NewzIntel.com

Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Oil funds for ‘Big Push’ will be efficiently used, Mahama tells Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC)

    Source: APO


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    President John Dramani Mahama has assured members of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) that oil revenues earmarked for his proposed $10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure initiative will be efficiently disbursed and managed.

    The President gave the assurance during a courtesy call by the PIAC members. Led by its Chairman, Mr Constantine K.M. Kudzedzi, the Committee members visited to congratulate the President on his recent election victory and discuss matters concerning the management of Ghana’s oil revenues.

    President Mahama outlined his government’s ambitious plan to invest $10 billion over the next five years, allocating $2 billion annually, into priority infrastructure projects across the country.

    These projects will target key sectors, including roads, major bridges, education, and health infrastructure, as well as areas vital for boosting productivity in the agriculture sector.

    He specified that agricultural projects under the “Big Push” would encompass irrigation schemes, construction of farmer service centres, and support for agribusiness development.

    The President stated that the primary sources of funding for this significant policy initiative would be petroleum revenue and minerals royalties.

    Commending PIAC for its vital role, President Mahama praised the Committee’s efforts in monitoring and ensuring transparency and accountability in the utilisation of Ghana’s petroleum revenues.

    He highlighted PIAC as a commendable model for other countries seeking effective oversight mechanisms.

    President Mahama inaugurates committee for UGMC transfer to University of Ghana.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Johann van Niekerk, Doctor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa

    Have you ever wondered how wild birds cope with baking hot afternoons and freezing cold mornings? Our new study has taken a close look at one of Africa’s most familiar birds – the helmeted guineafowl – and uncovered surprising answers about how they deal with extreme temperatures.

    The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a common sight across sub-Saharan Africa’s savannas and semi-arid regions. They are instantly recognisable with their spotted plumage, bony helmet, bare blue head, and loud cackling calls. These birds are famously social, often seen roaming in noisy flocks.

    Helmeted guineafowl can endure air temperatures from -4°C up to 40°C in South Africa.

    The idea that animals huddle to stay warm – known as social thermoregulation – is well documented in mammals and birds like penguins. This theory proposes that animals huddle together to conserve heat in cold conditions, but is this what guineafowl are doing?

    Together with colleagues in Spain, we set out to find the answer because understanding whether birds group to keep warm or for other reasons helps ecologists uncover the true drivers of social behaviour. This can also inform how species will respond to changing climates and help guide conservation strategies.

    We studied a wild population of guineafowl in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, a protected area near the Botswana border. It’s known for its sharp daily temperature fluctuations during winter, with cold, frosty mornings dropping to 0°C and sweltering afternoons reaching up to 40°C.

    To spy on the birds without disturbing them, we set up a live-streaming webcam at a busy waterhole, recording their behaviour over an entire year. We watched how group size, body posture and daily routines shifted with the seasons and weather.

    What we found was striking.

    Our study challenges some common assumptions about how animals survive in extreme climates. Guineafowl don’t rely on cuddling for warmth like some penguins and some species of monkeys. Rather, they use behaviour – adjusting posture, timing their activity and changing group sizes according to food and safety needs – to navigate life’s temperature extremes.

    This strategy may help them cope with the growing unpredictability of climate.

    When they get together, it’s to exploit a food patch and nurture their offspring within close-knit social groups while foraging, or to fend off predators during coordinated mobbing behaviour.

    What we found

    The evidence we gathered shows that the guineafowl did not form bigger groups when temperatures dropped. There was no evidence they huddled together to stay warm. Even at night, when they roosted in trees, they perched in small family units – just two or three birds per branch.

    Our findings suggest that the reason guineafowl form groups has more to do with food and safety.

    During the dry winter months, when seeds and vegetation are scarce, the birds form large foraging flocks to help find food and stay safe from predators. More eyes mean better chances of spotting danger. This supports the widely recognised “many eyes” hypothesis, which shows that individuals in larger groups benefit from improved predator detection. But once the rains return and food becomes more plentiful and spread out, the guineafowl split into pairs or small groups to focus on breeding.

    While group size wasn’t tied to temperature, the birds used clever body postures to handle both heat and cold. On chilly mornings below 17°C, they puffed out their collar feathers and tucked their bare necks deep into their bodies, creating a rounded, fluffy ball that trapped heat.

    On warmer days, they stood tall with their necks fully extended, legs exposed, and feathers sleek to release excess heat. When temperatures soared above 30°C, they opened their beaks to pant, spread their wings slightly away from their bodies, and exposed bare skin to cool off, much as a dog pants on a hot day.

    One of the most delightful behaviours observed was “sunning”. On frosty winter mornings, guineafowl would fly down from their roosts and stand facing the rising sun, fluffing their feathers and soaking up warmth before starting their day. It’s a simple, effective way to heat up after a cold night.

    Another surprise was how rarely the birds drank water. Despite living in a dry environment, only about 2% of observed guineafowl visits were to the waterhole. In wet seasons, they likely get most of their moisture from eating green plants and insects. In the cold, dry season, when food is drier, drinking increased slightly, but still far less than expected.

    They drank even less when it was both hot and windy, possibly because the noise of the wind makes it harder to detect predators when standing out in the open. Avoiding water during hot periods is usual among helmeted guineafowl, which typically avoid exposing themselves during peak heat due to increased predation risk and the physiological stress of extreme temperatures. Most galliforms (gamebirds) and terrestrial species favour early morning or late afternoon activity patterns, limiting mid-day exposure.

    Every evening, the flock gathered at the same familiar “launching pad” near the waterhole and flew into nearby trees to roost. But once again, warmth wasn’t the reason for this behaviour. They roosted to avoid ground predators, not to share body heat. I have seen them for many years going into trees when predators or dogs chase them, unlike spurfowl and francolin just flying further on.

    Why insights are useful

    This research carries important lessons for understanding animal adaptation. Rather than relying on group warmth, guineafowl show how behavioural flexibility, adjusting posture, timing and habitat use, can buffer them against harsh conditions. It highlights how survival depends not just on temperature or water availability, but on having access to diverse habitat types: open grasslands for foraging and trees or dense bush for roosting and safety.

    As climates shift and ecosystems change, understanding how animals like guineafowl cope with extremes will be crucial for conservation planning.

    Johann van Niekerk 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. Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how – https://theconversation.com/guineafowl-can-outsmart-extreme-temperatures-we-spent-a-year-finding-out-how-260439

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Johann van Niekerk, Doctor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa

    Have you ever wondered how wild birds cope with baking hot afternoons and freezing cold mornings? Our new study has taken a close look at one of Africa’s most familiar birds – the helmeted guineafowl – and uncovered surprising answers about how they deal with extreme temperatures.

    The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a common sight across sub-Saharan Africa’s savannas and semi-arid regions. They are instantly recognisable with their spotted plumage, bony helmet, bare blue head, and loud cackling calls. These birds are famously social, often seen roaming in noisy flocks.

    Helmeted guineafowl can endure air temperatures from -4°C up to 40°C in South Africa.

    The idea that animals huddle to stay warm – known as social thermoregulation – is well documented in mammals and birds like penguins. This theory proposes that animals huddle together to conserve heat in cold conditions, but is this what guineafowl are doing?

    Together with colleagues in Spain, we set out to find the answer because understanding whether birds group to keep warm or for other reasons helps ecologists uncover the true drivers of social behaviour. This can also inform how species will respond to changing climates and help guide conservation strategies.

    We studied a wild population of guineafowl in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, a protected area near the Botswana border. It’s known for its sharp daily temperature fluctuations during winter, with cold, frosty mornings dropping to 0°C and sweltering afternoons reaching up to 40°C.

    To spy on the birds without disturbing them, we set up a live-streaming webcam at a busy waterhole, recording their behaviour over an entire year. We watched how group size, body posture and daily routines shifted with the seasons and weather.

    What we found was striking.

    Our study challenges some common assumptions about how animals survive in extreme climates. Guineafowl don’t rely on cuddling for warmth like some penguins and some species of monkeys. Rather, they use behaviour – adjusting posture, timing their activity and changing group sizes according to food and safety needs – to navigate life’s temperature extremes.

    This strategy may help them cope with the growing unpredictability of climate.

    When they get together, it’s to exploit a food patch and nurture their offspring within close-knit social groups while foraging, or to fend off predators during coordinated mobbing behaviour.

    What we found

    The evidence we gathered shows that the guineafowl did not form bigger groups when temperatures dropped. There was no evidence they huddled together to stay warm. Even at night, when they roosted in trees, they perched in small family units – just two or three birds per branch.

    Our findings suggest that the reason guineafowl form groups has more to do with food and safety.

    During the dry winter months, when seeds and vegetation are scarce, the birds form large foraging flocks to help find food and stay safe from predators. More eyes mean better chances of spotting danger. This supports the widely recognised “many eyes” hypothesis, which shows that individuals in larger groups benefit from improved predator detection. But once the rains return and food becomes more plentiful and spread out, the guineafowl split into pairs or small groups to focus on breeding.

    While group size wasn’t tied to temperature, the birds used clever body postures to handle both heat and cold. On chilly mornings below 17°C, they puffed out their collar feathers and tucked their bare necks deep into their bodies, creating a rounded, fluffy ball that trapped heat.

    On warmer days, they stood tall with their necks fully extended, legs exposed, and feathers sleek to release excess heat. When temperatures soared above 30°C, they opened their beaks to pant, spread their wings slightly away from their bodies, and exposed bare skin to cool off, much as a dog pants on a hot day.

    One of the most delightful behaviours observed was “sunning”. On frosty winter mornings, guineafowl would fly down from their roosts and stand facing the rising sun, fluffing their feathers and soaking up warmth before starting their day. It’s a simple, effective way to heat up after a cold night.

    Another surprise was how rarely the birds drank water. Despite living in a dry environment, only about 2% of observed guineafowl visits were to the waterhole. In wet seasons, they likely get most of their moisture from eating green plants and insects. In the cold, dry season, when food is drier, drinking increased slightly, but still far less than expected.

    They drank even less when it was both hot and windy, possibly because the noise of the wind makes it harder to detect predators when standing out in the open. Avoiding water during hot periods is usual among helmeted guineafowl, which typically avoid exposing themselves during peak heat due to increased predation risk and the physiological stress of extreme temperatures. Most galliforms (gamebirds) and terrestrial species favour early morning or late afternoon activity patterns, limiting mid-day exposure.

    Every evening, the flock gathered at the same familiar “launching pad” near the waterhole and flew into nearby trees to roost. But once again, warmth wasn’t the reason for this behaviour. They roosted to avoid ground predators, not to share body heat. I have seen them for many years going into trees when predators or dogs chase them, unlike spurfowl and francolin just flying further on.

