Category: Asia Pacific

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah participates in the discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024 in Lok Sabha

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 9:38PM by PIB Delhi

The opposition is spreading the misconception that this bill is an interference in the religious activities of Muslims and the property donated by them

The opposition is trying to build its vote bank by scaring the minority community

The government does not want to interfere in the religious activities of Muslim brothers and the trusts associated with their donations, i.e. Waqf

Mutawali, Waqif, Waqf will all be Muslims, but it will definitely have to be seen whether the property of Waqf is being maintained properly or not

No non-Islamic member will get a place in the Waqf Board’s work related to religious donations

Work of non-Muslim members, appointed in the Waqf Board or its premises, will not be related to religious activities

A person of any religion can become the Charity Commissioner, he will ensure that the board is run according to charity law, this is the administrative work, not religious

The work of Waqf Board should be to catch and throw out those who sell Waqf properties

The opposition wants the collusion that was going on in their rule to continue, but this will not happen now

Had the Waqf law not been amended in 2013, there would have been no need to bring this bill

In 2013, Waqf law was made extreme overnight for appeasement, due to which 123 VVIP properties of Lutyens zone in Delhi were given to Waqf

Narendra Modi government runs on a very clear principle that we will not bring any law for vote bank because law is for justice and welfare of people

Everyone has the right to follow their religion, but conversion cannot be done for greed, temptation and fear

The amendment bill brought in 2013 was discussed for a total of 5 and a half hours in both the houses, while this bill is being discussed for 16 hours in both the houses

We formed a joint committee, 38 meetings were held, 113 hours of discussion took place and 284 stakeholders were included and about one crore online suggestions came from all over the country from all these and after analyzing all these, this law was made and it cannot be rejected like this

This is the law of the Government of India which is binding on everyone and everyone will have to accept it

From 1913 to 2013, the total land of the Waqf Board was 18 lakh acres, in which from 2013 to 2025, a new 21 lakh acres of land was added

There were 20 thousand properties given on lease, but according to the records, these properties became zero in 2025, these properties were sold

This bill will provide protection to the land, someone’s land will not become Waqf by mere declaration

Donation can be made only of one’s own property, hence Waqf will not be able to take personal property without ownership

The right to declare Waqf property has been abolished and now this will have to be certified by the district collector

Shri Amit Shah stressed that it has become a fashion to create fear among the people of the minority community

Even during Ram Janmabhoomi, Triple Talaq and CAA, efforts were made to create fear among the people of the Muslim community, but the Muslim community also knows that there is nothing to fear

It has been two years, no one has lost citizenship due to CAA, if anyone has lost citizenship due to CAA, then the opposition should put this information on the table of the House

It is the resolve of the Modi government that no citizen of this country, irrespective of his religion, will be harmed

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today participated in the discussion in the Lok Sabha on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024.

Participating in the discussion, Shri Amit Shah said that Waqf is an Arabic word, and its history is linked to the Hadiths. The way it is used today refers to a donation of property in the name of Allah or a donation of property for sacred religious purposes. He mentioned that the contemporary meaning of Waqf came into existence during the time of the second caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar. In today’s language, Waqf is a type of Charitable Endowment, where a person donates property for religious or social welfare. He clarified that such donations can only be of private property, and government property or someone else’s property cannot be donated.

Union Home Minister said that no non-Islamic member will be included in religious charity-related activities in the Waqf Board. He emphasized that there is no provision for involving non-Muslims in the administration of religious institutions, and they do not wish to create such provisions. Shri Shah further mentioned that the opposition is spreading misconceptions, claiming that this Bill is being introduced to interfere with the religious activities of Muslims and the properties they have donated. He asserted that the opposition is trying to create fear among the minority community to build its vote bank.

Union Home Minister said that any non-Muslim members appointed in the Waqf Board or its premises will not be involved in religious activities. Their role will be solely to ensure that the administration of charity-related matters is being conducted in accordance with the regulations. He said that Waqf in India functions like a trust, where there are trustees and a managing trustee. In Waqf, there are Waqif (donor) and Mutawalli (administrator), who are followers of Islam. Shri Shah pointed out that the word Waqf itself comes from Islam, so only those who follow Islam can manage Waqf. He further clarified that while Waqf is a religious matter, the Waqf Board or Waqf properties themselves are not religious institutions. According to the law, a Charity Commissioner can be from any religion, as they are not managing a trust; their responsibility is to ensure that the Board operates in compliance with charity laws. Shri Shah emphasized that this is an administrative matter, not a religious one.

Shri Amit Shah said that the primary role of the Waqf Board should be to identify and remove those who are exploiting Waqf properties. It should focus on individuals who have leased out properties in the name of Waqf at extremely low rates for hundreds of years. He mentioned that the income from Waqf is decreasing, whereas this money should be used for the development of the minority community and to strengthen the institutions of Islam. The main task of the Waqf Board and its premises should be to stop the theft of these funds. He further stated that the opposition wants to maintain the ongoing collusion during their rule, but now, that will no longer be the case.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that if the Waqf law had not been amended in 2013, this bill would not have been necessary. However, before the 2014 elections, in 2013, the Waqf law was drastically altered overnight for the sake of appeasement, which led to the allocation of 123 high-profile properties in the Lutyens’ Zone of Delhi to Waqf. The Delhi Waqf Board transferred the land of Northern Railways to Waqf. In Himachal Pradesh, land was illegally converted into Waqf property and used to build unauthorized mosques. In Tamil Nadu, 400 acres of land belonging to the 1500-year-old Tiruchendur temple were declared Waqf property. Shri Shah mentioned that according to a report from a committee in Karnataka, 29,000 acres of Waqf land were leased for commercial use. Between 2001 and 2012, Waqf properties worth ₹2 lakh crore were leased to private institutions for 100 years. He also stated that the High Court in Bengaluru had to intervene to stop the acquisition of 602 acres of land. In Honwad village, Vijaypur, Karnataka, 1500 acres of land was made controversial, and this land, worth ₹500 crore, was leased to a five-star hotel for just ₹12,000 per month.

Shri Amit Shah said that all this money is meant for the welfare of poor Muslims, not for the plundering of the wealthy. In Karnataka, a claim was made on the Dattapeeth temple. In Taliparamba, an attempt was made to seize 600 acres of land based on a 75-year-old claim. Even properties belonging to the Christian community were seized. He mentioned that many churches in the country have opposed the Waqf Bill because they see it as a means to win the sympathy of the Muslim community. However, in four years, even the Muslim brothers will realize that this bill is actually in their benefit.

Union Home Minister said that in Telangana, a claim was made on 1700 acres of land worth ₹66,000 crore. Similarly, in Assam, a claim was made on 134 acres of land in Morigaon district. Fourteen Marla land related to a Gurudwara in Haryana was handed over to Waqf, and the Chandrashekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj was also declared Waqf property. In Maharashtra, a claim was made on the Mahadev temple in Vadange village, and in Beed, the Waqf Board forcibly took 12 acres of land from Kankaleshwar.

Shri Amit Shah said that the government has no intention of interfering in the religious activities of Muslim brothers or the trusts they have established, including Waqf. He clarified that the Mutawalli, Waqif, and Waqf will remain under their control, but it is essential to ensure that Waqf properties are being properly maintained and used lawfully, rather than for personal gain. He questioned the justification of leasing centuries-old donated property for a five-star hotel at a mere ₹12,000 per month. Instead, he emphasized that this money should be utilized for the welfare of poor Muslims, divorced women, orphaned children, and unemployed youth, helping them become self-sufficient and skilled. He further pointed out that while Waqf owns land worth lakhs of crores of rupees, its annual income is only ₹126 crore, raising concerns about mismanagement and misuse.

Union Home Minister stated that when the 2013 amendment bill was introduced, senior leaders in the then government had advocated for stricter laws to prevent the misuse of Waqf property and ensure that the culprits were held accountable. Shri Amit Shah emphasized that the current bill aims to establish a transparent audit system for Waqf properties. He pointed out that the opposition had proposed an amendment stating that Waqf Board orders could not be challenged in court, whereas the truth is that the bill does allow legal challenges. He further clarified that this bill will not have retrospective effect, but the opposition is misleading and creating fear among Muslims regarding its implications.

Regarding the role of the District Collector in the Waqf Bill, Shri Amit Shah stated that whenever land is purchased for a temple in the country, it is the Collector who determines its ownership. He questioned why there is opposition to the Collector investigating Waqf land, emphasizing that only the Collector has the authority to verify whether Waqf land belongs to the government or not.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Modi government follows a clear principle—no law will be made for vote-bank politics, as laws should serve the purpose of justice and public welfare. He highlighted that in this very House, the Modi government passed the law for 33% reservation for women and granted constitutional rights to backward classes. He further emphasized that while everyone has the right to practice their religion, religious conversion should not take place through greed, temptation, or fear.

Shri Amit Shah said that the 2013 amendment bill was discussed for a total of 5.5 hours in both Houses, whereas the current bill is being debated for 16 hours. He emphasized that the government formed a joint committee, which held 38 meetings, engaged in 113 hours of discussion, and consulted 284 stakeholders. Additionally, one crore online suggestions were received from across the country, analyzed thoroughly before drafting this law. Therefore, it cannot be dismissed lightly. He further asserted that every member has the freedom to speak in the House. No single family holds control here. MPs are elected representatives of the people, not present in the House by anyone’s favor, and they will raise the voice of the public.

Union Home Minister stated that this law has been enacted by the Parliament of India, making it binding on everyone, and thus, it must be accepted by all. He highlighted that from 1913 to 2013, the total land under the Waqf Board was 18 lakh acres. However, between 2013 and 2025, this land increased by 21 lakh acres, bringing the total to 39 lakh acres, with 21 lakh acres being added after 2013. Shri Amit Shah further revealed that while 20,000 properties were originally recorded as leased, official records in 2025 now show zero leased properties, indicating that these properties were sold off. He also mentioned that Catholic and Church organizations have extended their support to this law and have termed the 2013 amendment unjust.

Shri Amit Shah said that this bill will safeguard land, ensuring that no land will become Waqf merely by declaration—it will be protected by law. He emphasized that land belonging to the Archaeological Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be secured, and as per Schedules 5 and 6, tribal lands will also be protected. Additionally, the private property of ordinary citizens will remain safe under this bill. Shri Shah clarified that only one’s own property can be donated, meaning Waqf cannot acquire private property without ownership. To ensure transparency, the bill includes a mandatory information disclosure process in the Waqf Act.

The Home Minister stated that the authority to declare a property as Waqf has been abolished, and now such declarations must be verified by the District Collector. Additionally, any new Waqf property will have to be registered through a transparent process. He further mentioned that Muslims now have the option to register their trusts under the Waqf Trust Act, making a separate Waqf law unnecessary for this purpose.

Union Home Minister emphasized that it has become a trend to instill fear among the minority community. He pointed out that similar attempts were made during the discussions on the Ram Janmabhoomi temple, Triple Talaq, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to create panic among Muslims. However, he asserted that the Muslim community is well aware that there is nothing to fear. He criticized the opposition, reminding them that they had falsely claimed that Muslims would lose their citizenship due to CAA, yet even after two years, not a single person has lost their citizenship. He challenged the opposition to present evidence in the House if anyone had been stripped of their citizenship due to CAA. Shri Amit Shah further stated that similar fear-mongering was attempted after the abrogation of Article 370, but today, Jammu & Kashmir has an elected government, terrorism has declined, development is progressing, and tourism is flourishing.

Shri Amit Shah stated that the opposition party and its allies have sought to build their vote bank by intimidating the Muslim community. The Home Minister emphasized that the Modi government is firmly committed to ensuring that no citizen of this country, regardless of their religion, will be harmed.

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RK/VV/RR/PR/PS

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Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DoT Intensifies Action to Curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) Through Jan Bhagidari

Source: Government of India

DoT Intensifies Action to Curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) Through Jan Bhagidari

Nearly 1.75 Lakh Unauthorized DID Numbers Disconnected in DoT’s Anti-Spam Drive

DoT’s Chakshu Module of Sanchar Saathi Empowering Public Participation in fighting against Spam and Combatting Cyber Fraud

DoT Urges Enterprises to Comply with Telecom Regulations to Avoid Strict Penalties

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 7:42PM by PIB Delhi

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat spam calls and cyber fraud, DoT has disconnected approximately 1.75 lakh Direct Inward Dialing (DID)/landline telephone numbers that were found to be involved in unauthorized promotional activities and illegal activities.

Recently it has been observed that large number of spam calls are being originated from telecom identifiers like numbers starting from 0731, 079,080 etc by misusing PRIs, Lease Line, Internet Lease Lines, SIP and IPLC. Citizens, under the Jan Bhagidari , have been reporting such instances of Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) / spam / fraud call on Chakshu module of Sanchar Saathi.

DoT analyses this crowd sourced data to act against such telecom resources. Identified cases are forwarded to the DoT’s field offices Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) for detailed investigation. In instances where violations are confirmed, telecom services are suspended for those engaging in unauthorized promotional activities.

Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have been advised to take immediate necessary steps to ensure the scruples compliance of Unified License conditions relating to the curbing the misuse of PRIs including SIP trunks, Lease Line, Internet Lease Lines, IPLC etc. , and to regularly check for their bonafide use .

Call to Action for Enterprises/Bulk customers:

The DoT calls on Enterprises/Bulk customers/ Consumers to ensure their telecom services are used in compliance with established regulations, avoiding any misuse for unsolicited commercial communication. Violations could result in severe penalties, including disconnection of services.

Additionally, the DoT encourages citizens to continue reporting spam calls through the Chakshu module of Sanchar Saathi(www.sancharsaathi.gov.in), fostering a collaborative effort to make telecom services more secure and user-friendly. The Department remains dedicated to strict monitoring and prompt action against UCC violators to protect consumer interests.

Citizens can use Sanchar Sathi App to report misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and cyber frauds. The App can be downloaded from

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dot.app.sancharsaathi

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/sanchar-saathi/id6739700695

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP invokes 27-point action plan as per Stage-I of GRAP in the entire NCR
Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:16PM by PIB Delhi

Today, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 217 (‘Poor’ category), as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In wake of the average/ overall air quality of Delhi recording ‘Poor’ air quality category ranging between 201-300, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to take stock of the current air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR. While comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario in the region as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts and air quality index of Delhi, it was observed as under:
- AQI of Delhi has shown increasing trend and has been recorded as 217 for 02.04.2025 (in ‘Poor’ category). Further, the forecast by IMD/IITM predicts AQI to remain in this range.
As per the unanimous decision of the Sub-Committee on GRAP, all 27 actions as envisaged under Stage-I of GRAP – ‘POOR’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 201-300), to be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in NCR, with immediate effect. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR States and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have been addressed to ensure strict implementation of actions of Stage-I under GRAP during this period.

Further, the Sub-Committee also urges the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter of Stage I of GRAP as under:
- Keep engines of your vehicles properly tuned.
- Maintain proper tyre pressure in vehicles.
- Keep PUC certificates of your vehicles up to date.
- Do not idle your vehicle, also turn off the engine at red lights.
- Prefer hybrid vehicles or EVs to control vehicular pollution.
- Do not litter / dispose wastes, garbage in open spaces.
- Report air polluting activities through 311 App, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App etc.
- Plant more trees.
- Celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly manner – avoid firecrackers.
- Do not drive/ ply end of life/ 10/15 years old Diesel/ Petrol vehicles.
A 27-point action plan as per Stage-I of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This 27-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by various agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and DPCC. These steps are:
1. Ensure proper implementation of Directions/ Rules/ guidelines on dust mitigation measures in Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities and sound environmental management of C&D waste.
2. Ensure strict compliance of Direction Nos. 11-18 dated 11.06.2021 and do not permit C&D activities in respect of such projects with plot size equal to or more than 500 sqm which are not registered on the ‘web portal’ of the respective state / GNCTD and / or which do not fulfil the other requirements as per the above noted statutory directions, for remote monitoring of dust mitigation measures.
3. Ensure regular lifting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, and Hazardous wastes from dedicated dump sites and ensure that no waste is dumped illegally in open land areas.
4. Carry out periodic mechanized sweeping and water sprinkling on roads and ensure scientific disposal of the dust collected in designated sites/landfills.
5. Ensure that C&D materials & waste are properly stored/ contained, duly covered in the premises. Ensure transportation of C&D materials and C&D waste only through covered vehicles.
6. Strictly enforce the Statutory directions and yardsticks for use of anti-smog guns at C&D sites, in proportion to the total built-up area of the project under construction.
7. Intensify use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling and dust suppression measures in road construction / widening / repair projects and maintenance activities.
8. Stringently enforce prohibition on open burning of bio-mass and municipal solid waste. Impose maximum EC upon violations in accordance with Hon’ble NGT’s orders dated 04.12.2014 and 28.04.2015 in OA 21/2014.
9. Strict vigil to ensure that there are no burning incidents in the landfill sites/ dumpsites.
10. Deploy traffic police for smooth traffic flow at all identified corridors with heavy traffic and congestion prone intersections.
11. Strict vigilance and enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles.
12. No tolerance for visible emissions – Stop visibly polluting vehicles by impounding and/ or levying maximum penalty.
13. Strictly enforce the Hon’ble Supreme Court order on diversion of non- destined truck traffic for Delhi, through Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.
14. Strictly enforce NGT / Hon’ble SC’s order on overaged diesel / petrol vehicles and as per extant statutes.
15. Ensure strict penal/ legal action against non-compliant and illegal industrial units.
16. Stringently enforce all pollution control regulations in Industries, brick kilns and hot mix plants etc. – strict compliance of the prescribed standards of emissions.
17. Ensure that only approved fuels are used by the industries in NCR including in brick kilns and hot mix plants and enforce closure in case of violations, if any.
18. Stringently enforce emission norms in thermal power plants and strict actions be taken against non-compliance.
19. Strictly enforce Hon’ble Courts / Tribunal orders regarding ban on firecrackers.
20. Ensure regular lifting and proper disposal of industrial waste from industrial and non-development areas.
21. DISCOMS to minimise power supply interruptions in NCR.
22. Ensure that diesel generator sets are not used as regular source of power supply.
23. Strictly enforce the extant ban on coal / firewood as fuel in Tandoors in Hotels, Restaurants and open eateries.
24. Ensure hotels, restaurants and open eateries use only electricity / gas-based / clean fuel – based appliances.
25. Information dissemination including through social media and bulk SMS etc. Mobile Apps to be used to inform people about the pollution levels, contact details of control room, enable them to report polluting activities / sources to the concerned authorities and inform them about actions that would be taken by Government.
26. Ensure quick actions for redressal of complaints on 311 APP, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App and other such social media platforms to curb polluting activities.
27. Encourage offices to start unified commute for employees to reduce traffic on road.
All the agencies concerned are also required to take note of various actions and the targeted timelines as envisaged in the comprehensive policy issued by the Commission to curb air pollution in the NCR and take appropriate actions accordingly in the field, particularly the dust mitigation measures for C&D activities & Roads/Open areas, which becomes a pre-dominant factor in the coming months determining the air quality in Delhi-NCR.

The Commission shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decision depending upon the air quality in Delhi and forecast made by IMD/ IITM.

The comprehensive schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s official website and may be accessed on https://caqm.nic.in

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VM/GS

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Kisan Rail Facilitates Swift Transport of Perishables from Surplus Regions to Markets Across the Country

Source: Government of India

Kisan Rail Facilitates Swift Transport of Perishables from Surplus Regions to Markets Across the Country

Since August 2020, Indian Railways Operated 2,364 Kisan Rail Services, Transporting 7.9 Lakh Tonnes of Perishables; 65 Services from Gujarat Transported 18,250 Tonnes to Different Parts of the Country

Railways, Agriculture and other Ministry with States and other Stakeholders Identify Key Circuits for Efficient Movement of Fruits, Vegetables, and Other Perishables Across India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 7:41PM by PIB Delhi

Kisan Rail enables movement of perishables including fruits and vegetables from production or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions in reasonable time.

Since the launch of Kisan Rail service on 7^th August 2020, Railways have operated around 2,364 Kisan Rail services, transporting approximately 7.9 lakh tonnes of perishables. Out of these, 65 services have operated from Gujarat to different parts of the country, transporting 18,250 tonnes (approximately) of fruits and vegetables.

Potential circuits for movement of vegetables, fruits and other perishables are identified in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Agriculture/Animal Husbandry/Fisheries Departments of State Governments as well as local bodies and agencies, Mandis etc., and services are planned on the basis of demands placed taking into consideration, operational feasibility.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDO – U.S JOINT HADR AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISE

Source: Government of India

INDO – U.S JOINT HADR AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISE

TIGER TRIUMPH OPENING CEREMONY JOINT STATEMENT

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:13PM by PIB Delhi

The opening ceremony of the 4th edition of the bilateral joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) amphibious exercise between India and the U.S. – Tiger TRIUMPH 2025 was held onboard the Indian Navy’s INS Jalashwa (L41) on 01 Apr 25. The exercise reflects the deepening convergence of U.S.-India strategic maritime interests and the countries’ defense partnership. The present edition is aimed at further enhancement of interoperability and combined joint all-domain operations during large-scale HADR operations.

The harbour phase of the exercise is being conducted at Visakhapatnam from 01-07 Apr 25, and involves a planning process for the execution of various training events at sea, as well as further refinement of procedures established in previous iterations of Tiger TRIUMPH. In addition, the harbour phase will include training and Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) events on a range of professional subjects, such as special operations, emergency medical response procedures, and operations across the air, maritime, cyber and space domains. These exchanges will allow our forces to continue sharing Best Practices and building stronger bonds. Sports engagements and visits to sites of cultural importance will also be coordinated to nurture camaraderie and develop personal relationships.

During the sea phase, which will take place from 08-12 Apr 25, the bilateral forces will work together to train for maritime, amphibious and HADR operations through a Joint Combined Command and Control Center. This phase will conclude with establishment of a joint combined humanitarian relief and medical response camp following an amphibious landing at Kakinada. Participating units from the Indian Navy include Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa with integral landing crafts and helicopters, the Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai (D62), Magar-class amphibious assault ship, Deepak-class fleet tanker INS Shakti (A57) and PBI Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft, MH60R Helicopters and Hawk Aircraft. The Indian Army will be represented by an Infantry Battalion group, including Mechanised Forces, and Special Operations Forces from all the three services will also participate in the exercise. Cyber and Space specialists will also participate in the exercise. The Indian Air Force will demonstrate the capability of C130, Mi-17 V5 and showcase the air portable BHISMA medical equipment. The participating U.S. Task Force would comprise a U.S. Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), with embarked U.S. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance battalion, as well as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) and a Navy P8A Poseidon aircraft. The U.S. Space Force and Air Force are supporting the exercise with subject matter experts and a C-130J aircraft, respectively. The U.S. Army will be represented by a platoon, medical platoon, Civil-Military Operations Center and Multi-Domain Task Force Combined Information Effects Fusion Cell.

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VM/SKY

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways Achieves ₹2.56 Lakh Crore Revenue in 2023-24 with Net Profit of ₹3,260 Crore Amid Major Investments in Staff, Pension, and Energy
Source: Government of India

Indian Railways Achieves ₹2.56 Lakh Crore Revenue in 2023-24 with Net Profit of ₹3,260 Crore Amid Major Investments in Staff, Pension, and Energy

Indian Railways Adopts Two-Pronged Strategy to Boost Profits by Increasing Revenue and Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Freight Loading Surges 29% to 1,591 MT in 2023-24; Indian Railways Targets 1.6 Billion Tonnes in 2024-25 to Become World’s Third Largest Freight Carrier

Railways Expands Freight Business with Private Investment in Terminals, Modern Wagons, Cargo Aggregation, and Competitive Tariff Policies

Railways Strengthen Cost Management Through Electrification, Workforce Optimization, and Operational Efficiencies, Saving ₹4,700 Crore on Diesel in 2023-24

Indian Railways Pioneers Green and Sustainable Initiatives with HOG Trains, Electrification, LED Adoption, Renewable Energy, and Hydrogen-Powered Trains

Rail Network Speed Potential Expands to 80,000 km at 110 kmph, with 23,000 km Upgraded for 130 kmph Since 2014

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 7:39PM by PIB Delhi

During 2023-24, the earning of Indian Railways (IR) was ₹2,56,093 cr and revenue expenditure was ₹2,52,834 cr. The net Revenue has improved to Rs 3,260 crore in 2023-24. Major expenditure is done on Staff cost, Pension, energy consumption etc.

To increase the profit, Indian Railways (IR) has adopted two-pronged approach i.e. increase the revenue and bring efficiency in operational expenditure.

Due to implementation of several freight revenue initiatives, the freight carried by IR during 2020-21 was 1,233 million tonnes which increased to 1,591 million tonnes during 2023-24 i.e. a growth of 29%. IR is set to achieve 1.6 billion tonnes freight loading in the FY 2024-25 making it the third largest freight handling railway system in the world. Some of the important measures to improve the freight include-
- Encouraging private sector to develop the modern rail freight terminals under ‘Gati Shakti Multi- Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’ policy and augmenting/ upgrading the infrastructure at railway owned goods sheds.
- Implementing various schemes for private sector to invest in wagons including the commodity focused specialized wagons such as wagons for cement, oil, steel, fly-ash, automobiles etc.
- Facilitating cargo aggregation and thereby, expand the commodity basket by the schemes including the policy of “Cargo Aggregator Transportation Product” and “Joint Parcel Product-Rapid Cargo Services”.
- Implementing the several tariff related measures to enhance the rail share by making rail mode competitive with respect to road. These include Short Lead Concession for traffic upto 90 Km, Liberalized Automatic Freight Rebate scheme for traffic loaded in empty flow direction, discounts on loading of bagged consignment in open and flat wagon, discount in freight to Fly ash/Bed ash traffic, operation of Mini Rake for Container train, fixation of special haulage rate for Bulk Cement (cement in loose form) when transported in normal containers.
IR has also undertaken many initiatives to increase non-fare revenue such as measures to increase the advertisement earnings, implementing the NINFRIS (New and Innovative Ideas and Concepts Scheme for Generation for Non-fare Revenue) policy to encourage innovative revenue-generating ideas. Some examples of NINFRIS Contracts are Nursing pods, luggage wrapping and sanitization, digital cloakrooms, disposal linen kiosks, imitation jewellery kiosks, Khadi selling kiosks, handicraft kiosks, Kiosks for online education platforms, facilities for electric charging facilities, oxygen parlours, etc. An e-auction policy has been implemented to expedite the bidding for assets such as leased parcel space, parking lots, ATMs etc. The benefits of e-Auction module include – realization of true earning potential of each asset, reduction the time taken in finalization of Tenders and prevent revenue loss on this account, re-award of contract in quick time in case of failure in commencing by any contractor etc.

IR has also undertaken steps to improve the earning from passenger segments such as running of special trains, augmentation of on-board capacity, and introduction of new trains with higher facilities on appropriate fare.

Similarly, various measures are being regularly taken in railways to ensure optimum expenditure. Some of the expenditure management on railways includes manpower management, electrification of Railway tracks etc. Measures like electrification of Railway tracks has led to savings of more than Rs 4700 crore under Diesel traction in FY 2023-24.

Cleanliness is a continuous process and various measures have been taken for maintaining cleanliness at stations and trains which include integrated housekeeping contracts at major stations & trains, mechanized cleaning, bio-toilets in passenger coaches, On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) scheme in long distance trains, Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme for identified trains en-routed at nominated stations, dustbins for bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes etc.

IR has taken various steps to promote environment friendly & sustainable practices. Some of them are as under: –
- Conversion of End on Generation (EOG) trains into Head on Generation (HOG) trains to reduce noise, air pollution and diesel consumption.
- Construction of Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs).
- Procurement of renewable energy from different power procurement modes for its future energy requirements.
- Provision of energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting in all Railway installations including stations, service buildings, residential quarters and coaches for reduction in electricity consumption.
- Use of star rated appliances.
- 98% of railway tracks have been electrified, resulting in saving in diesel consumption.
- Harnessing hydrogen gas to drive train sets.
- Green Certifications of railway establishments.
- Proper waste management.
Improvement/up-gradation of Rolling Stock to enhance safety and comfort of passengers is a continuous and ongoing process on IR. The initiatives include LHB coaches with operating speed of 160 Kmph, better riding index, improved aesthetics and safety features like Lightweight design, Anti-telescopic & Anti climbing features, Centre Buffer Coupler, Axle mounted disc brake system etc. as compared to the conventional ICF coaches of the 1960s.

In its constant endeavor to provide faster service and better travel experience to the passengers, IR are introducing Vande Bharat trains and Namo Rapid Rail service, which have modern coaches, enhanced safety features and better amenities. Presently, 136 Vande Bharat services and 2 Namo Rapid Rail services are in operation on the IR network.

IR have also introduced modern State-of the Art fully Non-AC Amrit Bharat trains. These trains have advanced features like Semi-Permanent couplers for jerk free travel, horizontal sliding windows, better aesthetics of Berths with enhanced look & feel on the lines of Vande Bharat Sleeper, improved crashworthiness in coaches, Emergency Talk Back Unit, improved LED Light fitting & Charging Sockets, foldable snack table and bottle holders, mobile holders etc. These trains comprise 12 Sleeper Class Coaches and 8 General Class coaches. Presently, 4 Amrit Bharat services are in operation.

Besides the improvement in rolling stock, the following measures have been taken by IR to upgrade railway tracks:
1. Using modern track components consisting of 60kg, 90 Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) rails, Pre-stressed Concrete Sleeper (PSC) Normal/Wide base sleepers with modern elastic fastenings.
2. Laying of fan-shaped turnout on PSC sleepers with Thick Web Switches and Weldable CMS Crossings.
3. Providing Steel Channel/H-beam Sleepers on girder bridges while carrying out primary track renewals.
4. Using 130m/260m long rail panels for rail renewals to minimize weld- joints.
5. Field-welding by mobile Flash Butt Welding Plant and advanced USFD Testing technique of Rail/ Welds by Phased array technology.
6. Mechanization in Track renewal/ replacement using Track Relaying Trains, Points & Crossing Changing machines, Track laying Equipment etc.
7. Deployment of Integrated Track Monitoring Systems (ITMS) and Oscillation Monitoring System (OMS) for comprehensive health assessment to project optimal maintenance requirements.
8. Induction of advance modern machines for track maintenance i.e., high output tampers, high output Ballast Cleaning Machines and Rail Grinding machines etc.
9. Adopting Self-propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing Car (SPURT) and Rail Cum Road Vehicle (RCRV) based USFD system for testing of rails/welds.
10. Using web enabled Track Management System (TMS) for integration and data analytics of the track inspection records received through various sources to enable precise maintenance inputs.
As a consequence of above measures, speed potential of 110 kmph has now been improved significantly to about 80,000 km at present which was only about 31,000 km in 2014. In addition, upgradation and improvement of about 23,000 km track has been done from 2014-15 to 2024-25 (up to Feb’25) for speed potential of 130 kmph.

IR strives to provide affordable services to all strata of the society. IR gave a subsidy of Rs. 56,993 crores on passenger tickets in 2022-23. This amounts to concession of 46% on an average, to every person, travelling on Railways. In other words, if the cost of providing service is Rs. 100, then the price of ticket is Rs. 54 only. This subsidy is continuing for all passengers. Further, concessions beyond this subsidy amount are continuing for many categories like 4 categories of Persons with disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

(Release ID: 2118003) Visitor Counter : 42

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Auction of Coal Mines

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

Since year 2020, a total of 109 coal mines have been allocated through commercial coal mine auction, of which 15 mines are operational. Additionally, during the same period, 392 non-coal major mineral blocks have been auctioned, of which 32 are operational.

No coal/lignite mine has been allocated by Ministry of Coal through commercial coal mine auction in state of Rajasthan.

Since the launch of Commercial coal mining in 2020 till January 2025, revenue of about Rs. 4149.76 crores has been realized in the form of Upfront amount and Monthly Payments (excluding royalty, cess, DMF, NMET etc.) to the State Govts. of coal/ lignite bearing areas for further utilization. State wise revenue generated from commercial mining in the form of Upfront amount and Monthly Payments (excluding royalty, cess, DMF, NMET etc.) is as under:

S.No.	State	Revenue till Jan 2025 (Rs in Cr.)
1	Chhatisgarh	1722.85
2	Jharkhand	579.07
3	Maharashtra	143.07
4	Madhya Pradesh	549.21
5	Odisha	1061.78
6	West Bengal	93.60
7	Assam	0.18
Grand Total		4149.76

The Ministry of Coal is actively addressing delays in coal mine operationalization including from environmental clearances and land acquisition through several key measures. A Monitoring Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Coal) with Chief Secretaries from respective Host States, Secretary (MoEF& CC), Coal Controller Organization (CCO) & CMPDIL as members of the Committee to conduct regular reviews and to expedite the development of blocks.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

(Release ID: 2117930) Visitor Counter : 61

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOIL delivers best financial year performance in FY’25, surpassing all previous records
Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 7:06PM by PIB Delhi

MOIL has recorded its best-ever financial year performance in FY’25, achieving remarkable milestones across key performance indicators:
- Record manganese ore production: 18.02 lakh tonnes, 2.7% higher y-o-y.
- Record manganese ore sales: 15.87 lakh tonnes, registering a growth of 3.3% y-o-y.
- Record Ferro manganese production: 12000 MT, 18% higher y-o-y.
- Exploratory core drilling: 1,07,530 meters, marking a 22% growth over CPLY. This extensive exploration will serve as the foundation for expanding production from existing mines and the development of new manganese mines across the country.
Shri Ajit Kumar Saxena, CMD, MOIL, congratulated the entire MOIL workforce for this record performance and expressed confidence of higher growth momentum in the coming year.

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TPJ/NJ

(Release ID: 2117975) Visitor Counter : 61

Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Coal Production

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:11PM by PIB Delhi

The production of coal in the country during the financial years 2013-14 and 2023-24 along with the contribution of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is given below:

(Figures in Million Tonnes)

Year	Country production	SECL contribution
2013-14	565.765	124.261
2014-15	609.179	128.275
2015-16	639.230	137.934
2016-17	657.868	140.003
2017-18	675.400	144.709
2018-19	728.718	157.349
2019-20	730.874	150.546
2020-21	716.083	150.606
2021-22	778.210	142.514
2022-23	893.191	167.006
2023-24	997.826	187.536

The auction of commercial coal mines during the year 2020 has increased the coal production. The details of coal production is as under:

(Figures in Million Tonnes)

Sr No	Coal Mine	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25* (Till 24.03.2025)
1	Gare Palma- IV/1	0.37	6.00	7.20	6.82
2	Gare Palma- IV/7	0.79	1.20	1.43	1.68
3&4	Gotitoria (East & West)	0	0.02	0.30	0.25
5	Takli Jena Bellora	0	0	0.09	0.70
6	Gare Palma IV/6	0	0	1.8	3.93
7	Utkal C	0	0	1.03	3.36
8 & 9	Gare Palma IV/2 & IV/3	0	0	0.71	5.96
10	Rajhara (Central & Eastern)	0	0	0	0.01
11	Bhaskarpara	0	0.00	0.00	0.06
Total		1.16	7.22	12.56	22.77

*Provisional

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

(Release ID: 2117932) Visitor Counter : 44

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Make in India and the Capital Goods Revolution
Source: Government of India

Make in India and the Capital Goods Revolution

Catalyzing Domestic Production and Technological Innovation

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:52PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, heavy engineering and machine tools sector comprises of capital goods industry. India’s capital goods sector is experiencing significant attention due to its critical role in driving industrial growth and economic development. This sector encompasses industries such as electrical equipment, machinery, and construction, which are essential for the country’s infrastructure development. According to the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA), the electrical equipment industry witnessed consistent double-digit growth in power equipment, particularly transmission equipment and transformers, driven by domestic demand and international market expansion.

India is the third-largest market for construction equipment. Government initiatives have been instrumental in bolstering the capital goods sector. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched several policies to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. These initiatives are part of the broader Make in India campaign (launched in 2014), which seeks to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP, generate employment, and improve technological capabilities. The capital goods sector is crucial to India’s economic strategy, supporting large-scale manufacturing and infrastructure projects. With rapid urbanization, extensive infrastructure development, and strong government support, the sector is poised to drive sustainable industrial growth and elevate India’s position in the global market.

Overview of the Heavy Industries and Engineering Sector

As per the present estimates, the Capital Goods industry contributes about 1.9% of GDP. The Heavy Engineering and Machine Tool sector (capital goods industry) consists of the following major sub-sectors: Dies, Moulds and Press Tools; Plastic Machinery; Earthmoving and Mining Machinery; Metallurgical Machinery; Textile Machinery; Process Plant Equipment; Printing Machinery; and Food Processing Machinery. Due to catalytic effect of Ministry of Heavy Industries intervention, the production of capital goods sector has increased from Rs 2,29,533 crore in 2014-15 to Rs.4,29,001 crore in 2023-24. Production (in crores) by the sub-sectors of capital goods industry since 2019-20 are presented in the table below:

Exports (in crores) by the sub-sectors of capital goods industry since 2019-20 are presented in the table below:

The policy environment for the capital goods sector includes:
- No industrial license is required for the sector.
- FDI up to 100% permitted on automatic route (through RBI) except from the countries having land borders with India.
- Quantum of payment for technology transfer, design and drawing, royalty, etc. to the foreign collaborator is not restricted.
- There is no restriction on imports and exports.
The Union Budget 2025-26 proposes to add 35 additional capital goods for EV battery manufacturing, and 28 additional capital goods for mobile phone battery manufacturing to the list of exempted capital goods. This will boost domestic manufacture of lithium-ion battery, both for mobile phones and electric vehicles.

National Capital Goods Policy (2016)

The National Capital Goods Policy, formulated by the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, is a comprehensive framework aims at boosting the capital goods sector in India. policy envisions increasing the sector’s contribution to manufacturing activity from 12% (2016) to 20% by 2025. It seeks to make India one of the top capital goods producing nations, aiming to more than double production and increase exports to at least 40% of the total production. Furthermore, the policy aims to enhance the technology depth within the sector, moving from basic and intermediate levels to advanced levels.

The major salient features of the policy are:
1. To increase budgetary allocation and scope of the Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Capital Goods Sector adding components i.e. skills, capacity building, advanced manufacturing and cluster development.
2. To launch a Technology Development Fund under PPP model to fund technology acquisition/ transfer, purchase of IPRs/ designs and drawings/ commercialization.
3. To set up regional State-of-the-Art Greenfield Centre of Excellence for skill development.
4. To modernize existing CG manufacturing units, especially SMEs by replacing with the modern, computer controlled and energy efficient machineries across capital goods sub-sectors.
5. To upgrade/ develop, testing and certification infrastructure.
The National Capital Goods Policy, 2016, inter alia, recommended increasing the budgetary allocation and scope of the Scheme on Enhancement of Competitiveness of Capital Goods which included setting up of Centers of Excellence, Common Engineering Facility Centers, Integrated Industrial Infrastructure Park and Technology Acquisition Fund Programme. These recommendations were incorporated in the Phase II of the scheme.

Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase I

In order to address the skill gaps, infrastructure development and technology needs for the capital goods sector, Phase I of the capital goods scheme was rolled out in November 2014 which had the total outlay of Rs 995.96 crores. Phase I of the scheme fostered partnerships between academia and industry for engendering technology development with government support. The outcome of the Scheme has proved the efficacy of the strategies deployed for technology and industrial infrastructure development.
- Centre of Excellence (CoE): 8 CoEs have been established wherein 30 niche indigenous technologies have been successfully developed in the fields of machine tools, additive manufacturing, textile machinery, welding robots and alloys design, earth moving machinery, and sensor technologies at national research institutes of eminence such as Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) etc.
- Common Engineering Facility Centres (CEFC) – 15 CEFCs including four Industry 4.0 SAMARTH centres and six Web-Based Technology Innovation Platforms (TIPs) have been setup. Industry 4.0 SAMARTH centres are at Indian Institute of Sciences at Bengaluru, Centre for Industry 4.0 (C4i4) lab at Pune, Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) at Bengaluru and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi.
- The six web-based open manufacturing technology innovation platforms are helping in bringing all India’s technical resources and the concerned Industry on to one platform to kick start and facilitate identification of technology problems faced by Indian Industry and crowd source solutions for the same in a systematic manner so as to facilitate start-ups and angel funding of India innovations.
- Over 76,000 students, experts, institutes, industries and labs have already registered on these platforms so far.
- Technology Acquisition Fund Programme (TAFP) – Following 5 technologies have been acquired from abroad under TAFP:
1. Development & Commercialization of Titanium Casting with Ceramic Shelling Technology;
2. Manufacturing of Heavy-Duty High Reliability Electrical Specialized Power Cables;
3. Development of Turn Mill Centre;
4. Development of Four Guideway CNC Lathe;
5. Cutting Edge Robotic Laser Cladding Technology.
- Integrated Machine Tools Park, Tumakuru: An exclusive industrial park for machine tool industry has been developed across 530 acres at Tumkuru, Karnataka. So far, out of 336 acres of allottable land, 145 acres of land has been allotted to the machine tool manufacturers.
Under Phase- I of the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector, 33 projects with budgetary support of Rs. 583.312 crore were sanctioned. After launching of the Capital Goods Scheme Phase II, The Phase I of the Capital Goods Scheme has been merged with Phase II of the Scheme.

Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase II

Ministry of Heavy Industries notified the Phase 2 of the Scheme on January 25, 2022, with an objective to expand and enlarge the impact created by Phase I of the capital goods scheme, thereby providing greater impetus through creation of a strong and globally competitive capital goods sector. The scheme has a financial outlay of Rs. 1207 crores with budgetary support of Rs. 975 crore and industry contribution of Rs. 232 crores. Under the Phase II, a total of 33 projects with project cost of Rs 1366.94 crores (due to higher contribution by Industry) and government contribution of Rs 963.19 crore have been sanctioned by August 2024. There are six components under the Phase II and the details of the projects sanctioned so far are:
- Setting up of New Advanced Centres of Excellence and augmentation of Existing Centres of Excellence: To expedite R&D by utilizing academia of repute and private industry which is involved in research and development activities. A total of 9 projects with the budget of Rs. 478.87 have been sanctioned so far.
- Setting up of Common Engineering Facility Centres (CEFCs) and augmentation of existing CEFCs: For creating demonstration & training, consultancy, hand holding and R & D services and awareness programmes to industrial units. A total of 5 projects with the budget of Rs. 357.07 have been sanctioned so far.
- Promotion of skilling in Capital Goods Sector: Creation of Qualification packages for skill levels 6 and above- in association with Skill Councils for skills level 6 and above. A total of 3 projects with the budget of Rs. 7.59 have been sanctioned so far.
- Augmentation of Existing Testing and Certification Centres: To address the needs of Capital Goods Sector & Auto sector for testing of machinery in terms of various properties relating to mechanical, electrical, chemical, structural, metallurgical, electronics aspects etc. A total of 7 projects with the budget of Rs. 195.99 have been sanctioned so far.
- Setting up of Industry Accelerators for Technology Development: Aimed at development of targeted indigenous technologies, scaled to meet the requirements of selected industry segment, which till now has been dependent on imports. Selected Academic Institute/ Industry Body will act as an Accelerator for fostering the development of such technologies. A total of 8 projects with the budget of Rs. 325.32 have been sanctioned so far.
- Identification of Technologies through Technology Innovation Portals: Six Web-based open manufacturing technology innovation platforms have been developed under CG Scheme Phase-I. These are being supported under CG Scheme Phase-II.
The details of the funds allocated and its utilization under the Scheme for Enhancement of Competitiveness in the Indian Capital Goods Sector Phase- I and II is as given in the table below:

Recent Achievements of the Capital Goods Scheme
1. Sitarc, Coimbatore has indigenously developed a 6-inch BLDC submersible pump with a motor efficiency of 88% and a pump efficiency of 78% under the Capital Goods Scheme. This initiative promotes “Aatmanirbharta” by reducing the import of such pumps by 80%. This innovation was recognized as the best product in the pumps category by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
2. CMTI has developed a high-speed rapier loom machine capable of weaving yarns upto 450 RPM. This machine was launched at ITMA 2023 in Milan, Italy.
3. Under the SAMARTH centre at CMTI, Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) technology has been implemented in Toyota Engine Manufacturing line controlling 64 machines for preventive maintenance.
4. A testing facilities for battery and Battery Management System (BMS) has been established at ARAI, Pune for the first time in India under the aegis of Ministry of Heavy Industries.
5. 6 Smart Technologies, 5 Smart Tools, 14 solutions have been developed in digital twin, virtual reality, robotics, inspection, sustainability, additive manufacturing etc. by I-4.0 India @ IISc, Bengaluru;
6. Under Industry Accelerator at ARAI-Advanced Mobility Transformation & Innovation Foundation (AMTIF) a high-voltage motor controller developed, which enabled the industry partner Raptee Energy Private Limited to launch a high-voltage motorcycle with electric car DNA.
7. Under Industry Accelerator at ARAI-Advanced Mobility Transformation & Innovation Foundation (AMTIF) thermally stable sodium-ion batteries developed.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)

BHEL is a major contributor towards engineering and manufacturing capacity building for the Country. The company is carrying out following initiatives with support from Ministry of Heavy industries under the Capital Goods Scheme Phase II:

• BHEL has established a “Common Engineering Facility Centre (CEFC)” for skill development in Welding Technology at WRI Trichy along with its extension centers at Varanasi, Ranipet, Bhopal, Jhansi and Haridwar units of BHEL.

• BHEL is establishing a testing facility comprising both Hardware in the Loop (HIL) and Software in the Loop (SIL) functionalities in the area of Industrial, Naval and Aircraft related processes at its Corporate R&D Unit at Hyderabad with support from Ministry of Heavy Industries.

Conclusion

The ‘Make in India’ initiative has had a transformative impact on the heavy industries and engineering sector. By fostering technological advancements, increasing domestic production, enhancing competitiveness, and generating employment, the initiative has played a pivotal role in strengthening India’s industrial base. With sustained policy support and continued investment, the sector is poised for further growth in the coming years.

References

https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/capital-goods

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2098364

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2085938

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2042179

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2039020

https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/echapter.pdf

https://heavyindustries.gov.in/heavy-engineering-and-machine-tool

https://x.com/investindia/status/1302798627337723904?lang=ar-x-fm

https://heavyindustries.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/Capital-Goods-Policy-Final.pdf

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU1227_CBVr5x.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/182/AU1375_e9YzYN.pdf?source=pqals

https://heavyindustries.gov.in/scheme-enhancement-competitiveness-indian-capital-goods-sector-phase-i

https://heavyindustries.gov.in/scheme-enhancement-competitiveness-indian-capital-goods-sector-phase-ii

https://heavyindustries.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-02/heavy_annual_report_2024-25_final_27.02.2025_compressed.pdf

Make in India and the Capital Goods Revolution

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Make in India (CG) | Explainer | 07

Santosh Kumar | Sheetal Angral | Rishita Aggarwal

(Release ID: 2117968) Visitor Counter : 48

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan holds virtual meeting with South Indian Film Associations; urges technicians, producers and directors to join WAVES 2025

Source: Government of India

Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan holds virtual meeting with South Indian Film Associations; urges technicians, producers and directors to join WAVES 2025

WAVES 2025 aims to unite all media segments under PM Modi’s vision; Union MoS Dr. L. Murugan calls for strong South Indian representation

Dr. L. Murugan Calls for Exclusive Pavilion for South Indian Film Industry at WAVES 2025, Engages Leading Production Houses

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:47PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, conducted a virtual meeting with officials from Film Associations representing Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The meeting was also attended by Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri C. Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary (IP) and Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan M.N, Joint Secretary (Films).

South Indian Film Industry Participation at WAVES 2025

Key discussions focused on the progress of the upcoming World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), scheduled to take place from May 1st to 5th, 2025. The meeting emphasized the need for maximum participation from the South Indian film industry, including technicians, producers, directors and actors. It also explored the involvement of leading production houses and the establishment of a dedicated pavilion or booth at the WAVES Exhibition Space.

Position India as a Global Creative Leader

Concluding the meeting, Dr. L. Murugan highlighted that WAVES aims to unite all media segments under one umbrella, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He reiterated that this initiative is a significant step toward positioning India as a global leader in the creative industry.

About WAVES 2025

The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.

This historic summit will bring together global leaders, media professionals, artists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. The digital age presents both challenges and opportunities. Artificial intelligence, streaming revolutions, intellectual property rights, misinformation, and media sustainability are key concerns. As the first-ever event of its kind, WAVES 2025 will address these issues by promoting cultural diversity, innovation, and equitable access to media platforms.

By viewing the world through the prism of harmony, WAVES 2025 aspires to inspire meaningful connections, collaborative progress, and cultural unity. This session will be a crucial step in reinforcing the media and entertainment industry’s role as the biggest unifying factor between country to country, people to people and culture to culture in the digital age. WAVES 2025 emphasizes the power of unity by focusing on shared concerns, challenges faced by humanity, shared opportunities, collaborative growth and progress. This vision positions WAVES 2025 as a global platform for harmony, fostering meaningful dialogue and action that transcend borders.

By hosting WAVES 2025 in Mumbai, the summit will provide a forum for thought leaders. They will discuss how the media industry can act as the biggest unifying factor in a rapidly changing world. The sector serves as a powerful catalyst for cultural diplomacy, bridging divides between people, cultures, and nations.

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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Dharmendra Tewari / Navin Sreejith | 85

(Release ID: 2117966) Visitor Counter : 59

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool temporarily closed

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (April 2) that Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal to inaugurate Startup Mahakumbh

Source: Government of India

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal to inaugurate Startup Mahakumbh

2nd edition of Startup Mahakumbh to be held from April 3-5 at Bharat Mandapam

Over 45 Tribal entrepreneurs to participate in the event

Event to witness representation from over 50 countries

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 7:47PM by PIB Delhi

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the second edition of Startup Mahakumbh, set to take place at Bharat Mandapam from April 3-5, 2025.The event aims to contribute further to India’s economic growth and showcase to the world the unfolding story of Bharat. Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology,Shri Jitin Prasada, will deliver a special address during the inaugural event.

The event’s unmatched scale and diversity of participants will provide an invaluable platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders to come together, share ideas, and create lasting connections. With a strong focus on fostering innovation and collaboration, Startup Mahakumbh will lay the foundation for the next wave of entrepreneurial success. During this year’s edition Tribal entrepreneurs are also set to take the stage with participation from 45+ startups including those incubated at IIM Calcutta, IIM Kashipur, and IIT Bhilai.

Explaining the theme of the event, Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, said, “Startup Mahakumbh will be a true ‘sangam’ of startup and industry ‘MahaRathis’ from across the Indian districts and the world – Jile se Jagat tak. With representation from multiple districts of India and 50 countries, the event will be a great opportunity to connect and collaborate. While at one end we will have a flying taxi made in India on display, at the other we have countries like Korea setting up a pavilion of 11 startups and Nepal putting up the largest pavilion with one of its startups showcasing a 2-stage rocket powered by sustainable hybrid propulsion rocket engines. I am really excited and looking forward to the next three days of some pathbreaking ideas and enriching discussions.”

The first edition of the flagship startup event attracted over 48,581 business visitors engaging with 1306 exhibitors including finest startups, soonicorns, and unicorns, from 26+ states and 14+ countries. It also hosted 300+ incubators and accelerators and 200+ leading angel investors, VCs, and family offices.

Startup Mahakumbh brings together the entire startup ecosystem of India including entrepreneurs, investors, incubators and accelerators, and industry leaders from several sectors. The event is led by FICCI, ASSOCHAM, IVCA and Bootstrap Advisory & Foundation; and supported by SIDBI, GEM, ECGC, Meity and DPIIT Startup India.

For more information, visit www.startupmahakumbh.org.

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Abhishek Dayal/Abhijith Narayanan

(Release ID: 2118013) Visitor Counter : 16

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mozambique Delegation Explores India’s Decentralized Governance Framework

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:40PM by PIB Delhi

On April 1, 2025, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj hosted an interactive session on Decentralized Governance & Public Administration for a distinguished delegation from Mozambique. The delegation was hosted by Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR. The Mozambique delegation was headed by Prof. Benigna Zimba, Coordinator of Commission of Reflection on the Model of Decentralisation (CREMOD), established by the Government of Mozambique. This delegation is visiting India specifically to study the country’s decentralization framework and the Panchayati Raj system in India.

During the interaction, Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR shared a comprehensive overview of the Panchayati Raj system in India. He emphasized upon the constitutional framework that supports local self-governance in India and elaborated upon the journey of decentralization since the 73^rdConstitutional Amendment. Shri Lohani also highlighted the significant role and representation of women in the Panchayati Raj system. He underlined the activities and transformative changes in the governance mechanism during the last ten years, which have brought about positive transformation at grassroots level.

Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR shared his valuable insights on the operational aspects of Panchayati Raj Institutions and the various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to strengthen local governance across the country. He particularly emphasized on the role of digital transformation in enhancing transparency and efficiency in PRIs.

Issues of Capacity Building & Training (CB&T) of PRIs, good practices adopted by various States and Union Territories, e-Governance at the Panchayat level, digital governance, integration of e-GramSwaraj with Government e-Market place (GeM) were also elaborated upon. The session also emphasized how digital platforms have improved service delivery and reduced bureaucratic hurdles. Citizen Charter of PRIs was another focal point of the discussion, highlighting its significance in establishing clear expectations between citizens and PRIs. Key themes like Own Source Revenue mobilization, Finance Commission Grants, localization of SDGs, and PESA Act etc. were also discussed during the session.

Prof. Benigna Zimba and other members of the Mozambique delegation actively participated in the interactive session, sharing the distinct features of the Decentralized Governance model in Mozambique, providing insights into their country’s governance structure, ongoing reforms, and future prospects. The delegation expressed particular interest in India’s digital governance initiatives and capacity-building programs, recognizing their potential applicability in the Mozambican context.

The Mozambique delegation included Prof. Benigna Zimba (Member and Coordinator, CREMOD), Mr. Francisco Eliseu de Sousa (Member), Mr. Flavio Mulamdo (Secretariat), and Mr. Tuarique Abdala (Secretariat). Mr. Orlando Rodolfo, Minister Counsellor, High Commission of Mozambique, New Delhi.

***

Aditi Agrawal

(Release ID: 2117959) Visitor Counter : 45

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Till Feb 2025, Indian Railways Installs 209 MW Solar Plants at 2,249 Stations and Service Buildings

Source: Government of India

Till Feb 2025, Indian Railways Installs 209 MW Solar Plants at 2,249 Stations and Service Buildings

Indian Railways Solar Power Expansion Reaches 2249 Installations Units with 1489 Added in the Last Five Years, 2.3 Times More Than 628 in the Previous Five Years

Rajasthan Leads in Solar Power Expansion with the Highest 275 Installations Units Among All States and UTs

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 7:45PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Railways is making all endeavors to promote solar energy in line with the Government policies to proliferate renewable energy, environmental sustainability and to achieve long-term financial savings. The transition to renewable energy is an ongoing process.

Indian Railways has planned to progressively procure renewable energy through different power procurement modes for Round The Clock (RTC) power, which is hybrid solution for renewable power includes solar and wind etc. Most of the work of setting up of solar plants is undertaken by Railways through Power Purchase Agreement under developer mode.

During implementation of solar energy, many challenges like regulatory constraints, power evacuation and connectivity issues were faced by the railways. To tackle these issues, State Governments and Transmission Utilities were pursued on regular basis.

So far, about 209 MW of solar plants on 2249 Railway stations and service buildings across the country have been provided. State-wise and year-wise details are as under:

S.No.	State	Railway Stations Provided with Solar Plants (in Nos.)
S.No.	State	2014-15 to 2019-20	2020-21 to February, 2025	Cumulative upto February, 2025
1	Rajasthan	73	200	275
2	Maharashtra	43	213	270
3	West Bengal	12	222	237
4	Uttar Pradesh	78	93	204
5	Andhra Pradesh	33	126	198
6	Karnataka	86	60	146
7	Madhya Pradesh	49	74	134
8	Odisha	30	103	133
9	Gujarat	11	96	112
10	Telangana	35	60	95
11	Bihar	25	42	81
12	Assam	27	48	78
13	Tamil Nadu	42	31	73
14	Jharkhand	10	35	47
15	Haryana	9	23	36
16	Punjab	19	11	30
17	Uttarakhand	1	17	18
18	Himanchal Pradesh	1	16	17
19	Tripura	15	1	16
20	Chhattisgarh	10	5	16
21	Kerala	12	1	13
22	Delhi	4	3	8
23	J & K	2	4	6
24	Nagaland	0	2	2
25	Meghalaya	0	1	1
26	Manipur	0	1	1
27	Chandigarh	0	1	1
28	Puducherry	1	0	1
	Total	628	1489	2249

This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

*****

Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

(Release ID: 2118010) Visitor Counter : 32

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ministry of Rural Development hosts International Training on Livelihood Promotion for African Delegate

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) hosted a knowledge sharing session on Livelihood Promotion through Self-Employment at the Grassroots Level in New Delhi today. The event brought together 35 delegates representing 10 African countries, creating a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and learning. The session was facilitated by National Institute of Labour Economics Research & Development (NILERD).

The session commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development. Ms. Sharan greeted the participants in Zulu language with the word “Sawubona,” which means “I see you” and signifies a deeper recognition of dignity and worth, set the tone for the training session. She talked about the shared history and values of both the regions and underlined the importance of collaboration in the endeavour of rural prosperity.

Thematic teams under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) showcased their expertise through insightful presentations. Themes such as Farm Livelihood, Non-Farm Livelihood, Financial Inclusion, Social Inclusion, Food, Nutrition, Health & WASH (FNHW), Institution Building and Capacity Building (IBCB), and Gender were highlighted to provide an overview of the mission’s comprehensive approach.

Participants expressed their appreciation, describing the session as immensely beneficial and emphasizing their intention to implement these learnings in their respective countries. They said they are amazed to see how India’s rural growth history is being written by women, which is a great example for the rest of the world.

The closing remarks by Ms. Rajeshwari SM, Director, Ministry of Rural Development, encapsulated the success of the forum as a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences in rural livelihood programmes.

Dr. Molishree, Director, MoRD, Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD, Shri Alok Jawahar, Shri Raman Wadhwa, various thematic leads from DAY-NRLM, faculty members of NILERD were also present on this occasion.

*****

Pawan Singh Faujdar

(Release ID: 2117943) Visitor Counter : 65

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Local man & woman plead guilty to drug, money laundering crimes

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A local man and woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to drug and money laundering crimes related to assisting two Chillicothe brothers traffic drugs from Mexico and Arizona.

Todd Michael Fulkerson, 42, of Columbus, admitted to conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

In February 2024, Fulkerson traveled to Arizona at the request of Caleb Barillaro, 30, who was acquiring kilogram quantities of the drugs to resell through street-level drug dealers in Chillicothe and the surrounding areas. The men drove separate vehicles to Arizona, and Fulkerson accompanied Caleb on the trip to provide security. Fulkerson was recruited for this role based on his military experience.

In Arizona, Caleb purchased two kilograms of fentanyl and five kilograms of cocaine for $94,000 in cash. Caleb put the drugs in a cooler and placed ice on top of the drugs to conceal them before putting the cooler in Fulkerson’s car.

Law enforcement surveilled the two vehicles traveling in tandem back towards Ohio from Arizona.

The two stopped at a gas station near the Indiana and Ohio border. Caleb discovered that the melting ice in the cooler had ruined some of the kilograms of drugs. He became upset and took the cooler to his car. Caleb feared he was being surveilled by law enforcement as he traveled from the gas station, and he discarded the drugs along the side of the road.

Fulkerson faces up to 20 years in prison for his role in transporting the drugs.

Lazae Lett, 24, of Chillicothe, admitted to laundering drug proceeds to Sinaloa, Mexico, to help Dillon Barillaro, 31, obtain more drugs through a source of supply there. She sent several approximately $2,000 money orders via Western Union money orders from Walmart and two Kroger locations in Chillicothe.

Dillon Barillaro provided the illicit money to Lett and instructed her on recipient names and payment amounts. Dillon Barillaro drove Lett to the Walmart and Kroger locations to conduct financial transactions in immediate succession.

Lett faces up to 20 years in prison.

The Barillaro brothers have each pleaded guilty to federal narcotics crimes punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison and await sentencing.

Congress sets minimum and maximum statutory sentences. Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at future hearings.

Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Andrew Lawton, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Office; Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Chillicothe Police Chief Ron Meyers announced the guilty pleas offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Damoun Delaviz are representing the United States in the related cases.

These investigations were originally designated as part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs). The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

# # #

MIL Security OSI –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Danielle Smith’s subservient Florida trip flouts the Team Canada approach to fighting Trump

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Junaid B. Jahangir, Associate Professor, Economics, MacEwan University

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and media personality Ben Shapiro at a PragerU event in Florida on March 27, 2025. (@DanielleSmith, X)

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing fierce criticism for using taxpayer money to meet American far-right pundit Ben Shapiro in Florida as part of a recent fundraiser for conservative think tank PragerU.

At the event, Smith and Shapiro reportedly joked about U.S. President Donald Trump annexing Canada.

Smith also praised the United States for turning away from 2050 climate targets, spoke of a “net zero ideology” and promoted the importance of Albertan oil and gas to Americans.

Smith was initially opposed to retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., but eventually acquiesced. Nonetheless, she recently scoffed at a poll that showed a majority of Canadians (68.1 per cent), even in the Prairies (58.8 per cent), support retaliatory tariffs on oil and gas.

Those defending her Florida appearance argue that Smith intended to reach out to a conservative American audience to present Alberta’s case in the face of Trump’s tariffs.

She appeared to attempt a balancing act as she stressed the harms of tariffs without strongly pushing back against Trump’s annexation rhetoric.

The problem with subservience

I’ve argued that a better response to Trump’s tariffs would be countervailing power, not abject subservience. Additionally, Smith’s approach to Trump’s anti-Canada actions doesn’t reflect the will of Canadians who are pushing back democratically through consumer boycotts of American goods.

Read more:
Boycotting U.S. products allows Canadians to take a rare political stand in their daily lives

Smith’s critics also argue that she cannot achieve more than social pleasantries in her forays to the U.S. to hobnob with right-wing personalities. Generally, the approach of talking to the far right is contingent on various factors, including subject matter and timing, to be successful.

The benefits of Smith exchanging social pleasantries and pleading her case with the far right in the U.S. comes at the cost of breaking rank from the united stand Canadians need given the perceived existential threat to their country.

Additionally, Smith shared a platform with those who hold hardcore beliefs about women’s autonomy, LGBTQ rights and who peddle pseudo-academia in the “intellectual dark web,” sending a troubling message to many Canadians.

The economics of Smith’s approach

Understanding Smith’s response on retaliatory tariffs requires understanding the economics behind it.

Smith has an undergraduate degree in economics. But textbook neoclassical economics itself is problematic. I’ve already addressed the shortcomings of mainstream neoclassical economics on climate change in both mainstream and academic work.

In his book Economism, American law professor James Kwak highlights the problems with Economics 101 as it’s taught at universities around the world. He argues it leaves students with simplistic soundbites long after they’ve graduated that informs their political thinking in later life.

This could explain Smith’s approach that rests on free market fundamentalism (based on unfettered trade with smaller government and more private entrepreneurship).

Her economic approach complements her libertarian approach that apparently involves courting right-wing groups that are often small government proponents.

Read more:
What Danielle Smith’s remarkable comeback means for Canada

Neoclassical economics on tariffs

When it comes to tariffs, textbook economics extols the benefits of free trade without addressing serious issues of environmental degradation and working conditions. Those studying this mainstream economic school of thought may have been left with the overwhelming impression that when the U.S. imposes tariffs, it only hurts itself.

Harvard economist Gregory Mankiw’s bestselling principles textbook shoots down arguments about how tariffs save jobs, protect infant industries, strengthen national security and prevent unfair competition.

Several Canadian economists don’t see economic merit in retaliatory tariffs and relegate the issue to politics. Trained within the mainstream neoclassical model, they also view tariffs as categorically harmful.

Doing nothing in response to tariffs then becomes the default response, based on the argument that governments would make things worse by intervening in the market.

Australian economist Steve Keen has pointed out that mainstream economics did not have much to say about the global financial crisis in 2008. This is partly because of the belief in what’s known as the “efficient market hypothesis” that contends stocks always trade at fair value.

In terms of this “do nothing” approach in neoclassical economics, Smith’s response on retaliatory tariffs is therefore not surprising.

Steve Keen in an interview on the problems with neoclassical economics.

Alternative economics approaches

My approach to teaching economics is aimed at prioritizing worker rights, equality, environmental standards and local resilience, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic when supply chains were disrupted. I also believe unanimity is required for retaliatory economic sanctions and boycotts to work.

That’s because retaliatory tariffs and separate radical responses work when co-ordination difficulties and the “free rider” problem — meaning an individual benefits from collective effort without contributing — are minimized. A united front is required, which Smith is violating when she goes rogue in courting the American far right.

Alternative economic approaches critical of mainstream perspectives are already promoted in Canada by academics like Rod Hill and Tony Myatt.

These perspectives don’t categorically reject tariffs. Instead, they highlight the role of targeted tariffs and focus on local resilience and workers’ rights, offering an alternative to the status quo.

Overall, these new models are a better alternative to Smith’s style of subservience, or do-nothing approaches based on inertia that has seeped into mainstream economics. Both of these outdated responses to American tariffs seem particularly dangerous during this tumultuous period in Canada-U.S. history.

Junaid B. Jahangir 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. Danielle Smith’s subservient Florida trip flouts the Team Canada approach to fighting Trump – https://theconversation.com/danielle-smiths-subservient-florida-trip-flouts-the-team-canada-approach-to-fighting-trump-252371

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Graham, Blumenthal Introduce Bill to Impose Tough Sanctions Against Russia

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
04.01.25
WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and 49 bipartisan senators in introducing legislation to impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. These sanctions would go into effect if Russia refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated.
“Our legislation sends a clear message that if Russia rejects peace or escalates its aggression, there will be serious repercussions,” said Hoeven. “The sanctions and tariffs on those supporting Russia’s actions aim to foster peace by holding all aggressors accountable.”
Joining Senators Hoeven, Graham and Blumenthal in cosponsoring the legislation are Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Angus King (I-Maine), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), John Curtis (R-Utah), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Peter Welch (D-Vermont), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Adam Schiff (D-California), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island).

MIL OSI USA News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Myanmar quake: UN calls for urgent protection for vulnerable women and girls

Source: United Nations 2

By Vibhu Mishra

2 April 2025 Humanitarian Aid

Friday’s devastating earthquakes in Myanmar not only caused mass casualties and widespread destruction, they also deepened long-standing gender inequalities – leaving millions of women and girls at heightened risk, UN aid agencies warned on Wednesday.

As emergency aid trickles in, women and girls who were already vulnerable due to years of conflict, displacement and economic instability, now face even greater risks from gender-based violence and exploitation, according to a UN-led coalition responding to the crisis.

“Girls are particularly vulnerable, especially when separated from their families or living in overcrowded shelters without adequate privacy,” it warned, stressing the need for protection measures.

“With many caregivers injured or killed, urgent efforts are needed to identify, protect and reunify unaccompanied and separated children.”

The coalition, formally called the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group, is co-led by UN-Women and the UN reproductive health agency (UNFPA).

Reports of temporary ceasefire

News outlets are reporting on Wednesday that Myanmar’s military junta has announced a temporary ceasefire from 2 to 22 April to facilitate emergency relief and rescue operations.

This follows an earlier ceasefire declaration by armed groups opposing the junta earlier this week.

Myanmar remains engulfed in a deepening crisis since the Tatmadaw – as the military is known – overthrew the democratically elected government in 2021, imprisoning top leaders, including President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Pre-existing vulnerabilities

While estimates indicate that up to 20 million people may be affected by the earthquakes, women and girls – who already made up more than half of the 10 million people in urgent need of aid before the disaster – face mounting challenges.

More than 100,000 pregnant women have been caught up in the chaos across central Myanmar, with 12,250 expected to give birth in April.

The destruction of health facilities and damage to roads and bridges have cut off access to essential reproductive health services, endangering pregnant women and survivors of gender-based violence who rely on medical support.

“Prior to the earthquakes, women and girls in Myanmar were already facing significant mental health stress due to prolonged conflict, political instability, and economic challenges. The disaster has deepened this stress,” UN agencies added.

© UNICEF/Nyan Zay Hte

In Sagiang, destroyed buildings show the aftermath of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March.

Prioritizing action

“Women, especially from crisis-affected communities, must be actively involved in designing and implementing assessments to ensure their priorities are reflected,” UN humanitarians underscored.

Women and girls need safe shelter, clean water, and enough food. Shelters should have locks, lights and private spaces. They need secure toilets and bathing areas, along with dignity kits and menstrual hygiene products.

Adequate lighting near water points and toilets can reduce the risk of gender-based violence, especially after dark, with agencies also stressing the need to involve women-led organizations in the response.

Many women-led NGOs “are on the ground and ready to provide support, drawing on their deep community ties and understanding of the context to effectively identify and respond to the specific needs of women and girls,” the UN agencies added.

Limited funding undermines relief

UN relief chief Tom Fletcher has issued an urgent appeal for increased funding to support the aid effort, warning that access to survivors is severely constrained.

While $5 million has been allocated from the UN Central Emergency Respond Fund (CERF) the response “has been hampered by a lack of funding”, he said on Tuesday, alongside disruptions to communications and transport networks.

“We are in contact with authorities on how the international community can do more. We must have unrestricted, safe access. All parties must uphold obligations to protect civilians,” he added.

Meanwhile, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has mobilized $12 million in emergency funding, which is being allocated to partners for cash and food assistance, non-food items, shelter, water, sanitation, debris removal and healthcare, including mental health support.

“We deliver assistance through our valued partners and are deeply grateful to our donors for their swift support, enabling this rapid response. We are prepared to scale up our support as the full extent of the damage becomes clear,” said Sara Netzer, UNOPS Director in Myanmar.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How Islamic State used video to legitimise its caliphate

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Moign Khawaja, Lecturer, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin City University

The rise of the self-styled Islamic State (IS) has been described as an “accident of history” which took place as a result of the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003.

The extremist organisation had existed as a mere “paper state” since its founding as the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) in October 2006. But the video release of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declaring himself the caliph on July 4 2014 marked a turning point in contemporary history.

IS subsequently published hundreds of videos, some of which shocked the world with their graphic violence. Ideological enemies of the caliphate were executed by beheading or being burned alive.

But while the violence mobilised global opposition to what the then-US president, Barack Obama, called IS’s “bankrupt” ideology, the group used video as its go-to medium for IS propaganda and recruitment.

The group’s official videos, generally described as “slick” and “Hollywood-esque”, heavily emphasised two vital aspects of its identity: Islamic and state. The Islamic aspect of IS has been debated at length by scholars – especially the question of how much they had to do with Islam, if at all. But little research has been done to investigate the statehood claim made by IS.

The fact IS termed itself as Islamic State, or ad-Dawlah al-Islāmiyah
(الدولة الإسلامية) in Arabic, demonstrated its claim to be a state in the truest sense of the word – not just to citizens living in the territory it controlled, but to its supporters and enemies worldwide.

IS also presented evidence of state-building activities in the form of official propaganda releases. These aimed not only to back up its statehood claims but to seek recognition from its subjects and supporters for the caliphate project.

For our book, Islamic State, Media and Propaganda: Performances of the ‘Visual Caliphate’, we conducted an in-depth visual analysis of 374 official IS videos. These were published between the caliphate’s establishment in July 2014 and its dismantlement in July 2017, and collected from various online IS channels before their takedown in mid-2015, when Twitter started suspending thousands of pro-IS accounts en-masse.

We looked at the videos IS produced through four different analyses.

1. Population

The population analysis reveals IS’s portrayal of itself as a vibrant Islamic society. IS depicted its people as a cohesive community living under shariah law, emphasising gendered roles and the Bay’ah citizenship agreement, which privileged Sunni Muslims while marginalising minorities.

This analysis highlights the disproportionate portrayal of men as fighters and breadwinners. Women, meanwhile, were largely invisible on screen, confined to domestic roles as wives and mothers. Young boys were groomed as future fighters while girls were portrayed as “pearls of chastity” and trained to raise the next generation of the caliphate.

Surprisingly, women did make a one-off appearance when they were shown fighting alongside men on the battlefield as the caliphate was on its last legs.

2. Territory

This analysis unravels three stages of IS’s expansionist territorial strategy. First, identify enemy targets and territory. Second, attack and defeat the enemy. Finally, project the victory to followers and opponents alike.

The videos also show IS exercising sovereignty over its territory – aiming to legitimise its rule in the eyes of its subjects, and encourage global supporters to emigrate, join and defend IS.

The group projected itself as a de facto sovereign state capable of capturing, controlling and defending its territory with the help of modern technology such as drones, maps and weaponry. It depicted any severe military setbacks it suffered as a divine test – and heavily downplayed their importance.

3. Governance

This showcases IS’s efforts to project itself as a modern state by documenting its governance practices, including law enforcement, public services and administration. IS presented itself as a revolutionary state that brought peace and security to a war-torn region.

The governance mode of analysis highlights IS’s theatrical performances of its ability to run a state. Videos showed civil servants working in offices as well as civilians engaging with the state institutions they ran. They regularly featured state symbols such as the IS flag and its gold dinar currency.

These displays of performative governance were made at a time when the caliphate was constantly pummelled by military operations conducted by both US- and Russia-led coalitions.

Despite its strict Salafi identity (an orthodox Islamic movement that advocates a return to the practices and beliefs of the first three generations of Muslims), IS presented itself as a modern state by deploying tools such as its own branding, currency, infrastructure and taxation.

4. Foreign policy

IS interactions with other states and non-state actors were presented as foreign policy. It rejected the modern international system, which it deemed un-Islamic, and refused to seek recognition from the international community. Instead, IS engaged in “rebel diplomacy” with other jihadi groups. The aim was to co-opt them into its global network of affiliates.

Our analysis reveals how IS used civilian casualties caused by coalition airstrikes to justify terror attacks abroad. It also selectively quoted Islamic texts to legitimise its actions, and took matters into its own hands when religious teachings did not fit its narrative.

An example of this was the horrific burning alive of Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh. According to a narrative attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, burning alive as a form of punishment is forbidden in Islam.

Our research underscores IS’s unique status as a jihadi organisation that came close to establishing a de facto state. This was an unprecedented feat in contemporary history, and shows how IS’s theatrical performances of statehood were carefully scripted and staged. Jihadi-led violence has subsided across the Middle East and North Africa since the territorial collapse of IS in 2017.

But it has risen in other regions of Asia and Africa, including Central Asia, East Africa and the Sahel region. So our findings can help in the understanding of how the blueprint of the caliphate might inspire and influence existing and future jihadi movements with statebuilding ambitions.

Moign Khawaja received funding from the Irish Research Council as part of the IRC-Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Research Fellowship.

– ref. How Islamic State used video to legitimise its caliphate – https://theconversation.com/how-islamic-state-used-video-to-legitimise-its-caliphate-252214

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI: Digital Domain to Present at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference April 3rd 2025

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Digital Domain (OTCQX: DDHLY; Hong Kong Stock Exchange: 547), focused on visual effects, AI and virtual human business, today announced that Mr. William Wong, CEO, will present at the AI & Technology Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on April 3^rd, 2025

DATE: April 3^rd 2025
TIME: 4:00 PM ET
LINK: REGISTER HERE

All questions from investors will be recorded and forwarded to the company after the event. The company will answer the relevant questions as soon as practicable.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights

Digital Domain and Toppan Holdings launched the collaboration of photorealistic virtual human solutions using biometric data from real human, aiming to increase efficiency and productivity of human services in diverse applications.
Digital Domain teamed up with AWS to expand our virtual human solutions across the AWS cloud networks with scalability and flexibility.
Digital Domain partnered with Plaza Premium Group, the largest independently run pay-in airport lounge in the world with presence of over 80 airports, to launch an innovative virtual human hospitality service.

For more details of the above announcements, you may refer to: IR Digital Domain

About Digital Domain

Digital Domain is a pioneer in the virtualization of sensory experiences. After more than 3 decades of evolution, Digital Domain has transformed from a Hollywood company to achieve global expansion in fields such as VFX, AI Virtual Human, and Visualization. Digital Domain’s rich legacy comprises hundreds of films and TV series, thousands of commercials, game graphics, and experimental immersive experiences. The most outstanding achievements include: academy awards for “Best Visual Effects” in the films Titanic, What Dreams May Come, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, blockbuster classics such as The Avengers series, and the 4th season of the popular word-of-mouth hit show Stranger Things.

Digital Domain has charted a pioneering course into the realms of AI and virtual reality since 2016, revolutionizing the creation of emotionally expressive and photorealistic virtual humans in real-time. The company’s AI Virtual Human technology is widely applicable across diverse sectors such as healthcare and elderly service, training and education, concierge service, BFSI, the public sector, Entertainment etc. It enhances service efficiency, user experience, and business value.

Digital Domain is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock code: 547) and is headquartered in Hong Kong. Digital Domain maintains operations in multiple cities including Los Angeles, Vancouver, Montreal, Beijing, Shanghai, Hyderabad, and more. For more information, visit the official website – www.digitaldomain.com.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Digital Domain

Kavita Maharaj Smith	Arthur Ma
Director of Marketing Communications and Public Relations	Vice President, Operation
(+1) 562-201-9240	(852) 6181-1121
kavita@d2.com	arthur.ma@ddhl.com

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI: The Most Profitable Bitcoin Cloud Mining Platform on Mobile: SpeedHash App Creates a Passive Crypto Income Tool for Android & iOS

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

London, UK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — If you’re looking for the most worthwhile cryptocurrency investment opportunity in 2025, but don’t want to constantly monitor the markets, engage in frequent trading, or take on high volatility risks, then this legally compliant cloud mining app might be the solution you’re looking for. It’s not only suitable for users who want to enter Bitcoin investing with low barriers but also ideal for those who care about asset security, stable returns, and ease of use. Instead of blindly chasing price fluctuations, using an intelligent tool to build a “passive income stream from crypto” that works anytime and anywhere seems to be a more rational approach for long-term wealth management.

Scene One: On the subway, you’re scrolling through your phone, and the system is silently “mining BTC for you”

Kevin, an Australian designer, opens the SpeedHash App every morning during his commute to check how much Bitcoin he earned the previous day. He doesn’t own mining equipment, nor does he track Bitcoin prices, but his account steadily grows with Bitcoin every day.

This is the passive income solution provided by SpeedHash—an easy-to-use Bitcoin investment tool that requires no equipment, supports both Android and iOS, and provides real-time payouts. All you need to do is register, and the platform will give you $18 worth of free hashrate, no deposit required, with earnings that are instantly available for withdrawal. It’s as simple as “earn Bitcoin passively with your phone.”

What is it? A Legally Compliant Bitcoin Cloud Mining Platform Powered by Cloud Hashing

The SpeedHash App combines the computing power of a cloud mining platform with the convenience of mobile users, allowing ordinary people to easily and safely participate in the accumulation of crypto assets:

No need for mining machines, wallets, or technical knowledge
Register and get free hashrate instantly, view daily Bitcoin earnings at any time
Legally compliant cloud mining platform with operational licenses in the US, Bhutan, and Kazakhstan
All earnings are automatically settled daily
Available for both Android and iOS users, globally accessible

Rather than just being a “mining tool,” it functions as a mobile passive income generator, your digital wealth-building assistant for Bitcoin.

What’s the best Bitcoin cloud mining configuration if you have $100,000 to invest?

Many investors prefer not to bet all their funds on price speculation but instead seek to earn steady returns through mining. SpeedHash offers short-term high-return contract plans, making it ideal for investments in the $10K to $100K range.

Investment (USD)	Duration (Days)	Daily ROI	Daily Earnings	Total Return (USD)
$10,000	2	3.5%	$350	$10,700
$24,000	3	4.2%	$1,008	$27,024
$100,000	3	7.8%	$7,800	$123,400
$138,000	3	8.2%	$11,316	$171,348

These plans are suitable for investors seeking fast returns + stable cash flow, especially in a long-term Bitcoin bull market, as this approach helps mitigate market volatility.

These Users Are Earning Bitcoin Easily with Their Phones

Bitcoin investment beginners: Those looking to enter the crypto market with low risk
Finance-focused users: Prefer steady cash flow rather than market speculation
Overseas users looking for a legally compliant cloud mining platform: Those concerned about platform legitimacy or regulatory issues
Digital workers looking to create passive income via their phones: Students, freelancers, or regular office workers
Middle-class users looking to allocate $100K in crypto assets: Those aiming to diversify their investment portfolio

No Need to Predict Market Moves – Earn Crypto Passively

In the crypto world, many people associate “making money” with market speculation; however, with SpeedHash, your earnings come from the system, from the power of hashing, and from a well-structured contract mechanism.

You don’t have to watch price charts, chase trends, or worry about risk management. All you need is a phone and a hashrate contract, and you’ll see Bitcoin steadily accumulate. This is a true form of passive income, and the entry point is simply the app.

Why Is This App Different from Others?

Supports global users with both Android and iOS platforms
Register to receive $18 free hashrate, no cost to start, and earnings are instantly available for withdrawal
Short-term, high-return contracts with daily payouts
Data centers use green energy, ensuring eco-friendly mining operations
Fully compliant with operational licenses, safe, and sustainable
Referral system with up to 6% commission for inviting others

If You’re Looking for a Reliable and Profitable Way to Invest in Bitcoin

SpeedHash offers a low-barrier, compliant, and sustainable Bitcoin investment solution, where you don’t need any equipment, don’t need to monitor the markets, and can easily start earning passive income from your phone.

Compared to the uncertainties of crypto trading, SpeedHash helps users steadily accumulate crypto assets through its legally compliant cloud mining platform and cloud hashrate contracts. The platform supports Android and iOS, with fully automated operations, making it ideal for most users looking to build cash flow in the digital era.

Whether you’re a Bitcoin beginner or a seasoned investor planning to allocate $10K to $100K in assets, SpeedHash is a trustworthy choice.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involves risk. There is potential for loss of funds. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

The MIL Network –

April 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: Flies are masters of migration – it’s about time they got some credit

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Will Hawkes, Insect Migration Researcher, College of Life and Environmental Science, University of Exeter

As I sprinted across the flower-rich meadow on the eastern coast of Cyprus, I could barely see my car. The air was full of tiny black dots, pelting like bullets past me. I hauled open the car door and breathed a sigh of relief once inside. I was surrounded by millions of flies, amid the most incredible migration event I have ever seen.

The migration cameras my team and I use to monitor these insects counted nearly 6,000 flies per metre per minute. Being hit by a fly travelling over 25mph (helped by the wind) hurts enough to make you want shelter quickly.

All of these flies had just travelled at least 60 miles (100km) across open sea from the Middle East to Cyprus. This journey forms part of their springtime migration towards northern Europe.

Butterflies and dragonflies are well-known insect migrants, but not because they’re the most numerous. That title is given to the flies. I have studied all of the insects migrating through Cyprus and the Pyrenees on the France-Spain border. Flies make up nearly 90% of all migrants. Yet they have been consistently overlooked by scientists and their ecological contribution has been hugely underappreciated.

My colleagues and I set out to change this. We have spent months collecting written sources that mentioned fly migration from anywhere in the world. Our findings, now published in Biological Reviews, could change our perception of flies forever. Previously, nobody really knew the extent to which flies migrated, yet they are the most numerous and most ecologically important of all terrestrial migrants.

Fly migration has been part of written human history for millennia. In the book of Exodus, when the pharoah of Egypt didn’t let Moses’s people go, God sent a plague of flies to change his mind. Then God removed flies from the land until “not a fly remained”. This last biblical quote is key.

If these flies had been misidentified mayflies coming out of the river Nile, which are known to amass in huge numbers, their exhausted bodies would have remained for days. Because they all disappeared without a trace, this suggests a huge migration of flies. Egypt is on an important fly migration route. So perhaps fly migration was significant enough to be the subject of divine intervention.

Flies migrate to reproduce, moving to exploit seasonal food resources. All over the world, it’s mostly females that migrate. They have been recorded migrating through mountain passes high in the Himalayas, on ships hundreds of miles out to sea in the Gulf of Mexico and in their millions migrating through western Europe. Amazingly, while on fieldwork in the Maldives, I saw Forcipomyia midges use their soft foot hairs to stick to dragonfly wings to hitch a lift over the Indian Ocean.

Vital roles

Flies are so important to the planet and to us. No other group of terrestrial migrants (including vertebrates such as mammals) are as ecologically diverse as flies. More than half (62%) of all migrating flies, including hoverflies, are pollinators. Without them, food crop production would decline.

As they migrate, flies transport and disperse pollen between flowers. This could help plants adapt to climate change by maintaining genetic diversity.

Many migratory fly species (34%) are decomposers, ensuring the planet isn’t covered in rotting carcasses and animal dung. One study showed that the larvae of just 50 houseflies (Musca domestica), – the very ecologically similar and equally abundant autumn housefly Musca autumnalis migrate south through the Pyrenees in their millions – can decompose up to 444kg of pig manure.

The ecological roles of flies are not all positive, though. My latest study shows that monoculture crops provide lots of food for some migratory fly species (18%) that have subsequently become crop pests. Some (16%) carry diseases, such as mosquitoes that migrate huge distances and bring diseases such as malaria.

But migratory flies have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the planet. Hoverfly larvae eat trillions of aphids each year in southern England. Insect migration is already known to be the most important way that the nutrients plants need to grow are moved across the land and flies make up the majority of the insects that transport the nutrients.

The movement and subsequent death of trillions of migrating flies, whose bodies contain elements, such as phosphorous and nitrogen which plants need to grow, could be vital to soil health of the soils too. Migratory birds have been noted feeding on and moving at the same time as migratory flies, perhaps using them as fuel for their journeys.

We’re only just waking up to the significance of flies. Hopefully, it’s not too late to protect them. One German study found that the number of aphid-eating migratory hoverflies declined by 97% over the last 50 years. Fewer aphid-eating hoverflies means more crop-eating aphids and also fewer pollinators. So that’s a terrifying statistic that could have drastic consequences.

A sunrise of hope exists, however. These brilliant migratory flies have so many young that if we improve landscape connectivity, reduce pesticide usage and provide suitable habitat, they can bounce back really quickly. We need these flies as much as we need the air we breathe. So next time you see a fly up against your window, open it and let it out. It has a long way to go and such important work to do.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Will Hawkes receives funding from The Royal Society.

– ref. Flies are masters of migration – it’s about time they got some credit – https://theconversation.com/flies-are-masters-of-migration-its-about-time-they-got-some-credit-253254

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Legislation considered under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives during the week of April 7, 2025
Source: US Congressional Budget Office

The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives announces bills that will be considered under suspension of the rules in that chamber. Under suspension, floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, points of order against the bill are waived, and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote.

At the request of the Majority Leader and the House Committee on the Budget, CBO estimates the effects of those bills on direct spending and revenues. CBO has limited time to review the legislation before consideration. Although it is possible in most cases to determine whether the legislation would affect direct spending or revenues, time may be insufficient to estimate the magnitude of those effects. If CBO has prepared estimates for similar or identical legislation, a more detailed assessment of budgetary effects, including effects on spending subject to appropriation, may be included.

CBO’s estimates of the bills that have been posted for possible consideration under suspension of the rules during the week of April 7, 2025, include:
- H.R. 586, Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, as amended
- H.R. 877, Deliver for Veterans Act, as amended
- H.R. 970, Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act of 2025
- H.R. 981, VETT Act
- H.R. 983, Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves Tuition Fairness Act of 2025
- H.R. 1039, Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act, as amended
- H.R. 1228, Prioritizing Veterans’ Survivors Act
- H.R. 1912, Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025
- H. Con. Res. 9, Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition
MIL OSI USA News –
April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Maximize productivity and ROI with Windows 365: New innovations now generally available
Source: Microsoft

Headline: Maximize productivity and ROI with Windows 365: New innovations now generally available

In today’s dynamic work environment, businesses need robust solutions that support resilience and maximize return on investment (ROI). As organizations modernize their IT environments, they increasingly turn to cloud solutions like Windows 365 to enhance security and productivity, streamline IT management and ensure seamless connectivity.

We are thrilled to announce the general availability of our latest innovations, designed to help businesses seamlessly adapt to modern work environments. Among these announcements is Windows 365 Link, the first purpose-built Cloud PC device that connects securely to Windows 365 in seconds, enabling organizations to boost productivity and improve IT efficiency; the new shared mode for Windows 365 Frontline expanding Cloud PC access to more users; and much more.

We are pleased to also share the findings from a Forrester Consulting study highlighting the economic impact of such innovations in New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, a 2025 study conducted by Forrester Consulting and commissioned by Microsoft to assess the benefits organizations can achieve with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop.

Forrester Consulting projects economic gains with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop

The New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop study projects a substantial ROI ranging from 94% to 217%, with a net present value (NPV) between $3.2 million and $7.4 million over three years for a composite organization with 2,000 employees. These significant figures underscore the value of adopting Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop for businesses looking to optimize their operations and enhance their digital workplace strategy. Key benefits for the composite organization include:
1. Enhanced productivity: Employees and contractors using Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop save 6 to 12 minutes per day from avoided outages and improved latency compared to their previous environments.
2. Cost savings: Organizations can reduce PC lifecycle management costs by implementing a bring-your-own-PC (BYOPC) program, avoiding the need to purchase, provision and maintain physical laptops. This approach was projected to save organizations between $1.1 million and $1.2 million over three years.
3. Reduced IT infrastructure costs: By migrating to Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, organizations can reduce costs associated with on-premises operations. The study found a projected saving ranging from $722,000 to $1.5 million over three years.
4. Improved security: The study found that organizations relying on Microsoft-managed services can reduce the need for extensive on-premises security infrastructure and personnel, resulting in projected savings of $60,000 to $122,000 over three years.
These findings demonstrate the transformative impact of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop on businesses, providing a clear path to enhanced productivity, cost savings and improved security. To explore more insights, read the Total Economic Impact study conducted by Forrester Consulting at aka.ms/WCTEI2025info.

Windows 365 Link: The first Cloud PC device for Windows 365

At Microsoft Ignite 2024, we announced the preview of Windows 365 Link, the first Cloud PC device purpose-built by Microsoft to connect securely to Windows 365 in seconds. Over 100 organizations participated in the preview program and helped refine the experience. We’ve heard valuable feedback on how Windows 365 Link devices can help save both IT and end users valuable time. The devices can be set up in minutes, require minimal configuration and are familiar for IT to manage using Microsoft Intune. End users – particularly desk-based or frontline workers in shared workspaces – can efficiently sign in to access their Windows 365 Cloud PCs, work securely with responsive, high-fidelity experiences and leave no data on the local devices when they sign out.

“We needed a purpose-built device on the shop floor that could fit our new, collaborative approach. Windows 365 Link devices were exactly the solution we envisioned to enable our workers to access their assets in the cloud.”

– Roman Kleyn, Head of Workplace Design, Krones. Read the customer story.

Windows 365 Link is now generally available for purchase with an MSRP of AUD639 in Australia, CAD519.99 in Canada, EUR419 in Germany, JPY56,800 in Japan, NZD739 in New Zealand, GBP349 in the United Kingdom and USD349.99 in the United States.

To purchase Windows 365 Link, reach out to your Microsoft account team or select resellers:
- In Australia: ASI Solutions, Data^#3, SHI International Corp.
- In Canada: Insight Canada Inc., SHI International Corp.
- In Germany: Bechtle AG.
- In Japan: Japan Business Systems, Inc.
- In New Zealand: ASI Solutions.
- In the United Kingdom: Ballicom, Bechtle Ltd., Phoenix Software, Ricoh UK, SHI International Corp.
- In the United States: Insight Enterprises, SHI International Corp.
For more information on getting started with Windows 365 Link, read the technical documentation.

Windows 365 Frontline’s new shared mode: Expand Cloud PC access to a greater number of users

Windows 365 Frontline helps organizations optimize costs and expand Cloud PC access by allowing one license to be shared by multiple users. Organizations can expand access to corporate data and applications to a greater number of employees, contractors or vendors with Windows 365 Frontline’s shared mode, now generally available. With shared mode, businesses can purchase Cloud PCs based on the number of active users needing access at any given time: one Windows 365 Frontline license provides access to one shared Cloud PC, which can be accessed by any number of users, one at a time.

This new shared mode is designed for users needing occasional Cloud PC access, such as entering inventory information, sending or updating data in a line-of-business application, or using productivity tools. Users can sign in to complete tasks, access data and use applications from a familiar Windows desktop experience. When the user is finished with their session, their profile data is automatically deleted and the Cloud PC is made ready for the next user, enabling privacy and security. With Windows 365 Frontline, organizations can choose to provision Cloud PCs in shared mode or in dedicated mode, based on their needs. For more details, visit our Learn page or check out the new Quickstart guide.

“Windows 365, and Windows 365 Frontline’s shared mode capabilities have been a great addition to our setup. In the past, we gave external users VPN access, but this frequently caused problems as they couldn’t install the software, or used non-compliant devices to access our environment. Now, we can deliver projects much faster, without the complexity of traditional setups or VPNs, and without compromising on quality or security. It’s especially helpful to provide users with temporary access, as needed. Both our teams and external users like the full experience and integration with Windows. It has definitely improved the way we collaborate. It’s a highly scalable solution, while keeping access secure.”

– Dieter Kempeneers, Cloud Solutions Architect, Arxus

To help simplify image management and enhance efficiency for Windows 365 Frontline shared mode, Windows Autopilot device preparation is now in public preview. This new capability empowers organizations to streamline their operational processes by allowing IT admins to easily define and install essential Microsoft Intune applications and scripts during provisioning.

Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus: Supporting business continuity

Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus, an advanced disaster recovery solution designed for users who require high disaster recovery performance in case of a regional outage, is now generally available. Similar to the recently announced Cross Region Disaster Recovery service, Disaster Recovery Plus replicates Cloud PC disk snapshots to an alternate, fully reserved region allowing businesses to maintain compliance and minimize downtime with ease. However, this new optional service offers enhanced features including shorter recovery point objective (RPO) within 60 minutes and recovery time objective (RTO) within 30 minutes*. With Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus, organizations get advanced disaster recovery capabilities while benefiting from the simplicity and control of Microsoft Intune. Find more details.

*The time estimates reflect a performance goal but not a guaranteed time frame.

Windows 365 migration API: Simplified migration

To further support our customers in realizing the full value of Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365, we are excited to introduce the new Windows 365 migration API, making it easier than ever for organizations to transition to Windows 365. To enable businesses to transition to Windows 365 more confidently and effortlessly, customers and partners will be able to use this API to create migration tools that take a snapshot of an existing virtual machine and easily import it into Windows 365 as a new Cloud PC. Stay tuned for updates on the migration API that will provide a more seamless and efficient migration experience.

Windows App for Android: Expanded access across platforms

Organizations can offer their employees more flexibility with Windows App – a simple, secured and user-friendly single access point to all Windows virtualization solutions, including Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop and Remote Desktop Services. Windows App is now generally available on Android, making it accessible across all major platforms including Windows, macOS, iOS and web. Windows App makes it simple for users to connect to Windows on the device of their choice and has reached over 425 million usage hours across all platforms.

This update brings new features to enhance the seamless and consistent experience that Windows App provides, including UX improvements to the Home screen, access to Government clouds and full support for Chrome OS. As organizations move towards passwordless authentication, we are excited to announce Windows App also fully supports passkeys, offering better security and user experience. Organizations can also expect new features coming soon that are exclusive to Windows App, like Teams Optimization on iOS and Android. Download Windows App in the Google Play Store or learn more by watching this video or visiting aka.ms/WindowsApp.

Windows App will also be compatible and run seamlessly on Zebra mobile computers and tablets, giving workers access to a full Windows desktop when Zebra devices are on the go or docked in Workstation Connect cradles. This collaboration with Zebra Technologies furthers the expansion of Windows 365 Cloud PCs to enterprise Android users, providing flexibility and enhancing productivity. Read more about Windows App and Zebra.

MAM Security updates: Boosted protection

Mobile Application Management (MAM) support for Windows App on Android, including when using Microsoft Edge for Business on Windows, is now available. MAM allows organizations to manage and protect their data within an application without enrolling in device management, helping ensure that an employee’s personal data on the device is not accessed. With MAM integration, different redirection settings can now be applied based on user security group, operating system of the device, or whether the device is Intune managed or not. For organizations that have bring-your-own-device options, MAM support in Edge for Business on Windows offers tailored data protection to meet specific needs.

Hotpatch updates for Windows clients help ensure your endpoints are protected

Organizations using Windows 365 Enterprise or Windows 11 Enterprise can take advantage of hotpatch updates to safeguard against the ever-evolving landscape of cyberattacks without disrupting the flow of work. Now generally available for Windows endpoints, these updates provide rapid protection against vulnerabilities consistent with the level of security of the monthly standard security updates; unlike the standard monthly updates, hotpatch updates do not require a computer restart so employees are able to work without interruption.

To learn how to activate hotpatch updates and control how it works for you, visit https://aka.ms/HotpatchForWindows11Enterprise.

Discover more in our new Microsoft Mechanics video: Windows 365 Essentials

Our latest Microsoft Mechanics video, How to set up Windows 365 – the 2025 tutorial, is now live! Join Jeremy Chapman and Scott Manchester as they discuss Windows 365, including Cloud PC deployment guidance and a look at recently released security and management features.

These updates reflect the ongoing Microsoft commitment to deliver a seamless and secure Windows experience across all platforms. As Windows 365 continues to evolve, we remain dedicated to empowering users to be productive and secure on any device, no matter where they are.

Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being a part of the journey to embrace the future of Windows at work.
MIL OSI Economics –
April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: We must strengthen international commitments to protect aid workers: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Speech

We must strengthen international commitments to protect aid workers: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

We welcome this session on implementing UNSCR2730.

I think it is critical that the Council maintains momentum on the safety, security and well-being of aid workers.

And I pay tribute to those on the frontline and extend, again, my condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.

In the first 3 months of 2025, the Aid Worker Security Database has already recorded 64 deaths, 36 injuries and 8 kidnappings.

The majority were local or national aid workers.

The most dangerous place to deliver humanitarian assistance is Gaza, with over 400 aid workers reportedly killed since the beginning of the conflict.

That is followed by Sudan and South Sudan.

We are also concerned about the aid workers detained by the Houthis in Yemen and call for their release.

And we stress the need for the safety of aid workers in Myanmar, who are bringing essential responses for the victims of the devastating earthquake.

At the one-year anniversary of the attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy in Gaza, which killed seven aid workers, including three British citizens, we continue to call for the conclusion of the Military Advocate General’s consideration of the incident, including determining whether criminal proceedings should be initiated.

Tragically, just last week, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that eight of its medics were killed in Gaza, alongside first responders and a UN aid worker.

We call for a thorough and swift investigation with meaningful accountability for those responsible.

PRCS medic Asaad Al-Nasasra is still missing and we call on Israel to support the search for him.

Three actions are essential.

First, all parties to a conflict must comply with International Humanitarian Law.

This includes compliance with obligations relating to the passage of humanitarian supplies, equipment and personnel, and respecting and protecting aid workers.

States must investigate attacks on aid workers and hold perpetrators to account.

Effective, trusted deconfliction mechanisms must be set up and used.

Second, we must strengthen international commitments to protect aid workers.

The UK is proud to be part of the Australian–led Ministers Group to develop a political declaration to galvanise collective action to protect aid workers.

And we encourage others to join and demonstrate unity to drive action beyond the Council that enhances protection for aid workers.

Third, we must do all we can to support humanitarian organisations, including local organisations, to work safely.

Actors who play a fundamental role in aid worker safety face operational risks due to inadequate funding.

The UK supports organisations, such as the Aid Worker Security Database and INSO, who play a central role in aid worker security.

We urge others to consider supporting fundamental ‘enabler’ organisations.

In conclusion, President, the UK remains steadfast in our commitment to allowing aid workers to do their job in safety and preventing violence against aid workers from becoming the new normal.

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Emerald Portfolio Company P97 Acquired by PDI Technologies

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ZURICH, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cleantech venture capital pioneer Emerald Technology Ventures has announced that portfolio company P97 Networks has been acquired by PDI Technologies. P97 is a leading provider of mobile commerce and digital marketing solutions for the convenience retail, fuel, and automotive industries.

Founded in Houston in 2012, P97 Networks built a groundbreaking cloud-based platform that enables secure mobile payment, loyalty, and digital engagement solutions across the mobility ecosystem. The company became a trusted partner to major fuel brands, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and CITGO, and has led innovations spanning from mobile commerce to electric vehicle infrastructure and connected car experiences.

“We’ve worked to evolve how consumers interact with brands through an engaging, data-driven payment and loyalty platform we’ve created at P97,” said Donald Frieden, CEO and Founder, P97 Networks. “We’re only getting started. I look forward to our team joining PDI as we work to expand our connection to drivers, retailers, OEMs, and others across an even bigger, more connected transportation network.”

Emerald recognized the company’s potential to lead the digital transformation of mobility infrastructure from early on. Over the course of the partnership, Emerald supported P97’s expansion into new markets and strategic development of cutting-edge technologies for fleet, OEMs, and EV charging.

“P97 exemplifies the kind of visionary technology and entrepreneurial drive we look for at Emerald,” said Charles Vaslet, Senior Partner at Emerald. “We’re proud to have supported Donald Frieden and the entire P97 team on their journey. This acquisition is a testament to their leadership in redefining digital commerce across transportation.”

The acquisition by PDI Technologies represents a strategic milestone for P97, expanding its reach and accelerating its mission to connect consumers, retailers, and vehicles in an increasingly digital and data-driven landscape.

Emerald extends its congratulations to the P97 and PDI teams and looks forward to witnessing the next chapter in P97’s growth as part of PDI’s powerful ecosystem.

About P97 Networks

P97 Networks, LLC, based in Houston, was founded in 2012 with the commitment to re-imagining connected consumer experiences and making life’s daily journeys better for everyone. Convenience, speed and safety is our mission – and these are the expectations of buyers, sellers and anyone looking to make life easier during their daily commutes. P97 serves the world’s largest energy providers at the center of the transportation ecosystem – at the intersection which brings together drivers, information, connected vehicles, data, and business intelligence, to solve the most complex consumer engagement and customer loyalty challenges faced by retail brands and the markets they desire to serve.

As the leading provider of digital experiences across the transportation sector, P97 is developing customer loyalty programs coupled with the latest mobile payment technology and artificial intelligence to securely process millions of transactions each week. P97 is further recognized for its thought leadership by enabling digital transformation across more than 70,000 convenience retail and fuels marketing sites connected with secure mobile payments and geo-location services, which benefit millions of drivers each day.

About PDI Technologies

With 40 years of industry leadership, PDI Technologies, Inc. resides at the intersection of productivity and sales growth, delivering powerful solutions that serve as the backbone of the convenience retail and petroleum wholesale ecosystem. By “Connecting Convenience” across the globe, we empower businesses to increase productivity, make informed decisions, and engage faster with their customers. From large-scale ERP and logistics operations to loyalty programs and cybersecurity, we’re simplifying the industry supply chain for whatever comes next. Today, we serve over 200,000 locations worldwide with solutions like the Fuel Rewards^® program and GasBuddy^®, two popular brands representing more than 30 million users. Visit the PDI Technologies website

For more information, contact: pr@pditechnologies.com

About Emerald Technology Ventures
Emerald is a globally recognized venture capital firm, founded in 2000, that manages and advises assets of over €1 billion from its offices in Zurich, Toronto and Singapore. The firm invests in start-ups that tackle big challenges in climate change and sustainability, with four current funds, hundreds of venture transactions and five third-party investment mandates, including loan guarantees to over 100 start-ups.

This is Emerald.

Bold Ideas. Bright Future. www.emerald.vc

CONTACT FOR EMERALD:

info@emerald.vc

The MIL Network –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressmen Morgan McGarvey, Luttrell Introduce Legislation to Increase Access to Service Dogs for Veterans

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan McGarvey (Kentucky-03)

April 02, 2025

Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-03) to introduce the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act. This legislation would increase access to service dogs for eligible veterans – including veterans who are blind, deaf, or are healing from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), military sexual trauma, paralysis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – by establishing a VA grant program to fund nonprofit organizations providing trained service dogs to eligible veterans at no cost. Over 40,000 veterans currently reside in Louisville.

“As a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and proud grandson of veterans, I know we need to do more to help our veterans address both the visible and invisible wounds of war. These brave men and women put on the uniform to defend our freedom and we have a moral obligation to support them,” said Congressman Morgan McGarvey. “I am proud to join Congressman Morgan Luttrell to introduce this critical, bipartisan legislation to ensure veterans have access to service dogs when they return home.”

“Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and we owe it to them to provide every possible resource to support their recovery and well-being. For many veterans, service dogs are not just companions, they are life-changing partners that provide independence, stability, and purpose,” said Congressman Morgan Luttrell. “The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act will ensure more veterans have access to highly trained service dogs, expanding support beyond PTSD to include those suffering from traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, military sexual trauma, and other service-related conditions. This is about giving our heroes the tools they need to thrive — not just survive —when they come home.”

“Service dogs have a proven track record of providing lifesaving assistance to Veterans in critical need,” said Bill McCabe, Vice President of Government & External Affairs at K9s For Warriors. “The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act will ultimately put more service dogs in the hands of Veterans with visible and invisible disabilities, allowing them to regain their independence and reintegrate into civilian life. We applaud this bipartisan effort and urge Congress to pass this important legislation without delay.”

“America’s VetDogs proudly supports the Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act—a crucial step toward expanding access to accredited service dogs for veterans with physical disabilities, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, hearing loss, blindness, and more. Serving America’s heroes in all 50 states and beyond, we are honored to provide custom-trained service dogs, free of charge, to U.S. veterans, helping them regain independence, restore confidence, and Live Without Boundaries. Through our work with veteran suicide prevention coalitions like Face the Fight and by training exceptional service dogs like Sully H.W. Bush—who served President George H.W. Bush and continues his mission at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center—we witness the life-changing impact of these dogs every day. We urge Congress to pass this vital legislation and ensure that more veterans receive the support they deserve,” said John Miller, president and CEO, America’s VetDogs and Guide Dog Foundation.

It is estimated that upwards of 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and more than 450,000 service members have been diagnosed with at least one traumatic brain injury over the past two decades. As a result, these veterans suffer from alarmingly high rates of depression, anxiety, joblessness, homelessness, and substance use disorders. Far too often, they resort to taking their own lives, with nearly 17 veterans dying by suicide each day.

Several veterans organizations have endorsed this legislation, including: American Veterans (AMVETS), Americas Warrior Partnership (AWP), American Kennel Club (AKC), American Humane, Americas VetDogs, Blinded Veterans Association (BVA), Chief Warrant Officers Association (CWOA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Dog Tag Buddies, Elizabeth Dole Foundation (EDF), Guardian Angels, HunterSeven Foundation, Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Jewish War Veterans of America (JWV), K9s For Warriors, Lions Club International, National Military Families Association (NMFA), Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Pet Advocacy Network, Retrieving Freedom, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, The American Legion (TAL), The Independence Fund (TIF), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), TREA: The Enlisted Association (TREA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Warrior Canine Connection, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

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MIL OSI USA News –

April 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: A new home for dragon boating at Grevillea Park

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The new facility has been years in the making through the joint efforts of Dragon Boat ACT and the ACT Government.

A new state-of-the-art dragon boating facility has opened at Grevillea Park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Years in the making, the new facility has been finalised through the joint efforts of Dragon Boat ACT and the ACT Government.

It was designed by Cox Architecture and construction was completed by local company Projex.

The facility is equipped with boat storage, training and timekeeping rooms, office space and meeting room, new amenities and changerooms and a marshalling area.

It can support training and competition activities for over 600 members, as well as interstate visitors participating in local and regional regattas.

The building’s opening coincided with the ACT Dragon Boat Championships, making the event even more meaningful for Canberra’s dragon boat community.

The ACT Government invested $2.1 million towards the construction of the purpose-built facility.

A further $360,000 was provided by Dragon Boat ACT, the governing body of dragon boating in the Territory, who now run and maintain the facility.

“Dragon Boat ACT is delighted that the ACT Government has recognised our sport and worked together with us for a permanent home for dragon boating in the ACT,” President of Dragon Boat ACT Donald Jenkins said.

“Dragon Boat ACT has 10 clubs, an ACT state team and many of our paddlers represent Australia internationally. Our members range in age from 12 to 80+ from across the community, including Dragons Abreast, DeafACT, youth, veterans and all forms of diversity. The facility will help with our many activities, including regattas, training, corporate events and come-and-try days,” he said.

Since dragon boating was introduced to the ACT in 1990, it has become one of Canberra’s most popular water-based sports.

The sport is recognised for participants’ camaraderie, strength and endurance.

In the ACT, it appeals to a growing number of women and people of all ages.

Read more about this project on Builtforcbr.gov.au

Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:

MIL OSI News –

April 3, 2025

Category: Asia Pacific

DoT Intensifies Action to Curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) Through Jan BhagidariNearly 1.75 Lakh Unauthorized DID Numbers Disconnected in DoT’s Anti-Spam Drive

INDO – U.S JOINT HADR AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISETIGER TRIUMPH OPENING CEREMONY JOINT STATEMENT

Indian Railways Achieves ₹2.56 Lakh Crore Revenue in 2023-24 with Net Profit of ₹3,260 Crore Amid Major Investments in Staff, Pension, and EnergyIndian Railways Adopts Two-Pronged Strategy to Boost Profits by Increasing Revenue and Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Make in India and the Capital Goods RevolutionCatalyzing Domestic Production and Technological Innovation

Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan holds virtual meeting with South Indian Film Associations; urges technicians, producers and directors to join WAVES 2025WAVES 2025 aims to unite all media segments under PM Modi’s vision; Union MoS Dr. L. Murugan calls for strong South Indian representation

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal to inaugurate Startup Mahakumbh

Till Feb 2025, Indian Railways Installs 209 MW Solar Plants at 2,249 Stations and Service BuildingsIndian Railways Solar Power Expansion Reaches 2249 Installations Units with 1489 Added in the Last Five Years, 2.3 Times More Than 628 in the Previous Five Years

The problem with subservience

The economics of Smith’s approach

Neoclassical economics on tariffs

Alternative economics approaches

Reports of temporary ceasefire

Pre-existing vulnerabilities

Prioritizing action

Limited funding undermines relief

1. Population

2. Territory

3. Governance

4. Foreign policy

Vital roles

Forrester Consulting projects economic gains with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop

Windows 365 Link: The first Cloud PC device for Windows 365

Windows 365 Frontline’s new shared mode: Expand Cloud PC access to a greater number of users

Windows 365 Disaster Recovery Plus: Supporting business continuity

Windows 365 migration API: Simplified migration

Windows App for Android: Expanded access across platforms

MAM Security updates: Boosted protection

Hotpatch updates for Windows clients help ensure your endpoints are protected

Discover more in our new Microsoft Mechanics video: Windows 365 Essentials

We must strengthen international commitments to protect aid workers: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Updates to this page

DoT Intensifies Action to Curb Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) Through Jan Bhagidari

Nearly 1.75 Lakh Unauthorized DID Numbers Disconnected in DoT’s Anti-Spam Drive

INDO – U.S JOINT HADR AMPHIBIOUS EXERCISE

TIGER TRIUMPH OPENING CEREMONY JOINT STATEMENT

Indian Railways Achieves ₹2.56 Lakh Crore Revenue in 2023-24 with Net Profit of ₹3,260 Crore Amid Major Investments in Staff, Pension, and Energy

Indian Railways Adopts Two-Pronged Strategy to Boost Profits by Increasing Revenue and Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Make in India and the Capital Goods Revolution

Catalyzing Domestic Production and Technological Innovation

Till Feb 2025, Indian Railways Installs 209 MW Solar Plants at 2,249 Stations and Service Buildings

Indian Railways Solar Power Expansion Reaches 2249 Installations Units with 1489 Added in the Last Five Years, 2.3 Times More Than 628 in the Previous Five Years