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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI: Kasu launches the highest risk-adjusted yields in RWA private credit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kasu, the most risk-optimised private credit platform in DeFi, is now live, offering institutional-grade yield opportunities with an unprecedented level of transparency, risk management, and borrower quality.

    Built on BASE, Kasu provides a sustainable 12-25% APY, offering the highest risk-adjusted yields in RWA private credit. This is achieved by lending exclusively to top-tier accounting firms and their clients in tier 1 economies: the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

    This approach ensures yields that are completely uncorrelated to crypto volatility or macroeconomic fluctuations, providing lenders with stable, high-quality returns.

    Apxium: the powerhouse behind Kasu’s zero-loss lending engine

    Kasu is powered by Apxium, a multi-award-winning SaaS+Fintech business whose proprietary technology is used by global accounting firms to manage and automate over $2.5 billion in invoices annually.

    This financial automation software accelerates the rate at which these firms collect payment from their invoices by up to 50%, thereby significantly increasing their cash flow, ultimately reducing risk to lenders on Kasu.

    Unlike other RWA lenders that have suffered over $200 million in losses in just the last three years, Apxium has an 8-year history with a 0% loss rate—a feat unheard of in RWA.

    “We’re not just another RWA lending platform—we’re redefining how real-world yield works in DeFi,” said Kasu Co-Founder, Luke Lombe. “By combining institutional-grade lending opportunities, industry-first transparency, and cutting-edge financial automation, Kasu is setting a new benchmark for sustainable, high risk-adjusted returns.”

    Best-in-class borrowers & risk structuring: lending to globally significant firms in Tier 1 economies

    Kasu exclusively lends to established accounting firms and their clients across the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK—a borrower class that is:

    • Highly regulated with strict financial oversight
    • Non-discretionary—these firms handle mission-critical services in all economic conditions, ensuring high repayment reliability
    • Low-risk, high-profit—less than 1% invoice default rate across the industry

    These borrowers include leading global accounting networks, US Top 25 firms, UK Top 15 firms, and Australia’s largest professional services firms.

    In addition, Kasu’s best-in-class risk management isn’t just theoretical—it’s engineered into every transaction, with multiple layers of borrower recourse and real-time financial tracking.

    This technology-driven risk management ensures that Lending Strategies on Kasu apply sophisticated credit risk structuring, making it safer for lenders, and with the highest level of transparency in the market.

    The future of yield is transparent, secure, and accessible

    While other private credit platforms force lenders to lend blindly into opaque structures, Kasu is setting a new standard.

    This includes loan performance and risk dashboard reporting, whilst providing lenders with full visibility and control over how their funds are allocated to some of the highest creditworthy business borrowers in private credit.

    This level of transparency, control, and risk management is unmatched in RWA lending.

    RWA lending, done right – democratising access to all lenders, including the U.S.

    Unlike most private credit RWA platforms that restrict participation to accredited investors, Kasu’s ethos of inclusiveness and financial democratisation means it is open to nearly all lenders—including everyday lenders in the United States, regardless of their wealth.

    This means for the first time, any US participant can access institutional-quality private credit strategies that were previously reserved for financial institutions.

    Kasu is designed to scale. Pre-launch, the platform achieved its hard cap of $3M in test TVL. With its advanced risk structuring, premier borrower base, and proprietary financial automation technology, Kasu is positioned to become the dominant force in RWA private credit.

    Strong backing – more to come

    Kasu launches with the support of early investors including Woodstock Fund, Morningstar Ventures, Cypher Capital, and Faculty Group.

    Perhaps more significantly, Kasu is in late-stage diligence for a significant debt facility from a major institutional lender—a move that, if finalised, would prove that institutional-grade capital is ready to enter DeFi in a material way.

    “The private credit market is a $1.6 trillion opportunity that’s been virtually untouched in crypto,” said Luke Lombe. “With the backing we’re securing, Kasu is positioned to be the Ondo of private credit, bridging TradFi with DeFi in a way that’s never been done before.”

    Kasu’s transparent lending model, borrower quality, and structured credit risk structuring set it apart in the rapidly evolving RWA landscape. By combining the highest risk-optimised yields in private credit with industry-first levels of transparency, Kasu is defining the next generation of DeFi lending.

    Kasu is live now. Start earning at www.kasu.finance.

    About Kasu

    Kasu is the most risk-optimised, fully transparent RWA private credit platform, providing institutional-grade, uncorrelated yields to any lender. By bridging DeFi with the multi-trillion-dollar private credit market, Kasu enables sustainable, and high-yield lending opportunities of the highest quality seen in RWA private credit. The platform is backed by leading lenders and has undergone multiple security audits by ChainSecurity and 0xCommit.

    About Faculty Group

    Faculty Group is a collective of blockchain-native companies that builds, invests in, and advises Web3 innovators. With over 100 staff worldwide, Faculty provides investment capital for early-stage projects, underpinned by a comprehensive suite of venture-building services, including product development, marketing, market making, and token economics—all under one banner.

    Press Inquiries for Kasu:
    Leon Ploubidis 
    Growth Strategy and Operations 
    Leon@kasu.finance

    Arvin Nathan, PR
    an@faculty.group

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Kasu .The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the Kasu .and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8f465bcf-d2d4-407d-aec1-d9d9e766340b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Andrew Robert Donaldson, Senior Research Associate, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town

    South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, cancelled the unveiling of the country’s 2025 budget as it was due to be released. The move is unprecedented in the country’s history.

    The reason for the abrupt cancellation was the failure of the minister to get cabinet approval for the proposal to raise value added tax (VAT) from 15% to 17%. VAT is the second biggest contributor to tax collection after personal income tax, followed by corporate taxes.

    The strongest opposition to the idea came from parties that have joined the African National Congress in a government of national unity which was formed after the ruling party lost its majority in polls in June 2024.

    To understand the finance minister’s efforts to raise VAT it’s helpful to revisit the revenue proposals of a year ago.

    In the 2024 budget, all the additional revenue was to come from a “stealth tax” on personal income. Because personal income tax is levied at increasing rates as income rises, the tax burden rises as wages go up if tax thresholds are not adjusted for inflation.

    In the Treasury’s estimates, R16.3 billion (US$889 million) was raised in 2024/25 by not making inflation-related adjustments to the personal income tax brackets and rebates. This meant that another 200,000 income-earners became taxpayers, and everyone’s effective tax rate was raised.

    This has been a long-standing trend. Over the past decade, the tax threshold (for individuals under the age of 65) has declined from R115,000 (in today’s prices) to R95,750, bringing about 850,000 more people into the tax net.

    Above the threshold, tax rates were raised by one percentage point in 2015 and the 45% rate was introduced in 2017.

    As a strategy for raising personal income tax, the results have been impressive. Personal income tax has increased from 8% of GDP in 2014 to nearly 10%. In the nine months to December 2024, personal income tax increased by over 13% compared with the same period in 2023. Even after taking account of the revenue windfall from retirement fund withdrawals following recent reforms, this signals a substantial erosion of households’ disposable income.

    But that is precisely the problem. Taxes collected on goods and services (mainly VAT and excise duties) increased by just 0.4% last year by comparison with 2023. Revenue from corporate income tax declined. The implication is clear: higher taxes on personal income are at least partially offset by reduced consumption and declines in revenue from other sources.

    So the Treasury has taken the view, this year, that there should be relief given in the personal income tax and that additional revenue will have to come from taxes on consumption.

    There are good reasons for this: personal income tax has contributed a rising share of the overall tax burden over the past decade, while households also face rising costs of electricity, housing and services. However, raising VAT also has its downsides: it generates revenue by raising prices relative to the costs of production, and effectively also reduces households’ spending power.

    The Treasury’s estimate is that an increase in VAT from 15% to 17% would raise an additional R60 billion (US$3.3 billion) in revenue. To offset the impact on low-income households, the schedule of basic foods that don’t attract VAT will be extended beyond the present list of 21 items to include various specified meat cuts and tinned and bottled vegetables. In addition, above-inflation adjustments to social grants are proposed.

    The main argument against increasing the VAT rate is that it is regressive – it has a greater impact on lower-income households than on the rich. But a two percentage point VAT increase would also be a substantial shock to overall consumption spending. It would temporarily raise inflation and it would have a negative impact on business income and profitability.

    The arguments for a higher VAT rate, rather than other tax increases, are in part about its broad base and comparative ease of collection.

    There are nonetheless valid concerns from an administrative perspective. The Treasury argues that other countries have higher VAT rates than South Africa (Morocco, Turkey, Brazil and India, for example). But this is not in itself protection against the potential impact of a higher tax rate on non-compliance and tax fraud.

    The upsides

    There may be deeper economic considerations behind the Treasury’s tax proposal.

    The most compelling arguments for VAT as a revenue source are in its basic design structure: what is taxed and what is not. There are two key features. The first is that it taxes imports and zero-rates exports. The second is that the VAT base excludes investment.

    The import VAT is sometimes seen as an unfair form of trade protection. But it simply levels the consumption tax across foreign and domestic-produced goods. And it’s simpler than excise and sales taxes.

    The important consideration for domestic production is that by comparison with alternative taxes on income, the VAT encourages exports.

    The exclusion of investment from the VAT base caused some controversy when the tax was introduced in 1990. Some argued that this would bias economic development in favour of capital and against labour. But investment and employment are complements. To achieve higher rates of employment, South Africa needs far greater levels of investment. Since 2013, investment has fallen as a percentage of GDP from 19% to less than 15%: nowhere enough to generate growth sufficient to bring down South Africa’s unemployment rate.

    Because the VAT base is consumption, not investment, it supports expansion of the economy’s productive capacity.

    Managing the fallout

    But this doesn’t change the short-term impact on the cost of living that would result from a VAT rise. A higher tax burden will reduce demand and inhibit growth at first, before potentially contributing to fiscal stability and lower interest rates.

    If the tax increase is to be avoided, then the spotlight will have to fall on the expenditure side of the budget. This is a far harder discussion than tax policy – there are a thousand options to consider, and there are vested interests wherever you look.

    If Godongwana’s VAT rate increase is to be rejected, tough choices on the alternatives will have to be confronted.

    Andrew Robert Donaldson is a former National Treasury official.

    – ref. South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-finance-minister-wanted-to-raise-vat-the-pros-and-cons-of-a-tricky-tax-250460

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Andrew Robert Donaldson, Senior Research Associate, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town

    South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, cancelled the unveiling of the country’s 2025 budget as it was due to be released. The move is unprecedented in the country’s history.

    The reason for the abrupt cancellation was the failure of the minister to get cabinet approval for the proposal to raise value added tax (VAT) from 15% to 17%. VAT is the second biggest contributor to tax collection after personal income tax, followed by corporate taxes.

    The strongest opposition to the idea came from parties that have joined the African National Congress in a government of national unity which was formed after the ruling party lost its majority in polls in June 2024.

    To understand the finance minister’s efforts to raise VAT it’s helpful to revisit the revenue proposals of a year ago.

    In the 2024 budget, all the additional revenue was to come from a “stealth tax” on personal income. Because personal income tax is levied at increasing rates as income rises, the tax burden rises as wages go up if tax thresholds are not adjusted for inflation.

    In the Treasury’s estimates, R16.3 billion (US$889 million) was raised in 2024/25 by not making inflation-related adjustments to the personal income tax brackets and rebates. This meant that another 200,000 income-earners became taxpayers, and everyone’s effective tax rate was raised.

    This has been a long-standing trend. Over the past decade, the tax threshold (for individuals under the age of 65) has declined from R115,000 (in today’s prices) to R95,750, bringing about 850,000 more people into the tax net.

    Above the threshold, tax rates were raised by one percentage point in 2015 and the 45% rate was introduced in 2017.

    As a strategy for raising personal income tax, the results have been impressive. Personal income tax has increased from 8% of GDP in 2014 to nearly 10%. In the nine months to December 2024, personal income tax increased by over 13% compared with the same period in 2023. Even after taking account of the revenue windfall from retirement fund withdrawals following recent reforms, this signals a substantial erosion of households’ disposable income.

    But that is precisely the problem. Taxes collected on goods and services (mainly VAT and excise duties) increased by just 0.4% last year by comparison with 2023. Revenue from corporate income tax declined. The implication is clear: higher taxes on personal income are at least partially offset by reduced consumption and declines in revenue from other sources.

    So the Treasury has taken the view, this year, that there should be relief given in the personal income tax and that additional revenue will have to come from taxes on consumption.

    There are good reasons for this: personal income tax has contributed a rising share of the overall tax burden over the past decade, while households also face rising costs of electricity, housing and services. However, raising VAT also has its downsides: it generates revenue by raising prices relative to the costs of production, and effectively also reduces households’ spending power.

    The Treasury’s estimate is that an increase in VAT from 15% to 17% would raise an additional R60 billion (US$3.3 billion) in revenue. To offset the impact on low-income households, the schedule of basic foods that don’t attract VAT will be extended beyond the present list of 21 items to include various specified meat cuts and tinned and bottled vegetables. In addition, above-inflation adjustments to social grants are proposed.

    The main argument against increasing the VAT rate is that it is regressive – it has a greater impact on lower-income households than on the rich. But a two percentage point VAT increase would also be a substantial shock to overall consumption spending. It would temporarily raise inflation and it would have a negative impact on business income and profitability.

    The arguments for a higher VAT rate, rather than other tax increases, are in part about its broad base and comparative ease of collection.

    There are nonetheless valid concerns from an administrative perspective. The Treasury argues that other countries have higher VAT rates than South Africa (Morocco, Turkey, Brazil and India, for example). But this is not in itself protection against the potential impact of a higher tax rate on non-compliance and tax fraud.

    The upsides

    There may be deeper economic considerations behind the Treasury’s tax proposal.

    The most compelling arguments for VAT as a revenue source are in its basic design structure: what is taxed and what is not. There are two key features. The first is that it taxes imports and zero-rates exports. The second is that the VAT base excludes investment.

    The import VAT is sometimes seen as an unfair form of trade protection. But it simply levels the consumption tax across foreign and domestic-produced goods. And it’s simpler than excise and sales taxes.

    The important consideration for domestic production is that by comparison with alternative taxes on income, the VAT encourages exports.

    The exclusion of investment from the VAT base caused some controversy when the tax was introduced in 1990. Some argued that this would bias economic development in favour of capital and against labour. But investment and employment are complements. To achieve higher rates of employment, South Africa needs far greater levels of investment. Since 2013, investment has fallen as a percentage of GDP from 19% to less than 15%: nowhere enough to generate growth sufficient to bring down South Africa’s unemployment rate.

    Because the VAT base is consumption, not investment, it supports expansion of the economy’s productive capacity.

    Managing the fallout

    But this doesn’t change the short-term impact on the cost of living that would result from a VAT rise. A higher tax burden will reduce demand and inhibit growth at first, before potentially contributing to fiscal stability and lower interest rates.

    If the tax increase is to be avoided, then the spotlight will have to fall on the expenditure side of the budget. This is a far harder discussion than tax policy – there are a thousand options to consider, and there are vested interests wherever you look.

    If Godongwana’s VAT rate increase is to be rejected, tough choices on the alternatives will have to be confronted.

