Source: Europol
The investigation uncovered a highly structured organisation using sophisticated methods to transport and conceal drugs. The traffickers operated from a logistical base in southern Spain, where they stored and prepared drug shipments before smuggling them into France. Their modus operandi relied on convoys with lead and carrier vehicles equipped with hidden compartments to smuggle the drugs and evade detection. To…
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
Information, news, and resources for all government analysts
The Analysis Function is a network for all civil servants working in government analysis. There are around 17,000 government analysts working across all departments and agencies and from a wide range of professions and disciplines.
The best place to find out more about the Analysis Function is our dedicated website: AnalysisFunction.CivilService.gov.uk. You can also:
Published 4 February 2025
Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
CC Adam Cohn
Manila (Agenzia Fides) – “Hope gives us courage and freedom,” says the Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, distributed and read in churches on February 2 at the conclusion of the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops. The letter, signed by the President of the Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Caloocan, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, focuses on the theme of hope, a virtue, and makes a reference to the most burning issues of the nation: from the demand for transparency and accountability – in view of the mid-term elections scheduled for May 2025 – to the desire to “become a more missionary and synodal Church”. The bishops declare that they are engaged in “communal discernment on the current realities affecting our nation”. The letter quotes the Letter to the Romans: “Hoping against all hope” (cf. Rom 4:18) and states that the Filipino people “struggle with hopelessness, striving to find hope amidst adversities”.”In the sphere of morality, we sense widespread confusion, indifference, apathy, and helplessness because of murderous attacks against life, particularly against innocent ones. The culture of impunity, self-entitlement, and loss of sense of sin are alarming,” it says. Added to this are the traumas “of disasters and tragedies due to climate emergencies”. In the area of economy, “the increase in poverty, manifested by the rise of unemployment and the price of commodities and services”, which widens the gap between rich and poor. In the political realm, “the misuse of public funds and resources”, “the culture of patronage and mendicancy are truly disturbing”, and also in the field of communications, “falsehood, misinformation, and disinformation are weaponized against the truth”.In the face of this reality, it is necessary “to pursue the path of personal, institutional, and ecclesial conversion in order to rediscover hope. This is the opportunity that the Jubilee Year provides us,” the pastoral letter says.Recalling that “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (cf. Rom 5:5), the bishops proclaim that Christ is the Savior and that “God’s love penetrates our suffering, our misery and death, saves and transforms us.” “Love piercing through darkness reveals glimpses of hope” that can be seen “in principle-driven leaders who champion good governance.” “We see sparks of hope,” the bishops continue, “in the idealism of young people and responsible citizens who do not sell their idealism and patriotism,” and “in the spontaneous collaboration among NGOs, civic, and religious organizations” or “in ordinary laborers committed to sincere service even without recognition or reward.” They continued: “We see sparks of hope in those who stake their reputation, even lives, to fight corruption and pursue justice” and “in the Filipino spirit of resiliency, and in those who dedicate themselves to genuine service despite being overwhelmed by their own need.” “We, your spiritual leaders,” the bishops said, “share the pain brought about by these wounds of affliction. We, too, feel the deep disturbance and seeming paralysis that plague many who are dragged into the pit of hopelessness.” Therefore, “in this Jubilee Year of Hope, together we hold precious, the gift of hope sparked by the Holy Spirit. This hope is not simply optimism or a positive feeling. These are glimpses of the gift of hope that comes from the Holy Spirit urging us to act.” “Any action of hope is sourced from the Holy Spirit,” the Pastoral Letter says. “We therefore ask you, dear people, to allow the hope within you to be rekindled. May it become a flame of hope.” “Let the Holy Spirit renew the face of the earth and breathe transformation into the dark spaces and places of our lives and our nation,” the bishops say. “The grace of the Holy Spirit is a gentle breeze that spurs us to continue” and by promoting a “spiritual revolution of hope” and walking together “on a Pilgrimage of Hope towards the Father’s Kingdom.””There is hope! May Pag-Asa!”, the bishops write in the local language, Tagalog. They conclude with the advice of Saint Paul: “Let us not grow weary of doing good” (Galatians 6:9). (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 4/2/2024)
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Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – “The city is calm, but people are still afraid to leave their homes because security is not fully guaranteed,” reports Willy Ngumbi Ngengele, Bishop of Goma, speaking to Fides from the capital of the Congolese province of North Kivu, which was taken over by the rebel movement M23 on January 27 (see Fides, 27/1/2025).”Schools are still largely closed, also because many school buildings were damaged or destroyed in the fighting,” reports Msgr. Ngengele. “The worst situation is in the hospitals, which are receiving a large number of wounded and are in difficulty due to the lack of medicines and equipment.” “Internet connections are still difficult, people have to make do with makeshift solutions to stay connected with the outside world,” continues the bishop. About a million internally displaced people from rural areas in North Kivu province, which were first affected by the fighting, live in Goma. Their situation is currently uncertain because, as Bishop Ngengele reports, “the refugee camps have been closed and those among the displaced who still have a home are returning to their home village. Those who cannot remain in precarious conditions in Goma.”Yesterday, February 3, the M23 declared a ceasefire “for humanitarian reasons” which came into force today. “For the moment, the ceasefire is holding, but people are still afraid to venture out because they do not feel completely safe,” says the bishop. In an effort to find a peaceful solution to the crisis, a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Congo (CENCO) was received yesterday in Kinshasa by President Félix Tshisekedi.During the talks, the Head of State was presented with a reconciliation plan drawn up by CENCO together with the “Église du Christ au Congo” (ECC).”The two churches have taken the initiative to develop this project to get out of the crisis. We presented it today to the Head of State, who received it with great attention; he appreciated it very much and encouraged us. It is a praiseworthy project,” said Msgr. Donatien Nshole, spokesman for CENCO, at the end of the audience that lasted more than an hour. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 4/2/2025)
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Celebrating the winners of the 5th Analysis in Government Awards
The winners of the 5th Analysis in Government (AiG) Awards were announced in January.
We received a record-breaking number of outstanding nominations this year, which highlights the extent of the great work going on across government analysis.
Find out more about our winners and their award-winning work on the Analysis Function website,
Published 4 February 2025
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
The number of applications has almost doubled: to date, more than 2,600 applications have been submitted for undergraduate programs, and more than 2,400 for master’s programs. Such increased interest from foreign applicants in studying at the HSE confirms the status of HSE as one of the most sought-after Russian universities abroad.
The leading countries in terms of the number of applications submitted for undergraduate programs are Pakistan, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Ghana and Moldova. The countries that most frequently apply for graduate programs are Ghana, India, Nigeria, Gambia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, China, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Cameroon.
“HSE University sees one of its tasks as the active promotion of Russian education in the international arena. And the growing interest among applicants from Asian and African countries, from the CIS countries only confirms HSE’s reputation as a leading research university with the competencies of the future not only in Russia but also abroad. Moreover, both in full-time and online forms,” noted Victoria Panova, Vice-Rector of HSE University. – After all, in a rather difficult time, HSE, along with 10 world universities, entered the number of leaders in distance education according to the rating of THE Online Learning Rankings 2024 magazine. A wide range of programs in the socio-economic and humanitarian areas, in the creative sphere, brilliant teachers from almost 50 countries of the world, a high level of support for international students and modern infrastructure of HSE – all this meets international standards, and the cost of education is often lower than in Western universities. Applicants and their parents evaluate the advantages and opportunities that HSE provides during and after their studies, and choose us.”
One of the key advantages for international applicants to HSE remains the opportunity to choose the admission format. The university offers two options: a competition for budget (quota) places under the state scholarship of the Government of the Russian Federation, which covers up to 100% of the cost of education, and admission on a commercial basis.
Foreign applicants can receive a Russian Government scholarship (quota) based on the results of international Olympiads (applicants to a bachelor’s degree) and based on the results of selection events (minimum scores for Master’s degree And bachelor’s degree).
Additionally, applicants to undergraduate programs may re-credit results of international and national examinations, which makes the admission process even more flexible.
