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Category: Universities

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

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    State awards

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

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

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

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

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

    Departmental awards

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

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

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

    State awards to foreign alumni

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

    The Order of Friendship was awarded to :

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

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

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

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

    Vladimir Filippov

    President of RUDN University

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

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

    Tatyana Terentieva

    Rosatom Deputy Director General for HR

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eco labels in South Africa don’t do the job: how to help customers make informed choices

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Miemie Struwig, Professor, Department of Business Management, Nelson Mandela University

    South Africans want to shop more sustainably, according to research published in the journal Sustainable Development. But most can’t tell which products are environmentally friendly.

    Some food manufacturers have introduced eco labels – a certification symbol placed on product packaging. This indicates the product meets specific environmental standards set by a third party organisation.

    These labels are meant to signal to consumers that a product has been produced in a way that limits harm to the environment. But our recent study with 108 South African consumers showed low recognition of eco labels, widespread confusion, and a need for clearer guidance.

    The results show that most South African shoppers are unfamiliar with these labels or unable to differentiate between real and fictional ones.

    In the European Union eco labels like the EU Energy Label are easily understood and highly visible. They are also usually supported by government awareness campaigns. Other examples of labelling systems that work well include those of Germany and Japan.

    These countries show that long term institutional support, mandatory labelling in key sectors, and consistent public messaging can greatly improve eco label recognition.

    We concluded from our research that South Africa lacks that national visibility and public education, leaving even motivated consumers unsure of what labels to trust. Based on our findings we recommend steps businesses, government and nonprofits can take to ensure that eco labels are clear, visible and understood.

    Eco labelling at its best

    The EU Energy Label is used on appliances such as fridges, washing machines and light bulbs to indicate their energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

    In countries like Germany and Japan, eco labels are government backed as well as being integrated into school curricula, public service announcements and shopping platforms.

    Germany’s Blue Angel label, which states “protects the environment”, has been in use since the 1970s. It appears on over 12,000 products and services, including paper goods, cleaning products, paints and electronics, that meet strict environmental criteria. It is supported by ongoing public education campaigns.

    In Japan the the Eco Mark appears on products with minimal environmental impact. It appears on items like stationery, detergents, packaging and appliances. Many retailers display explanations next to these products to help consumers understand the label.

    South Africans struggle to identify eco labels

    We conducted a structured online survey of 108 South African consumers. Participants were asked about their environmental awareness and their ability to recognise both real and fictional eco labels across ten images. According to the global directory of eco labels and environmental certification schemes, there are around 50 eco labels in South Africa.

    The EU Energy Label was the most recognised (87%).

    The Afrisco Certified Organic label, which is a legitimate South African label, was the least recognised, identified by just 22% of respondents.

    Fictional labels were mistakenly identified as real by many participants, revealing widespread confusion.

    Only 3 out of 10 labels were recognised by at least half the participants, suggesting a general lack of eco label awareness. These include the Energy Star Eco label; the EU Energy label and the Forest Stewardship council label.

    Age and employment status were significantly related to environmental awareness. Older and employed individuals showed higher levels of awareness.

    These findings suggest that consumers are not opposed to eco labels, they simply lack the knowledge and confidence to use them effectively.

    Eco labels have the potential to build brand trust, drive green purchasing behaviour, and support national sustainability goals. But they only work if consumers recognise and trust them.

    In South Africa, inconsistent use, small label size, and a lack of consumer education are holding eco labels back from achieving their purpose.

    What businesses can do

    Based on our findings, we recommend the following:

    • Use recognised and credible labels: Third-party certified labels are more trustworthy and reliable.

    • Improve label visibility: The most recognised label in our study was the EU Energy Label and was also the most prominent. Small, cluttered logos go unnoticed.

    • Educate your market: Explain what eco labels mean through packaging, marketing, and digital platforms.

    • Partner with government and NGOs: Awareness campaigns at national and community levels can help standardise eco label understanding.

    • Tailor communication efforts: Awareness efforts should consider age and employment demographics, as these affect levels of environmental engagement.

    The way forward

    South Africans are willing to support environmentally responsible products, but they need help identifying them.

    Businesses, government and nonprofits all have a role to play in making eco labels clearer, more visible, and more trustworthy.

    Eco labels must become more than symbols. They should be tools for transparency and trust, and a gateway to more sustainable shopping.

    – Eco labels in South Africa don’t do the job: how to help customers make informed choices
    – https://theconversation.com/eco-labels-in-south-africa-dont-do-the-job-how-to-help-customers-make-informed-choices-258081

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Summer School of Engineering and Economics: Young Scientists from All Over the Country Will Gather Again at the State University of Management

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    From July 21 to 25, 2025, the Summer Engineering and Economics School 2025 will be held at the State University of Management.

    For the fourth time, the Scientific School will unite young scientists and engineers from different Russian universities to create inter-university and interdisciplinary collaborations to solve problems of achieving technological leadership and strengthening the value sovereignty of our country.

    The School’s scientific areas are engineering, UAS, mechanical engineering, food security, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.

    Every year, the School is scaled up, new participants from universities in different regions of the country join the project. If in the first stream of the engineering and economic school, which took place in 2023, 3 universities took part – GUU, GGNTU named after academician M.D. Millionshchikov and SKMMI (STU), then this year the number of participants increased to eight:

    BSTU named after V.G. Shukhov (Belgorod) VlSU named after A.G. and N.G. Stoletov (Vladimir) GGNTU named after academician M.D. Millionshchikov (Grozny) State University of Education (Moscow) Moscow State University named after A.I. Kuindzhi (Mariupol) NTU “Sirius” (Krasnodar region) SKGMI (GTU) (Vladikavkaz) St. Petersburg Federal Research Center RAS (St. Petersburg)

    Let us recall that one of the results of the 2024 School was a joint interdisciplinary scientific project between the State University of Management and the State Petroleum Technological University named after Academician M.D. Millionshchikov within the framework of the RSF grant for the research, creation and development of technologies to reduce the carbon footprint.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A professor from the State University of Management took part in a press conference on the topic: “Children without education and new entry rules: how is migration policy changing in Russia?”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Professor of the Department of Public Administration and Political Technologies of the State University of Management Vladimir Volokh spoke at a press conference dedicated to the topic “Children without education and new entry rules: how is migration policy changing in Russia?”, which took place in the press center of the information agency “National News Service”.

    In his speeches, the professor noted that since 2024, the State Duma has adopted 16 laws aimed at combating illegal migration. The authorities are concerned that about 600 thousand children of migrants do not study in Russia, which, according to law enforcement agencies, negatively affects the crime situation.

    Since the spring of this year, potential students are required to take a Russian language exam to determine their level of preparation for perceiving the curriculum. Volokh emphasized that children’s lack of knowledge of Russian is becoming a serious problem for both teachers and society: “When in one class there are children who know Russian well and children who do not, this creates significant difficulties for teachers.”