    – South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-finance-minister-wanted-to-raise-vat-the-pros-and-cons-of-a-tricky-tax-250460

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Essential reforms to pave the way for clean power by 2030

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Essential reforms to pave the way for clean power by 2030

    Ambitious reforms to the government’s flagship renewables scheme will pave way for more projects to come online for clean power 2030 – helping to build an energy system that can bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

    • Government sets out proposals that pave the way for more homegrown, clean energy projects in the UK
    • consultation on flagship Contracts for Difference scheme includes proposals to remove planning barriers, bringing clean power online faster  
    • changes ensure auction remains fit for purpose and drives investment and growth, enabling government’s mission for clean power 2030 as part of Plan for Change 

    Building on the success of last year’s AR6 round, which delivered a record-breaking 128 projects with 9.6GW of capacity – enough to power around 11 million homes – the government is today (Friday 21 February) consulting on proposals to provide greater certainty to investors and a better deal for consumers, including:  

    • relaxing the eligibility criteria on planning consent for fixed-bottom offshore wind, helping to speed up new offshore wind farms coming
    • changing how offshore wind budgets are set and published, enabling funding to be invested more efficiently
    • increasing the Contracts for Difference contract term beyond the current 15 years, making renewables contracts more cost effective

    The UK is already home to the three largest operational offshore wind farm projects in the world, but the UK must secure even more to deliver clean power by 2030. Today’s reforms set out plans to secure the additional offshore wind the UK needs at a good price, delivering value for money to UK bill-payers. 

    Electricity generated by renewables will be the backbone of the clean power system by 2030, and the Contracts for Difference scheme is vital to deploying enough renewables that will deliver the capacity targets set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. This will get the UK off the rollercoaster of global fossil fuel markets while creating good jobs and driving economic growth. 

    The UK already has 30.7GW of offshore wind either installed or committed, with a further 7.2GW of capacity consented, against a target capacity range of 43-50GW needed for clean power by 2030. These reforms will enable the UK to go further and faster to secure its position as a clean energy superpower. 

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 

    Last year, we celebrated delivering the most successful auction round in history – now we want to go even further.  

    British families and businesses are bearing the cost of the reliance on petrostates and dictators who set the price of gas on the global market. 

    Our bold new reforms will give developers the certainty they need to build clean energy in the UK, supporting our mission to become a clean energy superpower and bring down bills for good.

    These proposals are the latest actions taken by the government to deliver clean power by 2030 and support growth. The government announced the launch of the Clean Industry Bonus, incentivising offshore wind developers to invest in cleaner supply chains and create jobs in industrial communities.  

    The consultation on reforms to the Contracts for Difference scheme is open for four weeks until 21 March, with a government response expected ahead of the AR7 round. 

    Notes to editors  

    Full list of proposed reforms being consulted on include: 

    • relaxation of eligibility criteria on planning consent for fixed-bottom offshore wind
    • changes to the way budgets for offshore wind are set and published, including allowing the government to view bid information in anonymised form
    • increasing the CfD contract term beyond the current 15 years
    • enabling CfD support for repowered onshore wind projects
    • extending phasing to floating offshore wind (FLOW) projects
    • increase the Target Commissioning Window (TCW) for solar projects from 3 to 6 months
    • removing the ability of existing CfD generators to apply surrendered capacity from previous allocations rounds into AR7

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Global Geopolitical Situation: Foreign Secretary’s speech at the G20 in South Africa

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The Global Geopolitical Situation: Foreign Secretary’s speech at the G20 in South Africa

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s intervention on Discussions on the Global Geopolitical Situation at the G20 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in South Africa.

    Thank you very much Ronald [Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa] and let me say, my dear brother, what a joy is to see the G20 in Africa at long last. And we thank Brazil for its stewardship last year.

    The challenges that we face are truly global. We will not begin to tackle them unless we harness the potential of this continent, bursting with growth and opportunities and with so many young people, talented young people at its heart.

    The starkest challenge we face is escalating conflict, both between and within nations, driving vicious cycles of grievance, displacement and low growth.

    Your presidency, Ronald, calls for solidarity, and solidarity starts by recognising and naming the victims of war and injustice:

    • innocent Ukrainians enduring bombardment night after night from Odessa to Zaphorizhya
    • the hostages still cruelly held underground by Hamas, 16 months on from the trauma of October the 7th
    • the Palestinian civilians driven from their homes in Gaza and the West Bank
    • the Sudanese refugees flee their burning villages to escape across the border to Chad, the overwhelming majority of them, women and children having endured the most unimaginable and indiscriminate violence

    As I said when I visited Chad, there can be no geopolitical stability, whilst there remains a hierarchy of conflicts, with those on this continent finding themselves at the bottom of the global pile.

    And that’s why, since starting this job, I’ve made a reset with the so called Global South, a central plank of the UK foreign policy, and it’s why I doubled British aid for Sudan, and I prepared a conference in London to push for a political process which will end the fighting and protect civilians.

    And that’s why I’ve called out the Rwandan Defence Force operations in the eastern DRC as a blatant breach of the UN Charter which risks spiralling into a regional conflict, and that’s why I will again make clear to President Kagame, that further breaches of DRC’s sovereignty will have consequences.

    Because at the heart of my government’s approach to foreign policy lies the belief that regional and geopolitical stability can only be delivered through respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

    And as my Canadian, Australian, Japanese colleagues have said, respect for international law must underwrite a free and open Indo Pacific, just as it must underwrite the Euro Atlantic, with the security of those 2 regions ever more closely linked.

    And as we turn to the Middle East, the ceasefire in Gaza is painfully fragile, I’m grateful that so many of us here today are working together to ensure that it holds we must continue to work together tirelessly to secure the release of the remaining hostages, to bolster the Palestinian Authority, and to boost aid into Gaza and to develop a long term plan for governance and security on the strip so that we can advance towards, a two-state solution, which remains the only long-term viable pathway to peace.

    And finally, in Ukraine, the only just and lasting peace will be a peace that is consistent with the UN Charter, and we want that as soon as possible.

    You know, mature countries learn from their colonial failures and their wars, and Europeans have had much to learn over the generations and the centuries.

    But I’m afraid to say that Russia has learned nothing. I listened carefully to Minister Lavrov intervention just now he’s, of course, left his seat, hoping to hear some readiness to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    I was hoping to hear some sympathy for the innocent victims of the aggression. I was hoping to hear some readiness to seek a durable peace.

    What I heard was the logic of imperialism dressed up as a realpolitik, and I say to you all, we should not be surprised, but neither should we be fooled.

    We are at a crucial juncture in this conflict, and Russia faces a test. If Putin is serious about a lasting peace, it means finding a way forward which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and the UN Charter which provides credible security guarantees, and which rejects Tsarist imperialism, and Britain is ready to listen.

    But we expect to hear more than the Russian gentleman’s tired fabrications.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Guilherme Casarões, Professor of Political Science, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV/EAESP)

    The indictment filed by the attorney general’s office on Tuesday February 18 against Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro and 33 other people is the country’s most eagerly awaited – and most important – political event of recent months. The document doesn’t really contain any new elements: almost all of the facts presented were already included in the indictment filed by the federal police in November last year.

    There are two major developments. The first is Bolsonaro’s accountability for a process of democratic subversion, which lasted until the events of January 8, 2023. It all began in 2021, as soon as the supreme court overturned convictions against former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and paved the way for his return to the electoral game.

    The decision in favour of Lula led Bolsonaro to adopt, according to the complaint, “a growing tone of rupture with institutional normality”. Since then, the president, his allies and supporters have begun to question the legitimacy of the Supreme Court (based on the slogan “Supreme is the people”), as well as the suitability of the electronic ballot boxes.

    Anti-democratic narratives were inspired by Trump slogans

    In both cases, the anti-democratic narratives were inspired by Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign slogans, such as “stop the steal” and “big lie”. Emulating Trumpism has been an inseparable part of Bolsonaro’s political strategy since his 2018 presidential campaign.

    The second new development concerns the characterisation, as a coup attempt, of a set of decisions and plans that don’t fit the classic model of institutional rupture. Since Brazil’s republican political history has been marked by coups d’état, a common strategy in Jair Bolsonaro’s defence is based on the idea that if there was no attempt to put tanks on the streets or close down congress, there was no intention to break up democracy.

    In his 272-page report, Paulo Gonet argues that a contemporary coup can happen by other means. In the Brazilian case, the attempt was marked by the overt use of disinformation mechanisms, often by the president himself and members of the government, to promote distrust in institutions and the electoral process, produce social instability and ensure that Bolsonaro remained in power, even after being defeated at the polls.

    But the complaint goes further. It wasn’t just an attempt to undermine democracy with widely disseminated narratives and attacks on supporters on social media. In the words of the attorney general, among the objectives of the criminal organisation set up for the coup were to carry out “kidnappings, arrests and killings” in order to guarantee control of the three branches of government and the re-establishment of law and order.



    Leia mais:
    Bolsonaro’s indictment over alleged coup plot signals shift in Brazil’s approach to political accountability

    High-ranking officers were part of anti-democratic plan

    The report says according to the coup plan, called “Green and Yellow Dagger”, members of the army special forces would assassinate the supreme court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, as well as the winners of the 2022 election, Lula da Silva and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin. The plan had already been known for a few months, but Gonet brings elements to support the case that Jair Bolsonaro was not only aware of these steps, but that he agreed to them.

    The accusations against the former president also shed light on the role of the military in the coup plot. Officers of all ranks, starting with members of the president’s inner circle, such as Admiral Almir Garnier and Generals Augusto Heleno, Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and Walter Braga Netto, were integral parts of the anti-democratic planning.

    Not surprisingly, of the 34 people indicted, 24 are military. The coup attempt was the conclusion of an accelerated process of militarisation of Brazilian politics, which began under the presidency of Michel Temer in April 2016. In four years, the number of active military personnel serving in the executive branch rose from 1834 to 2558. At the height of this process, in 2020, eight of the Bolsonaro government’s 22 ministries were occupied by military personnel.

    Bolsonaro continues to deny all the accusations and is trying to stay alive politically. And the complaint puts Bolsonaro in the position of being politically persecuted. Victimisation is one of the far right’s most popular strategies, as it allows them to project themselves, in the name of the people, against an empty and frightening enemy (the “system”).

    Although Gonet was very careful in drafting his complaint as an exclusively legal piece, Bolsonaro – in congress and on the networks – was quick to denounce an alleged persecution against “the greatest political leader Brazil has ever seen”. In other words, the tension against political institutions is in full swing.

    Bolsonarismo remains the main opposition force

    The accusation also has the potential to inflame Bolsonaro’s supporters, with possible electoral consequences. The next national election in Brazil is a year and a half away and Bolsonaro remains the main opposition force. Figures such as former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro and the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, are projected as candidates for the 2026 presidential race.

    Faced with a weak government, whose popularity has fallen from 35 per cent to 24 per cent since December, a Bolsonarism unified by the narrative of persecution will be a major problem for Lula. This narrative will be tested in mid-March, when national demonstrations have been called against the current government – and in favour of Bolsonaro.

    Finally, we must monitor how the White House responds to political events in Brazil. We know that pressure from the Biden administration was crucial in preventing the coup d’état from materialising in 2022. Trump and his allies, such as Elon Musk and Marco Rubio, are open critics of Lula and the decisions of the supreme court.

    It’s unlikely that the Trump administration, a month after taking office, will treat the Brazilian political situation as a priority. But the road to 2026 will be long and tortuous, and challenges to democracy can come from both inside and outside the country.

    Guilherme Casarões não presta consultoria, trabalha, possui ações ou recebe financiamento de qualquer empresa ou organização que poderia se beneficiar com a publicação deste artigo e não revelou nenhum vínculo relevante além de seu cargo acadêmico.

    – ref. Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem – https://theconversation.com/analysis-bolsonaros-political-persecution-narrative-will-be-lulas-biggest-problem-250378

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Derby champions care-experienced children on Care Day

    Source: City of Derby

    Today is Care Day, the world’s biggest celebration of children and young people with care experience. 

    These are children and young people who are or have been cared for by foster carers, or other family members, and those who live in children’s homes. They deserve to be celebrated, on Care Day, and every day. 

    One of the Council’s most important jobs is keeping our children and young people safe. When we can’t keep children and young people living safely with their families, we may have to apply to become their legal guardians. If this happens, they become ‘looked after’ and the Council becomes the Corporate Parent. 

    The term ‘Corporate Parent’ means the collective responsibility of the Council, elected members, employees, and partner agencies, for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by us. 

    It’s our job as Corporate Parents to make sure they get the best possible start in life and we take this responsibility very seriously. Recently, Full Council unanimously voted to award care-experienced people in Derby ‘protected characteristic’ status.

    This means those who are in care, who are care leavers, or who have had a past experience of care, will have the same protection from discrimination as other characteristics under the Equality Act in Derby. The motion recognises that many care leavers nationally face ongoing stigma, challenges and discrimination across housing, health, education, employment and in the criminal justice system.

    Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Young People and Skills, said:

    Our Children’s Social Care teams listened to children in care and care-experienced young people, who described the stigma and negative labels they face and the impact it has on their lives. This motion is a positive step towards supporting them in overcoming these barriers.

    We’re asking our councillors and staff to champion these children and challenge the negative attitudes and prejudice they experience.  On Care Day, we’re reaffirming our commitment to giving every looked after child the best possible start in life, helping them reach their full potential, and providing them with a safe and positive experience as their Corporate Parent.

    Our goal is for these children and young people to be happy and healthy, both physically and emotionally, to be safe from harm and exploitation, and to receive support as they transition to successful independent lives.

    The Corporate Parenting Strategy outlines the Council’s priorities for children in care and care leavers over the next three years. It aims to make sure that we deliver the best outcomes for our children and young people in care. Our looked after children come to us for numerous reasons and at every age; this strategy is for all of them.

    It prioritises five key areas where we want to make a difference for our children in care and care leavers:

    •    Listening to our children and young people in care
    •    Making sure that they have good, safe places to live
    •    Working with our children and young people so they achieve the best educational outcomes for them
    •    Making sure our children in care are happy and healthy
    •    Supporting our children in care into their adulthood life

    You can learn more about our work with children in care on our website, including our Care Leavers Local Offer, the Children’s Rights Service and the Our Voice, Our Success group for young people. 

    If you’re interested in making a difference to the lives of children who need care, and helping them stay in their local communities, take a look at the Foster For East Midlands website or speak to one of our friendly advisers on 03033 132 950. You can also email hello@fosterforeastmidlands.org.uk.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coming up next week at the London Assembly w/c 24 February 2025

    Source: Mayor of London

    PUBLICATIONS

    Monday 24 February

    Night-time Economy Report

    Economy, Culture and Skills Committee

    The Economy, Culture and Skills Committee will publish its report – London’s Night-Time Economy.  The report follows an in-depth investigation by the Committee, which saw industry experts, professionals and local authorities provide evidence on London’s night-time economy, what work is currently being done, and any barriers preventing further growth in the sector.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Tony Smyth on 07763 251 727 / [email protected]

    SITE VISIT

    Thursday 27 February

    Defibrillator training

    Health Committee – Liverpool St Station 10:30am – 12:00pm

    Members of the Health Committee will visit Liverpool Street Station, where they will observe a pop-up London lifesaver defibrillator training. 

    The meeting will include representatives from the London Ambulance Service, Transport for London and people whose lives have been saved by defibrillators.

    MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THIS FILMING/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    PUBLIC MEETINGS

    Tuesday 25 February

    Mayor’s Question Time – Final Budget

    All Assembly meeting – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan will present his Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2025-26 to the London Assembly for a final vote on the financial plans.

    After questioning the Mayor, the London Assembly will consider his Final Draft Consolidated Budget and decide whether to approve it, with or without amendment.  The guests are:

    • Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
    • David Bellamy, Mayor’s Chief of Staff
    • Fay Hammond, Chief Financial Officer, GLA

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    Wednesday 26 February

    Violence against women and girls (VAWG)

    Police and Crime Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The Police and Crime Committee will begin an investigation into VAWG, focussing on the impact on young people. The Committee will question guests on the experiences of young people, and how the Mayor can ensure that prevention-based education programmes and initiatives are reaching boys and young men in London.  The guests are:

    Panel 1 (10:00am – 11:15am)

    • Janaya Walker, Head of Public Affairs, End Violence Against Women
    • Guest TBC, Southall Black Sisters

    Panel 2 (11:20am – approx. 12:30pm)

    • Kate Lexén, Director of Services, Tender
    • Ellie Softley, Head of Education, Everyone’s Invited
    • Professor Jessica Ringrose, Faculty of Education and Society, University College London

    MEDIA CONTACT: Tony Smyth on 07763 251 727 / [email protected]

    Wednesday 26 February

    Leasehold Charges

    Housing Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm

    The Housing Committee will ask what extent service charges make ‘affordable’ home ownership tenures funded by the Mayor unaffordable, what more the Mayor can do to help leaseholders, and the extent to which freeholders and managing agents are working to improve transparency in service charges in London.  The guests are:

    • Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development
    • Kate Webb, Head of Housing Strategy, Greater London Authority
    • Charmaine McQueen-Prince, Chair of the Residential Freehold Association’s Leasehold Reform Subcommittee
    • Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), L&Q and Chair, G15
    • Andrew Bulmer, CEO, The Property Institute

    MEDIA CONTACT:  Josh Hunt on 07763 252310 /[email protected]

    Thursday 27 February

    Mayor’s Transport Strategy

    Transport Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

    The Transport Committee will ask the Deputy Mayor for Transport and the Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner about progress towards meeting the Mayor’s Transport Strategy ambitions, the Vision Zero target for no deaths or serious injuries on London’s transport network, bus services, and more.  The guests are:

    • Andy Lord, TfL Commissioner
    • Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport

    MEDIA CONTACT:  Josh Hunt on 07763 252310 /[email protected]

    Thursday 27 February

    Mayor’s Fund for London

    GLA Oversight Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm

    The GLA Oversight Committee will question the Mayor’s Fund for London about its work. The guests are:

    • Jim Minton, Chief Executive Officer, Mayor’s Fund for London
    • Basma Elhayani, Youth Board Member, Mayor’s Fund for London

    The Committee will also ask questions on new proposals for the format of People’s Question Time between 2025 and 2028.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian: 21 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian: 21 February 2025

    The King has been pleased to appoint Mrs Sarah Barron DL as His Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian.

    The King has been pleased to appoint Mrs Sarah Barron DL as His Lord-Lieutenant for Midlothian, to succeed Lieutenant Colonel Richard Callander LVO OBE TD following his retirement on 2nd April 2025.

    Background

    Sarah was brought up in Edinburgh and moved to Lasswade, Midlothian, in 1998. She studied Town and Country Planning and Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh University and is a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. Working in collaboration with an Edinburgh architectural practice, she specialises in large scale housing developments, landscape planning and conservation, urban regeneration, and masterplanning projects and has worked for a number of high-profile clients in both the public and private sectors.

    Sarah has served as a Deputy Lieutenant since 2013 and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Midlothian’s Young People Awards, which recognise the achievements of young people across the County. She is Chair of The Mavisbank Trust, set up to restore one of Scotland’s most important early Palladian style villas and is currently working with the Landmark Trust to secure a sustainable future for this derelict Midlothian house and its grounds.

    Sarah is a Trustee and founding member of Scotland’s Garden and Landscape Heritage, which promotes and protects Scotland’s historic gardens and designed landscapes. She was a Trustee of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme for fourteen years, organising garden openings across Midlothian, to raise funds for numerous national and local charities. She has also been the Vice Chair of The Friends of Saltersgate School in Dalkeith, raising funds for school equipment to help pupils with special educational needs. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys gardening, archery, beekeeping and skiing and is an enthusiastic member of a number of horticultural and arts societies.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Civil news: opportunity to tender for HLPAS contract work

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    Civil news: opportunity to tender for HLPAS contract work

    Tender opportunity for Housing Loss Prevention Advice Services (HLPAS).

    Organisations are now able to submit bids to HLPAS work in the following areas to deliver Contract Work from 1 June:

    • Kidderminster, Redditch, Worcester
    • Slough
    • Uxbridge
    • Winchester

    Organisations are also able to submit bids to HLPAS work in the following areas to deliver Contract Work from 1 September:

    • Barnsley
    • Bury St Edmunds
    • Grimsby
    • Guildford
    • Lancaster
    • Wigan
    • Wolverhampton

    The procurement process opened on 21 February 2025 and is open to any interested party that can meet the minimum tender requirements.

    Tender deadline

    The deadline for submitting a bid is 17:00 on 25 March 2025.

    Where can I find out more?

    There is more information about the process for submitting successful bids on our tender pages. For example:

    • qualifying criteria for submitting tenders and obtaining contracts
    • tender timelines
    • using the eTendering system

    Further information

    HLPAS June 2025 procurement process – to download guidance documents about tendering

    2024 Civil Contract – to download contract documentation

    eTendering system – to submit your tender

    Contact https://jaggaer.my.site.com/suppliersupportrequestmessaging/s/ or telephone 0800 0698630 for technical questions about using the eTendering system

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Our Hearts Are With Them”: HSE Hosts Festival in Honor of Defenders of the Fatherland

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    February 19th HSE Center of CulturesThe HSE hosted a student festival dedicated to the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and the 80th anniversary of the Victory. During the day, films from the III International Traveling Festival “Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland” were shown, the halls hosted thematic exhibitions dedicated to the Great Patriotic War and the heroes of the SVO, as well as platforms of patriotic student organizations. In the evening, a concert by the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov was held.

    “War has become sacred”

    The festival was opened by representatives Military training centerNational Research University Higher School of Economics.

    The head of the Military Training Center, Hero of Russia Colonel Vladimir Korgutov congratulated students, lyceum students, and university staff on the upcoming Defender of the Fatherland Day and invited them to the festive events that will take place in the Military Training Center in the coming days.

    Ordinary Professor, Major General Adam Nizhalovsky spoke with festival participants about the victory in the Great Patriotic War. “This war became sacred because the enemy wanted not only to occupy our territory and use its resources. The efforts of the aggressor were aimed at the destruction of our people, their spiritual and moral values,” he emphasized.

    “It was an interesting conversation, and we learned a lot of new things,” the student shared his impressions. Lyceum of the National Research University Higher School of EconomicsFedor Koshlyak. – For example, that Hitler, having captured Paris, was unable to climb the Eiffel Tower because the French broke the elevator, and the Germans were unable to fix it. It is clear that the general is well informed, that he evaluates the events of those years impartially.”

    Among the participants in the conversation were those who demonstrated remarkable knowledge. When asked about the origin of the name of Hitler’s plan to attack the USSR, lyceum student Savely Zayev answered that the nickname Barbarossa was borne by the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, who died while crossing a river. “He was in heavy armor, fell from his horse and drowned. I don’t think that Hitler, when he approved his plan, knew the fate of this statesman to the end,” Adam Nizhalovsky clarified.

    “A university that serves the Fatherland”

    The Small Hall of the Culture Center hosted pre-premiere screenings of films from the III International Traveling Festival “Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland.” Among them was the documentary “River of Heroes,” dedicated to the origins of Russian courage using examples from different eras. After the screening, director Konstantin Aleksandrov answered questions from the audience — he was not released for an hour.

    “I had an idea of the Higher School of Economics as a liberal university, but after I showed the film and received feedback, it changed to the opposite,” Konstantin said in an interview with Vyshka.Glavnoe. “This is a university that serves the Fatherland. Both students and lyceum students watched the film consciously, thoughtfully analyzed it, asked tricky questions, and these were exactly the questions I needed!”

    One of the questions, dedicated to the parallels drawn in the film between the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Great Patriotic War, was asked by lyceum student Sergei Fedorkin. He studies in the Natural Sciences direction and is interested in history, especially the era of the Napoleonic wars. “A great film, it conveys feelings and emotions very well. The director managed to achieve all the goals he set for himself,” Sergei commented.

    “Beautiful, powerful works”

    An exhibition of portraits of the heroes of the SVO was organized in the hall of the second floor as part of the project “Coal of the Russian Land” – an addition to the festival “Cinema in the Service of the Fatherland”. Russian frontline artists presented their works painted in coal.

    And in the hall of the third floor there was an exhibition of photographs dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. It was held by the Creative Union of Artists of Russia as part of the All-Russian exhibition project “MEMORY”. After the festival, the exhibition will move to the atrium and will be regularly updated.

    3rd year studentJoint Bachelor’s degree program of the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the Center for Pedagogical Excellence Sidharth Mehta, who visited both exhibitions, noted their inseparable connection in an interview with Vyshka.Glavnoe. “The faces of people depicted in the paintings and captured in the photographs carry similar emotions – those that were experienced then, on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, and now – in the SVO zone. They are connected by a common cause that they are carrying out, fighting the fascist threat,” the student believes.

    “The Higher School of Economics is one of the best universities in the country, and we were warmly welcomed here, we managed to gather a full hall. Young people are our main audience, and among our viewers there were also teachers, officers, including a Hero of Russia. There are plans for further cooperation with the university – we have many interesting things ahead of us,” said Virineya Shigina, head of the Coal of the Russian Land project.

    “Many portraits were painted based on photographs and stories from fellow soldiers – the guys were no longer alive, and we wanted to convey everything they experienced for us, for our future,” added her colleague Evgenia Laskina.

    “Thank you very much for this amazing exhibition. You have very beautiful, powerful works that leave a mark on the soul. The paintings depict heroes, servicemen, and you managed to convey their best human, officer qualities, to capture the foundation on which our state stands. This is invaluable support, your contribution to the victory,” said Vice-Rector Sergei Rozhkov, communicating with the artists.

    He also thanked the organizers of the photo exhibition, emphasizing that each work simultaneously conveys grief for those killed during the Great Patriotic War and the joy of Victory.

    Letter to the hero

    The halls of the Cultural Center housed stands of the Military Training Center, Department of Physical Educationand student organizations with a patriotic focus. Among them is the All-Russian student patriotic movement “White Raven”, created at the National Research University Higher School of Economics. Its stand featured weapons – both modern and from the Great Patriotic War. Anyone could take part in weaving a camouflage net that would save the lives of our soldiers in the SVO zone.

    As the leader of the movement, a 5th-year student of the educational program “Story” and a graduate of the Military Training Center Anton Yukhnevsky, its participants themselves deliver humanitarian aid to the SVO zone, and in the building on Staraya Basmannaya, anyone can take part in weaving camouflage nets on certain days, including those not from the Higher School of Economics.

    At the stand of the women’s student club “Big Dipper” (it unites girls who see their mission in supporting the morale of servicemen and students of military universities), participants and guests of the festival could write letters to the SVO fighters. Among those who took advantage of this opportunity was a third-year student MIEFEgor Stryukov.

    “I come from the city of Kurchatov in the Kursk region – my grandparents are still there, and of course I worry about them. In the letter, I tried to express gratitude to our soldiers who are taking back Russian land from the enemy. Let them know that the people are with them, that they are supported,” Yegor said.

    A letter to the fighters was also written by Nina Kulieva, a Muscovite who attended the student festival at the HSE as part of the Moscow Longevity program.

    “I am a child of war – I was born in 1944. I wrote a letter to our soldiers, congratulated them on Defender of the Fatherland Day. I pray for them every day, so that they return home safe and sound. And so that they win. Victory will always be ours,” said Nina Danilovna.

    “Very important words”

    The culmination of the festival was a concert by the Academic Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army named after A.V. Alexandrov in the Great Hall of the Center of Cultures. Before its beginning, the rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics Nikita Anisimov delivered welcoming remarks.

    He congratulated all those present on the upcoming holiday, thanked the festival organizers, drawing attention to the special role of the Military Training Center in its implementation, and emphasized that it is being held in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland. “These days, we honor the memory of those who defended our Motherland. Our hearts are with them. Communicating with each other, we say very important words about our country, about its future, about the most important thing in our lives,” the rector noted.

    He also recalled that on February 14 we celebrated another anniversary of the liberation of Lugansk from the Nazi invaders and that this year we will celebrate the anniversary of Mikhail Matusovsky, a native of this city, the author of many famous songs. “By studying history, we shape the future,” concluded Nikita Anisimov.

    In turn, Hero of Russia Vladimir Korgutov wished “everyone a peaceful sky above their heads, and our troops victory.”

    The A.V. Alexandrov ensemble performed the songs “Where does the Motherland begin”, “The Holy War”, “Nightingales”, “Cranes”, “Infantry is infantry”, “Victory Day” and others. The hall was attended by guests of the university, students and employees, including vice-rectors Sergey Rozhkov, Dmitry Zemtsov, Vyacheslav Bashev, Irina Martusevich, Elena Odoevskaya and other leaders.

    “It was amazing! It is difficult to convey the full range of positive emotions from such a concert. I am very glad that I was able to listen to my favorite songs within the walls of the HSE on the eve of an important day. A very correct event. A big human thank you to those who organized it,” shared his impressions Deputy Vice-Rector, Director for Strategic Work with Applicants Alexander Chepovsky.

    “We were treated to real masters. Firstly, a very rich musical palette. Secondly, the impeccable teamwork of the musicians and soloists. Thirdly, as a result, a very powerful impact on the audience. To be honest, this is the first time I’ve heard the Alexandrov ensemble live and I’m very impressed,” said the dean. Faculty of HumanitiesFelix Azhimov.

    According to the senior lecturer Faculty of Creative IndustriesRimma Pogodina, in the songs that sounded from the stage – the strength, spirit, power of the Russian people who survived a terrible war. “The hall was attended by both young people and representatives of the middle and older generations, and the connection between generations is a valuable resource that helps unite a huge group of teachers and students,” Rimma Pogodina emphasized. “I would like to wish that such events become traditional at our beloved university.”

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Positive meeting with ENVA and lead partners on lithium battery fire risk

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    I would like to extend my gratitude to ENVA, Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, SEPA, and Amey for engaging in open and honest conversations about the issues caused by the disposal of lithium batteries from common household items.

    The meeting was a productive step forward in addressing the concerns raised by our community following the fire at ENVA’s Perth site. We received firm assurances about the significant investment ENVA has been making at Friarton to enhance safety and improve operational efficiency following the 14th January incident. It is clear that ENVA, who took over the site following the previous fire in 2023, recognises the importance of the proximity of both the Friarton Bridge and neighbouring properties, and they are focused on minimising any impact on them,  which is a crucial aspect of our ongoing efforts to ensure the wellbeing of our residents and avoiding disruption to travellers both on M90 Friarton Bridge and locally within Perth itself.

