NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI China: Europe gravitates to greater self-reliance as Trump begins new term

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Dec. 18, 2024 shows a view of the Voelklingen Ironworks in Saarland, Germany. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s first days in the White House have sent ripples of unease through Europe. Accusing the EU of unfair treatment, Trump has vowed to impose tariffs to address trade imbalances.

    In response, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Paris on Wednesday, describing Trump as “a challenge” for Europe while stressing Europe’s strength and unity.

    Trump’s policies are poised to affect not just U.S.-Europe trade relations but also Europe’s territorial integrity, defense priorities and economic outlook.

    “President Trump’s initial statements and executive orders put transatlantic relations under pressure, not only because of their unpredictability, but also because raw power seems to be more important than legality and international cooperation,” said Philippe Monnier, former executive director of the Greater Geneva Berne Area’s Economic Development Agency.

    Bleak economic outlook

    The specter of U.S. tariffs on EU imports threatens to send shockwaves through the European economy. Although many EU countries have taken lessons from Trump’s first term and braced themselves for such scenarios, the potential impact remains significant.

    Yannis Stournaras, governor of the Bank of Greece, warned that the projected eurozone economic growth of 1.1 percent in 2025 could decline by 0.5 percentage point within two years if the United States imposes 10-percent tariffs.

    The effects are expected to be more pronounced in European economies with substantial exports to the United States. Export-oriented countries like Germany are likely to bear the brunt first.

    Germany’s exports to America could decline by 10-15 percent in the long term, potentially reducing its GDP by 0.3 percent, said Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. “It might not sound like much, but we’ve barely had any growth beyond that level recently.”

    “Trump isn’t concerned with the interests of the Old Continent. He just wants to squeeze more money out of Europeans,” Francois Heisbourg, special advisor at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, told Austrian newspaper Der Standard.

    Italy, a close U.S. ally notwithstanding, is also expected to face challenges. With its significant trade surplus with the United States and relatively low defense spending, Italy is likely to be targeted by Trump’s tariff policies, according to the Italian Institute for International Political Studies.

    Speaking at the Handelsblatt Energy Summit in Berlin on Tuesday, German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that while Germany should engage with the new government under Trump with “an outstretched hand… We should not crawl in submission.”

    He warned that Germany is ready with countermeasures should tariffs be imposed. “We do not need to be pushed around.”

    Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU’s economy commissioner, also affirmed the EU’s readiness to respond in “a proportionate way” to any U.S. actions.

    Monnier cautioned that strained transatlantic ties could escalate further.

    Pushback in Europe

    On top of trade, Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO) has deepened rifts with his European counterparts, who remain strong advocates of climate action and global health initiatives.

    Addressing the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The world is not at a single inflection point; it is at multi-inflection points.” She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and urged countries to “deepen global collaboration more than ever before.”

    In an interview on Tuesday with Bel RTL, a local media outlet, Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin voiced concerns over Trump’s isolationist tendencies, viewing them as a culmination of a longstanding trend of U.S. unilateralism.

    Critics argue that Trump’s withdrawals allow the United States to evade its financial responsibilities toward global climate protection and public health initiatives.

    “This is certainly not a good sign for international climate protection” if the United States is not included, climate researcher Niklas Hoehne from the NewClimate Institute told Germany’s dpa news agency, saying such moves made global climate achievements “more difficult.”

    An analysis by Climate Action Tracker, a Berlin-based non-profit climate science and policy institute, estimates that the U.S. withdrawal alone could add 0.04 degree Celsius to global warming by the end of the century.

    Europe’s sense of urgency

    Trump’s “America First” agenda has galvanized European leaders to advocate for greater autonomy from Washington.

    In the realm of defense, Macron has called for a reevaluation of Europe’s defense spending. He said on Monday that Europe’s military budgets of billions of euros should not be directed toward purchasing American weapons.

    A report on Europe’s future competitiveness authored by Mario Draghi, former Italian prime minister and former European Central Bank president, revealed that between June 2022 and June 2023, nearly two-thirds of the EU’s defense spending was directed to U.S. companies.

    During a joint press conference with Scholz on Wednesday, Macron stressed the need for Europeans “to play their full part in consolidating a united, strong and sovereign Europe.” France and Germany should ensure that Europe is capable of defending its interests while maintaining transatlantic ties, he said.

    The recent revelation of Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has further alarmed European nations.

    French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has warned of the resurgence of “might makes right” policies, calling on Europe to bolster its strength. Speaking to France Inter radio recently, Barrot noted that Greenland is a “territory of the European Union and of Europe.”

    “It is undoubtedly no way that the European Union would let other nations of the world, whoever they are, attack its sovereign borders,” he said.

    Schularick, the Kiel Institute president, said: “What is certain is that Trump is more interested in deals than in a rules-based global economy. The era of faster globalization, lower tariffs and dispute resolution within the framework of the World Trade Organization is now temporarily over.”

    “Europeans cannot remain passive at the risk of disappearing tomorrow,” Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally party and member of the European Parliament, said at the European Parliament on Tuesday.

    With Trump’s comeback, Europe faces a critical juncture — whether to remain tethered to Washington or chart its own course in the face of renewed challenges.

    “The EU needs to make changes, and this is a good opportunity to get rid of its dependence on Washington and implement its own independent policies by cooperating with other countries in Asia, South America and Africa,” said Croatian political analyst Robert Frank.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: WEF calls for global cooperation

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2025 shows the logo of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Amid unprecedented global uncertainty and rising protectionism, the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting has emphasized the urgent need for an open, inclusive global economy and strengthened international cooperation to address economic challenges and ensure a sustainable recovery.

    Weak recovery

    The global economy is poised for another year of uncertainty and uneven growth, according to the WEF’s latest Chief Economists Outlook, which was launched ahead of the annual meeting that is themed “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age” this year.

    The outlook said 56 percent of surveyed chief economists expected the global economy to weaken in 2025, compared to only 17 percent anticipating improvement. In addition, key discussions at the annual meeting were dominated by phrases such as “extremely high uncertainty” and “at a crossroads.”

    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released an update to its global outlook on Jan. 17 projecting the global economic growth at 3.3 percent both in 2025 and 2026. However, the figure is below the average of 3.7 percent during the period from 2000 to 2019.

    Global solution for global problems

    The escalation of geopolitical conflicts and regional instability have brought the level of global cooperation to a low point, according to the Global Cooperation Barometer 2025 report released by the WEF on Jan. 7.

    Speaking at the WEF annual meeting on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that the world has entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition. “We will need to work together to avoid a global race to the bottom, because it is in no-one’s interest to break the bonds in the global economy,” she said.

    While acknowledging the current climate of competition and inward-looking tendencies in many countries, WEF President Borge Brende has reiterated that cooperation remains the only way to address the world’s common challenges. “For global problems, you have to find global solutions,” he told Xinhua in an interview.

    The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also issued a stark warning about mounting global crises, including the climate crisis and geopolitical divisions. Calling the challenges a “Pandora’s box of troubles,” Guterres urged the international community to prioritize collaboration. “As a global community, we must live up to these responsibilities,” he said, echoing the WEF’s call for unity.

    Free trade, no protectionism

    Protectionism emerged as a focal point of concern at the meeting. The WEF’s Chief Economists Outlook report warned that rising trade barriers and geopolitical conflicts could cause lasting disruptions to trade patterns. Over half of surveyed economists foresee a grim future driven by trade barriers, soaring public debt and uneven recovery.

    The IMF also warned against unilateral measures such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers or subsidies that could hurt trading partners and spur retaliation.

    Brende warned that decoupling would have a significant negative impact on the global economy. The IMF estimates that severe decoupling, combined with high tariffs, could shrink the global economy by as much as 7 percent. He urged all countries to engage in dialogue, address tariff issues constructively, and avoid the pitfalls of decoupling and protectionism.

    The World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also voiced strong opposition to protectionism. “We do not want tariffs. We do not want a tariff war,” she said during the “Finding Growth in Uncertain Times” panel on Tuesday.

    “This will not really benefit anyone, the U.S. and the rest of the world. It’s going to be inflationary in many cases,” she noted, “We still need try to work together to make sure we keep open and predictable markets.”

    In his speech at the WEF annual meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed that Germany would be defending free trade as the basis of prosperity, including in cooperation with other partners.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Shaheen Raises National Security Concerns with Nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense, Announces She Will Vote Against His Confirmation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), took to the Senate floor to outline her concerns for our national security ahead of the possible confirmation of Pete Hegseth as the next U.S. Secretary of Defense. Specifically, Shaheen addressed Hegseth’s inconsistencies on various foreign policy issues, including respect for the norms of armed conflict, support for our alliances like NATO and Putin’s war on Ukraine. At the conclusion of her remarks, Senator Shaheen announced she will vote against the Secretary of Defense nominee—the first time she’s done so since joining the U.S. Senate. You can watch the Senator’s full remarks here.

    Key quotes from Senator Shaheen:

    • “The almost three million men and women who serve our nation in uniform deserve a Secretary of Defense who will not needlessly throw them in harm’s way or seek to divide them with partisan politics.”
    • “Just as America’s national security interests are not to be trifled with, neither is our commitment to defending democracy and the international world order. And any inconsistency in our commitment to support our allies and partners, to support democracy around the world, to support the international world order is going to be seen and exploited by our adversaries.”
    • “And again, I think it’s very important that we stand by our ally Ukraine, because of the message it sends not just to the Russians and Vladimir Putin, but because of the message it sends to Xi in China, to the Iranians, to the North Koreans, to anyone who is an adversary of the United States. If they think we’re going to walk away from our allies, they’re going to do everything they can to divide us.”
    • “He [Mr. Hegseth] has a documented history of supporting individuals who have violated military and international law by committing war crimes […] I don’t think we can afford to entrust the safety and success of our men and women in uniform to a man who would himself disregard the laws of armed conflict and leave American credibility and moral authority in tatters on the world stage.”  
    • “I am very concerned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the consistency and the moral clarity to lead the most combat-credible military in the world […] Our men and women in uniform deserve better. And therefore, the first time since I was elected to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate, I plan to vote against this nominee for Secretary of Defense.”   

    Remarks as delivered can be found below:

    Mr. President, I come to the floor today to address some of my concerns about the qualifications of the President’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense, Mr. Pete Hegseth. 

    Like many of my colleagues on the Armed Services Committee, I left Mr. Hegseth’s hearing last week with a number of unanswered questions and some real concerns about his qualifications and abilities to serve in the role of Secretary of Defense. 

    Now, every single nominee for Secretary of Defense—from both Democrat and Republican administrations—have met with me and other members from both sides of the aisle on the committee before their confirmation hearings.  

    And I voted for every one of those nominees from both Democrat and Republican administrations: Secretaries Panetta, Hagel, Carter, Mattis, Esper and Austin.  

    I didn’t always agree with their views or their policies, but I felt that they had the qualifications and the temperament to be Secretary of Defense, so I supported their confirmations. 

    But Mr. Hegseth chose not to meet with me or any other Senate Democrats, except the Ranking Member, Jack Reed. And he broke with strong, longstanding tradition to ensure that our work on national security remains free from partisanship.

    And I think that’s the important point: we are stronger as Senators, as Congress, as a nation if we are acting together.

    The Committee unfortunately was not afforded the opportunity to ask a number of rounds of questions, and so there were a number of questions about his views, particularly regarding foreign policy and military policy that we did not get an answer to.

