Category: Asia

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: PARLIAMENT QUESTION: JAL JEEVAN MISSION IN TAMIL NADU

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 4:54PM by PIB Delhi

Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu, to make provision of safe and adequate tap water supply to every rural household of the country.

As reported by the state of Tamil Nadu, as on 15.08.2019, only 21.76 lakh (17.37%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, around 89.08 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 13.03.2025, out of 1.25 crore rural households in state, the provision of tap water supply is available to approximately 1.10 crore (88.48%) rural households. The details of fund allocation, fund drawn and reported fund utilization during the last five years (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24) and current financial year 2024-25 (as on 13.03.2025) in respect of Tamil Nadu are as under:

(Amount in Rs. Crore)

Year	Central					Expenditure under State share
Year	Opening Balance	Allocation	Fund Drawn	Available Fund	Reported utilization	Expenditure under State share
2019-20	1.49	373.87	373.10	378.67	114.58	99.14
2020-21	264.09	921.99	690.36	954.45	576.87	399.57
2021-22	377.58	3,691.21	614.35	991.93	457.63	496.16
2022-23	534.30	4,015.00	872.96	1,407.26	593.71	664.36
2023-24	813.55	3,615.56	2,617.10	3,430.65	2,617.49	2,612.30
2024-25*	813.15	2,438.89	731.67	1,544.82	1,297.67	1,452.63

Source: JJM-IMIS *as on 13.03.2025

As reported by Tamil Nadu, the state has faced several challenges in implementation of JJM which includes absence of perennial rivers, presence of extensive hard rock strata with less ground water sources and 57% of the blocks falling under over-exploited, critical and semi-critical categories. To address these challenges and for sustainable water supply, the state government plans to connect every village in the state through a Combined Water Supply Scheme (CWSS) / Multi Village Schemes (MVS) with river and dam-based sources. In addition, regular review meetings are being conducted by state officials with the field engineers and contractors to speed up the progress of works under JJM.

As informed by the state government of Tamil Nadu, following measures are being taken to ensure long-term sustainability of rural water supply systems, especially in terms of maintenance and quality monitoring:

Performance based operations and maintenance (O&M) contract is implemented to ensure proper maintenance and supply of earmarked quantity of water upto tail end habitations. As per the performance-based contract, maintenance of CWSS including chemicals, attending the leaks, bursts and ensuring the supply of earmarked quantity to be beneficiaries will be responsibility of the contractor.
To ensure quality monitoring, TWAD PMS software is used for O&M schemes in which details such as daily pumping quantity, beneficiary wise supply, leaks and bursts, etc., are being reported and monitored at the highest level.
The O&M monitoring cell has been established at the Head Office of TWAD Board to collect feedback from five randomly selected village panchayats each day, in order to ascertain the field reality in maintenance of water supply schemes.
An Emergency Information Response Centre (EIRC) is constituted at the TWAD Board, Head office to receive any complaints related to Bulk Water supply.
Single village schemes and in-village components of Multi Village Schemes are maintained by the village panchayats / VWSC concerned with the technical guidance from RD&PR Department.
One candidate per village panchayat are being trained under Nal Jal Mitra Multi skilling programme so as to maintain the SVS / in-village components by the VPs.

Further, as reported by state of Tamil Nadu on JJM-IMIS, there are 113 drinking water quality testing laboratories in the state to encourage water quality testing to ensure potable drinking water supply. Also, to empower the communities to monitor the water quality, States/ UTs have also been advised to identify and train 5 persons, preferably women, in every village to conduct water quality. So far, the state of Tamil Nadu has trained 62,898 women for FTK testing.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI, SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

*****

Dhanya Sanal K

Director

(Rajya Sabha US Q1840)

(Release ID: 2111864) Visitor Counter : 129

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Launch

Source: NASA

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Dragon spacecraft is launched on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov onboard, Friday, March 14, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission is the tenth crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. McClain, Ayers, Onishi, and Peskov launched at 7:03 p.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA Kennedy to begin a six-month mission aboard the orbital outpost.
Image Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani

MIL OSI USA News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: New Modeling Assesses Age of Next Target Asteroid for NASA’s Lucy

Source: NASA

Although NASA’s Lucy spacecraft’s upcoming encounter with the asteroid Donaldjohanson is primarily a mission rehearsal for later asteroid encounters, a new paper suggests that this small, main belt asteroid may have some surprises of its own. New modeling indicates that Donaldjohanson may have been formed about 150 million years ago when a larger parent asteroid broke apart; its orbit and spin properties have undergone significant evolution since.

When the Lucy spacecraft flies by this approximately three-mile-wide space rock on April 20, 2025, the data collected could provide independent insights on such processes based on its shape, surface geology and cratering history.
“Based on ground-based observations, Donaldjohanson appears to be a peculiar object,” said Simone Marchi, deputy principal investigator for Lucy of Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado and lead author of the research published in The Planetary Science Journal. “Understanding the formation of Donaldjohanson could help explain its peculiarities.”
“Data indicates that it could be quite elongated and a slow rotator, possibly due to thermal torques that have slowed its spin over time,” added David Vokrouhlický, a professor at the Charles University, Prague, and co-author of the research.
Lucy’s target is a common type of asteroid, composed of silicate rocks and perhaps containing clays and organic matter. The new paper indicates that Donaldjohanson is a likely member of the Erigone collisional asteroid family, a group of asteroids on similar orbits that was created when a larger parent asteroid broke apart. The family originated in the inner main belt not very far from the source regions of the near-Earth asteroids Bennu and Ryugu, recently visited respectively by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s) Hayabusa2 missions.
“We can hardly wait for the flyby because, as of now, Donaldjohanson’s characteristics appear very distinct from Bennu and Ryugu. Yet, we may uncover unexpected connections,” added Marchi.
“It’s exciting to put together what we’ve been able to glean about this asteroid,” said Keith Noll, Lucy project scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “But Earth-based observing and theoretical models can only take us so far – to validate these models and get to the next level of detail we need close-up data. Lucy’s upcoming flyby will give us that.”
Donaldjohanson is named for the paleontologist who discovered Lucy, the fossilized skeleton of an early hominin found in Ethiopia in 1974, which is how the Lucy mission got its name. Just as the Lucy fossil provided unique insights into the origin of humanity, the Lucy mission promises to revolutionize our knowledge of the origin of humanity’s home world. Donaldjohanson is the only named asteroid so far to be visited while its namesake is still living.
“Lucy is an ambitious NASA mission, with plans to visit 11 asteroids in its 12-year mission to tour the Trojan asteroids that are located in two swarms leading and trailing Jupiter,” said SwRI’s Dr. Hal Levison, mission principal investigator at the Boulder, Colorado branch of Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. “Encounters with main belt asteroids not only provide a close-up view of those bodies but also allow us to perform engineering tests of the spacecraft’s innovative navigation system before the main event to study the Trojans. These relics are effectively fossils of the planet formation process, holding vital clues to deciphering the history of our solar system.”
Lucy’s principal investigator is based out of the Boulder, Colorado, branch of Southwest Research Institute, headquartered in San Antonio. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provides overall mission management, systems engineering, and safety and mission assurance. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built the spacecraft. Lucy is the 13th mission in NASA’s Discovery Program. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Discovery Program for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.
By Deb Schmid and Katherine Kretke, Southwest Research Institute
Media Contact:Karen Fox / Molly WasserHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov
Nancy N. JonesNASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI: Hallador Energy Company Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial and Operating Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

– Q4 2024 Total Revenue of $94.2 Million; FY’24 Total Revenue of $404.4 Million –
– Q4 2024 Operating Cash Flow up Materially to $32.5 Million; FY’24 Operating Cash Flow of $65.9 Million –
– Q4 2024 Adjusted EBITDA up ~3x YoY to $6.2 Million; FY’24 Adjusted EBITDA of $16.8 Million –

TERRE HAUTE, Ind., March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hallador Energy Company (Nasdaq: HNRG) (“Hallador” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

“2024 was a transformative year for Hallador as we continued our evolution from a bituminous coal producer to a vertically integrated independent power producer (“IPP”), while also advancing our products and services up the energy value chain,” said Brent Bilsland, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This deliberate transition aligns with market trends and reflects our conviction in the superior economics of the IPP business model. In fall 2024, we reached an important milestone in our transformation by signing a non-binding term sheet with a leading global data center developer on a transaction that would, if completed, sell a majority of our power production and accredited capacity at enhanced margins for more than a decade to come. We are making meaningful progress toward finalizing definitive agreements for this transaction within the exclusivity period that runs from January through early June 2025, further strengthened by our partner’s commitment to pay up to $5 million during this period. While navigating these complex transactions requires coordination across multiple stakeholders and while there can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be entered into, we remain encouraged by our partner’s commitment and believe this strategic partnership will drive long-term value for our shareholders.”

“The ongoing industry shift from dispatchable generators, such as coal and natural gas, to non-dispatchable resources like wind and solar, has increased the value of our Hallador Power subsidiary due to the enhanced reliability, resilience and consistency that we provide over the less predictable non-dispatchables. At the same time, the retirement of coal-based generation has reduced demand for coal supply, impacting the value of our Sunrise Coal subsidiary. In anticipation of these market dynamics, we proactively reduced production volume and shifted our focus away from the higher cost coal reserves, which lowered our operational cash costs in the fourth quarter. These strategic actions along with lower long-term coal price projections resulted in a fourth-quarter non-cash write-down of Sunrise Coal’s carrying value by approximately $215 million, which underscores the foresight of our transition to power generation in the coming years.”

Bilsland continued, “Looking ahead, our focus remains on maximizing the value of our Merom Power Plant while actively pursuing opportunities to acquire additional dispatchable generators that can add durability, scale, and geographic expansion to our electric operations. Additionally, we are forging strong relationships with sophisticated counterparties to secure favorable collateral terms and effectively manage our forward power sales in 2025 and 2026, which we believe will enhance our financial flexibility in the short to medium term. During 2024, we also reduced our bank debt by more than 50% to $44 million at year-end. We are excited about our continued transformation from a commodity-focused coal producer to an IPP with a secure fuel supply, a strategy we believe will unlock expanding energy market margins, drive sustainable growth, and enhance cash flow generation for our shareholders.”

Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights

Hallador advanced its restructuring efforts for its subsidiary Sunrise Coal, focusing on production optimization and cost reductions to strengthen its operations.
- During 2024, the Company reduced its coal production volume by approximately 40% and shifted its focus away from the higher cost portions of its coal reserves. This optimization of coal production reduced Hallador’s operational cash cost structure to better align its coal strategy to support its internal electric generation.
- As a result of reducing coal production, optimizing its reserve base, and the declining price of contracted coal sales, Hallador realized an approximate $215 million non-cash write down in the fourth quarter associated with the carrying value of its Sunrise Coal subsidiary.
The Company continues to shift its revenue mix to prioritize electric sales as an independent power producer.
- Fourth quarter electric sales were $69.7 million or 74% of total Q4 revenue, compared to $37.1 million or 31% of total Q4 revenue in the year-ago period.
- Fourth quarter Coal sales were $23.4 million or 25% of total revenue, compared to $81.3 million or 68% of total revenue in the year-ago period.
Hallador continues to focus on forward sales to secure its energy position.
- At year-end, Hallador had total forward energy, capacity and coal sales to 3rd party customers of $1.1 billion through 2029, up from $937.2 million at the end of the third quarter.
- Subsequent to year end, Hallador signed an exclusive commitment agreement with a leading global data center developer, effective January 2, 2025. This agreement is in furtherance of the previously announced non-binding term sheet signed during the third quarter of 2024, reflecting an important milestone as both the Company and the developer seek to finalize a definitive transaction agreement to support the delivery of energy and capacity (through a utility partner) to a potential data center development within the State of Indiana. The completion of this proposed transaction is subject to, among other matters, the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and there can be no assurance that definitive agreements will be entered into or that the proposed transaction will be consummated on the terms or timeframe currently contemplated, or at all.
The Company continues to strengthen its balance sheet.
- Total bank debt was $44.0 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $70.0 million at September 30, 2024 and $91.5 million at December 31, 2023.
- Total liquidity was $37.8 million at December 31, 2024 compared to $34.9 million at September 30, 2024 and $26.2 million at December 31, 2023.


Financial Summary ($ in Millions and Unaudited)

	Q1 2024			Q2 2024			Q3 2024			Q4 2024
Electric Sales	$	60.7		$	59.4		$	71.7		$	69.7
Coal Sales– 3^rd Party	$	49.6		$	32.8		$	31.7		$	23.3
Other Revenue	$	1.3		$	1.0		$	1.4		$	1.8
Total Operating Revenue	$	111.6		$	93.2		$	104.8		$	94.8
Net Income (Loss)	$	(1.7	)	$	(10.2	)	$	1.6		$	(215.8	)
Operating Cash Flow	$	18.5		$	26.1		$	(11.2	)	$	32.5
Adjusted EBITDA*	$	6.8		$	(5.8	)	$	9.6		$	6.2

_________________________________

_*_{Non-GAAP financial measure, defined as operating cash flows} _{less effects of certain subsidiary and equity method investment activity, plus bank interest, less effects of working capital period changes, plus other amortization}

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Our method of computing Adjusted EBITDA may not be the same method used to compute similar measures reported by other companies.

Management believes the non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, is an important measure in analyzing our liquidity and is a key component of certain material covenants contained within our Credit Agreement, specifically the minimum quarterly EBITDA. Noncompliance with the covenants could result in our lenders requiring the Company to immediately repay all amounts borrowed. If we cannot satisfy these financial covenants, we would be prohibited under our Credit Agreement from engaging in certain activities, such as incurring additional indebtedness, making certain payments, and acquiring and disposing of assets. Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is critical to the assessment of our liquidity. The required amount of Adjusted EBITDA is a variable based on our debt outstanding and/or required debt payments at the time of the quarterly calculation based on a rolling prior 12-month period.

Reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure, Adjusted EBITDA, to Income (Loss) before Income taxes, the most comparable GAAP measure, is as follows (in thousands) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.


Reconciliation of GAAP “Income (Loss) before Income Taxes” to non-GAAP “Adjusted EBITDA” (In $ Thousands and Unaudited)

	Year Ended
	December 31,
	2024			2023
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	(226,138	)	$	44,793
Interest expense		13,850			13,711
Income tax expense (benefit)		(9,404	)		4,465
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		65,626			67,211
EBITDA		(156,066	)		130,180
Other operating revenue		(275	)		10
Stock-based compensation		4,454			3,554
Asset impairment		215,136			—
Asset retirement obligations accretion		1,628			1,804
Other amortization		(46,310	)		(30,613	)
(Gain) loss on disposal or abandonment of assets, net		(50	)		398
Loss on extinguishment of debt		2,790			1,491
Equity method investment (loss)		746			552
Settlement of litigation		2,750			—
Other reclassifications		(8,043	)		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	16,760		$	107,376


Solid Forward Sales Position – Segment Basis, Before Intercompany Eliminations (unaudited):

	2025		2026		2027		2028		2029		Total
Power
Energy
Contracted MWh (in millions)		4.25		3.36		1.78		1.09		0.27		10.75
Average contracted price per MWh	$	37.24	$	44.43	$	54.66	$	52.94	$	51.33
Contracted revenue (in millions)	$	158.27	$	149.28	$	97.29	$	57.70	$	13.86	$	476.40

Capacity
Average daily contracted capacity MWh		773		727		623		454		100
Average contracted capacity price per MWd	$	201	$	230	$	226	$	225	$	230
Contracted capacity revenue (in millions)	$	55.95	$	61.12	$	51.40	$	37.33	$	3.47	$	209.27

Total Energy & Capacity Revenue

Contracted Power revenue (in millions)	$	214.22	$	210.40	$	148.69	$	95.03	$	17.33	$	685.67

Coal
Priced tons – 3rd party (in millions)		2.95		2.50		2.50		0.50		—		8.45
Avg price per ton – 3rd party	$	51.04	$	55.49	$	56.74	$	59.00	$	—
Contracted coal revenue – 3rd party (in millions)	$	150.57	$	138.73	$	141.85	$	29.50	$	—	$	460.65

TOTAL CONTRACTED REVENUE (IN MILLIONS) – CONSOLIDATED	$	364.79	$	349.13	$	290.54	$	124.53	$	17.33	$	1,146.32

Priced tons – Intercompany (in millions)		2.30		2.30		2.30		2.30		—		9.20
Avg price per ton – Intercompany	$	51.00	$	51.00	$	51.00	$	51.00	$	—
Contracted coal revenue – Intercompany (in millions)	$	117.30	$	117.30	$	117.30	$	117.30	$	—	$	469.20

TOTAL CONTRACTED REVENUE (IN MILLIONS) – SEGMENT	$	482.09	$	466.43	$	407.84	$	241.83	$	17.33	$	1,615.52

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act“), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act“). Statements that are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements and may often, but not always, be identified by the use of such words such as “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “guidance,” “target,” “potential,” “possible,” or “probable” or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “will,” “should,” or “could” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to our ability to execute definitive agreements with respect to the non-binding term sheet with a leading global data center developer. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by Hallador and its management in light of experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate under the circumstances that involve various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Hallador’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Hallador undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Conference Call and Webcast

Hallador management will host a conference call on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial and operational results, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
Time: 5:30 p.m. Eastern time
Dial-in registration link: here
Live webcast registration link: here

The conference call will also be broadcast live and available for replay in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.halladorenergy.com.


Hallador Energy Company Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets As of December 31, (in thousands) (unaudited)

	2024			2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,232		$	2,842
Restricted cash		4,921			4,281
Accounts receivable		15,438			19,937
Inventory		36,685			23,075
Parts and supplies		39,104			38,877
Prepaid expenses		1,478			2,262
Assets held-for-sale		—			1,540
Total current assets		104,858			92,814
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and mineral rights		70,307			115,486
Buildings and equipment		429,857			537,131
Mine development		92,458			158,642
Finance lease right-of-use assets		13,034			12,346
Total property, plant and equipment		605,656			823,605
Less – accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization		(347,952	)		(334,971	)
Total property, plant and equipment, net		257,704			488,634
Equity method investments		2,607			2,811
Other assets		3,951			5,521
Total assets	$	369,120		$	589,780

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of bank debt, net	$	4,095		$	24,438
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		44,298			62,908
Current portion of lease financing		6,912			3,933
Contract liabilities – current		97,598			66,316
Total current liabilities		152,903			157,595
Long-term liabilities:
Bank debt, net		37,394			63,453
Convertible notes payable		—			10,000
Convertible notes payable – related party		—			9,000
Long-term lease financing		8,749			8,157
Deferred income taxes		—			9,235
Asset retirement obligations		14,957			14,538
Contract liabilities – long-term		49,121			47,425
Other		1,711			1,789
Total long-term liabilities		111,932			163,597
Total liabilities		264,835			321,192
Commitments and contingencies (Note 22)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; none issued		—			—
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 42,621 and 34,052 issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		426			341
Additional paid-in capital		189,298			127,548
Retained earnings (deficit)		(85,439	)		140,699
Total stockholders’ equity		104,285			268,588
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	369,120		$	589,780


Hallador Energy Company Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations For the years ended December 31, (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)

	2024			2023
SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES:
Electric sales	$	261,527		$	267,927
Coal sales		137,448			361,926
Other revenues		5,419			5,025
Total sales and operating revenues		404,394			634,878
EXPENSES:
Fuel		49,343			103,388
Other operating and maintenance costs		118,364			199,855
Cost of purchased power		10,888			—
Utilities		15,914			17,730
Labor		116,164			152,417
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		65,626			67,211
Asset retirement obligations accretion		1,628			1,804
Exploration costs		260			904
General and administrative		26,527			26,159
Asset impairment		215,136			—
(Gain) loss on disposal or abandonment of assets, net		(50	)		398
Settlement of litigation		2,750			—
Total operating expenses		622,550			569,866

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS		(218,156	)		65,012

Interest expense (1)		(13,850	)		(13,711	)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(2,790	)		(1,491	)
Equity method investment (loss)		(746	)		(552	)
NET INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(235,542	)		49,258

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT):
Current		(169	)		(164	)
Deferred		(9,235	)		4,629
Total income tax expense (benefit)		(9,404	)		4,465

NET INCOME (LOSS)	$	(226,138	)	$	44,793

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Basic	$	(5.72	)	$	1.35
Diluted	$	(5.72	)	$	1.25

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		39,504			33,133
Diluted		39,504			36,827


Hallador Energy Company Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the years ended December 31, (in thousands) (unaudited)

	2024			2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$	(226,138	)	$	44,793
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax (benefit)		(9,235	)		4,629
Equity method investment (loss)		746			552
Cash distribution – equity method investment		—			625
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		65,626			67,211
Asset impairment		215,136			—
Loss on extinguishment of debt		2,790			1,491
(Gain) loss on disposal or abandonment of assets, net		(50	)		398
Amortization of debt issuance costs		1,747			3,233
Asset retirement obligations accretion		1,628			1,804
Cash paid on asset retirement obligation reclamation		(1,407	)		(3,384	)
Stock-based compensation		4,454			3,554
Amortization of contract asset and contract liabilities		(70,203	)		(97,018	)
Director fees paid in stock		150			—
Change in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		4,499			9,952
Inventory		(13,610	)		15,548
Parts and supplies		(227	)		(10,582	)
Prepaid expenses		784			1,186
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(14,580	)		(18,992	)
Contract liabilities		103,181			33,804
Other		643			610
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	65,934		$	59,414


Hallador Energy Company Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the years ended December 31, (in thousands) (continued) (unaudited)

	2024			2023
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	$	(53,367	)	$	(75,352	)
Proceeds from sale of equipment		4,239			62
Proceeds from held-for-sale assets		3,200			—
Investment in equity method investments		(542	)		—
Net cash used in investing activities		(46,470	)		(75,290	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on bank debt		(147,000	)		(59,713	)
Borrowings of bank debt		99,500			66,000
Payments on lease financing		(5,633	)		—
Proceeds from sale and leaseback arrangement		5,134			11,082
Issuance of related party notes payable		5,000			—
Payments on related party notes payable		(5,000	)		—
Debt issuance costs		(673	)		(6,013	)
ATM offering		34,515			7,318
Taxes paid on vesting of RSUs		(277	)		(2,101	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(14,434	)		16,573
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash		5,030			697
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of year		7,123			6,426
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year	$	12,153		$	7,123

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,232		$	2,842
Restricted cash		4,921			4,281
	$	12,153		$	7,123

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest	$	10,511		$	9,966

SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Change in capital expenditures included in accounts payable and prepaid expense	$	356		$	1,882

About Hallador Energy Company

Hallador Energy Company (Nasdaq: HNRG) is a vertically-integrated Independent Power Producer (IPP) based in Terre Haute, Indiana. The Company has two core businesses: Hallador Power Company, LLC, which produces electricity and capacity at its one Gigawatt (GW) Merom Generating Station, and Sunrise Coal, LLC, which produces and supplies fuel to the Merom Generating Station and other companies. To learn more about Hallador, visit the Company’s website at http://www.halladorenergy.com/.

Company Contact

Marjorie Hargrave
Chief Financial Officer
(303) 917-0777
MHargrave@halladorenergy.com

Investor Relations Contact

Sean Mansouri, CFA
Elevate IR
(720) 330-2829
HNRG@elevate-ir.com

The MIL Network –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Is Delivering Needed Economic Relief

US Senate News:

Source: The White House
Americans are continuing to see the benefits as the economic agenda of President Donald J. Trump and his administration comes into focus. After years of soaring prices and economic pain, the Trump Administration’s focus on cutting regulations and unleashing American energy is leading to stability for Americans’ bottom lines.
EGGS: The average wholesale price of eggs recorded another huge drop today as the Trump Administration fulfills its plan for long-term affordability by reversing the previous administration’s flawed approach.
On January 21, 2025, the wholesale price for eggs was $6.55/dozen; today, it’s $3.45/dozen — a $3.10/dozen (–47.3%) decrease.
The average wholesale price for eggs has declined for three straight weeks.
GAS: The nationwide average for gas continues falling as the Trump Administration implements its American energy agenda.
The nationwide average for gas has declined for four straight weeks — down ten cents from one month ago and 42 cents from one year ago.
More than two-thirds of gas stations in the U.S. have gas at $2.99/gallon or less, according to GasBuddy.
Average gas prices are currently at their lowest level for March in four years. At this point in Biden’s presidency, gas prices had already gone up 49 cents.
Average prices are below $3/gallon in a majority of states.
Alabama: Today: $2.74; One year ago: $3.18; Record: $4.63 (6/14/22)
Alaska: Today: $3.39; One year ago: $3.80; Record: $5.61 (6/19/22)
Arizona: Today: $3.34; One year ago: $3.71; Record: $5.39 (6/17/22)
Arkansas: Today: $2.72; One year ago: $3.08; Record: $4.54 (6/14/22)
California: Today: $4.66; One year ago: $4.90; Record: $6.44 (6/14/22)
Colorado: Today: $2.93; One year ago: $3.06; Record: $4.92 (6/21/22)
Connecticut: Today: $3.00; One year ago: $3.36; Record: $4.98 (6/14/22)
Delaware: Today: $2.87; One year ago: $3.29; Record: $4.99 (6/14/22)
District of Columbia: Today: $3.20; One year ago: $3.61; Record: $5.26 (6/13/22)
Florida: Today: $3.10; One year ago: $3.47; Record: $4.89 (6/13/22)
Georgia: Today: $2.89; One year ago: $3.36; Record: $4.50 (6/15/22)
Hawaii: Today: $4.52; One year ago: $4.69; Record: $5.62 (7/9/22)
Idaho: Today: $3.18; One year ago: $3.37; Record: $5.25 (7/1/22)
Illinois: Today: $3.24; One year ago: $3.71; Record: $5.56 (6/13/22)
Indiana: Today: $2.93; One year ago: $3.53; Record: $5.24 (6/9/22)
Iowa: Today: $2.88; One year ago: $3.19; Record: $4.76 (6/15/22)
Kansas: Today: $2.79; One year ago: $3.16; Record: $4.67 (6/15/22)
Kentucky: Today: $2.68; One year ago: $3.14; Record: $4.80 (6/11/22)
Louisiana: Today: $2.71; One year ago: $3.13; Record: $4.56 (6/15/22)
Maine: Today: $3.03; One year ago: $3.28; Record: $5.09 (6/16/22)
Maryland: Today: $3.02; One year ago: $3.51; Record: $5.02 (6/14/22)
Massachusetts: Today: $2.96; One year ago: $3.25; Record: $5.05 (6/12/22)
Michigan: Today: $3.03; One year ago: $3.64; Record: $5.22 (6/11/22)
Minnesota: Today: $2.96; One year ago: $3.21; Record: $4.76 (6/15/22)
Mississippi: Today: $2.63; One year ago: $3.03; Record: $4.53 (6/12/22)
Missouri: Today: $2.79; One year ago: $3.21; Record: $4.68 (6/16/22)
Montana: Today: $3.11; One year ago: $3.48; Record: $4.98 (6/19/22)
Nebraska: Today: $2.93; One year ago: $3.19; Record: $4.79 (6/17/22)
Nevada: Today: $3.73; One year ago: $4.18; Record: $5.68 (6/16/22)
New Hampshire: Today: $2.92; One year ago: $3.18; Record: $5.00 (6/13/22)
New Jersey: Today: $2.91; One year ago: $3.25; Record: $5.06 (6/13/22)
New Mexico: Today: $2.83; One year ago: $3.25; Record: $4.83 (6/15/22)
New York: Today: $3.11; One year ago: $3.37; Record: $5.04 (6/14/22)
North Carolina: Today: $2.75; One year ago: $3.32; Record: $4.67 (6/13/22)
North Dakota: Today: $2.99; One year ago: $3.30; Record: $4.80 (6/15/22)
Ohio: Today: $2.90; One year ago: $3.22; Record: $5.07 (6/9/22)
Oklahoma: Today: $2.66; One year ago: $3.08; Record: $4.67 (6/15/22)
Oregon: Today: $3.72; One year ago: $4.06; Record: $5.55 (6/15/22)
Pennsylvania: Today: $3.21; One year ago: $3.58; Record: $5.07 (6/12/22)
Rhode Island: Today: $2.92; One year ago: $3.21; Record: $5.02 (6/13/22)
South Carolina: Today: $2.72; One year ago: $3.24; Record: $4.61 (6/12/22)
South Dakota: Today: $2.93; One year ago: $3.23; Record: $4.80 (6/16/22)
Tennessee: Today: $2.70; One year ago: $3.09; Record: $4.64 (6/12/22)
Texas: Today: $2.65; One year ago: $3.07; Record: $4.70 (6/15/22)
Utah: Today: $3.03; One year ago: $3.34; Record: $5.26 (7/1/22)
Vermont: Today: $3.13; One year ago: $3.30; Record: $5.06 (6/14/22)
Virginia: Today: $2.89; One year ago: $3.37; Record: $4.87 (6/14/22)
Washington: Today: $4.08; One year ago: $4.30; Record: $5.56 (6/16/22)
West Virginia: Today: $2.85; One year ago: $3.26; Record: $4.93 (6/15/22)
Wisconsin: Today: $2.87; One year ago: $3.32; Record: $4.92 (6/12/22)
Wyoming: Today: $3.01; One year ago: $3.11; Record: $4.90 (7/1/22)

And it hasn’t even been 60 days since President Trump began his second term.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ENISA agreement with the Republic of Korea – E-001002/2025

Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer E-001002/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
César Luena (S&D)

Cyber threats have no borders and to combat them it is imperative to cooperate with regions and countries with which we share the values of defence of democracy and freedom and which respect human rights and the rule of law.

In this regard, in 2023, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) signed agreements in the areas of capacity building, exchange of best practices and increasing situational awareness with its counterparts in Ukraine as well as with the US Agency for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security (CISA).

In 2024, following the second Digital Partnership Council, the EU and the Republic of Korea agreed to continue cooperation in the area of cybersecurity. The 2024 review of the Republic of Korea’s cybersecurity strategy includes joint cybersecurity actions with like-minded countries.

Given that Russia, China and North Korea are carrying out increasingly aggressive and sophisticated criminal cyber activities that also affect the EU:

Does the Commission intend to encourage ENISA to sign an agreement with the Republic of Korea similar to those signed with Ukraine and the US?

Submitted: 7.3.2025

Last updated: 17 March 2025

MIL OSI Europe News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister attends Raisina Dialogue 2025

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 10:29PM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today attended Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi.

The Prime Minister, Shri Modi wrote on X;

“Attended the @raisinadialogue and heard the insightful views of my friend, PM Christopher Luxon.

@chrisluxonmp”

***

MJPS/ST

(Release ID: 2112061) Visitor Counter : 40

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon visit Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 10:26PM by PIB Delhi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in New Delhi. Sharing some glimpses about this visit, Shri Modi said that the Sikh community’s unwavering commitment to service and humanity is truly admirable across the world.

The Prime Minister posted on X;

“Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and I visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, a place of profound faith and history. The Sikh community’s unwavering commitment to service and humanity is truly admirable across the world.

@chrisluxonmp”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and I visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, a place of profound faith and history. The Sikh community’s unwavering commitment to service and humanity is truly admirable across the world.@chrisluxonmp pic.twitter.com/RNLfuz5ul2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 17, 2025

“Some more glimpses from Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

@chrisluxonmp”

***

MJPS/ST

(Release ID: 2112060) Visitor Counter : 51

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SED mourns passing of Dr Lee Shau-kee

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

SED mourns passing of Dr Lee Shau-kee
Dr Choi said, “Over the past decades, Dr Lee had exhibited extensive generosity in setting up the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation and the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, donating to various tertiary institutions, and secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong and Mainland China for campus expansion, facility improvements, and the establishment of various scholarships that have benefited numerous students. The education sector is deeply inspired by Dr Lee’s commitment to the country, his passion for education and dedication to nurturing outstanding talent.”

Dr Choi firmly believed that the philanthropist, who had made enormous contributions to the community, will be remembered fondly by Hong Kong people.
Issued at HKT 23:51

NNNN

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

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

Source: Government of India (2)

U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

PM warmly recalls his extremely productive discussions with President Trump in Washington D.C.

PM reflects on his interaction with Ms. Tulsi Gabbard during his visit to the U.S. and appreciates her role in strengthening cooperation

PM notes the special significance of her visit as the first visit to India from the U.S. in President Trump’s second term

PM conveys warm greetings to President Trump and says that he looks forward to welcoming him to India later this year

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:52PM by PIB Delhi

U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.

Prime Minister warmly recalled his visit to Washington D.C. last month and his extremely productive discussions with President Trump.

Prime Minister also reflected on his interaction with Ms. Tulsi Gabbard during his visit to the U.S. and appreciated her crucial role in strengthening cooperation in defence, critical technologies, counter-terrorism and addressing global challenges.

Prime Minister noted the special significance of her visit as the first high-level visit to India from the U.S. in President Trump’s second term.

Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings to President Trump and said that he and 1.4 billion people of India looked forward to welcoming him to India later this year.

***

MJPS/VJ

(Release ID: 2112036) Visitor Counter : 79

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves acquisition of steel-making coal portfolio of Anglo American plc in Australia by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd and Peabody SMC Pty Ltd

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:35PM by PIB Delhi

The Competition Commission of India has approved acquisition of steel-making coal portfolio of Anglo-American plc in Australia by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd and Peabody SMC Pty Ltd.

The proposed transaction involves the acquisition by Peabody MNG Pty Ltd (Peabody MNG) and Peabody SMC Pty Ltd (Peabody SMC) (collectively, Acquirers), of a portion of assets and businesses associated with Anglo American plc’s (Anglo) steel-making coal portfolio in Australia (Proposed Combination).

The Acquirers are newly incorporated special purpose vehicles formed for the purposes of the Proposed Combination. Each of them is ultimately owned by Peabody Energy Corporation (Peabody). Peabody, [together with its affiliates, (the Peabody Group)], the ultimate parent company of the Peabody Group, is a global producer and supplier of metallurgical and thermal coal. The Peabody Group’s activities in India are primarily focused on the sales of coal by way of imports.

The assets being acquired as part of the Proposed Combination consist of a portion of Anglo’s assets and businesses associated with its steel-making coal portfolio in Australia (Target Business). The Target Business is currently owned and controlled by Anglo and its subsidiaries, which is a global mining company. In India, the Target Business supplies coal by way of imports.

Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

*****

NB/AD

(Release ID: 2112022) Visitor Counter : 27

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding of O2 Power Midco Holdings Pte. Ltd. and O2 Energy SG Pte. Ltd. by JSW Neo Energy Limited.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:34PM by PIB Delhi

The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of 100% shareholding of O2 Power Midco Holdings Pte. Ltd. and O2 Energy SG Pte. Ltd. by JSW Neo Energy Limited.

The Proposed Combination involves the acquisition by JSW Neo Energy Limited of 100% shareholding of O2 Power Midco Holdings Pte. Ltd. (O2 Midco) and O2 Energy SG Pte. Ltd. (O2 Energy).

JSW Neo Energy Limited (JSW Neo/Acquirer), is a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Energy Limited (JEL) (a listed entity) which belongs to the JSW Group. JEL (through its subsidiaries) is inter alia engaged in power generation and transmission through conventional and nonconventional sources.

O2 Power Midco Holdings Pte. Ltd. and O2 Energy SG Pte. Ltd. (collectively, referred as Targets), through their subsidiaries, are engaged in renewable power generation (wind and solar power generation).

Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

*****

NB/AD

(Release ID: 2112020) Visitor Counter : 32

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the proposed acquisition of shareholding in Dhoot Transmission Private Limited by BC Asia Investments XV Limited and BC Asia Investments XVI Limited

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:34PM by PIB Delhi

The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of shareholding in Dhoot Transmission Private Limited by BC Asia Investments XV Limited and BC Asia Investments XVI Limited.

The proposed combination envisages acquisition of shareholding in Dhoot Transmission Private Limited (DTPL) by BC Asia Investments XV Limited and BC Asia Investments XVI Limited. Certain inter-connected transaction is also envisaged.

BC Asia Investments XV Limited and BC Asia Investments XVI Limited are indirectly owned and controlled by funds managed and/or advised by Bain Capital Partners LLC (Bain Capital). Bain Capital is a private equity investment firm that invests, through its family of funds.

DTPL is engaged in the manufacturing and sale of auto-components in the electrical and electronics category (E & E Category) such as, wiring harnesses, automotive switches, electronic sensors and controllers (Flashers 24V), connectors, terminals, automotive cables, power cords, etc., to Original Equipment Manufacturers. DTPL also supplies wiring harnesses to the medical devices industry and the consumer durables industry.

Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

*****

NB/AD

(Release ID: 2112021) Visitor Counter : 24

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves acquisition of Uprising Science Private Limited by Hindustan Unilever Limited

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:33PM by PIB Delhi

The Competition Commission of India has approved acquisition of Uprising Science Private Limited by Hindustan Unilever Limited.

The proposed transaction involves the acquisition by Hindustan Unilever Limited (Acquirer/HUL), of 90.5% shareholding of Uprising Science Private Limited (Target), with eventual acquisition of the remaining 9.5% shareholding of the Target in about two years from the completion date as per the terms set out in the Share Purchase & Subscription Agreement executed by and between HUL and the Target.

The Acquirer is involved in the business of manufacture and sale of: (a) home care products; (b) beauty & personal care products; (c) food products and refreshments. The Acquirer has over 50+ brands spanning distinct categories and includes Lux, Surf Excel, Fair & Lovely, Lakme, Knorr, Kwality Wall’s, Brooke Bond, BRU among others.

The Target is engaged in the manufacture and sale of beauty and personal care products such as skin care & body care products, baby care products and hair care products.

Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

*****

NB/AD

(Release ID: 2112019) Visitor Counter : 28

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CCI approves the acquisition of certain additional shareholding in Tata Play Limited (Tata Play) by Tata Sons Private Limited (Tata Sons) from Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd.

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:32PM by PIB Delhi

The Competition Commission of India has approved the acquisition of certain additional shareholding in Tata Play Limited (Tata Play) by Tata Sons Private Limited (Tata Sons) from Baytree Investments (Mauritius) Pte Ltd.

The Proposed Combination involves the acquisition of 10% shareholding in Tata Play by Tata Sons.

Tata Sons is an investment holding company, which is registered as a core investment company with the Reserve Bank of India and classified as a “Systemically Important Non-Deposit Taking Core Investment Company”.

Tata Play, formerly known as Tata Sky, is one of India’s leading content distribution platforms providing Pay TV and Over-the-top (OTT) services. It provides Direct-to-Home (DTH) television, offering broadcaster’s satellite television channels and platform services across genres and languages. Tata Play also provides Tata Play Binge, an OTT platform that brings diverse and popular OTT apps on a single user interface.

Detailed order of the Commission will follow.

*****

NB/AD

(Release ID: 2112017) Visitor Counter : 35

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and WhatsApp Join Forces to Combat Misuse of Telecom resources for Digital Frauds and Scams

Source: Government of India

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and WhatsApp Join Forces to Combat Misuse of Telecom resources for Digital Frauds and Scams

The partnership aims to enhance digital safety through training workshops and citizen awareness campaigns.

‘Scam Se Bacho,’ campaign against online scams and spam

All user safety materials will be translated into regional languages to maximize accessibility

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:29PM by PIB Delhi

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) collaborates with WhatsApp to extend ‘Scam Se Bacho,’ Meta’s safety campaign against online scams and spam. As part of the collaboration, DoT and WhatsApp will work together to educate citizens on identifying & reporting suspected fraud communications in an effort to enhance digital safety and awareness.

DoT has taken various Initiatives to prevent misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial frauds. A citizen centric Sanchar Saathi initiative in the form of portal (https://sancharsaathi.gov.in) & Mobile App has been developed to empower citizens to report suspect suspected fraud calls/messages, know their mobile connections and Block & Trace lost/ stolen mobile handsets among other facilities. Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) of DOT exchange bidirectional digital intelligence with 550 stakeholders like banks, LEAs, about misuse of telecom resources and subsequent action.

In a significant step to enhance digital safety and awareness on ground, the initiative will include train-the-trainer workshops for DoT officials, Sanchar Mitras, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), and field units. WhatsApp will also work with DoT to explore ways to build citizen centric services of Sanchar Saathi initiatives through WhatsApp platform for wider reach of Sanchar Saathi.

Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta met the Union Minister of Communication and Development of North East Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia today and discussed the effectiveness of ongoing collaboration of DoT and Meta. WhatsApp is collaborating with Digital Intelligence Unit of DoT and using the information provided by through DIP for proactive action on misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial frauds.

Commenting on the partnership, the Union Minister of Communication and Development of North East Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia said, “As India advances on its path of digital transformation, ensuring the safety and security of our citizens remains a top priority. Our partnership with Meta strengthens this commitment to protect our people from fraudulent communications and cyber threats. By harnessing WhatsApp’s vast digital reach, we are strengthening efforts to ensure that our digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient for all”

Joel Kaplan, Chief Global Affairs Officer, Meta, added, “The best way to stop people falling victim to scams and online fraud is to make sure they know what to look out for and what they can do to stay safe. That’s why Meta invests a great deal in technology and resources to try and stay ahead of the scammers and give people the information they need. By working with the Department of Telecommunications, we can combine our technological expertise with the government’s commitment to citizen safety and help give Indians the knowledge they need to stay safe.”

As part of the partnership, WhatsApp will also develop informative assets in collaboration with DoT to educate users on how to identify and report online scams and spam. These will cover different types of fraud, warning signs, and reporting mechanisms available on the Sanchar Saathi. All user safety materials will be translated into regional languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati to maximize accessibility.

DoT is steadfastly committed to preventing the misuse of telecom resources by implementing advanced solutions and working closely with various stakeholders. Awareness of the citizens will help them keeping safe in the evolving digital ecosystem.

****

Samrat/ Allen

(Release ID: 2112016) Visitor Counter : 96

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Indian Railways’ financial condition is good, providing more subsidy to passengers: Union Railway Minister

Source: Government of India

Indian Railways’ financial condition is good, providing more subsidy to passengers: Union Railway Minister

The cost of travel per kilometer by train is ₹1.38, but passengers are charged only 73 paise.

This year, 1,400 locomotives have been produced, which is more than the combined production of America and Europe.

By March 31, Indian Railways, with 1.6 billion tons of cargo carriage, will be among the world’s top 3 countries.

Important steps have been taken to prevent incidents like the New Delhi Railway Station accident in the future: Union Railway Minister

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:28PM by PIB Delhi

Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, today, during the discussion on the working of the Ministry of Railways in the Rajya Sabha, highlighted the achievements of Indian Railways and its future plans. He said that Indian Railways is not only providing safe and quality services to passengers at affordable fares but is also making a distinct identity at the global level. He also mentioned that in India, railway fares are lower compared to neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, whereas in Western countries, they are 10 to 20 times higher than in India.

Regarding the subsidy being given to rail passengers, the Railway Minister said that currently, the cost of travel per kilometer by train is ₹1.38, but passengers are charged only 73 paise, meaning 47% subsidy is provided. In the financial year 2022-23, passengers were given a subsidy of ₹57,000 crore, which increased to approximately ₹60,000 crore in 2023-24 (provisional figure). Our goal is to provide safe and better services at minimal fares.

Highlighting the benefits of railway electrification, the Union Minister said that despite the increasing number of passengers and freight transport, energy costs have remained stable. Indian Railways is working on the target of achieving ‘Scope 1 Net Zero’ by 2025 and ‘Scope 2 Net Zero’ by 2030. He informed that the export of locomotives manufactured at the Madhepura factory in Bihar will soon begin. Currently, Indian Railways’ passenger coaches are being exported to Mozambique, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, while locomotives are being sent to Mozambique, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Apart from this, bogie underframes are being exported to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia, while propulsion parts are being sent to France, Mexico, Germany, Spain, Romania, and Italy.

This year, 1,400 locomotives have been produced in India, which is more than the combined production of America and Europe. Along with this, 2 lakh new wagons have been added to the fleet. The Minister stated that in the financial year ending March 31, Indian Railways will transport 1.6 billion tons of cargo, making India one of the top three countries in the world, including China and America. This reflects the increasing capacity of the railway and its significant role in the logistics sector.

Talking about railway safety, Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that 41,000 LHB coaches have been prepared, and all ICF coaches will be converted into LHB coaches. Long rails, electronic interlocking, fog safety devices, and the ‘Kavach’ system are being implemented rapidly. Thanking Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Vaishnaw stated that earlier, the railway used to receive ₹25,000 crore in support, which has now increased to more than ₹2.5 lakh crore, leading to significant infrastructure improvements. Meanwhile, 50 Namo Bharat trains are being manufactured, offering both AC and non-AC options for short-distance travel.

Regarding the recent accident at New Delhi Railway Station, the Union Railway Minister informed the House that a high-level committee is investigating this tragic incident. CCTV footage and all data have been secured, and facts are being examined by talking to about 300 people. Important steps have been taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Minister said that our government is committed to the poorest of the poor. That is why the number of general coaches is being increased by 2.5 times compared to AC coaches. According to the current production plan, there is a program for the manufacturing of 17,000 non-AC coaches. Along with this, he stated that the financial condition of Indian Railways is good, and continuous efforts for improvement are ongoing. The railway has successfully overcome the challenges related to the COVID pandemic. The number of passengers is increasing, and freight transport is also rising. Now, railway revenue is about ₹2.78 lakh crore, and expenses are ₹2.75 lakh crore. Indian Railways is covering all major expenses from its own income, which has been made possible due to the better performance of the railway.

In his concluding remarks in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Vaishnaw assured that the railway would emerge as a more modern, safe, and environmentally friendly transportation system in the future.

****

Dharamendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

(Release ID: 2112013) Visitor Counter : 60

Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth Organizes 28th Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara

Source: Government of India (2)

Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth Organizes 28th Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara

Integrate Technology and Research to Further Strengthen Ayurveda: Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav

LifeTime Achievements Award conferred to Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Prof. Kulwant Singh, Vaidya Mohan Narayan Tambe, and Dr.Bidhubhusan Nanda

More than 100 CRAV Gurus and 120 Shishyas from across the country felicitated

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:06PM by PIB Delhi

Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RAV), under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, hosted its 28^th Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara in New Delhi today. To enhance quality education and globalize Ayurveda, RAV also accredited one international and 6 National institutions for upholding high standards in Ayurveda education and practice. For doing exemplary work in the field of Ayurveda, RAV also conferred LifeTime Achievements Awards to Prof. Banwari Lal Gaur, Jaipur (Rajasthan), Prof. Kulwant Singh (Jammu and Kashmir), Vaidya Mohan Narayan Tambe, Satara (Maharashtra) and Dr. Bidhubhusan Nanda, Dhenkanal (Odisha).

Addressing the august gathering, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Union Minister of State for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav praised RAV’s contributions in recognizing the invaluable work of Ayurvedic practitioners through the Lifetime Achievement Award & Fellow of RAV Award. He emphasized upon “Desh Ka Prakriti Parikshan” achievement, a national initiative aimed at mapping the natural health profiles of the population. He highlighted how Ayurveda’s role in preventive healthcare is becoming more prominent and urged practitioners to integrate technology and research to further strengthen the field.

Shri Jadhav praised RAV’s contributions in recognizing the invaluable work of Ayurvedic Vaidyas through the Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging their lifelong dedication to Ayurveda. He commended RAV’s unique approach in training students through the CRAV course under the Guru-Shishya Parampara, ensuring that authentic Ayurvedic knowledge is passed in its purest form.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, addressed the guests and announced the launch of the Diplomate of National Board Ayurveda (DNB) program, a major milestone in advancing Ayurvedic education. He also emphasized upon the initiative of the Ministry of Ayush to introduce a 7.5-year Gurukul Schooling Program, reinforcing the Guru-Shishya Parampara and providing a more immersive learning experience for students.

More than 100 CRAV Gurus and 120 Shishyas from across the country were felicitated during the event, marking their dedication to the Guru-Shishya Parampara. Shri Jadhav commended RAV’s efforts in imparting knowledge through the CRAV course, ensuring that students receive authentic and practical Ayurvedic education directly from experienced Gurus.

A significant highlight of the event was RAV’s accreditation of 1 international and 6 national institutions for upholding high standards in Ayurveda education and practice. This initiative reinforces RAV’s commitment to enhancing quality education and globalizing Ayurveda.

During the event, Vaidya Rajeev Bhardwaj, Member of Parliament from Kangra (Himachal Pradesh), Vaidya Meeta Kotecha from Jaipur (Rajasthan), Prof Sanjeev Sharma from Jaipur, Prof Arun Kumar Tripathi from Uttarakhand, Dr G Prabhakar Rao from New Delhi, Prof Lakshman Singh from Varanasi, Vaidya Ashutosh Gupta, Vaidya Urmila A Pitkar and Vaidya Nitin M Kamat from Maharashtra, Vaidya Shailja Uppinakuduru from Karnataka, Vaidya Vinod Kumar Vairagi from Madhya Pradesh, Vaidya Tuhin Kanti from West Bengal, Vaidya Tapan Kumar from Gujarat were given Fellow of RAV (FRAV) Award, and felicitated by Minister of Ayush.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launches PM Internship Scheme App in presence of MoS, Corporate Affairs Shri Harsh Malhotra
Source: Government of India (2)

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launches PM Internship Scheme App in presence of MoS, Corporate Affairs Shri Harsh Malhotra

PM Internship Scheme has the potential to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations- Finance Minister

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:18PM by PIB Delhi

The Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in the presence of MoS Corporate Affairs, and MoS Road and Transport Shri Harsh Malhotra launched a dedicated mobile app for the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme on 17^th March, at Samanvay Hall No. 5, at Parliament, New Delhi.

The App has the following features:
- Intuitive interface with a clean design and effortless navigation
- Easy registration through Aadhaar face authentication
- Effortless navigation – Eligible candidates can sift through opportunities by location etc.
- Personalized dashboard
- Access to a dedicated support team
- Real time alerts to keep candidates abreast of new updates
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman commended the Prime Minister’s vision in introducing a package of five schemes to promote employment, skilling, and opportunities. She emphasized that the PM Internship Scheme has the potential to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations, thereby enhancing youth employability. She further urged the industry to actively participate in the scheme, highlighting that their involvement would contribute to nation-building while fostering a skilled workforce in the country.

The Minister of State, Shri Harsh Malhotra observed that the launch of the PMIS App will significantly enhance accessibility to internship opportunities for the youth.

With the PMIS application, the users can also explore the referral program recently announced by Ministry of Corporate Affair (MCA). The referral program would enable the registered youth to refer other eligible candidates for the scheme and win rewards. The registered youth on the PM Internship portal (web browser) can also participate in this referral program.

The Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme (PMIS Scheme) announced in the Budget 2024-25, aims to provide internship opportunities to one crore youth in top 500 companies in five years. As an initiation to this Scheme, the Pilot Project targeted at providing 1.25 lakh internship opportunities to the youth was launched on 03.10.2024 for the Financial Year 2024-25. Salient features of the Scheme are:
- 12-month paid internships in top companies of India.
- This scheme provides an opportunity to the youth to get training, and gain experience and skills within the real-life environment (at least six months) of the businesses or organizations that help in bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements, in turn, assisting enhancement of her/his employability.
- The scheme targets individuals aged 21 to 24 who are currently not enrolled in any full-time academic program or not in full-time employment, offering them a unique chance to kick-start their careers.
- Each intern will be supported with monthly financial assistance of ₹5,000, supplemented by one-time financial assistance of ₹6,000.
In the round I of the pilot project (October – December 2024), over 1.27 lakh opportunities in about 745 districts were posted by around 280 companies across 25 sectors. Over 82,000 offers were made to the candidates.

The round II of the Pilot Project commenced in January 2025 and about 327 companies have posted more than 1.18 lakh opportunities (both new and edited unfilled opportunities of the previous round) across the country. Of these, around 37,000 opportunities are for graduates, 23,000 for ITI holders, 18,000 for diploma holders, 15,000 for 12th-grade and 25,000 are available for candidates with 10th qualifications. Opportunities spanning across various sectors such as Automobile, Travel & Hospitality, Banking & Finance etc. and varied job roles, such as sales and marketing, technical roles for ITI passouts, HR internships, and more, have been provided. These opportunities are spread across 735 districts in all states and union territories of the country.

In Round II of the Pilot Project, initiatives have been undertaken to enhance access to and spread awareness about the PM Internship Scheme. The dashboard of the PMIS Portal has been simplified, made more user-friendly, and greater details of the opportunities and roles offered have been provided. Officials from the MCA, state governments, and industry partners interacted with the youth at more than 80 outreach events held at various educational institutes, such as colleges and Rozgar Melas.

A framework for assessment of the implementation of the Pilot Project, and to acknowledge and reward the efforts of the State and UTs in the implementation of the PMIS, has been introduced in round II of PMIS.

The internship application window for round II is open up till 31^ST March, 2025.

Eligible youth can apply through the new mobile app or through the Portal accessible at https://pminternship.mca.gov.in/.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: NYPS 2.0 OPENS TO ALL CITIZENS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Source: Government of India (2)

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 8:00PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has unveiled an upgraded version of the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) web portal, known as NYPS 2.0. Unlike the previous version, which was limited to students of recognized institutions, NYPS 2.0 is open to all citizens across the country regardless of economic status, gender, caste, creed, religion, race, region and place. Participation can be facilitated through the following ways: –

Institution Participation: All educational institutions can participate in this category by organizing the Youth Parliament sittings as per the guidelines available on the portal. The students from classes VI to XII may be selected for the “Kishore Sabha” sub-category and Under Graduate and Post Graduate level students may be selected for the “Tarun Sabha” sub-category.
Group Participation: A group of citizens can participate in this category by organizing the Youth Parliament sittings as per the guidelines available on the portal.
Individual Participation: An individual citizen can participate in this category by attempting a quiz on the theme of ‘Bharatiya Democracy in Action’.

The unit of participation on NYPS portal is a registration not an institution and the year wise data regarding the number of registrations for conducting Youth Parliament sitting presently are as below:

Sl. No	Year	Total Registrations
	2019-20	4369
	2020-21	3579
	2021-22	65
	2022-23	2337
	2023-24	1346
	2024-25	7242 (as on date)

The Ministry receives feedback from students and institutions from time to time regarding their challenges and concerns and necessary actions are taken thereon.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Two Hong Kong representatives selected as sixth batch of representative bearers of national intangible cultural heritage (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Two Hong Kong representatives selected as sixth batch of representative bearers of national intangible cultural heritage
The two ICH items were inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH and the First ICH Inventory of Hong Kong respectively in 2014, as well as the Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong in 2017. Information on the two representative bearers are as follows:
(2) Dr Lee Yiu-fai, representative bearer of the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs

The folk religion of Wong Tai Sin originated in the Jinhua area of Zhejiang Province and was introduced into the Lingnan region at the turn of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Wong Tai Sin belief and customs in Hong Kong can be traced back to 1915. In 1921, Sik Sik Yuen was established to manage the Wong Tai Sin Temple. After a century of inheritance, the development of the Wong Tai Sin folk religion has nowadays incorporated charity, with the “To act benevolently, teach benevolence and grant every wish” spirit actualised through Sik Sik Yuen’s provision of various social services.

Dr Lee joined the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Sik Sik Yuen in 1985 and has served as the Abbot of the Wong Tai Sin Temple since 2006. Dr Lee has been devoted to promoting the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs, organising courses, publishing ritual books and establishing the Cultural Centre for Wong Tai Sin Belief and Customs in 2021. Apart from being responsible for the religious matters of Sik Sik Yuen, Dr Lee also actively participates in public service activities, and promotes the “To act benevolently, teach benevolence” spirit. Under his stewardship, the item of Wong Tai Sin belief and customs was inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH in 2014.Issued at HKT 22:02

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

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: English Translation of Press Statement by Prime Minister during India-New Zealand Joint Press Statement

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 17 MAR 2025 7:26PM by PIB Delhi

Your Excellency, Prime Minister Luxon,
Delegates from both the countries,
Friends from Media,
Namaskar!
Kia Ora!

I warmly welcome Prime Minister Luxon and his delegation to India. Prime Minister Luxon has had a long relationship with India. We all witnessed, how a few days ago, he celebrated the joyous festival of Holi in Auckland! Prime Minister Luxon’s affection towards the people of Indian origin living in New Zealand can also be seen from the fact that a large community delegation has accompanied him to India. It is a matter of great pleasure for us to have a young, energetic and talented leader like him as the Chief Guest of the Raisina Dialogue this year.

Friends,

Today we held in-depth discussions on various areas of our bilateral relations. We’ve decided to strengthen and institutionalise our defense and security collaboration. In addition to joint exercises, training, and port visits, a roadmap for bilateral defense industry collaboration will be developed. Our navies are working together in the Combined Task Force-150 for maritime security in the Indian Ocean. And, we are happy that a New Zealand naval ship is making a port call in Mumbai in two days.

Friends,

We have decided to begin discussions for a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. This shall increase the potential for bilateral trade and investment. Mutual cooperation and investment shall be encouraged in fields such as Dairy, Food Processing, and Pharma. We have given priority to mutual cooperation in the areas of Renewable Energy and Critical Minerals. Joint work shall be done in Forestry and Horticulture. I am confident that the large business delegation accompanying the Prime Minister shall get an opportunity to explore and understand the new possibilities in India.

Friends,

Whether it is cricket, hockey, or mountaineering, the two countries share a long-standing bond in sports. We have agreed to strengthen cooperation in sports coaching, player exchange, and areas such as sports science, psychology, and medicine. We have decided to celebrate 100 years of sports relations between our two nations in 2026.

Friends,

The Indian community living in New Zealand is making a valuable contribution to the country’s social and economic development. We have agreed to work swiftly on an agreement to simplify the mobility of skilled workers and address issues related to illegal migration. We shall also focus on enhancing UPI connectivity, promoting digital transactions, and boosting tourism. Our ties in the field of education are long-standing, and we invite universities from New Zealand to establish campuses in India.

Friends,

We stand united against terrorism. Whether it is the Christchurch terrorist attack of March 15, 2019 or the Mumbai attack of November 26, 2008, terrorism in any form is unacceptable. Strict action must be taken against those responsible for such attacks. We will continue to cooperate in combating terrorism, separatist, and extremist elements. In this regard, we have also shared our concerns about anti-India activities by certain illegal elements in New Zealand. We’re confident that we will continue to receive the full cooperation of the New Zealand Government against such illegal elements.

Friends,

We both support a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We believe in the policy of development, not expansionism. We welcome New Zealand joining the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative. Following its membership in the International Solar Alliance, we also congratulate New Zealand for joining the CDRI.

Friends,

Finally, in the language of Rugby, I would say – both of us are ready to “Front up” for a bright future in our relationship. We are ready to step up together and take responsibility for a bright partnership! And, I am confident that our partnership will prove to be a match-winning partnership for the people of both countries.

Thank you very much!

DISCLAIMER – This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: The women spies who fooled the Nazis with simple tricks

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Josephine Durant des Aulnois, PhD student in Sociology, University of Oxford

If spy films have taught us anything, it’s that the people chosen for a career in espionage are special. They are the cream of the crop selected because they exhibit unique skills: high levels of intelligence and certain emotional traits that made them perfect for spying.

During the second world war, the Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a British agency tasked with training spies to conduct espionage, sabotage and reconnaissance in German-occupied Europe and in east Asia. Active from 1940 to 1946, SOE was a pioneering British secret service. This is because it employed civilians, from all backgrounds, including women, which was unusual at a time where most spies were recruited from the army.

The women hired by the agency were the only ones allowed to take on a combatant role by the British Army during the second world war. However, many have been unjustly forgotten.

These women were active throughout Nazi-occupied Europe, but most women worked in France. They were not French, but French speakers who tried to pass for local. On paper, this might seem impossible, since being fluent in a language does not make you a spy.

SOE recruited prospective agents on the basis of their language skills, and trained most of them in England before sending them into the field. Despite their lack of experience, many SOE women successfully duped German soldiers. Here are some of the simple but effective ways they managed such deception.

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Emotional control

First, women spies sometimes fooled people simply by appearing calm. Irish agent Maureen Patricia “Paddy” O’Sullivan had grown-up in Belgium and was renowned for her daring personality. In a post-war interview, she described how she avoided a thorough search while carrying compromising documents. O’Sullivan acted confident and friendly to divert the soldier’s attention from her bag:

As she laughed and joked with the German, he was distracted from making a closer examination.

The spies’ cool was frequently praised in post-war commendations. Remaining calm was no mean feat, especially since most SOE recruits had never worked undercover. In France, they could be questioned by Nazis at any time and nervousness made them look suspicious.

Agent Yvonne Cormeau joined SOE after losing her husband during a bombing at the beginning of the war. In a 1989 interview, she summarised the situation perfectly: “We learned to live with fear.”

Physical appearance

SOE spies did alter their appearance in order not to be recognised, but for most, this merely involved picking clothes which matched their cover. Yvonne Cormeau was sent to a farm in southern France, where the pro-Allied owners gave her new clothes and an apron. She was supposed to pass as their assistant and needed to look like one.

A few agents went a step further and dyed their hair. This was the case of Noor Inayat Khan (code name Madeleine), a Sufi Muslim of royal lineage born to Indian and American parents. Betrayed to the Germans, she was executed at Dachau concentration camp in 1944.

Noor Inayat Khan.
Imperial War Museums/Wikimedia, CC BY

Inayat Khan’s contribution to SOE proved invaluable. For several months in 1943, she was the sole radio operator still active in Paris amid the growing Gestapo presence.

However, her constant hair dyeing was less effective. To try and escape the notice of the Gestapo, she regularly bleached her hair blonde, but this actually brought her to the attention of the Germans.

They questioned Alfred and Emilie Balachowsky, her contacts who lived near Paris and led a local resistance network, about the presence of a woman “sometimes blonde and sometimes brunette”. The agent was not arrested on that occasion, but her efforts had backfired.

Everyday habits

Locals like the Balachowskys provided crucial support for SOE women, who could be given away by any small gesture. Despite having grown up near Paris, Inayat Khan threatened her cover just by pouring tea.

Shortly after her arrival, Mrs Balachowsky invited neighbours to a tea party, during which the SOE agent poured the milk first into her cup, leading a neighbour to comment that she behaved like a Brit. Emilie Balachowsky quickly corrected Inayat Khan, who was not the only spy to make errors based on cultural differences.

Yvonne Cormeau.
Imperial War Museums/Wikimedia, CC BY

While at the farm, Yvonne Cormeau was asked to watch the owner’s cows. She was about to bring her knitting kit, until her contact explained that this would give her away: “I was forbidden from knitting, as we Englishwomen knit differently.”

These anecdotes are a testament to the importance of everyday habits and of the agents’ local contacts. For SOE women, espionage in France was very much about teamwork.

While Inayat Khan was compromised and executed, for the most part the SOE’s civilian programme for women was a success. The SOE paved the way for other agencies which gradually started to recruit civilians of all genders after the second world war.

Some of its methods are also used by modern secret services, such as the illegals programme, a Russian initiative which involves sending Russian operatives fluent in English undercover in the US.

Despite this success, the contribution of women like Patricia O’Sullivan, Yvonne Cormeau and Noor Inayat Khan has remained widely overlooked. They deserve to be remembered along with the period’s male spies.

Josephine Durant des Aulnois receives funding from the Clarendon Fund, managed by Oxford University.

– ref. The women spies who fooled the Nazis with simple tricks – https://theconversation.com/the-women-spies-who-fooled-the-nazis-with-simple-tricks-251653

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

March 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Scientific misconduct is on the rise. But what exactly is it?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nham Tran, Associate Professor, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney

PowerUp/Shutterstock

German anaesthesiologist Joachim Boldt has an unfortunate claim to fame. According to Retraction Watch, a public database of research retractions, he is the most retracted scientist of all time. To date, 220 of his roughly 400 published research papers have been retracted by academic journals.

Boldt may be a world leader, but he has plenty of competition. In 2023, more than 10,000 research papers were retracted globally – more than any previous year on record. According to a recent investigation by Nature, a disproportionate number of retracted papers over the past ten years have been written by authors affiliated with several hospitals, universities and research institutes in Asia.

Academic journals retract papers when they are concerned that the published data is faked, altered, or not “reproducible” (meaning it would yield the same results if analysed again).

Some errors are honest mistakes. However, the majority of retractions are associated with scientific misconduct.

But what exactly is scientific misconduct? And what can be done about it?

From fabrication to plagiarism

The National Health and Medical Research Council is Australia’s primary government agency for medical funding. It defines misconduct as breaches of the Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

In Australia, there are broadly eight recognised types of breaches. Research misconduct is the most severe.

These breaches may include failure to obtain ethics approval, plagiarism, data fabrication, falsification and misrepresentation.

This is what was behind many of Boldt’s retractions. He made up data for a large number of studies, which ultimately led to his dismissal from the Klinikum Ludwigshafen, a teaching hospital in Germany, in 2010.

In another case, China’s He Jiankui was sentenced to three years in prison in 2019 for creating the world’s first genetically edited babies using the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR. His crime was that he falsified documents to recruit couples for his research.

The “publish or perish” culture within academia fuels scientific misconduct. It puts pressure on academics to meet publication quotas. It also rewards them for greater research output, in the form of promotions, funding and recognition. And this can mean research quality is sacrificed for quantity.

Honest mistakes

But not all research misconduct is premeditated. Some is the result of honest mistakes made by scientists.

For example, Sergio Gonzalez, a young scientist at the Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier in France, mistakenly uploaded several wrong images to an academic paper and its supplementary material. This didn’t have any effect on the findings of the paper, which were based on the correct images.

But it still represented a case of image duplication and misrepresentation of data. This lead to the journal retracting the paper and launching an investigation. The investigation concluded the breach was unintentional and resulted from the pressures of academic research.

Fewer than 20% of all retractions are due to honest mistakes. Researchers usually contact the publisher to correct errors when they are detected, with no major consequences.

The need for a national oversight body

In many countries, an independent national body oversees research integrity.

In the United Kingdom, this body is known as the Committee on Research Integrity. It is responsible for improving research integrity and addressing misconduct cases. Similarly, in the United States, the Office of Research Integrity handles allegations of research misconduct.

In contrast, Australia lacks an independent body directly tasked with investigating research misconduct. There is a body known as the Australian Research Integrity Committee. But it only reviews the institutional procedures and governance of investigations to ensure they are conducted fairly and transparently – and with limited effectiveness. For example, last year it received 13 complaints, only five of which were investigated.

Instead Australia relies on a self-regulation model. This means each university and research institute aligns its own policy with the Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research. Although this code originated in medical research, its principles apply across all disciplines.

For example, in archaeology, falsifying an image or deliberately reporting inaccurate carbon dating results constitutes data fabrication. Another common breach is plagiarism, which can also be applied to all fields.

But self-governance on integrity matters is fraught with problems.

Investigations often lack transparency and are carried out internally, creating a conflict of interest. Often the investigative teams are under immense pressure to safeguard their institution’s reputation rather than uphold accountability.

A 2023 report by the Australia Institute called for the urgent establishment of an independent, government-funded research integrity watchdog.

The report recommended the watchdog have direct investigatory powers and that academic institutions be bound by its findings.

The report also recommended the watchdog should release its findings publicly, create whistleblower protections, establish a proper appeals process and allow people to directly raise complaints with it.

Research credibility is on the line

The consequences of inadequate oversight are already evident.

One of the biggest research integrity scandals in Australian history involved Ali Nazari, an engineer from Swinburne University. In 2022 an anonymous whistleblower alleged Nazari was part of an international research fraud cartel involving multiple teams.

Investigations cast doubt on the validity of the 287 papers Nazari and the other researchers had collectively published. The investigations uncovered numerous violations, including 71 instances of falsified results, plagiarism and duplication, and 208 instances of self-plagiarism.

Similarly, Mark Smyth, formerly of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, fabricated research data to support grant applications and clinical trials. An independent inquiry concluded he used his reputation, status and authority to bully and intimidate junior colleagues.

If Australia had a independent research integrity body, there would be a clear governance structure and an established and transparent pathway for reporting breaches at a much earlier stage.

Timely intervention would help reduce further breaches through swift investigation and corrective action. Importantly, consistent governance across Australian institutions would help ensure fairness. It would also reduce bias and uphold the same standards across all misconduct cases.

The call for an independent research integrity watchdog is long overdue.

Only through impartial oversight can we uphold the values of scientific excellence, protect public trust, and foster a culture of accountability that strengthens the integrity of research for all Australians.

Nham Tran has received funding from Australian Research Council.

– ref. Scientific misconduct is on the rise. But what exactly is it? – https://theconversation.com/scientific-misconduct-is-on-the-rise-but-what-exactly-is-it-247352

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: The Department Of Education Has Failed — Trump Is Delivering Much Needed Reform

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

ICYMI: The Department Of Education Has Failed — Trump Is Delivering Much Needed Reform

Washington, D.C. – ICYMI, The Daily Wire published U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) op-ed detailing how the Department of Education has failed America’s children and why he believes President Trump is taking the right approach to improve student outcomes. The Senator notes that our country has one of the highest education expenditures on the planet while national test scores have only fallen since the Department’s inception. “By dismantling the Department of Education, we will return power to where it belongs: states, parents, and teachers,” said Sen. Mullin.

Read the full story from The Daily Wire HERE and below:

The Department Of Education Has Failed — Trump Is Delivering Much Needed Reform

By Senator Markwayne Mullin | March 13, 2025

For more than four decades, the federal government has controlled American education, and the results speak for themselves: declining test scores, skyrocketing costs, and millions of students left behind. Since its creation in 1979, the Department of Education has burned through more than $1 trillion in taxpayer dollars. What do we have to show for it?

The latest data from the Nation’s Report Card paints a bleak picture. Mathematics and reading scores for 13-year-olds are at their lowest in decades. Barely a third of elementary school students can read at grade level. Low-performing students are faring even worse. And despite the government throwing more money at the problem — per-pupil spending has surged by more than 245% since the 1970s — outcomes have only gotten worse.

Meanwhile, the cost of college has exploded by 155% since the Department of Education’s founding. Students are graduating with crushing debt, only to land jobs that don’t even require degrees. We have seen funding fall by 50% for career and technical education while Democrats continue to spend money on woke nonsense. Funding for Indian education has also declined by 27% alongside impact aid for schools serving military families which has dropped by 41%. Instead of fixing these problems, the Biden administration made things worse. Our kids deserve better.

Under Biden, the Department of Education wasted $1 billion on grants pushing radical ideologies and rewrote Title IX to let men compete in women’s sports. Bureaucrats in Washington are drowning schools in regulations, adding $3.9 billion in costs. Even a simple task like simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) proved too much for Biden’s team.

Enough is enough.

President Trump is delivering the reform America needs. His administration has already canceled $226 million in woke grants which forced divisive agendas like race-based discrimination and gender identity ideology onto states. But that’s just the beginning. By dismantling the Department of Education, we will return power to where it belongs: states, parents, and teachers.

The Constitution never envisioned a federal role in education — it’s a responsibility reserved for the states. Yet for decades, the Department of Education has smothered schools with regulations, diverted resources to ideological crusades, and undermined teachers, parents, and students. Thanks to President Trump, taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for progressive experiments and obsolete programs.

This isn’t just about cutting costs — it’s about unleashing potential. Imagine empowering states to achieve educational excellence: going back to basics like math and reading — not divisive ideologies — and adopting patriotic civics lessons that inspire pride in our nation’s history. Governors will be measured by student success, not by how well they comply with Washington’s bureaucratic demands. Education will be brought closer to the students and our system will be transformed.

The benefits will ripple outward. Teachers, freed from layers of red tape, will be able to do what they do best — teach. Parents will finally have a real say in their children’s education. And America’s schools will no longer be controlled by faceless bureaucrats or teachers’ unions pushing political agendas. The woke stranglehold on public education will be broken.

Critics will cry that eliminating the Department of Education will hurt students. But the truth is, Washington has failed them for generations. It’s time to try something new. President Trump’s vision trusts states and parents to deliver what Washington never could: an education system that works.

With President Trump’s leadership, we’re not just reforming education — we’re reclaiming it. The future of our children, and our nation, depends on it.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins − and where it could be heading next

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Latham, Professor of Political Science, Macalester College

Global order? Put a pin in it. Getty Images

The phrase “international rules-based order” has long been a fixture in global politics.

Western leaders often use it to describe a framework of rules, norms and institutions designed to guide state behavior. Advocates argue that this framework has provided the foundation for decades of stability and prosperity, while critics question its fairness and relevance in today’s multipolar world.

But what exactly is the international rules-based order, when did it come about, and why do people increasingly hear about challenges to it today?

The birth of a universal vision

The rules-based international order, initially known as the “liberal international order,” emerged from the devastation of World War II. The vision was ambitious and universal: to create a global system based on liberal democratic values, market capitalism and multilateral cooperation.

At its core, however, this project was driven by the United States, which saw itself as the unmatched leader of the new order.

The idea was to replace the chaos of great power politics and shifting alliances with a predictable world governed by shared rules and norms.

Central to this vision was the establishment of institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. These institutions, alongside widely accepted norms and formalized rules, aimed to promote political cooperation, the peaceful resolution of disputes, and economic recovery for countries damaged by war.

However, the vision of a truly universal liberal international order quickly unraveled. As the Cold War set in, the world split into two competing blocs. The Western bloc, led by the United States, adhered to the principles of the liberal international order.

Meanwhile, the Soviet-led communist bloc established a parallel system with its own norms, rules and institutions. The Warsaw Pact provided military alignment, while the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance managed economic cooperation. The communist bloc emphasized state-led economic planning and single-party rule, rejecting the liberal order’s emphasis on democracy and free markets.

Emerging cracks

When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, the liberal international order appeared to have triumphed. The United States became the world’s sole superpower, and many former communist states integrated into Western institutions. For a brief period, the order’s universal vision seemed within reach.

By the 1990s and early 2000s, however, new cracks began to appear.

NATO expansion, the creation of the World Trade Organization and greater emphasis on human rights through institutions such as the International Criminal Court all closely aligned with Western liberal values. The spread of these norms and the institutions enforcing them appeared, to many outside the West, as Western ideology dressed up as universal principles.

In response to mounting criticism, Western leaders began using the term rules-based international order instead of liberal international order. This shift aimed to emphasize procedural fairness – rules that all states, in theory, had agreed upon – rather than a system explicitly rooted in liberal ideological commitments. The focus moved from promoting specific liberal norms to maintaining stability and predictability.

New challenges to the status quo

China’s rise has brought these tensions into sharp relief. While China participates in many institutions underpinning the rules-based international order, it also seeks to reshape them.

The Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank illustrate Beijing’s efforts to establish alternative frameworks more aligned with its interests. These initiatives challenge existing rules and norms by offering new institutional pathways for economic and political influence.

Meanwhile, Russia’s actions in Ukraine – especially the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the 2022 invasion – challenge the order’s core principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Western inconsistencies have long undermined the credibility of the rules-based order. The 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, widely criticized for bypassing international norms and institutions, exemplified a selective application of the rules. This double standard extends toward Washington’s selective engagement with international legal bodies and its inconsistent approach to sovereignty and intervention.

An uncertain future

Supporters argue that the rules-based order remains vital for addressing global challenges such as climate change, pandemics and nuclear proliferation.

However, ambiguity surrounds what these “rules” actually entail, which norms are genuinely universal, and who enforces them.

This lack of clarity, coupled with shifting global power dynamics, complicates efforts to sustain the system.

The future of the rules-based international order is uncertain. The shift from “liberal” to “rules-based” reflected an ongoing struggle to adapt a complex web of rules, norms and institutions to a rapidly changing international environment.

Whether it evolves further, splinters or endures as is will depend on how well it balances fairness, inclusivity and stability in an increasingly multipolar world.

Andrew Latham 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. What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins − and where it could be heading next – https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-rules-based-order-how-this-global-system-has-shifted-from-liberal-origins-and-where-it-could-be-heading-next-250978

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission in Afghanistan, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2777 (2025)

Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

The Security Council today decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 March 2026, also welcoming its ongoing efforts in the implementation of its mandated tasks and priorities.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2777 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2777 (2025)), the Council stressed the importance of the Mission’s continued presence and called on all relevant stakeholders to coordinate with it to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel throughout the country. The 15-member organ also requested that the Secretary-General report every three months on the situation in Afghanistan and the implementation of UNAMA’s mandate.

Speaking after the adoption, Afghanistan’s representative expressed support for UNAMA’s vital role, adding that the text rightfully acknowledges his country’s multifaceted challenges, which range from a devastating economic crisis to rampant human rights violations. Further, it highlights “the heartbreaking reality” that Afghan women and girls continue to be deprived of their most basic rights. The presence of UNAMA and other UN agencies is essential for humanitarian aid and delivery, human rights protection and facilitating dialogue.

“The Taliban’s continued failure and unwillingness to address the situation to establish a just, inclusive and representative system of governance” has impeded his country’s prospects for peace and isolated it, he added. Highlighting the need to fight terrorism and strengthen the banking and financial systems, he said it is vital to enable the use of Afghanistan’s Central Bank assets through a legitimate Government. After over three years of political stalemate, initiating an inclusive political dialogue remains a priority, alongside other aspects of the Mission’s mandate, he added.

Council members who spoke today welcomed the unanimous adoption, with the representative of Denmark, Council President for March, who spoke in her national capacity, observing: “In one united, strong voice, we showed the Afghan people that we have not forgotten them.” As the Taliban continues to systematically persecute women and girls, she said, it was important for her delegation that the text reflect their deteriorating human-rights situation.

Somalia’s delegate, also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Algeria, said the renewal reflects the Council’s united commitment in fostering stability and prosperity in Afghanistan. He encouraged the international community to enhance coordination to address the various challenges Afghanistan faces.

The representative of the Republic of Korea drew attention to the “three key elements” his delegation wanted to see reflected in the renewal, welcoming that all are present in today’s text. First of these was the preservation of UNAMA’s robust, comprehensive mandate. Additionally, updated preambular language reflecting the Council’s views on the various challenges facing Afghanistan “marks the first update of its kind since 2022”, he noted. He also expressed hope that new language on natural hazards will assist UNAMA in addressing the wide-ranging, destabilizing impacts of climate and environmental challenges. Lastly, he emphasized the importance of “maintaining the Council’s vigilance on the situation in Afghanistan through quarterly reporting”.

The text, China’s delegate said, captures the Council’s “positions, expectations and concerns” regarding the current multiple challenges in Afghanistan “in light of the evolving circumstances”. Further, it notes the problems confronting Afghanistan — such as insufficient economic and humanitarian funding, as well as blocked aid — and reiterates the necessity to help rebuild the national banking and financial system. It also emphasizes that women should enjoy equal rights in public life. Underlining the need for “more engagement” with the interim Government to “achieve positive interactions”, he also expressed hope that such Government will respond to the international community’s “legitimate concerns”.

The representative of Pakistan recalled a recent attack on a passenger train in his country, and emphasized: “Throughout the attack, the terrorists were in direct contact with their handlers in Afghanistan, from where the attack was planned and directed.” The Taliban Government “has not been effective” in eliminating Da’esh, has tolerated several other terrorist groups “and is complicit in the cross-border attacks against Pakistan by the TTP [Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan], together with the BLA [Balochistan Liberation Army] and the Majeed Brigade”, he stated.

Noting that the text just adopted expresses concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and demands that the country’s territory not be used to threaten any State, plan or finance terrorism or shelter or train terrorists, he said the Council and its counter-terrorism machinery must secure implementation of such decisions.

The representative of the United States said this adoption ensures that UNAMA remains a partner for the people of Afghanistan. “It is up to the Taliban to demonstrate they are willing to take the necessary steps to meet their counter-terrorism commitments and respect Afghanistan’s international legal obligations,” she added.

The representative of the Russian Federation, however, stressed the need to maintain pragmatic cooperation between the Mission and the de facto authorities. Describing the text as “a collective product emphasizing support for the Afghan people”, she said it was the result of efforts to find “compromise solutions with due regard for the reality on the ground”. “The main thing is that the tasks of UNAMA remain unchanged”, she added.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Illinois Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Orion Parkview Apartment Fire

Source: United States Small Business Administration

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Illinois of the April 15, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Orion Parkview Apartment Fire occurring on June 17, 2014.

The disaster declaration covers the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Will in Illinois, as well as Lake County in Indiana.

Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. 

EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

“SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 15, 2025.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kabaddi World Cup: City hosts opening of international spectacle

Source: City of Wolverhampton

WV Active Aldersley staged the opening ceremony and first games of the tournament today (Monday 17 March, 2025).

The opening ceremony featured live music by students from Wolverhampton Music Service, local dance acts and a parade of athlete from across the world who are taking part.

The host nation England men’s team then got the live action underway with the first group stage game against Hungary. A number of other men’s and women’s games then took place featuring teams including India, Poland, China and the USA.

It’s the first time that the Kabaddi World Cup has been hosted outside of Asia and Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Resident Services, said it was a very proud moment for the city of Wolverhampton to host the festivities.

He said: “The ceremony and opening games were spectacular to witness. It’s a real honour to have the Kabaddi World Cup taking place on our doorstep and we can’t wait to host the semi-finals and finals this weekend.

“It’s exciting to welcome fans not just from Wolverhampton but from far and wide to our city, as well as the millions tuning in online to watch the action. This is a global celebration of sport and cultures and we’re proud to be the home for it.”

Wolverhampton is also hosting day two of the tournament tomorrow (Tuesday) before the action takes to the road with games being hosted in Coventry, Birmingham and Walsall. The tournament then returns to Wolverhampton on Saturday for the semi-finals and Sunday for the finals, third place play-off and closing ceremony.

Councillor Gakhal added: “Events of this scale help support the local economy and help put the city on the map, so I encourage everyone to snap up the final remaining tickets while they can.”

Tickets are still available for this week and information on how to purchase can be found at Kabaddi World Cup England 2025.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

March 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Intangible heritage bearers chosen

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today extended warm congratulations to two Hong Kong people who have been selected as the sixth batch of representative bearers of the national intangible cultural heritage (ICH).

The two Hong Kong representatives are bearer of the Hakka unicorn dance in Hang Hau, Sai Kung Lau Kam-tong, and bearer of the Wong Tai Sin belief and customs Lee Yiu-fai.

The sixth batch of national ICH representative bearers were announced by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism on March 12. A total of 942 representative bearers across the country were selected, including Mr Lau and Mr Lee.

In response to the ministry’s invitation for nominations, the Hong Kong SAR Government nominated Mr Lau and Mr Lee, who have been dedicated to promoting and preserving their respective ICH item, upon consulting the ICH Advisory Committee.

The two ICH items were inscribed onto the fourth national list of ICH and the First ICH Inventory of Hong Kong respectively in 2014, as well as the Representative List of the ICH of Hong Kong in 2017.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

March 18, 2025

Category: Asia

U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra ModiPM warmly recalls his extremely productive discussions with President Trump in Washington D.C.

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Indian Railways’ financial condition is good, providing more subsidy to passengers: Union Railway MinisterThe cost of travel per kilometer by train is ₹1.38, but passengers are charged only 73 paise.

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Emotional control

Physical appearance

Everyday habits

From fabrication to plagiarism

Honest mistakes

The need for a national oversight body

Research credibility is on the line

ICYMI: The Department Of Education Has Failed — Trump Is Delivering Much Needed Reform

The birth of a universal vision

Emerging cracks

New challenges to the status quo

An uncertain future

U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Ms. Tulsi Gabbard, calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi

PM warmly recalls his extremely productive discussions with President Trump in Washington D.C.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and WhatsApp Join Forces to Combat Misuse of Telecom resources for Digital Frauds and Scams

The partnership aims to enhance digital safety through training workshops and citizen awareness campaigns.

Indian Railways’ financial condition is good, providing more subsidy to passengers: Union Railway Minister

The cost of travel per kilometer by train is ₹1.38, but passengers are charged only 73 paise.

Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth Organizes 28th Convocation & Shishyopanayaniya Samskara

Integrate Technology and Research to Further Strengthen Ayurveda: Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launches PM Internship Scheme App in presence of MoS, Corporate Affairs Shri Harsh Malhotra

PM Internship Scheme has the potential to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations- Finance Minister