    The professor also noted problems in the organization of testing, indicating that more than 80% of children are not allowed to take the exam due to inaccuracies in the documents, which indicates that parents are insufficiently informed about the rules of registration.

    According to the current rules, a foreign child can retake the test after three months, during which time the parents must provide him with additional training in the Russian language. Otherwise, in the event of an unfavorable scenario, the family may face deportation.

    At the same time, according to the participants of the press conference, changes in legislation adopted in the last six months to a year have already significantly affected the procedure for the stay of foreign citizens in Russia. In addition, the RuID service is being launched, which, according to media reports, will operate as a pilot project with voluntary use for now.

    The full recording of the broadcast can be viewed at the link: https://m.vk.com/wall-55611432_670004

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University has developed a unique computer program

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    In June, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University successfully registered a computer program developed by employees of the Civil Engineering Institute.

    The program was developed by the director of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety Andrey Andreev, assistants of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety Alexander Doronin and Valeria Kachenkova.

    The program for analyzing and predicting human factor risks in production using neural networks was created using the Python programming language and applies LSTM neural network technologies. It is designed to analyze and predict the probability of errors caused by the human factor. The program takes into account a wide range of parameters, such as attention level, reaction speed, employee responsibility and production environment factors, which allows for a comprehensive risk assessment.

    Functionality includes risk factor analysis and visualization, building predictive models based on historical data, real-time error probability assessment, creating heat maps of hazardous areas, monitoring employee performance dynamics, and generating reports and recommendations for risk reduction.

    The software can be used in manufacturing plants, in occupational health and safety management systems, industrial safety services, as well as in personnel training and assessment to prevent emergency situations.

    Technical requirements include the use of an IBM PC based on an Intel Pentium processor or higher, Windows 7 operating system or higher, and the Python programming language. The program size is 150 MB.

    Currently, the team of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety continues to work on creating software in the field of labor protection. It will be intended for use in production and in the educational process for training future specialists.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

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

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The research project will continue next year.

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

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

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

    Selena3726/Shutterstock

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

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

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

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

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

    What is vitamin B6?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    What happens if you take too much?

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

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

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

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

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

    But more recent studies show high rates of side effects.

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

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

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

    What should I do if I take vitamin B6?

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

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

    1. numbness or pain in the feet and hands

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

    3. heartburn and nausea.

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

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

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 4

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Session 4: New industrial developments and the evolving architecture of international trade

    Chair: Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board, European Central Bank

    Paper: “Recent evolutions in the global trade system: from integration to strategic realignment”
    Author: Ana Maria Santacreu, Economic Policy Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis
    (together with Florencia Airaudo, Economist, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, François de Soyres, Section Chief, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and Alexandre Gaillard, Assistant Professor, Brown University)

    Discussant: Diego Comin, Professor, Dartmouth College

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4gqWLDCaOs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 4

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Session 4: New industrial developments and the evolving architecture of international trade

    Chair: Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board, European Central Bank

    Paper: “Recent evolutions in the global trade system: from integration to strategic realignment”
    Author: Ana Maria Santacreu, Economic Policy Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis
    (together with Florencia Airaudo, Economist, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, François de Soyres, Section Chief, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and Alexandre Gaillard, Assistant Professor, Brown University)

    Discussant: Diego Comin, Professor, Dartmouth College

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4gqWLDCaOs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 4

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Session 4: New industrial developments and the evolving architecture of international trade

    Chair: Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board, European Central Bank

    Paper: “Recent evolutions in the global trade system: from integration to strategic realignment”
    Author: Ana Maria Santacreu, Economic Policy Advisor, Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis
    (together with Florencia Airaudo, Economist, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, François de Soyres, Section Chief, Federal Reserve Board of Governors, and Alexandre Gaillard, Assistant Professor, Brown University)

    Discussant: Diego Comin, Professor, Dartmouth College

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4gqWLDCaOs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 3

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Session 3: Non-bank financial intermediaries, liquidity and their prudential treatment

    Chair: Luis de Guindos, Vice-President, European Central Bank

    Paper: “Growth of non-bank financial intermediaries, monetary policy, and financial stability”
    Author: Loriana Pelizzon, Deputy Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE and Professor, Goethe University Frankfurt and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
    (together with Riccardo Mattiello, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and Warwick University, and Jonas Schlegel, Financial Economist, SAFE Policy Center)

    Discussant: Nicola Cetorelli, Financial Research Advisor and Head of Financial Intermediation, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KozVSM50NZg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 3

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Session 3: Non-bank financial intermediaries, liquidity and their prudential treatment

    Chair: Luis de Guindos, Vice-President, European Central Bank

    Paper: “Growth of non-bank financial intermediaries, monetary policy, and financial stability”
    Author: Loriana Pelizzon, Deputy Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE and Professor, Goethe University Frankfurt and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
    (together with Riccardo Mattiello, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and Warwick University, and Jonas Schlegel, Financial Economist, SAFE Policy Center)

    Discussant: Nicola Cetorelli, Financial Research Advisor and Head of Financial Intermediation, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KozVSM50NZg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 3

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Session 3: Non-bank financial intermediaries, liquidity and their prudential treatment

    Chair: Luis de Guindos, Vice-President, European Central Bank

    Paper: “Growth of non-bank financial intermediaries, monetary policy, and financial stability”
    Author: Loriana Pelizzon, Deputy Scientific Director, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE and Professor, Goethe University Frankfurt and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
    (together with Riccardo Mattiello, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and Warwick University, and Jonas Schlegel, Financial Economist, SAFE Policy Center)

    Discussant: Nicola Cetorelli, Financial Research Advisor and Head of Financial Intermediation, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KozVSM50NZg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – A conversation about tapping Europe’s growth potential

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    A conversation about tapping Europe’s growth potential

    Philippe Aghion, Professor, Collège de France and London School of Economics
    Lars Feld, Professor, University of Freiburg, and Director of the Walter Eucken Institute
    Moderator: Beatrice Weder di Mauro, Professor, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Geneva, and President of the CEPR

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC0YgzhJPrI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Panel 2

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Panel 2: Central bank communication: current challenges

    Chair: Philip R. Lane, Member of the Executive Board, European Central Bank

    Alessandra Galloni, Editor-in-Chief, Reuters
    Carolin Pflueger, Associate Professor, University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy
    Anna Seim, Deputy Governor, Sveriges Riksbank
    Alan Taylor, Professor, Columbia University and external member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jN_UNPwJYE

    MIL OSI Video –

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

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • MIL-Evening Report: The takeaway from the Venice Biennale saga: the art world faces deep and troubling structural inequality

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grace McQuilten, Professor of Art and Associate Dean, Research and Innovation, School of Art, RMIT University

    Creative Australia’s decision earlier this year to rescind the selection of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s 2026 representatives at the Venice Biennale sent shockwaves through the arts sector.