    I’ve become the Ranking Member on the Foreign Relations Committee, and so I’m very concerned about the role of the United States in the world.

    I think the American people expect transparency regarding Mr. Hegseth’s ability to stand by our allies and partners, to uphold international agreements, to abide by rules of engagement and the bottom line—support the men and women in the military in a way that not only keeps us safe, but protects them as well.

    The almost three million men and women who serve our nation in uniform deserve a Secretary of Defense who will not needlessly throw them in harm’s way or seek to divide them with partisan politics. 

    So, I’d like to address a few issues now that we were not able to get to at the hearing, because we were not able to ask more than one round of questions. And I want to start with the role alliances and that our allies and partners play in our own national security.

    I believe – and we’ve seen it many times since the start of this nation – that we are stronger and safer when we lead together with our allies. 

    And we’re fortunate, because we have strong allies and partners. We don’t see that coming from Vladimir Putin, from Xi in China, we don’t see it from the North Koreans or the Iranians, but the United States has strong allies who can stand with us.

    The most important security agreement we’ve had, I think any time in our nation’s history, is NATO.

    It is a critical, indispensable part of our national security, and yet, the President’s nominee for Secretary of Defense wrote in his book, American Crusade, that NATO is quote “a relic” and quote that it “should be scrapped.”

    Now since his nomination, Mr. Hegseth has tried to walk back his opposition to one of our key international alliances, to NATO. 

    In advance policy questions for the Committee, he calls NATO a quote, “vital U.S. interest” in defending Europe and American interests from Russia and Vladimir Putin. 

    This sudden reversal is welcome, because I think it’s very important that our Secretary of Defense understand how critical NATO is, and that it’s stronger now than it was any time since it was formed, probably. We now have 32 members of NATO.

    But Mr. Hegseth’s 11th hour conversion to understanding the importance of our allies and partners raises questions about what he really believes.

    We asked on our questions for the record about NATO, and we didn’t get much of a response.

    Now, if I had had the opportunity, I would have brought up Ukraine and Mr. Hegseth’s head-spinning contradictions on this matter.

    Just as America’s national security interests are not to be trifled with, neither is our commitment to defending democracy and the international world order. 

    And any inconsistency in our commitment to support our allies and partners, to support democracy around the world, to support the international world order, that is going to be seen and exploited by our adversaries. 

    So again, I’m puzzled about how we should think about Mr. Hegseth’s contradictory positions on a variety of national security and foreign policy issues.

    For example, he was critical of the Biden administration—as have many of us on both sides of the aisle been in this chamber—for not moving fast enough to aid Ukraine. But then question the wisdom of sending any U.S. assistance to Ukraine at all. 

    In 2022, Mr. Hegseth called Vladimir Putin a “war criminal” and called for faster U.S. aid to Ukraine. Now, he says the idea of Russia launching a nuclear war is “over-inflated” and plays down the severity of the conflict as merely Putin’s “give-me-my-shit-back war.”

    Well, I don’t think that our NATO allies, those in the Baltics and Poland and Eastern Europe, think Vladmir Putin’s nuclear ambitions are “over inflated.”

    They know the threat he poses to their countries and the world.

    And to be flippant about the threat of nuclear war, I think is beneath the office of the Secretary of Defense, who will have to engage with those partners on a regular basis. 

    Now, I agree with President Trump that the American people want to see a resolution to this years-long war. I’m sure that’s true of the Ukrainians as well.

    But Mr. Hegseth has not, either in his hearing nor in response to the questions that we submitted to him for the record, expanded on what the Department of Defense’s role should be with respect to Ukraine, even though we have already invested $66 billion in military assistance.

    And again, I think it’s very important that we stand by our ally Ukraine, because of the message it sends not just to the Russians and Vladimir Putin, but because of the message it sends to Xi in China, to the Iranians, to the North Koreans, to anyone who is an adversary of the United States.

    If they think we’re going to walk away from our allies, they’re going to do everything they can to divide us.

    Now, on Afghanistan, Mr. Hegseth has also been inconsistent on his views of the President’s foreign policy.

    Actually, he’s been inconsistent in general on the President’s foreign policies.

    In the lead up to the 2016 election, Mr. Hegseth was highly critical of then-candidate Trump’s foreign policy stances, particularly on Iraq and Afghanistan. 

    Mr. Hegseth called Mr. Trump, who was a candidate at the time, and I quote “all bluster, very little substance” and again quoting, “an armchair tough guy.” 

    He criticized then-candidate Trump in 2015 for advocating for the withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan, but then he took the criticism back. 

    He sharply criticized the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, as did I, but he’s failed to publicly comment on President Trump’s 2020 deal with the Taliban, which is what set the date certain for withdrawal in 2021 that then the Biden administration was actually tied to.

    Now, I agree. I agree that that withdrawal was not what I wanted to see. I didn’t support it.

    But they were terms that President Trump, in his first term, set with the Taliban. 

    Terms that I thought gave away the store to the Taliban. Because there were no concessions from them, on what we were to get from the United States. The Government of Afghanistan was not at the table and now we’re seeing the fallout from that.  

    And I know that no one is watching for gaps in U.S. national security policy more closely than President Xi and the People’s Republic of China. 

    Now Mr. Hegseth identifies China as our peer competitor, something that I think all of us on the Armed Services Committee and probably everyone this chamber agree with.

    But if Mr. Hegseth is so concerned about China, then he should realize that nothing will encourage President Xi’s aggression more than seeing America abandon our allies and partners. 

    Mr. Hegseth sees China’s ambitions as, quote, “a fait accompli,” and yet, he does not seem to recognize that his own inconsistencies on all these foreign policy positions could contribute to this.

    A question I would like Mr. Hegseth to attempt to answer is: What message would it send to our adversaries if the U.S. ceases its support not just for Ukraine, but for the international rules and norms that underpin the global order?

    Now, I’m also concerned about that with respect to the conduct of conflict. In his book “The War on Warriors,” Mr. Hegseth argued, and again I’m quoting, “our boys should not fight by rules written by dignified men in mahogany rooms eighty years ago. America should fight by its own rules.”  

    Well, the rules that he’s talking about are the Geneva Conventions—which established bare minimum protections against violence, torture and inhumane treatments.

    And they don’t just protect those people we’re fighting on the battlefield, they protect American soldiers.

    During his hearing, he even doubled down to say, quote, “restrictive rules of engagement” have “made it more difficult to defeat our enemies,” and that it would be his priority, quote, “that lawyers aren’t getting in the way.”

    Unfortunately—and dangerously—this appears to be the few issues that Mr. Hegseth is consistent on. 

    He has a documented history of supporting individuals who have violated military and international law by committing war crimes.  

    These are individuals who were turned in not by our enemies, but by members of their own units who were convicted of crimes by military juries. Individuals for whom Mr. Hegseth lobbied to get pardons.  

    I don’t think we can afford to entrust the safety and success of our men and women in uniform to a man who would himself disregard the laws of armed conflict and leave American credibility and moral authority in tatters on the world stage.  

    Now, while embracing officers convicted of war crimes, Mr. Hegseth has stated it is his intent to review all general officers currently serving in the Department of Defense. 

    And when asked if he would remove the current chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mr. Hegseth responded, on the record, that, quote, “all senior officers will be reviewed.”

    So, let’s just think about what that means – subjecting our general officers, in our military that is not politicized, to a political litmus test is not only unprecedented, it is dangerous. 

    It will convey to the American public that their leadership is political. 

    One of the most important roles of the Secretary of Defense is to seek out and consider open, honest and direct military advice from the senior officers in charge of our forces.  

    I don’t know how Mr. Hegseth expects to receive open and honest advice from his commanders when he is advocating for a purge of anyone who disagrees with him. 

      

    And I am also deeply troubled by the idea that Mr. Hegseth would act as a “yes man” himself, putting his own personal political interests above the wellbeing of our military men and women.

    At Mr. Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, when asked what he would do if he received orders from President Trump that he knew to be illegal or unconstitutional, Mr. Hegseth wouldn’t give a straight answer. All he could do was deny that President Trump was capable of giving an illegal order.

    And just for the record, to be clear: in his first term, President Trump did give an illegal order that then-Secretary Esper refused to follow. 

    And for that, Secretary Esper was fired by the President. 

    So, Mr. President, I am very concerned that Mr. Hegseth lacks the consistency and the moral clarity to lead the most combat-credible military in the world. 

    And I’m very disappointed that this body would put a nominee on the floor without the due process of advise-and-consent that the position of the Secretary of Defense deserves. 

    Our men and women in uniform deserve better. 

    And therefore, the first time since I was elected to represent the people of New Hampshire in the United States Senate, I plan to vote against this nominee for Secretary of Defense.  

    Thank you, I yield the floor.

    As the second-ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Shaheen is instrumental in helping to accomplish top national security objectives and enhancing New Hampshire’s role in support of America’s national defense. A member of the Committee since 2011, Shaheen has voted to confirm multiple nominees from both parties under multiple administrations. During his confirmation hearing, Shaheen questioned Hegseth about his support for women service members and the Shaheen-led Women, Peace and Security law. The bipartisan Women, Peace and Security Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump, which Shaheen leads with Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), was signed into law in 2017 and requires the U.S. Government to strengthen the meaningful participation of women in conflict prevention and peace negotiations. 

    Senator Shaheen is the top Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also serves on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs and Defense. In 2018, Shaheen re-established the bipartisan U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group with U.S. Senator Tillis (R-NC). Senator Shaheen believes that a strong and active United States is fundamental to securing our national interests at home and abroad. She also believes that U.S. global leadership is directly tied to the strength of our ideals, our alliances and our diplomacy, and she is constantly working to ensure our national security policies reflect our broader democratic values. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Postal services to Greece return to normal

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Postal services to Greece return to normal
    Postal services to Greece return to normal
    ******************************************

         ​Hongkong Post announced today (January 24) that, as advised by the postal administration of Greece, mail delivery services previously impacted by a local strike have returned to normal.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 10:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – Historian Dr Toby Boraman announced as 2025 JD Stout Fellow – Vic

    Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

    Historian Dr Toby Boraman has been appointed as the 2025 JD Stout Fellow by the Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

    As the JD Stout Fellow, Dr Boraman will continue his in-depth research for his upcoming book, provisionally titled Knocking Off: A History of Strikes in Aotearoa New Zealand from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s.  

    Dr Boraman says this was the most popular and lengthy period of strike action in Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, yet it has been often overlooked.

    “It was a time of profound strike activity, yet it has remained largely unexplored in historical scholarship.

    “This project will explore the extent to which the period under study was a key transitional phase that has profoundly shaped the present. Much like today, it also demonstrates how political polarisation, and right-populism, can develop rapidly in response to major crises and conflict.”

    A specialist in the labour history and social movements of Aotearoa New Zealand, Toby has published numerous articles and chapters on the political and social turbulence of the 1970s and 1980s. He has also worked as a historian at the Waitangi Tribunal and served as a politics lecturer at Massey University. His international experience includes a fellowship at the re:work International Research Centre studying the global history of work at Humboldt University in Germany.

    His research aims to uncover the hidden history of strikes, amplifying voices that have long been excluded—Māori workers, migrant Pasifika workers, women workers, and rank-and-file unionists—while offering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional history of workplace conflict, combining critical analysis of the causes, reactions, lasting impacts, and contested legacies of these disputes.