    It was also pleasing to hear from SEPA and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service about the work they have undertaken on site and with ENVA, and be assured that these key agencies have confidence in the way the site is being operated.

    It is clear that ENVA have already learned much from what happened in January and has made additional enhancements to what they had already put in place since acquiring the site. This commitment to learning and willingness to allocate financial resources to the safety improvements is welcome.

    The safe disposal of lithium batteries is a growing problem for all of us. There is much the Council and others can learn from how ENVA is now managing this issue at their Perth site, including embracing new technology to identify and reduce risks. I look forward to discussing this more at a site visit in the near future.

    Thank you once again to all the stakeholders for their commitment to resolving these issues and working collaboratively towards a safer and more sustainable future.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Wolverhampton Art Gallery receives more than £1.6 million investment

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The Fund is part of the UK Government’s long-term plan to support local economies, allowing them to grow. It will support capital projects at museums, fund important repairs and improve the visitor experience, with funding awarded ranging from £50,000 to £5 million, to ensure local history has a home for years to come.

    In the Midlands, more than £5 million has been awarded across 4 museums.

    Wolverhampton Art Gallery has been awarded £1,695,758 to safeguard the building and its collections. The project will include restoring stonework, repairing the roof and chimneys and upgrading systems to enhance energy efficiency, sustainability and reliability.

    Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “We are delighted to receive this vital funding which will help safeguard Wolverhampton Art Gallery for future generations. This investment ensures the preservation of our historic building and collections while enhancing sustainability and energy efficiency.

    “These improvements will allow us to continue to deliver free ground breaking exhibitions, creative activities and cultural events in a welcoming and inspiring space for all our community and city visitors to enjoy.”

    Peter Knott, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England, said: “We want people across the Midlands and beyond to experience, enjoy, discover and learn from our fantastic regional museums and galleries. Through their history and collections, they can provide connection and help us to make sense of the world around us.

    “We’re pleased to be supporting Wolverhampton Art Gallery to ensure the building is preserved and people can continue to access and be inspired by its iconic collections.”

    Details of the recipients of the fourth round of MEND comes as part of a wider announcement from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport which includes news of further funding to come to support the cultural sector.

    Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. For more information, please visit Wolverhampton Arts & Culture.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum
    On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP.  Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains.  For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position.  We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation
    On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there.  Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.  

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger
    On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit.  Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai meets Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini
    On the afternoon of February 11, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In remarks, President Lai thanked Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. The president stated that Taiwan and Eswatini work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare, and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both peoples.  A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests to the Presidential Office. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla previously visited Taiwan while serving as minister of foreign affairs. This is her first time leading a delegation here as deputy prime minister. I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla has earned a high degree of recognition and trust from His Majesty King Mswati III. She was not only Eswatini’s first woman foreign minister, but is also the second woman to have held her current key position. She shows an active interest in people’s welfare, and has a reputation for being deeply devoted to her compatriots. I have great admiration for this. I am truly delighted to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla today. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to His Majesty the King for leading a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao last year. This demonstrated the close diplomatic ties between our countries. I also want to thank Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. I would ask that when Deputy Prime Minister Dladla returns to Eswatini, she conveys Taiwan’s greetings and gratitude to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala. Diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini have endured for over half a century. Our two nations have continued to work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare. Our largest collaboration to date has been assisting Eswatini in the construction of a strategic oil reserve facility. We will continue to push forward with this project, and look forward to achieving even greater results in all areas. I understand that Deputy Prime Minister Dladla is very concerned about issues regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment. During her term as foreign minister, she facilitated bilateral cooperation in those areas. Now, as deputy prime minister, she is actively attending to the disadvantaged and advancing social welfare. These policies are very much in line with the priorities of my administration. I look forward to strengthening cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla for the benefit of both our societies. Taiwan and Eswatini are peace-loving nations. Faced with a constantly changing international landscape and the growing threat posed by authoritarianism, we hope that our two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both our peoples. In closing, I wish Deputy Prime Minister Dladla and our distinguished guests a pleasant and successful visit. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla then delivered remarks, first greeting President Lai on behalf of the King, the Queen Mother, and the people of Eswatini, and extending gratitude for the warm reception afforded to her and her delegation, which underscores the strong bonds of friendship between our two nations. The deputy prime minister stated that, in reflecting on the fruits of our partnership, the evidence of Taiwan’s commitment to Eswatini is all around us. The strategic oil reserve project launching in April, she indicated, will redefine Eswatini’s energy security, and the Central Bank complex and electrification project stand as monuments of Taiwan’s vision for Eswatini’s progress and indicate that our partnerships are very strong. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla pointed out that education is the foundation of any nation’s progress, and that Taiwan’s contribution to Eswatini’s education sector cannot be overstated. Through Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship programs, she said, Eswatini has sent numerous students to Taiwan, where they’ve received world-class education in various disciplines, including engineering, business, and medicine. In turn, she said, these graduates are now contributing to the development of Eswatini. The deputy prime minister stated that Taiwan has also strengthened Eswatini’s industrial and technological sectors, with collaborations and partnerships that create new opportunities for employment and innovation, and that Taiwan’s technical and medical assistance has strengthened Eswatini’s healthcare systems and uplifted the expertise of its professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla also congratulated President Lai once again on his presidency, which she stated will lead Taiwan to new heights, adding that His Majesty coming to Taiwan personally for the inauguration was a resounding declaration of Eswatini’s enduring support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, stability, and rightful place on the world stage. She emphasized that Eswatini stands with Taiwan always and unwaveringly. In conclusion, the deputy prime minister stated that Eswatini fully agrees with Taiwan that we must all safeguard our national sovereignty and protect the lives and property of our people. She said that our common enemy will always be poverty and natural disasters, but against all odds, we will stand united, and we shall remain united and be one. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Eswatini Ambassador Promise Sithembiso Msibi.

    Details
    2025-02-20
    Presidential Office thanks US and Japan for joint leaders’ statement
    On February 7 (US EST), President Donald Trump of the United States and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru of Japan issued a joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community.” In the statement, the two leaders also “encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion” and “expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.” Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) on February 8 expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the Presidential Office to the leaders of both countries for taking concrete action to demonstrate their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for Taiwan’s international participation. Spokesperson Kuo pointed out that there is already a strong international consensus on the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The spokesperson emphasized that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, is capable and willing to work together with the international community and will continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities as it deepens its trilateral security partnership with the US and Japan and works alongside like-minded countries to uphold the rules-based international order. The spokesperson said that Taiwan will work toward ensuring a free and open Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region, as well as global peace, stability, and prosperity, as it continues to act as a force for good in the world.

    Details
    2025-02-14
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stobswell Community Clean-Up

    Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

    A Take Pride in Your City Community Clean-Up has taken place in Dundee’s Stobswell area this week.

    The initiative saw Council teams carry out additional works in the area with general litter and debris removal, the strimming of vegetation from buildings and fence lines, the tidying up of communal areas where required, and sweeping to path & street areas.

    Skips were also made available throughout the three-day event to residents to dispose of unwanted household items with Council employees on hand to answer queries about recycling and waste disposal.

    Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Convener Cllr Heather Anderson said: “The Community Clean-Ups are helping to make a positive difference in areas of Dundee with focused environmental work being carried out with additional skip provision for residents to dispose of their larger waste items in a safe and responsible way.

    “Take Pride in Your City is a long-standing campaign now and we are encouraging communities around the city to get involved and do their bit for their own neighbourhood.

    “It’s been great to see the buy-in from the community in Stobswell as a collaborative approach is key to tackling persistent issues like litter, fly-tipping and graffiti.

    “The Council’s Environment staff will continue to work with the local community to make improvements which benefit those who live in the area.”

    The Stobswell Forum SCIO, run by local volunteers for the good of their neighbourhood, are one of the partners supporting the Community Clean-up.

    Stobswell Forum Chair Colin Clement said: “It’s great that the Council and the community are working together to improve the local streets through the clean up, everyone benefits when our community looks and feels well looked after.”

    More information about future community clean-ups will be communicated directly to residents ahead of them taking place.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Turkish girl discovers charm of Chinese culture

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Nursena Burus, a 19-year-old from the historic city of Manisa on Türkiye’s Aegean coast, has developed a taste for Chinese culture thanks to its food and her travels around the country.

    For Burus, coming to China was not just a language-learning opportunity, but a chance to experience a culture that had captivated her from afar.

    Her sister, who had previously studied artificial intelligence at China’s Xiamen University, encouraged her to take the leap and explore China.

    “My family and friends thought learning Chinese was too difficult, but my sister showed me pictures of her life in China — her friends, festivals and foods,” Burus said. “I started to see it as more than just a place to study. It looks like an adventure.”

    In February 2024, she arrived in China just before the Chinese New Year, and immediately immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of celebration. Red lanterns swayed in the wind, intricate paper cuttings adorned windows, and vibrant couplets decorated doorways.

    “Everywhere I went, the streets were filled with red, a color of celebration and good luck. It was a completely new experience for me.”

    After settling into Tianjin University, Burus could not help but notice that the usually busy campus was almost empty as most Chinese students had headed home for the Spring Festival.

    “It reminded me of the Ramadan Feast in Türkiye, when we all go back to our hometowns to eat, pray and celebrate with family. I love how both cultures value family reunions during important holidays.”

    As classes began in March, Burus quickly adapted to learning and living at Tianjin University. “The teachers were so supportive. They encouraged me to practice speaking without worrying about mistakes, and their passion made me work even harder.”

    Burus quickly built friendships with her Chinese classmates through food and diverse cultural activities.

    Her best Chinese friend Meiqi became her food “mentor.” Meiqi taught her how to use chopsticks and introduced her to Tianjin’s popular street foods, including hot pot and red bean shaved ice.

    She regularly explored the university’s cafeterias and discovered her favorite dishes, including Peking Duck. Moreover, she often followed the recommended foods on the popular short video-sharing platform Douyin to explore new restaurants and shared photos of her culinary adventures on her WeChat Moments.

    “Chinese cuisines are rich and delicious, and the convenient digital payment system has truly amazed me,” Burus said.

    In October 2024, she spent a weekend in the countryside of Tianjin, picking hawthorn and chestnuts and eating farmhouse meals. “It was a very beautiful and peaceful place. People seem to quite enjoy their lives,” she said. The experience reminded her of her hometown village near Manisa, where life is slower, simpler and deeply connected to the land.

    One of her most cherished memories was celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival in 2024. The festival coincided with her birthday and she had the chance to learn how to make Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) with her classmates.

    “It reminded me of Nevruz, a Turkish holiday that celebrates the arrival of spring. Both festivals honor seasonal changes,” Burus said.

    Now more fluent in Chinese, Burus feels that China has become a second home where she has made lifelong friends and experienced the beauty of Chinese culture.

    “We share so many similar things, like our love for family, traditions and hospitality. I want to build on that connection and show others that the world isn’t as different as it seems.”

    Before leaving China earlier this year after finishing two semesters of a language learning program, she left behind a wish bottle buried on the campus, containing her wish to become a bridge for cultural exchanges between Türkiye and China. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP welcomes Japan’s commitment to action against global hunger

    Source: World Food Programme

    YOKOHAMA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a timely contribution of US$58 million from the Government of Japan. This contribution will enable WFP to support vulnerable populations affected by conflict, climate change, and economic crisis in 28 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

    Over US$10 million will be allocated to provide emergency food assistance in Palestine, supporting severely food-insecure Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip hard-hit by conflict and consecutive shocks. This assistance will help them access lifesaving foods to meet their essential needs and open a window of hope for families.  

    In Afghanistan, a US$7 million contribution will be used to provide lifesaving food and nutrition assistance, including for an emergency school feeding programme. With US$4 million to Myanmar, WFP continues to deliver emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable populations in crisis-affected states and regions. Additionally, in Thailand, Japan’s contribution will be allocated to deliver urgent food and nutrition assistance in border areas affected by the unpredictable and rapid evolution of the conflict in Myanmar.

    This contribution also highlights Japan’s consistent commitment to addressing food insecurity in Africa seizing the momentum of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which will be held in August in Japan.

    Among the Horn of Africa countries, US$3 million will be allocated to deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to populations affected by conflict and climatic shocks in Somalia. With another US$3 million, WFP will support vulnerable populations including refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in Djibouti by sustaining emergency food and nutrition assistance amid successive and complex crises. 

    In Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia, with a US$5.5 million contribution, WFP aims to enhance collaboration with Japanese corporations to jointly achieve Zero Hunger with their technology and expertise. 

    “We highly appreciate the contribution from the Government of Japan, which enables us to address critical food needs at scale across the world at this challenging moment, when our joint multilateral solidarity is needed more than ever,” said Yasuhiro Tsumura, Director of the WFP Japan Relations Office. “No one should be left behind. With generous funding from Japan, WFP will support the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable households, ensuring the global food security is our joint mandate. We earnestly seek the continued support of the Japanese people to help us in our mission at a time when we face severe funding shortfalls worldwide.” 

    Japan has consistently been one of WFP’s top donors. The countries and regions benefitting from US$58 million Japan’s Supplementary Budget are: Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Myanmar, Palestine, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Thailand, the Gambia, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

     

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @WFP_JP

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region hits 6th trln-yuan milestone

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Over the past 11 years of coordinated development, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has crossed six trillion-yuan milestones in GDP.
    In 2024, the region’s GDP reached 11.5 trillion yuan ($137.9 billion), more than doubling that in 2013; the economic growth rates of the three logged 5.2%, 5.1%, and 5.4%, respectively, all exceeding the national average.
    Over the past 11 years, Beijing has fueled growth in high-tech industries, with the proportion of new market entities in sectors like technology and commerce rising from 40.7% to 67.7%.
    Xiong’an New Area, located over 100 kilometers from Beijing, has seen an investment of 835.4 billion yuan since its establishment in April 2017. A total of 4,792 buildings have been constructed, with some housing companies, hospitals, and universities from Beijing.
    The coordinated development has also promoted collaboration in technological sectors.
    For instance, a technological industrial park in Tianjin has adopted Beijing’s Zhongguancun pilot policies, enabling resident companies to benefit from the same support that businesses in Beijing’s tech hub enjoy.
    In the 11 years, Beijing’s technology transfer to Tianjin and Hebei has grown exponentially, with the transaction volume increasing from 7 billion yuan to over 84 billion yuan.
    New transportation infrastructure is now underway to enhance connectivity. An airport express from Xiong’an to Beijing’s Daxing airport is being built, alongside other railway and highway expansions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Letter from Chair, CSPL, to Chair, House of Lords Conduct Committee

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Letter from Chair, CSPL to Chair, House of Lords Conduct Committee on their review of the House of Lords Code of Conduct.