    For many artists and arts workers, it reinforced concerns around participation and access for those from culturally and racially diverse backgrounds.

    This week’s reinstatement of the artistic team offers some comfort. However, the entire incident has reinforced that, while diversity in the arts is celebrated, inclusion at the highest level can’t be taken for granted.

    Some worrying stats

    Our 2024 survey of more than 900 visual and craft artists, and visual arts workers (who we define as workers who support the visual arts sector), revealed several concerning findings in relation to opportunity and inclusion for culturally and racially diverse creatives.

    The first key finding was more than 67% of artists and 78% of arts workers felt there were cultural and/or access-related barriers to them participating in the sector.

    The second was culturally diverse workers in the sector tended to identify as “early career” rather than “established”. This points to challenges for career progression and, in turn, to systemic and structural barriers to career development.

    Of all the people we surveyed, 17% of visual artists and 20% of visual arts workers reported being of a culturally diverse background. Of these, only 15% of artists and 14% of arts workers reported being at an “established” career stage.

    By contrast, among the general population of artists (including those without a diverse background), 30% of the artists reported being “established” in their careers, along with 26% of arts workers.

    Art shouldn’t be at the behest of politics

    Issues around political censorship and cultural bias in the sector were not a focus of our survey, which was conducted nine months after the war in Gaza began, and before Creative Australia’s selection (and swift cancellation) of the 2026 Venice Biennale team.

    Nonetheless, respondents were concerned their political views, and/or their cultural or racial background, could impact their likelihood of advancing a career in the sector.

    Some respondents explained if they were no longer working as an artist or arts worker in five years’ time, it would most likely be due to “systemic discrimination” and “increasing censorship prevalent in this industry”.

    According to an independent review into the Sabsabi decision (and its reversal):

    While no formal assessment was undertaken, it is clear that there was a general awareness within Creative Australia, among those with knowledge of the selected Artistic Team, that the decision had the potential to be controversial. The Panel heard that, at the time, the decision was described as ‘bold’ or ‘courageous’. The source of potential controversy was seen to lie in the fact of selecting any artist with heritage connected to the Middle East at a time when conflict in that region was so emotive and polarising, rather than because of the proposed nature of the work to be undertaken at the 2026 Venice Biennale.

    Entrenched harmful biases

    Sadly, the negative response from politicians to the initial selection of Khaled Sabsabi and Michael Dagostino gave credibility to our respondents’ concerns.

    One participant told us “being called Ahmed* is a bit of a disadvantage given the international situation”.

    Another said “only certain cultures and political plights are given support”.

    Financial security is also potentially at risk. As one respondent explained, the main barrier to their personal financial security were political values. “My work is at risk when governments change,” they said.

    Artists and arts workers from culturally and racially diverse backgrounds also reported more significant impacts from the cost-of-living crisis, along with poorer mental health and work-life balance.

    Importantly, our findings don’t stand in isolation. Similar issues have been identified by Diversity Arts Australia, who in 2022 reported on the significant negative impacts of the pandemic on First Nations artists and artists of colour.

    Also, in 2021, Creative Australia reported on problems around inclusion and access for culturally diverse communities in the arts and cultural sector.

    What might progress look like?

    Our research involved making a number of policy recommendations to tackle these issues.

    For one thing, there is a clear need for organisational change. On this front, arts organisations and employers should invest in cultural competency training for all staff and board members. They should also prioritise professional development and career growth for culturally and racially diverse staff.

    To drive meaningful change, funding incentives should be introduced to support diverse leadership. This should include higher pay for culturally and/or racially diverse leaders whose backgrounds lead them to having added responsibility in the workplace.

    The sector also needs greater transparency around cultural and racial representation in staffing and leadership roles, including board roles. This will promote accountability and help drive cultural change.

    Finally, success for artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds requires the Australian art world to engage with multiple world views – and understand not all art will be immediately accessible to all audiences.

    The controversy surrounding Creative Australia’s biennale backflip offers an opportunity for the visual arts sector to reckon with deep and troubling issues of structural inequity, along with broader questions of free expression – especially in a fraught political climate.

    These issues are wider than the art world. But what better place to start?

    *Name changed to protect identity.

    Grace McQuilten received funding from the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects funding scheme (project LP200100054). The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Australian government or Australian Research Council.

    Kate MacNeill received funding from the Australian Research Council’s Linkage Projects funding scheme (project LP200100054). The views expressed herein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Australian government or Australian Research Council.

    – ref. The takeaway from the Venice Biennale saga: the art world faces deep and troubling structural inequality – https://theconversation.com/the-takeaway-from-the-venice-biennale-saga-the-art-world-faces-deep-and-troubling-structural-inequality-260316

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tears, trauma and unpaid work: why men in tinnies aren’t the only heroes during a flood disaster

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rebecca McNaught, Research Fellow, Rural and Remote Health, University of Sydney

    Dan Peled/Getty Images

    When flooding strikes, our screens fill with scenes of devastated victims, and men performing heroic dinghy rescues in swollen rivers. But another story often goes untold: how women step in, and step up, to hold their stricken communities together.

    Unprecedented floods in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales in 2022 are a case in point. Our research shows female leadership was the hidden backbone of community recovery in the aftermath of the emergency. Women rose to leadership roles, filling crucial gaps left by formal disaster responses. As one woman told us:

    I mean there’s some blokes around, I’ve got to give them some credit, but, yeah, I’m amazed … it was always the women saying, what do you need? What can I help with?

    And long after the disaster had passed and the media had moved on, women were still there, quietly leading sustained recovery efforts from their homes, community halls and online networks.

    But while the labour of men was generally supported and recognised, the complex and difficult work of women was largely overlooked.

    The invisible labour of disaster recovery

    The NSW Northern Rivers region is a rural area highly prone to climate disaster.

    In February and March 2022, the region experienced catastrophic flooding and landslips. About 11,000 homes were inundated. Health care facilities were damaged and disrupted. Emergency services were overwhelmed and many communities were cut off, some for weeks.

    In response, the community stepped up in extraordinary ways. Our research explored the particular contribution of women to this effort.

    The research focused on the contribution of women to community recovery after the Lismore floods.
    Dan Peled/Getty Images

    ‘No one else was going to do it’

    The research involved interviews with people involved in the flood response and recovery. We also examined notes from public events and transcripts from a NSW government inquiry into the floods.

    We found that, despite facing immense challenges, women played an essential role in sustaining their communities during and after the crisis.

    For example, they coordinated food relief, managed donation hubs, organised volunteers and provided emotional support to neighbours and strangers. As one female interviewee told us:

    It was more than about food … people would just come and then we’d just hug them and they’d just cry … the food relief turned into something deeper.

    Emergency-management environments are often dominated by men. As a result, female community organisers often felt excluded from formal decision-making. As one woman told us:

    every face in the meeting was a white middle-aged guy with a buzz cut. And, and I was like, there is no women. There is no diversity. There was no sense of community or that whole recovery space.

    One woman cited the example of a local council celebrating “men in their dinghies” who took part in a flood rescue, while failing to recognise women who collectively contributed many thousands of unpaid hours towards the recovery effort:

    here we are with just simply a trillion women doing all of the childcare, all of the cooking, all of the soft labour, literally everything plus being on dinghies … and there’s just nothing for us.

    Some women took unpaid leave from work to coordinate recovery activities in their communities, because, as one woman told us, “no one else was going to do it”.

    Women’s roles were not limited to unskilled tasks and care work. Women also brought professional skills to the recovery effort, such as event management, IT, nursing, communications, clinical psychology, trauma healing, business management, social work and public health.

    Women: there for the long term

    We found while men’s involvement in disaster recovery tended to be concentrated on specific short-term rescue and response, women tended to remain active for months or even years.

    For example, two years after the flooding disaster, at a gathering of grassroots community-disaster
    organisers, 87% of names on the contact list were female.

    Some women continued to volunteer their labour, while others managed to obtain short-term funding. Whether paid or unpaid, the women experienced overwhelm and felt exhausted by the long-term effort, and some experienced vicarious trauma. However, their sense of community responsibility prevented them from stepping back.

    Rethinking who we see as leaders

    The research confirms women’s contributions are consistently overlooked during and after a disaster. It reflects a broader trend in Australia, where women’s labour is historically undervalued.

    Women’s disaster work – coordinating volunteers, providing emotional care and advocating for their communities – was often unsupported by government and continued long after official agencies left.

    Yet, these contributions remained largely invisible.

    Three years after the floods, many women in the Northern Rivers are preparing for the next emergency, and women comprise the majority of community resilience groups in the region.

    Women must be recognised and supported to ensure the health and wellbeing of disaster-affected communities. The health and wellbeing of these women themselves must also be paramount.

    More government and private funding is vital. Where possible, philanthropic community grants should also be expanded.

    The recently formed Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance involves 50 grassroots groups combining to provide peer support, advocate together, seek joint funding and provide training. Such networks can provide ongoing support to community organisers.

    As Earth’s climate becomes more hostile and extreme weather events become more likely, there is an urgent need to support community efforts – and to rethink who we see as leaders in times of disaster. Building resilient communities starts with recognising and resourcing the people doing the work – including local women.

    The authors acknowledge Emma Pittaway, Loriana Bethune and Dominica Meade who co-authored the research upon which this article is based.

    Rebecca McNaught receives funding from The Peregrine Foundation and Gender and Disasters Australia. She is a board member of not-for-profit Plan C and President of the volunteer group the South Golden Beach, New Brighton and Ocean Shores Community Resilience Team. She attends the Northern Rivers Community Resilience Alliance.

    Jo Longman has received funding from the NSW State Government Disaster Risk Reduction Fund and the Healthy Environments and Lives Innovation Fund. She is affiliated as a volunteer with Plan C’s research team.

    – ref. Tears, trauma and unpaid work: why men in tinnies aren’t the only heroes during a flood disaster – https://theconversation.com/tears-trauma-and-unpaid-work-why-men-in-tinnies-arent-the-only-heroes-during-a-flood-disaster-260327

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Winnie Ho attends Lisbon forum

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho attended the International Forum on Urbanism (IFoU) in Lisbon, Portugal, to promote Hong Kong’s resident-oriented “Well-being design” concepts and strategies.

     

    On Wednesday, Ms Ho began her visit to Lisbon by meeting Secretary of State for Housing in the Ministry of Infrastructure & Housing Patrícia Goncalves Costa, to exchange views on the housing policies of the two places.

     

    Afterwards, Ms Ho attended the IFoU held at the Pavilion of Portugal for the previous World Expo, where she explored the latest trends of housing planning, design and management, community engagement and more with scholars, industry representatives, professional bodies and students from the Mainland, Europe and the US.

     

    In the forum’s plenary session, Ms Ho highlighted that the “Well-being design” guide launched by the Housing Bureau and the Housing Authority last year, serves as a reference for the future design of new public housing estates and the improvement works of existing estates, to create a more comfortable and vibrant living environment for the residents.

         

    She also said that Hong Kong can give full play to the role of being a “super connector” through interactions and exchanges in different places.

     

    The IFoU is organised in different cities each year, and this year’s edition was hosted by the University of Lisbon with the theme of Future Living.

         

    After the forum, Ms Ho had dinner with Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Portuguese Republic Zhao Bentang, and briefed him on Hong Kong’s latest housing policies and initiatives.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

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

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

    Phoenixns/Shutterstock, The Conversation, CC BY

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

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

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

    A gouda night’s sleep?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The science behind cheese and nightmares

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Can I still have brie before bedtime?

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

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

    How about other dairy products?

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

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

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

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

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

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

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU student develops software module for seismic data analysis in oil and gas industry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    An effective software module for seismic data analysis was developed by a student Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk University Vladislav Korchuganov under the supervision of NSU Associate Professor Anton Duchkov. The module includes seismic acoustic and synchronous inversion procedures, as well as lithoclassification using machine learning. The uniqueness of the development is that the module is able to automatically find all the necessary parameters, completely eliminating manual adjustment by a specialist. There is no similar comprehensive solution today either on the Russian or foreign market. Despite the active work of several research groups, none of them has yet managed to achieve full automation. The young researcher described his development in his master’s thesis on “Improving the efficiency of volumetric lithotype forecasting based on the results of synchronous amplitude inversion.”

    Seismic exploration is a method of exploration geophysics that uses artificially excited elastic waves to study the geological structure of the Earth. This method is used to search for oil and gas traps at depths of up to several kilometers. For oil and gas industry purposes, seismic exploration is based on reflected waves, that is, those waves that are reflected from acoustically contrasting boundaries in the rock mass are studied.

    The waves are recorded by special sensors, after which the obtained data undergoes a series of processing and interpretation procedures. The result is a volumetric model of the studied subsurface area, on the basis of which conclusions can be drawn about the geological structure and the presence of promising objects in terms of oil and gas content.

    If you imagine such data visually, then for most deposits they look like a “layered pie,” in which each layer is a sedimentary rock approximately 50–100 meters thick, formed over millions of years. The geologist’s task is to find in this “pie” those layers that contain oil and gas.