HSE offers to master the Russian language in The Center for the Preparation of Foreign Students, choosing to study for one year. Applicants to the bachelor’s degree program can take specialized entrance examinations and apply for a budget (quota) place with an additional year of preparation and Russian language training. A similar option is possible for future master’s degree students: upon successful completion of the portfolio competition, they can also receive a budget place with a year of training.
Website for international applicants has been translated into seven languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Arabic and Hindi, allowing candidates to easily find the information they need and navigate the admissions process. In addition, international applicants are contacted on social media and during webinars, answering the most pressing questions about education, visas, life in Russia and even whether there are places with halal food.
“We strive to attract only the best. We work with talented schoolchildren and applicants on an ongoing basis,” says Alexander Deyev, Director of Talent Abroad. “HSE ensures simplicity and accessibility of the entire process — from online application submission to the start of studies. We understand that entering a university, especially in a foreign country, is an important step that can be associated with many difficulties, especially for international students. Therefore, every year we do everything possible to make the application and document preparation process as clear as possible. Online consultations, personal support at all stages of admission, preparation for arrival in Russia — all this allows our applicants to feel confident and calm, to know that they will always be supported and helped to solve any problem that arises.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Anglia Ruskin University
By Justin Stebbing, Anglia Ruskin University
A glass of milk a day could help keep bowel cancer away – or so finds a study by Oxford University and Cancer Research UK. The research suggests that increasing daily milk intake by as little as one glass could have a significant impact on lowering the likelihood of developing bowel cancer.
There are nearly 45,000 cases of bowel cancer every year in the UK, making it the nation’s fourth most common cancer – and third worldwide – but many of these are preventable. According to Cancer Research UK data, 54% of all bowel cancers could be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle. Smoking, lack of exercise, alcohol, eating processed meat, and poor diet are all significant factors in the development of bowel cancer.
As an oncologist, I advise my patients about how diet and lifestyle can influence health, including the risk of developing cancer. But this research – one of the largest studies into diet and disease so far – has shed new light on how easy, cheap diet changes can help everyone to reduce their cancer risk.
For example, as well as drinking an extra glass of milk per day, reducing consumption of alcohol and red and processed meat could also help protect against cancer. The study found that drinking an additional 20g of alcohol a day, equivalent to a large glass of wine, increased bowel cancer risk by 15%. Consuming more than 30g of red and processed meat daily was linked to an 8% increase in bowel cancer risk.
Researchers took a novel, two-pronged approach to examine the association between milk consumption and bowel cancer risk. First, they analysed genetic data from over 542,000 women and focused on variants – tiny changes in DNA – associated with lactase persistence, the ability to digest lactose in adulthood.
Second, the team collected detailed dietary information from participants, including their daily milk intake. By combining these two data sets, the researchers were able to better estimate the causal effect of milk consumption on bowel cancer risk.
The analysis revealed that participants who consumed an additional 244g of milk per day – roughly equivalent to one large glass containing 300mg of calcium – had a 17% lower risk of developing bowel cancer. This reduction in risk applied to various types of milk, including whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed.
Researchers found that the protective effect of milk consumption was independent of other dietary factors and lifestyle habits. This suggests that the benefits of milk in reducing bowel cancer risk are not because milk replaces unhealthy food choices or is consumed as part of an overall healthier lifestyle.
The reasons why milk consumption may reduce bowel cancer risk are not fully understood, but the researchers propose several potential explanations. First, milk is a rich source of calcium, which has been linked previously to a reduced risk of bowel cancer. Calcium may help protect against cancer by binding to potentially harmful substances in the gut and promoting the death of abnormal cells.
Next, many milk products are fortified with vitamin D, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties and may help regulate cell growth and division. Also, the lactose in milk can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Finally, milk contains conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in meat and dairy products, which, according to a 2021 labratory study, could also have anti-cancer properties.
Crucially, milk consumption may not be suitable or beneficial for everyone. Those with lactose intolerance, milk allergies, or other dietary restrictions should consult with healthcare professionals before making significant changes to their dairy intake.
Overall, this groundbreaking research provides compelling evidence for the potential role of milk consumption in reducing bowel cancer risk. The finding that a relatively modest increase in daily milk consumption could lead to a significant reduction in bowel cancer risk is particularly encouraging. It suggests that small, achievable changes in diet could have meaningful impacts on public health.
As we continue to unravel the complex relationships between diet and disease, studies like this one provide valuable insights that can inform both individual health choices and broader public health strategies. The potential for a simple dietary change to have such a significant impact on cancer risk underscores the importance of continued research in this field and highlights the power of nutrition in shaping our health.
Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.
If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines
Source: Anglia Ruskin University
ARU’s Helmore building on East Road in Cambridge
An important project to help long-term unemployed people in Cambridge return to the labour market through a concept called ‘reverse volunteering’ has received financial backing from Research England.
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) will work with a range of partners, including Abbey People, to support local people on ARU’s Cambridge campus by providing experience of work alongside ARU staff members.
The pilot project will invite local people to “volunteer” on ARU Cambridge campus, mentored by ARU staff members, to experience work and develop the skills necessary to secure quality employment opportunities. This will include access to ARU’s HR and employability support services to assist with CV writing, job searching skills and submitting job applications.
The project is being led by ARU’s Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE) programme, which empowers ARU students to develop ideas that solve real issues in local communities.
“As a part of ARU’s strategic and civic responsibilities in nurturing vibrant university communities, this Research England funding will transform an idea into reality by helping long-term unemployed individuals re-enter the workforce.
“We look forward to collaborating with Abbey People, a community charity, and engaging enthusiastic ARU staff volunteers to provide mentoring and employability support.”
Neale Daniel, SHoKE Programme Manager at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)
“We are pleased to be working with ARU on this initiative, aiming to help people from Abbey gain confidence and experience with university jobs, getting them one step closer to meaningful work, as part of our Abbey Works pilot project.”
Nicky Shepard, CEO of Abbey People
ARU is one of six universities to receive a share of £60,000 in funding from Research England’s National Civic Impact Accelerator (NCIA) programme, which enables universities to explore a range of approaches to civic challenges across the country.
“The six projects funded through the programme give a flavour of the breadth and variety of civic work being undertaken in the action learning process and beyond. We look forward to the lessons and learning that develop through the projects and sharing these with the wider sector.”
Gemma Adams, Project Manager of the NCIA Action Learning Process, National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement
Source: Scotland – City of Dundee
A canine crime busting duo has sniffed out illegal tobacco in Dundee shops and foiled the sale of fake cigarettes.
City council Trading Standards teams have been working with doggy detectives Rose and Boo in an intelligence-led operation,
A number of retailers were targeted, with five found to be in possession of illicit tobacco.
Nearly 9,000 cigarettes and 1750g of tobacco were seized, and officers also took away 42 non-compliant, oversized vapes.
The Dundee initiative was part of Operation Cece Scotland, where Trading Standards work with HMRC to tackle the illegal tobacco trade.
HMRC can impose financial sanctions for non-compliance with Tobacco Track and Trace regulations, while Trading Standards can report any criminal breaches to the Procurator Fiscal.
Illegal tobacco products are unregulated and can often contain harmful ingredients and bypass quality checks. Illicit tobacco can also pose a safety risk as they are unlikely to meet the self-extinguishing safety standards.
If anyone suspects any premises is selling illicit cigarettes or tobacco, they can report it to trading.standards@dundeecity.gov.uk or via Consumer Advice Scotland on 0808 164 6000.
Council officer worked with the specially trained tobacco detection dogs from Consumer Protection Dogs UK and their handler.
Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Convener Councillor Heather Anderson said: said: “I commend our Trading Standards team for all their work in this area which helps to protect our city’s communities from harm.
“Officers will continue to play a part in preventing illegal tobacco from being sold from local shops.”
Source: Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Group airlines are introducing a new service for their passengers with immediate effect. Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings are integrating the Apple AirTag location feature into their baggage tracing. Customers can now use the new function to privately and securely share the location of their AirTag or Find My network accessory via the familiar digital channels of the baggage tracing service. The group’s airlines integrate this information into their systems accordingly and can thus digitally support baggage tracking.
“Our digital products team, the ‘Digital Hangar’ with its approximately 1,000 experts, offers our customers new digital services, transparent information and support along the entire journey every month,” says Dieter Vranckx, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group. “The use of Apple AirTag data is one example of many ways in which we are continuously developing the customer journey of all our Group airlines thanks to innovative digital services.”
“Thanks to our app and website, passengers can now find solutions quickly and easily in the event of irregularities,” adds Oliver Schmitt, Head of the Lufthansa Group Digital Hangar. “In particular, we have been able to achieve significant improvements in the last few months in the area of baggage tracing. The integration of our customers’ AirTag data opens up additional possibilities for us to act even more efficiently and quickly.”
Source: The Holy See
Press Communiqué from the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life: Theme of the Fifth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, 04.02.2025
The Holy Father has chosen the theme of the Fifth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, to be held this year on Sunday 27 July: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope” (cf. Sir 14:2).
These words, taken from the Book of Sirach, express the blessedness of the elderly and indicate hope placed in the Lord as the way to a Christian and reconciled old age.
In the Jubilee year, the Day, established by Pope Francis in 2021, is intended to be an opportunity to reflect on how the presence of grandparents and the elderly can become a sign of hope in every family and church community.
The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life renews to everyone Pope Francis’ invitation to celebrate the Day in every diocese, and to dedicate the celebrations of Sunday 27 July to the elderly, promoting visits and opportunities for encounters between the generations.
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
A speech delivered in Brussels at the EU-UK Forum by Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for European Union Relations.
Many thanks, Paul, and many thanks to the EU-UK Forum for organising this conference.
And, of course, for the invitation for me to come along to speak.
I suppose I should also say a big thank you to the Prime Minister for the warm-up act last night.
It’s a real pleasure to share a stage with my EU counterpart Maros Sefcovic.
Even though, of course, Maros joined us virtually, our mutual goal of reaching a better UK EU relationship is very real.
And today, I want to explain why that is so important…
…what it could mean for the UK and for Europe…
…and what I believe the defining structure of that relationship could look like.
It is obvious to me – as I am sure it is to all of you – that at a time of such intense global change, the UK and the EU have many mutually aligned interests and challenges.
We want increased prosperity…
… we want to strengthen our security…
…and we want our citizens to be safe.
Those joint challenges that we face were powerfully set out by our UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves…
…and, indeed, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen just last week.
In her growth speech, my Friend the Chancellor didn’t shy away from the economic challenges that we are confronting. She said:
“Growth will not come without a fight. Without a government willing to take the right decisions now to change our country’s future for the better.
“But for too long, that potential has been held back.”
On the same day, the President von der Leyen presented the ‘Competitiveness Compass’ saying that, and I quote:
“Europe has everything it needs to succeed. But, at the same time, we must fix our weaknesses to regain competitiveness.”
The ‘Competitive Compass’ sets out the importance of “trade openness”, “not only for sustaining Europe’s prosperity, but also for enhancing its resilience”.
We know that low growth is not the destiny for our economies.
Research and innovation…
…reducing red tape…
…a new skills agenda…
…boosting productivity…
…a more resilient economy…
…all these elements found in the Compass are also crucial parts of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
These are areas of mutual interest to both of our economies
It is also clear about the vital interconnection between security and prosperity…
…that is why the work we are all engaged in – that Maroš and I are driving forward – is so vital.
In the UK and indeed in Brussels – we are clear-eyed about the scale of challenges that we face – and the opportunities for growth and innovation.
The European Union is the UK’s biggest trading partner, with trade totalling – in 2023 – over £800bn.
Many of our best education and science facilities have lifelong links…
…and our collaboration on research and development has been the springboard for hugely successful innovations that have driven growth and jobs.
And in a more uncertain world, we are regularly reminded that allies are more secure together than they are apart.
This Government’s position is simple: the UK and the EU are linked through trade and international organisations like NATO…
…and even though we voted to leave the EU, our role as key allies and trade partner remains.
We know that for these relationships to flourish, trust is a vital ingredient.
This Government recognises that the UK’s signature means something.
So, we are committed to implementing the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and the Windsor Framework and building on that structure to address emerging challenges and opportunities.
Now, I want to say – straightforwardly – that we see real opportunities to improve the status quo.
As ‘Businesseurope’ set out in their report this Autumn:
“There remain many unnecessary barriers to trade and investment. Following the elections of new governments in the EU and UK, there is a clear opportunity to upgrade the relationship to deliver for businesses and citizens.”
I agree with them.
A study published last year showed that between 2021 and 2023, the goods EU businesses export to the UK were down by 32%…
…while UK goods exports to the EU were down by 27%.
That is not good for British business or European businesses…
…especially at a time when our economies need a kickstart.
Reducing trade barriers is of mutual benefit to the UK and the EU.
[redacted political content]
It was vital that we re-joined Horizon…
…we should never have left in the first place…
…but the gap in continuity and other challenges means we haven’t together achieved as much as we could have done.
It’s especially bad when global competition for innovation has never been fiercer.
When the UK should have been working more closely with international law enforcement on security…
…we frankly wasted years undermining the role of the ECHR, in pursuit of a doomed Rwanda deportation scheme.
We cannot continue in this way with one of our largest, most important partners…
…that is why this Government will always work in the UK’s national interest…
…and for me, that means being a ruthlessly pragmatic negotiator.
That means making the case for closer working with our allies in the EU, to make people across the UK and the EU safer, more secure and more prosperous…
…that means making sure that we are working to strengthen cooperation, moving away from a zero sum, win, lose dynamic we have seen in recent years…
…and that is the spirit I take into discussions with the EU.
The UK and the EU have many mutually beneficial interests…
…I want to build on these as we work to reset our relationship…
…to help construct a more secure, a safer and a more prosperous UK and EU.
Now this British Government was elected on a mandate…
…to strengthen national security by reconnecting with our allies…
…to increase people’s safety through strong borders…
…and increase prosperity through growth.
Our European friends are a part of every single one of those priorities…
…and I believe it’s these priorities that form the three pillars of a reset in our relationship.
On security – you saw yesterday how seriously we’re taking this.
Our Prime Minister met with all 27 of the EU leaders and the Secretary General of NATO…
…discussing the common threats we face…
…and the value that closer EU-UK cooperation on defence could bring…
…whether it’s securing undersea cables or working together on research and development.
On safety – I am clear that if we want to protect our respective borders and keep our citizens safe, then we need to work together.
That is the only way we’re going to break up the vile global trade in human trafficking…
…that’s the only way to tackle organised crime and terrorism, which plagues us all.
And on prosperity – if we want to grow our economies…
…and boost our living standards…
…then we need to reduce barriers to UK and EU trade.
And I am pleased to say that – that on all three of these issues – we are making progress.
On security, the Prime Minister and the President of the European Council have made clear they wanted closer cooperation on security and defence…
…and the EU High Representative and the Foreign Secretary have already agreed to new six-monthly Foreign Policy dialogues
On safety, we have already increased the UK’s presence at Europol…
…but I want us to go further.
We need to find to find ways to better coordinate law enforcement so that we can smash the gangs behind the small boats.
To make people safer, we must do all we can to strengthen our collective ability to tackle organised crime and work together on illegal migration.
Afterall, these are shared challenges.
And on prosperity, we have said we will seek to negotiate a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement to remove barriers to trade…
…and find ways to resolve issues like the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications.
We can go much further on energy and the green transition.
Our Government’s commitment is to Make Britain a Clean Energy superpower by 2030…
…and together, we need to deliver energy security so that we are never again left exposed as we were when Russia – illegally – invaded Ukraine.
These challenges all span borders and we must work together to seize opportunities that lie ahead.
All of this work is supported by much greater cooperation between the UK Government and the EU.
Right from the very top – with the Prime Minister meeting with President von der Leyen and Council President Costa…
…agreeing to a leader-level summit that will be held in May, where we hope we can deliver a balanced, yet ambitious outcome to benefit all of our citizens.
Just before Christmas, our Chancellor attended a meeting of the EU finance ministers…
…the first time a British Chancellor has been invited to the Eurogroup since Brexit.
These meetings form only some of the nearly 70 direct engagements…
…between UK Ministers and our EU counterparts since coming into Government…
…and I look forward to many more ahead.
And I say to you all: I look forward to working with you throughout this year and into the future.
But ladies and gentlemen – the time for ideologically-driven division is over…
…the time for ruthless pragmatism is now.
It is through a new partnership between the UK and the EU that we will deliver for the people of the United Kingdom, and for people across the continent.
The future of the EU and the UK lies beyond the status quo…
…reaching forward to deliver benefits for all our people to share.
So, let us rise to our shared challenges and grasp this opportunity.
Because together we will create a stronger UK and we will create a stronger Europe.
Thank you very much.
Published 4 February 2025
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A new 33 km high-pressure main water pipeline has been launched in the Luhansk People’s Republic. The new facility connects the cities of Molodogvardeysk and Sverdlovsk. It will provide uninterrupted water supply to more than a thousand residential buildings and social institutions, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported.
“The previous water pipeline, which is intended for Sverdlovsk, the villages of Komsomolsky and Mirny, as well as part of the Krasnodon district, was so worn out over 50 years that residents were sometimes left without water for weeks due to frequent accidents. We approached this issue in a comprehensive manner, using the mechanism of special treasury loans for the construction of the facility. Now the new main line is already stably supplying water to more than 930 apartment buildings, over 110 social institutions, as well as individual residential buildings, which has improved the quality of life of more than 75 thousand residents of the Lugansk People’s Republic,” said Marat Khusnullin.
The operator of the projects implemented using special treasury loans is the Territorial Development Fund. The work on the site was carried out under the direct supervision of the “Technical Customer of the FRT”.
“The water pipeline is designed to supply drinking water in the volume of up to 30 thousand cubic meters per day, which requires high wear resistance from it. During the construction of the water pipeline, various types of steel and plastic pipes of different diameters were used. To launch the strategic facility, Rospotrebnadzor conducted water tests and confirmed its safety, which made it possible to complete the technological connection of the new water pipeline to the pumping station that supplies water to residents,” added Ilshat Shagiakhmetov, General Director of the public-law company “Fund for Development of Territories”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The accumulated production of RN-Purneftegaz, one of the main centers of Rosneft oil and gas production in Yamal, has reached 280 million tons of oil since the start of field operation in 1986. This result was made possible by pioneering oil workers and the entire team of RN-Purneftegaz. The qualifications of the company’s specialists, non-standard engineering solutions, and many years of work have allowed the development of the most complex fields in terms of structure, the creation of a powerful production infrastructure from scratch, and the introduction of innovative technologies.
The total area of licensed areas located in the Purovsky District is more than 14 thousand square kilometers. The operating stock exceeds 2.7 thousand wells, and the length of pipelines is about 4 thousand kilometers.
In 2024, the company launched the Yuzhno-Tarkosalinskoye field into commercial operation and also began developing new deposits of the Verkhnepurpeyskoye and Komsomolskoye fields. The development of a new resource base will allow maintaining a stable level of raw material production in the medium term.
The complex geological structure of a number of fields under development requires the selection and implementation of innovative technologies for drilling and oil production. The company successfully uses a domestic automated drilling control system. The development has reduced the drilling time by an average of 11.7 hours/well. The automated intelligent system operates on the autopilot principle: based on the initial parameters, the automation makes adjustments to the control of the technological process without the operator’s participation. At the same time, a high level of industrial safety is ensured.
RN-Purneftegaz pays special attention to environmental protection. The company carries out systematic work on reforestation and preservation of aquatic biological resources of the region. Over the past three years, more than 1.2 million pine seedlings have been planted on an area of 340 hectares in Yamal. The company has released more than 2.1 million fry of valuable fish species – peled, carp, nelma and muksun – into the rivers of the Ob-Irtysh basin.
The city of Gubkinsky, built by oil workers, is the base for RN-Purneftegaz. With the support of Rosneft, most of the socially significant facilities were built here: a city hospital, a children’s library, music and art schools, two swimming pools, an indoor ice rink, and a number of residential complexes. The city-forming enterprise provided financial assistance in the construction of the Neftyanik Palace of Culture and Sports. The construction of an Ice Palace with a total area of 6,500 sq. m. is underway. The new facility will allow Gubkin residents to engage in winter sports all year round.
For over twenty years, the company has been providing ongoing support to the indigenous peoples of Yamal, helping to preserve their culture and traditional way of life. With the support of RN-Purneftegaz, a program to develop education for children of the indigenous peoples of the North who lead a nomadic lifestyle has been implemented in the region since last year. Grants from oil workers have been used to publish teaching aids in the language of the Forest Nenets – a textbook, a workbook, and an online simulator for elementary grades. The district is also developing the practice of preparing children for school directly in the places where families live – in nomadic kindergartens.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft February 4, 2025
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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
KOŠICE, SLOVAKIA, Feb. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Decent Cybersecurity concluded its highly anticipated conference QSEC-CEE 2025 on post-quantum cybersecurity, bringing together experts and innovators at Bistro HÁJE and online, on Jan 31, 2025. The sold-out hybrid event gathered leading cybersecurity professionals from across Central and Eastern Europe, fostering critical discussions on the future of quantum-resistant security solutions.
The conference, organized by Decent Cybersecurity, a founding member of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky, AKI), showcased the region’s emerging leadership in quantum security innovation.
The day opened with powerful keynotes from industry leaders. Matej Michalko, CEO of Decent Cybersecurity, delivered an inspiring vision of Central Europe’s role in quantum security, followed by Michaela Abel, COO, who outlined practical steps for building quantum-ready organizations.
The program flowed seamlessly through technical and strategic presentations. Ing. Pavol Krcho, PhD. traced the fascinating evolution from punch cards to post-quantum cryptography, while doc. Ing. Jaroslav Sivák CSc. delivered crucial insights on critical infrastructure security. Marek Procháska brought fresh perspectives on the post-quantum future of DevOps.
The afternoon sessions saw Ing. Hana Krchová, Ph.D., MBA tackling the future of R&D project management, followed by Mgr. Jozef Binder’s exploration of agile methodologies in the quantum era. Certified cybersecurity auditor and manager Ing. Pavol Adámek rounded out the program with a comprehensive overview of NIS2 implementation in Slovakia.
“The quantum threat isn’t coming – it’s here,” warned Michaela Abel during her keynote. “And today showed that Central Europe isn’t waiting for solutions from Silicon Valley or Tel Aviv. We’re building them ourselves.”
The carefully curated single-track format ensured all attendees, both in-person and virtual, shared the same powerful experience. Live translation services in English, Slovak, and Czech enabled seamless communication across the region.
“The energy here is different,” noted one attendee from Prague. “It’s not just another tech conference – there’s real work getting done, whether you’re here in person or joining remotely.”
The choice of venue proved inspired. Bistro HÁJE, perched in Košice’s Lorinčík district, offered a refreshing break from sterile conference centers. Between sessions, in-person attendees networked over local specialties while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, while virtual participants engaged through dedicated networking channels.
About Decent Cybersecurity
A founding member of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic, Decent Cybersecurity leads the charge in European cybersecurity solutions, with a laser focus on post-quantum security and critical infrastructure protection. The company holds ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certifications from TÜV SÜD, and maintains national, EU, and NATO security clearances at the “Secret” level. As a certified provider of cybersecurity audit by the National Security Authority, Decent Cybersecurity brings the highest level of security expertise to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive data.
About Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic
The Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky, AKI) unites key players in Slovakia’s critical infrastructure security sector, driving innovation in national security solutions.
About Bistro HÁJE
Tucked away at Pod Hájmi 28, Košice-Lorinčík, Bistro HÁJE has become Košice’s go-to venue for high-stakes business gatherings. Its blend of professional facilities and stunning natural surroundings offers a welcome departure from conventional conference spaces.
For conference materials and future events: www.decentcybersecurity.eu and www.akisr.sk
Contact
Decent Cybersecurity s.r.o.
media@decentcybersecurity.eu
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
The Albanese government is banning DeepSeek – the Chinese artificial intelligence model – from all government systems and devices on national security grounds.
It says this is in line with the actions of a number of other countries and is based on “risk and threat information” from security and intelligence agencies.
The Chinese platform TikTok is already banned from government systems and devices.
Under the decision, announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, government bodies must immediately remove all DeepSeek products, applications and services from systems and mobile devices. No new installations are allowed.
But politicians can still have DeepSeek on their personal non-government devices. This presently happens with TikTok – for example opposition leader Peter Dutton has a TikTok account.
While the direction only applies to official systems and devices, the government is also urging all Australians to inform themselves about how their data can be used online and to carefully review a company’s privacy policy on how customer data is managed.
Burke said: “The Albanese government is taking swift and decisive action to protect Australia’s national security and national interest.
“AI is is a technology full of potential and opportunity, but the government will not hesitate to act when our agencies identify a national security risk.
“Our approach is country-agnostic and focused on the risk to the Australian government and our assets.‘
The NSW Department of Customer Service acted late last month to ban DeepSeek from official devices and systems.
The department told Cyber Daily it had “taken a precautionary approach to restrict corporate access to DeepSeek AI, consistent with the approach taken for many new and emerging applications, systems and services”.
Commenting on the NSW department’s decision Dana Mckay, Senior Lecturer in Innovative Interactive Technologies at RMIT, said: “The reason Chinese-made and-owned tools are being banned is that the data they collect is available to the Chinese government not just when a crime has been committed, but also for economic or social reasons.
“DeepSeek even collects keystroke patterns, which can be used to identify individuals, potentially allowing them to match in-work searches with leisure time searches, potentially leading to national security risks,” she said.
“It is fair to ask whether DeepSeek is more dangerous to Australian national security than, say, OpenAI which collects similar data: the difference is that OpenAI will only give data to government to comply with relevant laws, and this typically means where a crime may have been committed.
“Whether governments should be concerned about the level of data collected by commercial companies, such as OpenAI and Google, is still a significant question, but one that is separate to the national security concerns raised by China’s data sovereignty laws.”
Among those banning Deepseek are the Pentagon, the United States Navy, NASA, Italy and Taiwan.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Albanese government bans DeepSeek from official devices on security grounds – https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-bans-deepseek-from-official-devices-on-security-grounds-249022
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
A display at York Explore Library is showcasing artefacts uncovered during construction of the Environment Agency’s Flood Alleviation Scheme at Clifton Ings.
Image of a fragment of pottery that was found at the site.
York Explore Library located at Library Square, Museum Street, York (Y01 7DS) is showcasing remarkable artefacts uncovered during the construction of the Environment Agency’s Flood Alleviation Scheme at Clifton Ings.
These 19th-century artefacts, originating from a former mental health institution, provide rare insights into the lives of past patients and staff. The display will be available until 27 February 2025.
Part of a £21 million investment to protect homes and businesses from flooding, the Clifton Ings Flood Alleviation Scheme not only enhances flood defences but has also led to the discovery of significant historical artefacts.
The discoveries, made in 2021-2022 by York Archaeology, originate from a rubbish dump associated with Clifton Hospital, formerly the North Riding Lunatic Asylum (established 1847) and later known as North Riding Mental Hospital.
The hospital was demolished in 1994, making these objects rare physical traces of its history.
Among the items on display are a fragment of a hot water bottle with its stopper still in place, an enamelled iron jug, and fragments of ceramic cups, saucers, plates, and dishes, some bearing the hospital’s initials.
Also featured are a bone toothbrush and dominoes made from bone and wood. These objects provide a rare and valuable insight into the everyday lives of both patients and staff.
An image showing an overview of the finds.
Mental health institutions have historically been overlooked in archaeological research, making these discoveries particularly significant.
The display sheds light on the lived experiences within Clifton Hospital and highlights the evolving history of mental health care.
After the display period at York Explore, the finds will be deposited with the Mental Health Museum in Wakefield, ensuring their preservation and continued study.
Published 4 February 2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Environment Agency has opened a consultation on a permit variation application from the operator of Jameson Road Landfill in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
Transwaste Recycling & Aggregates has applied to the Environment Agency for permission to operate a dedicated tipping bay for waste brought on to the site.
The tipped waste would be transferred to dump trucks that would take the waste to final disposal in the landfill.
To be able to do this, the company needs to apply for a change to its existing environmental permit for the site.
The Environment Agency is seeking views from the local community and interested groups on the application.
The consultation runs from Monday 3 February until Monday 17 March, 2025.
John Neville, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
We understand the ongoing public interest and concerns around this landfill site.
I’d like to reassure people that we will carry out a detailed and rigorous assessment of Transwaste’s permit variation application
Our regulatory controls are in place to protect people and the environment.
We welcome comments from the public and interested groups on local environmental factors related to this permit consultation.
In its application, the company proposes that the tipping bay would have sealed drainage and containment. It also proposes the bay would be surrounded by nets to minimise the potential for litter escaping.
The application includes screening, which would act as a wind shield and visual screen for the tipping operation.
The Environment Agency assesses applications for environmental permits, or to vary existing environmental permits, under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR).
Its role is to assess the application and decide if it meets all requirements under relevant environmental legislation and provides a high level of protection to the environment and human health.
It will only vary the environmental permit for the site to allow the tipping bay if it is satisfied this would be the case.
The consultation is live on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space page.
Published 4 February 2025
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
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Dmitry Patrushev visited the Svistyagino waste energy recycling plant in the Moscow region
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev visited the operating Svistyagino waste energy recycling plant in the Moscow Region. The facility was commissioned in December last year.
At a meeting following the inspection, the Deputy Prime Minister was informed about the progress of the plant certification. After that, the plant will receive the status of a wholesale electricity and capacity market entity. According to the schedule, Svistyagino will be able to become an electricity supplier in the second quarter of this year.
Dmitry Patrushev was also told about the operating model of Svistyagino and other similar facilities. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the plant must be financially stable, this will ensure its effective functioning.
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Thousands of unlicensed and illegal wildlife products have been seized by Border Force as part of Operation Thunder.
Operation Thunder is an intensive international operation to target the criminal networks behind wildlife crime,
From 11 November to 6 December 2024, Border Force officers taking part in Operation Thunder 24 made 217 seizures of wildlife products which are controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES).
Seizures included live plants, a range of beauty products containing caviar and cactus extracts, a quantity of bear bile, and clothes and accessories containing animal skins.
Border Force officers also detected over 400 live birds as part of the operation, including rosella parakeets, king parrots, African grey parrots and blue-fronted Amazon parrots. Where possible, Border Force will rehome any live animals found.
Operation Thunder is a global effort to target the illegal wildlife trade and is co-led by Interpol and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Wildlife crime is estimated to be worth up to £17 billion globally per year and is the fourth largest international crime according to Interpol, behind only arms, drugs and human trafficking. Strengthening border security and breaking the criminal networks that seek to abuse our borders is a key part of the government’s plan for change.
Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said:
Detecting and seizing illegal wildlife products is not just a matter of enforcement, but a vital act of preservation for this planet’s biodiversity.
The work of Border Force in interrupting this serious organised crime is critical to the UK’s efforts to regulate the international trade in endangered species.
Border Force Director for National Operations, Danny Hewitt said:
Wildlife crime is a serious organised crime which fuels corruption, threatens species with extinction, deprives some of the world’s poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods, and degrades ecosystems.
We take an intelligence-led approach to detecting illegal trade and work closely with our partners across the global community to share training, expertise and skills.
Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh said:
Tackling wildlife crime is essential to protecting iconic biodiversity at home and abroad. Criminal gangs must face justice for the part they play in nature destruction for self-gain.
These figures reflect the invaluable role of the Border Force in safeguarding wildlife, and are an example of international collaboration to combat global criminal networks.
Border Force works closely with other enforcement agencies, both nationally and internationally, to tackle the illegal wildlife trade and keep borders secure. This includes the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), London Heathrow Animal Reception Centre and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, amongst others.
This year’s Operation Thunder was also supported by the police, who executed 5 warrants in relation to bird egg smuggling. This has so far resulted in the confiscation of over 5,000 bird eggs.
Operation Thunder 24 led to seizures in the UK which included:
Border Force is responsible for frontline detection and seizure of items covered by the CITES convention, which tackles the illegal trade in endangered animals and plants. The Heathrow-based Border Force CITES team are specialist officers who are recognised as world leaders in their field.
Border Force’s work to prevent the trade of unregulated and illegal products made from endangered species is helping the government in its safer streets mission by smashing organised crime.
Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling and trafficking of any kind can report it online using the report smuggling service.
Published 4 February 2025
Source: City of Oxford
“Representatives from councils in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Swindon met in Oxford on 31 January to discuss the government’s expectations for a possible future mayoral strategic authority (MSA).
The discussion highlighted the need to focus on health, growth and economic development and ensuring that any Strategic Authority provides the best possible outcome for all our residents, businesses and communities.
Further discussion and work will take place on the optimum size, scope and membership of a Strategic Authority.”
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The Moskino cinema park has already shown 38 screenings of the historical play Cathedral Square. Since its premiere, it has been seen by about eight thousand viewers. The famous writer Zakhar Prilepin, who visited the cinema park on February 2, shared his impressions of the play.
“This performance should definitely be shown to children. And in general, everyone should see it. Spectacular techniques, Christian symbols, cubism, futurism mixed with Russian national style – all this looks amazing. In this performance, there is a synergy of genres and styles – folk theater with elements of buffoonery moves into modern dance theater, and then into classical theater. Our country is developing rapidly, and this performance is a true indicator,” he noted.
The production tells about the events of the Time of Troubles, revealing to the audience the true reasons for the war between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Russian Tsardom. This is the first open-air multimedia performance in the Moskino cinema park, it was created specifically for showing in the decorations of the Cathedral Square of Moscow. A large multi-stage stage and heated spectator stands were built there. Artists, designers, engineers and producers headed by director Eduard Boyakov worked on the production.
“I was very interested to see the Moskino cinema park and these amazing decorations. I have just finished working on a historical novel, and these motives are very close to me. The cinema park made a strong impression, great job to those who came up with and implemented this project,” added Zakhar Prilepin.
Famous actors take part in the performance: Dmitry Pevtsov, Valery Nikolaev, Ekaterina Guseva, Leonid Yakubovich, Anna Bolshova, Olga Kabo, Irina Lindt, Yulia Takshina and others. Along with young actors, each viewer will have the opportunity to see a famous actor on stage.
The production is shown every weekend until February 23 inclusive. On February 8 and 9 the performance will take place at 18:00 and 19:30. On February 15, 16, 22 and 23 — at 18:30 and 20:00. Buy tickets you can follow the link.
The Moskino Cinema Park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Moscow — City of Cinema project and an object of the Moscow film cluster. The first stage of development has already been completed: 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built, including the sets of Moscow Center, Moscow of the 1940s, Vitebsk Station, Yurovo Airport, Moscow Cathedral Square, Deaf Village, Partisan Village, County Town, Cowboy Town, St. Petersburg Bar and other sites.
The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.
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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149664073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
In the Cheryomushki area of the South-West Administrative District, a house will be built under the renovation program. It will be located near the Zyuzino metro station, at the address: Kakhovka Street, Building 20a. This was reported by Juliana Knyazhevskaya, Chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development of Moscow (Moskomarkhitektura).
“Moskomarkhitektura has developed a land planning project for a 0.92 hectare site for the construction of a building under the renovation program with a maximum residential development area of 9.5 thousand square meters,” noted Yuliana Knyazhevskaya.
In addition to the proximity of the transport network, the advantage for residents of the new building will be the presence of developed social and commercial infrastructure around it.
Previously Mayor of Moscow reported, that 1.2 trillion rubles have been allocated in the draft budget for three years to implement the renovation program.
Renovation program approved in August 2017. It concerns about a million Muscovites and provides for the resettlement of 5,176 houses.
Sergei Sobyanin instructed to double the pace of implementation of the renovation program.
Moscow is one of the leaders among regions in terms of construction volumes. High rates of housing construction correspond to the goals and initiatives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.
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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149657073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The second stage of the major repairs of the Krasnopresnensky overpass has begun. About 100 workers and specialists are employed at the site. Excavators, loaders, manipulators, rollers, asphalt pavers, a beam dismantling unit, compressors and generators are involved in the work.
There are currently four lanes for cars: two each in the direction of Begovaya Street and 1905 Street. A temporary dividing barrier with red signal lights has been installed between the oncoming directions. Fences, information boards and temporary road signs have also been erected in the work area. Pedestrians can use the sidewalk located outside the work boundaries. The speed limit on the overpass is 40 kilometers per hour.
“The dismantling of the bridge deck has now been completed. Specialists have begun dismantling the beams of the superstructure. A total of 90 beams will be dismantled. Each weighs over 50 tons, and is 24.3 to 33.7 meters long. The work is being carried out at night and during the day, depending on the process windows, in agreement with the railway workers. At present, 14 beams have already been dismantled, located on the side of 1905 Goda Street and above the railway tracks,” said the deputy head of the capital’s Department of Capital Repairs.
To determine which technology to use for the safe dismantling of each beam, specialists conduct laboratory testing of its condition. For this purpose, special openings are made to provide access. If the defects are significant, the beam will be sawn into pieces and dismantled. In this case, supporting underbridge elements can also be used. If the beam is strong, it can be dismantled entirely.
To dismantle the beams of the superstructure, an assembly unit is used. This is a specially designed lifting crane that moves along the rails laid on the overpass. After the beams are disconnected using a diamond cutting machine, the unit lifts them with special grips and takes them to the storage site. The dismantled beams are crushed and disposed of at special landfills.
Anton Akulov added that 60 beams out of 90 will be dismantled using an assembly unit. Then the rails will be dismantled, and the remaining beams will be dismantled using truck cranes. After the repair of the bridge structure supports is completed, they will begin installing new beams that meet modern requirements for strength and load resistance. They will be protected from corrosion using special means. Then they will install expansion joints and begin forming the bridge deck. The beams will be covered with monolithic slabs, leveling layers will be applied, and then waterproofing and asphalt will be performed.
At the final stage, the builders will install a curb and equip sidewalks, along which they will install lighting poles and put the railings in order. In addition, it is planned to repair the staircases and the granite cladding of the overpass. Specialists will also reconstruct the exit onto Bryansky Post Street.
Tests were successfully conducted on the Krasnopresnensky overpassMajor repairs of Krasnopresnensky overpass are already half complete
Krasnopresnensky overpass runs over the railway tracks of the Smolensk direction of the Moscow Railway and connects 1905 Goda and Begovaya streets with Khoroshevskoye Highway. It is part of an important city road. It was decided to carry out major repairs in stages, without closing the bridge completely. The first stage was completed in January of this year.
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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149658073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
The Discover Moscow portal has six new audio guides for independent walks around the city. Now residents and guests of the capital can go on an audio-guided tour, during which they will be told about iconic architectural sites.
“We try to make getting to know the history and architecture of Moscow fascinating and accessible to everyone. It is important to us that everyone can explore the city at any time in a convenient format and at their own pace. Therefore, adding audio guides to thematic routes is one of our traditional areas of work to popularize the cultural heritage of the capital,” said the head of the Moscow City Heritage Department.
One of the routes is dedicated to the 240th anniversary of the birth of the architect Osip Bove, who restored the center of Moscow after the fire of 1812. Among his significant works are the Gostiny Dvor building and the Theater Square with the Bolshoi Theater. Another route introduces listeners to the work of Fyodor Shekhtel. It is dedicated to the 165th anniversary of the architect’s birth.
An audio version has also appeared for the route “From Krasnye Vorota to Chistoprudny Boulevard”, which runs along the historic Myasnitskaya Street – once an important commercial artery of the city. It was home to famous shops, theaters and art galleries, as well as buildings mentioned in the works of Russian classics (for example, Anton Chekhov and Fyodor Dostoevsky).
Another excursion goes along Varvarka, one of the oldest streets in the capital. According to legend, it was along this street that Dmitry Donskoy returned from Kulikovo Field. The Church of All Saints was consecrated in memory of the fallen soldiers. It became the first church-monument to Russian military glory.
The audio version of the route “Along Sukharevskaya Square and Sretenka Street” is now also available, introducing the history of one of the most famous corners of Moscow. The legendary Sukharev Tower, which served as a symbol of the city for a long time, was located here. Despite the fact that the structure was demolished in 1934, its history continues to attract the attention of researchers and tourists, remaining an important part of the cultural past of the capital.
The sixth route passes through the territory of the Novodevichy Convent, which celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2024. This architectural monument, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is associated with the fates of Russian monarchs and holds many legends.
“Get to Know Moscow” is a joint project of the capital’s departments information technology, cultures, cultural heritage, education and science. On portal and in mobile applicationYou can find more than 280 walking routes, photographs and descriptions of over 2.3 thousand buildings, 700 monuments and 400 museums.
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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149666073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Platform “Electronic House” has become an indispensable tool for Muscovites. It helps to participate in the life of the house, saving time and effort on solving both routine household issues and those that are important for all residents of an apartment building. Thanks to the platform, you can, for example, hold general meetings of owners (GMOs) and surveys, send requests about problems in the house or in the yard, post ads, transmit meter readings, and also pay utility bills.
The platform’s specialists help Muscovites understand the functionality and intricacies of the “Electronic House”. They answered the most popular questions from users, which they ask on social networks and in the “Feedback” section on the website and in the application.
Questions related to general meetings of owners are most often received from city residents. Last year alone, the platform hosted more than 10 thousand OSS.
Experts note that when holding a general meeting of owners in an apartment building using the platform, an important role is assigned to the administrator. He creates a new general meeting of owners in the system at the request of the initiator, notifies residents of the upcoming meeting, and also collects paper ballots if the owners do not want or have the opportunity to vote electronically.
“Any owner of premises in an apartment building or a management organization can become an administrator of the general meeting of owners. At the same time, according to the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, at the first general meeting of owners in the system, the role of the administrator is performed by the initiator of such a meeting, and for subsequent ones, his candidacy is approved by a decision of the owners also within the framework of the general meeting of owners. The owners can change the candidacy of the administrator by including this issue in the agenda of any subsequent meeting,” said Alena Krutakova, head of the Electronic House project.
Based on the results of the AGM, a protocol is formed with the decisions of the owners on all issues on the agenda, signed with the electronic signature of the operator of the Electronic House system. All users of the platform can get acquainted with it in the section “Polls and meetings of owners” of the personal account (the “Meetings” tab). There, the initiator of the AGM can also download appendices to the protocol, which contain decisions, powers of attorney for representatives of the owners and other documents.
According to experts, if the management method chosen in the house is through a homeowners’ association (HOA), then the meeting can be held in exactly the same way on the “Electronic House” platform. However, it is worth paying attention to the agenda items.
“It is important to distinguish between the general meeting of owners and the general meeting of members of the HOA: their competence includes different issues, enshrined in Articles 44 and 145 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation. For example, determining the amount of the contribution for major repairs is an agenda item exclusively for the general meeting of owners; HOA members cannot make such decisions. At the same time, the meeting of HOA members can consider issues of approving the annual plan for the maintenance and repair of common property in an apartment building or changing the chairman of the HOA board. In the “Electronic House”, owners of premises in buildings managed by the HOA can only hold a general meeting of owners; holding a meeting of HOA members on the platform is not provided for,” explained Alena Krutakova.
The platform’s specialists explain that the proper condition of the common property in the building is monitored by the management organization or HOA (depending on the chosen management method). They are also responsible for eliminating deficiencies in the yard if the adjacent territory is part of the common property.
On the platform there are points of the city loyalty program “A Million Prizes” are awarded for active participation in the life of the house. For example, for transmitting meter readings, paying utility bills, holding and participating in the general meeting of owners, or posting an ad for the first time. They are displayed in the user’s personal account in the “My points” section. The total number of city points received for active participation in all electronic projects of the capital is also visible there. It is also convenient to go from this section to the “Million Prizes” website, where city points can be used to receive goods and services from program partners. In addition, points can be donated to charity.
You can find answers to most questions, as well as get more detailed information about the platform’s capabilities, in the Knowledge Base on the website and in the Electronic Home app. If you cannot find the answer to your question, users can leave a message in the Feedback section on the ed.mos.ru website or in the More tab of the Technical Support section in the mobile app.
The Electronic Home platform was launched in November 2020. It helps manage your home online using a website or app. Users have the opportunity to receive important notifications about events in the house in a timely manner, such as hot water supply outages or elevator repairs. You can also report problems in your apartment, house, and yard to the management company, pay for utilities, transmit meter readings, communicate with neighbors in a chat, and hold general meetings of owners electronically.
The project is being developed by the State Institution “New Management Technologies” together withDepartment of Information Technology the city of Moscow.
The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant, as well as other services and services in electronic form, corresponds to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the Moscow regional project “Digital Public Administration”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149659073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
This year, specialists from the city services complex will renew more than 300 ventilation shafts of utility collectors. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.
“The main task was to organically fit these structures into the urban landscape, so the old houses were replaced by modernized lattices,” explained Petr Biryukov.
Ventilation shafts are above-ground parts of utility manifolds through which air enters. They are necessary for the smooth functioning of underground engineering structures.
Modernization of ventilation shafts has been carried out in the capital since 2011, when large-scale programs for the improvement of streets and public spaces began to be implemented. Specialists dismantle old metal structures on the shaft heads, thoroughly clean the surfaces, restore the concrete layer and waterproofing. If necessary, they change the fans. At the final stage, the structures are faced with granite. When carrying out the work, the craftsmen use materials and equipment from Russian manufacturers.
The capital’s collector system is a unique underground city, unparalleled in terms of length, network ramifications, and compactness of the communications laid inside. The total length of the collectors is more than 815 kilometers, and the number of ventilation shafts exceeds 13 thousand.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149677073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Last weekend, February 1 and 2, the Moskino Cinema Park hosted a grand celebration of the Chinese New Year, in which more than 10 thousand people took part. A varied program was prepared for visitors, which did not leave either children or adults indifferent.
You could learn about Eastern secrets and myths in the quest “The Coming of the Chinese Spirit”. More than two thousand people took part in it, and their task was to catch the hungry Nyan and get a prize. The guests had to find red objects, and to do this, they had to distract the monster from Chinese mythology, make him laugh and make noise. The participants completed the task and won.
Fun games in Chinese style were held near a natural green screen in the open air. Children and adults assembled puzzles with images of a dragon, rolled balls through a wooden labyrinth, threw oranges at targets, made cubes from multi-colored figures and played tangerine tic-tac-toe.
In Chalet No. 1 on the Central Square, master classes were held, where those who wanted to painted white Chinese lanterns with patterns, learned calligraphy under the guidance of masters, and molded a dragon from air plasticine. In addition, street classes were held in Chinese national dance with a dragon. A large head and a long tail on sticks were distributed among the participants. They smoothly moved around the square, creating the illusion that the dragon was hovering in the air.
The scenery of the Gonzaga Theatre featured Chinese folklore. Drummers performed there: the artists were dressed in traditional costumes and performed rhythmic compositions.
For winter sports enthusiasts, the skating rink and tubing hill continued to operate. After skating, you could warm up with hot drinks at the fair.
At master classes in Chalet No. 2, children painted movie clappers, made “Jolly Snowman” magnets, and decorated a field and sea pebble figures for playing tic-tac-toe. The educational center hosted master classes in acting, dancing, and vocals.
The weekend also saw the performance of the multimedia play “Cathedral Square”. Spectators saw the performance in the open air, sitting on warm heated seats, and learned a lot about the Time of Troubles. On different days, famous theater and film actors Dmitry Pevtsov, Ekaterina Guseva, Leonid Yakubovich, Anna Bolshova, Elena Zakharova and other artists take part in the play. You can see the production in the historical scenery of “Cathedral Square of Moscow” every weekend until February 23 inclusive. Tickets are available on the play’s page on the website of the Moskino cinema park.
For those who wanted to see the unique scenery of the cinema park and learn new facts about the cinema professions, the excursion “Cinema Expedition” was held, and during the staged filming based on the Soviet films “Gentlemen of Fortune” and “Varvara-Beauty, Long Braid” it was possible to try on the costumes of the characters, learn the roles and act in front of the camera.
Nature and scenery. Producer Evgeniya Sholokhova on filming in the Moskino cinema parkSpectators shared their impressions of the play “Cathedral Square”A piece of a plate from an excursion: the Moskino cinema park told about an unusual tradition
The Moskino Cinema Park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Moscow — City of Cinema project and an object of the Moscow film cluster. The first stage of development has already been completed here: 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets of Moscow Center, Moscow of the 1940s, Vitebsk Station, Yurovo Airport, Moscow Cathedral Square, Deaf Village, Partisan Village, County Town, Cowboy Town, St. Petersburg Bar and other sites.
The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.
Project “Winter in Moscow”— the main event of the season, which until February 28 brings together various events in the capital. Citizens and tourists are invited to remember traditions and history, warm up with tea and hot buns, go ice skating, watch ice shows, give gifts to people who find themselves in a difficult life situation, and show concern for those who need it.
Muscovites and guests of the capital are offered a huge selection of events in the open air and in cultural and sports institutions. The atmosphere of winter traditions has engulfed the entire city: more than 1.9 thousand sites are open. The project organically intertwined with the largest festivals of the capital “Moscow Estates”, “Moscow Tea Party”, “City of Light” and many others. All information about the project and events of the winter season can be found in a special section of mos.ru.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149655073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
You can pay your housing and communal services (HCS) bills quickly, conveniently and, most importantly, safely using the My Payments service. It is available atmos.ru portal and in mobile applications “Gosuslugi Moskvy” and “My Moscow”. When making a payment through this official resource, you can be sure of the authenticity of the invoices, the safety of personal data and the absence of malicious links or programs. This is especially important in connection with cases of fraud using fake receipts for payment of housing and communal services – fakes were dropped into mailboxes.
“Thanks to the My Payments service, residents of the capital can always be aware of new utility bills and pay them on the mos.ru portal without going to third-party resources. City residents save time by using templates and the batch payment function, and do not worry about the timeliness of payment for services by setting up automatic payments and notifications,” said Vladimir Novikov, Director of the Department for Support of Citywide Payment Systems of the Moscow Department of Information Technology.
Almost half of the payments that residents make online in city services are for housing and communal services. In 2024 alone, residents of the capital paid more than 8.7 million housing and communal services bills on the mos.ru portal and in mobile applications, and over 46 million in total, they said inDepartment of Information Technology of the City of Moscow.
The My Payments service will automatically find all unpaid utility bills if the user has a standard or full account onmos.ru portal, and the personal account contains the address, the payer code of the single payment document (EPD) and the personal accounts of the resource supplying organizations that issue invoices under direct contracts. If the information in the personal account is not enough, you can find the required account and simultaneously enter the information directly in the service using the widget “Documents and data”.
To avoid missing a payment, Muscovites are being asked to sign up to receive it notifications about new accounts. To do this, in your personal account on the mos.ru portal, you need to select the “Profile” section and go to the “Subscription settings” tab, and in the section categories, check the box next to the form of receiving notifications that is convenient for you.
Save time on paying bills too templates will help. To create them, you need to activate the “Save as template” option when paying for the service. Then the details and amount for making a regular payment will be saved. All templates are displayed in the “My Payments” service on the invoices page, so then you just need to select the one you need and immediately proceed to payment. This is convenient, for example, when regularly paying for solid municipal waste management services. The name and amount of the template can be changed at any time.
In addition, for convenient and regular payment of bills in the My Payments service, you can set up auto payment on invoice. This function will simplify regular payment of the EPD. You can connect it after the first payment. To do this, you will need to select the frequency and date of the write-off, specify the amount and bank card details, after which the invoice will be paid automatically.
The service also allows you to use one-time (package) payment function. Simply select the required invoices from the list by ticking them, and then click “Pay”. You will only need to enter one payment confirmation code for the first invoice in the package, which will be sent to your mobile phone number. Payment receipts will be generated separately for each invoice and will be available in the “Payment History” section.
In addition, in the “My Payments” service on mos.ru you can pay bills for water and electricity issued under direct contracts with resource supplying organizations. You will need a standard or full account. To pay for electricity in your personal account on the portal (in the “Real Estate” section), you need to add the personal account of JSC Mosenergosbyt and the number of the electricity meter, and to pay for water consumption, you need to add the subscriber number of JSC Mosvodokanal. The issued bills for water and electricity will be displayed in the “My Payments” service automatically, you will only need to make a payment at any time.
Paying bills through the fast payment system (FPS) frees city residents from the need to provide bank card details. And until January 10, 2026, when using the FPS in the My Payments service on the mos.ru portal, residents of the capital can pay bills without commission, as well as receive cashback (partial refund) in the amount of one percent of the payment amount when paying for services in certain categories. To do this, you must register in the loyalty program before making a payment onon the website vamprivet.ruCashback in rubles will be automatically returned within a minute to the bank account from which the payment was made through the SBP.
The promotion is being held by the National Payment Card System. You can find out more about the organizer, terms and rules of the promotion aton the website vamprivet.ru, as well as in the instructions onmos.ru portal. If any questions arise, participants of the action can contact the support service of the mos.ru portal in the section “Feedback” and by calling the hotline: 7 495 539-55-55 (24-hour information and reference service for the provision of government services).
The My Payments service on the mos.ru portal, as well as in the city mobile applications Moscow State Services and My Moscow, is one of the most popular ways to pay bills for services among residents, legal entities and entrepreneurs of the capital. It allows you to pay for about nine thousand different services. Over the seven years of operation, city residents paid with it over 107 million accounts. More information about all the features of the My Payments service — in the instructions.
The creation, development and operation of the e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, correspond to the objectives of the national project “Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State” and the regional project of the city of Moscow “Digital Public Administration”.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149676073/
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Since the beginning of this year, specialists from the city services complex have checked more than 100 thousand gas stoves installed in Muscovites’ apartments. This was reported by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.
“In January, we checked the functionality and compliance with safety requirements of over 100 thousand gas stoves. If violations are detected, gas workers eliminate the safety threat and give recommendations for further operation and repair. Information about the dates and times of inspections is posted on stands installed in entrances and courtyards,” noted Petr Biryukov.
Gas safety issues are under special control. According to the head of the city economy complex, specialists conduct scheduled maintenance of all gasified housing stock annually.
In the capital, about 1.8 million families use gas stoves. In order for the equipment to operate safely, it is very important to check it in a timely manner. Responsibility for maintaining and replacing gas equipment lies with the owner or tenant of the residential premises.
The service life of a gas stove is on average 10-12 years. After that, gas taps wear out, burner diffusers become deformed, and the thermal insulation of the oven is damaged. It is impossible to maintain the safe operation of such devices; replacement is necessary.
The stove must be equipped with a gas control system that stops the gas supply if the flame in the burner goes out.
You can find out more about dates and times of gas equipment inspections on the official website of Mosgaz and with the help of a special telegram bot companies. In addition, residents of the capital can subscribe to notifications about an upcoming inspection and then evaluate the specialist’s work.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect
https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/149693073/