    Documents

    Letter from CSPL Chair to Chair, House of Lords Conduct Committee

    PDF, 282 KB, 3 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email public@public-standards.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    A letter from the CSPL Chair, Doug Chalmers CB DSO OBE, to the Chair of the House of Lords Conduct Committee, Baroness Manningham-Buller LG DCB, following Doug Chalmers’ appearance in front of the Conduct Committee in October 2024 as part of their review of the Lords’ Code of Conduct.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legal Issues – Health and safety obligations highlighted in sentencing of former port chief executive

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    A chief executive who oversaw the Port of Auckland for more than a decade has been sentenced today (21 February) in a significant case in relation to a 2020 fatal incident at the port.
    In November last year, Judge Bonnar KC in the District Court at Auckland released a decision finding Tony Gibson guilty of one Health and Safety at Work charge, after stevedore Pala’amo Kalati was killed in August 2020.
    This is the first time in New Zealand an officer of a large company has been convicted of a breach of their due diligence duty.
    The Judge’s decision is seen as one that clarifies legislative health and safety obligations for officers of large companies.
    Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett, says people are at the centre of prosecutions such as this, and Mr Kalati’s family, will forever feel the impact of what occurred at the Port of Auckland nearly four and a half years ago.
    “Our thoughts continue to go out to Mr Kalati’s family, friends, as well as those also impacted by this tragic incident, including the other surviving victim.
    “This has not been a quick process, and we fully understand how difficult the ongoing proceedings against the Port and Mr Gibson would have been for those close to Mr Kalati, and the other victim,” says Ms Hewlett.
    The District Court found that, as the chief executive of Port of Auckland, Mr Gibson did not exercise his due diligence responsibility for ensuring that the Port complied with its health and safety responsibilities.
    “This was a serious departure from the duty of care he should have provided to the workers at the port as the senior officer in charge (the chief executive).
    “Mr Gibson had the knowledge, influence, resources and opportunity to address safety gaps and ensure that appropriate systems were in place at the port, but failed to do so,” Ms Hewlett says.
    During his more than a decade managing it, the port company was convicted of several offences under health and safety legislation. These past incidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.
    Mr Gibson knew of safety issues raised around the critical risks that could hurt people on the Port, but did not take timely action to address them, even though it was in his control and influence to do so.
    It is hoped this case will serve as a strong reminder to chief executives of large companies that they need to understand the critical risks at their businesses; and assure themselves, through reliable sources, that there are controls and systems in place, and that these are working effectively on the ground.
    “In saying this, I recognise there are many officers in New Zealand who are meeting their health and safety obligations, and they should be confident this decision reaffirms the work they do to keep their people safe at work.
    “More broadly I also want to recognise the work of the Port sector- port companies, stevedores and unions since the death of Mr Kalati to improve safety on New Zealand ports. This work has included the delivery of the Approved Code of Practice (for loading and unloading cargo at ports and on ships) which was launched last year to ensure consistent base line safety standards. It is important that this work continues to ensure we prevent tragedies like this and that workers come home healthy and safe,” Ms Hewlett says.
    Sentencing notes:
    In sentencing Judge Bonnar KC fined Tony Gibson $130,000. He awarded Maritime NZ costs of $60,000

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace – Pacific civil society groups send clear message to ban deep sea mining

    Source: Greenpeace

    The Pacific Blue Line Collective and partners, representing Pacific civil society organisations, faith-based groups, youth, women’s organisations, and movements, remain steadfast
    in their position for an outright ban on deep-sea mining in the Pacific.
    In a statement, they said: “We remind Pacific Leaders of their responsibility to the protection of the Pacific Ocean. As the Pacific Island Leaders meet for the High-level Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat this week, it is vital that the duty of care to safeguard our oceans is at the forefront of discussions.”
    Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner Juressa Lee says: “Pacific leaders have received a strong and clear message from civil society groups across the Pacific, urging them to reject wannabe deep sea miners with selfish agendas and their propaganda that they can destroy the deep sea to save us from the climate crisis.
    “The undersigned groups represent a growing broad and strong resistance from across Te Moananui a Kiwa against this emerging form of extractivism and colonisation.
    “This long-standing opposition of civil society asserts their mana and birth-righted guardianship of their homes, and the authority and necessity of Indigenous voices and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in any decisions that pertain to their homes, which includes the ocean.
    “Civil society groups argue that Indigenous Rights, the rights of Pacific Peoples, their knowledge systems, and a healthy environment should be at the centre of all conversations and decision-making, alongside the best available, robust and independent science.
    “Pacific Leaders and global leaders must hear this call from civil society to centre Pacific communities and the environments of which they are guardians.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Acceleration Interuniversity Program “City Energy. Environment 2.0” has been launched at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The acceleration program is carried out by the State University of Management in cooperation with the industrial partner of the State University of Management – OOO TEN Group – the TechnoSpark technology park in the city of Troitsk.

    Thematic areas of the accelerator: – TN1. Technologies for comfortable and safe human life; – TN2. Technologies of “green energy”; – TN3. Resource-saving systems, lean, digital technologies.

    These thematic areas of the Accelerator correspond to the critical technologies of the Russian Federation, approved by the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 7, 2011 N 899, contribute to solving the problems of ensuring the technological sovereignty of the Russian Federation, and correspond to the markets of the National Technology Initiative.

    The acceleration program implementation period is February – June 2025.

    The acceleration program consists of the following educational events: — lectures; — traction meetings (held in the form of team meetings with a tracker to develop a project); — expert presentations from representatives of the partner companies of the State University of Management in the thematic areas of the accelerator; — the Equator event, where teams present the intermediate results of their projects; — the Pre-Defense event, where teams present to other teams and trackers. Trackers make a decision on admission and recommendation of a team to participate in DemodDen; — the DemodDen event, where teams present the results of their projects to invited external experts.

    The head of the acceleration program “City Energy. Environment 2.0” Ekaterina Khalimon talks about the features of the program:

    “This year, the implementation model of the 7th acceleration program based on the State University of Management has undergone some changes. Firstly, it is implemented entirely by the State University of Management, without attracting third-party funding and without attracting the services of third-party organizations. Today, the State University of Management has a sufficient number of highly qualified specialists who can efficiently implement the conceived ideas. The State University of Management has already accumulated practical experience. The acceleration program “City Energy. Environment 2.0” is the 7th acceleration program carried out on the basis of the State University of Management. Since 2022, over 5,000 students have been trained in acceleration programs in the field of technological entrepreneurship based on the State University of Management.

    Secondly, an important emphasis was placed on interuniversity coverage: if in previous accelerators 80% of participants were SUM students, then in this program we want to achieve a 40/60 ratio, where 40% are SUM students, and 60% are students from third-party universities, attracted by SUM students themselves based on the team’s requests. We understand that SUM trains talented managers who can package any project, calculate, plan, and brilliantly present it to investors. But if we want to achieve prototypes and deep project development, then engineers, programmers, doctors, and students from other fields of study need to be attracted at the earliest stages of project development. The experience of the 6th acceleration program “Healthy Life Technologies 2.0” showed that teams that included both managers and students from other universities demonstrated a high degree of development of their projects, demonstrated prototypes, sketches, and conducted experiments in the laboratories of partner universities.

    And finally, the third feature of the current acceleration program “City Energy. Environment 2.0″ is that at the project initiation stage we provide students with requests for technological innovations received in January 2025 from the industrial partner of the State University of Management – the TechnoSpark technology park. The requests concern such areas as: urban infrastructure, hydrogen energy, automation of warehouse complexes, waste disposal, synthesis of coal, peat, biomass. In total, over 30 requests have been received in these areas. Close cooperation with such a large partner allows us to develop projects and products that are already urgently needed by our domestic manufacturers.”

    The accelerator trackers are teachers from the project management department who are certified project management specialists, active entrepreneurs, and experts in tracking and mentoring student startups.

    Following the results of the Acceleration Program, teams that have passed the Demo Day will receive feedback from invited experts and representatives of the technology park, the best teams will be invited to practice at the company for further work on projects.

     

    Subscribe to the tg channel “Our State University” Announcement date: 02.21.2025

    технопарком «ТехноСпарк» города Троицка….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/IMG_6074-1-scaled.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b2-%d0%b3%d1%83%d1%83-%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b0%d1%80%d1%82%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b0%d0%bb%d0%b0-%d0%b0%d0%ba%d1%81%d0%b5%d0%bb%d0%b5%d1%80%d0%b0%d1%86%d0%b8%d0%be%d0%bd%d0%bd%d0%b0%d1%8f-%d0%bc%d0%b5%d0%b6/”>

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 84 Mass Metrology Seminar

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Credit: OWM/K. Dill

    Course Description

    The Mass Metrology Seminar is a two-week, “hands-on” seminar.  It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in which the participant performs measurements by applying procedures and equations discussed in the classroom.  The seminar focuses on the comprehension and application of the procedures, the equations, and calculations involved.  The seminar includes the operation of the laboratory equipment, review of publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements.  Training covers mass calibration procedures published in NISTIR 6969 and NISTIR 5672 and are suitable for the calibration of mass standards to OIML R111 Class E2 through M3 tolerances, ASTM classes 1 through 7 and NIST HB 105-1 Class F.  Training is provided to enable the participant to correctly identify and implement the correct calibration process for each weight classification.  Each procedure and the entire seminar incorporates concepts covered in the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar, especially, concepts related to metrological traceability, statistical analysis, measurement assurance methods, uncertainty analyses, software validation, and generation of ISO/IEC 17025 compliant calibration certificates for all measurements made during the seminar.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this seminar, using Standard Operating Procedures 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 29, 30, and 34 and Good Measurement Practices 10, 11, 12, and 13 participants will be able to:

    • IDENTIFY mass artifacts and use appropriate procedures to ensure good quality, accurate, traceable mass measurement results;
    • EXPLAIN highlights and key concepts of each topic to each other and to your managers using the slides and reference materials; and
    • PERFORM mass calibration procedures, use and validate the job aids, and use reference materials to perform laboratory calibrations, including hands-on handling of mass standards and balances, calculation of measurement results, integration of measurement assurance, uncertainty analysis, and software validation to produce valid calibration results and certificates.

    Note regarding course level and expectations:  This course is conducted equivalent to a university-level course and is part of our IACET-accredited processes with requirements to demonstrate successful achievement of learning objectives within each module.  Significant time outside of the classroom and laboratory is expected and is commonly reported (1 hour to 2 hours per day) to complete homework, reading, data entry, and creation and editing of calibration certificates. Students should avoid trying to meet other obligations while attending this course as much as possible.

    Materials & Supplies

    Participants are encouraged to bring template versions of the mass calibration certificates issued by their laboratory as a starting point for the calibration certificates to be submitted during the seminar. Alternatively, participants should bring the calibration certificate they generated during the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar as a starting point. The former is recommended! Feedback and suggested changes to ensure ISO/IEC 17025 compliance will be provided during the seminar. Generation of calibration certificates will be required, so come prepared. A number of notebooks and course materials will be provided, so please ensure you have extra luggage space to carry these items.

    Prerequisites

    Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar is a prerequisite for the Mass Metrology Seminar. The Mass Metrology Seminar is built on the concepts learned during the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar, applying units, measurement uncertainty, measurement assurance, traceability, and Quality Management System concepts to the mass calibration procedures.

    Pre-Work

    It is strongly recommended that you complete the Basic Mass Metrology CD as it will give you a head start on the Mass Seminar, including exposure to the contents of NISTIR 6969, Selected Laboratory and Measurement Practices, and NISTIR 5672, Advanced Mass Calibrations and Measurements Assurance Program for the State Calibration Laboratories. Completing the NIST SP 1001 should take 16 to 40 hours. Participants are encouraged to read and comprehend as much as possible the content of NISTIR 6969 and NISTIR 5672 regardless of completing NIST SP 1001.

    NOTE:  Additional reading pre-work and Excel preparation recommendations may be sent by the instructor prior to the seminar. Extensive use of Excel is made in this course; strong familiarity with equation entry and validation is essential.

    Post-Work

    Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems are assigned at the completion of the course to those metrologists who participate in the NIST OWM State Laboratory Program.  Acceptable completion of the problems is required for NIST Office of Weights and Measures Laboratory Recognition in support of mass calibrations.  (See Handbook 143, Program Handbook training requirements as updated here.

    Minimum Requirements

    To receive a Training Certificate for this course, successful completion requires participants to actively participate in the entire course (e.g., 100 % attendance, take notes, engage in discussions, ask questions), complete all classroom, homework, and application exercise assignments, successfully perform mass calibrations as evidenced by measurement results entered in course control charts and calibration certificates, and pass a written final exam.  In addition, students submit a series of calibration certificates that are graded based on SOP 1 and NIST SP 811 criteria, as evidence of completion of all application exercises conducted during the hands-on portion of class exercises.

    *Homework note: students generally report taking one to two hours for homework each night.

    Audience

    This training seminar is open to industry and government metrologists.

    Cost

    The current registration fee for this seminar is $6,200 and confirmed participants will be sent payment instructions.  This registration fee does not cover travel, lodging, or meal costs.  Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

    Instructors

    Elizabeth Koncki, Michael Stocker, and Jose Torres
    Email: elizabeth.koncki [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]koncki[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    • Registered participants must provide a notebook computer for the Mass Metrology Seminar and be well trained in the development and use of spreadsheets for complex repetitive calculations.
    • Participants must have access to Microsoft Excel (versions 2010 and later are acceptable) and can open and effectively create their own spreadsheets to perform calculations, and use template Excel workbooks that will be provided on USB media.  Be aware that for networked access of Microsoft files, access to the NIST network is not ensured (e.g., it can be problematic if using a version of Office 365 that requires network access to operate properly.) 
    • Participants must have administrative rights for the computer so that that files can be transferred to and from it as required by the seminar exercises through the use of USB memory sticks:  You must also be able to save/store files to USB media devices to facilitate printing and turning in classwork.  Internet and network access is not assured during the seminar.  Students without administrative approvals or ability to use USB media are encouraged to contact the instructor before the class to discuss alternatives (e.g., using a personal laptop, using a RW/CD,  or other alternatives.)   Students need to verify the capability to run executable files to ensure successful access and use of the software needed in this course.  If not able to use USB media, participants must be able to upload files to a secure NIST Box and/or Google Drive and/or Microsoft SharePoint data transfer cloud service.
    • Availability of a scientific calculator (minimum 12 digits) may be useful as a supplement to Excel; if using a calculator, familiarity with its operation is essential.

    All visitors must be preregistered and present photo identification and vehicle registration information upon arrival. NIST can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension.

    Photo I.D. Requirements for Citizens

    • Effective May 7, 2025, agencies can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card from states that are compliant with or have an exemption for the REAL ID Act.  See the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) site to confirm if your ID is compliant (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/are-you-real-id-ready). 
    • NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver’s license, including an original passport, passport card, DOD Common Access Card (CAC), Veteran ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependent ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID.

    Foreign Nationals

    • Lawful Permanent Resident visitors must present their Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) upon arrival. Non-Permanent Resident visitors must present a valid passport (original only) upon arrival. 
    • All forms of ID must be original. No photocopies are permitted.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 85 Metric System Estimation

    Source: US Government research organizations

    The International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system, is easy to use and learn when taught using metric tools. The ability to interpret measurement scales, magnitude, and approximate a quantity are essential Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) competencies.

    This 1.5-hour session presents The Metric Estimation Game, a fun, hands-on activity that helps middle students become familiar with SI measurements by practicing estimation skills. This session is designed to reinforce using common measurement tools, developing reference points, and building proficiency and confidence in working with metric measurements. Because many educators report that students have limited opportunities to gain experience in metric system use, this activity can increase the occasions where SI abilities can be practiced.