    — From a technical point of view, seismic exploration data is a three-dimensional array consisting of billions of individual points. The volume of such an array (in the industry they are called “seismic cubes”) can easily exceed 15-20 GB. Obviously, working with such large data requires serious IT competence. Currently, the domestic market of Russia is actively developing projects to develop software packages for industrial interpretation of seismic exploration data. Companies are investing heavily to replace imported systems that have become the industry standard. One of such projects is a new generation of software developed by NSU jointly with an industrial partner. My qualification work arose from the need to implement a number of procedures for this software package. In it, I implemented seismic cube inversion procedures. To put it simply: the original seismic data can answer the question “where exactly are the layers?”, but do not allow you to immediately understand “what exactly is contained in these layers?”. Usually, this is done by a geologist, collecting and carefully analyzing a lot of additional information. My algorithms make it possible to partially automate this process by combining data from wells with seismic cubes, which makes it possible to understand more quickly and accurately what exactly is hidden in the subsoil, said Vladislav Korchuganov.

    The young researcher joined the team of new generation software developers three years ago. At first, he studied programming and the basics of seismic exploration, after which he fully joined the team. During his master’s degree, Vladislav Korchuganov conducted research aimed at prototyping a software module that became part of the overall development. He had to start “on paper”, using specialized literature, since there were no available software packages on the domestic market that implemented these procedures.

    In addition to the basic implementation of procedures, Vladislav Korchuganov decided to optimize their execution: he applied parallelization and preconditioning procedures for the task in a sparse form, which allowed him to speed up the calculations many times over. In his work, the young researcher applied machine learning methods: in particular, classification algorithms for unbalanced data.

    — All of the above innovations make my implementation stand out from the solutions available on the market. Machine learning algorithms were used to automate the interpretation of inversion results. As a result, the code I implemented in Python was translated into C by the development team and integrated into the overall structure of the software package, — explained Vladislav Korchuganov.

    During industrial tests, the software module demonstrated its high efficiency: synchronous inversion for real data from the Orenburg Region field allowed achieving high convergence of well and calculated elastic properties. The use of the developed classification scheme allowed increasing the key metrics of the “collector” class forecast by three times for the area under study.

    — At this stage, our team of developers has closed the basic functionality required by the oil and gas industry. Next, we plan to implement advanced algorithms for interpreting seismic exploration data, such as Ji-Fi inversion, geostatistical inversion, etc. Our own developments in this industry will also be implemented, — said Vladislav Korchuganov.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Five people injured in plane crash in US state of New Jersey

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    NEW YORK, July 2 (Xinhua) — A light aircraft crashed near an airport in Williamstown, New Jersey, U.S., on Wednesday, injuring at least five people, local officials said.

    The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. local time. Five people were taken to Cooper University Hospital in Camden with injuries. Local authorities described the crash as a “multiple-casualty incident.”

    An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. U.S. aviation authorities are expected to examine the crash site to determine what led to the incident. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese investment empowers Indonesia’s EV supply chain

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

    .

    The groundbreaking of a new electric vehicle (EV) battery megaproject in Indonesia set another milestone in the country’s rapidly growing EV supply chain, driven by Chinese investment.

    JOINT VENTURE

    The project, whose groundbreaking on Sunday was witnessed by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Karawang, West Java, is a joint venture with China, worth nearly 6 billion U.S. dollars, and covers the full supply chain, from nickel mining and processing to battery materials production, manufacturing and recycling.

    Indonesia is currently the world’s largest producer of nickel and holds the biggest-known reserves of the metal, an essential component in EV batteries.

    The project is jointly conducted by Indonesia’s state-owned miner PT Aneka Tambang Tbk, state-owned investment holding company PT Indonesia Battery Corporation and China’s Ningbo Contemporary Brunp Lygend Co., Ltd.

    “This groundbreaking is proof of our leaders’ seriousness in collaborating with our partners and our friends in China. We can work together on a program that I think can be called colossal, an extraordinary breakthrough,” Prabowo said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

    According to Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, the project is expected to create 35,000 jobs and contribute up to 42 billion dollars annually to the national GDP. He also highlighted that the plant’s capacity would support the production of batteries for 300,000 vehicles, potentially reducing Indonesia’s fuel imports by approximately 300,000 kiloliters per year.

    Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (C) attends a groundbreaking ceremony for a major electric vehicle (EV) battery megaproject in Karawang, West Java, Indonesia, June 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

    GREEN TRANSITION

    The Indonesian government has been actively promoting the nickel industry to increase national competitiveness and build an ecosystem for the EV battery industry. The ambition is also aligned with Indonesia’s long-term commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

    Fahmy Radhi, an energy economics expert from Gadjah Mada University, said, “This transformation is more than an energy transition. It opens the door to clean technology, encourages green infrastructure development, and provides a strategic path for Indonesia to become a clean-energy industrial nation.”

    He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that investment does not stop at the smelter level. “The process must extend to the production of final goods, such as EV batteries or even electric vehicles themselves.”

    Currently, Indonesia is home to nine electric car manufacturers, seven electric bus production facilities, and 63 two- and three-wheeled electric vehicle factories.

    CRUCIAL PARTNER

    Kukuh Kumara, secretary general of the Association of Indonesia Automotive Industries, emphasized the critical role of partnerships with countries experienced in EV development, particularly China. “From the mining process to ready-to-use batteries, there is a huge process involved,” he said.

    Kumara said that expanding industries related to the EV supply chain will not only strengthen Indonesia’s downstream capabilities but also create jobs and promote know-how transfer. “China is known for its strong EV component industry. We encourage our local companies to learn from Chinese partners,” he said.

    “Our ultimate goal is to develop Indonesia’s own auto brands, local factories and indigenous technical capabilities,” Kumara said. “But at this stage, international partners are still crucial.”

    Chinese firms have played a pivotal role in bringing technology, capital and global market access to Indonesia, particularly in EV batteries and supply chain integration, said the business leader.

    As the first Chinese automaker to invest and establish a factory in Indonesia, SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) has helped 17 Chinese enterprises in the auto supply chain to venture into ASEAN’s biggest economy, developing over 100 local suppliers over the past seven years.

    People take photos of Wuling Air EV cars at Wuling’s production factory in Bekasi, West Java province, Indonesia, Aug. 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

    The Chinese automaker has also contributed to fostering Indonesia’s own EV sector. Last November, the China-Indonesia Institute of Modern Craftsmanship of New Energy Vehicle, a training base established by China’s Liuzhou City Vocational College, Indonesia’s Anand Industrial Training Institute and the SGMW’s Indonesian subsidiary, was officially inaugurated in Indonesia.

    “What is prominent in Chinese investment is the genuine willingness to implement technological transfer and human development programs through joint research, expert and trainee exchanges, vocational training, etc,” said Christine Susanna Tjhin, co-founder and director of strategic communication and research at the Gentala Institute, an independent consulting firm.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: How CPC is shaping China’s modernization roadmap through 5-year plans

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

    A humanoid robot poses during a permanent exhibition at the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center in Beijing, capital of China, March 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

    As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates the 104th anniversary of its founding this week, the Party’s signature five-year plans continue to serve as a roadmap for China’s modernization drive.

    This year, China is set to complete its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) and is formulating the blueprint for the next one, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s long-term strategy for national rejuvenation.

    From transforming an agrarian society into the world’s second-largest economy to charting a path toward becoming a great modern socialist country in all respects by mid-century, these plans reflect the CPC’s enduring commitment to long-term strategic vision and collective prosperity.

    Through this cyclical yet ever-evolving roadmap, China sets strategic goals, defines government priorities, regulates business operations, and mobilizes national resources — all in pursuit of its overarching objective of building a modern socialist nation.

    The country’s first plan in 1953 marked its initial push toward industrialization with the establishment of the nation’s first major steel and automobile plants. Fast-forward to the 13th (2016-2020), and it saw the completion of the world’s largest high-speed rail network.

    “Five-year plans are to China’s development what construction drawings are to building a house,” said Ran Hao, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee. “It tells the government and society which ‘floor’ to focus on and which ‘road’ to build over the next five years, helping avoid a piecemeal approach.”

    A FRAMEWORK, NOT A DOGMA

    Although China’s five-year plans include quantitative targets, such as the GDP growth goal, first introduced in the seventh five-year plan, it does not mean the CPC is running a centralized planned economy.

    “It’s not about the government dictating everything; rather, the plans set the direction and priorities,” Ran said.

    Since 2006, targets have been divided into two types: binding targets, which reflect government commitments, such as reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP, and anticipatory targets, which represent desired outcomes like GDP growth, to be pursued primarily through market mechanisms.

    In a break from tradition, the 14th Five-Year Plan did not set a quantitative target for GDP growth; instead, it described expected growth in broader terms, in part to emphasize quality over speed.

    “Five-year plans are suited to the Chinese mentality and the Chinese idea of thinking long-term,” said British scholar Martin Jacques. For millennia, Confucian classics have taught that those who plan ahead are more likely to succeed.

    China’s five-year plans set clear goals but give regions the leeway needed to tailor their own pathways. National plans are broad frameworks that guide local governments in creating their own action plans, explained Yin Jun, a researcher with the Peking University.

    At present, the CPC is drafting proposals for the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

    Observers said the upcoming plan will emphasize a future-oriented approach to global challenges, foster new quality productive forces, and strengthen the social safety net to improve public well-being.

    PLANNING WITH COLLECTIVE EFFORTS

    Given their far-reaching impact, China’s five-year plans are developed over several years, and informed by research, expert reviews, inter-agency coordination and public consultation. For example, work on the current 14th Five-Year Plan began as early as 2018.

    While drafting the five-year plan, the CPC highly values public inputs, which reflect society’s needs and help foster consensus. In 2020, for the first time, public advice was collected online, with suggestions like mutual-aid elderly care included in the final plan.

    Over three months that year, seven symposiums were held with the Party’s leader meeting with entrepreneurs, experts, local officials, and representatives from the grassroots level to listen to their suggestions.

    The combination of top-level planning with public participation continued this year. In May, major media platforms invited public feedback, and netizens proposed improvements such as enhancing rural express delivery infrastructure and installing elevators in older communities, among other ideas.

    An old saying from Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” offers insight into the success of China’s five-year plans: Triumph comes when the leaders and the people share the same goal.

    Visitors learn about a BYD Yangwang U9 at the 2024 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China’s Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Fu Tian)

    IMPACT BEYOND BORDERS

    China’s five-year plans not only guide national development but also offer opportunities for global investors.

    Madiyar Tukpatov, chairman of a public transport company in Astana, Kazakhstan, visited China earlier this year to research electric buses. His company began using Chinese electric buses in 2020 and plans to further integrate Chinese EV technology into Astana’s transport system.

    New energy vehicles (NEVs) have been developed as a strategic industry over several five-year plans. Their production and sales each exceeded 12.8 million units in 2024, maintaining China’s position as the global leader in this sector for 10 consecutive years. Chinese NEVs can be found in over 70 countries and regions.

    Benjamin Mgana, chief editor of foreign news at The Guardian newspaper in Tanzania, praised China’s approach to planning, saying it demonstrates that developing countries can create workable strategies based on their own realities, rather than copying Western models.

    Inspired by China’s success, a growing number of countries have adopted their own medium- to long-term strategies. Poland, Ethiopia and Tanzania have sought support from Chinese institutions to assist in their planning process.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 3, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 3, 2025.

    Childcare sexual abuse is mostly committed by men. Failing to recognise that puts children at risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Delanie Woodlock, Senior research fellow, UNSW Sydney Australians are reeling from the news that Victorian childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown has been charged with more than 70 offences against children, including rape. As 1,200 children await results for sexually transmitted infections, a horror no parent should ever

    Overtourism is reshaping communities in Europe – could Australia be next?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, Adjunct professor and adjunct senior lecturer in tourism management, University of South Australia Bumble Dee/Shutterstock A media frenzy erupted over the recent Jeff Bezos “wedding of the century” in Venice. Also notable were the public protests that showed tensions around tourism, especially mass tourism, are

    How should I talk to my kids about abuse and body safety?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Westrupp, Associate Professor in Psychology, Deakin University Jose Luis Peleaz/Getty Hearing about child abuse in trusted places such as childcare centres is every parent’s worst nightmare. So, how can we talk to our kids about it and help them stay safe? While it’s not always possible

    Creative Australia’s backflip on Venice Biennale representatives exposes deep governance failures
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cairnduff, Lecturer in Media and Communications, The University of Melbourne The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale closes a bruising recent cultural episode and exposes the fragility of the systems meant to protect artistic freedom

    Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’
    By Reinhard Minong in Port Moresby The Catholic Church has strongly warned against Papua New Guinea’s political rhetoric and push to declare the nation a Christian country, saying such a move threatens constitutional freedoms and risks dangerous implications for the country’s future. Speaking before the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication on Tuesday at Rapopo during

    Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot

    Homes are more than walls and a roof, especially for Indigenous people. It’s time housing policy reflects that
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giles Gunesekera, PhD Researcher, University of Technology Sydney Australia is experiencing a housing crisis. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the challenge runs deeper than high rents and limited supply. A major problem is that housing in Australia is rarely designed with Indigenous communities

    Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island – SBS podcast
    Pacific Media Watch In July 1985, Australia’s Pacific territory of Norfolk Island (pop. 2188) became the centre of a real life international spy thriller. Four French agents sailed there on board the Ouvéa, a yacht from Kanaky New Caledonia, after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. The Rainbow Warrior was

    Trump is not like other presidents – but can he beat the ‘second term curse’ that haunts the White House?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato Getty Images While he likes to provoke opponents with the possibility of serving a third term, Donald Trump faces a more immediate historical burden that has plagued so many presidents: the “second term curse”. Twenty-one US

    More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darla Hatton MacDonald, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Tasmania VCG via Getty Images The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is

    Australia’s superannuation regulator is worried about your fund’s spending. Should you be?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Melatos, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GettyImages skynesher/Getty Australia’s superannuation regulator has written to Australian superannuation funds raising concerns their spending might not be benefiting members. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not just concerned with the type of expenses, but with the corporate

    Thumbs up: good or passive aggressive? How emojis became the most confusing kind of online language
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brittany Ferdinands, Lecturer in Digital Content Creation, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney The Conversation, CC BY Emojis, as well as memes and other forms of short-form content, have become central to how we express ourselves and connect online. Yet as meanings shift across different

    Lung cancer screening hopes to save lives. But we also need to watch for possible harms
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katy Bell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney There is much to commend about Australia’s lung cancer screening program, which started on July 1. The program is based on gold-standard trial evidence showing this type of screening is likely to reduce

    Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city,

    Philadelphia’s $2B affordable housing plan relies heavily on municipal bonds, which can come with hidden costs for taxpayers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Craig, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mississippi The Parker administration says it will issue $800 million in bonds over the next four years to fund affordable housing. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-NC-SA Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which was included in

    Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Merdith, DECRA Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide Some 252 million years ago, almost all life on Earth disappeared. Known as the Permian–Triassic mass extinction – or the Great Dying – this was the most catastrophic of the five mass extinction events recognised in

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kerrynne Liddle on seizing more opportunities with Indigenous Australians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra From this Sunday, Australians will be celebrating NAIDOC Week, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. The week highlights the achievements, history and culture of Australia’s First Peoples. It’s also a time to reflect on the huge effort needed to

    Supervision gaps can lead to child abuse – what can be done?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marg Rogers, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education; Post Doctoral Fellow, Manna Institute, University of New England Suwatchai Pluemruetai/Shutterstock The horrific allegations of child abuse by an early childhood educator in Victoria came to light at a time when the early learning sector was already under fire for

    Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ has passed the US Senate – these are the winners and losers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Igor Link/Shutterstock One of the unique aspects of Washington life is a Senate “vote-a-rama,” in which the upper house of Congress tortures itself by pulling a marathon all-nighter of speeches, amendments and votes on a critical

    Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
    By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country’s health data hack is a “wake-up call” for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga’s cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the June 15 cyberattack on the country’s Health Ministry. Vaipuna said Tonga and

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 3, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 3, 2025.

    Childcare sexual abuse is mostly committed by men. Failing to recognise that puts children at risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Delanie Woodlock, Senior research fellow, UNSW Sydney Australians are reeling from the news that Victorian childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown has been charged with more than 70 offences against children, including rape. As 1,200 children await results for sexually transmitted infections, a horror no parent should ever

    Overtourism is reshaping communities in Europe – could Australia be next?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, Adjunct professor and adjunct senior lecturer in tourism management, University of South Australia Bumble Dee/Shutterstock A media frenzy erupted over the recent Jeff Bezos “wedding of the century” in Venice. Also notable were the public protests that showed tensions around tourism, especially mass tourism, are

    How should I talk to my kids about abuse and body safety?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Westrupp, Associate Professor in Psychology, Deakin University Jose Luis Peleaz/Getty Hearing about child abuse in trusted places such as childcare centres is every parent’s worst nightmare. So, how can we talk to our kids about it and help them stay safe? While it’s not always possible

    Creative Australia’s backflip on Venice Biennale representatives exposes deep governance failures
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cairnduff, Lecturer in Media and Communications, The University of Melbourne The reinstatement of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s representatives for the 2026 Venice Biennale closes a bruising recent cultural episode and exposes the fragility of the systems meant to protect artistic freedom

    Catholic Church warns against PNG declaring itself a ‘Christian country’
    By Reinhard Minong in Port Moresby The Catholic Church has strongly warned against Papua New Guinea’s political rhetoric and push to declare the nation a Christian country, saying such a move threatens constitutional freedoms and risks dangerous implications for the country’s future. Speaking before the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication on Tuesday at Rapopo during

    Antarctic research is in decline, and the timing couldn’t be worse
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Leane, Professor of Antarctic Studies, School of Humanities, University of Tasmania Oleksandr Matsibura/Shutterstock Ice loss in Antarctica and its impact on the planet – sea level rise, changes to ocean currents and disturbance of wildlife and food webs – has been in the news a lot

    Homes are more than walls and a roof, especially for Indigenous people. It’s time housing policy reflects that
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giles Gunesekera, PhD Researcher, University of Technology Sydney Australia is experiencing a housing crisis. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the challenge runs deeper than high rents and limited supply. A major problem is that housing in Australia is rarely designed with Indigenous communities

    Fallout: Spies on Norfolk Island – SBS podcast
    Pacific Media Watch In July 1985, Australia’s Pacific territory of Norfolk Island (pop. 2188) became the centre of a real life international spy thriller. Four French agents sailed there on board the Ouvéa, a yacht from Kanaky New Caledonia, after bombing the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. The Rainbow Warrior was

    Trump is not like other presidents – but can he beat the ‘second term curse’ that haunts the White House?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Garritt C. Van Dyk, Senior Lecturer in History, University of Waikato Getty Images While he likes to provoke opponents with the possibility of serving a third term, Donald Trump faces a more immediate historical burden that has plagued so many presidents: the “second term curse”. Twenty-one US

    More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Darla Hatton MacDonald, Professor of Environmental Economics, University of Tasmania VCG via Getty Images The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is

    Australia’s superannuation regulator is worried about your fund’s spending. Should you be?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Melatos, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GettyImages skynesher/Getty Australia’s superannuation regulator has written to Australian superannuation funds raising concerns their spending might not be benefiting members. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is not just concerned with the type of expenses, but with the corporate

    Thumbs up: good or passive aggressive? How emojis became the most confusing kind of online language
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brittany Ferdinands, Lecturer in Digital Content Creation, Discipline of Media and Communications, University of Sydney The Conversation, CC BY Emojis, as well as memes and other forms of short-form content, have become central to how we express ourselves and connect online. Yet as meanings shift across different

    Lung cancer screening hopes to save lives. But we also need to watch for possible harms
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katy Bell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney There is much to commend about Australia’s lung cancer screening program, which started on July 1. The program is based on gold-standard trial evidence showing this type of screening is likely to reduce

    Uganda’s ride-hailing motorbike service promised safety – but drivers are under pressure to speed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rich Mallett, Research Associate and Independent Researcher, ODI Global Motorcycle-taxis are one of the fastest and most convenient ways to get around Uganda’s congested capital, Kampala. But they are also the most dangerous. Though they account for one-third of public transport trips taking place within the city,

    Philadelphia’s $2B affordable housing plan relies heavily on municipal bonds, which can come with hidden costs for taxpayers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jade Craig, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mississippi The Parker administration says it will issue $800 million in bonds over the next four years to fund affordable housing. Jeff Fusco/The Conversation, CC BY-NC-SA Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Housing Opportunities Made Easy initiative, which was included in

    Around 250 million years ago, Earth was near-lifeless and locked in a hothouse state. Now scientists know why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Merdith, DECRA Fellow, School of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide Some 252 million years ago, almost all life on Earth disappeared. Known as the Permian–Triassic mass extinction – or the Great Dying – this was the most catastrophic of the five mass extinction events recognised in

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kerrynne Liddle on seizing more opportunities with Indigenous Australians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra From this Sunday, Australians will be celebrating NAIDOC Week, which marks its 50th anniversary this year. The week highlights the achievements, history and culture of Australia’s First Peoples. It’s also a time to reflect on the huge effort needed to

    Supervision gaps can lead to child abuse – what can be done?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marg Rogers, Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Education; Post Doctoral Fellow, Manna Institute, University of New England Suwatchai Pluemruetai/Shutterstock The horrific allegations of child abuse by an early childhood educator in Victoria came to light at a time when the early learning sector was already under fire for

    Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ has passed the US Senate – these are the winners and losers
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lester Munson, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney Igor Link/Shutterstock One of the unique aspects of Washington life is a Senate “vote-a-rama,” in which the upper house of Congress tortures itself by pulling a marathon all-nighter of speeches, amendments and votes on a critical

    Tonga cybersecurity attack wake-up call for Pacific, warns expert
    By Teuila Fuatai, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Tongan cybersecurity expert says the country’s health data hack is a “wake-up call” for the whole region. Siosaia Vaipuna, a former director of Tonga’s cybersecurity agency, spoke to RNZ Pacific in the wake of the June 15 cyberattack on the country’s Health Ministry. Vaipuna said Tonga and

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Dalai Lama is a cisgender man – yet he has an unexpected connection to the trans community

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Kerry, Lecturer in Sociology, Charles Darwin University

    Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, turns 90 this week – a milestone that’s reigniting speculation over his eventual successor.

    While the Dalai Lama is the face of Buddhism to many people across the world, he is actually the head of just one tradition within Tibetan Buddhism known as the Gelug school.

    Tibetans believe the Dalai Lama to be the manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, and the “one who hears the cries of the world”.



    Read more:
    What is a bodhisattva? A scholar of Buddhism explains

    Avalokiteśvara is prayed to across Asia, and is known as Chenrezig in Tibet, Guanyin in China, and Kannon or Kanzeon in Japan.

    A statue of Avalokiteśvara.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is a person, or a mythic representation of a person, who denies themselves enlightenment until all beings can achieve enlightenment. Avalokiteśvara appears to living beings in whatever form could best save them.

    Although Avalokiteśvara originated in India as a man, they can be depicted as either a man, woman, or non-binary being. This gender fluidity has led to them being revered as a trans icon in the West.

    I have spent the past five years investigating the lives of queer Buddhists in Australia. As part of this research, I have surveyed and interviewed 109 LGBTQIA+ Buddhist Australians.

    The words of these individuals, and my own experience as a genderqueer Buddhist person, reveal how the Dalai Lama emerges an an unlikely inspiration for individuals sharing a trans and Buddhist identity.

    The Big Buddha is a large bronze sculpture located near the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
    Joshua J. Cotten/Unsplash

    Letting go of binaries

    Through my work I have found LGBTQIA+ Buddhist Australians are generally reluctant to disclose their queer identities to their Buddhist communities, and may be told to remain silent about their identities.

    For some, Avalokiteśvara’s gender fluidity has been important for reaffirming both their queer and Buddhist selves.

    One Buddhist trans woman, Annie*, told me Guanyin had special significance for her. Annie spoke about Avalokiteśvara travelling from India to China as a male, before “transitioning” to the mainly female presentation of Guanyin over centuries. Annie said:

    I pray to her regularly and often find I get a response. Of course the enlightened state is beyond all manner of worldly binaries, including gender, and is immensely important in letting go of binaries in my journey towards enlightenment.

    Walter* has had a long fascination with depictions of Avalokiteśvara that “showed ‘him’ looking effeminate and handsome, with a cute moustache […] A little bit homoerotic, a little bit provocatively gender fluid, as seen through my eyes”.

    Walter adds:

    A great many people in different cultures, across history, worship these figures. Clever how this figure can morph into a radical trans! We all want to feel comforted, safe and saved from suffering.

    As queer Buddhists, we turn to to Avalokitesvara to feel “comforted, safe and saved”.

    Another interviewee, Brian*, told me about a Tibetan invocation practice he did with a senior Tibetan monk, in which he encountered Guanyin:

    [She] took my right hand and passed some sort of power into it. She never spoke to me but just returned the way she had come. I was given some sort of gift, that’s all I know.

    Since this experience, Brian has “always felt a strong connection to the feminine through her”. He has a special Guanyin altar on his farm.

    You can’t be what you can’t see

    Some Buddhists deny Avalokiteśvara’s queerness.

    Asher*, a genderqueer Buddhist I interviewed, told me about a teacher who said to them, “there was absolutely no way a gay person could be enlightened”.

    Asher retorted:

    What about Kanzeon, the bodhisattva of compassion, who has manifested as both male and female and, in the stories from Japan, has had erotic relationships with monks?

    The teacher dismissed this, replying, “those are just stories”.

    A black statue of Avalokiteśvara outside a Japanese temple.
    Wikimedia, CC BY

    In her 1996 book Transgender Warriors, trans activist Leslie Feinberg writes: “I couldn’t find myself in history. No one like me seemed to have ever existed.”

    Similarly, Annie evoked the statement: “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

    I, too, experience this need to see myself as a genderqueer, non-binary practitioner of Zen Buddhism. It was only through doing these interviews with other queer Buddhists that I came to realise Guanyin, a trans icon, is a statuette which adorns the altar of the Buddhist group I belong to.

    Knowing Avalokitesvara may be depicted as a man, woman, or non-binary being lets us queer Buddhists know we exist – and have always existed – within Buddhism.

    Despite being a cisgender man who has been somewhat inconsistent in his support of queer people, the Dalai Lama, as the manifestation of the bodhisattva of compassion, is a possible spiritual link between today’s queer Buddhists and centuries-long traditions of gender transition and fluidity.

    *Names have been changed.

    Stephen Kerry 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. The Dalai Lama is a cisgender man – yet he has an unexpected connection to the trans community – https://theconversation.com/the-dalai-lama-is-a-cisgender-man-yet-he-has-an-unexpected-connection-to-the-trans-community-260106

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –