Category: Asia Pacific

MIL-OSI Security: Johnstown Woman Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Heroin and Crack

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Sandra Box, 59, pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan on March 19, 2025.

In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from in and around February 2021 to in and around April 2021, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Box conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute quantities of heroin and crack. Box was intercepted on a federal wiretap obtaining quantities of the drugs that she distributed to others.

Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for July 24, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Box. Additional agencies participating in this investigation include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Cambria County District Attorney’s Office, Indiana County District Attorney’s Office, Cambria County Sheriff’s Office, Cambria Township Police Department, Indiana Borough Police Department, Johnstown Police Department, Upper Yoder Township Police Department, Richland Police Department, Ferndale Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

MIL Security OSI –

March 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: Reserve Bank of India (Financial Statements – Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2021: Clarifications

Source: Reserve Bank of India

RBI/2024-25/126
DOR.ACC.REC.No.66/21.04.018/2024-25

March 20, 2025

Madam / Sir,

Reserve Bank of India (Financial Statements – Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2021: Clarifications

The Reserve Bank has received queries and suggestions from banks and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) on certain aspects of disclosures in the notes to accounts to the financial statements as well as on the notes and instructions for compilation of balance sheet specified in the Annex II Part A of the Reserve Bank of India (Financial Statements – Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2021.

2. The queries and suggestions received, and the clarifications thereof are enclosed in the Annex.

Applicability

3. These instructions are applicable to all commercial and cooperative banks for preparation of financial statements for the financial year ending March 31, 2025 and onwards.

4. The Reserve Bank of India (Financial Statements-Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2021 shall be updated suitably to reflect these changes.

Yours faithfully,

(Usha Janakiraman)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge

Annex

Sr. No.	Queries / Suggestions	Clarification
1.	Reference is invited to Notes and Instructions for Compilation of Balance Sheet specified in Part A of Annex II with respect to Schedule 5: Other Liabilities and Provisions: Others (including provisions) of the Directions ibid in terms of which certain types of deposits where the repayment is not free, shall also be included under this head. We have received queries from banks on the classification in the balance sheet, of margin money received in the form of deposits, where lien is marked by banks in the ordinary course of business.	It is clarified that lien marked deposits shall continue to be classified under Schedule 3: Deposits with suitable disclosures.
2.	In terms of Notes and Instructions for Compilation for Balance Sheet in Annex II Part A for Schedule 9 (B) (ii): Advances Covered by Bank/Government Guarantee of the Directions ibid, whether advances guaranteed by Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) should be disclosed under Schedule 9 (B) (ii) (i.e., advances covered by bank/government guarantees) or under Schedule 9(B) (iii) (i.e., unsecured advances)?	It is clarified that advances, to the extent they are covered by Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) and Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust for Low Income Housing (CRGFTLIH) and individual schemes under National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC), which are backed by explicit Central Government Guarantee, in terms of paragraph 5.2.3 and 5.2.4 of Master Circular DOR.CAP.REC.4/21.06.201/2024-25 on Basel III Capital Regulations dated April 1, 2024, as amended from time to time, shall also be disclosed under Schedule 9 (B) (ii) i.e. ‘Advances Covered by Bank/Government Guarantee’.
3.	Whether market value of repo and reverse repo transactions would better reflect the financials of banks instead of face value in terms of disclosures prescribed in Paragraph C. 3(e) of Annex III Disclosure in Financial Statements: Notes to Accounts to the Directions ibid ?	It is clarified that disclosures on repo/ reverse repo transactions shall be done in market value terms as well as face value terms.

MIL OSI Global Banks –

March 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Banking: Amortisation of additional pension liability – Implementation of Pension Scheme in Regional Rural Banks with effect from November 1, 1993 – Prudential Regulatory Treatment

Source: Reserve Bank of India

RBI/2024-2025/127
DOR.ACC.REC.No.67/21.04.018/2024-25

March 20, 2025

Madam / Sir,

Amortisation of additional pension liability – Implementation of Pension Scheme in Regional Rural Banks with effect from November 1, 1993 – Prudential Regulatory Treatment

In terms of NABARD circular NB.DoS.Pol.HO/2533/J-1/2019-20 dated December 12, 2019, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were earlier permitted to amortise their pension liability on account of RRB (Employee) Pension Scheme 2018 over a period of five years, beginning with financial year ending March 31, 2019. RRBs are now required to implement the pension scheme with effect from November 1, 1993. However, in view of the difficulties expressed in absorbing the increased liability in a single year, it has been decided that RRBs may take the following course of action in the matter:

The liability on account of applicability of pension scheme shall be fully recognised as per the applicable accounting standards.
The expenditure, on account of revision in the pension, may, if not fully charged to the Profit and Loss Account during the financial year 2024-25, be amortised over a period not exceeding five years beginning with the financial year ending March 31, 2025, subject to a minimum of 20 per cent of the total pension liability involved being expensed every year.
Appropriate disclosure of the accounting policy followed in this regard shall be made in the ‘Notes to Accounts’ to the financial statements. Banks shall also disclose the amount of unamortised expenditure and the consequential net profit if the unamortised expenditure had been fully recognised in the Profit & Loss Account.
Pension related unamortised expenditure would not be reduced from Tier 1 Capital of the RRBs.

Applicability

2. This circular is applicable to all the RRBs with effect from financial year 2024-25.

3. The Reserve Bank of India (Financial Statements – Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2021 shall be updated suitably to reflect these changes.

Yours faithfully,

(Usha Janakiraman)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge

MIL OSI Global Banks –

March 22, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Small Businesses Hire More Military Spouses

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and 14 of his Senate colleagues introduced the bipartisan Military Spouse Hiring Act to amend the U.S. tax code to incentivize small businesses to hire more military spouses.

“Thousands of military spouses in Colorado struggle to balance frequent moves while growing their careers,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bipartisan bill creates more career opportunities for military spouses while helping small businesses at the same time.”

Military spouses experience rates of unemployment and underemployment higher than the national average, and frequent moves often stall military spouses’ upward career progression and force them to find new jobs. The Military Spouse Hiring Act would expand the existing Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program, which provides tax credits to employers who hire people facing unique barriers to employment, to include military spouses.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act is supported by the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA), Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS), Chief Warrant Officers Association of the US Coast Guard (CWOA) Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Jewish War Veterans (JWV), Marine Corps League (MCL), Military Chaplains Association (MCA), Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), Military Officers

Association of America (MOAA), Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Military Spouse Advocacy network (MSAN), National Defense Committee (NDC), National Military Family Association (NMFA), National Military Spouse Network (NMSN), Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA), Reserve Organization of America (ROA), Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN), The American Legion (TAL), The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA), Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), United States Army Warrant Officers Association (USA WOA), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives.

A summary of the legislation is available HERE. Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – New church in Yiwu named after Saint Joseph: Home to the world’s largest wholesale market

Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

by Marta ZhaoBeijing (Agenzia Fides) – The new church, recently inaugurated in Yiwu, in the diocese of Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, is named after Saint Joseph, Patron Saint of missions in China. And the mission entrusted to the local parish is unique, considering the location of the new parish. Indeed, Yiwu is home to the world’s largest wholesale market for small goods. It is also the starting point for many of the devotional objects sold in churches, parishes, and religious shops around the world, including those around the Vatican. Chinese merchants and businessmen from all over the world can now also visit the new church to pray, receive the sacraments, or perhaps experience the Christian proclamation for the first time. The new church was consecrated by Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang of Hangzhou on March 18, the eve of St. Joseph’s Day. The following day, the Feast of the Spouse of the Virgin Mary, the bishop administered the sacrament of Confirmation to approximately 40 adults of the new parish. More than 2,000 faithful participated in the ordination liturgy, celebrated by 23 priests from Hangzhou, the Diocese of Wenzhou, and Ningbo, together with the bishop.Retracing the parish’s history, Bishop Joseph Yang recalled that “the church is a home, a place of love and affection,” and thanked St. Joseph, who intercedes for the local Church as Patron of the mission in China. The city of Yiwu is located 300 kilometers from Shanghai. According to local statistics, there are more than 1,000 Catholics and nearly 20,000 Christians of other denominations. In addition, baptized businessmen, both from China and abroad, come to the city to work.Until 2001, there was no Catholic place of worship in this international hub. With the region’s economic growth, Chinese and foreign Catholics who do business, run factories, study, and work in Yiwu began to gather for prayer in private homes. In 2007, 500 Catholics gathered to celebrate Christmas together. On June 14, 2008, a Catholic church was opened in Yiwu that could accommodate approximately 200 people. Gradually, a faithful and vibrant community has emerged in this center of global trade, welcoming those who come from far away to work in the city. The diocese has sent three priests to oversee the pastoral care of the local community, which can now also count on the new St. Joseph’s Church to fulfill its mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the merchants at the Yiwu wholesale market.Masses are already being celebrated in Chinese, English, and Korean in the new church. Yiwu is a county-level city in Zhejiang Province and belongs to the Diocese of Hangzhou. In 2005, the United Nations, the World Bank, Morgan Stanley, and other international financial agencies jointly published the report “Shocking the World of China’s Numbers,” which described the Yiwu market as “the world’s largest wholesale market for small goods.” (Agenzia Fides, 21/3/2025)
Share:

MIL OSI Europe News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Chinese anger at sale of Panama Canal ports to US investor highlights tensions between the two superpowers

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Maria Ryan, Associate Professor in US History, University of Nottingham

When Hong Kong-listed conglomerate CK Hutchison announced it was selling its two port concessions on the Panama Canal to a US consortium led by New York-based giant BlackRock, the Chinese government issued a strongly worded rebuke.

Through government-backed newspaper Ta Kung Pao, Beijing accused the US of forcing the deal “through despicable means”, and claimed that if this was completed: “The United States will definitely use it for political purposes … China’s shipping and trade there will inevitably be subject to the United States.”

CK Hutchison’s decision to sell its ports, which it has operated since 1997, to a US-led buyer came after the US president, Donald Trump, criticised Chinese influence over this strategically vital waterway. In his inaugural address, Trump claimed, falsely, that “China is operating the Panama Canal” and vowed “we’re taking it back”. In fact, data shows that the majority of traffic through the canal goes to or from the US.

This has stoked fears in Beijing that US companies operating ports on the canal will do Washington’s bidding and potentially seek to restrict China’s access. Beijing’s angry response indicates the rivalry between the two great powers is deep and ongoing.

While it is likely that this rivalry will continue to intensify under Trump, the president is unpredictable. Indeed, he sees unpredictability as a virtue – a way to keep advisers and foreign leaders on their toes.

When asked last year whether he would support Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Trump gave his own twist on the longstanding US policy of “strategic ambiguity”, saying: “I don’t want to reveal my cards … I wouldn’t want to give away any negotiating abilities by giving information like that to any reporter.”

This means there are multiple plausible outcomes for the US-China relationship in the second Trump administration.

On the one hand, there is a very strong, bipartisan consensus in Washington that China poses a systemic, generational challenge to American power. Whereas Russia is viewed as a disruptor, China is a potential peer competitor that could build a new international order based on Beijing’s preferences and interests.

Since Trump’s first term in office, the US has been aggressively waging a “tech war” on China to limit its technological and military development, by cutting off access to high-end semiconductors designed by US companies.

This was intensified in the Biden years with new sanctions on Chinese tech companies, and the passage of the Chips and Science Act, designed to encourage the return of semiconductor manufacturing to the US. Defensive weapons sales to Taiwan had already been increased in Trump’s first term – and remained at high levels under Joe Biden.

What Biden called “extreme competition” with China has become the main organising principle of US foreign policy. While Republican lawmakers have, so far, been willing to go along with Trump’s diplomacy when it comes to Russia, there is likely to be less tolerance of a similar approach to China.

Unlike other US presidents, Trump does not seem to believe that alliances extend American power in the world – although he does still want the US to be the undisputed number one. In his second inaugural address, he vowed to “build the strongest military the world has ever seen”.

Trump sees China as an economic adversary, one of the reasons for imposing punitive tariffs of 20% on all incoming goods. China has retaliated with tariffs of its own and and has proposed more restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals. These are vital components of semiconductors, electric batteries and many weapons – and the global market is dominated by China.

Policy shift?

The US State Department recently signalled a possible shift in policy towards Taiwan, removing the phrase “we do not support Taiwan independence” from its fact sheet on Taiwan in February. This irritated Beijing, which sees the island as an integral part of China.

This subtle move away from the US’s longstanding “One China” policy – along with the tariffs and Trump’s hostility to alleged Chinese influence over the Panama Canal – suggests the continuation of a hostile, competitive approach to China.

That said, as Trump’s recent diplomacy with Russia and his comments about absorbing Greenland showed, he is not afraid to upend the established norms of US foreign policy. He enjoys provoking the “globalist” foreign policy establishment. He lauds his own deal-making abilities, and would not want to fight a war with China over Taiwan.

Trump is attracted to “strongman” leaders and claims to have “a great relationship with President Xi”. He achieves his goals by taking maximalist positions (for example, the punitive tariffs) which he uses to extract concessions. At a recent press conference, Trump stated: “I see so many things saying we don’t want China in this country. That’s not right. We want them to invest in the United States. That’s good. That’s a lot of money coming in.”

Trump is well aware the US is heavily dependent on imported semiconductors from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC) – the world’s leading chip manufacturer – and has repeatedly accused Taiwan of “stealing” the US semiconductor industry. He recently took credit for TSMC’s announcement that it would invest a further US$100 billion (£77 billion) in three chip factories in Arizona, declaring that production of vital semiconductors inside the US was “a matter of national security”.

But it will take years for TSMC’s investments to come to fruition in terms of aiding US self-sufficiency in chip manufacture. In the meantime, it is not out of the question that Trump could seek a deal with China that guarantees US access to imported chips from Taiwan, in return for China absorbing the island peacefully. Given the historic importance of Taiwan to Beijing, this could appeal.

Avoiding war could also be popular with Trump voters who want to put “America first” without getting embroiled in foreign wars. Although the hawkish China consensus is firmly embedded in Washington, its continuation is not guaranteed while the mercurial Trump is at the helm.

Maria Ryan has received funding from the British Academy.

– ref. Chinese anger at sale of Panama Canal ports to US investor highlights tensions between the two superpowers – https://theconversation.com/chinese-anger-at-sale-of-panama-canal-ports-to-us-investor-highlights-tensions-between-the-two-superpowers-252418

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Prime Minister has appointed 6 new Trustees to the V&A
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

The Prime Minister has appointed 6 new Trustees to the V&A

The Prime Minister has appointed Mariella Frostrup, Andrew Keith, Akshata Murty, Nigel Newton, Vick Hope and Pedro Pina as trustees of the Victoria and Albert Museum; their four year terms started on 10 March 2025.
Mariella Frostrup

Mariella is a journalist, broadcaster, author, and cultural commentator; in particular covering the worlds of arts, culture and societal issues. She promotes the intrinsic value of arts and culture to wider society and the importance that they connect with and are accessible to all. Mariella has presented the UK’s leading book programmes, cultural shows and judged its literary and arts awards, such as the Booker Prize, BAFTA Awards, RIBA and Turner Prize.

She was the first non-elected member of the Royal Academy’s Council, and more recently she became a Trustee of the British Council. She was awarded a Doctor of Arts from Nottingham University in 2009 for her work and achievement in arts and culture. She’s a Royal Society of Literature fellow and a BAFTA member.

Mariella co-founded the annual Women in Work Summit. She is the Government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador, Chairs the advocacy group Menopause Mandate, and is a Save the Children Ambassador.

Andrew Keith

Andrew is a luxury retail executive with over three decades of experience leading prominent international brands.

Andrew spent 19 years with Lane Crawford Joyce Group, holding a number of key positions including President of Joyce and Lane Crawford. Under his leadership, the group greatly expanded its footprint, introducing innovative retail formats and establishing a significant presence in Greater China. He oversaw the opening of flagship stores and launched the group’s online platform. He then spent three years with Selfridges as Managing Director and later CEO, Andrew led Selfridges through the complexities of reopening post-COVID-19, implementing strategies to adapt to the new retail landscape. In early 2025, he took on the role of leading the transformation of Edinburgh’s historic Jenners building. This multi-million-pound project aims to revitalise the iconic site into a premier destination, blending retail and hospitality elements.

Andrew has served as a co-opted Member of the V&A’s Commerce Committee, contributing his commercial expertise to enhance the museum’s engagement strategies.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, to Scottish parents, Andrew studied Fashion Design at Kingston University and maintains a deep connection to his Scottish heritage, often spending time at his home in the Highlands, reflecting his appreciation for nature and the environment.

Akshata Murty

Akshata is passionate about education and the power of creativity to have positive effects on young people. During her time living in Downing Street, she launched ‘Lessons at 10’. This initiative provided children from across the United Kingdom with a unique opportunity to go behind the famous black door of Number 10 to be inspired and discover their passions.

With her husband, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Akshata is a co-founder of The Richmond Project, a charity focused on enabling social mobility by breaking down barriers to numeracy. She is also a keen supporter of the UK’s veteran community.

Akshata spent over a decade investing in early-stage consumer-focused British companies, providing funding and strategic advice. Previously, Akshata founded a fashion line that was inspired by Indian craftsmanship.

Originally from Bangalore, Akshata obtained a B.A in Economics and French from Claremont McKenna College, an MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business as well as an Associate degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Los Angeles. She is on the board of Claremont McKenna College. Akshata is also a Trustee of the Murty Trust in India and a supporter of the Murty Classical Library of India.

Nigel Newton CBE

Nigel is the founder and Chief Executive of Bloomsbury Publishing. He was born and raised in San Francisco. He read English at Selwyn College, Cambridge and after working at Macmillan Publishers, he joined Sidgwick & Jackson. He left Sidgwick in 1986 to start Bloomsbury Publishing. He was appointed as President of the Publishers Association in April 2022.

He serves as a Member of the Advisory Committee of Cambridge University Library and President of Book Aid International. In 2020, he was awarded The London Book Fair (LBF) Lifetime Achievement Award and became an Honorary Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge. He has previously served as a member of the Booker Prize Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Charleston Trust, Chair of World Book Day, Board member of the US-UK Fulbright Commission, member of the Publishers Association Council, Trustee of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Chair of the British Library Trust.

In 2021 he was awarded a CBE for his services to the publishing industry.

Vick Hope

Vick is an award-winning TV and radio presenter, journalist and author. She hosts BBC Radio One’s show Going Home, and was recently named the newest presenter of Countryfile. She also presents The One Show, Channel 4’s Paralympic Games coverage, CBBC’s Britain’s Best Young Artist, Glastonbury, and ITV’s Vick Hope’s Breakfast Show.

Vick served on the Women’s Prize for Fiction (WPFF) judging panel in 2021 and curates their Young Adults’ Reading List. She hosts the WPFF podcast, Bookshelfie, interviewing female artists, writers, politicians, musicians, actors and sportspeople about the books by women that have shaped them. She is also the author of two children’s books which promote creativity in young children.

In 2020, Vick became an official Ambassador for Amnesty International. She volunteers at local charities Literacy Pirates and Just For Girls, which support children from disadvantaged backgrounds in her community. With the Duke Of Edinburgh Award, she mentors young people and delivers annual speeches at Buckingham Palace. Vick leads The Brit Awards’ campaign to tackle accessibility issues in the creative industries, and is Marks and Spencer’s Plan A Fashion Sustainability Ambassador. Vick was a judge on the ArtFund Museum Of The Year panel in 2024, which was awarded to Young V&A.

Vick graduated from Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge in 2011, having read Modern Languages (French, Spanish and Portuguese).

Pedro Pina

Pedro is a senior executive with over three decades of experience in media, brand management, advertising, and all areas of the digital space. Pina has been at Google for over 12 years and currently serves as Head of YouTube, overseeing the platform’s business and strategic development within Europe, Middle East and Africa. His career includes roles at Google, McCann Worldgroup, PepsiCo, and Procter & Gamble having lived in the US, Brazil, Spain and Portugal. London has been home for Pedro and his family for more than 15 years.

Pina holds an MBA from INSEAD, Paris and previously served on the V&A Corporate Advisory Committee. His expertise includes digital transformation, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships. He serves on the Board of OutRight International and is an Ambassador of Stonewall as well as other organisations that advocate for LGBTQ+ human rights globally and in the UK.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the V&A are not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Mariella Frostrup, Andrew Keith, Nigel Newton CBE, Victoria Nwosu-Hope and Pedro Pina have not declared any significant political activity. Akshata Murty has declared she has spoken on behalf of the Conservative Party, and their candidates and canvassed on behalf of the Conservative Party and helped at elections.

DCMS has around 400 regulated Public Appointment roles across 42 Public Bodies including Arts Council England, Theatres Trust, the National Gallery, UK Sport and the Gambling Commission. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. To find out more about Public Appointments or to apply to be a Trustee of a National Museum or Gallery visit the HM Government Public Appointments Website.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 21 March 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Conserving the white oak: Critical for timber and distilling industries

Source: US Government research organizations

New genomic data aids in preventing the species from disease while advancing conservation efforts

Credit: Donald Cameron

Leaves of the white oak (Quercus alba)

U.S. National Science Foundation-funded researchers at Indiana University and Penn State have collaborated with scientists from the U.S. Forest Service and others to produce the first complete genome for the white oak (Quercus alba). This tree provides large amounts of timber and is the primary species used in barrels for aging spirits.

Data to complete the genome came from a range of academic sources, such as the Forest Service, state forests and industry. By combining those data into an unbiased annotation of the white oak’s genes, the researchers have created a resource to understand genetic diversity and population differentiation within the species, assess disease resistance and the evolution of genes that enhance it, and compare with other oak genomes to determine evolutionary relationships between species and how the genomes have evolved.

“Plants, including trees, help meet society’s needs for food, fuel, fiber and, in this case, other key economic services. Having genomic data like this helps us address important biological questions, including those related to the economic and societal use of the species,” said Diane Jofuku Okamuro, a program officer in the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences.

The research included the use of the NSF-supported CAGEE (computational analysis of gene expression evolution) software. The tool enabled the researchers to study gene expression and the evolution thereof across the various oak species.

“Often, the community needs new tools and methods to capture and analyze the data necessary for biological discoveries, and NSF has long supported investments in cyberinfrastructure like CAGEE that benefit a wide range of researchers,” said David Liberles, also a program officer in the NSF Directorate for Biological Sciences.

The work was published in New Phytologist.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Global South contributing to more equitable, inclusive int’l financial order

Source: China State Council Information Office

At a time when rising unilateralism and protectionism are combining to disrupt global economic governance, ever-closer ties among the Global South financial community are expected to inject fresh impetus into the forging of a new international financial order.

This is the latest consensus reached by representatives of the Global South financial community at the 2025 Global South Financiers Forum in Beijing, which was hosted by Xinhua News Agency from March 19 to 21.

Attendees of the forum included representatives from government departments, financial institutions, international organizations and scholars from more than 30 countries and regions.

They called for the financial community of the Global South to make joint efforts to bridge the North-South financial gap and foster a new financial order that is more just, equitable and inclusive.

Rising against headwinds

As a bloc of developing countries, emerging economies and the least-developed nations, the Global South, as a whole, faces common development tasks and missions as it is home to about 85 percent of the world’s population, according to Jiao Jie, dean of Tsinghua University’s PBC School of Finance.

Over the past few decades, Global South countries have posted remarkable economic growth, injecting stability and vitality into the world economy, said Jiao, who estimated that the share of the Global South in the world’s real GDP had surged from 26 percent in 2006 to 42 percent in 2024 — driven notably by emerging economies, including China and India.

However, the forum’s attendees warned, the external environment has become more complex for the Global South, as the world economy is grappling with slowing growth, geopolitical tensions and resurgent protectionism.

In 2023 alone, nearly 3,000 new trade-distorting measures had stifled cross-border flows of technology, capital and labor, Jiao told Xinhua, underlining that the latest round of protectionism, represented by additional tariff hikes, is posing even more challenges.

Yamile Berra Cires, first vice president of the Central Bank of Cuba, said that a technological and economic blockade from certain developed countries, coupled with geopolitical tensions, climate change and accelerated digital transformation in the financial sector, have exposed greater vulnerabilities in Global South economies, such as that of Cuba.

Despite accounting for more than 40 percent of the global economy and contributing 80 percent to world economic growth, Global South nations still face a disparity between their economic contribution and their influence in the current international financial system, according to Gu Shu, chairman of Agricultural Bank of China, one of the country’s major lenders.

Vision for new financial order

In releasing the Beijing Consensus document, representatives of the Global South financiers are calling for Global South countries to join hands to address common challenges, including sizable financing gaps, mis-allocation of resources and widening technological divides.

“As we navigate a rapidly changing global economic landscape, nations in the Global South find themselves at a pivotal moment, gifted with unprecedented opportunities and facing notable challenges,” said Andre du Plessis, CEO of Standard Advisory (China) Ltd, who hailed the consensus as a milestone move.

For Africa, as a major member of the Global South, a multilateral and inclusive approach is essential for economic development, Du Plessis said, while calling for greater collaboration in terms of inclusive financial cooperation.

“When the Global South acts, its future development prospects appear even more promising,” he added.

Notably, many countries in the Global South are struggling with unsustainable debt levels — which are significantly limiting their ability to invest in key areas such as health, education, social equity and other national priorities, said Shyam Prasad Bhandari, joint secretary of Nepal’s finance ministry.

Bhandari suggested that Global South countries enhance coordination concerning green finance, as it’s a strategy that shapes resilience, drives innovation and ensures future prosperity.

“The investment needs of the Global South are even larger if we consider challenges such as global warming, which would require countries to invest in new infrastructure, renewable energy and agricultural technology to improve their readiness,” said David Sumual, chief economist of Indonesia’s Bank Central Asia, who called for enhanced South-South cooperation.

“While the road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, it is also full of opportunities,” said Jonathan Titus-Williams, deputy minister of planning and economic development of Sierra Leone.

Through diverse and creative financing options, Global South countries can create a more equitable, sustainable and resilient financial governance order, Titus-Williams added.

MIL OSI China News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Defending humanitarian aid in terms of national security obscures its real purpose

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chen Reis, Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Humanitarian Assistance Program, & Director, Human Rights MA, University of Denver

A woman scoops up portions of wheat to be allocated to each waiting family after it was distributed in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia in 2021. AP Photo/Ben Curtis

More than 305 million people require lifesaving humanitarian aid today. Most of them live in areas wracked by conflict, such as Sudan, Gaza, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

By many estimates, there is more need than ever for this assistance – and the need is growing. But humanitarian funding, which is primarily provided by governments, is declining. The Trump administration stopped disbursing nearly all U.S. humanitarian aid on Jan. 20, 2025. It made these cuts at a time when the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Belgium and other wealthy countries are slashing their own aid spending.

Judges have ruled that the U.S. government must rehire aid workers and make overdue payments for aid already delivered by nongovernmental companies, international agencies and private contractors. While legal disputes wend through the courts, these cuts are already having disastrous consequences for people in Afghanistan, Sudan and other places facing crises.

As scholars who study humanitarian aid, we are seeing not just a crisis of funding but also one that jeopardizes the credibility of the entire global system that provides this lifesaving assistance.

When conflict breaks out or a disaster like an earthquake strikes, people require emergency medical care, temporary shelter, food and water. In countries where the government is unable or unwilling to provide these services, humanitarian organizations and international agencies step in to fill the gaps. Humanitarian aid is based on empathy and the recognition that everyone has a right to live with dignity.

When discussing the impacts of its aid freeze and challenging the Trump administration’s misinformation about the U.S. Agency for International Development, many NGOs and experts on humanitarian assistance have not focused on empathy and rights.

They have in their defense of the agency responsible until now for most of the foreign aid the U.S. provides instead relied on arguments that appeal to U.S. national security, soft power and economic interests.

Sen. Chris Coons, a Connecticut Democrat, has warned that China will benefit from the U.S. aid cutoff.

“Our biggest global competitor and adversary is delighted that we’ve handed them an opportunity to say to communities and countries around the world that we are not a reliable partner,” Coons said.

By highlighting geopolitical, security and economic arguments for humanitarian aid, in our view, they risk further hurting the sector’s legitimacy.

Protesters rally in support of USAID in Washington on Feb. 5, 2025.
Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images

A ‘seismic shock’

Tom Fletcher, who leads the United Nations’ humanitarian efforts, has called the Trump administration’s aid reduction “a seismic shock to the sector.” But the latest cuts are part of a longer-term trend.

While needs have increased, humanitarian funding has been flat or declining for years, leaving millions of people who need food, health care, shelter and protection without the assistance they need.

Every year, the U.N. assesses humanitarian need for the coming year and issues what amounts to a global budget request to meet those needs. Government donors commit funds toward that budget request, and those funds are then distributed to U.N. agencies and NGOs that implement humanitarian programming.

Since 2016, the gap between funding requirements and funding commitments has grown. In 2024, the U.N. requested US$49.5 billion in humanitarian funding and received less than half, or $23.9 billion, with the U.S. contributing 41% of that amount.

Until January 2025, the U.S. accounted for 35%-46% of total annual global humanitarian funding. The abrupt cutoff of funds has led to a scramble to pay for food for malnourished children in Sudan, health care for refugees from Myanmar, and maternal health services in Yemen.

Without U.S. funding, the humanitarian work of the United Nations agencies and NGOs that deliver humanitarian aid in part funded by governments is in jeopardy.

Because of the cuts, Catholic Relief Services and the International Rescue Committee, for example, have laid off staff and shuttered health clinics that prevent or treat infectious diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS. They can no longer provide access to clean water and sanitation services or other lifesaving aid in many places where they work.

Core principles violated

Humanitarian groups have historically embraced a set of core principles that emphasize the alleviation of human suffering wherever it may occur while remaining independent, neutral and impartial.

In conflict zones, these principles are essential for gaining access to people who need help. Aid workers build trust and acceptance by not picking sides in a conflict and providing aid based on need.

Focusing on what benefits donor countries instead of what serves humanitarian needs in areas experiencing famine, disasters or conflicts is at odds with these principles. However, in January, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that U.S. interests would decide how aid is allocated.

“Every dollar we spend, every program we fund and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions,” Rubio said. “Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”

Since late January, the Trump administration has cut 83% of USAID’s programs, according to recent reports.

Transactional arguments

In March, the State Department sent a questionnaire to nongovernmental organizations and U.N. agencies asking how they will conform to President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy and distribute aid in alignment with foreign policy goals.

Governments always consider their own interests as one factor when making decisions about humanitarian aid. But, we are concerned that humanitarian organizations and the public are not pushing back on these purely transactional arguments.

Instead, some organizations seem to be falling in line.

“This investment pays dividends by preventing humanitarian crises, containing disease outbreaks, and countering adversarial influence in vulnerable regions,” stated InterAction, an association of U.S.-based NGOs that distribute humanitarian aid and development assistance. “That’s why foreign aid has maintained decades of support across party lines — it is vital for U.S. security and international stability.”

We also see in these comments signs that justifications for aid are changing.

When former Secretary of State Colin Powell called nongovernmental organizations a “force multiplier” in 2001, it stirred controversy because he suggested that they were an extension of the government and a pillar of U.S. strategy. Even still, he acknowledged that NGOs required independence from government to do their essential work.

An important choice

Humanitarian organizations are grappling with the financial and operational consequences of their reliance on a small number of donor governments that have cut off or cut back aid. As they adjust to the new reality, we believe that they must make a choice.

They can embrace the increasingly transactional agendas of the rich countries that have historically provided most humanitarian aid funding. Doing so may increase aid flows but compromise humanitarian neutrality and impartiality – potentially restricting their access to the places they need to go to do their work.

Or they can focus on people affected by crises – as recipients of assistance and as agents of change. This option would likely mean operating on an even smaller budget at a time when needs are increasing.

Either way, the decisions made today will have significant implications for the future of humanitarian action.

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

– ref. Defending humanitarian aid in terms of national security obscures its real purpose – https://theconversation.com/defending-humanitarian-aid-in-terms-of-national-security-obscures-its-real-purpose-252246

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s firings of military leaders pose a crucial question to service members of all ranks

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Samuel C. Mahaney, Director, Missouri S&T Policy and Armed Forces Research and Development Institute; Lecturer of History, National Security, and Leadership, Missouri University of Science and Technology

President Donald Trump gave no specific reason for firing Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff less than halfway through Brown’s four-year term in office.

Nor did he give an explanation for similarly ousting other senior military leaders, including the only women ever to lead the Navy and the Coast Guard, as well as the military’s top three lawyers – the judge advocates general of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The president is the commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces. But since the days of George Washington, the military has been dedicated to serving the nation, not a specific person or political agenda. I know this because I served 36 years in the U.S. Air Force before retiring as a major general. Even now, as a lecturer in history, national security and constitutional law, I know that nonpartisanship is central to the military’s primary mission of defending the country.

Trump’s actions could raise concerns about whether he is trying to change those centuries of precedent.

If so, military personnel at all levels would face a crucial question: Would they stand up for the military’s independent role in maintaining the integrity and stability of American democracy or follow the president’s orders – even if those orders crossed a line that made them illegal or unconstitutional?

After the American Revolution, George Washington resigned his military commission and returned to civilian life.
Herman Bencke via Library of Congress

Political neutrality from the start

Washington and other U.S. founders were very aware that a powerful military could overthrow the government or be subjected to political whims as different parties or factions controlled the presidency or Congress, so they thought long and hard about the role of the militia and the use of military power.

Julius Caesar, who used his army to seize power in ancient Rome, was a cautionary tale. So was Oliver Cromwell’s use of his military power in the English Civil War to execute King Charles I and rule England.

One of Washington’s most significant contributions to the apolitical tradition of the military was his resignation as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army after the American Revolution officially ended, in 1783. By voluntarily giving up his military power and returning to civilian life, the man who would become the nation’s first president demonstrated his commitment to civilian control of a military grounded in allegiance to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, not allegiance to any one party, faction or person.

Washington’s act set a powerful example for future generations. A few years later, the founders embedded civilian control over the military in the U.S. Constitution. Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to declare war and fund armies, while Article II, Section 2 designates the president as the commander-in-chief of the military.

This check and balance ensures the military remains neutral and subordinate to elected leaders. It also solidifies the allegiance of military leaders to a principled document, not to the ebbs and flows of politics.

As part of their training, U.S. military members learn about their duty to obey lawful, constitutional orders.
Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Training and response to orders

Polling consistently shows that the American people trust the military more than any other element of the U.S. government. In part that trust comes from the military’s professional dedication to political neutrality, which includes training its personnel to uphold values like duty, honor and integrity.

Military members up and down the ranks take their allegiance to the Constitution seriously. At the beginning of their service, at every reenlistment and usually during promotion ceremonies, all military members – officers and enlisted – swear to support and defend the Constitution. The enlisted oath also includes a promise to follow the lawful orders of the president and of the officers appointed above them.

This foundational oath ensures that if members of the military receive orders that they believe are questionable, they will not follow those orders blindly. They are taught throughout their career – during basic training, officer candidate training and in recurring sessions through the years – to seek clarification. If necessary, they are told to challenge those orders through their chain of command, or through attorneys associated with their units, or by contacting their branch’s inspector general.

Depending on their ranks, military members’ responses to questionable orders can vary. Senior officers, who have extensive experience and higher levels of responsibility, have the authority and the duty to ensure that any orders they follow or pass down are lawful and in line with the Constitution. When evaluating uncertain orders or navigating unclear situations, they often consult with legal advisers, discuss the implications with peers and thoroughly analyze the situation before taking action.

Junior officers and senior enlisted personnel often find themselves in positions where they must make quick decisions based on the information available to them. While they are trained to follow orders, they are also encouraged to use their judgment and seek guidance when they believe an order to be unlawful – including getting advice from people with direct access to attorneys.

Junior enlisted personnel, who make up more than 40% of the military force, are also taught the importance of the legality and constitutionality of orders. They have the right to seek clarification if they believe an order is unlawful.

Even so, their training focuses heavily on discipline and obedience. This can make it challenging for them to question orders, especially in high-pressure situations.

Members of the U.S. military swear an oath to the Constitution.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Ultimate responsibility

The responsibility of scrutinizing orders falls on senior military leaders – admirals and generals, colonels and Navy captains. Junior officers and senior enlisted and junior enlisted personnel rely on their leaders to navigate the complexities of politics and ensure orders they receive are lawful and focused on national defense, not politics.

If senior military leaders fail in their responsibility, chaos could ensue: Units may end up following conflicting orders or ignoring directives altogether. This can lead to a breakdown in command and control, with some units acting independently or based on politically motivated directives. This would be a dangerous shift, making the military extremely vulnerable to operational failures and enemy attack.

President Lyndon Johnson, center, and Gen. William Westmoreland visit troops in South Vietnam in 1967.
AP Photo

Such a situation has never happened in the history of the U.S. military. But some events have come close to crossing the line. For instance, during the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Johnson was determined to demonstrate American strength and resolve, famously stating, “I will not lose in Vietnam.” His pressure landed on the shoulders of Gen. William Westmoreland.

Westmoreland responded by publicizing the numbers of enemy personnel killed in battle, attempting to show that U.S. efforts were reducing the size of opposing forces. But historians have found that this emphasis lacked clear military objectives, meaning troops faced confusion and contradictory orders. The price was a longer war, and more deaths for Americans and for Vietnamese civilians.

Ultimately, Westmoreland was accused of manipulating enemy troop strength estimates to create an impression of progress – in service of Johnson’s political desire to avoid defeat. His decisions did not directly violate the Constitution or U.S. law, but they exemplify how political pressures can adversely influence military strategies, with devastating consequences.

Unbiased sources of information

In addition to senior military leaders’ responsibility to remain apolitical, leaders also have clear responsibilities to the civilians elected and appointed above them.

For example, the president needs factual and unbiased information about the military’s capabilities from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, based on their experience and professional opinions. If advisers are hesitant to speak freely about what is and is not possible in any given situation, and about potential consequences both good and bad, the president will miss out on the kinds of critical insights that shape effective strategies.

The bottom line is that when top military experts give advice and take action influenced by politics, they undermine the centuries-old system of military training and ethics. Some traditions are worth keeping.

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

– ref. Trump’s firings of military leaders pose a crucial question to service members of all ranks – https://theconversation.com/trumps-firings-of-military-leaders-pose-a-crucial-question-to-service-members-of-all-ranks-247665

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: The governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador invest in critical housing infrastructure

Appleton

Appleton – Watermain Replacement Circular/TCH

$239,404

$250,058

$50,012

Bay St. George South

Jeffrey’s Pumphouse Improvements

$112,497

$140,622

$28,124

Belleoram

Water and Sewer Replacement

$290,187

$226,997

$45,399

Birchy Bay

Birchy Bay – Water Filtration System (AP-MCW-22196)

$175,192

$218,990

$43,798

Bishop’s Falls

Turners Road Waterline and Sanitary Sewer Upgrades

$141,894

$98,319

$49,160

Bonavista

Lift Station Retrofits

$369,069

$369,069

$184,534

Botwood

Commonwealth Drive Watermain Replacement

$809,717

$1,012,146

$202,429

Burnt Islands

Lift Station Upgrades

$201,655

$181,367

$36,273

Campbellton

Waterline extension on Road to the Isles and Kingman/Decker Drive (AP-MCW-23038)

$253,886

$0

$0

Cape St. George

Cape St. George Waterline Replacement

$181,267

$226,584

$45,317

Carmanville

Water and Sewer Services Phase 4

$439,383

$549,229

$109,846

Cartwright

Sanitary Sewer

$504,927

$631,158

$126,232

Channel-Port aux Basques

High Street Stormwater Rehabilitation

$258,798

$258,798

$129,399

Channel-Port aux Basques

Dennis Road Water Supply Booster Station

$265,342

$265,342

$132,671

Charlottetown (Labrador)

Water and Sewer, Phase 5.2 – Big Cove Extension

$993,811

$1,242,264

$248,453

Come By Chance

Water and Sewer Upgrading – Shaheen Crescent – Phase 2

$360,920

$451,150

$90,230

Daniel’s Harbour

Replace Valves at Pumphouse

$22,450

$28,062

$5,612

Deer Lake

Main Lift Station Upgrades

$887,890

$887,890

$443,945

Deer Lake

Lift Station Upgrades – Church Street

$115,405

$115,405

$57,703

Fermeuse

Future Sanitary Sewer – Phase 3

$171,458

$214,323

$42,865

Fermeuse

2022 Phase 2 of Sewer System Extension

$342,021

$427,526

$85,505

Flatrock

Red Head Road Ditching

$183,669

$229,586

$45,917

Fortune

Bunker Hill Road Water and Sewer – Phase ll

$341,221

$426,526

$85,305

Fortune

Bunker Hill Road Water and Sewer Phase 1

$394,768

$493,460

$98,692

Gander

Gander Pumphouse Upgrades to Improve Potable Water Efficiency, Reliability and Capacity

$1,722,805

$0

$0

George’s Brook-Milton

Milton Watermain Replacement (Phase 3)

$253,914

$317,392

$63,478

Heart’s Content

Installing 8 Inch Line from the S.U.F Hall on Main Road to Booster Pumping Station

$201,140

$251,426

$50,285

Humber Arm South

Webcon Road Storm Sewer System

$119,675

$149,593

$29,919

Humber Arm South

New Chlorination Building

$243,274

$304,093

$60,819

Indian Bay

Water & Sewer Upgrades – Phase I

$193,241

$241,552

$48,310

Isle aux Morts

Phase 4 – Water and Sewer Upgrades

$306,641

$383,302

$76,660

Labrador City

Storm Sewer Upgrades (Walsh River, Harrie Lake, Duley)

$563,048

$422,286

$422,286

L’Anse au Loup

Water Shed Dam Area Reconstruction

$247,017

$308,771

$61,754

Lewisporte

Water Tank Bypass Line and Intake Supply Line Repairs

$151,350

$151,350

$75,675

Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove

Power’s Lane Stream Crossing

$186,646

$233,308

$46,662

Lourdes

Town of Lourdes – Water Treatment Facility Improvements

$180,369

$225,461

$45,092

Makkovik

Chlorine Booster Station

$180,901

$0

$0

Marystown

Mayo’s Road/Levi’s Road Water, Sewer & Storm Sewer Upgrades (Phase 1)

$174,381

$174,381

$87,190

McIvers

Water Treatment System

$510,711

$638,389

$127,678

Meadows

Meadow Crescent Lift Station Replacement

$145,094

$181,367

$362,732

Middle Arm

Falls Road Water & Sewer

$158,086

$197,608

$39,522

Mount Pearl

Water, Sanitary and Storm Sewer, Asphalt, Curb and Sidewalk Replacement – Jackman Drive

$1,818,840

$1,364,130

$1,364,130

New-Wes-Valley

Water Treatment Plant

$4,045,934

$5,057,418

$1,011,484

New-Wes-Valley

Water Storage and Distribution System

$2,248,225

$2,810,281

$562,056

Norris Point

Lift Station #3

$127,506

$159,383

$31,877

Norris Point

Lift Station #1

$141,244

$159,383

$31,877

Norris Point

Lift Station #2

$127,506

$159,383

$31,877

North West River

2022 Storm Drainage Improvements

$211,901

$264,876

$52,975

Old Perlican

Septic System Installation

$167,884

$209,855

$41,971

Pasadena

Tipping Drive Water Lines Phase 2

$616,648

$616,648

$308,324

Pasadena

Lakeshore/Tipping Drive Sewer Installation

$471,554

$471,554

$235,777

Point Leamington

Water main phase 2

$362,658

$453,323

$90,665

Pool’s Cove

Water System Improvements

$269,962

$337,452

$67,490

Port Saunders

Lift Station #3 and #4

$253,914

$317,392

$63,478

Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s

St. Philips WWTP Treatment Expansion

$434,080

$325,560

$325,560

Rigolet

Lift Station and Force Main Upgrades

$251,758

$314,698

$62,940

Roddickton-Bide Arm

Bide Arm Water Supply Dam Replacement

$362,734

$453,417

$90,683

Sandy Cove

Barbour Avenue Water Main Extension

$193,341

$214,104

$42,821

Springdale

Main Street (Hemlock to Little Bay Road) Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm Sewer Installation and Road Resurfacing

$609,467

$761,834

$152,367

St. Alban’s

Main Street Water and Sewer Replacement – Phase 1

$902,029

$1,127,536

$225,507

St. Anthony

West Street Waterline Upgrading

$1,342,051

$1,677,563

$335,513

St. Bride’s

Southside Dam Upgrade and Chlorination System

$214,141

$267,676

$53,535

St. John’s

275 Southside Road Ditch Inlet & Storm Sewer

$725,468

$544,101

$544,101

St. Lunaire-Griquet

Replace Circular Road Watermain

$378,540

$473,175

$94,635

Steady Brook

Sewer Lagoon Upgrade

$939,824

$614,127

$122,826

Stephenville Crossing

Seal Cove Road Phase 5, Water Sewer and Storm Replacement

$626,269

$782,836

$156,567

Stephenville

Rose Avenue Reconstruction

$720,152

$720,152

$360,076

Stephenville

Main Street Reconstruction

$1,363,088

$1,363,088

$681,544

Swift Current

Hollet’s Point Well water quality improvement

$7,255

$9,068

$1,814

Torbay

North Pond Water Treatment Plant – Phase 2

$1,088,202

$816,151

$816,151

Torbay

North Pond Water Treatment Plant – Phase 1

$344,597

$258,448

$258,448

Twillingate

Lift station retrofit – Coast Guard Sewage Lift Station and Smith’s Lane

$253,914

$317,392

$63,478

Wabana

West Dam Water Supply Phase 4

$994,704

$1,243,380

$504,158

MIL OSI Canada News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China builds mega network for space weather forecasting

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

One of China’s key scientific infrastructures, the Chinese Meridian Project (CMP), successfully passed national acceptance for its second phase on Friday. It will boost cutting-edge scientific research and provide key support for the country’s space weather forecasting services, according to the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The project, also known as the Ground-based Space Environment Monitoring Network, is the world’s first comprehensive ground-based monitoring facility to cover Sun-Earth space from the solar atmosphere to near-Earth space.
The Solar-Terrestrial space is the main area where humans conduct space activities and utilize space. Catastrophic space weather can lead to significant risks such as satellite failures, communication disruptions, navigation deviations, and power grid failures. As a result, space weather forecasting and early warning services are of great importance.
The project is led by the National Space Science Center. The CMP-Phase I started in 2008 and was completed in 2012, the CMP-Phase II began construction in November 2019. The project has over 30 observation stations, covering the country as well as the polar regions.
The project realizes the end-to-end tracking and monitoring capabilities for solar storms from the solar atmosphere to near Earth space. It provides key and independent data for China’s space weather forecasting and early warning services and contributes to cutting-edge scientific research, including the overall change mechanism of the Sun-Earth space environment and the basic physical processes of space physics.
The CMP-Phase II consists of a batch of advanced devices, including the Daocheng Radio Telescope that captures 3D coronal tomography with a 10-solar-radius field of view; a lidar array for continuous height-resolved detection of atmospheric metastable helium within a height range of 200 to 1,000 km; and the world’s first tristatic incoherent scatter radar system that conducts ionospheric computed tomography (CT) scanning and 3D imaging over distances of thousands of kilometers.
The CMP-Phase II also features the Chinese Dual Auroral Radar Network (CN-DARN), a mid-latitude high-frequency radar array which achieves the large-scale continuous detection of ionospheric dynamics in the middle and high latitudes of the Asian region, filling the monitoring gap of previous SuperDARN; and the country’s first facility dedicated to reconstructing three-dimensional solar wind structures for interplanetary environment predictions.
During the trial operation, the CMP-Phase II has already obtained observation data and shared them with the world. For instance, it captured the super geomagnetic storm event in May 2024 and recorded the entire process of the Sun-Earth space environment’s response to solar activity.
Based on the project, China is launching the International Meridian Circle Program, with the goal of realizing an all-latitude, all-weather, and round-the-clock observation of the Sun-Earth space environment.

MIL OSI China News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Tesla’s Shanghai Megafactory starts exporting energy-storage batteries

Source: China State Council Information Office

Tesla’s new Megafactory in east China’s Shanghai on Friday exported its first batch of Megapack energy-storage batteries, the company announced.

It took the new Megafactory just over a month after its production launch to achieve its first export, with the batteries being transported from Shanghai Port to Australia.

This export highlights Tesla’s further expansion in the global energy storage market, and also underlines the extension of its battery technology from electric vehicles to energy storage, according to the company.

The batteries produced at the Shanghai facility will supply both the domestic and Asia-Pacific markets.

Megapack is an electrochemical energy storage device that uses lithium batteries — a dominant technical route in the new-type energy storage industry. This sector is characterized by short construction periods, flexible layouts and fast responses, when compared to conventional pump storage.

Hailed by the company as a “milestone,” the new Megafactory is the first of its kind built by Tesla outside the United States and the company’s second plant in Shanghai, following the inauguration of its Gigafactory in 2019.

The Shanghai facility was built with an initial annual production capacity of 10,000 units. Notably, each Megapack unit can store over 3.9 megawatt-hours of energy — sufficient to power approximately 3,600 households for one hour.

Tesla anticipates a year-on-year increase of at least 50 percent in its energy storage deployments in 2025.

“Megafactory gives us the ability to scale production and efficiency,” said Mike Snyder, vice president of Tesla. “We can lower logistics costs as well as product costs, and grow the business to new markets.”

MIL OSI China News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hetao park ceremony held

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

A topping-out ceremony ceremony was held today for three buildings in Phase 1 of the Hong Kong Park area of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science & Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone.

Buildings 8 and 9 are wet laboratory-enabled, while Building 11 is intended for talent accommodation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said the Hong Kong Park is a “super platform” that will help Hong Kong serve as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.

“We will make good use of Hong Kong’s advantages as an international city and an international hub for high-calibre talent to build the Hetao Co-operation Zone into a bridgehead for I&T (innovation and technology), and a showcase and incubator for high-end achievements for the country.”

Comprising about 87 hectares, the park will be developed in two phases from west to east. Following the completion of the above-mentioned three buildings, it will enter into its operational phase when the first batch of tenants from pillar industries such as life and health technology, artificial intelligence, and data science, move in from the second half of this year.

The construction of another five buildings is in full swing. The Government has earmarked $3.7 billion to expedite the provision of infrastructure and public facilities for the park’s Phase 1 development and detailed planning of the second phase will be completed within the current year.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: South Africa has a problem with people in the public service lying about their qualifications: what needs to change

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Busani Ngcaweni, Visiting Adjunct Professor, Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand

The persistent challenge of falsified or misrepresented qualifications in South Africa exposes serious shortcomings in recruitment and appointment processes. Although the scale of the problem is difficult to quantify, it’s considered to be reaching “pandemic” levels. It is worse in the public sector.

The problem became so serious that government introduced the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act in 2019, making it a criminal offence to misrepresent qualifications. It is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Yet the scourge continues, despite severe personal and professional consequences for some.

The alarmingly high number of individuals pretending to be qualified for high-profile positions undermines trust and capability in organisations.

There have been cases involving top executives and directors of parastatals. Some major companies have not been spared.

Once unsuitable people occupy positions of responsibility, it is difficult to remove them. Their performance seldom improves because they lack the foundation.

Their incompetence can affect institutions severely because they can make wrong decisions that result in financial losses. The South African Broadcasting Corporation, for instance, suffered financially due to poor decisions made by unqualified executives.

Read more:
South Africa’s public service: real spending is falling, but demand is growing

Some municipalities with unqualified personnel often hire expensive consultants.

Teachers with fraudulent credentials compromise quality education. This deprives children of opportunities to better their lives.

Unscrupulous individuals have also been caught masquerading as medical doctors, putting lives at risk.

Important infrastructure projects have collapsed owing to fake engineers.

I am a researcher and practitioner of public sector reforms. I also head the National School of Government, which leads the drive to make the country’s public sector professional. I argue that to deter qualifications fraud, the management of human resources in the public sector must be professional.

South Africa can draw lessons from the private sector and other governments.

Loopholes in the system

The National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act is aimed at deterring fraudulent qualifications. Some people have gone to jail for this crime.

But measures to deter and punish it must be complemented by human resources management reforms.

In my view, poor human resource screening processes, inadequate verification systems and ambiguous job descriptions and entry requirements contribute to appointing unsuitable candidates.

The weekly public sector vacancies circular, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration, is a major source of data showing these limitations. It’s full of job advertisements where the minimum qualifications requirements are either too wide or below standard.

Read more:
South Africa’s public service is dysfunctional – the 5 main reasons why

Some of the people who recruit and select staff are negligent. They fail to conduct thorough background checks or to screen applicants properly. This results in the appointment of unqualified and fraudulent candidates.

Learning from the private sector

The private sector, driven by competitive pressures and stakeholder expectations, developed robust systems to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of human resource functions. These systems can guide public sector reforms.

Companies invest in advanced technologies and third-party verification services. They use agencies to check candidates’ fingerprints, verify qualifications, find references, and even do personality profiles.

In contrast, public sector human resources personnel often rely on manual processes. These consume time and are prone to inaccuracies and manipulation. They can also be cumbersome as junior and middle management job advertisements often attract thousands of applicants.

The private sector uses well-defined competency frameworks. These outline the skills, knowledge and experience required to evaluate a candidate.

Read more:
Africa should be building private-public partnerships in education

Many private sector human resources practitioners belong to professional bodies. These enforce ethical standards. They also certify practitioners and promote ongoing professional development.

Businesses also employ licensed and professional human resources practitioners. These are expected to be innovative, productive and ethical, and to act in the best interests of their employers. They can be dismissed if they lose their professional licence. These are guardrails against abuse.

Learning from other governments

India, China, South Korea, Singapore and several European nations have stringent public sector recruitment and selection methods. They emphasise merit and transparency to ensure only qualified and competent people are appointed.

India’s Union Public Service Commission conducts a highly competitive civil services examination to recruit candidates.

China uses the National Civil Service Examination, known as the Guokao. It evaluates candidates’ intellectual aptitude, policy knowledge and professional skills for jobs in government ministries and state-owned enterprises.

South Korea’s Civil Service Examination system is a rigorous process which tests candidates’ analytical and managerial capabilities.

Singapore is known for its efficient government. It employs structured assessment centres, psychometric testing and panel interviews to ensure capable people join the public sector.

Read more:
South Africa has a plan to make its public service professional. It’s time to act on it

To uphold high standards of professionalism and integrity in governance, Germany and France have competitive entrance assessments for civil service roles.

France’s Institut National du Service Public uses stringent entry requirements to prepare candidates for senior public service.

South Africa introduced a pre-entry assessment called Nyukela/Step Up in 2020. It is applicable to public servants and citizens who wish to apply for a position in the senior management service.

Professionalising the public sector

Cabinet approved the National Framework Towards Professionalisation of the Public Sector in October 2022. It aims to tighten pre-entry requirements and carefully screen applicants. This includes verifying qualifications, testing integrity and assessing competence. The framework requires that public sector entities develop detailed job descriptions.

The framework will help block fraud by professionalising human resources, supply chain management and legal services, among others. It will help human resources practitioners improve their competencies and make them part of a wider professional network. This is important for continued professional development.

There will be consequences when officials violate their professional code of ethics. This has worked for lawyers and accountants who are disbarred for ethical and professional breaches.

The framework gives the Public Service Commission a role in recruiting of heads of departments. This step controls entry to top positions in the civil service. The commission will bring two or more subject matter sector experts into the selection panels, making the process more rigorous.

Busani Ngcaweni is affiliated with the University of Johannesburg as Senior Research Associate and Wits School of Governance as Visiting Adjunct Professor

– ref. South Africa has a problem with people in the public service lying about their qualifications: what needs to change – https://theconversation.com/south-africa-has-a-problem-with-people-in-the-public-service-lying-about-their-qualifications-what-needs-to-change-244942

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa has a problem with people in the public service lying about their qualifications: what needs to change

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Busani Ngcaweni, Visiting Adjunct Professor, Wits School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand

The persistent challenge of falsified or misrepresented qualifications in South Africa exposes serious shortcomings in recruitment and appointment processes. Although the scale of the problem is difficult to quantify, it’s considered to be reaching “pandemic” levels. It is worse in the public sector.

The problem became so serious that government introduced the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act in 2019, making it a criminal offence to misrepresent qualifications. It is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Yet the scourge continues, despite severe personal and professional consequences for some.

The alarmingly high number of individuals pretending to be qualified for high-profile positions undermines trust and capability in organisations.

There have been cases involving top executives and directors of parastatals. Some major companies have not been spared.

Once unsuitable people occupy positions of responsibility, it is difficult to remove them. Their performance seldom improves because they lack the foundation.

Their incompetence can affect institutions severely because they can make wrong decisions that result in financial losses. The South African Broadcasting Corporation, for instance, suffered financially due to poor decisions made by unqualified executives.

Read more: South Africa’s public service: real spending is falling, but demand is growing

Some municipalities with unqualified personnel often hire expensive consultants.

Teachers with fraudulent credentials compromise quality education. This deprives children of opportunities to better their lives.

Unscrupulous individuals have also been caught masquerading as medical doctors, putting lives at risk.

Important infrastructure projects have collapsed owing to fake engineers.

I am a researcher and practitioner of public sector reforms. I also head the National School of Government, which leads the drive to make the country’s public sector professional. I argue that to deter qualifications fraud, the management of human resources in the public sector must be professional.

South Africa can draw lessons from the private sector and other governments.

Loopholes in the system

The National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act is aimed at deterring fraudulent qualifications. Some people have gone to jail for this crime.

But measures to deter and punish it must be complemented by human resources management reforms.

In my view, poor human resource screening processes, inadequate verification systems and ambiguous job descriptions and entry requirements contribute to appointing unsuitable candidates.

The weekly public sector vacancies circular, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration, is a major source of data showing these limitations. It’s full of job advertisements where the minimum qualifications requirements are either too wide or below standard.

Read more: South Africa’s public service is dysfunctional – the 5 main reasons why

Some of the people who recruit and select staff are negligent. They fail to conduct thorough background checks or to screen applicants properly. This results in the appointment of unqualified and fraudulent candidates.

Learning from the private sector

The private sector, driven by competitive pressures and stakeholder expectations, developed robust systems to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of human resource functions. These systems can guide public sector reforms.

Companies invest in advanced technologies and third-party verification services. They use agencies to check candidates’ fingerprints, verify qualifications, find references, and even do personality profiles.

In contrast, public sector human resources personnel often rely on manual processes. These consume time and are prone to inaccuracies and manipulation. They can also be cumbersome as junior and middle management job advertisements often attract thousands of applicants.

The private sector uses well-defined competency frameworks. These outline the skills, knowledge and experience required to evaluate a candidate.

Read more: Africa should be building private-public partnerships in education

Many private sector human resources practitioners belong to professional bodies. These enforce ethical standards. They also certify practitioners and promote ongoing professional development.

Businesses also employ licensed and professional human resources practitioners. These are expected to be innovative, productive and ethical, and to act in the best interests of their employers. They can be dismissed if they lose their professional licence. These are guardrails against abuse.

Learning from other governments

India, China, South Korea, Singapore and several European nations have stringent public sector recruitment and selection methods. They emphasise merit and transparency to ensure only qualified and competent people are appointed.

India’s Union Public Service Commission conducts a highly competitive civil services examination to recruit candidates.

China uses the National Civil Service Examination, known as the Guokao. It evaluates candidates’ intellectual aptitude, policy knowledge and professional skills for jobs in government ministries and state-owned enterprises.

South Korea’s Civil Service Examination system is a rigorous process which tests candidates’ analytical and managerial capabilities.

Singapore is known for its efficient government. It employs structured assessment centres, psychometric testing and panel interviews to ensure capable people join the public sector.

Read more: South Africa has a plan to make its public service professional. It’s time to act on it

To uphold high standards of professionalism and integrity in governance, Germany and France have competitive entrance assessments for civil service roles.

France’s Institut National du Service Public uses stringent entry requirements to prepare candidates for senior public service.

South Africa introduced a pre-entry assessment called Nyukela/Step Up in 2020. It is applicable to public servants and citizens who wish to apply for a position in the senior management service.

Professionalising the public sector

Cabinet approved the National Framework Towards Professionalisation of the Public Sector in October 2022. It aims to tighten pre-entry requirements and carefully screen applicants. This includes verifying qualifications, testing integrity and assessing competence. The framework requires that public sector entities develop detailed job descriptions.

The framework will help block fraud by professionalising human resources, supply chain management and legal services, among others. It will help human resources practitioners improve their competencies and make them part of a wider professional network. This is important for continued professional development.

There will be consequences when officials violate their professional code of ethics. This has worked for lawyers and accountants who are disbarred for ethical and professional breaches.

The framework gives the Public Service Commission a role in recruiting of heads of departments. This step controls entry to top positions in the civil service. The commission will bring two or more subject matter sector experts into the selection panels, making the process more rigorous.

– South Africa has a problem with people in the public service lying about their qualifications: what needs to change
– https://theconversation.com/south-africa-has-a-problem-with-people-in-the-public-service-lying-about-their-qualifications-what-needs-to-change-244942

MIL OSI Africa –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country

Source: Government of India (2)

Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country

165 bio-safety laboratories, including 11 BSL-3 level labs and 154 BSL-2 level labs approved under the scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”

Since 2021, a total of 42 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories approved under the Scheme; 38 labs out of these already functional, 4 labs approved in FY2024-25

Bio-safety laboratories established in various institutes of government bodies and departments: Department of Biotechnology-26 labs; ICMR- 21 labs; CSIR-11 labs; and ICAR-9 labs

5 BSL/ABSL-3 labs funded by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:05PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has established a network of Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) under the central sector scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”. Under this scheme, 165 bio-safety laboratories, including 11 BSL-3 level labs and 154 Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) labs have been approved. Besides that, there are 21 other bio-safety laboratories established at various institute of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), having equipped with different level of biosafety such as BSL-4 (1), BSL-3 (8) and BSL-2 (12).

As informed by Department of Science & Technology (DST), Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has also funded 5 BSL/ABSL-3 labs under the Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA) programme. Based on inputs from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), 26 bio-safety laboratories have been established in various institutes of DBT.

According to Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), 9 bio-safety laboratories have been established in various institutes of ICAR. As per information provided by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), 11 bio-safety laboratories have been established in various institutes of CSIR.

Since the year 2021, a total of 42 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories have been approved under the scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”, out of which 41 labs are BSL-2 and 1 lab is BSL-3. These labs are mainly located in the Microbiology Departments of various medical colleges and research institutions.

The funds from the scheme are utilized for upgradation of infrastructure, procurement of equipment, consumables and manpower support. These labs are mandated to conduct diagnosis & research on mainly viral pathogens of public health importance. The testing data are fed on the dedicated data portal setup at ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), Chennai, which also has data sharing interface with Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal. The laboratory is considered functional once the lab starts reporting on the data portal.

As on date, out of 42 VRDLs, 38 labs are functional since these are reporting the testing data on the ICMR-NIE portal. 4 labs namely, Nagaon Medical College & Hospital, Nagaon, Assam; Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; Dr Laxminarayan Pandey Government Medical College, Ratlam and Dr B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohali were sanctioned in the financial year 2024-25.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

****

MV

HFW/Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country/21March 2025/4

(Release ID: 2113685) Visitor Counter : 5

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health system

Source: Government of India (2)

Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health system

AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh designated as ‘Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence’ with an aim to promote development and use of AI based solutions in Health

Media Disease Surveillance (MDS), supporting event-based surveillance for infectious diseases put in use; over 4,500 event alerts published, contributing to timely prevention and mitigation of disease outbreaks

Clinical Decision Support System’ (CDSS) integrated into eSanjeevani to enhance consultation quality and providing AI-based differential diagnosis recommendations

Cough against TB, an AI solution being used for screening for pulmonary TB in the community settings; aiding in reporting missing cases

AI solution, ‘Prediction of Adverse TB Outcomes’ deployed; 27% decline in adverse outcomes reported since deployment

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:04PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to drive transformative change in public health services across India. The Ministry has designated AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh as ‘Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence’ with an aim to promote development and use of AI based solutions in Health. MoHFW has developed AI solution like Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) in e-Sanjeevani, Media Disease Surveillance Solution in IDSP, Diabetic Retinopathy Identification solution and the Abnormal Chest X-ray Classifier Model and various others are in early stages.

‘Media Disease Surveillance’ (MDS) is an AI-driven tool that has been supporting event-based surveillance for infectious diseases since April 2022. This tool scans digital news sources across the country and shares relevant information with districts for early action and response. Since April 2022, it has published over 4,500 event alerts, contributing to the timely prevention and mitigation of disease outbreaks, thereby reducing mortality and morbidity.

The ‘Clinical Decision Support System’ (CDSS), an AI solution has been integrated into the national telemedicine platform, eSanjeevani, to enhance consultation quality by streamlining patient complaints entry and providing AI-based differential diagnosis recommendations. Since CDSS integration, 196 million eSanjeevani consultations benefitted from standardized data capture, ensuring consistency across health and wellness centres and 12 million consultations have been aided by AI-recommended diagnoses, allowing doctors to make informed decisions.

Under the Tuberculosis elimination program, ‘Cough against TB’ AI solution is used for screening for pulmonary TB in the community settings. In the deployed geographies, the solution has shown an additional yield of 12-16% in TB reported, which may have been missed if patients were screened using conventional methods.

The ‘Prediction of Adverse TB Outcomes AI Solution’ helps in predicting TB patients who have a high chance for going for adverse outcomes as soon as the patient is initiated on treatment. 27% decline in adverse outcomes is reported after deployment of the AI Solution.

Sector-specific measures to enhance the use of AI in healthcare are thus duly being taken by the Ministry.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

****

MV

HFW/Measures taken by the govt to use AI in public health system /21March 2025/1

(Release ID: 2113683) Visitor Counter : 15

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality standards of food products

Source: Government of India (2)

Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality standards of food products

Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products are conducted by FSSAI through State/UTs

Penal provisions in place against the defaulting Food Business Operators for non-conforming food samples

243 Primary Laboratories and 22 Referral Laboratories notified by FSSAI across the country for testing various food commodities

285 FSWs (Food Safety on wheels) deployed across 35 States/UTs for on spot testing of adulteration in various food commodities

79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits approved by FSSAI

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:03PM by PIB Delhi

To ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) was established in 2008 under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, primarily for laying down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import. The Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 was operationalized with the notification of Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011 and six Principal Regulations with effect from the 5th August, 2011.

FSSAI through State/UTs and its Regional Offices conducts regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products to check compliance with the quality and safety parameters and other requirements as laid down under Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and regulations made thereunder. In cases where food samples are found to be non-conforming, penal action is taken against the defaulting Food Business Operators as per the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations.

FSSAI also conducts periodic Pan-India Surveillance of Food products especially staple foods and commodities that are prone to adulteration to ascertain the quality and safety of the food products produced and consumed in India.

For testing of various food commodities, FSSAI has notified 243 Primary Laboratories and 22 Referral Laboratories across the country. FSSAI has provided Mobile Food Testing Laboratory (MFTL) referred to as “Food Safety on wheels” (FSW). FSWs are equipped with basic infrastructure for on spot testing of adulteration in various food commodities. Currently, 285 FSWs are deployed across 35 States/UTs.

FSSAI has published a comprehensive set of resources for food safety and analysis, including 17 Manuals on Methods of Analysis of various Foods commodities, 02 General Guidelines on Sampling, and 15 Methods for the Analysis of fortificants in Fortified Foods. FSSAI has facilitated rapid food testing methods to reduce the screening time of the food products at the field level and accelerate surveillance as well as monitoring activities. 79 Rapid Analytical Food Testing (RAFT) Kits are approved by FSSAI.

The Food Safety Magic Boxes, meticulously curated by FSSAI, facilitates the detection of adulteration in food. It consists of reliable “quick screening tests” that a common person can perform at the household level, enabling a broad assessment of potential adulteration in their food in cases of doubt.

As per the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, Sanitary and Hygienic requirements (based on Good Manufacturing Practices & Good Hygienic Practices) to be followed by the Food Business Operators (FBOs), has been mandated as one of the conditions of license for the Food Manufactures. This is a statutory requirement and any violation to the same by the FBOs attracts punitive action as per the provisions of FSS Act, 2006.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

****

MV

HFW/Steps taken by the Govt to ensure quality standards of food products/21March 2025/2

(Release ID: 2113681) Visitor Counter : 13

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Steps taken by the Government to expand healthcare infrastructure
Source: Government of India (2)

Steps taken by the Government to expand healthcare infrastructure

PM-ABHIM enhancing public health infrastructure through investments in health centres, critical care beds, block public health units, and integrated district laboratories, focusing on improved rural healthcare access

Grants to local governments recommended by Fifteenth Finance Commission to strengthen grassroots health systems from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26

PMSSY aims to correct regional imbalances in affordable tertiary healthcare and enhance facilities for quality medical education

Provisions for incentives and honorariums under NHM encourage doctors and paramedics to practice in rural and remote areas, ensuring equitable access to medical facilities across all States/UTs

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including setting up of health facilities and recruitment of medical personnel based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources.

Further, Government of India has launched several schemes to address healthcare infrastructure in all the States/UTs in the country in addition to National Health Mission:
- Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) envisages increased investments in public health and other health reforms to provide better access to health in rural areas by i) Strengthening of Health and Wellness Centres in villages and cities for early detection of diseases; ii) Addition of new critical care-related beds at district level hospitals; iii) Support for Block Public Health Units (BPHU) in 11 high focus States; and iv) Integrated district public health laboratories in all districts.
- The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) has recommended grants through local governments for specific components of the health sector and spread over the five-year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 to facilitate strengthening of health system at the grass-root level.
- The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable tertiary healthcare services and to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country. The Scheme has two components, namely: i) setting up of all India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); and (ii) upgradation of existing Government Medical Collages/ Institution (GMCIs).
- Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), ‘Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals’, with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. The fund sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for others.
Under NHM, following types of incentives and honorarium are provided for encouraging doctors and paramedics to practice in rural and remote areas to ensure equitable access to medical facilities across all the States/UTs in the country:
- Hard area allowance to specialist doctors for serving in rural and remote areas and for their residential quarters so that they find it attractive to serve in public health facilities in such areas.
- Honorarium to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC) trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS) trained doctors is also provided to increase availability of specialists for conducting Cesarean Sections in rural & remote area.
- Incentives like special incentives for doctors, incentive for Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) for ensuring timely Antenatal Checkup (ANC) checkup and recording, incentives for conducting Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health activities.
- States are also allowed to offer negotiable salary to attract specialist including flexibility in strategies such as “You Quote We Pay”.
- Non-Monetary incentives such as preferential admission in post graduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas and improving accommodation arrangement in rural areas have also been introduced under NHM.
- Multi-skilling of doctors is supported under NHM to overcome the shortage of specialists. Skill upgradation of existing HR is another major strategy under NRHM for achieving improvement in health outcomes.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

****

MV

HFW/Steps taken by the Govt to expand healthcare infrastructure/21 March 2025/3

(Release ID: 2113679) Visitor Counter : 19

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
March 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SAGARMALA SCHEME

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:54PM by PIB Delhi

Sagarmala is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country through harnessing India’s 7,500 km long coastline, and 14,500 km of potentially navigable waterways. Under the Sagarmala Scheme, the Ministry provides financial assistance to State/UT Governments for Port infrastructure projects, Coastal berth projects, Road & Rail projects, fishing harbours, skill development projects, Coastal community development, cruise terminal and projects such as Ro-Pax ferry services. Ministry has till date undertaken 119 projects at a total Cost of Rs. 9407 Cr. for partial funding under Sagarmala Scheme. Out of these, 72 projects have been completed till date.

The projects under Sagarmala Scheme are categorized into five pillars – port modernization, port connectivity, port-led industrialization, coastal community development and coastal shipping & inland water transport Ministry under Sagarmala Scheme is providing financial assistance to 8 projects worth Rs. 273 cr. in the State of Kerala. The detailed of the projects undertaken in the State of Kerala pillar wise is provided in Annexure-I.

Annexure –I

List of projects in Kerala under Sagarmala Scheme

S.no	Name of Project	Project Pillar	Total project Cost (Rs. In Cr.)	MoPSW share (Rs. In Cr.)	Status
1.	Refurbishment and Capacity enhancement of Coastal liquid terminal -COT and NTB at CoPT	Port Modernization	20.00	14.96	Completed
2.	Construction of Multipurpose Coastal Berth at Kollam	Coastal Shipping and IWT	19.00	7.24	Completed
3.	Construction of Fishing Harbour at Thalai in Kannur District in Kerala	Coastal Community Development	35.00	6.90	Completed
4.	Construction of Mini Fishing Harbour Chettuva in Thrissur District in Kerala	Coastal Community Development	30.00	4.68	Completed
5.	Coastal Districts Skill Development Program – Phase 2 -Kerala	Coastal Community Development	25.02	23.86	Under Implementation
6.	Reconstruction of South Coal Berth at Cochin Port for handling chemicals	Port Modernization	17.70	8.85	Completed
7.	Fisheries Harbour at Cochin port	Coastal Community Development	113.32	50.00	Under Implementation
8.	Development of RORO facilities for handling propylene and other cargo at Cochin Port	Coastal Shipping and IWT	12.46	12.46	Completed
TOTAL			272.50

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

***

GDH/HR/SJ

(Release ID: 2113674) Visitor Counter : 59

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CSIR-IIIM & HAPICO Industries Sign MoU for Collaborative Biopesticide Development

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 4:02PM by PIB Delhi

In a significant step toward fostering industry-academia collaboration, the CSIR – Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/S HAPICO Industries Private Limited on 20 March 2025 to jointly develop novel biopesticides.

The MoU was formally signed by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, and Mr. Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director, HAPICO Industries, in the presence of Dr Asha Chaubey, Senior Principal Scientist & Head, FMB Division; Dr Saurabh Saran, Principal Scientist, FMB; and Dr Love Sharma, Scientist, RMBD&IST.

This strategic partnership aims to address the detrimental impact of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. Given the rich biodiversity of medicinal and aromatic plants, the collaboration seeks to harness their potential for developing innovative and sustainable biopesticide solutions.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zabeer Ahmed reaffirmed the commitment of CSIR-IIIM to the translational and sustainable approach in biopesticide development and providing industrial interface to the technologies emanating from the collaboration, ensuring direct benefits for farmers across the country. He also expressed confidence in achieving the project objectives within the stipulated timeline. CSIR-IIIM, with its advanced fermentation and microbial technology infrastructure, has been actively engaged in research pursuits and development of agricultural solutions, including plant growth-promoting products, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), enzymes and biocontrol formulations.

Shabeer Ahmed, Managing Director, HAPICO Industries, highlighted the collaboration as a strategic initiative to expand the company’s product portfolio and contribute to sectoral growth. “By leveraging CSIR-IIIM’s scientific expertise, HAPICO aims to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that align with the evolving market demands,” he stated.

Elaborating on the technical aspects, Dr Asha Chaubey, Head, FMB Division, emphasized that the focus of the collaboration would be on formulating a biopesticide derived from a potent indigenous microbial strain identified by CSIR-IIIM.

The agreement signing ceremony was jointly organized by the RMBD&IST and FMB Divisions, under the overall supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Head, RMBD&IST Division, and under the patronage of the Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu.

Director CSIR-IIIM, Dr Zabeer Ahmed and MD HAPICO Industries after signing the MoU at Jammu.

***

NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2113680) Visitor Counter : 15

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Urban Water Transport

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:52PM by PIB Delhi

The key parameters considered in selection of 17 cities for conducting feasibility study for Urban Water Transport System includes minimum population of 1 million, proximity to existing navigable inland waterways and the presence of substantial ferry services.

In order to integrate the proposed Urban Water Transport System with existing metro, bus and railway networks to ensure seamless multi-modal connectivity, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has beean engaged to conduct feasibility study for Urban Water Transport System for the 17 locations. As of now, there is no such proposal to expand this in additional cities.

The work for conducting feasibility study in 17 cities, which also includes Mangalore (Gurupura River) has been awarded to KMRL. The roadmap depends on the outcome of the feasibility study.

Guwahati and Dhubri in Assam are among the 17 identified locations from North-Eastern States for conducting feasibility study. There is no specific plan for Chhatisgarh as of now. Implementation of Urban Water Transport System depends on the outcome/ recommendations of the feasibility study.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

***

GDH/HR/SJ

(Release ID: 2113672) Visitor Counter : 55

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: One Billion Tonne: Strengthening India’s Energy Future!

Source: Government of India

One Billion Tonne: Strengthening India’s Energy Future!

Coal Production in the Country Crosses 1 BT Mark

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:45PM by PIB Delhi

India has achieved a momentous milestone in coal production, surpassing one billion tonnes (BT) on March 20, 2025, in the fiscal year 2024-25. This remarkable achievement comes 11 days ahead of last fiscal year’s coal production of 997.83 million tonnes (MT), underscoring India’s significant progress in ensuring its energy demands and driving industrial, agricultural, and overall economic growth.

The coal sector’s success is attributed to the tireless efforts of Coal Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), private players, and the dedicated workforce of around 5 lakh mine workers across more than 350 coal mines. These coal miners, who have defied numerous challenges with unmatched dedication, have played a pivotal role in achieving this historic milestone.

India relies on coal for approximately 55% of its energy mix, and around 74% of the country’s electricity is generated by coal-based power plants. This underscores the critical importance of coal in powering India’s economy and sustaining energy security.

The record-breaking coal production reflects the Government’s strategic reforms and policies, such as amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the opening of the coal sector to private players through the commercial auctioning of coal blocks. These initiatives have led to a marked increase in the availability of domestic coal, progressively substituting imports and significantly contributing to foreign exchange savings. From April to December 2024, India’s coal imports declined by 8.4%, resulting in forex savings of around $5.43 billion (₹42,315.7 crore) as compared to the same period of last year.

This milestone aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and highlights the Ministry of Coal’s ongoing efforts to foster self-reliance in the energy sector while ensuring sustainable development.

This achievement is not just about coal production; it is a crucial step towards ensuring long-term energy security and propelling India’s overall development. By embracing advanced mining techniques, optimizing logistics, and promoting sustainable practices, the coal sector is playing a central role in strengthening India’s energy infrastructure and bolstering economic resilience.

Aligned with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, this milestone positions India to become fully self-reliant in the energy sector. Through continued strategic reforms, technological advancements, and a focus on responsible resource management, India’s journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat remains on track. This achievement is a testament to the nation’s unwavering dedication to securing a self-reliant, energy-secure future for generations to come.

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞! 🇮🇳

India has crossed a monumental 1 BILLION TONNES of coal production!

With cutting-edge technologies and efficient methods, we’ve not only increased production but also ensured sustainable and responsible mining. This achievement will fuel… pic.twitter.com/KRGOBQ1SA7

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) March 21, 2025

****

Shuhaib T

(Release ID: 2113669) Visitor Counter : 61

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at inauguration of Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion and Harold and Christina Lee Gallery of Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong and opening of “Transcending Transience: Art and Culture of Late Ming Jiangnan” exhibition

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Speech by SCST at inauguration of Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion and Harold and Christina Lee Gallery of Art Museum, Chinese University of Hong Kong and opening of “Transcending Transience: Art and Culture of Late Ming Jiangnan” exhibition
Vice-Chancellor and President of the CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Professor Dennis Lo, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is both a privilege and an honour for me to officiate at the inauguration ceremony of the Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion of the Art Museum of my alma mater. When I studied at the CUHK, I remembered that the Museum was a relatively small gallery entered through a beautiful courtyard with a pond and many koi fish in the centre of the campus. The phenomenal growth and expansion of the university’s Art Museum mirrors the extraordinary development of our city’s vibrant art scene.

It is wonderful indeed to see many friends in the media with us today. Media attention has often centred on large cultural institutions, but boutique museums such as the CUHK Art Museum have also contributed significantly to the local art ecosystem by offering unique and thematic exhibitions and facilitating dialogues with museum professionals worldwide. On that note, I would like to acknowledge that the CUHK Art Museum will serve as a strategic partner for the Museum Summit to be held next week. I look forward to more fruitful and inspirational discussions on the development of museums at the upcoming Summit.

For the benefit of our media here, I should also say a few words in Cantonese. So here it goes:

多年來，我們非常樂見（香港）中文大學文物館的持續發展，同時見證着香港躍動成為中外文化藝術交流中心的歷程。今日，作為校友，非常榮幸出席中大文物館羅桂祥閣及利孝和陸雁群伉儷展覽廳的啓用典禮。中大文物館的成長，離不開中大同仁的持續努力，也離不開社會各界，特別今日在座各位的支持和厚愛。在此，我向香港中文大學為推動文化藝術發展作出的貢獻表示由衷敬意，同時向在座各位以及社會各界的大力支持表示衷心感謝。

在國家《十四五規劃綱要》的明確支持下，政府致力發展香港成為中外文化藝術交流中心。政府會在資源情況許可之下持續改善文化設施，為舉辦多元化的文化藝術活動提供支持。舉例而言，東九文化中心預計將於今年內全面啓用，為市民和業界提供一個全新的表演場地。同樣地，我相信日益完善的中大文物館亦將成為香港的獨特魅力所在，吸引更多香港市民和訪港旅客參觀，為大家提供富有特色的文化藝術體驗。

I hope that any students here – not only current students but also overseas exchange students and prospective college students – will cherish all the wonderful exhibitions and cultural artifacts that this Museum has to offer. I look forward to working more closely with the CUHK community to cultivate our art hub. I wish the CUHK Art Museum a bright future and the “Transcending Transience: Art and Culture of Late Ming Jiangnan” exhibition a resounding success. Thank you.

Issued at HKT 18:15

NNNN

Categories24-7, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government special administrative region, MIL OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 754 Fast Track Courts, Including 404 POCSO Courts functional in 30 states, dispose over 3.06 Lakh cases by January 2025

Source: Government of India

754 Fast Track Courts, Including 404 POCSO Courts functional in 30 states, dispose over 3.06 Lakh cases by January 2025

Government takes steps to create awareness on POCSO Act provisions through Media, Workshops & Training

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:32PM by PIB Delhi

Government accords the highest priority for ensuring safety and security of children and has undertaken various initiatives in this regard. To safeguard children against sexual abuse and sexual harassment, Government has enacted The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. It defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.

The Act was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes.

Section 4 of the Act prescribes rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 20 years, which can extend to life imprisonment, for “Penetrative Sexual Assault”. If the assault results in the death or causes the victim to be in a persistent vegetative state, Section 6 provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Section 8 outlines imprisonment for a minimum of three to five years for those found guilty of sexual assault, while Section 10 increases this to a minimum of five years for Aggravated Sexual Assault (A person can be charged with this offense in certain aggravating circumstances, such as if the rape occurs within a relationship of trust or authority, or if it leads to pregnancy, among others). Section 14 of the Act imposes imprisonment of up to seven years for using children for pornographic purposes.

Additionally, the Act mandates special courts for speedy trials under Section 28; ensuring that the cases are handled with the utmost urgency and sensitivity, reflecting the law’s zero-tolerance approach to crimes against children.

Further the POCSO Rules, 2020 were also notified to protect the children from exploitation and violence and sexual exploitation. Rule 3 provides that any institution housing children or coming in regular contact with children including schools, creches, sports academies or any other facility for Children must ensure police verification and background check on periodic basis, of every staff, teaching or non-teaching, regular or contractual, or any other person being an employee of such Institution coming in contact with the child. Such Institution shall also ensure that periodic training is organized for sensitizing them on child safety and protection.

Rule-9 of the POCSO Rules provides that the Special Court may, in appropriate cases, on its own or on an application filed by or on behalf of the child, pass an order for interim compensation to meet the needs of the child for relief or rehabilitation at any stage after registration of the First Information Report (FIR). Such interim compensation paid to the child shall be adjusted against the final compensation, if any.

Further, the POCSO Rules also provide that for special relief, if any, to be provided for contingencies such as food, clothes, transport and other essential needs, Child Welfare Committee may recommend immediate payment of such amount. Such immediate payment shall be made within a week of receipt of recommendation from the CWC.

Department of Justice is implementing a scheme for setting up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including Exclusive POCSO Courts for expeditious trial and disposal of cases related to rape and POCSO cases. As per the information received from High Courts, as of 31.01.2025, 754 FTSCs including 404 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs, which have disposed more than 3,06,000 cases.

Further, the Government has taken various steps from time to time to create awareness of the provisions of the POCSO Act through electronic and print media, consultations, workshops and training programmes with stakeholders concerned. In order to generate awareness about the POCSO Act, a short film was disseminated in Cinema Halls and Doordarshan across the nation. Thereafter, Ministry has undertaken awareness campaign to encompass various aspects of the POCSO Act in an effective manner by way of a short video clips, an audio clip and a poster which have been disseminated through various means all over India. For effective dissemination of these creatives, they have also been translated into regional languages for effective outreach. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has published Childline 1098 which is a 24x7x365 toll free Helpline for children and POCSO E-box on the back side of the front cover of all the course books from class 6th to class 12th to equip the children with the information regarding the possible modes of protection/ complaints and emergency outreach.

Ministry of Women and Child Development has organized following zonal conferences and sensitization/dissemination workshops under Mission Vatsalya Scheme:

i. Zonal Conferences: Outreach with State Governments/UT Administrations and Stakeholders through Zonal Conferences on Strategic Interventions for addressing Malnutrition Concerns and for the Development, Empowerment and Protection of Women and Children including Mission Vatsalya scheme were organised.

ii. Dissemination Workshops: National Dissemination Workshop on Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children ) Act, 2015, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 and the rules there under and the Adoption Regulations, 2017 including Mission Vatsalya Scheme were organised with all States/UTs, line Ministries/ Departments, representatives from Police, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Child Protection functionaries including members of Child Welfare Committees(CWCs)/Juvenile Justice Boards(JJBs) and other stakeholders.

iii. Workshops on Sensitization/ Training Programme for representatives of Panchayati Raj Representatives (PRIs), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Police on Child Rights & Protection including Mission Vatsalya Scheme at Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) in collaboration with UT Administration. This workshop was attended by officers from Ministry, NCPCR, UT of J&K, Administrative and Police Training. Institutes, District Child Protection Officers (DCPOs), CWCs, JJBs, Special Juvenile Police Units (SJPUs), representative from UNICEF and other Stakeholders.

iv. Vatsal Bharat: Regional Symposiums on ‘Child Protection, Child Safety and Child Welfare’ including Mission Vatsalya were organized at Delhi, Bhopal, Mumbai, Ranchi, Guwahati and Varanasi. In the Regional Symposiums, representatives from States/UTs including members of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Members of Village Child Protection Committee (VCPC) and Anganwadi Workers had participated.

v. A virtual technical training Session on the Modules of Institutional and Non- Institutional Care in the Mission Vatsalya Portal for North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura) was organized by the Ministry.

Furthermore, NCPCR, as per its mandate under Section 13(1)(h) of the CPCR Act, 2005, has also been continuously conducting sensitization and awareness-generation activities, along with monitoring efforts, focusing on various critical child protection themes, particularly POCSO mechanisms, to ensure that stakeholders are well-informed, actively involved, and effectively equipped to enhance child protection efforts and address child welfare concerns, especially within the POCSO framework. Engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including government functionaries at the State, District, Village, and Block levels, SPs, DMs, NGOs, CWCs, DCPOs, volunteers, and others, these initiatives are as follows:

1.Development of Digital Portals: Following the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court under SMWP(C) of 4/2020 and SMWP(C) of 6/2021, the Commission developed several digital portals to ensure timely, efficient, and seamless monitoring of data related to violations and deprivation of child rights. One such portal is the Baal Swaraj-POCSO tracking portal. This portal facilitates real-time tracking of child sexual abuse cases, providing services like victim compensation and rehabilitation to ensure the care and safety of POCSO victims.

2. Addressing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): In August 2024, the Commission convened a meeting on child sexual abuse material (CSAM), inviting social media platforms to discuss issues surrounding the online availability of sexually provocative material involving children. Additionally, in a joint meeting on 05.08.2024, the Commission explored potential solutions to address the alarming increase in crimes committed by minors after viewing pornographic content. This meeting included representatives from Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, and others.

3. Regional Meetings on POCSO Implementation: The Commission organized regional meetings on POCSO: Factors Hindering Implementation and Aspects of Assistance to Victims to address victim support mechanisms and identify specific areas where NCPCR/SCPCRs could provide assistance. These meetings, held in collaboration with NALSA, NFSU, SVPNPA, and BPR&D, brought together key stakeholders, including forensic experts, police officials, and legal representatives. Additionally, through its North East Cell, NCPCR conducted consultations and State-Level Workshops on Handling POCSO Cases to enhance victim assistance and improve the implementation of POCSO provisions in the region.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

*****

SS/MS

(Release ID: 2113660) Visitor Counter : 27

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Multiple Schemes Launched by Govt to Provide Financial Support to Women Across India

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:31PM by PIB Delhi

Recognizing the transformative potential of start-ups, the Government has introduced several initiatives to support and nurture entrepreneurship, including women’s entrepreneurship. More than 73000 start-ups, representing nearly half of the 157066 start-ups supported by the government under the Start-up India Initiative, have at least one-woman director, underscoring the crucial role women play in driving innovation and economic growth.

There are a number of schemes/ initiatives being implemented by various Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India across the country to financially support women.

The schemes to provide skilling opportunities for women include Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PMKVY) and Mahila Coir Yojana (MCY) which is a sub-component of the Coir Vikas Yojana, among others.

Some of the schemes to facilitate women entrepreneurs and start-ups include

(i) The Indian Patent Act that provides for expedited examination, when at least one of the applicants is a female. It is a concerted effort to encourage women innovators to file patent applications and protect their inventions.

(ii) Women entrepreneurs, who file for protection of their Intellectual Property in individual capacity, have to pay reduced fees as compared to other large entities. Patent filings by women has increased over 905% in the past 5 years. Women lead about one-third of the start-ups incubated under the Atal Innovation Mission’s Atal Incubation Centres, which foster innovation at universities, institutions and corporates among others.

(iii) Stand Up India, Start Up India and MUDRA Yojna facilitate bank loans and entrepreneurial activities and have majorly benefitted women entrepreneurs.

(iv) The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Start-ups (CGSS) to provide credit guarantee up to a specified limit against loans extended by Member Institutions (MIs) to finance eligible borrowers including women as defined in the Gazette Notification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and amended from time to time.

(v) The Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) which is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector.

(vi) The Government has made enabling provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, mandating companies to have at least one woman Director.

(vii) Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Street Vendors AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) provides employment/ self-employment and credit facilities to street vendors. Majority of the beneficiaries under these schemes are women.

In addition to the above schemes, there are several other schemes/ initiatives also being implemented by nationalised banks to support women entrepreneurs. These include Mahila Udyam Nidhi Yojana, Dena Shakti Scheme, Stree Shakti Package for Women Entrepreneurs and Cent Kalyani Scheme etc.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Lok Sabha in reply to a question today.

*****

SS/MS

(Release ID: 2113658) Visitor Counter : 32

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO SCIENTISTS

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:14PM by PIB Delhi

Approval of new Deep Tech & Cutting-Edge policies under the TDF Scheme has been initiated to encourage DRDO establishments to identify and involve private sector entities in the collaborative development of emerging technologies. Additionally, private entities are funded through grants to develop specific technologies.

DRDO laboratories have structured research roadmaps designed to keep pace with global advancements in defence technologies and products. Furthermore, DRDO prepares a bi-monthly document that provides a global review of new technologies and systems developed worldwide.

A global scan is conducted using authoritative frameworks, and technological developments are actively monitored in the public domain, including social media platforms. DRDO also provides its scientists with online access to various international databases in the field of defence science and technology.

DRDO aims to foster synergy among academia, industry, and its own research bodies to ensure the effective transition of academic research into industrial applications for the indigenization of technologies. Startups, MSMEs, and industries play a crucial role in this process.

To realize this vision, DRDO has established a network of DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoEs) to promote collaborative directed research, facilitating the development of critical and futuristic technologies for defence and security applications. A total of 15 DIA-CoEs have been set up across the country at premier institutions such as IITs, IISc, and central universities.

Each DIA-CoE focuses on technology development in designated futuristic research areas across 84 identified research verticals. Additionally, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for industry engagement with academia has been activated to streamline projects through DIA-CoEs.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth in a written reply to Smt Sanjna Jatav in Lok Sabha today.

***

VK/KB

(Release ID: 2113644) Visitor Counter : 56

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Immigration Department repatriates 18 Vietnamese illegal immigrants to Vietnam (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Immigration Department repatriates 18 Vietnamese illegal immigrants to Vietnam
The ImmD has been committed to promptly removing unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants from Hong Kong to maintain effective immigration control and safeguard the public interest. Under the updated removal policy effective from December 7, 2022, the ImmD may generally proceed with the removal of a claimant whose judicial review case has been dismissed by the Court of First Instance of the High Court, thereby enhancing the efficiency of and efforts in removing unsubstantiated claimants.

The ImmD will remain committed to expediting the removal process to repatriate illegal immigrants and overstayers from Hong Kong as soon as practicable according to the actual situation through appropriate measures as necessary.
Issued at HKT 17:30

NNNN

Categories24-7, Asia Pacific, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Government special administrative region, MIL OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 22, 2025

Category: Asia Pacific

Policy shift?

The Prime Minister has appointed 6 new Trustees to the V&A

Mariella Frostrup

Andrew Keith

Akshata Murty

Nigel Newton CBE

Vick Hope

Pedro Pina

Remuneration and Governance Code

Share this page

Updates to this page

A ‘seismic shock’

Core principles violated

Transactional arguments

An important choice

Political neutrality from the start

Training and response to orders

Ultimate responsibility

Unbiased sources of information

Loopholes in the system

Learning from the private sector

Learning from other governments

Professionalising the public sector

Loopholes in the system

Learning from the private sector

Learning from other governments

Professionalising the public sector

Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country165 bio-safety laboratories, including 11 BSL-3 level labs and 154 BSL-2 level labs approved under the scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”

Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health systemAIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh designated as ‘Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence’ with an aim to promote development and use of AI based solutions in Health

Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality standards of food products Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products are conducted by FSSAI through State/UTs

Steps taken by the Government to expand healthcare infrastructurePM-ABHIM enhancing public health infrastructure through investments in health centres, critical care beds, block public health units, and integrated district laboratories, focusing on improved rural healthcare access

One Billion Tonne: Strengthening India’s Energy Future!Coal Production in the Country Crosses 1 BT Mark

754 Fast Track Courts, Including 404 POCSO Courts functional in 30 states, dispose over 3.06 Lakh cases by January 2025Government takes steps to create awareness on POCSO Act provisions through Media, Workshops & Training

Update on bio-safety laboratories in the country

165 bio-safety laboratories, including 11 BSL-3 level labs and 154 BSL-2 level labs approved under the scheme “Setting up of a Nationwide Network of Laboratories for Managing Epidemics and National Calamities”

Measures taken by the government to use AI in the public health system

AIIMS Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS Rishikesh designated as ‘Centres of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence’ with an aim to promote development and use of AI based solutions in Health

Steps taken by the Government to ensure quality standards of food products

Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of various food products are conducted by FSSAI through State/UTs

Steps taken by the Government to expand healthcare infrastructure

PM-ABHIM enhancing public health infrastructure through investments in health centres, critical care beds, block public health units, and integrated district laboratories, focusing on improved rural healthcare access

One Billion Tonne: Strengthening India’s Energy Future!

Coal Production in the Country Crosses 1 BT Mark

754 Fast Track Courts, Including 404 POCSO Courts functional in 30 states, dispose over 3.06 Lakh cases by January 2025

Government takes steps to create awareness on POCSO Act provisions through Media, Workshops & Training