    “This research project will close a significant gap in our knowledge of the period in question. I am very much looking forward to hosting Toby at the centre,” says Professor Brigitte Bönisch-Brednich, Director of the Stout Research Centre.

    The JD Stout Fellowship is funded from the legacy of John David Stout and stewarded by Perpetual Guardian. It awards a scholar of high standing the opportunity to research an area of New Zealand society, history, or culture.  

    The Fellowship, which was established in 1985, has resulted in a body of influential publications in the field of New Zealand studies.

    Dr Boraman will take up the Fellowship on 1 March 2025.

    Learn more about the Fellowship on the Stout Research Centre’s website: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/stout-centre/research-opportunities/the-john-david-stout-fellowship-in-new-zealand-studies/jd-stout-info

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Experience Zone Excitement All Around: Galaxy Unpacked 2025 Strikes Awe in Guests With New AI-Powered Possibilities

    Source: Samsung

    Galaxy Unpacked 2025 in San Jose, California, saw Samsung Electronics unveil the next generation of mobile AI with the Galaxy S25 series.
     
    [Galaxy Unpacked 2025] Highlights From Galaxy Unpacked: A New Era of AI Integration
     
    ▲ Galaxy enthusiasts crowd the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 Experience Zone as they try the Galaxy S25 series out for themselves.
     
    At the end of the hour-long visual spectacle at the SAP Center, Samsung opened the floor to welcome guests into the Experience Zone hidden behind the main stage. Excitement buzzed throughout the space as attendees explored the innovative technologies packed into Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones. They shared their first impressions, praising the upgraded devices and advanced AI features.
     
    ▲ Andrea and Geraldine Tshibuabua, an influencer duo of twin sisters from Belgium known as the Angetwins
     
    “I’m really impressed with the Now Brief feature. If I’m scheduled to go somewhere in the morning, all I need to do is take a quick look at my phone to be informed on what I have planned for the day,” said Andrea and Geraldine Tshibuabua (@angetwins), an influencer duo of twin sisters from Belgium. “We also love the Galaxy S25’s AI-powered photo editing features, especially the Best Face feature that allows us to pick our best shots in case we blink in some of them. It’s also amazing that we can remove unwanted objects in the backgrounds of photos as well.”
     
    ▲ Pawel Warzecha, a Polish content creator and magazine reporter known as Mobzilla
     
    “Audio Eraser is a really great feature that is useful not just for content creators like me, but ordinary people who want to film their kids playing in the playground or themselves singing a silly song,” said Pawel Warzecha (@MobzillaTV), a tech content creator from Poland. “It was fascinating to catch a glimpse of the Galaxy S25 Edge as well,” added the influencer, who also reports for Lounge Magazyn, a Polish lifestyle magazine.
     
    ▲ Samsung Members Stars Mica Moreno from Argentina
     
    The praise was echoed by a delighted young Samsung Members Star who just graduated from university, majoring in actuarial science. “It’s always an honor to be part of these great events organized by Samsung. As a Samsung Member, it’s such a pleasure for me to be creating content for Samsung and many young Argentinians,” said Mica Moreno from Argentina.
    Explore more behind-the-scenes moments and watch the full replay of Galaxy Unpacked 2025 below.
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: skainetsystems.com: BaFin investigates the company Cermak LLC

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warns consumers about the company Cermak LLC and the services it is offering. BaFin has information that the company is offering banking business and/or financial services on its website skainetsystems.com without the required authorisation. The company is not supervised by BaFin.

    Banking business and financial services may only be offered in Germany with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the required authorisation. Information on whether particular companies have been authorised by BaFin can be found in BaFin’s database of companies.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia Deepfield to provide London Internet Exchange members with advanced DDoS protection

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    Nokia Deepfield to provide London Internet Exchange members with advanced DDoS protection

    • The London Internet Exchange (LINX) becomes the first UK-based internet exchange point (IXP) to offer advanced DDoS protection with high performance and scale, ensuring minimal impact on member connectivity and services.
    • Nokia Deepfield Defender provides crucial service when network operators can experience more than 100 DDoS attacks in a day.
    • Nokia 2024 report found DDoS traffic continues to grow at a higher rate than any other type of network traffic, increasing 166% between June 2023 and June 2024.

    27 January 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Nokia has been selected by global Internet Exchange Point, the London Internet Exchange (LINX), to deliver advanced network protection capabilities against the latest and future generations of DDoS threats and attacks. With Nokia Deepfield DDoS security, LINX becomes the first UK-based IXP to offer advanced DDoS protection with trusted performance, scale and mitigation granularity, ensuring minimal impact on member connectivity and services.

    DDoS is malicious traffic that aims to deny access, degrade services or stop connectivity for individual users, internet hosts and service provider network infrastructure. The Nokia Threat Intelligence Report, released in October 2024, found that the number and frequency of DDoS attacks have grown from one or two a day to well over 100 per day in many networks, with botnet DDoS continuing to be the primary source of DDoS attacks. To combat sophisticated DDoS attacks, service and cloud providers need a more intelligent, cost-effective, scalable and adaptable defense strategy.

    Deepfield Defender is a software-based DDoS detection and mitigation solution that combines real-time network telemetry with Nokia’s patented Deepfield Secure Genome®, a continuously updated data feed that tracks the security context of the global internet. Using AI-driven, automated DDoS detection by Deepfield Defender and the dynamically configured, high-scale DDoS mitigation performed by 7750 Defender Mitigation System (DMS), attacks are blocked before they can impact LINX’s members or services. Introducing Deepfield Defender will also equip LINX with advanced network security analytics and reporting capabilities.

    Mike Hellers, Head of Product Development at LINX, said: “With Nokia Deepfield, LINX will gain significant cyber security capabilities. We are proud to be the first UK IXP to deliver this next generation of advanced DDoS protection to our members, which, in turn, will be providing essential or critical services to their customers.”

    Paul Alexander, VP and Country General Manager UK&I, Nokia, said: “The past year has accelerated massive and transformative changes to the internet, bringing with it an incredible rise in DDoS attacks – they are more potent, frequent, and sophisticated than ever. With Nokia, LINX will obtain critical DDoS security-related visibility, leveraging Nokia Deepfield’s big data approach and using Deepfield Defender and 7750 DMS to access a more intelligent, cost-effective, scalable and adaptable defence strategy.”

    LINX will initially offer the advanced DDoS service to any network connected to their LON1 interconnection fabric in London.

    Resources and additional information
    Webpage: Nokia Deepfield Defender
    Webpage: Nokia Deepfield Genome
    Webpage: Nokia 7750 Defender Mitigation System
    Webpage: Nokia FP Network Processor Technology
    Webpage: DDoS Security
    Webpage: Nokia Deepfield Global DDoS Threat Alliance (GDTA)
    Webpage: Nokia Threat Intelligence Report 2024

    About Nokia 
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. 

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.  

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About The London Internet Exchange (LINX)
    The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is one of the world’s leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), enabling networks to interconnect and exchange network traffic efficiently. Founded in 1994, LINX operates a mutually owned membership organisation, providing a neutral and reliable environment for its members to connect, keeping traffic local.

    With robust, state-of-the-art infrastructure spanning multiple locations in the UK, LINX also operate interconnection hubs in the US and Africa, while also powering facilities in the Middle East for strategic partner Center3.

    LINX facilitates high-performance peering services, cloud connect and more for over 850 global networks, including internet service providers (ISPs), content delivery networks (CDNs), gaming, and large enterprise and financial networks. Members benefit from seamless traffic exchange, reduced latency, and cost efficiencies, all while contributing to the growth of an open and collaborative internet ecosystem.

    As a leader in the industry for over 30 years, LINX is committed to innovation, transparency, and maintaining its position as a critical hub for the global internet community.

    www.linx.net

    # # #
    Media inquiries
    Nokia Communications, Corporate
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Municipality Finance issues EUR 1.25 billion benchmark under its MTN programme

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Municipality Finance Plc
    Stock exchange release
    27 January 2025 at 10:00 am (EET)

    Municipality Finance issues EUR 1.25 billion benchmark under its MTN programme

    Municipality Finance Plc issues EUR 1.25 billion benchmark on 28 January 2025. The maturity date of the benchmark is 14 December 2029. The benchmark bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.625% per annum.

    The benchmark is issued under MuniFin’s EUR 50 billion programme for the issuance of debt instruments. The offering circular, the supplemental offering circular and the final terms of the benchmark are available in English on the company’s website at https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/for-investors.

    MuniFin has applied for the benchmark to be admitted to trading on the Helsinki Stock Exchange maintained by Nasdaq Helsinki. The public trading is expected to commence on 28 January 2025.

    Danske Bank A/S, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Landesbank Baden-Württemberg acts as the Joint Lead Managers for the issue of the benchmark.

    MUNICIPALITY FINANCE PLC

    Further information:

    Joakim Holmström
    Executive Vice President, Capital Markets and Sustainability
    tel. +358 50 444 3638

    MuniFin (Municipality Finance Plc) is one of Finland’s largest credit institutions. The company is owned by Finnish municipalities, the public sector pension fund Keva and the Republic of Finland.
    The Group’s balance sheet totals over EUR 50 billion.

    MuniFin builds a better and more sustainable future with its customers. MuniFin’s customers include municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties, corporate entities under their control, and non-profit organisations nominated by the Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland (ARA). Lending is used for environmentally and socially responsible investment targets such as public transportation, sustainable buildings, hospitals and healthcare centres, schools and day care centres, and homes for people with special needs.

    MuniFin’s customers are domestic but the company operates in a completely global business environment. The company is an active Finnish bond issuer in international capital markets and the first Finnish green and social bond issuer. The funding is exclusively guaranteed by the Municipal Guarantee Board.

    Read more: https://www.kuntarahoitus.fi/en/

    Important Information

    The information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into any such country or jurisdiction or otherwise in such circumstances in which the release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, any securities or other financial instruments in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    This communication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The notes have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Nokia upgrades ESpanix’s IXP infrastructure to reduce energy consumption and complexity

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    Nokia upgrades ESpanix’s IXP infrastructure to reduce energy consumption and complexity

    • First 400G IXP network in Spain.
    • Solution reduces complexity, lowers costs, and consumes less power than bonded 100G connections.
    • Supports ESpanix’s expansion into new locations to capture larger customers.

    27 January 2025
    Madrid, Spain – Nokia has been selected by ESpanix to provide Spain’s first 400G connectivity for IXP customers. The 400G upgrade uses Nokia’s Interconnect routers to deliver a more efficient and sustainable alternative to bundling multiple 100GE connections, reducing complexity, power consumption, and operational costs for ESpanix and its customers.

    ESpanix will also leverage Nokia’s Photonic Service Switch to optimize bandwidth across its optical transport network, allowing the IXP to select the most optimized solution for its customer needs.

    The layered network approach ensures scalability for larger customers and supports ESpanix’s goals of expanding its footprint and evolving its infrastructure. All ESpanix’s Points of Presence have been upgraded to 400G and are operational as of today.

    The upgrade project addresses the increasing demand for high-capacity and sustainable network services among ESpanix’s 180+ connected networks, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Content Service Providers, and national and international carriers.

    Amedeo Beck Peccoz, Head of Strategy, ESpanix, commented: “Our customers demand technology that is reliable and future-proof. Nokia’s solutions deliver the capacity and scalability we need to meet growing demand, enabling us to offer 400G connectivity to our members. With the support of Nokia, we not only become the most advanced IXP in the South Europe region, but our work together also aligns with our commitment to sustainability by reducing power consumption compared to traditional solutions.”

