed out that differences between people come from their environments.

    Benedict and Weltfish argued that while people did, indeed, differ physically, those differences were meaningless in that all races could learn and all were capable. “Progress in civilization is not the monopoly of one race or subrace,” they wrote. “Negroes made iron tools and wove fine cloth for their clothing when fair-skinned Europeans wore skins and knew nothing of iron.” The cultural explanation for different human lifestyles was more robust than confused appeals to an elusive biological race.

    The turn to culture was consistent with a deep change in biological knowledge.

    Genetic research was taking off in the 1940s, as in this lab at Iowa State College in Ames, Iowa.
    Jack Delano, U.S. Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, CC BY

    A tool to understand evolution

    Theodosius Dobzhansky was a preeminent biologist of the 20th century. He and other biologists were interested in evolutionary changes. Races, which supposedly didn’t change over time, were therefore useless for understanding how organisms evolved.

    A new tool, what scientists called a “genetic population,” was much more valuable. The geneticist, Dobzhansky held, identified a population based on the genes it shared in order to study change in organisms. Over time natural selection would shape how the population evolved. But if that population didn’t shed light on natural selection, the geneticist must abandon it and work with a new population based on a different set of shared genes. The important point is that, whatever population the geneticist chose, it was changing over time. No population was a fixed and stable entity, as human races were supposed to be.

    Sherwood Washburn, who happened to be Dobzhansky’s close friend, brought those ideas into anthropology. He recognized that the point of genetics was not classifying people into fixed groups. The point was to understand the process of human evolution. This change reversed everything taught by Hooton, his old teacher.

    Writing in 1951, Washburn argued, “There is no way to justify the division of a … population into a series of racial types” because doing so would be pointless. Presuming any group to be unchanging stood in the way of understanding evolutionary changes. A genetic population was not “real”; it was an invention of the scientist using it as a lens to understand organic change.

    Classifying for a purpose, not as a ‘true’ assessment of tall or short.
    Buena Vista Images/Stone via Getty Images

    A good way to understand this profound difference relates to roller coasters.

    Anyone who’s been to an amusement park has seen signs that precisely define who is tall enough to ride a given roller coaster. But no one would say they define a “real” category of “tall” or “short” people, as another roller coaster might have a different height requirement. The signs define who is tall enough only for riding this particular roller coaster, and that’s all. It’s a tool for keeping people safe, not a category defining who is “really” tall.

    Similarly, geneticists use genetic populations as “an important tool for inferring the evolutionary history of modern humans” or because they have “fundamental implications for understanding the genetic basis of diseases.”

    Anyone trying to pound a nail with a screwdriver soon realizes that tools are good for tasks they were designed for and useless for anything else. Genetic populations are tools for specific biological uses, not for classifying people into “real” groups by race.

    Whoever wanted to classify people, Washburn argued, must give the “important reasons for subdividing our whole species.”

    The Smithsonian’s exhibit shows how racialized sculpture was “both a tool of oppression and domination and one of liberation and empowerment.” Science agrees with its claim that race is a human invention and not a biological reality.

    The Conversation U.S. receives funding from the Smithsonian Institution.

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

    – ref. Race isn’t a ‘biological reality,’ contrary to recent political claims − here’s how scientific consensus on race developed in the 20th century – https://theconversation.com/race-isnt-a-biological-reality-contrary-to-recent-political-claims-heres-how-scientific-consensus-on-race-developed-in-the-20th-century-253504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Wendy Whitman Cobb, Professor of Strategy and Security Studies, Air University

    Jared Isaacman, the nominee for next NASA administrator, has traveled to orbit on two commercial space missions. AP Photo/John Raoux

    Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation hearing for the position.

    Should the Senate confirm him, Isaacman will be the first billionaire – but not the first astronaut – to head NASA. Perhaps even more significant, he will be the first NASA administrator with significant ties to the commercial space industry.

    As a space policy expert, I know that NASA leadership matters. The head of the agency can significantly shape the missions it pursues, the science it undertakes and, ultimately, the outcome of America’s space exploration.

    Jared Isaacman speaks at a news conference in 2024, before his Polaris Dawn mission.
    AP Photo/John Raoux, File

    An unconventional background

    At 16 years old, Isaacman dropped out of high school to start a payment processing company in his basement. The endeavor succeeded and eventually became known as Shift4.

    Though he found early success in business, Isaacman also had a love for aviation. In 2009, he set a record for flying around the Earth in a light jet, beating the previous record by more than 20 hours.

    While remaining CEO of Shift4, Isaacman founded another company, Draken International. The company eventually assembled the world’s largest fleet of privately owned fighter jets. It now helps to train U.S. Air Force pilots.

    In 2019, Isaacman sold his stake in Draken International. In 2020, he took Shift4 public, making him a billionaire.

    Isaacman continued to branch out into aerospace, working with SpaceX beginning in 2021. He purchased a crewed flight on the Falcon 9 rocket, a mission that eventually was called Inspiration4. The mission, which he led, represented the first private astronaut flight for SpaceX. It sent four civilians with no previous formal space experience into orbit.

    Following the success of Inspiration4, Isaacman worked with SpaceX to develop the Polaris Program, a series of three missions to help build SpaceX’s human spaceflight capabilities. In fall 2024, the first of these missions, Polaris Dawn, launched.

    Polaris Dawn added more accomplishments to Isaacman’s resume. Isaacman, along with his crewmate Sarah Gillis, completed the first private spacewalk. Polaris Dawn’s SpaceX Dragon capsule traveled more than 850 miles (1,367 kilometers) from Earth, the farthest distance humans had been since the Apollo missions.

    The Polaris Dawn mission launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in September 2024.
    AP Photo/John Raoux

    The next adventure: NASA

    In December 2024, the incoming Trump administration announced its intention to nominate Isaacman for the post of NASA administrator.

    As NASA administrator, Isaacman would oversee all NASA activities at a critical moment in its history. The Artemis program, which has been in progress since 2017, has several missions planned for the next few years.

    This includes 2026’s Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts to orbit the Moon. Then, in 2027, Artemis III will aim to land on it.

    If the mission proceeds as planned, the Artemis II crew will fly in an Orion crew capsule, pictured behind them, around the Moon in 2026.
    Kim Shiflett/NASA via AP, File

    But, if Isaacman is confirmed, his tenure would come at a time when there are significant questions about the Artemis program, as well as the extent to which NASA should use commercial space companies like SpaceX. The agency is also potentially facing funding cuts.

    Some in the space industry have proposed scrapping the Artemis program altogether in favor of preparing to go to Mars. Among this group is the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk.

    Others have suggested canceling NASA’s Space Launch System, the massive rocket that is being used for Artemis. Instead, they argue that NASA could use commercial systems, like SpaceX’s Starship or Blue Origin’s New Glenn.

    Isaacman has also dealt with accusations that he is too close to the commercial space industry, and SpaceX in particular, to lead NASA. This has become a larger concern given Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration and its cost-cutting efforts. Some critics are worried that Musk would have an even greater say in NASA if Isaacman is confirmed.

    Since his nomination, Isaacman has stopped working with SpaceX on the Polaris Program. He has also made several supportive comments toward other commercial companies.

    But the success of any of NASA’s plans depends on having the money and resources necessary to carry them out.

    While NASA has been spared major cuts up to this point, it, like many other government agencies, is planning for budget cuts and mass firings. These potential cuts are similar to what other agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services have recently made.

    During his confirmation hearing, Isaacman committed to keeping the Artemis program, as well as the Space Launch System, in the short term. He also insisted that NASA could both return to the Moon and prepare for Mars at the same time.

    Although Isaacman stated that he believed NASA had the resources to do both at the same time, the agency is still in a time of budget uncertainty, so that may not be possible.

    About his relationship with Musk, Isaacman stated that he had not talked to Musk since his nomination in November, and his relationship with SpaceX would not influence his decisions.

    Additionally, he committed to carrying out space science missions, specifically to “launch more telescopes, more probes, more rovers.”

    But since NASA is preparing for significant cuts to its science budget, there is some speculation that the agency may need to end some science programs, like the Hubble space telescope, altogether.

    Isaacman’s future

    Isaacman has received support from the larger space community. Nearly 30 astronauts signed a letter in support of his nomination. Former NASA administrators, as well as major industry groups, have signaled their desire for Isaacman’s confirmation.

    He also received the support of Senator Ted Cruz, the committee chair.

    Barring any major development, Isaacman will likely be confirmed as NASA administrator by the Senate in the coming weeks. The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation could approve his nomination once it returns from a two-week break at the end of April. A full vote from the Senate would follow.

    If the Senate does confirm him, Isaacman will have several major issues to confront at NASA, all in a very uncertain political environment.

    Wendy N. Whitman Cobb is affiliated with the US School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Her views are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Defense or any of its components.

    – ref. Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency – https://theconversation.com/trumps-nomination-for-nasa-leader-boasts-business-and-commercial-spaceflight-experience-during-a-period-of-uncertainty-for-the-agency-254274

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: This chart explains why Trump backflipped on tariffs. The economic damage would have been huge

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By James Giesecke, Professor, Centre of Policy Studies and the Impact Project, Victoria University

    The Trump administration has announced a 90-day pause on its plan to impose so-called “reciprocal” tariffs on nearly all US imports. But the pause does not extend to China, where import duties will rise to around 125%.

    The move signals a partial retreat from what had been shaping up as a broad and aggressive trade war. For most countries, the US will now apply a 10% baseline tariff for the next three months. But the White House made clear that its tariffs on Chinese imports will remain in place.

    So why did President Trump back away from the broader tariff push? The answer is simple: the economic cost to the US was too high.

    Our economic model shows the fallout, even after the ‘pause’

    Using a global economic model, we have been estimating the macroeconomic consequences of the Trump administration’s tariff plans as they have developed.

    The following table shows two versions of the economic effects of the tariff plan:

    • “pre-pause” – as the plan stood immediately before Wednesday’s 90-day pause, under a scenario in which all countries retaliate except Australia, Japan and South Korea (which said they would not retaliate)
    • “post-pause” after reciprocal tariffs were withdrawn.

    As is clear, the US would have faced steep and immediate losses in employment, investment, growth, and most importantly, real consumption, the best measure of household living standards.

    Heavy costs of the tariff war

    Under the pre-pause scenario, the US would have seen real consumption fall by 2.4% in 2025 alone. Real gross domestic product (GDP) would have declined by 2.6%, while employment falls by 2.7% and real investment (after inflation) plunges 6.6%.

    These are not trivial adjustments. They represent significant contractions that would be felt in everyday life, from job losses to price increases to reduced household purchasing power. Since the current US unemployment rate is 4.2%, these results suggest that for every three currently unemployed Americans, two more would join their ranks.

    Our modelling shows the damage would not just be short-term. Across the 2025–2040 projection period, US real consumption losses would have averaged 1.2%, with persistent investment weakness and a long-term decline in real GDP.

    It is likely that internal economic advice reflected this kind of outlook. The decision to pause most of the tariff increases may well be an acknowledgement that the policy was economically unsustainable and would result in a permanent reduction in US global economic power. Financial markets were also rattled.

    The scaled-back plan: still aggressive on China

    The new arrangement announced on April 9 scales the higher tariff regime back to a flat 10% for about 70 countries, but keeps the full weight of tariffs on Chinese goods at around 125%. Rates on Canadian and Mexican imports remain at 25%.

    In response, China has announced an 84% tariff on US goods.

    The table’s “post-pause” column summarises the results of the scaled-back plan if the pause becomes permanent. For consistency, we assume all countries except Australia, Japan and Korea retaliate with tariffs equal to those imposed by the US.

    As is clear from the “post-pause” results, lower US tariffs, together with lower retaliatory tariffs, equal less damage for the US economy.

    Tariffs applied uniformly are less distortionary, and significant retaliation from just one major partner (China) is easier to absorb than a broad global response.

    However, the costs will still be high. The US is projected to experience a 1.9% drop in real consumption in 2025, driven by lower employment and reduced efficiency in production. Real investment is projected to fall by 4.8%, and employment by 2.1%.

    Perhaps we should not be surprised that the costs are still so high. In 2022, China, Canada and Mexico accounted for almost 45% of all US goods imports, and many countries were already facing 10% reciprocal tariffs in the “pre-pause” scenario. Trump’s tariff pause has not changed duty rates for these countries.

    US President Donald Trump discusses the 90-day pause.

    What does this mean for Australia?

    Much of the domestic commentary in Australia has focused on the risk of collateral damage from a US-China trade war. Given Australia’s economic ties to both countries, it is a reasonable concern.

    But our modelling suggests that Australia may actually benefit modestly. Under both scenarios, Australia’s real consumption rises slightly, driven by stronger investment, improved terms of trade (a measure of our export prices relative to import prices), and redirection of trade flows.

    One mechanism is what economists call trade diversion: if Chinese or European exporters find the US market less attractive, they may redirect goods to Australia and other open markets.

    At the same time, reduced global demand for capital, especially in the US and China, means lower interest rates globally. That stimulates investment elsewhere, including in Australia. In our model, Australian real investment rises under both scenarios, leading to small but sustained gains in GDP and household consumption.

    These results suggest that, at least under current policy settings, Australia is unlikely to suffer significant direct effects from the tariff increases.

    However, rising investor uncertainty is a risk for both the global and Australian economies, and this is not factored into our modelling. In the space of a single week, the Trump administration has whipsawed global investor confidence through three major tariff announcements.

    A temporary reprieve

    Tariffs appear to be central to the administration’s economic program. So Trump’s decision to pause his broader tariff agenda may not signal a shift in philosophy: just a tactical retreat.

    The updated strategy, high tariffs on China and lower ones elsewhere, might reflect an attempt to refocus on where the administration sees its main strategic concern, while avoiding unnecessary blowback from allies and neutral partners.

    Whether this narrower approach proves durable remains to be seen. The sharpest economic pain has been deferred. Whether it returns depends on how the next 90 days play out.

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

    – ref. This chart explains why Trump backflipped on tariffs. The economic damage would have been huge – https://theconversation.com/this-chart-explains-why-trump-backflipped-on-tariffs-the-economic-damage-would-have-been-huge-253632

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Coalition prepares to soften Australia’s 2030 climate target, while reaffirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute

    The Coalition has been forced to reassert its commitment to the Paris climate agreement after its energy spokesman Ted O’Brien appeared to waver on the pledge on Thursday.

    O’Brien faced off against Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen at a debate in Canberra, weeks out from a federal election in which energy policy is emerging as a hot-button issue.

    Under the landmark Paris deal, Australia has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by the end of the decade, compared to 2005 levels. O’Brien on Thursday said the Coalition would review the target if it wins office. He deflected a question on whether a Dutton government would remain a signatory to the Paris Agreement, saying the Coalition would “always act in the national interest”.

    Within hours of the debate, the Coalition was forced to clarify O’Brien’s comments and reaffirm its commitment to Paris. But the Coalition appears intent on winding back the 2030 target if it is elected next month – a move that would weaken our bipartisan commitment to net zero by 2050 and be against the interests of the global climate.

    The 2025 Climate and Energy debate | ABC NEWS.

    Resetting the 2030 target

    The Coalition has long disputed Labor’s claims that the 43% target would be met.

    In June last year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton claimed the Albanese government has “no hope of achieving the targets and there’s no sense signing up to targets you don’t have any prospect of achieving”.

    In January this year, Dutton said a Coalition government would remain party to Paris, despite United States President Donald Trump’s move to withdraw his nation from the deal.

    On Thursday, O’Brien confirmed a Coalition government would review the 43% target. In doing so, it would consider three factors: Australia’s emissions trajectory, the state of the economy and the Coalition’s suite of policies – including nuclear power and more gas.

    O’Brien went on to say:

    Labor, the Coalition, nobody in this country will be able to achieve the emission target set by Chris Bowen and Anthony Albanese. The difference between Peter Dutton and Anthony Albanese is that Peter Dutton has been honest and upfront about that.

    O’Brien would not rule out withdrawing Australia from the Paris deal, but later released a statement saying the Coalition remained committed to the agreement.

    Will Australia meet the 43% target?

    During the debate, Bowen claimed Australia is “on track” to meet its emissions-reduction goal. He pointed to analysis by his department released late last year showing emissions are projected to be 42.6% below 2005 levels in 2030.

    Australia will have to work hard to meet the target, with our emissions reductions having stalled since 2021. The government’s projection assumes it achieves its target of 82% renewable electricity generation by 2030 – possible but very challenging from about 45% today.

    It also depends on two policies to reduce emissions outside electricity, neither of which have yet demonstrated their progress.

    The first is the safeguard mechanism, which aims to reduce emissions from heavy industry. It began in mid-2023 but its results are not yet clear. Second is the new vehicle efficiency standard, introduced from January this year.

    What if Dutton does walk back Australia’s Paris commitment?

    Even if a Dutton government remained in the Paris Agreement, walking back on the 43% emissions target is problematic, for a number of reasons.

    Most obviously is that the threat of dangerous climate change is real, and growing. The Paris deal aims to keep average global temperatures “well below” 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and ideally, limit warming to no more than 1.5°C.

    But according to official data, Earth’s monthly global average temperature exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for 11 months last year. So meeting the Paris commitment is already looking shaky.

    While the Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty, there has been much debate as to the real meaning of “legally binding”. Some argue that national commitments to reduce emissions are not legally binding, and can be revised in either direction. While a downward revision is liable to draw criticism, it could be a legally available option under the Paris Agreement. Transgressors don’t get kicked out of the club.

    But any downward revision on the targets is a bad look on the global stage. University of Melbourne climate law expert Jacqueline Peel has argued that any moves by a future Coalition government to water down Australia’s 2030 target, or to submit a 2035 target weaker than our current pledges, would:

    go against the spirit, if not the letter, of the Paris Agreement, and – in some circumstances – could constitute a breach of those obligations.

    Where to now?

    The Albanese government chose not to announce a 2035 target before the election. The Opposition says it won’t set a 2035 target until it’s in government.

    That means voters will be left in the dark on this important issue as they head to the ballot box.

    At the moment, the Coalition appears to be relying on its controversial nuclear power plan to meet the bipartisan goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. But analysts have warned the plan will lead to much more emissions between now and then.

    Meanwhile, there is far more work to be done outside the energy sector – in agriculture, transport, industry and more – to meet Australia’s climate commitments.

    Australia’s cost of living crisis has garnered much attention during the election campaign so far. There has been very little talk about how Australia’s entire economy will get to net-zero.

    That’s a terrible reflection on the state of our politics. Ultimately, unmitigated climate change will be bad for the planet and very bad for Australia.

    Tony Wood may own shares in companies in relevant industries through his superannuation fund.

    – ref. The Coalition prepares to soften Australia’s 2030 climate target, while reaffirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement – https://theconversation.com/the-coalition-prepares-to-soften-australias-2030-climate-target-while-reaffirming-its-commitment-to-the-paris-agreement-249945

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Scientists should try to repeat more studies, but not those looking for a link between vaccines and autism

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Simon Kolstoe, Associate Professor of Bioethics, University of Portsmouth

    SamaraHeisz5/Shutterstock

    Scientists, professors, engineers, teachers and doctors are routinely ranked among the most trustworthy people in society. This is because these professions rely heavily on research, and good research is viewed as the most reliable source of knowledge.

    But how trustworthy is research? Recent news from the US suggests that the Trump administration wants to fund more “reproducibility studies”.

    These are studies that check to see if previous results can be repeated and are reliable. The administration’s focus seems to be specifically on studies that revisit the debunked claim of a link between vaccines and autism.

    This is a worrying waste of effort, given the extensive evidence showing that there is no link between vaccines and autism, and the harm that suggesting this link can cause. However, the broader idea of funding studies that attempt to repeat earlier research is a good one.

    Take research on Alzheimer’s disease as an example. In June 2024, Nature retracted a highly cited paper reporting an important theory relating to the mechanism of the disease. Unfortunately, it took 18 years to spot the errors and retract the paper.

    If influential studies like this were regularly repeated by others, it wouldn’t have taken so long to spot the errors in the original research.

    Alzheimer’s is proving a particularly tricky problem to solve despite the large amounts of money spent researching the disease. Being unable to reproduce key results contributes to this problem because new research relies on the trustworthiness of earlier research.

    More broadly, it has been known for almost ten years that 70% of researchers have problems reproducing experiments conducted by other scientists. The problem is particularly acute in cancer research and psychology.

    The Trump administration wants to fund more ‘reproducibility studies’.
    Joshua Sukoff/Shutterstock

    Research is difficult to get right

    Research is complicated and there may be legitimate reasons research findings cannot be reproduced. Mistakes or dishonesty are not necessarily the cause.

    In psychology or the social sciences, failure to reproduce results – despite using identical methods – could be due to using different populations, for instance, across different countries or cultures. In physical or medical sciences problems reproducing results could be down to using different equipment, chemicals or measurement techniques.

    A lot of research may also not be reproducible simply because the researchers do not fully understand all the complexities of what they are studying. If all the relevant variables (such as genetics and environmental factors) are not understood or even identified, it is unsurprising that very similar experiments can yield different results.

    In these cases, sometimes as much can be learned from a negative result as from a positive one, as this helps inform the design of future work.

    Here, it is helpful to distinguish between reproducing another researcher’s exact results and being given enough information by the original researchers to replicate their experiments.

    Science advances by comparing notes and discussing differences, so researchers must always give enough information in their reports to allow someone else to repeat (replicate) the experiment. This ensures the results can be trusted even if they may not be reproduced exactly.

    Transparency is therefore central to research integrity, both in terms of trusting the research and trusting the people doing the research.

    Unfortunately, the incentive structure within research doesn’t always encourage such transparency. The “publish or perish” culture and aggressive practices by journals often lead to excessive competition rather than collaboration and open research practices.

    One solution, as new priorities from the US have suggested, is to directly fund researchers to replicate each other’s studies.

    This is a promising development because most other funding, alongside opportunities to publish in the top journals, is instead linked to novelty. Unfortunately, this encourages researchers to act quickly to produce something unique rather than take their time to conduct thorough and transparent experiments.

    We need to move to a system that rewards reliable research rather than just novel research. And part of this comes through rewarding people who focus on replication studies.

    Industry also plays a part. Companies conducting research and development can sometimes be guilty of throwing a lot of money at a project and then pulling the plug quickly if a product (such as a new medicine) seems not to work. The reason for such failures is often unclear, but the reliability of earlier research is a contributing factor.

    To avoid this problem, companies should be encouraged to replicate some of the original findings (perhaps significant experiments conducted by academics) before proceeding with development. In the long run, this strategy may turn out to be quicker and more efficient than the rapid chopping and changing that occurs now.

    The scale of the reproducibility, or replicability, problem in research comes as a surprise to the public who have been told to “trust the science”. But over recent years there has been increasing recognition that the culture of research is as important as the experiments themselves.

    If we want to be able to “trust the science”, science must be transparent and robustly conducted.

    This is exactly what has happened with research looking at the link between vaccines and autism. The topic was so important that in this case the replication studies were done and found that there is, in fact, no link between vaccines and autism.

    Simon Kolstoe works for the University of Portsmouth, and is a trustee of the UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO). He receives research and consultancy funding from charities, universities and government. He chairs research ethics committees for the UK Health Research Authority, Ministry of Defence and Health Security Agency.

    – ref. Scientists should try to repeat more studies, but not those looking for a link between vaccines and autism – https://theconversation.com/scientists-should-try-to-repeat-more-studies-but-not-those-looking-for-a-link-between-vaccines-and-autism-253696

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Willis appoints Dom Spinelli Head of Transactional Insurance Claims in North America

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis, a WTW business (Nasdaq: WTW), today announced the appointment of Dom Spinelli as Head of Transactional Insurance Claims for North America. In this role, he will lead the claims function within Willis’ Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) industry vertical division, overseeing the entire lifecycle of transactional insurance claims, including representations and warranties, tax, and contingent matters.

    Spinelli brings 15 years of experience in insurance and litigation to the role, enhancing Willis’ transactional claims capabilities while also supporting the expansion of services for clients navigating complex deal-related risks. Most recently, he served as Head of Contingent & Litigation Risk for North America at VALE Insurance Partners, after leading the contingent legal risk insurance team at Liberty Global Transaction Solutions and working as a representations and warranties insurance underwriter. Earlier in his career, Spinelli was a litigator, managing a wide range of commercial and insurance coverage disputes across the U.S.

    In addition to his litigation background, Spinelli has represented insurers in hundreds of complex claims across nearly every line of insurance. He is the only claims professional with senior-level experience on both the underwriting and claims sides, offering clients a rare and valuable perspective on maximizing outcomes. His expertise will not only enhance Willis’s ability to support clients throughout the claims process, but also provide critical value at the outset of a transaction, helping structure policies appropriately from the start.

    Based in Boston, Spinelli will report to Simone Bonnet, Head of Transactional Insurance Solutions, North America at Willis.

    “Dom’s extensive experience—spanning litigation, underwriting, and claims—gives him a unique ability to guide clients through the most challenging aspects of transactional insurance,” commented Bonnet. “His diverse expertise strengthens our ability to provide innovative and effective solutions. We are excited to have him join the team and look forward to the valuable contributions he will make.”

    Spinelli holds a BA from Providence College and a JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, and the Southern and Eastern District Courts of New York.

    About WTW

    At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk, and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce, and maximize performance.

    Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
    Learn more at wtwco.com.

    Media Contact

    Douglas Menelly
    Douglas.Menelly@wtwco.com | +1 (516) 972-0380

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Scientific Regiment. Architect Alexander Sokolov preserved and restored cultural heritage

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    Alexander Sokolov

    Every day for almost 70 years, thousands of people pass between the main building of SPbGASU and the Technological Institute metro station. At one time, among them was the architect, dean of the urban planning faculty of LISI (now SPbGASU), the author of the project for this station (co-authored with A.K. Andreev) Alexander Mikhailovich Sokolov (1906-1984). It was largely thanks to him that the cultural heritage of Leningrad was preserved during the Great Patriotic War.

    Study and work

    Alexander Sokolov entered the preparatory course of the Institute of Civil Engineers (IGI, now SPbGASU) in 1920 after graduating from the Tikhvin Real School, where, according to historical sources, “training was thorough, especially in mathematics and physics,” and the Tikhvin Second Soviet Labor School of the 2nd level, where he studied art history as one of the main subjects. In Petrograd, he worked as an installer, then as a draftsman. At the same time, he began studying in the workshop of Professor I. A. Fomin at the Free Art School of the People’s Commissariat of Education of the RSFSR (Academy of Arts). Until 1923, he studied at two universities, and then gave preference to the Academy of Arts. He would return to LISI years later as a teacher.

    Famous projects of the architect

    Aleksandr Sokolov was forced to combine his studies with work. He worked as a foreman (leader of a group of workers) in the Leningrad Commercial Port Administration, as a draftsman at the construction of the I. I. Mechnikov Hospital, and as an assistant to the architect S. O. Ovsyannikov during the construction of the Krasnoye Znamya factory. As a student, he designed an administrative building that was built in 1923–1924 on the territory of the commercial port (it has not survived).

    Later, the architect’s famous works included projects for the Vyborg District Sound Cinema with 1,300 seats in Leningrad, the House of the Government of Abkhazia, the building of the All-Union Institute of Experimental Medicine in Moscow, ground pavilions of the Lenin Library metro stations in Moscow and Moskovskie Vorota in Leningrad, and a hotel for sailors in Murmansk.

    In the siege of Leningrad and after the war

    In 1941, Aleksandr Mikhailovich Sokolov was engaged in research work in the archives of the Pavlovsk Palace Museum. With the outbreak of the war, he took an active part in the evacuation of valuables from the palace and the shelter of the park sculptures. During the siege, he worked in the Inspectorate for the Protection of Monuments, where he took part in the work of the city commission to identify the damage caused to the architectural heritage of Leningrad. The sketches of facades and interiors and design work he made during this period played a major role in the revival of the city. In particular, Aleksandr Sokolov supervised the restoration of the Mariinsky Theater. In 1943, Sokolov was awarded the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad”, in 1946 – the medal “For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945”.

    In early 1944, the primary task was to develop master plans for the affected cities of the Leningrad, Novgorod and Pskov regions. This work was carried out by the workshop of the Leningrad Regional Department of Architecture and the Lenproekt and Lenoblproekt trusts. The architectural planning workshop of the latter was headed by Alexander Sokolov in 1944–1948. Among other things, he worked on the master plan for his native Tikhvin, every corner of which he had known since childhood.

    Lecturer, Dean, Professor of LISI

    In 1931, Alexander Mikhailovich Sokolov began teaching architectural design at the Faculty of Architecture of the Leningrad Institute of Municipal Construction (now SPbGASU). In 1943–1946, he headed the course “Introduction to Architecture”. In 1946, he defended his PhD dissertation on “Architectural Structures of Pavlovsk Park”. In 1962–1969, he held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Urban Planning. Then, until 1983, he was a professor at the Department of History and Theory of Architecture.

    Other materials of the project “Scientific Regiment”

    Engineer of the 3rd Belorussian Front

    The path of a volunteer: from front-line roads to space developments

    Ivan Solomakhin: “The most memorable battle is for this Devil’s Height!”

    Fiery Dnieper of the Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Prygunov

    Bringing Victory Closer

    Fyodor Komal’s Front: From the First Minutes of War to Victory

    Junior Political Instructor Boris Gubanov: “The shells whistled, and the earth flew up nearby”

    Viktor Kvyatkovsky – radio operator-intelligence officer of the Baltic Fleet

    How Chief Architect Nikolai Baranov “Hid” Leningrad from the Enemy

    Architect Nikolay Khomutetsky: Four years on the front lines

    Semyon Shifrin thwarted the Nazis’ plans to leave Leningrad without water

    LISI in the post-war years

    Nineteen-year-old machine gunner stormed Berlin

    Abdulla Mangushev: Four Years at the Front and a Life in Science

    The Zazersky architects built and defended the city on the Neva

    LISI graduate Mikhail Zherbin is a design engineer and composer

    He went from being a technical lieutenant to a galaxy of mathematicians

    Konstantin Sakhnovsky: from a cadet of the Russian Empire to an academician of the USSR

    Military architect of the front line of defense and engineering reconnaissance

    A world-renowned scientist, an outstanding engineer and a national champion

    An outstanding urban planner who lived and worked in besieged Leningrad

    Scientific Regiment. Projects of the architect Sergey Evdokimov: from defensive structures and city restoration to metro stations

    Scientific Regiment. Volunteer Mikhail Laletin: “After the front – to a university, and then, perhaps, to become an officer”

    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 Global: How AI could influence the evolution of humanity – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Chan2545/Shutterstock

    Some of the leading brains behind generative AI have warned about the risk of artificial superintelligence wiping out humanity, if left unchecked.

    But what if the influence of AI on humans is much more mundane, influencing our evolution over thousands of years through natural selection?

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast we talk to evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks about what AI could do to the evolution of humanity, from smaller brains to fewer friends.

    Rob Brooks is Scientia professor of evolution at the University of New South Wales in Australia. Through his research on artificial intimacy between humans and AI chatbots, Brooks became interested in how human evolution might be shaped by the proliferation of AI. He recently published a paper exploring various scenarios, from AI’s potential influence on human intelligence, to brain size, to more direct intervention in fertility treatment.

    For Brooks, the relationship between humans and machines, including AI, mirrors the symbiotic relationships that happen in nature, where one species is linked to or depends on another. Some of these relationships are mutualistic, with each benefiting the other, he says:

    I think that most of our relationships with technology should be mutualisms because that why we have the technologies …  A lot of the things that AI does for us at the moment are incredible computational heavy lifting [tasks]. It could be difficult calculations or it could be remembering people’s birthdays – there’s a kind of mutualism.

    But sometimes that mutualism can morph into parasitism, where one harms the other. Brooks thinks smartphones have already reached this stage because of the amount of human attention they take up and the influence this is having on human relationships, particularly among young people. He believes it’s also reasonable to assume “that attention and time parasites in the AI ecosystem will influence human evolution”.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear a conversation with Brooks about the potential ways AI could influence human evolution, from human intelligence to our relationships and even our brain size. This episode also includes an introduction with Signe Dean, science and technology editor at The Conversation in Australia.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Gemma Ware. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from BBC Newsnight, MSNBC and Channel 4 News.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    Rob Brooks receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. How AI could influence the evolution of humanity – podcast – https://theconversation.com/how-ai-could-influence-the-evolution-of-humanity-podcast-254163

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can we really resurrect extinct animals, or are we just creating hi-tech lookalikes?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Timothy Hearn, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Anglia Ruskin University

    Artist’s rendering: Woolly mammoths once roamed large swathes of Siberia. Denis-S / Shutterstock

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

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

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

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

    One of Colossal’s dire wolves, created using genome editing.
    Colossal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Technology to prevent extinction

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

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

    The northern white rhinoceros is nearly extinct. But there is a viable plan to bring it back.
    Agami Photo Agency / Shutterstock

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

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

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

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

    Timothy Hearn 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. Can we really resurrect extinct animals, or are we just creating hi-tech lookalikes? – https://theconversation.com/can-we-really-resurrect-extinct-animals-or-are-we-just-creating-hi-tech-lookalikes-254245

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Sudan civil war: despite appearances this is not a failed state – yet

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Willis, Professor of History, Durham University

    Over the past fortnight, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have regained control of almost all of the country’s capital, Khartoum. Much of the city had been in the hands of the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023. Now the SAF are reportedly driving out the last outposts of the RSF from the fringes of the sprawling city.

    When it began the war against its former SAF allies in April 2023, the RSF seized almost all of the city. But its presence was an occupation rather than a government. Looting, murder and rape were widely reported. No wonder, then, that many have welcomed the return of the SAF as a liberation.

    But not everyone will celebrate. The SAF claims to be the rightful government of Sudan. But its leader, Abdel Fattah Burhan, himself seized power in 2021 by throwing out a transitional civilian government that was supposed to be leading Sudan back to democracy.

    That was in the wake of the popular uprising in 2018-19 that ended the long authoritarian regime of Omar al-Bashir. So, the legitimacy of the SAF’s claim to power is questionable.

    To complicate matters further, the SAF’s military success has come through alliance with local militias, whose fighters have been active in the struggle for Khartoum. Troubling accounts have emerged of arrests and summary executions by the SAF and allied military – sometimes allegedly targeted at people from southern or western Sudan, who are accused of supporting the RSF.

    The RSF, meanwhile, keeps up its occupation of much of the west of Sudan, and its murderous siege of the western city of El Fasher. It has also continued to launch drone assaults on cities along the Nile.

    Despite recent positive statements from the SAF, the war seems far from over. The SAF and RSF denounce one another. Each – with good reason – accuses the other of relying on foreign support, and each insists it should – and will – rule all of Sudan.

    Military dominance

    The Egyptian branch of the Ottoman empire created Sudan through conquest in the 19th century. It was then ruled as an Anglo-Egyptian “condominium” for the first half of the 20th century.

    That vast territory in north-east Africa was formally divided when its southern third became the independent state of South Sudan in 2011, after years of struggle against the central government. Now it seems the north is also fragmenting, torn to pieces by the ambitions of rival military leaders and the unruly militias they have spawned. So, can there be a future for Sudan?

    It would be easy to answer that with a simple “no”. Some might even welcome the end of a state that began in colonial violence and has seen multiple regional revolts and movements of secession. Others might argue that Sudan is simply too diverse to be viable. But its current plight was not inevitable, nor is its fate settled.

    Sudan has long been burdened with a hyperactive military. That is partly a colonial legacy – the army has always been at the heart of the state.

    After independence, soldiers saw themselves as not simply the guardians of the state, but as its embodiment. They were at first suspicious – and then increasingly contemptuous – of civilian politicians they regarded as self-interested, prone to factionalism, and chronically unable to agree on major issues, from the place of religion in the state to the nature of local government.



    Read more:
    Sudan’s entire history has been dominated by soldiers and the violence and corruption they bring

    Three times, the soldiers seized power: in 1958, 1969 and 1989. Each time, they stayed in power for longer, and sought to impose their visions of what Sudan should be. Though these varied from conservative to socialist to Islamist, they always imagined a Sudan united by authoritarian rule, with uniformed men at its heart.

    When popular uprisings threatened this military rule, the soldiers were adept at temporary concessions – removing the leader of the regime and cooperating with civilians for a few years, before seizing power again. Sudan’s soldiers saw the state as their possession.

    Yet they struggled to rule it. There were struggles within the military itself over who should be in charge – the long rule of Jaafar Nimeiri was punctuated by repeated coup attempts. Omar al-Bashir in turn sought to manage rivals in the military by creating additional security forces and setting the soldiers against one another.

    When unrest grew at the margins of Sudan, in the south and then the west, the soldiers were unable to contain this. So they armed and encouraged militias, exploiting and militarising local tensions and conflicts. As they did so, they unwittingly undermined their own claim to be the only legitimate wielders of violence.

    Sudan’s soldiers insisted the state was theirs. But they squabbled over control of it and pulled both local militias and external powers into their struggles. This made their wars more lethal – but not more conclusive. Time and again, powerful men made decisions that drove conflict when they could have acted otherwise.

    Sense of a nation

    To recount this history is not simply to explain where Sudan is now. It is to remember this is not where it has to be. Sudan could yet mean more than this militarised vision of imposed unity. In the popular uprisings, protesters wrapped themselves in the Sudanese flag – evoking a vision of Sudan that celebrated its diversity, rather than treating this as a problem.

    Some of that was romanticised or idealistic. The earnest expressions of national solidarity tended to gloss over profound differences in wealth and opportunities. Yet since its independence, the idea of Sudan has repeatedly inspired civilian protest and hopes of a better future.

    The local resistance committees whose members made the uprising of 2018-19 imagined a more inclusive and just Sudan. That hope now drives the “emergency response rooms” that ordinary people have organised over the past two years – often in the face of extreme danger – to shelter and feed civilians.

    Those brave enough to pursue that future deserve more than a condescending shrug from international analysts, and an assumption that Sudan is doomed to failure.

    Justin Willis has in the past received funding from the UK government to undertake research on elections in Sudan; and from UK research councils for research on the history of state authority in Sudan.

    – ref. Sudan civil war: despite appearances this is not a failed state – yet – https://theconversation.com/sudan-civil-war-despite-appearances-this-is-not-a-failed-state-yet-254216

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: USAID: the human cost of Donald Trump’s aid freeze for a war-torn part of Sudan

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Ruth Pendle, Lecturer in International Development, University of Bath

    The day of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, his incoming administration abruptly paused the work of USAID, while also claiming that it would preserve USAID’s “lifesaving and strategic aid programming”. These dramatic, overnight cuts were an unprecedented – and deadly – experiment in relation to aid spending which will have a catastrophic effect on the lives of those who depended on it.

    The sudden suspension of USAID is set to make the famine in Sudan the deadliest for half a century. Since the announcement I’ve been working to see the impact of these cuts with a team of Sudanese researchers in South Kordofan State (Sudan), including from the South Kordofan-Blue Nile Coordination Unit, as part of my famine-focused project.

    When war erupted in Khartoum in April 2023, the southern region of South Kordofan was relatively peaceful, so large numbers of people fled there for safety. But most fled with no food, so local people had to work out how to support the new arrivals. Many decided to host families, sharing what little food they had for themselves, believing that international aid would be made available.

    Without this aid, these local humanitarians are now themselves also facing serious shortages. The timing and abrupt nature of the shuttering of USAID has made this particularly dangerous.

    South Kordofan sits on the border with South Sudan. Like much of the country, it’s an agricultural region and in times of peace, people are able to grow crops and raise livestock. The region also has a long history of exporting livestock and commercially grown crops.

    However, this food trade has been largely extractive as it followed colonial agricultural schemes run by British imperial agents and their elite indigenous associates that often left locals in poverty.

    Sudan: one of Africa’s largest and most diverse countries.
    gt29/Shutterstock

    After independence, the region suffered through decades of war between the Sudan government to the north and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) which fought a campaign that culminated in the foundation of South Sudan in 2011 (with the support of the US). South Kordofan and its SPLA supporters were trapped in the middle.

    People in South Kordofan long for peace and a state that provides them with basic services, so they wouldn’t depend so heavily on humanitarian support. Since the 1980s, famine mortality has been dramatically reduced by international aid.

    In fact, the US response to the famine of the mid-1980s under the then president, Ronald Reagan, whose administration provided more than US$1 billion (£766 million), saved hundreds of thousands of lives. This period became known in Sudan as “Reagan’s famine”.

    ‘Hemedti famine’

    Now in South Kordofan they are calling the hardship created by the influx of starving people fleeing fighting further north the “Hemedti famine”, after Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF is fighting the national army, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) run by rival warlord General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

    Many of those who have fled from urban centres lack the skills to survive and are far from their family networks, making them particularly vulnerable. Sudanese people have a strong moral sense – and sometimes a legal obligation to help family members.

    This clearly doesn’t necessarily apply to most of those fleeing the fighting. But there is also a strong tradition of helping all people and even strangers in need, which people in South Kordofan have had to navigate.

    Many locals chose to provide lifesaving local humanitarian support. But that is of necessity and finite. There is now a desperate need for a massive increase in aid. In such emergencies, international aid plays a key role in topping up the food that people grow and gather for themselves, and has made the difference between life and death.

    Why is the USAID freeze so deadly?

    This is why the curtailing of USAID support is so catastrophic. Even if US support were to be fully restored, the pause has already had deadly consequences. The sudden stopping of many local NGO worker salaries, a key source of income in the region, is another disaster. Each salary supported dozens of family members.

    The 2025 aid cuts are set to be devastating for more people. Things are already critical. It has been estimated that half a half a million people died from hunger and disease across Sudan in 2024 alone.

    I’m now getting reports from South Kordofan of households not lighting a fire for up to four days at a time, which means the family is not eating. And, as ever, it is the children and the elderly who are particularly vulnerable.

    The consequences of famine are lasting. People in South Kordofan are reporting an increase in criminality as people steal in order to survive, which leaves lasting mistrust and social division. Famine also leaves a legacy of shame because people are witnessing their loved ones suffer and die. When people die in times of famine the living often do not even have the energy or resources to provide a dignified burial.

    The Trump administration could not have turned off USAID support at a worse time. Aid logistics in Sudan follow a seasonal cycle. In the wetter months from May to November, the roads to South Kordofan that aid organisations depend on for food distribution become impassable.

    So aid for the hungriest months from April to August, when stores are running low but the harvest in September has not yet come, must be delivered in the driest months before the rains start. USAID was halted in January, at the heart of the dry season, so this opportunity has been missed.

    Meanwhile north-south flights in Sudan have been prohibited by the Sudan government since the civil war flared in 2023. There has been a report that the government will also ban incoming aid flights from Kenya due to Nairobi’s alleged support for the RSF.

    Last month, the founder of Sudanese thinktank Confluence Advisory, Kholood Khair, told journalists: “It’s difficult to overstate how devastating the USAID cut will be for Sudan, not just because Sudan is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis but also because the US was Sudan’s largest humanitarian donor.” We’re now seeing that devastation getting worse by the day.

    Naomi Ruth Pendle receives funding from the British Academy and the European Research Council.

    – ref. USAID: the human cost of Donald Trump’s aid freeze for a war-torn part of Sudan – https://theconversation.com/usaid-the-human-cost-of-donald-trumps-aid-freeze-for-a-war-torn-part-of-sudan-254215

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International Education Envoy appointed

    Source: Scottish Government

    Building Scotland’s academic connections across the world.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead has announced the appointment of a new international trade and investment envoy tasked with promoting Scotland’s academic institutions.

    Professor Rachel Sandison will foster links with universities abroad, encourage foreign investment in Scottish universities’ world-leading research and help attract more international students and staff.

    Mr Lochhead made the announcement ahead of a visit to Shanghai’s China-UK Low-Carbon College, a joint initiative between the University of Edinburgh and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Its research projects include analysis of carbon capture projects and the effectiveness of CO2 storage methods.

    The College is one of seven existing partnerships in Shanghai between Scottish and Chinese research and academic institutions, with others specialising in engineering, finance and art.

    Mr Lochhead, who is undertaking a visit to China and Japan, said:

    “Scotland’s research and academic excellence is recognised the world over. As our new Trade and Investment Envoy for International Education, Rachel will champion Scotland’s academic institutions and the innovative contributions they are making in fields as diverse as artificial intelligence, art and tackling climate change.

    “She will help attract investment and encourage the brightest students and leading researchers to study, live and work in Scotland, contributing to the economy.

    “The UK-China Low-Carbon College is a perfect example of what can be achieved and illustrates how partnerships between leading universities can address global issues. It also underlines the importance of Scotland’s academic, economic and cultural relationship with China.”

    Prof. Sandison is Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement and Vice-Principal for External Relations at the University of Glasgow. She said:

    “I am delighted to have been appointed to this exciting role. It is a pivotal time for the Scottish education sector, with an opportunity to further strengthen Scotland’s reputation as an education powerhouse through the development and delivery of the Scottish Government’s new International Education Strategy.

    “Global connectivity is more important than ever before and I look forward to helping connect Scotland’s further and higher education institutions with international organisations, governments and opportunities in support of Scotland’s strategic objectives. 

    “I am also pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s International Education Champion, to advocate for the sector at home and overseas and to reinforce Scotland’s position as a destination of choice for global talent.”

    Background

    The Envoy role is unpaid. The appointment is for a tenure of one year (until 31 March 2026) with the possibility of extension for a further two years. Professor Rachel Sandison OBE takes up her position alongside eight other Trade and Investment Envoys. The role succeeds the Envoy for International Higher Education, which was last filled by Wendy Alexander from November 2017 until January 2025. 

    With more than 20 years experience in the higher education sector, Prof. Sandison has responsibility for leading the University of Glasgow’s strategy for external engagement covering areas including Internationalisation; Student Recruitment and Admissions; Marketing and Communications; Development and Alumni Relations, and Widening Access and Lifelong Learning.

    The Envoy’s role is closely linked to the aims of Scotland’s International Education Strategy.

    China is a leading international research collaborator with Scotland and more than 22,000 Chinese students make up 25% of the international population at Scottish universities. 

    UK-China Low-Carbon College

    Promoting Scottish business and expertise – gov.scot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Grattan on Friday: Will there be leadership changes on both sides of politics next parliamentary term?

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

    When Jim Chalmers and Angus Taylor met for this week’s treasurers’ debate, the moderator observed that in three or six years they might be facing each other as prime minister and opposition leader.

    Election results trigger, or subsequently lead to, leadership resets. Even in the turmoil of a campaign, players will also have their eyes on the future.

    After two weeks, the election campaign appears to have shifted more clearly in Labor’s direction. The uncertainty caused by Donald Trump is making some voters inclined to stick with the status quo, and the Liberal campaign has appeared faltering. Things could change, but as of now, Labor is better placed.

    Assuming Anthony Albanese wins, the dynamics within Labor will be different according to whether his government is in minority or majority.

    Albanese’s negotiating skills were evident during the last minority Labor government, and would likely come to the fore again if Labor had to wrangle crossbenchers in the House of Representatives.

    But regardless of majority or minority, there would probably be pressure for a leadership change at some point during the next term. It is hard to see Albanese, 62, taking Labor into the 2028 election.

    Chalmers, 47, is the obvious frontrunner to succeed him, but not the only horse in the field. And, apart from Chalmers, other aspirants might be concerned time would pass them by if there was not a transition next term.

    Home Affairs minister Tony Burke, 55, from the right in NSW, is ambitious and canny; he has delivered to the unions and could look to support from that quarter. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, 57, who hails from the Victorian right, also sees himself as a potential successor.

    The left’s Tanya Plibersek, 55, is a favourite with the party rank and file but could struggle to get enough backing in a leadership transition during a second term. Energy Minister Chris Bowen, 52, has had a tough time selling the government’s energy transition policy; in the past he was seen as a serious leadership contender, but doesn’t make it into dispatches these days.

    If the Labor leadership is contested, the rules provide for a ballot of the rank and file. That contributes 50% of the result, with caucus providing the other 50%. A transition in government during the term either would not involve a formal ballot or, if it did, the rules would be changed to override the provision for a long grass roots contest.

    The dynamic between Chalmers and Albanese in a second-term government would be closely watched. There have been some differences between the two over the past three years, notably over the recalibration of the Morrison government’s tax cuts. Chalmers eventually won his push to change them. The treasurer’s loyalty to Albanese has not been in question. But the contrast in their communication skills has been widely remarked on.

    The usual pattern of these things is that a treasurer who sees himself as a future prime minister becomes increasingly impatient as time goes on. Paul Keating, who eventually toppled Bob Hawke, and Peter Costello, who never got to the point of challenging John Howard, are examples.

    While Albanese has obviously not had to watch his back this term, the dynamic would be different next time around. The example of Scott Morrison is instructive. After he unexpectedly won the 2019 election, Morrison was seen as untouchable. Fast forward to before the following election and some in the Liberal party approached treasurer Josh Frydenberg to try to replace Morrison. He rebuffed them.

    Looking across the board, it’s notable that the most impressive Labor leaders currently are two state premiers, Chris Minns in NSW and Peter Malinauskas in South Australia. Both are centrist, pragmatic, unifying figures who come across well. Many in Labor might regret they are not in the federal parliament (although the leadership aspirants would be relieved).

    On the other side of politics, if 54-year-old Peter Dutton loses, what happens with the Liberal leadership? The size of the loss would be crucial. If Labor remained in majority, that would be such a major failure Dutton would surely be replaced immediately. If he picked up a respectable number of seats, on the other hand, he would likely be kept on. He has worked his relationships within the Liberal party well; he is seen as more consultative than, for example, Morrison or Malcolm Turnbull.

    But how long would he last as leader? If the Coalition was only a whisker away from power, he might get a second crack in 2028. However if Labor, although in minority, was looking solid, the Liberals would start thinking about a new leader.

    Their problem is that there is a dearth of frontbench talent.

    Taylor, 58, certainly has ambition. But he has not performed well as shadow treasurer, and is not a good retail politician. Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley, 63, is scatty and widely criticised by colleagues. Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie, 42, hasn’t broadened out as much as might have been expected this term, and has the disadvantage of coming from Western Australia, which has limited his visibility.

    The loss of Frydenberg at the last election has left the Liberals with a long-term succession problem.

    Partly, though not entirely, this goes back some way, to the sort of candidates selected in former years. This is an increasing challenge for both “parties of government”. The talent pool is narrowing.

    Fewer potential high flyers are wanting to enter politics. A toxic political culture and greater media intrusion contribute to this. Politicians might never have commanded great respect but they are accorded even less these days, and there are larger rewards elsewhere. Also, political staffs are bigger, and these young hustlers are well placed to secure preselection.

    There is another factor. Nowadays there’s more pressure to put forward “local champions” – people who are deeply embedded in their communities. We’ve seen this in the success of the “community candidates” movement – many voters respond to them.

    With fewer “safe” seats and this desire for localism, the major parties cannot so easily parachute high flyers into seats in which they don’t live. Labor notoriously tried this with Kristina Keneally, a former senator and former NSW premier, at the last election, and managed to lose what had been the solid Labor seat of Fowler.

    The political move to local champions and community candidates, whatever pluses it might have, will over time erode the potential leadership pools of the major parties.

    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. Grattan on Friday: Will there be leadership changes on both sides of politics next parliamentary term? – https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-will-there-be-leadership-changes-on-both-sides-of-politics-next-parliamentary-term-254203

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £10k donation will help young musicians take to stage at Wulfrun Hall

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    It will enable 16 groups of young musicians from Wolverhampton Music Service to perform at the Wulfrun Hall at University of Wolverhampton at The Halls between 15 and 18 July, 2025.

    Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We are very thankful for everything the Friends do to support Wolverhampton Music Service, and this incredible donation will enable our young musicians to perform at the city’s premier live music venue, The Halls.”

    Head of Service Ciaran O’Donnell added: “We provide our concerts entirely free of charge because we think it is really important that parents and supporters get to hear the achievements of their young musicians.

    “And it’s crucial for the performers that they play to a big audience and in the best possible venues, as that provides them with the most authentic experience.

    “We are overwhelmed by this generous donation from the Friends which will enable us to make it a summer to remember for our young musicians.”

    Meanwhile, 431 young musicians from over 60 schools took to the stage last week for Wolverhampton Music Service’s latest Be inspired concerts.

    Over the course of 4 nights, they performed 79 pieces of music spanning the full repertoire – from classics, film, bands, orchestras choirs to rock and pop – in front of a collective audience of over 800 families and supporters.

    The concerts were also supported by the Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service, which will be holding another fundraiser next month. U2 vs Simple Minds will pay homage to the massively popular Irish and Scottish bands in the guise of tribute acts u2+1 and Alive & Kicking UK.

    The concert will take place at Wolverhampton Music School, Graiseley Hill, on Saturday 10 May, 2025, from 7.30pm and tickets, priced £20, are available now at Eventbrite.

    All proceeds will go to Wolverhampton Music Service, which delivers around 500 hours of tuition to nearly 7,000 children in 82 schools each week. It also runs 15 free ensembles enjoyed by over 500 children and young people each week, including the chance to perform with its flagship groups, Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra and Wolverhampton Youth Wind Orchestra. To find out more, please visit Wolverhampton Music Service.

    To make a one-off donation to the Friends and help support the invaluable work of the Music Service, please visit Friends of Wolverhampton Music Service.  People can also support the Friends in other ways, for instance serving refreshments or selling raffle tickets at concerts, which helps to ensure there is no ticket charge for any Music Service events. Find out more at Wolverhampton Music Service | Friends.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hubble Helps Determine Uranus’ Rotation Rate with Unprecedented Precision

    Source: NASA

    An international team of astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has made new measurements of Uranus’ interior rotation rate with a novel technique, achieving a level of accuracy 1,000 times greater than previous estimates. By analyzing more than a decade of Hubble observations of Uranus’ aurorae, researchers have refined the planet’s rotation period and established a crucial new reference point for future planetary research.

    These images from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope showcase the dynamic aurora on Uranus in October 2022. These observations were made by the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and includes both visible and ultraviolet data. An international team of astronomers used Hubble to make new measurements of Uranus’ interior rotation rate by analyzing more than a decade of the telescope’s observations of Uranus’ aurorae. This refinement of the planet’s rotation period achieved a level of accuracy 1000 times greater than previous estimates and serves as a crucial new reference point for future planetary research.
    ESA/Hubble, NASA, L. Lamy, L. Sromovsky

    Determining a planet’s interior rotation rate is challenging, particularly for a world like Uranus, where direct measurements are not possible. A team led by Laurent Lamy (of LIRA, Observatoire de Paris-PSL and LAM, Aix-Marseille Univ., France), developed an innovative method to track the rotational motion of Uranus’ aurorae: spectacular light displays generated in the upper atmosphere by the influx of energetic particles near the planet’s magnetic poles. This technique revealed that Uranus completes a full rotation in 17 hours, 14 minutes, and 52 seconds — 28 seconds longer than the estimate obtained by NASA’s Voyager 2 during its 1986 flyby.
    “Our measurement not only provides an essential reference for the planetary science community but also resolves a long-standing issue: previous coordinate systems based on outdated rotation periods quickly became inaccurate, making it impossible to track Uranus’ magnetic poles over time,” explains Lamy. “With this new longitude system, we can now compare auroral observations spanning nearly 40 years and even plan for the upcoming Uranus mission.”

    This image of Uranus’ aurorae was taken by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope on 10 October 2022. These observations were made by the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and includes both visible and ultraviolet data. An international team of astronomers used Hubble to make new measurements of Uranus’ interior rotation rate by analyzing more than a decade of the telescope’s observations of Uranus’ aurorae. This refinement of the planet’s rotation period achieved a level of accuracy 1000 times greater than previous estimates and serves as a crucial new reference point for future planetary research.
    ESA/Hubble, NASA, L. Lamy, L. Sromovsky

    This breakthrough was possible thanks to Hubble’s long-term monitoring of Uranus. Over more than a decade, Hubble has regularly observed its ultraviolet auroral emissions, enabling researchers to produce magnetic field models that successfully match the changing position of the magnetic poles with time.
    “The continuous observations from Hubble were crucial,” says Lamy. “Without this wealth of data, it would have been impossible to detect the periodic signal with the level of accuracy we achieved.”
    Unlike the aurorae of Earth, Jupiter, or Saturn, Uranus’ aurorae behave in a unique and unpredictable manner. This is due to the planet’s highly tilted magnetic field, which is significantly offset from its rotational axis. The findings not only help astronomers understand Uranus’ magnetosphere but also provide vital information for future missions.
    These findings set the stage for further studies that will deepen our understanding of one of the most mysterious planets in the Solar System. With its ability to monitor celestial bodies over decades, the Hubble Space Telescope continues to be an indispensable tool for planetary science, paving the way for the next era of exploration at Uranus.
    These results are based on observations acquired with Hubble programs GO #12601, 13012, 14036, 16313 and DDT #15380 (PI: L. Lamy). The team’s paper was published in Nature Astronomy.
    The Hubble Space Telescope has been operating for over three decades and continues to make ground-breaking discoveries that shape our fundamental understanding of the universe. Hubble is a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA (European Space Agency). NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope and mission operations. Lockheed Martin Space, based in Denver, also supports mission operations at Goddard. The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, conducts Hubble science operations for NASA.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS OF THE AMBASSADOR OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC TO THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF SAMOA

    Source:

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    [PRESS RELEASE – Thursday 27 March 2025] – His Excellency Mr. Antonio Albuquerque Moniz presented his Letters of Credence to the Head of State of the Independent State of Samoa, Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II, at a Credentials Ceremony held this morning at the Official Residence of the Head of State at Vailele, accrediting His Excellency as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Portugal to Samoa with residence in Canberra, Australia.

    Samoa and Portugal have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of formal ties on 9 June 1995. The two countries collaborate in multilateral fora, including the United Nations, to address global challenges such as climate change, ocean governance, and sustainable development. Ambassador Moniz reaffirmed Portugal’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Samoa, highlighting Portugal’s ongoing support for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and its engagement in the Pacific region through its application to become a Dialogue Partner of the Pacific Islands Forum.

    Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II welcomed the Ambassador and acknowledged the growing partnership between Samoa and Portugal. He expressed appreciation for Portugal’s advocacy on climate action and ocean conservation, as well as its contributions to international development initiatives that align with Samoa’s priorities. The Head of State conveyed his confidence that Ambassador Moniz’s tenure will further enhance the friendship and cooperation between our two countries.

    H.E. Mr. Antonio Albuquerque Moniz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lisbon. He joined Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991 and held various senior positions, including Head of Visa Services and Movement of Persons within the Directorate-General for Consular Affairs. His diplomatic career includes postings at Portugal’s missions in Vienna and Warsaw, as well as serving as Deputy Head of Mission in Berlin. In 2015, he was appointed Consul General at Portugal’s Consulate in Paris. He later served as Portugal’s Ambassador to Cape Verde in 2020 before assuming his current role as Ambassador of Portugal to Australia in 2023. Mr Antonio A. Moniz is married and has one daughter.

    END

    SOURCE – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

    Photos by the Government of Samoa (Leaosa Faaifo Faaifo)

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Champion line-up of finalists confirmed for 2025 Leeds Sports Awards

    Source: City of Leeds

    Stars of the Olympics and Paralympics are set to be saluted alongside local coaching stalwarts and a whole host of other unsung heroes at the 2025 Leeds Sports Awards.

    Nominations opened in February for the 22nd edition of the event, held each year to celebrate the achievements of individual athletes – of all ages and levels – as well as community-based teams and volunteers.

    And the chosen finalists in a total of 13 different categories have now been announced as the countdown continues to next month’s awards ceremony.

    Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft and Kadeena Cox are shortlisted for the Disability Sportsperson Award, while Olympic gold medallists Katy Marchant, Tom Pidcock and Georgie Brayshaw are in contention for the Sportsperson Award.

    Diving coach Adam Smallwood, gymnastics coach Dave Murray, wheelchair racing coach Paul Moseley and triathlon coach Rhys Davey are all finalists in the Performance Coach Award category.

    Taking place on Thursday, May 15, this year’s ceremony will be held for the first time at Leeds’s Carriageworks Theatre and is being hosted by sports broadcaster Tanya Arnold and Leeds Rhinos great Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

    The recipient of 2025’s Sporting Pride of Leeds Award – previously won by legendary names such as Jonny and Alistair Brownlee, Eddie Gray and Rob Burrow – will be announced on the evening.

    The awards are once again being delivered by Sport Leeds with support from Leeds City Council.

    Rob Wadsworth, chair of Sport Leeds, said:

    “The long-awaited finalists announcement has been made and, as you would expect from this great sporting city, we will be celebrating the global success of athletes and their coaches, but equally as important, the unsung heroes of community sport.”

    Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said:

    “From a very large number of nominations, the judges have produced an exceptional list of finalists representing every level of sport across the city, from inspirational community champions to Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners. We look forward to showcasing their sporting achievements at the wonderful Carriageworks Theatre.”

    2025 LEEDS SPORTS AWARDS FINALISTS

    Young Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

    Lucas Town

    Oliver Porter

    Disability Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

    Hannah Cockroft

    Kadeena Cox

    Young Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

    Amy Wright

    Matilda Potter

    Yaried Alem

    Sportsperson (Sponsored by Technogym)

    Georgie Brayshaw

    Katy Marchant

    Tom Pidcock

    School Achievement (Sponsored by YPO)

    Dave Curtis

    St Theresa’s Catholic Primary School

    Outstanding Sports Volunteer (Sponsored by Rosterfy)

    Fiona Croft and Becky Simmonds

    Dr Ian Richards

    Community Coach (Sponsored by Evans Homes)

    Charlotte Williams

    Elaine Brown & Pete Makowski

    Community Team/Club (Sponsored by Evans Homes)

    Crossgates Harriers

    Methley United AFC

    Student Sport Champion (Sponsored by Leeds Trinity University)

    Luke Whitehouse

    Max Burgin

    Inspirational Community Champion (Sponsored by University of Leeds)

    Anthony Hall

    Come Outside – Jovanni & Rob

    Performance Coach (Sponsored by Yorkshire Sport Foundation)

    Adam Smallwood

    Dave Murray

    Paul Moseley

    Rhys Davey

    Performance Team/Club (Sponsored by Weetwood Hall Estate)

    City of Leeds Diving Club

    Leeds Gymnastics Club

    Sustainability Champion (Sponsored by Zoggs)

    K.E.E.P.

    Yorkshire Cricket Foundation

    Sporting Pride of Leeds (Sponsored by first direct arena)

    Winner to be announced during May 15’s ceremony

    Note to editors:

    Sport Leeds was established in 2002 and has since become a dynamic sports network with a strong reputation in the city and region. It serves as the strategic partnership for organisations involved in promoting and developing sports and active recreation in Leeds.

    The network includes professional and amateur sports clubs, universities, colleges, school clusters and other important sporting organisations from within the city, region and beyond.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Polytechnic University hosted the Science Week of the Civil Engineering Institute

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Polytechnic University hosted the All-Russian conference “Science Week of the Civil Engineering Institute 2025”. The event brought together students, postgraduates, teachers, representatives of scientific organizations and industrial partners to discuss current issues of modern construction and engineering solutions.

    The conference program included 16 sectional sessions from each of the institute’s four higher schools: the Higher School of Technosphere Safety, the Higher School of Design and Architecture, the Higher School of Industrial, Civil and Road Construction, and the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering.

    The key topics of the science of ISI steel: the possibility of using generative neural networks, chat bots, VR content to ensure labor protection tasks; the effectiveness of methods for assessing the results of the audit of the labor management system; transport and logistics restrictions in the evacuation of the population in conditions of radiation emergency; Modeling the dynamics of a fire of classes “A” and “B” in a limited volume; ensuring fire safety of marine oil and gas production platforms equipped with low -power atomic reactors; methods of revitalization of waste quarries; green infrastructure technologies for controlling surface effluents in an urbanized environment; methods of adaptation of industrial territories depending on the direction of transformation; Automated quality checking of calendar-net schedules in construction; accounting for risks in construction in public-private partnership; The algorithm for calculating the foundation of foundation; methodology for determining the volume of work using Tim-technologies in the design of roads; features of adapting illustrations for people with disabilities; study of the influence of surface loads on the bearing capacity of cantilever slopes; taking into account the factor of the unhealthy mode of groundwater movement in determining the timing of construction; the role of pH as an indicator of changes in the sea environment of the Black Sea under the influence of climatic factors and biogeochemical processes; The use of intellectual technologies in autonomous energy complexes based on renewable energy sources, etc.

    The conference was attended by over 650 people, including students, representatives of Russian and foreign universities, and industrial partners of the ISI. More than 500 reports were presented.

    The II International Scientific Conference “Civil, Industrial and Urban Construction – 2025” was held as part of the Science Week. It was attended by: Director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Water Management and Engineering and Communication Systems of the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Elgiz Hasanov, Rector of the University of Segou Ijay Daw (Mali), Rector of the University of Tahri Mohamed Boudjem Bezzazi (Algeria), Acting Dean of the Faculty of Urban Development and Modern Transport of the Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology Li Xiaolong (PRC), Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Belarusian-Russian University Olga Golushkova, ICI leaders and teachers, as well as researchers, design engineers and representatives of design and construction organizations from Russia and foreign countries. The conference became an important platform for exchanging experiences and discussing current issues in the development of modern construction, engineering technologies and sustainable development of the industry.

    The Science Week of the Civil Engineering Institute is an annual conference held by our institute. This year, more than 600 students, postgraduates and teachers from SPbPU and other universities took part in the event, and industrial partners were present at each thematic section. The geography of the conference delegates has also expanded, noted Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Civil Engineering Institute.

    I advise young specialists to broaden their horizons, be active, do not be shy about asking any questions to teachers and mentors in companies, do not be shy about showing personal initiative. The main thing is not to forget that life is much broader and more beautiful than just building a career. It is necessary to learn to combine a career and your life in order to live it as a happy person, – shared a representative of one of the industrial partners of the ISI, Deputy General Director for Development of the company “SPbGiproshakht” Evgeny Kazhentsev.

    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: School Engineering Education. Discussion in the Federation Council

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    An extended meeting of the Association of Educational Organizations “Consortium for the Development of School Engineering and Technology Education” was held in Moscow. The event brought together experts from the Federation Council, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, School No. 2087 “Otkrytie”, the Russian Biotechnology University, the VKontakte office, and the Career Guidance Center “Professions of the Future”.

    The Federation Council held a plenary discussion on the topic of “Regulatory framework and measures of state support for the development of school engineering education”, moderated by the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Regulations Vyacheslav Timchenko. The discussion brought together representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Rosmolodezh, heads of leading engineering schools, directors of technical colleges, employees of higher education institutions, industrial enterprises, as well as representatives of departments and departments of education from different regions of the country.

    Nikolay Snegirev, Head of the Directorate of Pre-University Education and Talent Attraction, took part in the discussion on behalf of the Polytechnic University. The key issues of the discussion were the legal regulation of engineering education in schools, state support for innovative projects and infrastructure, educational and methodological support, and the continuity of educational programs.

    The participants of the event discussed the development of strategies and methods for ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country with the participation of educational institutions – the best schools, colleges, universities, high-tech companies and representatives of government agencies. The speakers emphasized the importance of combining efforts to form an investment economy and create a reserve of engineering specialists necessary to strengthen the technological sovereignty of the state.

    Following the discussion, the participants came to the conclusion that it is necessary to follow specific strategies and take measures aimed at improving the entire educational system, uniting industrial and academic partners, and creating an effective system for training engineering personnel. These steps will help to form an investment economy and prepare qualified engineering personnel for the future of the country.

    The recommendations developed by the panel discussion participants will be sent to the Government of the Russian Federation and executive authorities.

    Participation in the extended meeting was a valuable experience for us, allowing us to exchange knowledge and developments with leading experts and representatives of educational organizations. SPbPU presented its experience in organizing and holding the Polytechnic Olympiad for schoolchildren in engineering sciences. We not only strengthened existing professional contacts, but also established new partnerships that will open up additional prospects for joint work. This event confirmed the importance of a collective approach to solving current problems in education and science. We highly value the opportunity to be part of such a professional community that unites best practices and strives to achieve common goals, – noted Nikolay Snegiryov.

    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: Medals of regional interuniversity competitions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    As part of the 48th Universiade, competitions in sambo and powerlifting were held among students of higher educational institutions of the Novosibirsk Region.

    Unfortunately, both of our teams fell just short of the prize places and ended up fourth. In the individual championship in different weight categories, our students won 6 medals in sambo and 5 medals in powerlifting.

    The winners among sambo wrestlers were:

    1st place – Artem Urukov (FF) and Sofia Lisitsa (GI)

    2nd place – Ksenia Burkova (MMF)

    3rd place – Sofia Balashova (FIT), Arina Polyachenkova (IFP) and Leonid Grobivkin (GI)

    The following athletes took the podium in the powerlifting competition:

    2nd place – Alina Titenko (IMPZ)

    3rd place – Anna Yakovleva (FEN), Ivan Dmitriev (FF), Kirill Stebner and Daria Gribanova (IMPZ)

    The teams also included:

    – Sambo –

    Ivan Rogov, Ksenia Pogorelova and Nikita Biryuchkov (GGF)

    Egor Vlasov, Polina Lobankova and Ivan Perfilov (EF)

    Vladimir Mokichev and Evgenia Malakhovskaya (FEN)

    Sergey Budyakov (IFP), Egor Semenov (FF), Gleb Zhilin (IIR)

    Ivan Zaguzin (IMPZ) and Andrey Kirilenko (MMF)

    — Powerlifting —

    Ekaterina Kashina, Fard Abdollahi, Alireza Zanganeh and Darvishi Amirhossein (IMPZ)

    Kiseleva Irina and Nikolay Morev (FEN)

    Nikita Melnikov (GGF), Mark Gulev (MMF) and Matvey Menshikov (EF)

    Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the athletes and coaches (Anastasia Pyankova, Sergey Tsvetkov and Alexander Avgustinovich) for their worthy performance at the University Championship!

    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 Europe: Why Should International Students Choose Sciences Po?

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    Students in front of the entrance at 1 St-Thomas (credits: Pierre Morel)

    Virtual Undergraduate Open House day 2025

    Come meet our teams and students at our campuses.

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    Meet faculty members, students and representatives and learn more about our 30 Master’s programmes.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Researcher Ariel Colonomos Recipient of the International Ethics ISA Book Award

    Source: Universities – Science Po in English

    Human lives are one of the two elements that are constitutive of an equilibrium where lives are put in balance with interests. This balance between lives and interests, I argue, is constitutive of the political as a sphere. As in every other form of exchange, we can use one element to measure the other. This is the reason why lives are the measure of our interests, as much as interests are the measure of our lives.

    Indeed, we pay for lives by making concessions with our interests (whether they are political, such as in the field of security, what we consider to be our “national interest”, or economic), and, we pay with lives in pursuit of some of the goals that constitute for us primary interests (in war, for example, but, as I argue in the book, in many other fields as well, such as in the domain of global health).

    This balance is constitutive of the political, in so far as measurement is the challenge of politics defined as an art, and maintaining the stability of that delicate equilibrium is an essential task. I borrow examples from different countries and different time periods: I want to show how this principle is widely shared throughout time and space.

    States have the upper hand in this process, and they usually rule over who gets what, as well as who must sacrifice their lives and who gets to be saved. However, we see two other players in this game: markets and communities.

    The market is a place where these exchanges take place—i.e. when claims for reparations are filed, when companies get fined because of the harm they might cause to the environment, or when insurance companies price the lives of hostages.

    Communities also take an active role and, depending on the political context they are in, could even have a bigger role in the balancing of lives and interests. Communities get reparations for historical injustices, “communities” of victims in the U.S. were granted reparations in the aftermath of 9/11. We may consider that communities in the Amazon should get reparations because of the damages caused to the environment.

    I also discuss in my book other cases that are related to migration, where I argue that communities of migrants should benefit from financial support when their lives are endangered.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Alarmist nonsense’: Labor and Coalition dismissed security risks over the Port of Darwin for years. What’s changed?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Laurenceson, Director and Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI), University of Technology Sydney

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both committed to stripping a Chinese company, Landbridge, of the lease to operate Darwin Port. Landbridge paid A$506 million for the 99-year lease from the Northern Territory government in October 2015.

    In Australia’s political system, democratically elected representatives like Albanese and Dutton have the power to make such decisions. Still, Australians would hope and expect these decisions were driven by the best available advice, not domestic political sparring ahead of a federal election.

    This is particularly so when such a move would likely elevate fears among foreign investors around sovereign risk.

    Defence Minister Richard Marles has refused to say if security agencies are recommending Australia retake control of the port, nor has the Coalition provided a reason for its new stance.

    Media reports often cite “defence experts” who claim Chinese ownership of the lease involves unacceptable risks.

    However, it has been the long-standing and consistent advice of Australia’s most senior national security officials that this is not the case.

    Earlier concerns batted away

    Landbridge did not need Canberra’s approval when it secured the port lease in 2015. Nonetheless, the company notified the Foreign Investment Review Board of its interest in submitting a competitive bid for the lease four months before the deal was sealed.

    The Department of Defence and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) “examined it thoroughly”. The then-secretary of the Department of Defence, Dennis Richardson, said:

    We are at one in agreeing that this was not an investment that should be opposed on defence or security grounds.

    Richardson told Senate Estimates in 2015 he was “not aware of any concerns” among the senior leadership in the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), either.

    The chief of the ADF, Mark Binskin, said in the same hearing:

    If [ship] movements are the issue, I can sit at the fish and chip shop on the wharf […] and watch ships come and go, regardless of who owns it.

    Some analysts raised concerns after the sale, but these were borderline ridiculed by officials with access to the most highly classified national security information.

    Analysts at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, for example, warned that a Chinese company holding the lease “could facilitate intelligence collection” of ADF operations and US Marine deployments.

    Richardson said it was “amateur hour” to suggest Chinese spies could use the port for this purpose. He added: “It’s as though people have never heard of overhead imagery” from spy satellites.

    Analysts also suggested China could acquire valuable knowledge of the types of signals an Australian or US warship would “emit through a variety of sensors and systems”. Richardson dismissed this as “absurd”.

    Even more ludicrous were claims the port deal would provide the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) with “facilitated access to Australia”.

    Richardson labelled this as “alarmist nonsense”. Any visits by foreign naval vessels cannot be approved by a commercial port operator, he said. They must be signed off on by the Department of Defence.

    Analysts also contended that Landbridge’s chairman, Ye Cheng, was a “senior Communist Party official” and the company was a “commercial front intimately tied to state-owned operations, the party and the PLA”.

    This was debunked by a Chinese law and corporate governance expert.

    Tellingly, when Landbridge found itself in financial difficulty in 2017, it was forced to borrow in high-interest rate debt markets. This is common for privately owned Chinese firms, but not those with close state and party connections. They would be able to access subsidised loans from state-owned banks.

    Successive reviews have reaffirmed the decision

    When Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was asked in 2018 whether she had any lingering security fears about the Darwin Port lease, she replied the Department of Defence “had no concerns […] and that is still the case”.

    As the China-Australia relationship deteriorated in the ensuing years, the Morrison government reviewed the deal in 2021. It found there were still no national security grounds sufficient to overturn the lease.

    Yet another review by the Albanese government just 18 months ago also deemed it “not necessary to vary or cancel the lease”. It concluded:

    there is a robust regulatory system in place to manage risks to critical infrastructure, including the Port of Darwin.

    In announcing his pledge to reacquire the Darwin Port last weekend, Dutton alluded to “advice of the intelligence agencies”, pointing to a deterioration in Australia’s strategic circumstances.

    However, the Coalition had apparently not yet received an intelligence briefing on any security risks specifically connected to the Port of Darwin when Dutton made this pledge. Opposition leaders only made a request for the national security advice underpinning Albanese’s promise to reacquire the port in a letter to the government on Monday.

    The reality is that if Albanese and Dutton now suddenly and genuinely believed that Darwin might need to serve as a staging post for military conflict with China, forcing the sale of a few commercial wharves currently operated by a Chinese company would be a woefully inadequate response.

    They would instead be committing to a massive infrastructure upgrade, most likely in the form of an entirely new port facility. Planning for such a facility was already being mooted in 2019.

    The fact that they aren’t says a lot.

    James Laurenceson 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. ‘Alarmist nonsense’: Labor and Coalition dismissed security risks over the Port of Darwin for years. What’s changed? – https://theconversation.com/alarmist-nonsense-labor-and-coalition-dismissed-security-risks-over-the-port-of-darwin-for-years-whats-changed-253941

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of the State University of Management learned about the acting “kitchen” first-hand: Vasilina Yuskovets revealed the secrets of the profession

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Students of the State University of Management met with actress Vasilina Yuskovets. During a casual conversation, they asked the star guest questions of interest.

    Vasilina Yuskovets played the leading role in the successful STS channel series “Ivanovy Ivanovy”, after which she participated in such projects as “Out of the Game”, “IP Pirogova”, “Life on Call”, etc. In 2022, Vasilina received the “Best Actress” award at the Pilot festival for the series “Alice’s Dreams”, which became the only Russian participant in the international festivals Canneserials and Berlinale Series Market Selects.

    The meeting took place as part of the VI All-Russian Festival of Student Short Films “Kinosfera”.

    We started the conversation with the usual question about the reasons for choosing this profession. Vasilina told a story familiar to every child with an active mother and a large number of accessible sections.

    “My mother took me to all the clubs that were in our area: sports, vocals, dancing, drawing, etc. At some point, I said that I was tired of this, I didn’t want to develop and it was time to stop. And then my mother took me to a theater studio, saying, “You always wanted to play roles, did productions for holidays.” I came, tried it and I liked it. This profession captivates people and leaves them in itself. Acting is a whirlpool, but I’m glad that I’m in it.”

    Vasilina also shared her experience of taking her first steps in art.

    “My first steps were steady, if we talk about the first shoots and castings. I was charismatic, young, stuck up and not afraid of anything. You need to follow yourself, form your self-identity and understand yourself, and I did it.”

    When asked what field the guest sees herself in besides filming, Vasilina admitted that she always loved writing and would become a journalist, book author or scriptwriter. Moreover, the actress said that she will soon go to study at the screenwriting department and wants to make her own film in the future.

    “It’s really cool that our profession involves mixing different professions. I won’t lose anything as an actress if I also become a screenwriter. On the contrary, it will give me a lot on the set.”

    The actress also admitted that she has no problems with fame, she enjoys taking photos with fans and she is pleased when people recognize her. There was no hate or bullying in her life because of filming, and she sincerely wishes that no one would ever encounter such negative phenomena. As for criticism, one should listen to objective criticism, because it helps to make oneself better, Vasilina believes. She admitted that she is her main critic.

    The audience perked up when the guest told about her usual day, which is so similar to the life of almost every working person.

    “If I don’t have a project, I sleep and rest a lot, I can stay all day. I also walk the dog, scroll through social networks and just unload myself. When inspiration comes, I make some notes. I am a very private person and have decided not to attend large events for now in order to focus on what I am outside of the media.”

    Throughout the conversation, the heroine noted the importance of a person’s inner world and the special significance of the ability to be oneself for an actor.

    “An actor is not only about acting, initially it is a search: first you need to find the material in yourself, your treasure, which you will then use. Even if now you do not know when you will need it, but this day will definitely come. Someday a casting director or a director will come to you and say that this is exactly what he was looking for. When a role comes, the search begins again: you look for a connection with this character in yourself and the world. And when you find it, this moment cannot be confused with anything. The main thing is when you bring all this to the set, and your vision coincides with the director’s opinion and with the entire filming system – this is great. And if it does not coincide, then this is also normal, then you search again.”

    Vasilina also told the details of the filming process, warning the guys that they had to be prepared for a tough filming regime.

    “Today, there is almost no preparation during filming, no readings, no rehearsals, no director’s tasks for the actor. Even at the auditions, you have to come as a ready-made character, because the shift is coming soon, everything is ready for filming, and you have to fit in there like a puzzle. If you want to work in this industry, then be people who are passionate about their work and are ready to accept it. At the same time, all responsibility for the role lies primarily with the actor. In order to prepare, you need to listen as much as possible to what they say at the auditions, try not to forget it and then implement it on the set.”

    When asked about her plans for the near future, including her own script, the actress admitted with a smile that “actors always have the feeling that “I will be a blogger, a model, a screenwriter, a musician, etc.” only when they don’t have work. When you work, you don’t have time for it. I film 300 days a year and don’t think about anything else. Three premieres are expected in the coming year. And since my recent filming was in the winter at -30 and I was very cold, my immediate goal is to work when it’s warm.”

    In addition to interesting stories, Vasilina gave some practical advice on how to cry on camera, why it is important to remain yourself, and what is important during castings and self-tests.

    “The main thing in an actor’s work is the ability to transform your state, control it and direct it in the right direction. There are many techniques for this, and some people just know how to do it from birth. If you understand that you need to be active, bright, charged, and you can quickly bring yourself to the right state, then this is already the path to success. For self-tests, you need to not only be in your organic state, but also capture it in the best possible way: with good light, on a plain background, in a way that is comfortable for you and suitable for the character. An actor and a creative person have a billion shades, you need to be able to choose correctly.”

    At the end of the meeting, the actress emphasized that it is important not to lose yourself and to live not only on camera, but also in real life.

    “To get out of the role, it is enough for me to lie down, rest and take care of my life. Of course, there are those who lay themselves at the feet of acting. But I believe that if you do not have a personal life, relationships with others, a personal brand, other income, parents, loved ones, etc., then everything is bad. The acting world does not expect you to sacrifice yourself. Even if you do, it will say thank you, but will not give the same. Do not forget about yourself, because no one will replace you.”

    At the end of the meeting, the actress gave the children autographs and took a photo with the students.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 10.04.2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The final of the research projects competition “Steps” was held at the Polytechnic University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University organized the final of the “Steps” competition, where schoolchildren presented their research papers. The participants of the competition were the private educational institution “Gazprom School”, the private educational institution “Gazprom School Saint Petersburg”, as well as first-year students of the private professional educational institution “Gazprom College Volgograd” named after I. A. Matlashov and “Gazprom Technical School Novy Urengoy”. The theme of the competition was “Energy of Change: New Ideas, New Solutions”. It was divided into several sections: “Digital Economy, Management of Social Technologies”, “Technosphere Environmental Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry”, “Energy Saving and Alternative Energy”, “Chemical Technologies”, “Engineering Solutions in the Oil and Gas Industry”.

    On April 6, the children went on a virtual tour of the university campus and took part in a master class on creating a drilling rig. On April 7, all the attention of the jury and participants was focused on the projects of schoolchildren completed during the year under the guidance of experienced curators from various universities.

    At the grand opening of the final, the head of the department of PAO Gazprom Alexander Shagov noted: “The theme of the competition very accurately characterizes the time in which we live. The modern world is changing quickly, technologies are developing rapidly. What was new yesterday will seem outdated tomorrow. The competition gives you a unique opportunity, while still schoolchildren, to feel like real scientists and students.”

    Several projects supervised by SPbPU specialists won prizes. In the Energy Saving and Alternative Energy section, two teams from GBOU Gymnasium No. 426 received diplomas of the 1st and 3rd degrees. The projects were supervised by students of the Higher School of Nuclear and Thermal Energy of the Institute of Power Engineering Nikita Kondrashov, Mark Mironchuk, Georgy Kondratov, as well as senior lecturer of the Higher School of Power Engineering Arsenty Klyuev.

    I would like to proudly note the victory of our team. Together with Victoria Klyuzheva and Victoria Zueva, we became the best among the students of Gazprom classes in the section “Energy Saving and Alternative Energy”. The project on the use of a sand battery in permafrost conditions turned out to be not only relevant, but also extremely promising. The guys showed a high level of training, a creative approach and real teamwork. I am proud of our students. They did a hundred percent! – said Nikita Kondrashov.

    As part of the cooperation between PJSC Gazprom and the Polytechnic University, students from Gazprom classes in St. Petersburg attended theoretical classes at SPbPU on a weekly basis and were able to apply the knowledge they had gained in preparing projects.

    Working on the engineering project was an interesting experience and a valuable source of knowledge for me. I was especially impressed by the opportunity to apply theory in creating a system that could solve the heating problem in the northern regions in the future. Thanks to teamwork and the help of the curators, I significantly expanded my knowledge. I would like to separately note the invaluable contribution of Nikita Kondrashov and the curators of other teams, whose involvement and willingness to help played a key role in the success of the project. The work required knowledge of thermodynamics, which, naturally, was replenished. Defending the project in front of teachers and the jury, I learned to speak in public, answer questions, and defend my point of view, – shared Victoria Klyuzheva.

    The holders of the third degree diplomas, in the framework of the report “Development of a hydroelectric power station on the Gulf of Finland”, considered the possibilities of using the “Wave Carpet” technology as an idea for the beneficial use of the energy of the waters of the Gulf of Finland.

    In the section “Engineering solutions in the oil and gas industry” under the supervision of the senior lecturer of the Higher School of Power Engineering of the Institute of Economics Arsenty Klyuev, students of Gymnasium No. 330 Dmitry Rodnov and Maxim Pets received third-degree diplomas with their technological project “Improving the cavitation characteristics of an oil centrifugal pump”.

    When you understand that your research and knowledge can help others, it motivates you to work. In addition, it is also a huge experience that will help in the future when studying at the university. This project convinced me that I need to enter the Polytechnic University because it is a place where there are a huge number of opportunities to deal with interesting engineering problems, and young teachers help you to reveal your potential. Last year we also did a project, but it was more theoretical. This year, the project is dedicated to solving a real practical problem. Personally, my skill of quick learning helped me cope with it. Before this project, I had never worked in 3D modeling programs, but thanks to an excellent mentor, I quickly mastered the basics and learned to model, although before it seemed a very difficult task. I also acquired the skill of 3D modeling, now I can do reverse engineering in the field of hydraulic machines and hydropower, – Dmitry Rodnov shared his experience.

    On the last day of the competition, a lecture on “Energy machines as the basis for the generation and conversion of energy” was given by Andrey Shirokih, a student of the Higher School of Power Engineering.

    The competition experts were representatives of PAO Gazprom partner universities. When evaluating the projects, they took into account such aspects as the relevance of the topic, practical significance, the presence and elaboration of the research part, the depth of analysis and conclusions, the degree of personal involvement of the author, as well as confident mastery of the material and the culture of public speaking. The jury members emphasized the high level of the final works and the serious preparation of the participants.

    At the closing ceremony, the participants were congratulated by the rector of the Polytechnic University Andrey Rudskoy: Guys, you have come a long way, you have become finalists of the competition. And I congratulate you on this! Your works demonstrate a creative approach, a deep understanding of the problems and a desire to find solutions that can change our lives for the better. Polytechnic University, together with PAO Gazprom, is doing everything possible to discover new talents and let the energy of the future into engineering in the energy and oil and gas industries! Therefore, I hope that the path you have taken to the final has become another step in the profession for you. I wish you success, and I am glad that today you have had the opportunity to feel the friendly scientific and creative atmosphere that reigns at Polytechnic University! Of course, I hope to see many of you in the ranks of our friendly family of polytechnics already as students.

    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 –