    Why insights are useful

    This research carries important lessons for understanding animal adaptation. Rather than relying on group warmth, guineafowl show how behavioural flexibility, adjusting posture, timing and habitat use, can buffer them against harsh conditions. It highlights how survival depends not just on temperature or water availability, but on having access to diverse habitat types: open grasslands for foraging and trees or dense bush for roosting and safety.

    As climates shift and ecosystems change, understanding how animals like guineafowl cope with extremes will be crucial for conservation planning.

    – Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how
    – https://theconversation.com/guineafowl-can-outsmart-extreme-temperatures-we-spent-a-year-finding-out-how-260439

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s first somatic cell-cloned dzo born in China’s Xizang

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

    This undated photo provided by the Institute of Animal Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences shows a somatic cell-cloned dzo in Qushui County of Lhasa, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese scientists have announced the birth of the world’s first somatic cell-cloned dzo in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. This marks a critical breakthrough in high-altitude breeding technology, which is vital for improving plateau livestock and protecting endangered species.

    The newborn male calf, weighing 26 kilograms, was delivered via caesarean section. Rigorous genetic testing confirmed it is an exact genetic replica of the donor dzo. It has now survived for over two months in good health, the Science and Technology Daily reported on Friday.

    This achievement was made by a collaborative team from the Institute of Animal Sciences (IAS) under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the academy of agricultural and animal husbandry sciences and the animal husbandry and veterinary station in Xizang, as well as China Agricultural University, and Northeastern University.

    The team said the test was approved by relevant authorities and complied with ethical norms.

    “This marks the first successful application of somatic cell cloning in situ on the plateau specifically for the conservation and utilization of locally adapted genetic resources,” said Yu Dawei, a researcher with the CAAS-IAS who led the research team.

    The dzo, a hybrid resulting from crossing female yaks and male cattle, is uniquely adapted to the harsh Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and offers superior economic benefits.

    In addition to their impressive dairy output, dzos are known for their high meat yield efficiency, rich nutritional value, and strong draft capabilities, making them significantly more economically valuable than conventional plateau cattle species.

    However, the critical roadblock to fully realizing these advantages is the infertility of male dzos, which hinders the natural propagation of their desirable genetics.

    Advanced bovine embryo production and transfer techniques essential for breeding have also been underdeveloped in Xizang. Therefore, dependence on repeated artificial crossing has increased costs and hindered large-scale industrialization.

    The researchers extracted somatic cells from the ear of a nine-year-old adult dzo. The cell nucleus was then transferred into an enucleated cattle egg cell to create a cloned embryo.

    This embryo was implanted into a surrogate dzo cow, which carried the pregnancy through the challenging high-altitude conditions, including low temperatures and reduced oxygen levels.

    It finally gave birth to a male calf on May 12 at a county experiment station in the regional capital Lhasa.

    “This precise cloning technology allows the stable inheritance of desirable traits like high yield and environmental resilience. It paves the way for mass propagation of high-quality breeding stock,” said Yu.

    Cloning in high-altitude, low-oxygen environments presents extraordinary scientific challenges.

    “Our team overcame these difficulties through key technical innovations, including developing a specialized plateau-adapted embryo culture system, ensuring early development through precise control of parameters like temperature and pH,” said Yu, adding that the research team also optimized protocols for surrogate mother selection to improve pregnancy success rates.

    Beyond dzos, the validated system makes the gene banking and potential future restoration within their native habitat of other endangered plateau species, such as Tibetan antelope and wild yaks, a tangible possibility, according to Yu. “It is expected to establish a crucial technological safeguard for highland biodiversity.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chen continues giant-killing run at WTT US Smash

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

    Chinese Chen Yi continued her giant-killing spree, defeating more favored teammate Kuai Man to reach the women’s singles final in the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas on Saturday.

    The unseeded 20-year-old from the southeastern province of Zhejiang, who had eliminated China’s world No. 1 and world champion Sun Yingsha and Japan’s ninth seed Hina Hayata, outlasted fifth-seeded Kuai 4-3 (6-11, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9) to set up a title clash against former Chinese national team star Zhu Yuling.

    “Kuai Man and I know each other very well,” said Chen. “We both know whoever is more determined and decisive would win this game.”

    Zhu, a former World Cup winner who now plays for Macao, China, swept seventh-seeded Japanese Mima Ito 4-2 (11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8) in the other semifinal.

    The 30-year-old Zhu previously stepped away from China’s national team to recover from cancer, pursue her studies, and later become a professor at Tianjin University. She joined the Macao team last year.

    Earlier in the day, South Korea’s An Jae-hyun/Lim Jong-hoon beat France’s Alexis Lebrun/Felix Lebrun 3-1 to win the men’s doubles title.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The SCO Digital Economy Universities Alliance has been officially established

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Digital Economy Universities Alliance was officially established in Tianjin, northern China, the Zhongxinshe news agency reported.

    The alliance was launched at a thematic forum on cooperation between universities within the framework of the SCO Digital Economic Forum. More than 200 representatives of universities from China and other SCO countries took part in it.

    This sub-forum is devoted to the topic “Innovation in education and transnational training of personnel within the digital economy” and is intended to discuss the interaction between digital technologies and higher education, exchange practical experience in the transformation and modernization of personnel training in universities in the era of digital intelligence, and is also aimed at promoting practical cooperation in the field of the digital economy.

    The event noted that the SCO Digital Economy Alliance of Universities, adhering to the principles of joint consultation, joint construction and joint use, will build a high-level education community in the field of digital economy, create an educational cooperation platform characterized by openness, interaction and innovation, so as to give impetus to the high-quality development of the digital economy around the world.

    Let us recall that from July 10 to 11, the SCO Digital Economic Forum was held in Tianjin, jointly organized by the State Data Administration of the People’s Republic of China and the Tianjin People’s Government. It was attended by more than 1,500 guests representing governments, enterprises, universities and think tanks of the SCO member states. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Secures Several Key Priorities in Committee-Passed NDAA To Expand IVF Coverage, Strengthen Oversight of Domestic Military Deployments, Boost American Manufacturing and More

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 11, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—secured several important provisions to support servicemembers and boost American competitiveness and national security in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that SASC approved this week and the full Senate will now consider. Among the provisions that the Senator secured in the Committee-passed legislation, Duckworth successfully led a provision to expand IVF access for uniformed servicemembers and ensure military families have the same level of coverage that Members of Congress and other federal employees already have. As President Donald Trump continues to misuse our military to intimidate American citizens across our nation, Duckworth also successfully secured provisions that would safeguard Americans’ civil rights when servicemembers assist law enforcement on U.S. soil.

    “The brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country and our Constitution,”?said Duckworth.?“While I don’t support every provision included in this bill, I’m proud that it includes several of my provisions to support our servicemembers and their families, boost American manufacturing, improve Americans’ faith in their military as well as rein in the Trump Administration. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue improving this NDAA and ensure Congress passes a strong final bill that lets our troops know we have their backs.”  

    NDAAs set our nation’s defense policy and laws, authorize funding for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and ensure that our servicemembers have the tools they need to defend our nation. Additionally, this year’s committee-passed legislation authorizes funding to support a 3.8 percent pay raise for military members.

    Key Duckworth-led provisions secured in this year’s Committee-passed NDAA would:

    • Expand access to IVF for military families by requiring TRICARE to cover fertility treatment services, including IVF, to ensure servicemembers and their families have the same level of coverage that Members of Congress already receive. This is the second time Senator Duckworth secured this provision in the committee-passed version of an NDAA bill.  
      • Regarding this provision, Duckworth said: “Even before I was wounded, I had made the difficult decision to delay building a family because I knew getting pregnant would impact my ability to be an Army aviator—and to advance in the career I loved. Because of the miracle of IVF—and my access to reproductive healthcare through the VA—I’m now a mom to two beautiful girls. The reality is that the men and women of the uniformed services face unique challenges when trying to start or build a family, and studies show that servicemembers and Veterans have higher rates of infertility compared to the general population. After successfully securing this provision in last year’s Committee-passed bill, I’m so proud my colleagues helped me build on this progress by including it in this year’s bill as well. It’s past time our nation provides our military families with the same access to IVF that all Members of Congress already have and ensure our heroes can start the families they’ve dreamed of.” 
    • Strengthen public trust of the military and enhance civil rights by requiring that servicemembers identify themselves as part of the military when assisting federal law enforcement in the United States. As the Trump Administration continues to send federal agents and our nation’s military into our communities to intimidate their fellow Americans, this provision ensures that servicemembers identify themselves properly—to avoid public misunderstanding about who is providing logistical support versus conducting arrests or law enforcement duties.  
      • Regarding this provision, Duckworth said: “In my own experience serving in the National Guard, I saw firsthand the difference drawing a bright line between the roles of our military and law enforcement can make in terms of maintaining public trust in our military. I’m proud my colleagues agreed that this is a necessary requirement to provide accountability to the public during tense moments when troops might be interacting with citizens, from protests to natural disasters to humanitarian crises, and I hope the rest of my colleagues in the Senate do too.” 
    • Ensure all servicemembers know their legal obligations during deployments both at home and abroad by mandating legal training to all servicemembers, including a refresher within 90 days of any mobilization or deployment, on their responsibilities under the law of armed conflict, rules of engagement, defense support for civil authorities and standing rules for the use of force within the United States. In light of the Trump Administration’s increasing use of troops to support law enforcement within the United States, this provision will ensure troops know how to responsibly operate within the bounds of domestic laws and protect American civil rights.
    • Establish a senior leader of DoD Programs for military to civilian transition efforts by directing DoD to appoint a senior official to oversee policy and programs related to the transition of servicemembers to civilian life or to the reserves. This would elevate and strengthen DoD’s attention on services to assist troops as they leave service and enter civilian life, providing a streamlined conduit for coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
    • Explore international co-production of auxiliary vessels by requiring DoD to identify opportunities to enter joint ventures between U.S. military, U.S. companies and foreign partners to co-produce auxiliary vessels and small boats. Senator Duckworth’s effort aims to increase our nation’s sealift capacity and shipbuilding workforce through leveraging the strengths of our allies and partners in constructing smaller vessels as well as building our ability to surge production of these vessels closer to the point of need in the event of conflict. 
    • Enhance Congressional oversight of the military justice system by requiring the President and DoD to notify Congress of any removal of Judge Advocates General, to ensure that military commanders have the legal advice they need to make their difficult decisions. In addition to notice, the President and DoD must provide a justification for the involuntary removal of any of the top Judge Advocates General (JAG) at least five days before the JAG is removed. This follows Secretary Hegseth’s unceremonious firing of JAGs, which are our military’s legal experts on everything from administrative and domestic protections to international law.  
    • Protect servicemembers from dangerous PFAS in their protective garments by requiring the DoD’s to articulate its plan for acquiring chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threat protective garments free from toxic PFAS chemicals as soon as possible. 
    • Enable the nonpartisan, Duckworth-created Afghanistan War Commission to finish its final report by authorizing DoD to provide non-reimbursable support services—like staff, facilities and funding—and authorizing the Commission to enter into contracts to obtain essential goods and servicesauthor, including the ability to publish its final report through a private publisher. These provisions align its authorities with similar commissions, including the 9/11 National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 
    • Expand the successful Southeast Asia Cyber Pilot Program to allow U.S. forces to work with the Pacific Island nations to improve their cyber capabilities and reduce vulnerabilities, building resilience against threats in DoD’s priority region. 
    • Expand exchange opportunities for allies and partners by authorizing DoD to offer exchange opportunities at universities with ROTC programs for servicemembers from partner nations, creating a cost-effective way to train future leaders of key partner militaries.  
    • Ensure fairness in Special and Incentive Pay for Reservists by directing DoD to deliver a special and incentive pay assessment framework – which was required in the FY24 NDAA — by June 1, 2026, and also requiring DoD to make a specific determination about the percentage of aviation incentive pay that goes to maintaining skill proficiency. This provision is essential to ensuring Reservists are paid fairly when they are required to maintain skills and certifications that are expensive to maintain. 
    • Direct a GAO Report on Aviation Safety to review DoD policies and procedures for data gathering, risk assessment and risk mitigation of U.S. military flights, especially as in U.S. domestic civilian airspace. This provision follows investigations into the tragic crash at Reagan National Airport and close calls with military flights throughout civilian airspace.  
    • Bolster our nation’s aviation supply chain by encouraging the use of domestically manufactured helicopters in Initial Entry Rotary Wing pilot training by the Army. 
    • Improve servicemember mental health services and confidentiality by emphasizing support for consistent compliance with suicide prevention policy and confidential access to mental health care without retaliation for all servicemembers and across all branches. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ).  
    • Expand robotic enhancements for armaments manufacturing by authorizing an additional $5 million for the Secretary of the Army to expand prototyping and production capacity by integrating robotics, automation and digital manufacturing into the munitions industrial base. 
    • Use advanced manufacturing to improve the rapid repair of equipment in forward-based locations by authorizing digital manufacturing as part of the prototyping program for contested logistics and removing the sunset for the program. This provision would allow DoD to develop best practices regarding forward-based commercial, advanced digital manufacturing facilities for rapid, distributed parts production closer to the point of use. 
    • Elevate research on total force optimization by expressing support for investments in biomechanical, physiological, and psychological research to mitigate injury risks and improve physical resilience in combat operations.
    • Improve equipment connectivity for military airfields by encouraging the Air Force to integrate connectivity solutions for flightline support equipment, such as generators, light carts, and support vehicles, that are critical for ensuring our military aircraft can safely take off and land. This will improve equipment readiness to ensure our Airmen are prepared for expeditionary flightline operations in contested environments. 
    • Advance U.S. bio-industrial manufacturing innovation by supporting the innovative work being done at advanced facilities like the University of Illinois’s Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing Hub (iFAB) by requiring more information on how DoD is investing in this technology critical for national security. 
    • Illuminate gaps in the military footwear industrial base by requesting DoD provide data and analysis on the necessary war reserves for footwear and textiles, and the accompanying surge needs in the event of crisis or conflict. This report language is a modified version of the Senator’s Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act, which recognizes that our defense industrial base for combat boots needs investment in order for it to support our troops and help ensure they have the sturdiest and most protective boots in a possible war.  
    • Strengthen domestic suppliers of critical uniform components by prohibiting the DoD from sourcing clothing, fabrics or components from countries of concern—such as China, Iran, North Korea and Russia—when using domestic sourcing waivers under the Berry Amendment, to prevent further weakening of the U.S. clothing and textile industrial base.? 
    • Allow the Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) to explore investments in nuclear energy and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing by authorizing inclusion of nuclear energy as a covered technology under Section 149 of Title 10 and directing OSC to explore the value of investments in PCBs. This change would enable DoD to explore new investments with these key industries critical for our national security.  
    • Accelerate commercially-useful Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computers (FTQC) by recognizing the importance of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) program, which aims to build a commercially useful FTQC by 2033, and encouraging the Department to concurrently prepare algorithms to operate those machines, while the hardware is being built. This provision recognizes the importance of the development of the first FTQC, which is being built at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park in Chicago, Illinois. 
    • Improve cross-state medical license reciprocity for Title 32 National Guard medical providers by requiring DoD to analyze any barriers to ensuring medical license reciprocity for Guardsmen to train under Title 32 status. This follows reports from National Guardsmen medical providers that they struggle to get the permissions necessary to conduct essential training across state lines, especially in specialized hospitals for trauma care – vital kinds of training for combat care. 
    • Protect Rock Island Arsenal by restricting the Secretary of the Army from using any funds authorized for restructuring Army commands until the Army provides more information about their proposed plan to integrate Joint Munitions Command and Army Sustainment Command, ensuring operations at Rock Island Arsenal are not unnecessarily affected. 
    • Improve Arsenal Workload Sustainment by establishing a 5-year pilot program requiring DoD to give preference to public-private partnerships in arsenals, especially those non-public partners that ensure equitable workshare to DoD employees to protect critical skills. This provision is a modified version of the  Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act that Duckworth introduced alongside U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) as well as U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) to help ensure Army arsenals and factories remain active and viable while preserving the skilled workforce, equipment and production capacity critical to our nation’s defense industrial base. 
    • Improve the governance of the organic industrial base by directing the Army to analyze the effectiveness of their current governance and resourcing model for the Army’s arsenals, depots as well as ammunition plants and identify opportunities for changes to ensure the enterprise and its workforce can support the military’s munitions and sustainment requirements now and in the future. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK).  
    • Improve predictive manufacturing analytics at Army Arsenals by urging the continued implementation of industrial control networks across our Army’s arsenals to enable the collection, aggregation and analysis of data associated with the manufacture and repair of equipment and supplies. 
    • Ensure Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC)’s continued success by securing a one-year extension of the Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, which supports the operations of the North Chicago-based Lovell FHCC. This provision, led with Senator Durbin, will help safeguard continued access to vital services for military families and Veterans in the area. 
    • Improve the “Warm Hand-off Process” for Servicemembers by changing the current “opt-in” option on the DD-2648 form for sending servicemembers’ information to state veterans’ agencies to an “opt-out” option, aiming to streamline information flow to state services and improve the “warm hand-off” process for servicemembers when they separate or retire from the military service. The Senator helped secure this provision alongside U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND). 
    • Support the construction of a Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal by authorizing $50 million in Major Construction funds for a new addition to the Child Development Center at Rock Island Arsenal and to consolidate the existing facilities into a single building and make upgrades to meet DoD guidelines and safety requirements. This project will provide a necessary service to the Arsenal and surrounding community.
    • Support the design of a new Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Scott Air Force Base by authorizing $6 million in Planning and Design funds for the construction of a new aircraft maintenance hangar to support the training and operational mission of the 126th Aerial Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base. The current hangar was constructed in 1956, remains in disrepair and no longer meets Department of Defense standards or mission requirements, making a new hangar critical to the Wing’s mission.
    • Support the design renovation to General Jones Readiness Center by authorizing $5 million in Planning and Design funds for major alternations to the General Richard L. Jones National Guard Readiness Center in Chicago. This facility was built in 1931 and remains one of the largest readiness centers in the country. Renovating it to meet mission requirements is a top priority for the Illinois National Guard.
    • Improving the Tactical Vehicle Fleet by authorizing an additional $168 million to speed up replacement of Marine Corps HMMWVs with modernized vehicles to improve readiness for global missions.

    In addition to these provisions, Duckworth also successfully worked to protect Universities across the country from having their DoD funding for critical technological research cut unnecessarily. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: North-Eastern Agricultural University Strengthens Cooperation with Russian Universities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — A delegation from Northeast Agricultural University (NEAU) led by Vice-Rector Chen Qingshan recently visited Russian universities. The visit is aimed at actively promoting a higher level of openness in education in Heilongjiang Province (Northeast China) in the northern direction and creating a vanguard of cooperation with Russia among agricultural universities in the country.

    As reported on the official website of SVSU, during his visit to Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University (KSAU), Chen Qingshan held talks with the university’s vice-rector Maria Ozerova. Chen Qingshan noted that in September this year, SVSU will send the first group of Chinese students majoring in “Food Technology” to KSAU as part of the training program for studying in Russia. He expressed hope for close cooperation between the parties in the joint training of highly qualified personnel in the agricultural sector for China and Russia. At the same time, he proposed exchanging genetic resources of such agricultural crops as potatoes and wheat, as well as accelerating the construction of a Chinese-Russian agricultural demonstration zone so that the results of cooperation could better serve the needs of the agricultural development of the two countries.

    M. Ozerova said that in recent years the two universities have achieved significant results in student exchanges and scientific cooperation. She expressed hope for expanding cooperation in areas such as breeding cold-resistant crops and promoting agricultural technologies so that practical interactions would benefit more industries.

    The delegation also visited the Ural Federal Agricultural Research Center. Chen Qingshan noted the outstanding potential of the center in the field of genetic resource reserves and commercialization of research results. He proposed that the parties continue joint research in the field of potatoes, wheat, flax and other crops, providing technological support for Chinese-Russian agricultural cooperation.

    By deepening joint training with leading Russian agricultural universities and research institutes, promoting joint scientific research and establishing agricultural demonstration zones, HSAU aims to establish a cooperation model with Russia characterized by the unity of the three components of “education-scientific research-social services” and the deep integration of production, education, scientific research and application. This will comprehensively enhance the internationalization level of the university and contribute to the modernization of agriculture and the expansion of agricultural technology in Heilongjiang Province abroad. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Over 80 youth trainees complete foundation course of third phase of ROLE Stars Train-the-Leaders Programme (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Over 80 youth trainees complete foundation course of third phase of ROLE Stars Train-the-Leaders Programme  
    Following the first day of the course taught by the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress and Member of the Legislative Council, Dr Starry Lee, last week, the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, elaborated on the second day of the course about the importance of promoting the rule of law, and the responsibilities and roles of ROLE leaders.

    Member of the Working Group on Coordination and Liaison (Working Group) under the Steering Committee on Rule of Law Education (Steering Committee), Mr Chan Chak-ming, and member of the Steering Committee, Ms Sabrina Ho, briefed the trainees on topics such as the legal profession, court proceedings, and alternative dispute resolution services in Hong Kong. Founder and Chairperson of BExcellent Group, Dr June Leung, who has many years of experience in education, was also invited to share her insights on communication skills for effective dissemination of messages about the rule of law.
     
    Dr Cheung remarked that the rule of law is Hong Kong’s “golden reputation” and the foundation for Hong Kong to maintain long-term prosperity and stability under the principle of “one country, two systems”. At the current critical period of breaking new ground and achieving another leap forward, the Hong Kong community must uphold the rule of law, and leverage Hong Kong’s international advantages to promote high-quality development through the rule of law, and hence, the promotion of the rule of law is of great importance.
     
    He said that members of the district youth committees have been promoting youth development and civic education in the community, and they can certainly play an important role in the promotion of the rule of law. University students who are pursuing their career in the education sector will be the backbone of schools’ work in promoting rule of law education, and their active participation will undoubtedly provide new momentum to the passing on and further development of the rule of law in Hong Kong.
      
    Dr Cheung said that communication is a kind of special knowledge. The DoJ designed the course with an emphasis on diversified, interactive and easy-to-understand methods, along with real-life examples and case studies, which enable trainees to easily grasp knowledge of the rule of law. The course also invited experts to teach trainees the skills of dissemination and communication, better equipping them to become ROLE leaders in the future.
     
    After the course, the DoJ held the closing ceremony (including a certificate presentation) for the foundation course of the third-phase programme. Members of the Steering Committee, Ms Ho and Professor Dicky Tsang, and member of the Working Group, Mr Chan, presented certificates to the trainees who completed the two-day foundation course of the third-phase programme.
     
    Looking ahead, the DoJ will continue to organise advanced and extended courses under the third phase of the TTL Programme. Through visits to law enforcement agencies, mock court activities, thematic talks on specific legal topics and practice activities for promoting the rule of law, the courses will further deepen the understanding of the legal system and the implementation of legal procedures of the trainees who have completed the foundation course, as well as bolster their confidence in disseminating messages of the rule of law in the community.
     
    For details and other information relating to the TTL Programme, please visit the dedicated website at www.role-ttl.gov.hk 
    Issued at HKT 17:16

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health chief attends Nanjing forum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau attended the 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery & Liver Transplantation in Nanjing today to share with liver transplant experts from around the world Hong Kong’s latest developments in organ transplantation, and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in co-operation with the Mainland on organ donation and transplantation.
     
    In his address at the opening ceremony, Prof Lo said: “Hong Kong and the Mainland have a long-standing collaboration in hepatobiliary surgery. I have personally witnessed experts from both places jointly performing a number of complex liver transplant surgeries, achieving in-depth integration of technology and resources, which is an exemplary model of medical co-operation under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework.

    “In recent years, Hong Kong and the Mainland have also made breakthroughs in organ donation and transplantation. In December 2022 and February this year, two cases of cross-boundary heart donation successfully saved the lives of two infants, exemplifying to the fullest the inseparable ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as our shared principle and mission in protecting and saving lives.”
     
    Apart from stressing that with the accumulation of experience, the channels and procedures for handling urgent cross-boundary organ transplant requests have now been streamlined and standardised, Prof Lo made it clear that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to explore arrangements for regularising this mechanism.
     
    He also shared the latest developments in the prevention and control of liver disease in Hong Kong.
     
    “Since 1988, Hong Kong has provided universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns, significantly reducing infection rates among younger generations.
     
    “As outlined in last year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive also proposed to implement hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. If patients can be identified at an early stage, it will facilitate early identification and early treatment, thereby effectively reducing risks of developing complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
     
    Prof Lo then visited the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), where he exchanged views and shared experiences on enhancing hospital management and services with the hospital’s President Prof Liu Yun.
     
    He highlighted that the Hospital Authority is adopting China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) developed by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Centre to resume the hospital accreditation programme at its public hospitals.
     
    Moreover, the authority seeks to optimise the diagnosis process of the relevant specialties and improve the treatment outcomes through the establishment of the first stroke centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, as well as chest pain centres at both Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital.
     
    Prof Lo added that the Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation programme under the standards as well as the establishment of chest pain centres and stroke centres.
     
    “These initiatives will not only improve healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong’s integration into national development, but also leverage Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, so as to demonstrate the excellence of the national hospital accreditation standards to the international community.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Happy birthday to Marina Grigorieva!

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Official website of the State –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    This Saturday there is a reason and opportunity to celebrate the birthday of the director of the Pre-University of the State University of Management, Marina Grigorieva.

    Pre-University is the first stage in the system of seamless project-based learning at the State University of Management. Marina Yuryevna helps students overcome this stage, begin to get used to adult life and learn responsibility for their future. The combination of the strictness necessary to maintain discipline and a motherly attitude towards her charges creates a pleasant working environment for schoolchildren in Pre-University.

    Let us wish one of the most kind-hearted directors at the State University of Management the unfailing love of his students and the respect of his colleagues, pedagogical resourcefulness, interesting methodological solutions, success in his work, good health and all-consuming happiness, as well as the spiritual strength for the annual separation from his children who have become almost his own.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: /China Focus/ Global Dialogue Among Civilizations Builds Bridges Through Cultural Exchanges

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) — More than 600 participants from around the world attended the ministerial meeting of the Global Dialogue of Civilizations held in Beijing on Thursday and Friday.

    Under the theme “Preserving the diversity of human civilizations for world peace and development,” participants in the parallel sub-forums on Friday noted the importance of mutual learning among civilizations.

    They stressed that harnessing the wisdom of different cultures can serve as a powerful catalyst for shared prosperity, as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and innovation.

    Roger T. Ames, a professor at Peking University and the University of Hawaii, noted that dialogue among civilizations offers an alternative to nation-state-oriented geopolitics.

    “Instead of simply being tolerant of other cultures, we must activate our differences to benefit each other,” he said.

    Simon Lichtenberg, founder and chairman of the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, stressed that mutual understanding and respect are fundamental to global development. “International exchanges and development require that everyone understands and respects each other,” he said.

    Such views were echoed during the participants’ visits to various cities in China earlier this week. Singh Vikash Kumar, a Hindi language specialist at Beijing Foreign Studies University, expressed admiration for the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the northwest Chinese city of Dunhuang.

    “This is one of the most important and vibrant stories in the history of Buddhist art. To see it so completely and exquisitely preserved in China is very moving,” he said.

    Moments like these highlight not only the enduring legacy of past civilizations, but also the importance of cultural heritage and innovation in today’s interconnected world – a topic that many experts continued to explore during discussions at the event.

    Dunhuang Academy Director Su Bomin said protecting cultural heritage is important to preserving and transmitting culture. He called for more efforts to deepen research and introduce new technologies.

    “Cultural heritage is how we pay homage to that heritage,” said former Malaysian Senate President Wong Foon Meng, adding that the most powerful innovations often come from deep exploration of cultural heritage, reimagined in a way that resonates with new generations. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at opening ceremony of City University of Hong Kong’s “City Quest” programme (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SCST at opening ceremony of City University of Hong Kong’s “City Quest” programme (English only) 
    Chairman Ngai (Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong (CityU), Mr Michael Ngai), 屈總 (Vice President and Chairman of the Group Technology Committee, Xiaomi Corporation, Mr Qu Heng), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good morning. It is my great pleasure to be in the CityU today for the opening ceremony of the “City Quest 尋‍城記” programme.  
     
    Today, we gather here to mark the official launch of a visionary community engagement programme that embodies the spirit of “tourism is everywhere”,「香港無處不旅遊」. I was particularly impressed that this programme is inviting every member of the public to become a storyteller of our city through the “hands” by sharing personal narratives about Hong Kong, through the “feet” by becoming docent ambassadors and through the “eyes” by capturing the beauty of Hong Kong. This resonates with what I have been advocating ever since assuming the post as Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, which is “Everyone is a tourism ambassador”, 「人人都是旅遊大使」.
     
    With the travel patterns and traveller preferences progressing into more in-depth explorations, the Working Group on Developing Tourist Hotspots, as led by the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, with myself as Deputy Leader, has recently announced nine hotspot projects to offer new and more in-depth tourist experiences, with one project in Old Town Central and the other in Kowloon City. The Old Town Central project will take the Central to Mid-Levels Escalator as a conduit connecting various offerings in the vicinity to guide visitors to explore the beauty of our alleys and streets. On the other hand, the Kowloon City project features the “Kowloon Walled City: A Cinematic Journey” Movie Set Exhibition as the starting point to extend visitors’ experience further in the district. Through these projects, we encourage visitors to experience Hong Kong’s authentic local flavour from widened perspectives. I am confident that the “City Quest” programme will complement our hotspot projects to curate more fascinating experiences to a wider audience, thereby bringing more visitors to the unique beauty of Hong Kong.
     
    Hong Kong is an international tourist city with significant advantages in developing city walk routes, with our diverse gourmet food, high accessibility and efficient transportation system. I wish the “City Quest 尋城‍記” programme a success and would love to see more efforts of this kind from different stakeholders in the community in promoting the Hong Kong neighbourhoods.  
     
    Before I close, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to City University of Hong Kong and its partners for organising this meaningful programme to promote Hong Kong from fresh perspectives. Thank you very much.
    Issued at HKT 13:08

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez announces Molly Carey as new Chief of Staff, Sarah Skirmont as Legislative Director

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) is pleased to announce Molly Carey joined her team as her new Chief of Staff. Additionally, Sarah Skirmont has been promoted from Senior Legislative Assistant to Legislative Director.

    “I’m excited to welcome Molly to our team and to recognize Sarah’s hard work with this well-deserved promotion,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Molly brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will be invaluable as we continue fighting for working families. Sarah has consistently demonstrated strong policy expertise and dedication to our legislative priorities. I look forward to what we will accomplish together.”

    Carey most recently served as Senior Director for Government Affairs at the American Association for Justice. She was also the Policy Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Notre Dame Law School.

    Skirmont has been with Congresswoman Sánchez’s office since 2021, serving as a Senior Legislative Assistant covering a wide range of issues including health care policy. She is a graduate of New York University.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing today (July 12) to share with liver transplant experts from around the world Hong Kong’s latest developments in organ transplantation, and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in co-operation with the Mainland on organ donation and transplantation.
     
         In his address at the opening ceremony, Professor Lo said, “Hong Kong and the Mainland have a long-standing collaboration in hepatobiliary surgery. I have personally witnessed experts from both places jointly performing a number of complex liver transplant surgeries, achieving in-depth integration of technology and resources, which is an exemplary model of medical co-operation under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework. In recent years, Hong Kong and the Mainland have also made breakthroughs in organ donation and transplantation. In December 2022 and February this year, two cases of cross-boundary heart donation successfully saved the lives of two infants, exemplifying to the fullest the inseparable ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as our shared principle and mission in protecting and saving lives. With the accumulation of experience, the channels and procedures for handling urgent cross-boundary organ transplant requests have now been streamlined and standardised. The HKSAR Government will continue to explore arrangements for regularising this mechanism.”
     
         He also shared the latest developments in the prevention and control of liver disease in Hong Kong. He said, “Since 1988, Hong Kong has provided universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns, significantly reducing infection rates among younger generations. As outlined in last year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive also proposed to implement hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. If patients can be identified at an early stage, it will facilitate ‘early identification and early treatment’, thereby effectively reducing risks of developing complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
     
         The conference was jointly organised by the Jiangsu Anti-cancer Association, the Jiangsu Medical Doctor Association, and the Jiangsu Medical Association. The conference brought together international experts and scholars in liver disease, as well as senior health officials from around the world.
     
         Professor Lo then visited the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), where he exchanged views and shared experiences on enhancing hospital management and services with the President of Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), Professor Liu Yun. He said, “The Hospital Authority (HA) is adopting China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) developed by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Centre to resume the hospital accreditation programme at its public hospitals. Through independent professional hospital accreditation organisations, various aspects of hospital performance are assessed in an objective manner, with a view to enhancing the quality of healthcare institutions and safeguarding patient safety. Moreover, the HA seeks to optimise the diagnosis process of the relevant specialties and improve the treatment outcomes through the establishment of the first stroke centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, as well as chest pain centres at both Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital in accordance with national accreditation standards, thereby enhancing the survival rate of patients.”
     
         Professor Lo added, “The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation programme under the Standards as well as the establishment of chest pain centres and stroke centres. These initiatives will not only improve healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong’s integration into national development, but also leverage Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, so as to demonstrate the excellence of the national hospital accreditation standards to the international community.”
     
         The Assistant Director of Health (Drug), Mr Frank Chan; the Director (Quality and Safety) of the HA, Dr Michael Wong, and the Cluster Chief Executive of Hong Kong West Cluster of the HA, Dr Theresa Li, accompanied Professor Lo to attend today’s functions. They will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Scientists Successfully Clone Yak

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    LHASA, July 12 (Xinhua) — A cloned yak was born via Caesarean section at a yak breeding base in Damsun County, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, on Thursday, researchers said.

    They said the cloned calf weighed 33.5 kg at birth, which is heavier than most newborn yaks.

    Xinhua News Agency reporters saw the calf, which had a completely black coat, at the breeding base on Friday. It was already able to walk and was healthy.

    The project started in July 2023 under a joint initiative of a research team from Zhejiang University in eastern China, the Damsun County government and the Institute of Plateau Biology of Xizang Autonomous Region.

    To obtain a cloned yak, scientists used whole-genome selection and somatic cell cloning technologies.

    Fan Shengguo, who led the research team from Zhejiang University, said the cloning technology would play a key role in improving yak breeds and establishing a highland cattle breeding system in Xizang.

    Yaks are endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and serve as both a key source of livelihood for local pastoralist communities and an integral component of the local ecosystem. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Davids Speaks with Frontline Health Care Providers on Impact of Extreme Republican Medicaid Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    KANSAS CITY, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined nearly 200 health care workers at Vibrant Health to discuss the harmful impact of recently enacted Republican Medicaid cuts. Davids heard directly from providers about how these cuts, which she voted against, will threaten all Kansas families’ access to affordable care — and reaffirmed her commitment to protecting the health and well-being of every Kansan, over billionaire tax giveaways.

    “Kansans shouldn’t have to pay more or travel farther for health care just so billionaires can get another tax break,” said Davids. “These Medicaid cuts will strip coverage from hardworking families, force rural hospitals to close, raise premiums, and reduce access to essential care for all children, seniors, and veterans. I voted against these cuts — and yes, I’m angry. But I’m also determined to keep pushing back against these extreme policies, lowering costs for Kansans, and protecting the care our communities count on.”

    “At Vibrant Health, our goal is to ensure that everyone in our community has access to high-quality healthcare,” said Patrick Sallee, President & CEO, Vibrant Health. “Many of the people we see in our clinics rely on Medicaid, many of them children, whose parents simply want them to grow up healthy and thrive. When families worry about the cost of care, they often delay or avoid essential preventive services. Cuts to Medicaid don’t just reduce coverage — they increase the barriers our patients face in staying healthy.”

    The law, signed last week by President Trump, includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history. According to the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee, the new law will strip coverage from 92,937 Kansans, put six rural hospitals across Kansas at risk of closure, restrict reproductive health care, and increase Affordable Care Act premiums by $780 per year for Third District families.

    President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Medicaid cuts will hit Kansas hard, with hospitals across the state projected to lose more than $78 million annually. The University of Kansas Hospital, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, and AdventHealth Shawnee Mission are among those facing the steepest losses. Medicaid covers one-fifth of hospital spending, so eliminating coverage for nearly 12 million Americans will significantly increase uncompensated care, including at Community Health Centers. Hospitals already operating in the red may not survive the added financial pressures of treating more uninsured patients without reimbursement.

    “Health Partnership Clinic is evaluating the impact that the recently passed bill will have on our organization and patients that we serve,” said Amy Falk, Chief Executive Officer, Health Partnership Clinic. “Any time there are potential cuts that may affect our funding, we do a thorough analysis and make the necessary adjustments that are needed, and sometimes these are not easy decisions. HPC remains committed to being here for the patients we serve in Johnson, Miami, and Franklin counties.”

    These harmful provisions in the law go far beyond health care. In the Kansas Third District alone, 15,000 households could lose access to emergency nutrition assistance, and local grocery stores — especially in rural communities — may be forced to close. Cuts to clean energy incentives could eliminate up to 10,000 good-paying jobs and increase utility bills by $670 per household. Meanwhile, the law adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt and gives massive tax breaks to billionaires, even as it raises taxes on hardworking families.

    Throughout her time in Congress, Davids has championed policies to make health care more affordable and accessible. She voted to cap insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare recipients, extend tax credits that help families afford insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors. She also supported giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices — saving 74,000 Kansans up to 79 percent — and led efforts to ban surprise medical billing and increase transparency from insurers to help patients avoid costly out-of-network care.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Davids Discusses Fentanyl Epidemic with Local Health Care Workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined local health care workers and law enforcement officials for another summit regarding the growing threat of fentanyl, the number one cause of overdose deaths in the United States. The group discussed the challenges health care workers face when caring for fentanyl-related overdose patients and how Davids can better support their work in Congress.

    “The fentanyl crisis is a public health emergency — both here in Kansas and across the country — and our health care workers and first responders are on the front lines every day saving lives,” said Davids. “Thanks in part to their tireless efforts, we’re finally starting to see a decline in overdose deaths. But even one life lost is one too many. Today’s conversation was eye-opening and reaffirmed my commitment to listening, learning, and fighting for the tools Kansans need to stay safe.”

    Rep. Sharice Davids speaking on the fentanyl crisis at St. Luke’s Hospital

    Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine, is increasingly found in fake prescription pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or Adderall. Overdose deaths dropped by 24 percent from September 2023 to September 2024. Davids is working to build on this momentum and remains committed to protecting Kansans’ health through continued action in Congress.

    Davids, a member of the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, has collaborated with Midwest HIDTA, a regional office working to reduce illicit drug availability, on multiple fentanyl summits with health care workers, education professionals, and law enforcement officers. She has also taken several legislative actions based on the specific needs of the Kansas Third District, including:

    • Joining a bipartisan group of lawmakers to request funding for new handheld mass spectrometry trace-level chemical detection devices at domestic ports.
    • Urging the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription — which they did earlier this year.
    • Securing a nearly $16 million grant to help law enforcement seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, reduce violent crime associated with drug trafficking, and improve data collection.
    • Voting to permanently place all fentanyl-related substances into a Schedule I class, labeling the drug with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical value.
    • Helping pass a bipartisan bill to create a public awareness campaign about synthetic opioids. This came after meeting with Libby Davis, a Johnson County resident whose son passed away after taking a counterfeit pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.
    • Pushing for expanded federal grant opportunities, so law enforcement and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) can easily acquire life-saving naloxone kits.
    • Visiting the Port of Long Beach to see how the port uses state-of-the-art technologies to prevent harmful substances — like fentanyl — from entering the country illegally.

    Summit attendees included health care and public health representatives from AdventHealth, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Elizabeth Layton Center, Franklin County Public Health, Johnson County Emergency Medical Services (MED-ACT), Johnson County Mental Health, Kansas City Kansas Fire Department, Kansas City Kansas Police Department, Miami County Health Department, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA), Saint Luke’s Health System, The University of Kansas Health System, and Wyandotte County Health Department.

    Community members looking to learn more about how to keep their families safe can visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Kansas City-focused website. Resources and prevention services for individuals, families, schools, and others are available.

    What they’re saying:

    “In Miami County, we are working closely with local partners through our mental health initiative to address substance use and overdose prevention in a comprehensive, community-driven way,” said Christena Beer, Public Health Director, Miami County. “We are utilizing opioid settlement funds to support allowable abatement strategies focused on coordinated care, early intervention, and public health education. These efforts are critical in reducing the harms of fentanyl and supporting long-term recovery across the communities we serve.”

    “From distributing naloxone to raising awareness through the You Never Know campaign, the Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition has played a critical role in our community’s fight against the fentanyl crisis,” said Tim DeWeese, Director, Johnson County Mental Health Center. “Their work is a powerful example of the impact a coordinated response can have on efforts to save lives. We look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Davids and all our partners to reduce overdose and poisoning deaths in Johnson County and Kansas.”

    “As caregivers, our fundamental responsibility is the wellbeing of our patients and the larger community,” said Dr. Jennifer Elliott, chair of Saint Luke’s Opioid Stewardship Program and medical director of Saint Luke’s Pain Management Clinic. “Through Saint Luke’s Opioid Stewardship Program, we provide needed resources and education and have implemented measures to ensure we are good stewards of these prescriptions. We are committed to continue raising awareness on this important issue and working together on a solution with Rep. Davids and others in our community.”

    “Emergency Medical Services witnesses firsthand the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on our communities,” said Adiel Garcia, Division Chief – Education & Integrated Healthcare, Johnson County Department of Emergency Services. “Johnson County MED-ACT is responding with evidence-based care, including expanded use of naloxone, proactive community outreach, and partnerships with treatment providers. We are committed not just to saving lives in the moment, but to being part of a long-term solution that connects patients to the help they need through follow-ups, referrals, and wrap around services.”

    “Representative Davids’ commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis and protecting our communities is deeply appreciated by the entire law enforcement community,” said Daniel W. Neill, Executive Director, Midwest HIDTA. “Her strong support for the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area in Kansas ensures that state, local, tribal, and federal agencies can continue working together to save lives, dismantle drug trafficking organizations, and disrupt the flow of fentanyl into our region. Her advocacy for sustained HIDTA funding reflects a clear understanding that collaboration — not fragmentation — is the key to turning the tide against this epidemic.”

    “The Kansas City Kansas Fire Department is very pleased that Representative Sharice Davids is keeping all public safety agencies focused on continuing the fight against the illegal distribution and use of fentanyl,” said Dennis L. Rubin, Fire Chief, Kansas City Kansas Fire Department. “The misuse of fentanyl usually comes with a heavy price tag. The KCKFD Fire Department responds to emergency calls for help involving this powerful drug almost daily. More often than not, the person or people in trouble are the youth of this community. The KCKFD is proud to work alongside of the Congress Member Davids to work toward eradicating this emerging community crisis.”

    “I’m always saying anything is everything,” said Keatherann Sharp, Community Health Outreach Director, Wyandotte County Health Department. “When you are helping a person, they remember the smallest thing and when it comes to a person in active use, they remember everything. So, a simple smile can be the turning point for them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Neguse Leads Coalition of Lawmakers Opposing Proposed Cuts to NOAA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    In letters to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers, lawmakers urge the rejection of proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA. 

    Washington, DC— Following the release of the White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) led a coalition of 23 lawmakers urging both the Department of Commerce and their colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to reject devastating proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by the Trump administration. The budget proposal would decimate funding for NOAA’s critical programs, including the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), and terminate several Weather Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes, including several in Colorado’s Second Congressional District.   

    In their letter, the lawmakers condemned the proposed budget cuts to NOAA and underscored the importance of the agency and its Cooperative Institutes. Colorado is home to several of NOAA’s Climate Laboratories, including the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL), the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL), and the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML), all located in Boulder, CO. 

    Colorado is also the only state in the nation home to two Cooperative Institutes, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder, which are academic and non-profit research centers that have provided invaluable support to NOAA’s mission and work in drought, wildfire, and space weather since 1967. The lawmakers denounced the proposed cuts in their letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Subcommittee Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng, as well as any plans to terminate funding for these institutions, making clear the damage to our nation would be irreversible, and emphasizing the important work that is ongoing at both CIRES and CIRA.  

    “CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation. These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work.” 

    They continued: “The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans.” 

     

    Read their full letter HERE and below: 

    July 8, 2025

    The Honorable Howard Lutnick 

    Secretary

    U.S. Department of Commerce 

    1401 Constitution Ave. NW 

    Washington, DC 20230

     

    The Honorable Laura Grimm

    Acting Administrator

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    1401 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20230
     

    Dear Secretary Lutnick and Acting Administrator Grimm,

    We write to implore you to reject the proposed funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as laid out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. NOAA’s programs provide essential services to all Americans, and gutting its programs and research would be gravely irresponsible.

    In NOAA’s FY26 Congressional Justification document, the agency lays out plans to effectively eliminate NOAA’s Operations, Research, and Facilities for FY26. This includes a decrease in 216 employees and complete termination of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. 

    This document also proposes closing down several NOAA facilities across the United States that are in our respective districts. This includes the Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL; the Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in College Park, MD, Idaho Falls, ID, and Oak Ridge, TN, Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) in Boulder, CO; the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, CO; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ; , as well as a nation-wide network of soil moisture sensors; the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, CO, Utqiaġvik, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; Hilo, HI; Big Island, HI; American Samoa, and the South Pole; and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. Shutting down these facilities would be devastating for our communities.

    These cuts would also affect Cooperative Institutes (CIs), which are academic and non-profit research institutions that support NOAA’s goals, containing 80 universities and institutions across 33 states. CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation.

    These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work. You cannot simply shuffle a handful of programs across NOAA offices while terminating an entire line office responsible for providing the research base for the agency and expect continued success; to maintain American excellence in this work requires continuity of OAR’s core functions as well as its skilled workforce, including at the labs and CIs.

    The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans. As such, we urge you to reject these proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA.

    Sincerely,

     

    Read their full letter HERE and below: 

    July 8, 2025

     

    The Honorable Hal Rogers 

    Chairman

    Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

    Committee on Appropriations

    H-310 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

     

    The Honorable Grace Meng

    Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,

    and Related Agencies

    Committee on Appropriations

    H-310 The Capitol, Washington, DC 20515

     

    Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng,

    As you continue crafting the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, we write to implore you to reject the proposed funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as laid out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. NOAA’s programs provide essential services to all Americans, and gutting its programs and research would be gravely irresponsible.

    In NOAA’s FY26 Congressional Justification document, the agency lays out plans to effectively eliminate NOAA’s Operations, Research, and Facilities for FY26. This includes a decrease in 216 employees and complete termination of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. 

    This document also proposes closing down several NOAA facilities across the United States that are in our respective districts. This includes the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) in Boulder, CO; the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, CO; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ; Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL; the Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in College Park, MD, Idaho Falls, ID, and Oak Ridge, TN, as well as a nation-wide network of soil moisture sensors; the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, CO, Utqiaġvik, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; Hilo, HI; Big Island, HI; American Samoa, and the South Pole; and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. Shutting down these facilities would be devastating for our communities.

    These cuts would also affect Cooperative Institutes (CIs), which are academic and non-profit research institutions that support NOAA’s goals, containing 80 universities and institutions across 33 states. CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation.

    These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work. You cannot simply shuffle a handful of programs across NOAA offices while terminating an entire line office responsible for providing the research base for the agency and expect continued success; to maintain American excellence in this work requires continuity of OAR’s core functions as well as its skilled workforce, including at the labs and CIs.

    The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans. As such, we urge you to reject these proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA, and to instead fully fund NOAA in the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Leads Bipartisan Bill to Help Servicemembers Suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger, has introduced the Support Modern Approaches in Recovery Technology for Traumatic Brain Injury (SMART for TBI) Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve care for active-duty servicemembers suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) by identifying ways that digital technology can be used to better deliver care.

    Due to the rigors of military training and combat, servicemembers are particularly vulnerable to traumatic brain injury. TBI affects brain function, and if left untreated, people have a higher risk of experiencing mental health or substance use problems, as well as an increased risk of suicide. Between 2000 and 2019, more than 400,000 American servicemembers were diagnosed with at least one TBI – and more than 185,000 veterans have been diagnosed with TBI through the VA system. 

    Congressman Crow’s Support Modern Approaches in Recovery Technology for Traumatic Brain Injury (SMART for TBI) Act would require the establishment of a working group to identify ways digital technology can treat our active-duty servicemembers with TBI. Congressman Jeff Crank (R-CO-05) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this bipartisan legislation.

    “As a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, caring for our servicemembers is personal to me,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’m introducing a bipartisan bill to identify new ways to treat traumatic brain injury & deliver world-class care for our servicemembers.”

    “I am proud to cosponsor the SMART for TBI. We owe it to our service men and women, along with our veterans, to advance Traumatic Brain Injury treatments. Using Artificial Intelligence and digital health technologies, we can improve outcomes for servicemembers and veterans in training and operational environments,” said Congressman Jeff Crank.

    “Conducting innovative medical research into traumatic brain injuries is crucial for active duty warfighters, veterans, and first responder communities,” noted Vik Bebarta, MD, interim chair of Emergency Medicine and the director of the Center for Combat and Battlefield Research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.  “We are grateful for Congressman Crow and Congressman Crank’s leadership by introducing SMART TBI Act,  ensuring Colorado remains the leader in digital health innovation and TBI treatment.”

    As an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, ensuring America’s military servicemembers and their families get the appropriate care and resources is a top priority for Congressman Crow. In the 118th Congress, he introduced the Veteran’s Sentinel Act, bipartisan legislation to respond to suicide by US veterans at Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) facilities by improving the accuracy of data collection and enhancing congressional oversight. Previously, he introduced the Justice Involved Veterans Support Act and supported the PACT Act, which expands health care to millions of servicemembers exposed to toxic chemicals.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: [VIDEO] Rep. Omar Sounds Alarm on Catastrophic Big Ugly Budget Bill on Minnesotans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    MINNEAPOLIS– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) hosted a press conference in Minneapolis to sound the alarm on the catastrophic impacts the Big Ugly budget bill will have on Minnesotans. The Congresswoman was joined by local and state leaders to share the widespread impacts this bill will have across our state. 

    The full video can be found here.

    Full transcript below:

    “I wish we were gathered under different circumstances. 

    “But today, we’re here to speak the truth about the GOP budget bill that will devastate the very people we fight for.

     “The bill Republicans passed is one of the most harmful, immoral budgets we’ve seen in modern American history. 

    “It is a direct assault on working families in Minnesota and across this country. 

    “Let me tell you what this bill does. 

    “It slashes Medicaid, kicking 17 million Americans off their healthcare plans, thousands of whom are in this district. 

    “The bill rips 186 billion dollars from SNAP. 

    “That’s food off the tables of seniors, children, and single moms.

    “People who are already struggling to get by. 

    “Here in the 5th district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP.  

    “I’ve spoken to them and many are now asking how do I feed my kids and still pay bills? 

    “This is the United States of America. 

    “No one should ever have to make that choice.

    “And while families are being told to tighten their belts, billionaires are getting a windfall. 

    “Permanent tax cuts for the rich.  

    “Temporary scraps for everyone else.  

    “This is the largest upward transfer of wealth in our lifetime. 

    “It makes the rich richer and leaves working people behind.

     “Republicans love to call themselves the party of the working class but this bill proves otherwise.  

    “It threatens nearly 2 million construction jobs, including 800,000 green jobs, and could erase 148 billion dollars in wages and benefits. 

    “That’s not a working-class agenda.

    “It also cuts 300 billion dollars in education programs. 

    “It drives up student debt and slams the door shut on millions of young people who simply want a chance at a better future.  

    “This district is home to one of the youngest constituencies in the country, including the University of Minnesota. 

    “This bill tells them you’re on your own.

    “And for what? 

    “To hand over 150 billion dollars to immigration enforcement.  

    “45 billion dollars for ICE jails, more than 13 times their current budget.  

    “We’re already seeing reports of new detention centers like “Alligator Alcatraz” being built in Florida.  

    “We are being told, again and again, that we can’t afford universal healthcare, quality education, or universal school meals. 

    “But somehow, we can always afford another detention center or tax cuts for the rich.

    “The American people do not want this budget.  

    “But Republicans rammed it through anyway in the middle of the night because they know it won’t stand up to public scrutiny.

    “And here’s the kicker, they delayed most of the cuts until 2027.  

    “Why? Because they know just how deeply unpopular this bill is.

    “We’ve seen what happens when the powerful put profits over people. 

    “But we’ve also seen what happens when working people, immigrants, students, parents, and neighbors come together and refuse to be ignored. 

    “That’s the spirit of Minnesota’s Fifth District.

    “We do have people power and we’re going to keep fighting for a country that invests in children, that feeds families, and expands opportunity. 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Ilhan Omar Pens Op-Ed in Minnesota Star Tribune Sounding the Alarm on Republicans’ Cruel Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    MINNEAPOLIS– Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) authored an op-ed in the Minnesota Star Tribune on how the passage of the Republican “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will be devastating for her constituents in Minnesota’s Fifth District and across the nation. Her op-ed focuses on the historical funding cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and higher education programs. She also discussed how the bill facilitates the largest upward wealth transfer in American history, all while giving ICE a higher budget than almost all of the world’s militaries.

    You can view the op-ed here and below. 

    U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar: Republican ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ is best characterized by how it harms

    My House colleagues Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber should be ashamed.

    By Ilhan Omar

    President Donald Trump just signed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” one of the most cruel, immoral pieces of legislation ever passed. Every single Republican member of the Minnesota congressional delegation voted to greenlight this catastrophic bill. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber should be ashamed. They voted to take away health care for 173,268 Minnesotans in the biggest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in history. It will be remembered as one of the most harmful pieces of legislation ever signed into law.

    Because my Republican colleagues cowered to special interests and their billionaire donors, 17 million Americans, including thousands of Minnesotans, will lose their health coverage. This passage could cause 50,000 Americans to die each year because Republicans shamefully voted to kick millions off Medicaid and failed to extend the premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. Even Republicans have acknowledged the harm this will cause, one Senate Republican even wrote a New York Times commentary titled “Don’t Cut Medicaid” before caving to Trump at the expense of his constituents. It will also increase health care costs and endanger access to care for all Americans. Rural hospitals will be forced to shut down. Nursing homes and community health clinics will be severely affected. The damage will have far-reaching, incomprehensible consequences.

    This bill contains $186 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts mean vulnerable families will go hungry. At a time when food insecurity is rising across the country, Republicans chose to gut lifesaving nutrition assistance. In my district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP to put food on the table. These are single parents, seniors and essential workers who depend on this assistance to afford groceries. Recently, I hosted a roundtable discussion with Minnesota’s U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar on the impact of these catastrophic cuts to SNAP. I heard from many of my constituents that they will now have to make the painstaking decision between paying their rent or affording groceries. Others shared they don’t know how they will be able to feed their kids without the lifeline of SNAP. Cutting nutrition assistance for the most at-risk communities is one of the most egregious and unconscionable actions the Republicans included in their betrayal budget.

    This bill is the biggest upward wealth transfer in American history. While working people will be devastated, billionaires will walk away with massive benefits. Low- and middle-income families may see tiny tax cuts and temporary scraps, such as no tax on tips, but they will be quickly wiped out by rising costs from tariffs, benefit cuts, and higher interest rates. Meanwhile, millionaires and billionaires will rake in massive, permanent windfalls. The bill makes the appalling estate tax giveaway permanent, which only applies to a few thousand ultra-wealthy heirs, and expands it to $15 million and $30 million for couples. It also locks in the costly, inefficient passthrough deduction, a loophole that overwhelmingly benefits millionaire business owners while doing little for small businesses. These wasteful provisions have been criticized by experts across the ideological spectrum for being too expensive, poorly targeted and ineffective at promoting economic growth. All together, the bill’s tax changes are projected to cost at least over $3 trillion and will ultimately deepen the already wide wealth and income inequality gap.

    The budget is the largest job-killing legislation ever passed. It threatens nearly 2 million construction jobs, including 800,000 green jobs. It could also erase $148 billion in annual wages and benefits to working people. The Republican Party loves to claim that it is the party of the working class, but its budget clearly debunks that lie.

    It will now make it harder for working-class young people to go to college. I represent one of the youngest constituencies in the country, including many who attend the University of Minnesota. The rising cost of college is already a top concern for our district. Not only does this bill cut $300 billion in federal higher-education programs, it raises the cost of student loan repayment and cuts protections for student borrowers. This bill is a direct attack on those seeking a higher education. Every single person deserves access to higher education without any barriers. Now that dream for young people to not be shackled by student loan debt is farther out of reach.

    What are all these cuts paying for? This bill gives $150 billion for immigration enforcement and another $150 billion to the Pentagon to fund a police state. It contains a slush fund for even more Immigration and Customs Enforcement abductions and mass detention. Shamefully, it includes $45 billion just for ICE jails, including family detention. This is more than 13 times ICE’s current annual detention budget. ICE facilities have little to no oversight and have already resulted in nine deaths in less than four months. Their leadership has begun banning members of Congress from conducting oversight in the facilities. And they’re building concentration camps in the Everglades. This budget gives ICE a higher budget than almost all of the world’s militaries. It runs counter to the very ideals of our country.

    In poll after poll, the American people are clear in their opposition to this bill. Donald Trump and Republicans know this, which is why they rammed this bill through in the middle of the night. Every single American will remember who chose to side with billionaires instead of working people.

    We will never forget that Republicans sold out the American people for their billionaire donors.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Poll: Diversity of civilizations drives human progress

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

    Scholars and experts from home and abroad share their insights on Friday with guests attending the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting at a subforum of the meeting on inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning in Beijing. [Photo/China Daily]

    A majority of international respondents view inter-civilization exchanges and mutual learning as a pivotal driver of human civilization, global peace and development, according to the results of a survey released on Friday.

    Among the survey’s 12,302 respondents in 41 countries, 89.8 percent agreed that intercultural engagement advances the common progress of humankind, with 91.8 percent of respondents from 18 to 24 years old and 91.6 percent of those ages 25 to 34 agreeing.

    In the survey, which was jointly conducted by China Media Group and Renmin University of China, 90.8 percent of the respondents agreed that respecting the diversity of civilizations is a fundamental principle of global society, and 89.4 percent believed that enhancing international cultural exchanges can foster mutual understanding among people of all nations.

    “It fully demonstrates that people worldwide have a strong aspiration for respecting civilizations and enhancing cultural exchanges,” said Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and president of China Media Group.

    He made the remarks on Friday at Inter-Civilization Exchanges and Mutual Learning: Cultural Inheritance and Innovation, a subforum of the two-day Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, which began on Thursday in Beijing.

    More than 140 guests from over 20 countries and regions attended the subforum, at which the survey results were released.

    At the event, Renmin University of China announced the Global Research Program for Inter-Civilization Exchanges and Mutual Learning, which is dedicated to transforming the principles of the Global Civilization Initiative, put forward by President Xi Jinping in March 2023, into concrete actions.

    Its goals and tasks include establishing research centers for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations around the world, forming a global media collaboration alliance, and creating high-end exchange forums, a global youth forum, a joint fund and an international award.

    Zhang Donggang, Party secretary of Renmin University of China, said: “Only through protection and research can exchanges and mutual learning be achieved. This initiative aims to bring together domestic and international scholars from various fields to pioneer original, landmark and forward-looking research, collectively charting a new blueprint for the progress of human civilization.”

    Keynote speakers from home and abroad had an in-depth exchange of views on topics such as how digital technologies help boost cultural exchanges, inheritance and innovation.

    Su Bomin, dean of the Dunhuang Academy, a national institution for the conservation, management and research of the world-famous Mogao Grottoes in Gansu province, shared the importance of embracing new technologies and strengthening efforts for cultural inheritance. “Our digitalized work plays an important role in academic research, cultural inheritance and exhibitions, as well as promoting Dunhuang culture on integrated media platforms,” Su said.

    Colin Chinnery, cofounder of the Beijing-based Sound Art Museum, said the museum is trying to go beyond the boundaries of music and explore how digital technologies and museums can create more enriching content. “We invite artists and musicians from all around the world to help us launch projects in China, to have audiences experience nature in a different way. All this is only possible through digital technologies,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Online course at Lu Ban’s Workshop at MTUCI trains Russian specialists in 5G technologies

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TIANJIN, July 12 (Xinhua) — An online course on the application of 5G technologies and other relevant areas was recently completed at the Lu Ban Workshop at the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI).

    Using Chinese technology and 5G equipment that meets Chinese standards, teachers shared advanced knowledge in the field of digital technology with students. As a result of the classes, students not only expanded their theoretical knowledge base, but also improved their practical skills and increased their ability to solve practical problems.

    Lu Ban’s workshop, which officially opened at MTUCI in June this year, was established jointly by MTUCI and Tianjin Vocational College of Electronics and Information Science. It is becoming an important bridge for Chinese-Russian cooperation in the field of digital technologies.

    “We have trained teachers. The curriculum covers advanced technologies in the digital economy, such as 5G and the Internet of Things. To date, a total of 1,246 Russian teachers have been trained,” said Qian Guoliang, head of the Department of Modern Communications Technology at Tianjin Vocational College of Electronics and Information Science.

    Lu Ban’s workshop at MTUCI is closely linked to the needs of Russia’s digital economy industry, and enterprises in China’s communications industry are actively involved in the workshop’s teaching activities, he added.

    Lu Ban Workshop, named after the famous ancient Chinese craftsman Lu Ban, is a brand of international vocational education initiated and promoted by Tianjin City Government.

    To date, China has built 34 Lu Ban Workshops in 30 countries and regions around the world. 10 of them were established in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Pakistan, Cambodia, Egypt and other SCO countries.

    Lu Ban’s workshop at MTUCI has provided powerful support to China and Russia in educating highly qualified specialists of international class who meet the needs of information technology development, noted Anastasia Kazantseva, Deputy Director of the Department for the Development of Digital Competencies and Education of the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation.

    Lu Ban’s workshop in Russia will continue to gain strength and show broader development prospects, she said. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Scott Statement on Resignation of UVA’s President

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Ranking Member Scott Statement on Resignation of UVA’s President

    As originally released by the Committee on Education & Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, issued the following statement after James E. Ryan, the President of the University of Virginia resigned. 

    “The University of Virginia (UVa) has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s premier public universities because of its commitment to academic excellence.  However, today’s decision of UVa President James E. Ryan to resign because of the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) threat to withhold federal funds is an attack on due process, the independence and integrity of ‘academic freedom’ in higher education, and the UVa’s effort to address its own history.

    “Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the DOJ is not authorized to impose sanctions until it has concluded that the university violated the law, and it would not redress the abuse.  The DOJ’s demand that Ryan step down was both premature and a perversion of the civil rights resolution practice. 

    “During Trump’s first administration, UVa was the scene of white supremacists’ Unite the Right march where white supremacists’ chanted ‘you will not replace us, Jews will not replace us.’ Then-President Trump’s response to the violence and the death of Heather Heyer was that there were ‘very fine people on both sides.’

    “As a result, President Ryan was brought to UVa in 2018 to improve the university’s racial climate, learning environment, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts.  Under President Ryan’s tenure, UVa has been recognized for its commitment to free speech, financial aid among public universities for the fourth year in a row, and this year, 10,000 first-generation students applied to UVa. All indications are that President Ryan was very popular among the academicians and students alike.

    “As a country, we are all worse off because of the Trump Administration’s crusade against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, while there has been no crusade against racial discrimination.  Ryan’s resignation, therefore, signals to the higher education community that diversity as a positive value is now diminished and that segregation is to be celebrated.  This situation is made worse because of the willingness of universities and businesses to quickly capitulate.”

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 12, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 12, 2025.

    NFIP activists, advocates to open nuclear-free Pacific exhibition
    Asia Pacific Report Nuclear-free and independent Pacific advocates are treating Aucklanders to a lively week-long exhibition dedicated to the struggle for nuclear justice in the region. It will be opened today by the opposition Labour Party’s spokesperson on disarmament and MP for Te Atatu, Phil Twyford, and will include a range of speakers on Aotearoa

    A new exhibition is a thoughtful examination of the lasting relationship between Asia and Australia
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication, The University of Melbourne Jacky Cheng, Imaginary Homelands, 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025. Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan Almost 60 years after former prime

    Hendra virus has killed a horse in Queensland. Should we be worried?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinod Balasubramaniam, Associate Professor (Molecular Virology), Monash University CJKPhoto/Getty The death of an unvaccinated horse from Hendra virus this week in southeast Queensland is the state’s first reported case in three years. Before that, Australia’s last case was in July 2023, when another unvaccinated horse died in

    The ACT wants dog owners to spend 3 hours a day with their pet. But quality, not quantity, matters most
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Photo by Anna Tarazevich/Pexels Authorities in the ACT have released draft regulations for the welfare of dogs. One inclusion getting attention is a guideline “requiring all dogs to have a minimum of three hours

    Guests at a feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains 11,000 years ago brought wild boars from all across the land
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Petra Vaiglova, Lecturer in Archaeological Science, Australian National University Kathryn Killackey Have you ever stopped by the grocery store on your way to a dinner party to grab a bottle of wine? Did you grab the first one you saw, or did you pause to think about

    What is cannabis use disorder? And how do you know if you have a problem?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Dawson, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology and National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland Around 41% of Australians report they’ve used cannabis at some point in their life. Research estimates that 22% of recreational cannabis consumers meet criteria for a cannabis use

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 12, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 12, 2025.

    NFIP activists, advocates to open nuclear-free Pacific exhibition
    Asia Pacific Report Nuclear-free and independent Pacific advocates are treating Aucklanders to a lively week-long exhibition dedicated to the struggle for nuclear justice in the region. It will be opened today by the opposition Labour Party’s spokesperson on disarmament and MP for Te Atatu, Phil Twyford, and will include a range of speakers on Aotearoa

    A new exhibition is a thoughtful examination of the lasting relationship between Asia and Australia
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication, The University of Melbourne Jacky Cheng, Imaginary Homelands, 2025, installation view, The Neighbour at the Gate, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, 2025. Image courtesy and © the artist, photograph: Peter Morgan Almost 60 years after former prime

    Hendra virus has killed a horse in Queensland. Should we be worried?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinod Balasubramaniam, Associate Professor (Molecular Virology), Monash University CJKPhoto/Getty The death of an unvaccinated horse from Hendra virus this week in southeast Queensland is the state’s first reported case in three years. Before that, Australia’s last case was in July 2023, when another unvaccinated horse died in

    The ACT wants dog owners to spend 3 hours a day with their pet. But quality, not quantity, matters most
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hazel, Associate Professor, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide Photo by Anna Tarazevich/Pexels Authorities in the ACT have released draft regulations for the welfare of dogs. One inclusion getting attention is a guideline “requiring all dogs to have a minimum of three hours

    Guests at a feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains 11,000 years ago brought wild boars from all across the land
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Petra Vaiglova, Lecturer in Archaeological Science, Australian National University Kathryn Killackey Have you ever stopped by the grocery store on your way to a dinner party to grab a bottle of wine? Did you grab the first one you saw, or did you pause to think about

    What is cannabis use disorder? And how do you know if you have a problem?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danielle Dawson, PhD Candidate, School of Psychology and National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland Around 41% of Australians report they’ve used cannabis at some point in their life. Research estimates that 22% of recreational cannabis consumers meet criteria for a cannabis use

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Lao People’s Democratic Republic Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations 4

    The new Permanent Representative of Lao People’s Democratic Republic to the United Nations, Thongphane Savanphet, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    (As provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    Date of Birth:    28 June 1964

    Place of Birth:   Bolikhamxay Province, Lao PDR

    Marital Status:   Married to Mrs. Dalavanh SAVANPHET and has three daughters

    Education and Training:

    1997-1998   – M.A. in Diplomatic Studies, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    1983-1988   – M.A. in Public International Law, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO University), Moscow, Russia (Former Soviet Union)

    1990        – English Training Course, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia

    1982-1983   – Russian Language, Institute of Foreign Languages, Kiev, Ukraine (Former Soviet Union)

    1970-1982   – Primary and High Schools completed in Bolikhamxay Province, Lao PDR

    Employment:

    Sept 2016-Present – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

    2013- 2016  – Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the United Nations Office, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva; 

                         – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Lao PDR to Switzerland; and Non-resident Ambassador of the Lao PDR                         to the Hellenic Republic (Greece), the Republic of Italy, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Republic of Malta and the                                     Republic of Turkey

    2011-2013   – Director-General, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Vientiane, Lao PDR

    2010-2011   – Deputy Director-General, Department of Economic Affairs, MFA

    2002-2010   – Assistant Director/Head, ASEAN Political Cooperation Division (2009 -2010) and ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and Republic of Korea) Division (2007-2009); Senior Officer and Coordinator, ASEAN Plus Three Unit (2003-2006); and Senior Officer, Social Development Unit (2002-2003), ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia

    1996-2002   – Director (2001-2002), Deputy Director (1999-2001) and Official (1996-1999), ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation Division, Department of ASEAN Affairs, MFA

    1993-1996   – Third Secretary, Embassy of the Lao PDR, Canberra, Australia

    1989-1993   – Official, Department of International Organizations, MFA

    Others:

    – Governor for the Lao PDR to the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) (Singapore) (2011-2013)

    – Council Director for the Lao PDR to the ASEAN-Japan Centre (Tokyo, Japan) ) (2011-2013)

    – Council Member for the Lao PDR to the Mekong Institute (Khon Kaen, Thailand) ) (2011-2013)

    Foreign Languages:  English, Russian

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mission Viejo Post Office Renamed in Honor of Fallen Hero Major Megan McClung

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Mission Viejo, CA – On July 3, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) Post Office on 28081 Marguerite Parkway was officially redesignated as the Major Megan McClung Post Office Building, following a bipartisan effort by U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) to honor the fallen hero.

    The plaque presentation ceremony featured remarks from Mission Viejo Postmaster Robert Garcia, Mayor Bob Ruesch, Supervisor Don Wagner, and Major McClung’s brother, Michael McClung, who reflected on her life of service and sacrifice.

    Major Megan McClung was raised in Mission Viejo, attending De Portola Elementary, La Paz Intermediate, and Mission Viejo High School before earning degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 and Boston University in 2006. She faithfully served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for 11 years, leading with humility, positivity, and selfless commitment to the service. In her final month of deployment, she made the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was the first female Marine officer to be killed in the Iraq War and the first woman graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to fall in the line of duty.

    She received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

    “Major Megan McClung’s legacy speaks as loudly as her life, and her spirit of boldness, humility, and courage continue to inspire our community,” said Rep. Young Kim. “While we can never truly repay her for her sacrifice, I am glad that her legacy is preserved for generations to come in Mission Viejo. I am proud to have played even a small role in honoring her memory.”

    H.R. 3608, bipartisan legislation led by Rep. Kim, passed the House and Senate with unanimous support and was signed into law in 2024.

    Read more about Major Megan McClung’s life and legacy here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mission Viejo Post Office Renamed in Honor of Fallen Hero Major Megan McClung

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Mission Viejo, CA – On July 3, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) Post Office on 28081 Marguerite Parkway was officially redesignated as the Major Megan McClung Post Office Building, following a bipartisan effort by U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) to honor the fallen hero.

    The plaque presentation ceremony featured remarks from Mission Viejo Postmaster Robert Garcia, Mayor Bob Ruesch, Supervisor Don Wagner, and Major McClung’s brother, Michael McClung, who reflected on her life of service and sacrifice.

    Major Megan McClung was raised in Mission Viejo, attending De Portola Elementary, La Paz Intermediate, and Mission Viejo High School before earning degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 and Boston University in 2006. She faithfully served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for 11 years, leading with humility, positivity, and selfless commitment to the service. In her final month of deployment, she made the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was the first female Marine officer to be killed in the Iraq War and the first woman graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy to fall in the line of duty.

    She received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

    “Major Megan McClung’s legacy speaks as loudly as her life, and her spirit of boldness, humility, and courage continue to inspire our community,” said Rep. Young Kim. “While we can never truly repay her for her sacrifice, I am glad that her legacy is preserved for generations to come in Mission Viejo. I am proud to have played even a small role in honoring her memory.”

    H.R. 3608, bipartisan legislation led by Rep. Kim, passed the House and Senate with unanimous support and was signed into law in 2024.

    Read more about Major Megan McClung’s life and legacy here.

    MIL OSI USA News –