    Matthieu Bourguignon, Senior Vice President and head of Europe for Network Infrastructure business at Nokia, said: “Offering 400G connectivity is a testament to ESpanix’s forward-thinking approach to interconnection services. As the leading provider of IXP services, our work together ensures they can meet rising demand in a simple, efficient, and sustainable manner. By leveraging Nokia’s high-capacity IP networking technologies, ESpanix is paving the way for a new standard in IXP services across Southern Europe.”

    Resources and additional information
    ESpanix is one of the busiest Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) across the entire South Europe region, and operates facilities across Madrid and Barcelona, offering interconnection, data center, and value-added services. Across its network, ESpanix relies on Nokia technologies for Edge Routing, Data Center Interconnect and Metro links as well as customer-facing switches.

    Product page: Nokia 7250 Interconnect Routers
    Product page: Nokia 7750 Service Routers
    Product page: Nokia 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS)

    About Nokia 
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. 

    As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.  

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

    About ESpanix
    ESpanix is the largest Digital Hub in Southern Europe and the oldest one in Spain. The company operates across three business areas: interconnection, data centre and value-added services. ESpanix services are available in calle Mesena building in Madrid as well as in five POPs within the metropolitan areas of Madrid and Barcelona. ESpanix Datacentre is a Tier IV compliant building and allows for direct connection with all the major national and international fibre and capacity providers. The majority of Spanish ISPs are connected to ESpanix Node.

    # # #
    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    ESpanix Press Office
    Email: press@espanix.net

    Follow us on social media
    LinkedIn X Instagram Facebook YouTube

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Christine Lagarde: Central bank independence in an era of volatility

    Source: European Central Bank

    Lamfalussy Lecture by Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, at the Lamfalussy Lectures Conference organised by the Magyar Nemzeti Bank, pre-recorded in Frankfurt am Main on 15 January 2025

    Budapest, 27 January 2025

    In his later years, Alexandre Lamfalussy was once asked what his fundamental motivation in life was. He recalled the experience of his turbulent youth, surrounded by the destruction caused by the Second World War.[1] “In the aftermath of the war,” Lamfalussy said, “I decided to serve the community in the rebuilding of Europe.”[2]

    He went on to do just that. A member of the Delors Committee and the first President of the European Monetary Institute, Lamfalussy helped pave the way for Europe’s monetary union and the establishment of the ECB.

    His generation had also been scarred by the difficulties of the “Great Inflation” in the 1970s.[3] And so Lamfalussy – alongside other architects of the euro[4] – ensured that the ECB would have sufficient powers to prevent a scenario where inflationary expectations once again became embedded in the economy.

    We can see proof of this today, as advanced economies emerge from the largest inflation shock in a generation.

    As in the 1970s, a series of shocks contributed to high and persistent inflation. But unlike the 1970s, inflation has since fallen relatively fast across advanced economies – and expectations have remained firmly anchored throughout.

    This hard-won progress has been in large part due to the independence of central banks, which has given them the ability to take difficult but necessary monetary policy decisions in pursuit of stable prices.

    The rise of central bank independence

    In the late twentieth century, central bank independence spread rapidly around the world.

    A strong social consensus about its benefits – emerging from the negative experience of the 1970s – sparked what Lamfalussy would later call a “sea change” in monetary policymaking.[5]

    By one account, over 80% of the world’s central banks became operationally independent by the turn of the millennium.[6] And price stability had been adopted as the primary objective of monetary policy frameworks across almost all advanced economies and many emerging market economies.[7]

    Moreover, independent central banks both contributed to – and benefited from – a period of low macroeconomic volatility.

    In their famous paper, Alesina and Summers found a positive relationship between the degree of independence of central banks and lower and less volatile inflation outcomes.[8] At the same time, substantial structural changes were afoot in the global economy, which also helped to reduce macroeconomic volatility – an era that soon came to be known as the Great Moderation.[9]

    Globalisation led to an enormous increase in both global labour supply and production capacity, which meant that prices and wages were often little affected even in the face of strong demand. And the oil crises of the 1970s had sparked a wave of change in global energy markets, resulting in a more elastic energy supply.

    The upshot of the Great Moderation was a virtuous circle.

    An environment of low macroeconomic volatility made it easier for independent central banks to deliver on their price stability mandates. That, in turn, solidified the social consensus in support of central bank independence and helped ensure its growing adoption around the world – further contributing to lowering levels of volatility.

    The era of volatility

    The end of the Great Moderation came suddenly and unexpectedly in 2008 with the arrival of the global financial crisis. And over the last years in particular, our world has changed dramatically.

    Indeed, the two forces that fostered the spread of central bank independence – a strong social consensus and growing pools of global supply – are now coming under increasing pressure.

    While recent research suggests that de jure central bank independence has never been more prevalent than it is today[10], there is no doubt that the de facto independence of central banks is being called into question in several parts of the world.

    One study examining 118 central banks in the 2010s shows that around 10% of them faced political pressure in an average year – even those central banks with a high degree of de jure independence.[11] Another paper finds that between 2018 and 2020 alone, de facto central bank independence deteriorated for almost half of those central banks in jurisdictions accounting for 75% of global GDP.[12]

    There is evidence to suggest that political influence on central bank decisions can also contribute substantially to macroeconomic volatility. For instance, persistent political pressure on a central bank has been found to affect the level and the volatility of exchange rates, bond yields and the risk premium.[13]

    At the same time, geopolitical tensions threaten to amplify volatility by increasing the frequency of shocks hitting the global economy.

    We have already seen the impact of geopolitical tensions play out in Europe. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, average output growth volatility in the euro area surged by 60% compared with before the global financial crisis, while average inflation volatility shot up by 280%.[14]

    An environment of heightened volatility could make the task of maintaining price stability more difficult to achieve.[15] This could raise concerns that independent central banks are failing to deliver on their mandates, which could undermine the social consensus and further amplify volatility in the economy.

    So, the question that comes to the fore is: will the current era of volatility turn the virtuous circle that facilitated the rise of central bank independence into a vicious circle that leads to it being undermined?

    The benefits of central bank independence in today’s world

    All things considered, I would argue that this is unlikely to happen.

    A volatile macroeconomic environment actually makes the benefits of central bank independence all the greater. We saw this during the recent inflation shock.

    In OECD countries, average annual inflation surged to 9.6% in 2022 as they faced a variety of shocks that compounded each other.[16] In response, independent central banks sharply increased policy rates.

    These actions led to a rapid decline and convergence in the respective inflation paths of major economies – despite all these economies facing different shocks. Moreover, inflation expectations have remained firmly anchored, suggesting that the public continues to have faith in independent central banks’ commitment to price stability over the long run.[17]

    In today’s world, central bank independence offers two key advantages.

    First, it acts as a headwind to volatility in these unpredictable times.

    As we emerge from a period of very high inflation, the issue of time inconsistency is more relevant than ever.[18] Compared with the pre-pandemic era of low inflation, central banks may need to contend with lower levels of rational inattention.[19]

    In this environment, credible policy regimes become even more important for maintaining trust in central banks. Research finds that higher trust in the ECB lowers inflation expectations on average and significantly reduces uncertainty about future inflation.[20]

    Second, central bank independence also contributes to regional strength in a world increasingly defined by geopolitical rivalries.

    Price stability provides the foundation upon which other strategic goals can be achieved. Regions with stable prices tend to have more efficient resource allocation and higher levels of competitiveness, and they attract greater levels of investment. At heart, strong economic institutions are the fundamental cause of long-run economic growth and development differences between regions.[21]

    Conclusion

    Lamfalussy once described the task of launching the euro as “navigating in uncharted waters”.[22] In an era of volatility, independent central banks now also find themselves in unfamiliar waters.

    While inflation has fallen sharply, central banks are still likely to face a more volatile macroeconomic environment compared with the Great Moderation.

    It therefore remains imperative that central banks have the independence to fully deliver on their price stability mandates.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ECB commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day with ceremony and temporary exhibition

    Source: European Central Bank

    27 January 2025

    • ECB and City of Frankfurt honour Holocaust victims, particularly those deported from Grossmarkthalle between 1941 and 1945
    • Opening of exhibition entitled “Survivors: Faces of Life after the Holocaust” by photographer Martin Schoeller at ECB from 29 January to 26 February 2025

    The European Central Bank (ECB) is hosting a commemorative event on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 27 January 2025, at its main building in Ostend, Frankfurt. This year’s ceremony holds particular significance as it marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. The event will feature addresses by ECB President Christine Lagarde; Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main; and Professor Mirjam Wenzel, the Director of the Jewish Museum Frankfurt.

    “In today’s world, where rising populism and intolerance pose significant challenges, commemorating the Holocaust serves as an indispensable reminder of the need for vigilance and unity against hate and antisemitism,” said President Lagarde.

    “Remembering the crimes perpetrated by the Nazis during the Second World War is both our duty and our obligation. It is our responsibility to remember and visualise the reality of Jewish communities in Germany and Europe today. Let us together protect Jewish life now and in the future, and take a firm stand against antisemitism and racism,” said Lord Mayor Mike Josef.

    As part of the commemoration activities, the ECB is hosting a temporary photo exhibition by photographer Martin Schoeller in its main building, entitled “Survivors: Faces of Life after the Holocaust”. Maurice Gluck is one of the 56 Holocaust survivors featured in the exhibition. He will be present at the opening to share his personal story of how he survived the Holocaust after he was separated from his parents and hidden by a Catholic family in Brussels. The exhibition will be open to the public from 29 January until 26 February 2025, with a limited number of guided tours available.

    For more information on the temporary exhibition and to book a tour, please visit the Kulturothek website.

    Photos of the event can be found on the ECB’s Flickr account.

    For media queries, please contact Lena-Sophie Demuth, tel.: + 49 1622952316.

    Notes

    • The ECB’s location at the Grossmarkthalle carries deep historical significance. From 1941 to 1945, the basement of its eastern wing was used as a gathering point for carrying out the deportation of over 10,000 Jewish people to concentration camps. Working with the Jewish Community Frankfurt and the City of Frankfurt am Main, the ECB has established a memorial designed by architects KatzKaiser. The memorial is engraved with testimonies from victims and observers, creating a story that symbolises the extent of the deportations without diverting attention from the actual site.
    • Every year the ECB honours the memory of the Holocaust victims, including those deported from Frankfurt’s Grossmarkthalle, with a solemn ceremony at the memorial site.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: BTCC Exchange Unveils Spot Trading Fiesta to Celebrate Altcoin Season

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VILNIUS, Lithuania, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BTCC, one of the world’s longest-serving cryptocurrency exchanges, is excited to announce the launch of its Spot Trading Fiesta, a campaign celebrating the altcoin season to come. This highly anticipated campaign allows crypto enthusiasts to earn rewards through social media giveaways, deposit rewards, and trading prizes.

    The Spot Trading Fiesta will feature one popular altcoin each week, offering users a chance to dive deeper into altcoin trading while enjoying exciting rewards. Kicking off the campaign is fan-favorite DOGE (Dogecoin), with a social media giveaway awarding DOGE to lucky participants. To join, participants can visit BTCC’s X post and enter by February 2, 2025.