    Learning Objectives

    The Metric Estimation Game is presented as a model learning activity. At the end of this session, using your notes, you will be able to:

    • DEMONSTRATE metric system measurement estimation skills.
    • APPLY the metric system of measurement to quantify the length, mass, and volume of everyday household objects at multiple magnitudes.
    • SELECT and EMPLOY appropriate length measurement tools.
    • DEVELOP quantity benchmarks that facilitate the sensemaking of 1 kilogram, 1 liter, and 1 meter.
    • APPROXIMATE measurement scale using at least three metric system prefixes.

    Game participants collaborate in small groups to earn points as they become familiar with metric (SI) mass, length, and volume measurement units. Students determine a quantity estimate for each game item, which is compared to a verified value. Multiple measurement methods may be used to verify results. Some estimations are determined using basic math formulas. The SI prefixes milli, centi, and kilo are used. Measurement writing style requirements for unit symbols are applied during the game.

    Although this activity is designed for a middle school audience, it can be modified to accommodate elementary or high school learners. Extensions include updating the game board to focus on only one measurement parameter during a game session (e.g., mass, length, or volume). Products identified in this session do not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) nor imply that they are necessarily best for the purpose.

    Materials & Supplies

    Participants should bring these materials to the online session: Two 500 mL water bottles (full, remove label), one 2 L bottle (empty, from recycling), one plastic produce bag (from recycling), one U.S. nickel coin, one unused colored wax crayon, and a timer (clock or phone displaying seconds).

    Pre-Work/Post-Work

    None.

    Minimum Requirements

    Successful completion includes participation in all activities and discussions. Session participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance (which does not include participant names or CEUs) by email after the session. Attendance is recorded in the unofficial transcript, which is available in the OWM Contacts System.

    Audience

    This session is ideal for K-12 educators and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals and other outreach ambassadors responsible for instructing middle school students on measurement techniques and STEAM careers.

    Registration Fee

    There is currently no registration fee for this webinar. 

    Instructor

    Elizabeth Benham
    Phone: (301) 975-3690
    Email: elizabeth.benham [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]benham[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).  Review these system requirements to verify that MS Teams may be used on your computer, mobile device, or web browser. The performance of MS Teams may be influenced by other factors, such as network connectivity or other device applications. 

    Operating System (browsing) configurations:

    • Windows
      • Windows 8.1 and later, 64-bit;
        • Google Chrome;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Microsoft Edge.
    • macOS
      • One of the three latest MacOS versions;
        • Mozilla Firefox;
        • Apple Safari (no calls via Teams possible); and
        • Google Chrome.
    • Linux
      • Operating system: DEB or RPM;
      • Desktop environment: GNOME, KDE;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Opera.

    Web Browsers:

    • On computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux, ensure you have the latest release of one of these browsers:
      • Google Chrome;
      • Mozilla Firefox;
      • Apple Safari; and
      • Microsoft Edge.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: SSCP Lager Bidco AB (publ) – Interim report for fourth quarter 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Date: 21st of February 2025
    SSCP Lager BidCo AB (publ) – Interim report for the period 1 October – 31 December 2024.

    Today SSCP Lager Bidco AB (publ) published the interim report for the fourth quarter, the report can be downloaded on www.logent.se or via the link below.

    For more information, please contact:
    Andrzej Kulik, CFO, telephone number: +46 738 15 67 00, andrzej.kulik@logent.se or
    Joel Engström, CEO, telephone number: +46 734 36 36 29, joel.engstrom@logent.se

    This press release was published on 21stof February at CET 09:00

    This information is information that SSCP Lager BidCo AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on 21-02-2025 at 09:00 CET.

    About Logent Group
    Logent is a comprehensive and independent logistics partner, with a Nordic base and with global networks. We have a wide range of services and create value for our customers through guaranteed cost and quality improvements. Our services include Logistics Services such as Warehouse Management, Transport Management and Customs, Port and Combined Terminals, Staffing Services and Consulting Services. This means that Logent has grown to a turnover of about SEK 2.2 billion from the start in 2006 and employs approximately 3,000 people.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM Aims to Aid Two Million People in Ukraine in 2025 as War and Displacement Continue 

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Kyiv/Geneva, 21 February 2025 – As the full-scale war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is appealing for USD 255 million to support two million war-affected people in the country in 2025.  

    Nearly a third of Ukraine’s population needs humanitarian support, and internally displaced persons and returnees are among the most vulnerable. According to the latest IOM report, nearly two-thirds of Ukraine’s 3.7 million internally displaced persons have been away from their homes for more than two years, and tens of thousands of people continue to leave their homes behind every month as they escape from frontline areas, primarily in the east and northeast of Ukraine.   

    Many of those displaced have depleted their savings and they lack income opportunities, making it difficult, if not impossible, for them to afford food, medicine and other essentials.   

    About 4.2 million people have returned from displacement, a quarter of them reported having returned from abroad. Compared to non-displaced people, returnees are more likely to spend their savings, accept low-paid jobs, and sell their belongings to meet basic needs.  

    IOM has been working in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to provide critical aid and other support that can enable communities impacted by the war to recover.   

    In Ukraine, IOM is helping to improve living conditions and ensure continued access to services by rehabilitating homes and social institutions, including health clinics and collective centres that are being used as temporary shelter sites. IOM is also donating medical equipment to hospitals, and providing mental health and psychosocial support to people in distress, among other initiatives. Over the past three years, more than six million people in Ukraine have benefitted, directly and indirectly, from IOM’s humanitarian interventions and recovery initiatives.  

    In countries that are hosting refugees from Ukraine, IOM supports governments, local authorities and civil society organizations with refugees’ inclusion into local communities, fostering their economic independence through language courses, skills development, and employment support. IOM also continues to address the basic needs – housing, food, clothes, medication, psychosocial support – of newly arriving Ukrainians or those who experience challenges in accessing government assistance. Since February 2022, over 980,000 refugees in neighbouring countries have received direct support and two million people indirectly benefitted from IOM aid.  

    IOM and its local partners in Ukraine have also helped over 37,000 survivors of human trafficking, exploitation, and war-related human rights violations such as torture, arbitrary detention, and war-related violence. The aid provided includes medical and psychological support, shelter and food, and connecting survivors with dignified work.   

    IOM calls on donors and partners to continue contributing to longer-term solutions to reduce communities’ reliance on humanitarian aid in Ukraine and to prepare the ground for the next steps. Among the most pressing needs are repairing, restoring, and upgrading critical public infrastructure such as energy, water, sanitation, heating, shelter, and affordable housing, as well as creation and retainment of jobs.  

    Together with the international community IOM stands ready to continue providing support, for as long as is necessary, to all Ukrainians in need.  

    Note to Editor:  

    Click here for IOM’s 2025 Crisis Response Plan for Ukraine   

     

    For more information, please contact:   

     

    In Kyiv: Varvara Zhluktenko, vzhluktenko@iom.int    

    In Vienna: Keith Begg, kbegg@iom.int   

    In Brussels: Ryan Schroeder, rschroeder@iom.int   

    In Geneva: Amber Christino, achristino@iom.int   

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Comrade Sergeant, you have a letter… An exhibition for February 23 has opened at NSU

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The main idea of the exhibition is to introduce students and teachers of NSU to unique and warm stories that were born during the years of student conscription into the army on the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day.

    Preparations for organizing the memorial exhibition began last summer. The staff Museum of the History of NSU together with interested students Humanitarian Institute of NSUletters, photographs and telegrams were selected, and data on where exactly the students served in those years was systematized. One of the schoolgirls from Lyceum No. 130 of Akademgorodok also took part in this work.

    — This exhibition tells about the 1980s, when our students began to be called up en masse for military service. If you look at the statistics, before the 1980s, individual students were sent to the army, mainly from the Humanities Faculty, where there was no military department, and after receiving their diplomas. Since 1984, they began to recruit students from all faculties where the guys studied full-time, — says Lidiya Vorobtsova, director of the NSU History Museum.

    NSU was fundamentally different from other universities in its attitude towards those guys who were called up. If we take the statistics of the call-up, then almost 96% of all servicemen returned to study at NSU: in the 1980s, 2110 students were called up, and 2013 of them returned after service to complete their studies at NSU, that is, almost all. If we take the statistics of other universities in the country, then on average about 70% of guys returned.

    — Credit should be given to those who were in charge of communication with our students. Evgeniya Vasilyevna Ulyanova headed this headquarters, which gathered active girls and the remaining guys from the groups from which students were called up, so that the connection with those who left would not be broken. They wrote letters, sent photos, talked about their lives and even sent textbooks and manuals. In addition, there were propaganda teams, which included guys from NSU humor clubs, they went to military units. In response, good news and gratitude came from their places of service that the called up guys were not forgotten, not crossed out from the ranks of NSU students, — adds Lidiya Vorobtsova.

    The exhibition presents letters, postcards, telegrams from places of service, clippings from photo albums, among them are the faces of young boys, in whom one can recognize current professors and teachers of NSU. As well as military uniforms of that time from the collection of the Integral Museum-Apartment of the History of Akademgorodok.

    Many of those who served in the army in the 80s as students now work at the university and in the research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. They shared their memories of that time with us, and told us how their military service influenced their future lives and professional activities.

    — I joined the army in 1984, when NSU drafted about 70-80% of all the guys studying in different faculties after the second year. We spent a long time, 2-3 days for sure, at the distribution point, then traveled for a long time to our place of service by train. We didn’t know where we were being taken. When we crossed the entire country, got to Murmansk and didn’t stop there, our mood began to fall, and we had only one thought: “Where should we go, the border is coming soon.” When the railway ended, we finally stopped. Our place of service was the village of Pechenga on the Kola Peninsula. We go to the bathhouse — the sun is standing, we leave the bathhouse — everything is the same, over our heads, it goes in circles all day and doesn’t set. That’s how we ended up behind the Arctic Circle in the conditions of the polar day and night, — recalls his years of service in the army Evgeny Sagaydak, head of the education export department at NSU and a graduate. Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU.

    Evgeny Ivanovich ended up in a specialized mountain motorized rifle battalion, where the guys were taught literally everything, including how to shoot any small arms that existed at the time. I remember the moments of the evening roll call, when they went on duty. As a rule, this happened at eight o’clock in the evening. The soldiers had a sign: when they saw the Northern Lights on a polar night, it meant that the night would be cold and the next day too.

    — Some of the warmest memories from the years of service in the army were communication with the university. We wrote, and they wrote to us. The management sent the newspaper “University Life”, for various holidays — postcards and appliques, and New Year’s greetings were especially significant – each postcard had the real signature of the NSU rector. That is, at one point, stacks of these postcards were brought to his reception room, and he signed each one by hand, — Evgeny Sagaydak shares his memories.

    The period of military service became a good school of life for the guys.

    — The ability to communicate, the ability to stand up for yourself and rely on your own strength, on your closest friends and colleagues. Over two years of service, you matured, understood what life is, what you really want to do next. That is why 96% of all conscript students returned to study, because they wanted to study further, wanted to learn new things and did it successfully, — emphasizes Evgeniy Sagaydak.

    Naimjon Ibragimov, graduate Faculty of Economics, NSU 1990 and deputy dean of the Faculty of Economics of NSU, served in the Chita region, in the village of Olovyanny-3, in the strategic missile forces.

    — Far from home, we, Novosibirsk students, were united by something greater. Even when we served in different units and met by chance only at training camps, smiles never left our faces, we encouraged each other, shared news. I remember that every month in the unit we were given 13 rubles. We always wanted something sweet, so we went to the soldiers’ buffet, or “chipok” in other words, bought waffles and accidentally met our own, which made it even more pleasant.

    I remember the physical and volitional loads that were much easier for the students from the dormitory than for those who lived at home during their studies. We were already adapted to strict timings, when, for example, we had to have breakfast or lunch very quickly in order to then complete strategic tasks or run to another unit.

    The university skills that we managed to acquire helped us quickly expand our circle of acquaintances and find a common language with the unit’s leadership, so first the Physics and Mathematics School, and then the first and second years allowed us to cope with the difficulties of army life quite quickly and successfully, and quickly find solutions in difficult situations, says Naimdzhon Ibragimov.

    Naimdzhon Mulaboevich also notes that the university was distinguished by its attitude towards students who ended up in the army. None of the guys from other universities who served in his unit received letters of support.

    — It was the uniqueness of NSU that gave rise to a feeling of pride for our university. I express my gratitude to the university and the teachers who supported us with regular letters so that we felt that the university was waiting for us.

    Pavel Logachev, graduate Physics Department of NSU 1989, Director of the INP SB RAS, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, graduated from the Physics and Mathematics School with almost excellent marks, he solved all the problems of the entrance exams to the universities where a deferment from military service was provided (at Moscow State University and Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology), so he could choose any of them. However, he deliberately did not go to Moscow.

    — When I entered Novosibirsk University in 1982, I understood perfectly well that I would be drafted into the army in 1984. I planned to work at the Institute of Nuclear Physics — and nowhere else. To do this, I needed to study at the Physics Department of NSU.

    After the first two courses, I was drafted into the army. I served for a short time – only two days and two nights – polar. Time flew by, the army experience I gained was also important and interesting. I do not regret that I honestly gave these two years to the country. We served in the north of the Murmansk region, not far from the border with Norway, in a regular motorized rifle regiment. However, the regiment was fully staffed and had a large number. We regularly had combat exercises, so we learned to shoot from the weapons assigned to us and honed our skills in various training sessions.

    As for learning, of course, any experience requires constant practice. If you don’t do something, skills are lost, but they can be restored later.

    I would like to thank the university separately for the informal, but very important and effective work it did with the students who had gone into the army, and they were the majority. The remaining boys and girls regularly wrote us letters, told us about life at the university and sent us fresh issues of the newspaper “University Life”. This was extremely important for us. Moreover, during the two years of service, delegations from NSU came to us three times. The visiting students told us what was happening at the university and reminded us that we were expected there. I do not know anyone from those with whom I served who did not return to the university after the army. Everyone continued their studies and completed them, – Pavel Logachev shares his memories.

    The staff of the NSU History Museum would like to thank Svetlana Dovgal, Director of the NSU Career Development Center, Elena Krasilova, Head of the Department of Youth Policy and Educational Work, and Anastasia Bliznyuk, Director of the Integral Museum-Apartment of the History of Akademgorodok, for their assistance in organizing the exhibition.

    You can immerse yourself in archival data, read warm letters and view the exhibition until February 28 in the light window near auditorium 2322 (3rd block, Pirogova St., 1).

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Panasonic in Numbers: Panasonic HX

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Panasonic in Numbers: Panasonic HX

    Panasonic Manufacturing UK Ltd. (Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK; hereinafter referred to as “PMUK”), which develops, manufactures, and sells microwave ovens and other products in the UK, has completed the installation and begun trial operation of a demonstration power generation system. The microwave oven assembly factory is powered by renewable energy generated by the system through the integrated control of three types of energy sources: pure hydrogen fuel cell generators, photovoltaic generators, and storage batteries. This demonstration system, the first of its kind outside Japan, will bring Panasonic HX to scale with the Group seeking to build relationships with government agencies, local partner companies and business customers related to the hydrogen business to establish a foundation that will contribute to UK society and climate change countermeasures in the UK and across Europe.
    This demonstration uses green hydrogen produced in the UK for in-house power generation and aims to supply 100% of the electricity consumed in PMUK’s microwave assembly from renewable sources by means of pure hydrogen fuel cell generators using green hydrogen, in combination with photovoltaic generators and storage batteries. This globally unique initiative integrating the three energy sources into a demonstration facility is the first attempt even for Panasonic. Through this demonstration, Panasonic is committed to developing its hydrogen business from a long-term perspective toward the realization of a future hydrogen society and carbon neutrality.

    The content in this website is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.Please note therefore that these documents may not always contain the most up-to-date information.Please note that German, French and Chinese versions are machine translations, so the quality and accuracy may vary.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray on Senate Republicans’ Pro-Billionaire Budget Resolution, Trump and Musk’s Devastating Funding Freeze and Mass Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Murray: “Republicans are going down this partisan path because they know Democrats are not going to join them in throwing Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and veterans’ benefits into the wood chipper so they can throw more tax cuts at billionaires and the biggest corporations.”

    Murray: “We should not be taking kids out of child care to give billionaires a tax break. We should not be taking food off the family table to put more fuel in private jets.”

    ICYMI: Senator Murray speaks at Budget Committee markup of resolution, offers common sense amendments rejected by Republicans

    ***VIDEO HERE***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, took to the Senate floor to forcefully speak out against Senate Republicans’ budget resolution that will help billionaires at working families’ expense—as well as the Trump administration’s lawless mass firings and ongoing funding freeze that is hurting people and jeopardizing critical services they need in every part of the country. She also underscored how a clean full-year CR is not an acceptable solution to government funding.

    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

    “Thank you M. President. We need to be focused on solving problems—and I think most of us here get that.

    “No matter who the President is, our constituents expect us to work for them. They expect us to fight for them. And they expect us to do the hard work of passing laws to make their lives better.

    [TRUMP LEAVING FARMILIES IN THE DUST]

    “People don’t send us here to make their lives worse. But that’s exactly what Trump and Musk are doing. They are looking at our most pressing problems—and making them so much worse. And this budget proposal will only add fuel to the fire.

    “Right now—even as egg prices hit an all time high—Trump and Musk have done nothing to lower prices.

    “They’ve done nothing to address the housing crisis, or help families get quality, affordable child care—or address other issues I hear about from folks all the time.

    “Instead, they are slashing programs that help our families make ends meet, they are gutting an agency that saves working people money and protects them from scams, and starting trade wars that will impose what is effectively a Trump sales tax entirely on the backs of American workers.

    “As China works to strengthen its global leadership, Trump and Musk have ceded the ground almost entirely—illegally cutting off investments we make to continue our country’s leadership and help allies.

    “At the most precarious moment for the Middle East in decades—Trump is casually proposing to ethnically cleanse Gaza so that Trump and his family can build waterfront property there.

    “When it comes to helping our allies in Ukraine secure a just peace—Trump is giving away countless concessions to Putin out of the gate, calling our ally a dictator and meeting with Russia without inviting Ukraine.

    “When it comes to the Bird Flu—Trump and Musk are firing the very workers who are responsible for tracking the disease and keeping it from spreading further. And now, suddenly, they are desperately trying to hire them back.

    “And as Texas deals with a serious measles outbreak, Trump’s Health Secretary can’t even confirm the obvious, and tell parents the vaccine doesn’t cause autism—which, to be clear, it does not!


    “And, almost unbelievably, just weeks after the deadliest commercial plane crash in the U.S. in over two decades—Trump and Musk are firing FAA workers who make sure flying is safe. Who does that help?

    “And now Trump is letting Musk run wild by inappropriately accessing and rifling through sensitive SSA and Treasury files, with IRS being next—your data! How does that make sense?

    “But while President Trump is busy making problems worse, and trampling our laws, and quoting dictators—what are we doing here in the Senate?

    “Are we holding President Trump accountable? Are we holding his co-President, Elon Musk—the richest man in the world, who has billions of dollars in conflicts of interest—accountable? 

    “Are we putting a stop to the catastrophic cuts and reckless firings that are hurting people and our communities, and setting our country back decades?

    “Seems to me that would be a good use of our time—after all, I’ve even heard some Republicans admit that cutting things like medical research, and firing people like VA workers are bad ideas. So you would think—maybe—we could work together from that common ground.

    “But instead—Republicans are throwing all their effort behind a partisan plan to slash and burn programs that help our families, and raise costs for everyday Americans, and shovel billions of dollars to help people who already have billions of dollars.

    “Meanwhile, I would like to remind my colleagues we are less than a month away from a deadline to pass bills to fund our government. And as we approach that deadline, the entire world is watching as President Trump and Elon Musk shut the government down bit-by-bit—whatever parts Elon doesn’t like.

    [TRUMP AND MUSK’S RECKLESS, HEARTLESS MASS FIRINGS]

    “Trump and Musk are already showing thousands of essential workers the door—despite the fact that they have no clue what these workers do, or why their jobs matter. They’re just turning off the lights and hoping for the best! 

    “I am hearing so much alarm about this back home—from fired workers and from the people who depend on them.

    “Trump and his co-president are shuttering entire agencies, they are locking workers out of their devices and out of their buildings, and demanding the work of the American people come to a screeching halt—again, for no good reason.

    “And let me really drive home just how damaging and extreme these firings are—because we are not talking about some routine changing of the guard or some thoughtful or strategic plan to make government more efficient.

    “Trump and Musk are just taking a wrecking ball through the U.S. government. They don’t care what they smash up. They don’t care who they hurt. And they don’t seem to have any idea just how painful this is for American families.

    “We are talking about tens of thousands of people—and counting—being pushed out the door without any plan, and without any justification beyond Trump and Elon want to slash and cut with reckless abandon.

    “This has nothing to do with making government more efficient—it is about breaking it beyond repair.

    “Fundamentally, this is not about cutting waste or curbing fraud. Instead, this is about putting the federal workforce into ‘trauma’—that’s how OMB Director Russ Vought callously put it. 

    “So, they are mass firing hardworking women and men—many of them veterans—whose only mistake was serving our country, serving our communities, and believing they wouldn’t get stabbed in the back by a wannabe dictator and the richest man in the world.

    “And, setting aside the fact that many were illegally fired and without real cause, it’s not just the workers who are suffering because of this.

    “These cuts undermine essential services for the American people—right down to some of the most basic functions of government.

    “Trump and Musk are firing people who help Americans find quality, affordable health insurance, people who help small businesses get a loan, people who help communities and families get back on their feet after a disaster, and people who help Americans get their tax refunds.

    “They are firing people who help our economy stay competitive—from firings that undermine energy projects and thousands of good, new jobs, to firings that undermine innovation and technology, to firings that are hurting our farmers and undermining agricultural research.

    “They are laying off National Park Rangers—which will mean longer wait times, dirtier bathrooms, delayed emergency responses, and closed parks.

    “They fired Forest Service workers who are crucial to preventing wildfires.

    “Again, I have to emphasize, they are firing FAA workers for crying out loud—including personnel who work on radar, landing, and other critical infrastructure that help our aircraft navigate safely.

    “They are firing these people, and pretending it is no big deal, all just weeks after the deadliest crash our nation has seen in decades.

    “Trump and Elon might not fly commercial—but the rest of us do.

    “In the Pacific Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration is losing hundreds of highly skilled workers. This includes everyone from electricians and engineers, to dispatchers, to lineworkers, to cybersecurity experts, and so many others.

    “These are literally the people who help keep the lights on—and now they’re being fired on a whim because Trump and Elon Musk don’t have a clue about what they do and why it’s important, and you know what? They don’t care to learn.

    “They don’t even seem to understand that these are positions funded by ratepayers—by all of us who live in the Northwest—they are not from federal funding.

    “Trump and Musk have even fired over a thousand VA workers, including people who are doing lifesaving research for our veterans—research to prevent veteran suicide, build life changing prosthetics, address opioid addiction, and more.

    “These layoffs could mean longer wait times for veterans to see their health care providers. It could mean ongoing clinical trials coming to a sudden stop. It could mean delays getting your disability claims approved.

    “Because Trump and Musk went ahead and fired clinicians and claims raters—even while the current back log of disability claims is over 250,000!

    “That is not just a betrayal of these public workers—it is a betrayal of our women and men who have served us in uniform.

    “And it is also worth noting—many of the workers being fired are veterans themselves. Trump is firing veterans.

    “And let’s not forget the thousands of NIH researchers who are having their research thrown into jeopardy, and the patients who are watching President Trump carelessly toss their best hope for a cure into the shredder.

    “Or CMS experts, who were working on improving maternal health outcomes so fewer pregnant women die in this country.

    “And medical research layoffs aren’t the only ones putting American lives at risk because Trump and Musk are firing public health workers who respond to disease outbreaks, cybersecurity experts who protect our critical infrastructure, sensitive systems, and our data, scientists who make sure our water and air are clean, and that we are ready for extreme weather, workers that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters—not to mention, members of law enforcement who help stop violent criminals—and of course, our nuclear engineers!

    “Seriously—people who manage our nuclear weapons stockpile were being fired by the hundreds, with no real strategy. 

    “And we know there isn’t a strategy—because then Trump and Musk frantically turned around and rehired many of them.

    “And we also know they haven’t learned their lesson—because they just did the exact same thing to workers responding to bird flu.

    “Reckless layoffs—followed by ‘Wait, no! Come back!’ That is not a plan.

    “To callously fire people who help us stay ahead of deadly diseases, or who maintain a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile—that is the height of dangerous incompetence.

    “And nuclear clean-up work has been hit as well. I’ve been fighting to get more resources for the Hanford clean-up in Washington state for years—it is already understaffed, and now Trump is actively making things worse.

    “I have heard directly from workers at Hanford who have been laid off—even after some were recognized just this past year for their outstanding work. And by the way: that underscores another reality of these firings—they have absolutely nothing to do with merit.

    “In fact, the way they are targeting new employees includes people who were recently promoted—so now these workers are getting fired from their newly earned jobs. Literally pushing out some of our best performers and our most committed workers.

    “Oh, and one more thing—they are even illegally firing the government watchdogs who provide accountability and prevent fraud.

    “If Trump and Musk were really committed to tackling waste, fraud, and abuse, would they fire the very people serving in nonpartisan roles whose very job is to uncover and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse?

    “If they were really interested in transparency, would they have torn down websites where the public can find information about agencies’ spending and policy?

    “The list of pointless, actively dangerous firings goes on, and on, and on. It grows by the day—as does the fallout and alarm being caused by it. My phones have been ringing off the hook—and I know I am not the only one.

    “Again, these sweeping layoffs do not address fraud or waste. These firings are totally arbitrary—pushing out high performers and the promising next generation of our federal workforce who won’t be easily replaced. Not to mention—the hiring freeze prevents them from even trying!

    “And here’s the thing that is so important to remember: these are people who have families, who work hard, who love their country. They are not being sent packing because they’ve done anything wrong or because their work is not important.

    “They are being pushed out simply because Trump and Musk are trying to break the government—trying to make it not work for the people who need it. It is wrong, and if this doesn’t stop now, it will be catastrophic.

    “The scale and scope of Trump and Elon’s purge will set our country back decades. It is not like you can fire everyone, say ‘oh wait, my bad,’ and rehire everyone with the snap of a finger.

    “If you are a VA medical researcher working for less than you could make in the private sector, and you’re fired by a billionaire who decides your research on cancer and burn pit exposure isn’t worth the investment, would you want to come back? Especially with the chaos and sheer incompetence of this administration?

    “The federal government is not Twitter. You can’t just fire everyone and break things and hope for the best—people’s lives are at stake.

    “Elon Musk has no clue what nuclear safety engineers do at Hanford. He doesn’t care that the Social Security Administration is already understaffed, and that pushing more of those federal workers out the door will make life harder for seniors.

    “This effort to push out and arbitrarily fire federal workers is going to break something, worse than it already has—and it’s going to break it irreparably.

    “When that happens, the blame will fall squarely on Trump, Musk, and Republicans.

    [TRUMP AND MUSK’S ILLEGAL FUNDING FREEZE]

    “And it is not just people being fired that is a serious problem—there are also funds still being frozen without rhyme, or reason, or any legal authority for Trump to do that.

    “So I’m not only worried about the fast-approaching funding deadline in March—I’m worried about the de facto government shutdown happening right now.

    “As we speak, Trump and Musk are still illegally blocking hundreds of billions of dollars in funding we all secured for the people we represent back home, putting good-paying jobs on the chopping block, creating incredible uncertainty for businesses, stalling funds for infrastructure and energy projects, and so much else.

    “As another week of Trump’s illegal funding blockade has come and gone, still, reports are coming in from across my state, and across the country—of the chaos and cuts this is causing.

    “And yet, little to nothing has been done by this administration to restore investments people in red and blue states are counting on. And Republicans here in Congress continue to sit by idly while our communities are robbed of hundreds of billions of dollars in bipartisan spending.

    “Meanwhile, it’s our workers, it’s our families, it’s our businesses that are feeling this consequence.

    “With each day that passes, the uncertain fate of these investments takes a toll of its own: ever-growing anxiety for workers whose jobs are in jeopardy, for farmers who are eyeing the calendar and waiting on resources that they are owed, and for business owners worried a ripped-up contract might put them under.

    “I’ve heard USDA grants have been cut off to rural businesses and farmers in my home state of Washington—and it is putting those hard-working Americans in dire straits.

    “A small laundromat ordered new machines—but Trump is now stiffing them on funds they need to make the payment.

    “A wheat farmer installed solar panels under a federal program—but Trump is going to leave them holding the bag.

    “A greenhouse has completed its end of the bargain to install upgrades—but Trump has stopped the federal government from doing the part it promises.

    “And there are so many other federal investments on hold as well: Forest Service funding to reduce wildfire risks and restore ecosystems. EPA funding for clean water infrastructure and clean-up work at superfund sites. HUD and Department of Energy investments to bring down folks’ energy costs and create new, good-paying jobs. Funding for our roads, bridges, transit, flood mapping, fisheries—and so many other things.

    “Medical research has also been completely upended at research institutions across the country—throwing lifesaving research, clinical trials, and patients into uncertainty.

    “Meanwhile they have not only illegally blocked our foreign assistance and shuttered USAID programs that bolster our global leadership and make the world safer for Americans—they are now illegally dismantling the Department of Education.

    “They have already bulldozed the independent research arm of the Department of Education—taking a wrecking ball to ongoing evidence-based research and basic collection data we need for accountability to improve student outcomes at our K-12 schools and colleges.

    “And, among the many contracts Trump cancelled with his executive orders was funding for a program that helps students with disabilities transition from high school to work and work to improve adoption of evidence-based literacy practices in Washington state. These billionaires have no idea what programs they are cutting.

    “Given the chaos of all these efforts—from Trump’s sweeping, radical, and illegal Executive Orders, to Elon Musk jumping from agency to agency and doing seemingly whatever he pleases and whatever is good for his businesses—it’s getting hard to even keep track of all the funding that is being illegally blocked.

    “Even stuff they say is not blocked, or say has been unblocked—is still frequently frozen.

    “But one thing that is clear? This is hurting our families. It is hurting our communities. And it needs to stop.

    “Remember, Musk is the richest man on earth—with deep business ties to China and a direct line to Putin.

    “Republicans have chosen to stand by and twiddle their thumbs, as he unilaterally, clandestinely, and illegally cuts our constituents off from the federal investments they are owed and badly need.

    “We have zero insight or oversight of what conflicts of interest Musk has as he chokes off government funding left and right, and as he hands over our sensitive financial data and systems to patently unqualified individuals with no accountability.

    “This multi-billionaire is operating completely in the dark, hoping his lies are loud enough to drown out any calls for truth or for transparency.


    “You can agree or disagree about federal spending—goodness knows we have debates on it here—but it is a complete lie to try and say this is all fraud, or waste, or a conspiracy.

    “As a long-time Appropriator—I can tell you—we debate these bills publicly, we post the details out in the open. We pass them in a bipartisan way.

    “Republicans overwhelmingly supported the individual bills we put together in Committee last year—many unanimously.


    “Spending is not a ‘conspiracy’ just because Elon Musk doesn’t know how to read USA-Spending.gov.

    “A program is not waste just because it doesn’t help the richest man in the world. It is not fraud just because he doesn’t like it.

    “A law is not illegal just because he disagrees with it. This guy just does not know what he is talking about—and it is frankly embarrassing, he doesn’t know how to count!

    [MUSK, DOGE LIES AND CORRUPTION]

    “The ‘DOGE’ website says it is slashing $55 billion—but it only lists $16.6 billion, and half of that is a typo.

    “They took $8 million with an M—as in ‘Musk can’t count’—and counted it as $8 billion with a B—as in ‘BS.’ That is not saving money—it is poor reading comprehension.

    “Speaking of reading comprehension—I don’t think Elon fully grasps what the concepts of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ mean.

    “When he tweeted out the names of government employees months ago—and again this month even—that was ‘accountability,’ but when reporters name people gaining illegal access to Treasury’s payment system, that is a crime?

    “Elon Musk gets to look at all of our most sensitive data but no one gets to look at what he is actually doing? That cannot be the standard.

    “It’s not ‘maximally transparent’ for Elon Musk to decide for himself what he shares publicly about his actions.

    “It is maximally concerning—especially given there are many obvious conflicts of interest—but Elon has not recused himself from a single decision.

    “How is it not a conflict—when the owner of Space X is gutting NASA while taxpayer funds to his company keep flowing?

    “How is it not blatant corruption—when the owner of Tesla is freezing grants and loans that benefit his competitors?

    “How are we supposed to just trust him, when he is probing agencies that have done—or are doing right now—investigations into his businesses?

    “Trump fired the Ag Inspector General who was investigating Elon’s company, Neuralink—and then fired the FDA officials who were reviewing it.


    “He fired the EPA Inspector General and Transportation Inspector General as they were looking at Tesla.


    “He fired the Labor Inspector General—as the Department has several investigations into Musk’s companies.

    “And Trump fired the Defense Inspector General who was looking at Space X—and notably, Musk’s connections to Putin.

    “And it’s not just Musk who is concerning—he’s brought on an army of walking red flags to pry into our government’s most sensitive data.

    “How are Americans supposed to feel, knowing someone who was previously fired for leaking sensitive information from their employer is digging through your most private financial data?

    “How are Americans supposed to feel, knowing someone who engaged with prominent white supremacists and misogynists online is helping to shutdown USAID?

    “How are they supposed to feel, knowing someone who tweeted explicitly racist statements, someone who said they were, quote, ‘racist before it was cool,’ was given control over incredibly important Treasury payment systems?

    “What sort of vetting—if any—is going on here? Are they trying to pick the least qualified, most concerning people? Hey Elon—you are supposed to filter out red flags—not select for them!

    “The American people deserve transparency—if Elon Musk really has nothing to hide, then he should leave his safe place on X and at Trump rallies and come before us at a Congressional hearing to be held accountable to the public.

    [TRUMP HURTING PEOPLE IN RED AND BLUE STATES]

    “What they are doing here is not just illegal—it is devastating for working people in every single zip code in America, red and blue states alike.

    “Right now, we need to be speaking out with a unified voice to ensure that when Congress passes a bill, the law is followed.

    [DANGERS OF A FULL-YEAR CR]

    “And we need to focus on negotiating serious funding bills on a bipartisan basis ahead of the fast-approaching March 14th deadline. That is exactly what I am trying to do right now. And, a long term CR should not be acceptable for anyone here.

    “As I have reminded my colleagues many times now: there is a world of difference between a short term CR that gives us additional time for good faith negotiations on our full-year funding bills, and a long term CR that would not only create major shortfalls for critical programs, but would also hand vast power over spending decisions to an administration that absolutely cannot and should not be trusted.

    “Passing a clean full year CR would, first of all, create major shortfalls and fail to adjust for new realities on the ground.

    “It could mean that instead of babies getting fed through WIC, moms are getting put on a waitlist for the first time in that program’s history. And instead of families getting rental assistance, they get cut off.

    “A clean full year CR means veterans are not able to get the care they need and benefits they have earned in a timely way.

    “And it means our military falling behind—from forcing cuts across DoD, to pausing promotions, station changes, and other really essential functions.

    “It also means losing opportunities to provide new resources for new challenges, and to provide a check on Trump policies—including ones it is clear members on both sides have issues with.

    “And on that note, I want to emphasize this—because this is really critical—unlike a short-term CR, a clean, full-year CR means hundreds of specific funding directives from Congress fall away, effectively creating slush funds for this administration to adjust spending priorities and potentially eliminate longstanding programs as they see fit. That is a nonstarter.


    “With a full-year CR, Congress would be turning over our power of the purse to a President who has already shown he couldn’t care less about the separation of powers.

    “A yearlong CR could be a green light for President Trump, Elon Musk, and Russell Vought to redirect funding to their own pet projects—and slash, burn, and zero out programs we have supported from Congress, that our families count on.

    “Maybe they siphon money away from public schools. Maybe they slash federal work study grants and other financial aid. Maybe they zero out money for national parks or monuments they think are too ‘Woke…’ or what would that even mean!

    “Maybe they scrap all our oversight of immigration courts, or end family reunification efforts, or dismantle the guardrails for detaining immigrants—something we are already seeing, by the way, with the use of Guantanamo Bay.

    “They could cut funding to eliminate HIV, address maternal mortality, or increase vaccination rates.

    “They could turn our constituents’ priorities into slush funds. Clean energy investments could become a payday for fossil fuels. Money meant to stop fentanyl and opioids could fuel private prison operations and mass deportations.

    [THE COMMON SENSE, BIPARTISAN PATH FORWARD]

    “Congress must detail its spending priorities—and direct President Trump to implement these programs faithfully by passing appropriations bills just as it does every year.

    “There is truly no telling just how far they will go in bending our federal budget from what our constituents need into whatever Trump and Musk want.

    “If you don’t think things could get worse—you’re wrong. A clean, yearlong CR is frankly an unacceptable outcome.


    “We cannot tell our constituents, that instead of using our authority to check a President, we give him the keys to the kingdom.

    “We cannot say, instead of fighting to get you the resources you need, we’ll let a billionaire have more say in where your tax dollars go instead.

    “So we need Republicans to get serious about bipartisan funding bills. And we have got to know that once those bills become law, Trump will actually follow them.

    “We cannot just reach an agreement, pass a bill, and then stand by while President Trump rips our laws in half.

    “There is a serious, bipartisan path forward for our country—but it is one where Congress works together to avoid a shutdown, stops the de facto shutdown that is already happening, and reasserts its authority to protect the funding our communities need.

    [REPUBLICANS’ PRO-BILLIONAIRE BUDGET RESOLUTION]

    “But unfortunately, that’s a far cry from the path Republicans are going down with this pro-billionaire, anti-middle-class budget resolution.

    “Let’s be very clear: Republicans’ budget resolution doesn’t just accept, it actually doubles down on what Trump and Musk are doing.

    “And it is not about balancing the budget—we all know that, because they don’t plan to reverse one of the biggest drivers of the debt: Republican tax cuts.

    “Despite all of the boogeymen that Republicans like to point to as driving the national debt—the reality is that the single biggest driver of our national debt since 2001 has been Republican tax cuts.

    “The Trump and Bush tax cuts have cost our nation over $10 trillion dollars and counting. And you’ll never guess what our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are focused on right now—nothing to lower the cost of eggs—it’s actually more Republican tax cuts!

    “And, no, they will not be paid-for. And, yes, they will blow up the national debt.

    “While Elon Musk hacks and chops his way through the government in the name of meager ‘savings’ and Republicans are cheering him on, they are all hoping we will ignore the elephant they brought into the room.

    “Even as this budget is a roadmap for painful cuts to programs families count on each and every day—all so they can give billionaires more tax cuts.

    “Republicans are going down this partisan path because they know Democrats are not going to join them in throwing Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and veterans’ benefits into the wood chipper, so they can throw more tax cuts at billionaires and the biggest corporations.

    “Make no mistake—this budget resolution is the DOGE resolution, as it assumes the staggering amount of $1 trillion in unspecified cuts in 2025 alone and $9 trillion over 10 years.

    “Where do we think those sort of dramatic cuts are going to come from? It’s going to come out of SNAP benefits that keep our kids from going hungry. It is going to come out of public schools and community health centers. It is going to come out of life-saving medical research.

    “It will mean costs going up for everyday Americans. 

    “It means child care costs going up when families lose access to Head Start and other quality, affordable options.

    “It means heating and cooling costs going up when families get cut off from LIHEAP.

    “It means rent going up as assistance programs get slashed.

    “It means your health care costs go up as community health centers and family planning providers are forced to close their doors.

    “It means grocery costs going up as programs like SNAP and WIC are gutted—not to mention what happens when you cut support for farmers, and for ag-research.

    “And make no mistake, if you are cutting that deeply, that painfully, you are going to start cutting things like veterans’ disability and education benefits, you are going to start cutting Medicare and Medicaid—which, for the information of all Senators, 30 million children rely on.

    “There is just no other way to make their numbers work. Especially when we know that this is just step one in their plan—and step two: tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations.

    “So, first they are handing Elon Musk a chainsaw to cut programs families rely on with no accountability—then they are rewarding him with enormous tax breaks. And that is completely unacceptable.

    “We should not be taking kids out of child care to give billionaires a tax break.


    “We should not be taking food off the family table to put more fuel into private jets.

    “I grew up in a family that knew what it was like to fall on hard times. My dad— who was a veteran—got too sick to work. He had multiple sclerosis.

    “My mom, kept us afloat with Dad’s VA benefits, food stamps, and the new job she got thanks to a federal workforce program.

    “It wasn’t easy. Mom always said they crawled—crawled—to Social Security and Medicare. But she worked hard, and our government was there for them when those hard times came.

    “I know there are families struggling now, just like my family struggled then. I hear from them every day—in the letters we get here in Washington D.C., and in the conversations I have back home in Washington state.

    “They work hard. They play by the rules. They deserve—at the very least—the same opportunity my parents had when I was growing up.

    “And I am not going to stand by silently while Republicans try to sell that opportunity away, to pay for even more tax breaks for billionaires.

    “I get why that sounds like a good idea to billionaires like Donald Trump. I get why it’s a sweet deal for Elon Musk—the richest man in the world. It’s great for them—because they are not the ones footing the bill!

    “The bill for these tax breaks, the cost of these cuts, is going to be paid by folks like my mom and dad.

    “Everyday Americans will pay for billionaire tax breaks with their health care. They will pay for billionaire tax breaks with abandoned medical research. They will pay for billionaire tax breaks with shuttered family farms and small businesses

    “Republicans can try and spin a fairy tale about how this will pay for itself, how this will work out for everyone and nobody cares about what will be affected—but the reality is going to show through pretty darn quick, and pretty darn painfully.

    “Because spin is not going to put food on the table. It will not pay the rent. It won’t fix the roads. It won’t lower prices. It won’t lower interest rates. And it won’t put money in families’ dwindling bank accounts.

    “When it comes to the job we were all sent here to do helping people, and solving problems—families need real solutions, not tax breaks for billionaires and talking points for everyone who loses out.

    “So, M. President, I would urge all of my colleagues: hit the breaks, and not just on this devastating, partisan budget resolution. Hit the brakes on what President Trump and Elon Musk are doing right now.

    “Let’s instead come together, and work on serious, bipartisan bills to fund the government. Let’s get investments that are sorely needed out to the folks we represent. Let’s pass legislation to give folks a hand—instead of this Republican plan that gives billionaires a handout.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Block Murray Amendment to Actually Address Domestic Priorities and Help Families Get Ahead Through a Bipartisan Process

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray on Senate Republicans’ Pro-Billionaire Budget Resolution, Trump and Musk’s Devastating Funding Freeze and Mass Firings

    ICYMI: Senator Murray speaks at Budget Committee markup of resolution, offers common sense amendments rejected by Republicans

    Washington, D.C. — Tonight on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, put forward an amendment to Senate Republicans’ pro-billionaire budget resolution to address defense and nondefense funding needs equally—tackling national security concerns and pressing domestic challenges like supporting biomedical research, child care, the housing crisis, and much more.

    Rather than the $342 billion Republicans are proposing in mandatory funding through the partisan reconciliation process, Murray’s amendment would have provided $171 billion in discretionary funding for defense and $171 in discretionary funding for domestic needs. Unlike the partisan approach taken by Republicans, the funding under the Murray amendment would be available to address a range of critical needs and help hardworking families get ahead. Senator Murray has long emphatically argued that Congress must not leave funding for families and domestic priorities behind.

    Republicans blocked Murray’s amendment, #878, in a XX-XX vote.

    Senator Murray said on the Senate floor when offering her amendment, #878:

    “My amendment does two things: First, it strikes the reconciliation instructions. Secondly, it creates a reserve fund to implement a bipartisan, multi-year agreement to provide $171 billion in discretionary funding for both defense and nondefense.

    “Democrats do agree: we need more resources to invest in our national security, address challenges at the border, and counter China—but we cannot leave the rest of our budget in the dust while we do that.

    “So let’s deliver investments to do both—and make sure we also support our veterans, agriculture, disaster response, biomedical research, the FAA, child care, and more.

    “These are all big challenges; Democrats stand ready to work with our colleagues—as we have in the past, including through our bipartisan efforts on the Appropriations Committee.

    “But that can only happen if Republicans are willing to work with us. And working with us means actually working with us—not telling us to accept Elon Musk cutting a trillion dollars in fiscal year 2025 to our priorities, which is assumed in this Republican budget plan. And at the same time, spending $342 billion on their own priorities.

    “It also means not sitting on your hands while Elon and Trump rip up our bipartisan laws. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”

    Earlier today, Murray delivered a lengthy speech on the Senate floor where she laid out in detail how Republicans’ budget resolution is a blueprint for deep, painful cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP that help working families—all in service of passing more tax giveaways for billionaires. Murray also underscored how the Trump administration’s lawless mass firings and funding freeze is hurting people and jeopardizing critical services in every part of the country, and why a clean full-year CR is not an acceptable solution to government funding.

    Last week at the Senate Budget Committee mark up of Senate Republicans’ Budget resolution, Senator Murray, a senior member and former chair of the committee, put forward six amendments to steer Republicans toward a bipartisan approach to spending, affirm Congress’ power of the purse, reverse cuts to NIH, deliver transparency into the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and more. Republicans unanimously opposed every amendment Murray and other Democrats offered. In her opening remarks, Murray also called for Elon Musk to come before the Committee to discuss his already in-motion efforts to decimate programs people count on.

    MIL OSI USA News –