    The campaign follows the success of BTCC’s OG Week, which celebrated trending meme coins like FLOKI, SHIB, and PEPE and garnered overwhelming community support. Spot Trading Fiesta aims to build on this momentum, coinciding with increasing excitement around altcoins.

    “We are thrilled to launch Spot Trading Fiesta at such a pivotal moment in the crypto space,” said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC Exchange. “With altcoin season potentially around the corner and Bitcoin making headlines, now is the perfect time to explore the potential of all those popular altcoins. BTCC’s growing portfolio of spot trading pairs ensures our users can access some of the most popular cryptocurrencies. We invite everyone to join this campaign, trade their favorite altcoins, and earn incredible rewards.”

    BTCC has been adding to its diverse selection of spot trading pairs, now offering over 240 cryptocurrencies to meet the growing demand for altcoin trading. This campaign reinforces BTCC’s mission to make crypto trading accessible, secure, and rewarding.

    About BTCC

    Founded in 2011, BTCC is one of the longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges globally, trusted by millions of users. Known for its robust features and cutting-edge platform, BTCC Exchange remains committed to providing a seamless crypto trading experience for crypto traders worldwide.

    For more information on Spot Trading Fiesta, visit the campaign page: https://www.btcc.com/market-promotion/bonus2/Spot-Trading-Fiesta/en-US

    Contact: press@btcc.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: CERTIS processes almost a billion interbank payment transactions annually. The CNB will now also provide non-bank entities with access to the system

    Source: Czech National Bank

    The Czech National Bank (CNB) will provide access to its CERTIS payment system to new applicants. Besides banks and other credit institutions, non-bank lenders will also be able to use the infrastructure, which enables reliable and secure money transfers between the payer and the payee and – in the case of instant payments – in just a few seconds.

    Non-bank lenders will be able to join CERTIS on the date the amendment to Act No. 370/2017 Coll., on the Payment System, takes effect.[1] This is expected to happen on 9 April 2025.[2] In the meantime, however, the CNB will allow applicants to test the system’s functionalities, so that they can prepare for participation in CERTIS in advance. Payment institutions and electronic money institutions may start filing preliminary applications for connection to the system once the central bank publishes the revised CERTIS rules. The CNB will update the rules following the approval and publication of the amendment, which was approved by the Senate on 22 January 2025 and is yet to be signed by the President.

    Non-bank institutions will operate within the CERTIS system under conditions similar to those applied to banks, but their accounts in CERTIS will serve exclusively for payments and cannot be used for other purposes, in particular for safeguarding clients’ funds. Otherwise, the participation of an institution in CERTIS will be terminated for serious breach of contract. Further, these institutions will not be able to obtain intraday or other credit, and will be assessed to determine whether they meet the conditions set out in the Payment System Act specifically for such institutions.

    CERTIS (Czech Express Real Time Interbank Gross Settlement System) is used to process non-cash payments in Czech koruna. If both the payer and the payee have accounts at the same bank, the money transfer (account settlement) is processed directly within that bank’s system. If the payer and the payee have accounts with different banks, the payer’s bank must use the CERTIS interbank payment system for the transfer of funds.

    CERTIS began operation on 8 March 1992 within the Clearing and Settlement Centre at the State Bank of Czechoslovakia in the former Czechoslovakia. It is currently operated by the Czech National Bank. In 2024, CERTIS processed more than 983 million items with a total value of CZK 386.5 trillion. The system thus processed on average 3.9 million transactions a day, totalling more than CZK 1.5 trillion. One in three payments was processed as an instant payment, based on the payer’s choice, in just a matter of seconds.

    [1] The amendment to Act No. 370/2017 Coll., on the Payment System, will transpose the changes implemented by Regulation 2024/886 on instant credit transfers in euro (the IPR) into the directives on settlement finality and payment services. At the same time, it will enable payment institutions and electronic money institutions based in the Czech Republic or another EU or EEA country to participate in the CERTIS payment system.

    [2] Senate Print No. 31 – a draft law amending certain laws in connection with the implementation of the European Union’s legislation in the area of the digitalisation of the financial market and sustainability financing (available in Czech only).

    Related links

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Three deposit auctions of the PPC “TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND” will take place on 27.01.2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    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://www.moex.com/n77141

    Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians savings, Russians Federal, Russians Language, Russian economy

    Post Navigation

    Previous PostPrevious NSU student from Indonesia took 3rd place in regional vocal competition among universities
    Next PostNext The government has additionally indexed insurance pensions for working and non-working pensioners

    Archives

    Archives Privations of the Police Proudly would trust WordPress

    Date of the deposit auction 01/27/2025
    Placement currency RUB
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 5,523,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 22
    Date of deposit 01/27/2025
    Refund date 02/18/2025
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 5,523,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Treaty General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 11:30 to 11:40
    Applications in competition mode from 11:40 to 11:45
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 11:55
       
    Additional terms  

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has additionally indexed insurance pensions for working and non-working pensioners

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The decision was made on the instructions of the President.

    The Prime Minister signed a resolution on an additional increase in insurance pensions for working and non-working pensioners to the level of actual inflation for 2024.

    Document

    Resolution of January 23, 2025 No. 34

    According to the document, the amount of the fixed payment to the insurance pension and the cost of one pension coefficient have been additionally increased from January 1, 2025. In February, pensioners will receive an increased pension for February and an additional payment for January.

    The decision will increase the level of pension provision for all recipients of insurance pensions. This is about 39.3 million people.

    Initially, from January 1, 2025, insurance pensions were increased by 7.3% in accordance with the forecast inflation rate in 2024. In mid-January, Rosstat provided data on the actual inflation rate in 2024. After that, a decision was made to further index insurance pensions to the actual inflation rate.

    Mikhail Mishustin instructed Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova to monitor the implementation of the additional indexation of insurance pensions at a meeting with deputy prime ministers on January 27.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Welcome to GUU: Open Day brought together future students

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On January 26, hundreds of applicants and parents came to the Open Day of the State University of Management.

    In total, more than 1,600 participants registered, half of whom came to the university to see everything with their own eyes.

    The meeting was opened by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management, Dmitry Bryukhanov, who spoke about the key advantages of the university in all areas.

    “We are glad to see the first management university of the country on the site. In 2024, GUU celebrated its 105th anniversary. We rightfully bear the title of the first management university, because back in the USSR, we opened the first department for training managers. It was our scientists who wrote the first textbook on management science. Today, almost all basic areas of education are available at our university. As well as MBA programs, postgraduate studies, additional professional education, etc. Moreover, GUU implements the Presidential Program for the Training of Management Personnel and conducts foreign internships for its graduates,” said Dmitry Yuryevich.

    The head of the department for organizing the admission of applicants, Vadim Dikikh, announced changes in the university admission system in 2025/2026.

    “The admission rules change every year. Digitalization affects both our daily lives and all universities. Today, admission is a complex process that includes a number of steps using State Services. Therefore, you need to approach the process thoughtfully, understand and decide whether you plan to apply for a targeted or general competition, whether you have benefits or not, which areas of training, which Unified State Exams to take or which Olympiad you can take part in “tomorrow”. Most of the information can be obtained online, but if you have doubts or questions, the admissions committee staff will always help and point you in the right direction,” Vadim Dikikh advised.

    The guests were introduced to student life and extracurricular activities by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Pavel Pavlovsky, who noted only the main areas and opportunities, because our university has truly countless of them: KVN, “Service Learning”, university shifts, thematic summer camps in the All-Russian Children’s Center “Ocean” and Artek, dozens of federal competitions and projects in which everyone can find opportunities for self-realization.

    Also, as part of the official part, a representative of Sberbank spoke …, introducing future applicants and their parents to a preferential loan from Sberbank, available to applicants to the First Management. And the director of the Center for Professional Orientation Elena Likhatskikh told about how to earn additional points.

    Throughout the day, guests of the university were given tours of the GUU campus, consultations on admission issues, career guidance for schoolchildren, pre-university training and the infrastructure of the alma mater. Also, everyone could take part in a show match against the CS2 team, visit the Playstation zone or experience the possibilities of games in VR helmets.

    More photos from the Open Day can be seen in the album.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/27/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Central Federal District Artur Niyazmetov visited the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    On January 21, the Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District, Artur Niyazmetov, visited the State University of Management.

    The meeting with the guest was attended by the rector of the State University of Management Vladimir Stroyev, vice-rectors Maria Karelina, Dmitry Bryukhanov and Vitaly Lapshenkov, as well as the head of the department of external and internal communications Tatyana Sharapova.

    The conversation began with a discussion of the Vykhino district and the uniqueness of the territory of the State University of Management.

    “We are the only university in Moscow whose campus is located on a single closed territory. On 15 hectares there is an academic building, which is connected by passages that allow you to get to any point without leaving the building, a sports complex, an information technology center, a stadium, a swimming pool. Residents of the area come to us to do sports. The area has changed a lot in recent years: modern buildings are being built under the renovation program, new metro stations and high-speed highways are opening. And the contingent, accordingly, is becoming different,” Vladimir Vitalyevich noted.

    An important topic of discussion was targeted training and preparation for the 2025 admission campaign. The meeting participants paid special attention to the analysis of the results of the 2024/2025 campaign, which was held according to the new rules of targeted training. It should be noted that this year has become an important stage for determining further directions for the development of the system.

    “The new rules for admission to targeted training in the 2024/2025 admission campaign were in effect for the first time. Based on its results, we made certain conclusions and made adjustments. It has been several years since we have been talking about the need to plan and recruit for training differently so that there are no distortions. The system is still being worked out,” shared Artur Niyazmetov.

    Dmitry Bryukhanov said that more than 90% of first-year students complete their studies and receive a diploma, and this is a fairly high figure. This year, the number of applicants from the capital has increased, which is possibly due to the university opening entrepreneurship classes in Moscow schools.

    After the meeting, the delegation went on a tour of the university. Artur Niyazmetov visited the Pre-University of the State University of Management, the sports complex, the Information Technology Center, which houses the Boiling Point of the State University of Management and eSports classes, as well as the Center for Innovative Technologies.

    The rector personally showed the guest how to use the Jaling studio, and the media center staff demonstrated the capabilities of recording videos and examples of finished works from different rooms of the media center.

    The Student Design Bureau and its developments were of particular interest. Vladimir Filatov, Director of the Engineering Project Management Center, spoke about ongoing projects in mechanical engineering, reverse engineering, and unmanned systems. Postgraduate student Vladimir Kutkov presented a project for the production of small-sized drones intended for use in anti-drone systems. The guest was very interested in the topic, asked questions, and clarified details.

    “It’s good that the guys are working in the design bureau with pleasure and understanding, and most importantly, there are practical results. A good idea,” concluded Artur Niyazmetov.

    At the end of the meeting, those gathered visited the meeting room of the Academic Council of the State University of Management and discussed plans for the development of the university’s dissertation councils.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/27/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU student from Indonesia took 3rd place in regional vocal competition among universities

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Raden Ankling Kesumo, or as he is called at Novosibirsk State University, Ray, is a second-year student Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, NSUAt the Univervision contest, he performed Sergey Lazarev’s song “Give Up”, as well as a composition by the Italian group Maneskin Coralline. With his talent, he was able to win the hearts of the jury.

    Before reaching the final stage of the competition, each university selected its talents to send them to participate in the regional competition “Univervision”. Ray was the only one who got into the competition from NSU with 18 more soloists and 13 groups from other universities. On December 5, the semi-final of the competition took place, where Mitya Fomin was present as a star guest and judge. According to the terms of the competition, the participants had to perform a song in Russian. Ray chose the composition “Sdaivaysya” by Sergey Lazarev. With it, our student reached the final of “Univervision”.

    — According to the rules, in the final we had to sing a song from a film or any foreign song that had to be translated into Russian. I was so happy and nervous at the same time, as it was my first time in my life performing as a solo vocalist in a regional competition. I realized my ability to feel a song, so I chose one that had a deep meaning, emotions, elements of splitting the voice and the ability to take high notes. Therefore, the song of the group Måneskin Coraline was the best option, we decided to translate it. Alena Matveeva, my girlfriend, helped me with the translation of the lyrics, Stepan Morozov, my best friend, helped with editing the lyrics, and Karina Kuznetsova was very supportive and helped me with the use of vocal techniques. I do not forget about other friends, my family from the NSU Music Club, as well as the support of the staff of the NSU Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work, who always gave me the opportunity to demonstrate my skills and supported me morally, — said Ray.

    The final of the competition was held in the Mayakovsky Concert Hall on Student’s Day, January 25. The “Univervision – 2025” competition was the fifth and anniversary one in the Novosibirsk Region. The jury in the final included a star guest – Oleg Vlady, composer, author of songs for popular artists, member of the jury of the vocal television show “Nu-ka, Vse Vmeste!”

    — When I first went on stage, I realized that I just wanted to convey the feelings of the song to the listener with my voice. When the music started, the anxiety went away. It was quite challenging, as I had to sing a difficult song in Russian. I knew that the other soloists had magical voices, spoke Russian really well, and some of them graduated from music college or were trained by a vocal coach, while I was learning to sing on my own. When it was time to announce the preliminary results, I was shocked to find out that I was in 4th place. Then the jury was given time to give an additional maximum score (12 points) to the participants they liked the most. In the end, several jury members voted for me and awarded me 3rd place! I was so happy, but a little upset that the Univervision jury did not determine the winners separately among solo vocalists and vocal groups. The 1st and 2nd winners were full-fledged musical groups. In any case, I feel happy, that’s what matters! It was one of the best impressions I’ve had, – Ray shared his impressions.

    In the final of the competition, Ray was the only foreign participant from far abroad. He received the highest score from one of the experts and one of the educational organizations, so Raden confidently took the honorable 3rd place in the competition.

    — My plans for the future include focusing primarily on my studies, because we know that studying at the medical faculty is very difficult, especially at NSU. But I will still continue to perform with my group “Tikhiy Ogonyok” at NSU events, the Music Club and other organizations. Next year, I will definitely not give up and will make every effort to win other vocal competitions!

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland suspended

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Import of poultry meat and products from Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland suspended
    Import of poultry meat and products from Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland suspended
    ******************************************************************************************

         The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 27) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Goleniów District of Zachodniopomorskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 3 480 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland in the first nine months of last year.     “The CFS has contacted the Polish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

     
    Ends/Monday, January 27, 2025Issued at HKT 15:25

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have designed a stand for studying radiation aging of semiconductor photodetectors

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    A rig for studying the radiation aging of solid-state photomultipliers (SPMT) was created by scientists from Novosibirsk State University together with their colleagues from the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS. The rig they developed is designed to operate at the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) facility, which is located at the INP SB RAS. It is integrated into the BNCT facility, expanding its capabilities. The rig is designed to study the radiation aging of SPMT. BNCT makes it possible to irradiate the devices under study with fast neutrons, and the rig, in turn, allows one to observe how this process affects their parameters. The first tests of the rig were conducted in November last year.

    Solid-state photomultiplier tubes (SSPMs) are a type of photodetector that are widely used in science. They can register single photons that result from the interaction of particles with the substance through which they pass. Since there are many such processes (scintillation, Cherenkov radiation, bremsstrahlung, etc.), the scope of application of SSPMs is very diverse. Almost every modern detector employs hundreds and thousands of SSPMs.

    — Under the influence of radiation — in our case, fast neutrons — the material is destroyed. In fact, neutrons destroy the structure of bonds in the semiconductor (usually silicon), from which the TFMTs are made. On the other hand, inside any detector operating at its collider, neutrons are also formed during the collision of counter beams of particles, and, therefore, along with the “useful” particles that the TFMTs are used to register, they undergo radiation aging. As a result, free charge carriers are formed, forming a dark current, and the TFMT at some point simply stops working. Therefore, it is necessary to know the permissible level of radiation at which they can be used. At the same time, the task of physicists is to make detectors such that their systems effectively register particles and at the same time are as little exposed to the harmful effects of radiation exposure as possible, — said the leading engineer of the interfaculty group of advanced developments of the Department of General Physics of the Physics Faculty of NSU, senior researcher at the Institute of Nuclear Physics named after G.I. Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS Viktor Bobrovnikov.

    In 2022, scientists from NSU and INP SB RAS spent a month at the BNCT facility studying the effect of radiation on the optical transparency of the fiber used in the calibration system of the electromagnetic calorimeter of the CMS detector operating at the Large Hadron Collider at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Part of this fiber is located quite close to the collision site of hadron beams, so it begins to darken – “age” under the influence of radiation. Studies conducted by scientists from NSU and INP SB RAS showed that the transparency of the fiber degrades by 25-30% at a dose corresponding to 3 years of CMS operation per experiment. The CMS calorimeter calibration team was completely satisfied with the result obtained. In this experiment, the researchers used the equipment and measurement methodology proposed by foreign colleagues. The experience gained was used to create our stand for studying TFMTs.

    The TFMT research setup consists of three main elements. The first is the light distribution system from the source (laser) to the TFMTs under study. It is necessary because all equipment must be located in a radiation-protected area (control room) to prevent damage to the equipment, while the TFMTs are directly exposed to radiation. The second element is a heat and cold chamber. Sometimes it is called a “climate chamber”. It allows you to set a certain temperature for the TFMT from -20 to 55 degrees. Temperature in this case is an important parameter, since the previously mentioned TFMT dark current (or noise) depends on it. If this noise is high enough, it can completely drown out the useful TFMT signal. Also, a “climate chamber” is necessary for researchers because the ambient temperature is quite unstable, and for repeatability of experiments to study the TFMT response, it is necessary to work in one temperature mode under strictly identical conditions. In addition, researchers are interested in conducting research outside room temperature in order to better understand the capabilities of the TFMT. The third important component of the stand is the data collection system. It is needed for digitalization and subsequent recording of signals from the studied TFEU, laser parameters, microclimate parameters in the TFEU location, signals from sensors measuring the stability of the laser source and the transparency of the optical fiber, and so on.

    — The solutions implemented in the stand are already used to one degree or another in various installations. The uniqueness lies in the process of irradiating the TFEU itself. Along with the simultaneous measurement of the TFEU parameters, we can evaluate the level of radiation dose. This gives us a rare opportunity to thoroughly study the level of radiation exposure to the TFEU. Such an opportunity is completely absent when conducting similar studies on reactors; in the end, you will only receive an answer about the initial and final state of your device without understanding how its parameters changed during irradiation, — explained Viktor Bobrovnikov.

    The stand was tested in November last year. A significant amount of data was obtained, which is currently being processed, but scientists are already noting that the effect of radiation aging of the TFEU has become quite obvious and it remains to complete the analysis to fully understand the whole picture.

    — We plan to upgrade the stand taking into account the experimental experience gained. It is impossible to take everything into account at once — some of the features are revealed directly in the process of work. In the conducted irradiation session, we worked with rather old TFEMs, which are now practically not used, but are quite suitable for “testing” the measurement technique in real conditions. Now we have three types of TFEMs, currently used in real experiments. One of them is used in the electromagnetic calorimeter “shashlik” of the MPD detector of the NIKA experiment (Dubna, Moscow). We and our colleagues are interested in knowing the response of these TFEMs to irradiation. So, we have extensive plans, at least for the next 2-3 years, — said Viktor Bobrovnikov.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detectives investigating a rape in Westminster release E-FIT of man they want to identify

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating a rape in Westminster have released an E-FIT image of a man they are working to identify.

    On Tuesday, 14 June 2022, a woman reported walking alone along Bradiston Road, W9, when a car, believed to be a dark coloured Audi A3, stopped at the junction ahead of her.

    An unknown man pushed the woman from behind into the vehicle, then drove away with her inside before raping her.

    After the assault the woman was pushed back out of the vehicle not far from where she’d been picked up.

    The incident happened at 21:00hrs one evening in March 2022.

    Detectives have released an e-fit of the man they urgently need to trace.

    He was described as speaking with a Jamaican accent and believed to be in his late 30s, tall with short dreadlocks, and a significant facial scar.

    Detective Constable, Leon Riley, from the policing team covering Westminster, said:

    “If you recognise the man in the image please contact us without delay.

    “We have been carrying out extensive enquiries since the incident and we continue to support the victim who, as far as possible, has been trying to live her life as normal since it happened.

    “It was a horrifying ordeal for her and we thank her for supporting the investigation to trace the man responsible for assaulting her, and now helping us build an e-fit of the suspect.

    “Women should be able to walk alone without fear and we are dedicated to protecting women and girls from predatory offenders such as this.

    “Anyone who recognises the man, or has information, please contact police on 101 quoting 6533840/22.

    “Or, to remain completely anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: What color is solar plasma emission?

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    At the beginning of 2025, we are still at the peak of solar activity, which is beginning to decline. However, still at the peak and throughout 2025, “twists” of magnetic fields are possible at different levels of the Sun, starting from the polar regions to the regions of the Sun’s equator. These twists outside their level in turn generate areas of increased and decreased activity, which results in the emergence of areas of strong instability, and from these areas, as a rule, plasma emissions are “squeezed out”. They, breaking out from the surface of the compressed solar gas ball, fly apart into a huge inflated “fist” of ionized particles, which, reaching the ionospheric cap of the Earth, beats on it, causing in the best case the Northern Lights, and in the worst case – breakdowns of the earth’s infrastructure associated with electricity and magnetism.

    “The images from the EIT (Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) give scientists their usual weather maps of the Sun. Four different colours represent different wavelengths of ultraviolet light emitted by the Sun – invisible to our eyes but detected in stunning detail by the EIT. Each colour, or wavelength, is produced by hot gas at a different temperature: yellow shows gas at about 2 million degrees Celsius, green at 1.6 million degrees, blue at 1 million degrees and red at 80,000 degrees.” HTTPS: //VVV.Sa. Ent/ Scenes_exclotion/spasy_ Sculpt/liva_viev_Of_THE_SON_FROM_SOOO

    This excerpt from the text, accompanying daily photos of the Sun from the SOHO Solar Observatory. Photos for different areas of the spectrum, taken using special filters. It is clear from the text that COLOR = wavelength of radiation = the “fingerprint” of a certain chemical under certain conditions. No more and no less. Plasma containing neutral hydrogen has a color corresponding to a specific transition in the hydrogen atom. Transition from an ionized state to become a neutral hydrogen atom. Neutral hydrogen emits its bright red line = red color, which is designated as the H-alpha line in the spectrum of the hydrogen atom. The photo, which has been often featured in publications lately, was taken using a filter for the red H-alpha line. As a result, the radiation of neutral hydrogen, of which this plasma emission consists, is absorbed by this filter and we do not see this red color, which corresponds to one of the wavelengths of radiation of a neutral hydrogen atom (in total, atomic hydrogen emits 4 wavelengths in the visible range). As a result, we see only the contour of the plasma ejection, visible to us as a dark field inside the contour. Some call this phenomenon a “black” plasma emission, but from the explanation above we conclude that there is no such thing as a “black” plasma, since solar plasma consists mainly of atomic hydrogen, which emits different wavelengths: the visible spectrum is the Balmer series of 4 lines H-alpha, H-betta, H-delta, H-gamma, infrared spectrum – Paschen series; and ultraviolet spectrum – Lyman series.

    The H-alpha filter is present in all special telescopes for observing total solar eclipses, Coronado is one of such telescopes. It is the filter that allows us to clearly see what is happening on the Sun.

    Author: Alfiya Rashidovna Nesterenko, Head of the Educational Astrophysical Automated Complex, Leading Engineer of the Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy Department of General Physics Physics Department of NSU

    Photos taken by the SOHO Solar Observatory and taken from the website Ta europian saved agencies.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Staff members to keep on constructing new tunnel during Spring Festival in Suifenhe

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

    Staff members to keep on constructing new tunnel during Spring Festival in Suifenhe

    Updated: January 27, 2025 08:23 Xinhua
    Staff members walk in the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. Staff members here will keep on with their work during this year’s Spring Festival, carrying out routine monitoring and inspection. The 602-meter railway tunnel is expected to be bored through this May, and once operational, it will replace the three old tunnels that have been in service for over 120 years. As an important port along the eastern corridor of the China-Europe freight train service, Suifenhe port annually handles about 900 China-Europe freight train trips with 88,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows the entrance of a new tunnel under construction along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members walk into the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members walk in the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members walk in the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members patrol near the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff members work at the construction site of a new tunnel along the railway linking Suifenhe and China-Russia border line, in Suifenhe, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Lukashenko wins Belarus presidential election

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Alexander Lukashenko has won the presidential election of Belarus, receiving 86.82 percent of the vote, according to the preliminary results released early Monday by the country’s Central Election Commission.

    Under Belarusian law, a presidential candidate who secures more than 50 percent of the vote is declared the winner.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government to clean up communities with deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Introduction of deposit return scheme will be a step forward in ending the throwaway society and cleaning up Britain

    The Government has today (Monday 27 January) pledged to end the throwaway society and clean up Britain, as it implements legislation for the deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland. 

    Once the scheme launches in October 2027, consumers will have a financial incentive to return empty containers to a collection point, such as at their local supermarket, so that the bottle or can will be recycled. 

    Used in more than 50 countries worldwide as a common-sense means of encouraging people to recycle more single-use bottles and cans, a DRS sees people being paid back for returning the container.  

    Countries such as Germany, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland have successfully implemented schemes, ensuring valuable materials are collected, recycled and made back into new drinks containers – a truly circular approach easily grasped by the public. The average return rate for European countries with a DRS is 90%, according to global eNGO Reloop, with Germany showing the best results at 98%. 

    Introducing such a scheme in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland is a simple yet hugely effective way of addressing problems with rubbish building up on our streets and in our rivers and oceans, while also ensuring the public gets money back on their bottle.  

    Across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, consumers buy an estimated 30 billion single-use drinks containers each year – including 12 billion plastic drinks bottles and 13 billion drinks cans. An estimated 6.5 billion single-use drinks bottles and cans per year go to waste rather than being recycled, with many ending up littered. Research from the Marine Conservation Society shows 97% of surveyed beaches were polluted with drinks-related items in 2023. 

    Encouraging everyone to get involved in recycling, the DRS will be introduced in October 2027, with 150ml to three-litre single-use drinks containers made from plastic and metal included in the scheme. 

    Delivering these reforms and driving investment in the recycling sector delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change through kickstarting growth, ensuring economic stability, greater efficiency, and jobs fit for the future. 

    Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

    This Government will clean up Britain and end the throwaway society.  

    This is a vital step as we stop the avalanche of rubbish that is filling up our streets, rivers and oceans and protect our treasured wildlife. Turning trash into cash also delivers on our Plan for Change by kickstarting clean growth, ensuring economic stability, more resilient supply chains, and new green jobs.

    Northern Ireland’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said:

    I have ambitious goals to protect our climate, drive green growth and reduce unnecessary waste. The creation of a Deposit Return Scheme plays a key part in delivering those goals.   

    The introduction of the new parliamentary regulations is a significant step in that process and signals our commitment to move forward together to make those ambitions a reality.

    New legislation for England and Northern Ireland has now come into force, enabling the appointment of the scheme administrator – known as the Deposit Management Organisation – in April 2025. This will be a not-for-profit, industry-led body responsible for the administration and day-to-day running of the scheme.    

    With Scotland’s own regulations also progressing, this marks a major step forward for the introduction of the scheme across the three nations.   

    The three governments will ensure the scheme is implemented effectively, working closely with businesses to provide the infrastructure and investment to make it a success.   

    Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, said:

    A Deposit Return Scheme really is a silver bullet that will get plastic drinks bottles and aluminium cans out of our parks, off our streets and away from our rivers and seas.  

    Depressingly we litter, burn or bury millions of drinks containers each and every day. This legislation will end all that, save the taxpayer millions in clean-up costs and give recycling a real shot in the arm.  

    Backed and paid for by producers, this method of retrieval and recycling is tried and tested the world over so at Keep Britain Tidy we are putting out the bunting that this government is committed to make it happen, for us all.

    Stephen Moorhouse, Vice President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB Business Unit, said:

    We’ve been supportive of launching a DRS across the UK for a number of years as they are a proven way of increasing recycling, reducing waste and tackling litter. Therefore, we welcome the clarity provided by the regulation for England and Northern Ireland and are encouraged by recent developments that will ensure an aligned scheme with Scotland, despite wider challenges around a UK-wide approach. 

    Delivering to the timelines will be challenging but achievable, and now is the time for industry to roll up its sleeves to create a well-designed system that works for businesses, shoppers and the environment.

    Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said:  

    We are pleased to have certainty on the DRS regulations so local shops can start to prepare for October 2027 and our communities can realise the benefits of reduced litter and higher quality recycled materials.  

    Now the real work begins to make the deposit return scheme a success through cross-industry partnership and a planned network of return points that work for customers.

    Sandy Luk, Chief Executive at the Marine Conservation Society, said:

    Today marks a fantastic win for our seas, as MPs voted in favour of a deposit return scheme in England and Northern Ireland. With plans already in motion in Scotland and the Welsh Government exploring an ambitious scheme to include reuse, this is a great step towards schemes starting across the UK in October 2027.  

    Last year, 97% of surveyed UK beaches were polluted with bottles and cans, posing threat to marine life like seabirds and seals. Deposit return schemes will not only boost recycling and move us towards a circular economy where nothing is thrown away but also significantly reduce this kind of beach pollution.  

    We’re excited to support governments and industry in launching these schemes as soon as possible.

    Hitting this milestone is another big step forward for the Government’s collection and packaging reforms, which together will support 21,000 new jobs and stimulate more than £10 billion of investment in recycling over the next decade. 

    The action to clean up Britain doesn’t end there – there is more to come as the Government moves to ensure the throwaway society is ended for good.  

    Legislation has been laid to ban the sale of single-use vapes from 1 June 2025 and prevent the waste of precious resources – eNGO Material Focus estimates almost five million single-use vapes were either littered or thrown away in general waste every week in 2023.  

    In December 2024, the Government moved to stop recycling rates stagnating and the reliance on the burning of household waste by announcing that new waste incinerators will only receive planning approval if they meet strict new local and environmental conditions.  

    The Government has also announced that a £15 million government fund will help deliver thousands of tonnes of food from farms which would otherwise go to waste to those who need it most.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Albanese records worst Newspoll ratings this term; Victorian Labor’s primary plunges

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    A national Newspoll, conducted January 20–24 from a sample of 1,259, gave the Coalition a 51–49 lead, a one-point gain for the Coalition since the previous Newspoll in early December. Primary votes were 39% Coalition (steady), 31% Labor (down two), 12% Greens (up one), 7% One Nation (steady) and 11% for all Others (up one).

    In three of the last four Newspolls, the Coalition has had a 51–49 lead. This is the consensus of the polls at the moment, as can be seen from the graph below. The federal election is not due until May, and this position is recoverable for Labor, but they would probably lose now. I had more comments on this last Thursday.

    The worst news from Newspoll for Labor was Anthony Albanese’s ratings, which slumped six points since December to a term-low net approval of -20, with 57% dissatisfied and 37% satisfied.

    Peter Dutton’s net approval increased one point to -11. Albanese led Dutton by 44–41 as better PM (45–38 in December). This three-point margin for Albanese is a term low.

    The graph below shows Albanese’s Newspoll ratings this term. The individual polls are marked with plus signs and a smoothed line has been fitted.

    There have been five polls in January of leaders’ ratings from Freshwater, YouGov, Resolve, Essential and Newspoll. On average, Albanese is at -15 net approval and Dutton at -3.2. If not for a net zero approval from Essential, Albanese’s ratings would be worse.

    Additional Resolve questions

    I previously covered the mid-January Resolve poll for Nine newspapers that gave Dutton a 39–34 preferred PM lead over Albanese. In additional questions, by 61–24, voters supported keeping Australia’s national day on January 26 over changing to another date (47–39 in January 2023).

    The thumping defeat of the October 2023 Voice referendum has damaged the push to change the date. By 52–24, voters supported legislating so that January 26 is enshrined in law as Australia’s national day.

    By 54–9, respondents thought there had been more antisemitism over more Islamophobia in recent months (32–14 in October). By 51–24, they thought the conflict in the Middle East had made Australia a less safe place (45–26 in October).

    Victorian Resolve poll: Labor’s primary plunges to 22%

    A Victorian state Resolve poll
    for The Age, conducted with the federal December and January Resolve polls from a sample of over 1,000, gave the Coalition 42% of the primary vote (up four since November), Labor 22% (down six), the Greens 13% (steady), independents 17% (up three) and others 6% (down one).

    Resolve doesn’t usually give a two-party estimate, but The Age’s article said that on 2022 election preference flows, the Coalition would have a 55.5–44.5 lead. Independents would be unlikely to get 17% at an election, but they are on the readout everywhere in Resolve polls until after nominations close.

    In late December, Brad Battin was elected Liberal leader in a party room vote, replacing John Pesutto. From just the January sample, Battin led Labor incumbent Jacinta Allan as preferred premier by 36–27 (30–29 to Pesutto in November).

    Victorian Labor’s unpopularity is hurting federal Labor in Victoria. The Poll Bludger’s BludgerTrack has a 5.3% swing against Labor in Victoria, with swings in the other mainland states at 2% or less.

    By the November 2026 election, Labor will have governed in Victoria for 12 successive years and for 23 of the 27 years since 1999. An “it’s time” factor is probably contributing to Labor’s woes.

    State byelections will occur on February 8 in Labor-held Werribee and Greens-held Prahran. At the 2022 election, Labor won Werribee by a 60.9–39.1 margin against the Liberals, while the Greens won Prahran by 62.0–38.0 against the Liberals.

    In Prahran, which Labor is not contesting, Tony Lupton, who was the Labor MP from 2002 to 2010, is running as an independent. The Liberals and Lupton will swap preferences on their how to vote material. Voters can choose their own preferences instead of following their candidate’s recommendations, but many will follow those recommendations.

    Germany and Canada

    I covered German and Canadian electoral developments for The Poll Bludger on Saturday. The German federal election is in about four weeks, on February 23. Polls are bleak for the left, with big gains likely for the far-right AfD.

    Justin Trudeau announced he would resign as Canadian Liberal leader and PM on January 6 once a new Liberal leader had been elected, which will occur on March 9. The Conservatives had a big lead in last Monday’s update to the CBC Poll Tracker, but there’s a new poll that gives the Conservatives just a 3.8-point lead. Trudeau promised to reform Canada’s electoral system before he won the October 2015 election, but did nothing.

    Adrian Beaumont 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 records worst Newspoll ratings this term; Victorian Labor’s primary plunges – https://theconversation.com/albanese-records-worst-newspoll-ratings-this-term-victorian-labors-primary-plunges-248222

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier holds symposium with foreign experts in China

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds a symposium with representatives of foreign experts who have won the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award and those who are working in China ahead of the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 26, 2025. Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the symposium. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, Jan. 26 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday held a symposium at the Great Hall of the People with representatives of foreign experts who have won the 2024 Chinese Government Friendship Award and those who are working in China.

    Li extended Chinese Lunar New Year wishes and sincere greetings to the foreign experts, and thanked them for their long-term concern and support for China’s modernization efforts. He also listened to their opinions and suggestions on China’s reform, development and government work.

    Experts from countries including the United Kingdom, Poland, Mali, Romania, Germany and Pakistan delivered speeches on topics such as scientific and technological innovation, economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, international communication and talent development.

    Foreign experts have made positive contributions to China’s new achievements in development in the past year, Li said. Their experiences of working and living in China exemplify the positive interaction and deep integration between China and the world, he said.

    Noting that the world needs communication and the process of globalization is irreversible, Li said China consistently advocates strengthening international dialogue and will continue to uphold openness and inclusiveness while actively promoting international exchanges in various fields.

    The premier stressed that innovation requires cooperation, and as the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation deepens, scientific research has become increasingly complex and systematic, making open cooperation both a trend and an inevitable choice.

    China will continue to expand openness in science and technology, broaden and deepen joint research, actively participate in global technology governance, collaborate with all nations to solve practical problems and jointly address global challenges, he said.

    He said China’s doors will always remain open to talents from all countries. The Chinese government will further optimize relevant policies, enhance service guarantees, and build more international exchange and cooperation platforms, continuously creating favorable conditions for foreign talents to work in China, said the premier.

    Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang attended the symposium.

    MIL OSI China News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Call with Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, President Donald J. Trump held a call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom. President Trump offered his condolences for the recent loss of the Prime Minister’s brother and expressed his well wishes for the British Royal Family. The two leaders also discussed the recent release of Israeli-British national Emily Damari from Hamas captivity and how both countries can promote a fair bilateral economic relationship.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 27, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Briefing Security Council on Worsening Situation in Democratic Republic of Congo, Senior Official Says Actions Endangering Civilians, UN ‘Will Not be Tolerated’

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Holding an emergency meeting following advances by the 23 March Movement, or M23, towards the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and concurrent attacks on United Nations peacekeepers there, the Security Council heard today that urgent action is needed to address a rapidly deteriorating situation while time remains to do so.

    “The United Nations is profoundly concerned by the resumption of hostilities,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.  On 23-24 January, M23 fired on positions of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).  He reported that, as a result, several blue helmets were “killed in carrying out the tasks entrusted to them by this Council”.  He also noted that M23 has significantly extended its territorial gains over the past few weeks and has opened a new front in South Kivu, from which MONUSCO recently withdrew.

    “At this critical juncture, with the lives of countless vulnerable civilians, peacekeepers and respect for this Council’s mandate at stake, MONUSCO remains committed to the robust defence of its mandate,” he stated.  He stressed that, for its part, the Council “must honour the sacrifices made by the peacekeepers who laid down their lives in pursuit of this noble goal by sending a clear and unequivocal message to M23 and its backers that actions endangering the lives of civilians and UN peacekeepers will not be tolerated.”

    Also reporting on the situation was Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO.  Noting that M23 and Rwandan forces have penetrated the outskirts of Goma — “causing mass panic and flight amongst the population” — she said that roads are blocked and that M23 has declared Goma’s airspace closed.  “In other words, we are trapped,” she said, calling on the Council to “act now” to secure the civilian population, humanitarian-aid workers and all UN personnel.

    Calling on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to continue political negotiations in the context of the Luanda Process, she urged:  “More than ever, we must find a political solution.”  She also called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces from Congolese territory and end support for M23, and on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to “make significant efforts” to neutralize the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda, or FDLR.

    Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, then stressed that if hostilities spread into Goma, “the impact on civilians could be devastating”.  In North and South Kivu, hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured over the last few weeks.  Further, hundreds of thousands have fled their homes, humanitarian access remains constrained and hospitals are overwhelmed.  Against that backdrop, she urged all parties to “protect civilians and the critical infrastructure they rely on”.

    She also urged them to avoid using wide-area explosives and heavy weapons in populated areas.  “This will be particularly important should the hostilities spread into Goma, given the risks of conflict in urban areas,” she observed.  And, to address the escalating humanitarian crisis “before the situation worsens further”, she called on the Council to end the hostilities, ensure respect for international law and provide adequate funding for humanitarian action.

    “The resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] must be political, not military,” stated the representative of Sierra Leone, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Somalia.  The Luanda and Nairobi Processes “remain viable paths to peace”, he said, while underscoring that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected “by all States and non-State actors alike”.  France’s representative, stating that the presence of foreign military forces threatens civilian protection and contributes to displacement, concurred: “Force is not an option.”

    Along those lines, China’s representative said:  “All external forces should refrain from providing support to M23 and other armed groups to prevent further deterioration.”  He also joined other Council members in pointing out that “attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes”.  The representative of Greece echoed that, also noting that attacks against MONUSCO peacekeepers constitute a basis for sanctions designations.  Also making these points was the representative of the United Kingdom, who observed that “the numbers of those lost and injured is changing by the hour”.

    These attacks, stressed Slovenia’s representative, constitute “an attack on peace itself”.  Recalling the Council’s recent, unanimous decision to renew MONUSCO’s mandate, she underlined the organ’s responsibility to “stand unequivocally behind [its personnel] in these perilous times and ensure they return safely to their loved ones”.  She added: “The international community, and this Council, cannot afford to remain passive in the face of this crisis.”  Panama’s representative similarly stated: “History will not judge us on our intentions but, rather, our actions.”

    The United Nations must take immediate measures to ensure the safety and security of both civilians and peacekeepers, underscored the representative of Pakistan.  Expressing particular concern over a “highly exposed” Pakistani artillery battery near Sake, he stressed that this unit should be quickly redeployed for the safety of its personnel and heavy, expensive equipment.  Stating that peacekeepers cannot be expected to implement the “challenging mandate assigned to them by the Council” without adequate support, he also urged the organ to address the root cause of the conflict — the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

    On that, Denmark’s representative observed:  “The illegal exploitation of natural resources in eastern DRC is a key driver to instability in the Great Lakes region — this must end.”  The representative of the United States also expressed concern over the illicit exploitation of mining areas in territories controlled by M23, as did the representative of the Russian Federation:  “The struggle to gain access towards strategically important Congolese minerals is one of the reasons for the continuation of the crisis.”

    The representative of the Republic of Korea detailed that crisis: “In the past week alone, as [M23] has expanded its territory by 11 per cent, the number of [internally displaced persons] has doubled to 400,000.”  He joined other Council members in calling on Rwanda to cease its support for the group and urged both Kinshasa and Kigali to return to dialogue and fully implement their commitments under the Luanda Process.  He added:  “We recognize the differing interests of the DRC and Rwanda, but further escalation of tensions is simply unacceptable — many lives are at stake.”

    Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, meanwhile, took the floor to stress that the situation in her country is “not a conflict like others”.  Rather, it is “a declaration of war that no longer hides itself behind diplomatic manoeuvres”, she said, stressing that “Rwanda is preparing to orchestrate a carnage in broad daylight”.  She also said that it is “clear that this crisis is directly linked to the economic plunder of our country by Rwanda”.

    On that, she said that over 150 tons of coltan are illegally extracted and transported to Rwanda each month, where they are fraudulently labelled for export.  Yet, while this illicit commerce finances the military activities of armed groups, it is “only one aspect of the aggression carried out by Rwanda”, she stressed.  Others include the systematic targeting of peacekeeping forces, the 24 January assassination of the military governor of North Kivu and the sabotage of the Luanda Process.

    Underscoring that the Council “cannot content itself with declarations of concern or simply ‘remaining seized of the matter’”, she said that the organ’s duty is to “defend human life without distinction”.  It must therefore order an immediate end to Rwanda’s hostilities, impose targeted sanctions against those responsible for the aggression, impose an embargo on the export of all minerals labelled as Rwandan — particularly coltan and gold — and revoke Rwanda’s status as a troop-contributing country.  “History will remember your decision today,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Rwanda’s representative stressed:  “The current crisis could have been averted had the DRC Government demonstrated a genuine commitment to peace.”  While the Luanda Process achieved “significant milestones” — including a ceasefire that came into force on 4 August 2024 — the Government and Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo decided to increase militarization in the country’s east in October 2024.  This included the deployment of heavy weaponry and additional troops — 10,000 from Burundi — along the border.

    “By prioritizing militarization of the conflict instead of embracing the regional mechanisms that have been put in place to foster a sustainable solution born out of dialogue, the conflict has continued to escalate — leading to the prevailing situation today,” he said.  He added that the FDLR has “even moved from being a suppletive force to a strategic ally of the Kinshasa Government”.  Further, he said that the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has publicly vowed to instigate regime change in Rwanda for two years now.

    While stating that “no one should harm peacekeepers”, he expressed concern that MONUSCO is “at the risk of being sucked into a conflict in which it would be a belligerent force”.  MONUSCO should therefore focus on protecting civilians instead of fighting alongside Kinshasa’s military coalition.  Noting that the situation today mirrors that which occurred 12 years ago, he stressed that “the DRC must play a helpful role — after all, this is a Congolese problem, for which the DRC is looking to outsource its solution.”

    “It is with profound regret that this meeting is taking place at a time when a number of peacekeepers have lost their lives in the line of duty,” observed South Africa’s representative.  Urging the Council to “send a clear message that peacekeepers’ lives matter”, she underlined the need to “value and safeguard the contribution of those entrusted to carry out the mandates adopted in this chamber”.  Extending condolences to all victims’ families, the representative of Uruguay reiterated his country’s “steadfast commitment to peace”.

    Angola’s representative pointed to “remarkable progress in the implementation of the Luanda Process”.  “We need speedy and unconditional de-escalation of the conflict and genuine, renewed engagement of the parties to explore the ways of overcoming the pending issues,” he added.  On that, Burundi’s representative said that the Luanda and Nairobi Processes “set out a clear road map to reach a lasting ceasefire”.  Calling on the Council to demand an end to foreign interference and act decisively to guarantee that the Democratic Republic of the Congo can fully exercise its sovereignty and restore peace, he stressed:  “Security and stability in Central Africa and beyond are at stake.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    January 27, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 1,487 1,488 1,489 1,490 1,491 … 1,780
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress