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  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom proclaims Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 24, 2025

    Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 24, 2025 as “Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

    The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below:

    PROCLAMATION

    On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman Empire began its systematic genocide of Armenian people, a minority group that had long been treated as second-class citizens. The Armenian Genocide began with the forced deportation and murder of hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders and ended with the deaths of 1.5 million men, women, and children. It was the first genocide of the 20th century. Armenians around the world continue to face targeted persecution, evidenced by the recent violence towards over 120,000 indigenous Christian Armenians from Artsakh in 2023.

    As we remember the victims and survivors on this somber anniversary, we honor the strength and resilience of the Armenian people, who have built new lives and thriving communities in all corners of the globe. Thousands made their homes in California, and we are immeasurably greater for their contributions. 

    Shamefully, this community continues to be the target of hateful acts that too often go unreported. These, and other ongoing threats to the Armenian people, are painful reminders of the need to not only learn the lessons of history but also to redouble efforts to address discrimination and violence. California is taking action to confront racial, ethnic, and religious hate through enhanced security at houses of worship and other at-risk cultural centers, anti-hate programs that promote tolerance and support victims, an anonymous reporting hotline for victims and witnesses of hate acts, and other resources.

    California is committed to continuing this work to protect the safety and well-being of all our communities. Let us recommit ourselves to remembering the painful lessons of the past and always speaking out against hatred and atrocities anywhere they occur.

    NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2025 as “Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 18th day of April 2025.
     

    GAVIN NEWSOM
    Governor of California

    ATTEST:
    SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
    Secretary of State

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 2025 Voter Registration Campaign launched (with video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    2025 Voter Registration Campaign launched (with video) 
         A spokesperson for the REO said, “The REO encourages eligible persons to submit applications for new registration as GC electors or change of voter registration particulars through ‘iAM Smart’. They may also provide/update their mobile phone number and email address, and check their voter registration status through ‘iAM Smart’.”
     
         Members of the public who are newly registered as GC electors or registered electors who need to update their residential address must submit to the REO an address proof. They should also provide their phone number and email address for the REO to facilitate contact. Applicants who are the registered occupants of public rental housing under the Housing Department or subsidised housing under the Hong Kong Housing Society are not required to submit any address proof.
     
    “Under no circumstances would the REO require the provision of address proof with personal bank information. Members of the public shall remain vigilant in avoiding fraud,” the spokesperson reminded. 
         Announcements in the Public Interest of the Voter Registration Campaign will run on television, radio, online platforms and various venues such as housing estates and government buildings starting from today. The relevant information will also be publicised through banners, posters, social media platforms, websites, and mobile applications, and displayed in the public transportation system, such as on bus and tram bodies, in MTR stations and at bus shelters. The Ballot Box Family mascots, comprising the Blue Ballot, Red Ballot and Grandpa Ballot, are well received by members of the public and designed with ballot boxes as the concept. The mascots have been adopted for publicity in this year’s Voter Registration Campaign to present the Campaign’s messages in an engaging manner and motivate the public to register.Issued at HKT 13:50

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tenders for operation and management contracts of Light Public Housing invited

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Housing Bureau (HB) today (April 25) invites tenders for two operation and management contracts of the Light Public Housing (LPH), and encourages capable and experienced organisations to participate.
     
         The first contract covers the four school conversion projects located at Shun On Road, Choi Yuen Road, Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road respectively (i.e. the Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad No. 2 Primary School in Shun On Estate, Kwun Tong; Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Ma Kam Chan Memorial Primary School (Choi Yuen Annex) in Choi Yuen Estate, Sheung Shui; Carmel Leung Sing Tak School in Shun On Estate, Kwun Tong; and Baptist Rainbow Primary School in Chuk Yuen South Estate, Wong Tai Sin), the conversion works of which will be completed in two phases. The first phase covers the two projects at Shun On Road and Choi Yuen Road, which will provide about 130 and 110 units respectively, and are expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. The second phase covers the two projects at Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road, which will provide about 110 and 105 units respectively, and are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. The second contract covers the project at Sheung On Street, Chai Wan, which will provide about 1 720 units and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year.
     
         A spokesperson for the HB said, “The four school conversion projects are packaged into one single contract, taking into account that these four projects are relatively smaller in scale. By engaging a single operating organisation for the overall operation and management, resources can be shared among the projects to enhance cost-effectiveness.”
     
         Same as the contracts already awarded, the operation and management services for the LPH not only cover occupant management, property management and daily maintenance, but also the provision of social services, as well as the management and operation of ancillary facilities, etc. To encourage participation of different stakeholders in the community, the HB welcomes tenders from all capable and experienced service providers, including non-government organisations and those with a valid property management company licence, or collaborations between them.
     
         To ensure service quality, the HB will carry out technical assessments based on a series of factors, including the management capability, relevant experience and past service performance of the organisations, as well as the proposed modes of operation and management, social services to be provided, feasibility of exit plan and use of innovation and information technology as stated in their proposals, so that the facilities and services of the LPH can meet the needs of the residents and the local community. The tender price will then be evaluated to form a consolidated assessment to decide on the most suitable organisation for operating the LPH.
     
         Tenant intake for the first LPH project at Yau Pok Road, Yuen Long, which provides about 2 100 units, already commenced on March 28 this year by phases. It is managed and operated by the Pioneer Management Limited – Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Joint Venture. The second operation and management contract, which covers the two LPH projects at Choi Hing Road and Choi Shek Lane, Ngau Tau Kok (i.e. the former St Joseph’s Anglo-Chinese School), providing about 2 290 and 148 units respectively, has been awarded to the Easy Living Consultant Limited and Yan Chai Hospital Joint Venture. The two LPH projects are to be completed by late June this year and the first quarter of next year respectively. The HB is now evaluating tenders for the third and fourth operation and management contracts covering the LPH projects at Tsing Fuk Lane, Tuen Mun (i.e. Tuen Mun Area 3A) and Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak (Phase 1), which will provide about 1 900 and 3 000 units respectively, with tenant intake anticipated in the fourth quarter of this year.
     
         The spokesperson said, “Under the leadership of the HB, the brand new operation and management model of the LPH has entered into a new stage, with intake for the first LPH project commenced in late March on a gradual basis. Through the provision of an improved living environment, better living facilities, lower rent, larger units and a series of social services, those with the most pressing needs in society can receive practical assistance and enhance their sense of happiness and sense of gain. At the same time, the LPH can suitably serve as an adequate housing option for the tenants of subdivided units (SDUs) in need. Along with transitional housing and the various traditional public rental housing projects to be completed in the coming few years, the Government will have the fundamental strength to effectively and accurately address the problem of SDUs in Hong Kong. To this end, we hope that experienced and aspirational organisations can participate in the tender exercises and join hands with us in this large-scale social project.”
     
         Interested organisations may download the tender documents via the relevant tender notices on the HB’s website (www.hb.gov.hk) or from the e-Tendering System; or contact the Dedicated Team on Light Public Housing under the HB for obtaining the tender documents. The Tender Reference for the Shun On Road; Choi Yuen Road; Shun Lee Tsuen Road and Chuk Yuen Road LPH projects is HB2025/OPR-LPH-VSP, while the Tender Reference for the Sheung On Street, Chai Wan LPH project is HB2025/OPR-LPH-CW.
     
         Tenderers must submit the tenders by noon on June 13, 2025 (Friday), either electronically via the e-Tendering System or by deposit in the Government Secretariat Tender Box situated at Lobby of the Public Entrance on Ground Floor, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar. Late tenders will not be accepted.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HON. PRIME MINISTER FIAME NAOMI MATAAFA MEETS WITH TAIALA YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM

    Source:

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    [PRESS RELEASE Apia Samoa, 10th April 2025] – The Taiala Youth Exchange Program, a cultural and leadership initiative led by Brown Girl Woke and Samoan Solutions, was honored to meet with the Honorable Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa on April 10, 2025, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Apia.

    The meeting brought together Samoan diaspora youth and national leadership to discuss service, identity, and the importance of reconnecting to Fa’aSamoa.

    At 11:33 a.m., the Prime Minister was formally welcomed in Samoan by Jocelynette Leilua, Program Manager of Brown Girl Woke. The youth were introduced and acknowledged for their work and commitment to their cultural roots.

    The Prime Minister shared her reflections on leadership, shaped by the legacy of her mother and aunties—women who modeled integrity and service in governance.

    After receiving her matai title at age 20, her political career began shortly after, grounded in education, faith, and community.

    Youth Questions & Prime Minister’s Reflections

    1. Donnavyn Tuitele: Who were your role models and mentors?

    Fiame: “My mother, my aunties, and the women in my community. They didn’t call themselves mentors, but they always told me what to do. I was raised by strong women who were midwives, teachers, and community leaders.”

    2. Nerisa Tuaua: Did you feel pressure to enter politics because of your family’s legacy?

    Fiame: “No, I always had an interest in politics. But things happened faster than I expected. When my father passed away, it shifted everything. I received my matai title at 20, and my leadership path began from there.”

    3. Alexandria Saelua: How do you care for your own mental health while serving Samoa?

    Fiame: “Mental health is so important. We don’t talk about it enough here. There’s only one mental health organization in Samoa, and a small hospital unit. I try to reflect, stay close to nature, and surround myself with positive people. Rest and prayer help ground me.”

    4. Manalita Sagote: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

    Fiame: “Serving in the Ministry of Education and rebuilding after the cyclones. We had to redesign the curriculum to support bilingual learning—keeping Samoan language strong while teaching

    English.”

    5. Epi Aumavae: What message do you have for diaspora youth trying to reconnect to Samoa?

    Fiame: “You can’t make up identity—it has to be lived. But you can build it. If our young people are supported where they are, they’ll carry Samoa with them. If not, we need to welcome them back with open arms and strong culture.”

    6. Why Taiala Matters

    a) Maluseu Doris Tulifau, founder of Brown Girl Woke, shared:

    “Brown Girl Woke was created in Samoa as a safe space for diaspora Samoans who carry a deep desire to return—not just to reconnect, but to serve with humility.

    Coming home isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. Taiala helps bridge that journey. It allows us to ground our experiences in Fa’aSamoa, and to give back in a way that honors both where we come from and what we’ve learned. This exchange reminds us there is always room to return, to listen, and to serve with grace.”

    b) Epi Leone Aumavae, founder of Samoan Solutions and Taiala Program Coordinator, added:

    “Taiala was created to help our youth find their identity by learning about being samoan —not just by blood, but through culture, language, and service. We come back to Samoa because this is where we’re reminded who we are. For so many diaspora youth, that connection has been broken or never fully formed. This exchange gives them a path—not just to visit, but to belong.”

    Brown Girl Woke & Samoan Solutions Leadership

    1. Maluseu Doris Tulifau – Founder, Brown Girl Woke

    2. Jocelynette Leilua – Program Manager, Brown Girl Woke

    3. Prince Lalovi – Cultural Program Assistant, Brown Girl Woke

    4. Epi Leone Aumavae – Founder, Samoan Solutions & Taiala Program Coordinator

    2025 Taiala Youth Delegation

    1. Lulani Jolee Tafilele Moors

    2. Donnavyn Iliganoa Fatumalala Tuitele

    3. Nerisa Anita Tuaua

    4. Manalita Akenese Sefulu Sagote

    5. Charmaine Susana Ah Kuoi – Sanft, Chaperone

    6. Aaliyah Puataunofo Aumavae, Media Team Lead

    7. Alexandria Laloifi Saelua, Mental Health Educator & Facilitator

    7) A Cultural Homecoming

    Prime Minister Mataafa left the youth with a reminder that identity is not fixed—it is something we choose to honor and carry.

    “E matitiva fa’afesaga’i.”

    “Even in poverty, be gracious, be generous, and stay connected to others.”

    She explained that poverty is not only material, but emotional and spiritual—and in moments of disconnection, we must still choose compassion and community.

    Taiala is more than a program. It is a cultural homecoming, a bridge between generations, and a living example of how young Samoans across the globe are returning with purpose.

    For media inquiries, partnerships, or to support the next Taiala cohort:

    Brown Girl Woke | browngirlwoke.com

    Samoan Solutions | samoansolutions.org

    ENDS.

    Photos by the Government of Samoa (Peseta Tusiga Taofiga)

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fee schedule for public healthcare services gazetted to take effect on January 1 next year

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Fee schedule for public healthcare services gazetted to take effect on January 1 next year 
    The HHB spokesperson emphasised that the Government is implementing the healthcare system reform in a holistic manner, of which public healthcare fees and charges is an integral part. The reform will be based on five key principles:
     
    (i) Commitment will not be lessened: The Government’s commitment to public health will remain unchanged. All gains from the reform will be wholly utilised for public healthcare services; 
    (ii) Co-payment for those who can afford it and for those with mild conditions: The Government will reasonably expand and enhance the co-payment mechanism; 
    (iii) Enhancement and reduction: Protection for “poor, acute, serious, critical” patients will be enhanced, and wastage will be reduced; 
    (iv) High subsidisation: The high level of subsidy will be maintained after the reform, with the target of maintaining the 90 per cent overall public subsidisation rate; and 
    (v) Gradual and orderly progress: The objective will be achieved in a progressive and orderly manner in five years.  
    Following the announcement of the Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform on March 25, the HHB and the HA have been actively engaging with the Legislative Council, members of the public, and various stakeholders to explain the reform details and gather feedback on the reform direction. There is a consensus across society that Hong Kong’s current public healthcare subsidisation structure cannot cope with increasing service demands driven by demographic changes and healthcare developments. This necessitates reform of the public healthcare subsidisation structure to modify healthcare service utilisation patterns, achieve precise allocation of medical resources, reduce wastage and misuse of medical resources, and strengthen protection for those most in need.
     
    Apart from restructuring subsidisation levels for various services, the public healthcare fees and charges reform emphasises enhanced healthcare protection, including enhancing the medical fee waiver mechanism, introducing a cap on annual spending, and strengthening protection for patients with critical illnesses regarding drugs and medical devices. As such, public healthcare will be reinforced as a safety net for all, which is also becoming larger, more stable, thicker and denser, to enhance protection for “poor, acute, serious, critical” patients. It is expected that the enhanced medical fee waiving mechanism will expand eligible beneficiaries from 0.3 million to 1.4 million underprivileged individuals, while the annual spending cap will benefit 70 000 patients with serious illnesses. More patients with critical illnesses, including those from middle-income families, will receive subsidies for drugs and medical devices.
     
    The HA spokesperson said, “The HA’s next steps will focus on refining implementation measures to ensure the smooth execution of the reform, including streamlining application procedures for medical fee waivers and relaxing the eligibility criteria of means test for the Samaritan Fund safety net, and establishing information platforms to help members of the public understand and utilise the new healthcare protection measures starting next year. On April 28, the HA will launch a means test calculator on the HA website and mobile application ‘HA Go’ (See Attachment). By inputting information about household income and assets, members of the public can make a preliminary estimation of their eligibility for medical fee waiving and safety net applications under the new healthcare protection measures to be implemented next year.”
     
    The spokesperson added that the Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) will actively develop primary healthcare to complement the reform, encouraging appropriate utilisation of community primary healthcare networks. The HA will continue to increase the capacity of family medicine outpatient services, with a priority to serve underprivileged groups including low-income families and the elderly living in poverty. Through cross-district collaboration and flexible resource allocation, evening and holiday outpatient services will be increased, focusing on districts with high demand. The PHC Commission and the HA will also collaborate with private healthcare institutions to compile information about private hospitals and primary healthcare clinics providing evening and holiday services, making this information available through various channels including eHealth and at Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments to help members of the public access service options beyond A&E. Starting January 1 next year, when the new A&E fee ($400) takes effect, the HA will simultaneously regularise the special A&E refund arrangements. While waiting for consultation after triage nurses conduct triage and preliminary medical assessments, patients who choose to seek treatment at other healthcare institutions may apply for a $350 refund.
     
    The HA is also reviewing fees for non-eligible persons, private services in public hospitals, and remaining individual fee items for public healthcare services. Further announcements will be made upon completion of the review.
    Issued at HKT 18:40

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Pope Francis and his “beloved tormented Syria”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    by Jacques Mourad*Homs (Fides Agency) – We have been celebrating Mass for Pope Francis every day since he went to heaven. We do this to remember him and pray for his soul.He was a person who chose to live humbly, close to all the poor, both in Argentina, when he was first a priest and then a bishop, and in Rome when he became Pope.This is a very important message, because it is the message of the Church, who is a mother.The Pope, bishops, and parish priests are shepherds who accompany the children of this Church, taking them by the hand and walking toward the Father. Not only on a spiritual level, through prayer or teaching, but also through caring for their bodies. The last months of the Pope’s life, spent in hospital, shed light on precisely these aspects, spiritual and physical. He himself understood the beauty of the art of care practiced by doctors and nurses.He seemed fragile in recent times, but I remember his strong attitude and his clear stance before the world’s most powerful figures. He was also strong when he met the leaders of Sudan and prostrated himself before them to kiss their shoes, asking them to agree to peace. He showed the same strength in Cuba when he met Patriarch Kirill.I also remember my first personal meeting with him, which took place at Casa Santa Marta after my escape. It was my first face-to-face encounter with Pope Francis, at Mass in Santa Marta, after my imprisonment. We greeted each other and he said to me: “Pray for me.” I remembered when he said it for the first time from the balcony of St. Peter’s Loggia on March 13, the day of his election. But when he asked me in person, it was different; it moved me deeply.The last time I saw him was on December 7, 2024.He welcomed me into his office with great simplicity, we talked about many things, and he listened to me the whole time. With his usual manner and laughter. The meeting took place in an atmosphere of joy.This human aspect was important and very beautiful for me. I was nervous that day because meeting the Pope is always a moment of grace. I left Santa Marta with my heart full of joy. I felt like I was flying. For me, that face is the face of the Church: sensitive to the human and spiritual side. We all need this attention from the Church, which must be clear and strong but at the same time must practice tenderness. And Pope Francis has truly been an example of this.There would be so much more to say, but I think the most important thing is to remember the space he gave to Syria. To stop the conflict, he called for a day of fasting and special prayer, just as he did for Ukraine. But I also think of the appeals he made for Gaza.“Beloved tormented Syria”, he always referred to it as such, even when he wrote to President Assad asking him to respect human rights for prisoners as well as for the people, and to allow Syrian migrants to return home. To prevent them from dying, he fought to create humanitarian corridors, which still exist today thanks in part to Sant’Egidio, asking parish priests throughout Europe to welcome Syrian refugees. He himself met them in Lesbos, taking some of them away with him on the papal plane.I remember the criticism he faced when he welcomed a Syrian Muslim family to the Vatican. It was a very important sign, which meant going beyond divisions based on religious identity to open up to humanity. In this perspective, the interreligious dialogue he promoted, as well as his friendship with the Imam of al-Azhar, which led to the Declaration on Human Fraternity, are also important. Now that he has gone to heaven, we must preserve his legacy and live it everywhere, because, as he showed us, the Church cannot remain closed within walls.*Syriac Catholic Archbishop of Homs, Hama, and Nebek
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  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump signs ‘deeply dangerous’ order to fast-track deep sea mining

    An ocean conservation non-profit has condemned the United States President’s latest executive order aimed at boosting the deep sea mining industry.

    President Donald Trump issued the “Unleashing America’s offshore critical minerals and resources” order on Thursday, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow deep sea mining.

    The order states: “It is the policy of the US to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development.”

    NOAA has been directed to, within 60 days, “expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act.”

    Ocean Conservancy said the executive order is a result of deep sea mining frontrunner, The Metals Company, requesting US approval for mining in international waters, bypassing the authority of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

    US not ISA member
    The ISA is the United Nations agency responsible for coming up with a set of regulations for deep sea mining across the world. The US is not a member of the ISA because it has not ratified UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    “This executive order flies in the face of NOAA’s mission,” Ocean Conservancy’s vice-president for external affairs Jeff Watters said.

    “NOAA is charged with protecting, not imperiling, the ocean and its economic benefits, including fishing and tourism; and scientists agree that deep-sea mining is a deeply dangerous endeavor for our ocean and all of us who depend on it,” he said.

    He said areas of the US seafloor where test mining took place more than 50 years ago still had not fully recovered.

    “The harm caused by deep sea mining isn’t restricted to the ocean floor: it will impact the entire water column, top to bottom, and everyone and everything relying on it.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Menopause Employment Ambassador partners with industry leaders to support women to stay in work.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Menopause Employment Ambassador partners with industry leaders to support women to stay in work.

    Thousands of women are set to benefit from plans to boost workplace support as leaders from across industry, healthcare and the legal profession came together today to form the first-ever independent Menopause Advisory Group.

    • Menopause Employment Ambassador, Mariella Frostrup to work with industry leaders on how employers can support women with menopause in the workplace.
    • Independent “Menopause advisory group” launched to support employers on steps they can take to help women to stay in work.
    • Comes as part of wider government drive to break down barriers to work to unlock growth as part of the Plan for Change.

    Thousands of women are set to benefit from plans to boost workplace support as leaders from across industry, healthcare and the legal profession came together today to form the first-ever independent Menopause Advisory Group.

    Stark figures from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development show that over half of women experiencing menopause (53 per cent) have not been able to attend work due to their symptoms, with 10 per cent leaving work for good – costing businesses around £1.5 billion every year.

    Convened by the government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador, Mariella Frostrup, the group discussed the impact menopause can have on workers, current efforts to support women in work and businesses can work in partnership with government to ensure women don’t fall out of the work force due to menopause.

    It comes alongside the government’s wider efforts to break down barriers to work, keep people in work and create a thriving and inclusive labour market which is central to unlocking economic growth as part of the plan for change.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    “For too long working women have suffered in silence or stopped working when they experience the menopause – a completely natural and normal part of life.

    “A taboo and lack of understanding is holding back our nation’s growth and it’s time to tackle it head on.

    “The first ever independent Menopause Advisory Group will bring together huge knowledge and experience on this vital issue so we can give women the support they need to remain and thrive in work, putting money in people’s pockets and delivering growth for our economy as part of the Plan for Change.”

    Menopause Employment Ambassador, Mariella Frostrup said:

    I’m delighted to have this incredible group of professionals helping me ensure that women in midlife, a time when we often have to balance so much responsibility, are properly supported at work.

    Far too many experienced and capable women are forced out of employment through no fault of their own, hurting their earnings and our nation’s economy. Together we can create a more supportive and happier workplace where everyone can succeed.

    Fiona Vines, Director of Inclusion and Wellbeing at BT said: 

    We are proud to host the launch of the Government’s Menopause Employment Ambassador’s Advisory Group. At BT Group we understand the importance of supporting women’s health in the workplace. This event is an important opportunity to bring business leaders together with key government ministers to promote awareness and implement strategies to improve workplace support for women affected by menopause.

    Jon Paull, COO at Octopus Energy, said: 

    Menopause affects half the population, yet for too long women were expected to manage it in silence. We support our team members through this transition so they can continue to do their jobs with confidence while being the best versions of themselves at work. This isn’t just good for their wellbeing and the happiness of our teams but also incredibly good for business. A true win-win.

    The launch of the group comes as the government steers its flagship Employment Rights Bill through Parliament. As well as boosting workers’ rights and protections, the Bill also includes landmark legislation that requires large employers with more than 250 employees to produce and publish Menopause Action Plans detailing how they will support employees through the menopause.

    The government has also started work on its £240 million Get Britain Working plans, launching the first two trailblazers to tackle inactivity in South Yorkshire and Wales in recent weeks with the reforms set to transform Jobcentres to focus on people’s skills and careers, guarantee young people the chance to earn or learn and provide mental health support to help people to start and stay in work.

    Notes to Editors:

    Mariella Frostrup was named Menopause Employment Ambassador on 18th October 2024 – details can be found here Women’s health campaigner Mariella Frostrup appointed as Government Menopause Employment Ambassador – GOV.UK

    The group will provide Mariella Frostrup with expert knowledge from a wide range of sectors on how businesses can better support women and tackle this critical issue.  The members are:

    • Tina Backhouse, General Manager of Theramex
    • Prof. Janice Rymer, Consultant Gynaecologist and Chair of the British Menopause Society
    • Kelly Gardner, Detective Superintendent for Bedfordshire Police
    • Laura Biggs, Founding Director of Menopause Mandate
    • Jon Paull, Chief Operating Officer of Octopus Energy
    • Juliet Balfour, NHS GP and Menopause Specialist
    • Nadira Awal, NHS GP and founder of Pause and Co
    • Nina Kuypers, Founder of Black Women in Menopause
    • Rachel Suff, Senior Policy & Practice Adviser for CIPD
    • Kristen Furber, People Director for Channel 4
    • Kudsia Batool, Director of Equalities for Trade Union Congress
    • Deborah Turner, National Lead for Women in Enterprise for Federation of Small Businesses
    • Sue Wardlow, CEO of Greensand Multi Academy Trust
    • Emma Hammond, Partner at Gunnercooke Law

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and “iAM Smart” self-registration kiosk in Zhongshan (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    HKSAR Government sets up Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk and “iAM Smart” self-registration kiosk in Zhongshan  
    Starting today, the public can use the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk located on 1/F, Zhongshan Government Service Center to access various public services of Hong Kong. The opening hours of the kiosk in the Center are 9am to noon and 1.30pm to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays on the Mainland). For details, please visit the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services thematic website at www.crossboundaryservices.gov.hk/en/home/index.html 
         Following the Hong Kong Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosks that commenced operation earlier in Guangzhou, Qianhai and Futian in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan and Huizhou as well as Dongguan, the Cross-boundary Public Services self-service kiosk in Zhongshan also provides over 70 public services from 12 government bureaux and departments as well as related organisations, encompassing eight areas commonly used by enterprises and the public, including taxation, company registration, property and vehicle enquiry and registration, application for personal identification documents and entry of talent, welfare and education, healthcare, immigration clearance, urgent assistance as well as culture and tourism. Members of the public can use the self-service kiosks to perform data entry, document scanning and result printing to enjoy one-stop access when applying for various public services. 
     
         An “iAM Smart” self-registration kiosk is also set up at the Zhongshan location to enable Hong Kong residents working and living on the Mainland to register for “iAM Smart+” and directly use the “iAM Smart” mobile app for one-stop public services, covering more than 400 Hong Kong public services, such as renewal of a vehicle licence, enrolment for the     Contactless e-ChannelIssued at HKT 15:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Kowloon City District (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities in Kowloon City District  
    If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public, especially young people, not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that affects their future.Issued at HKT 18:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chosen with Love: Stories of Adoption in India

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 APR 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi

    “I love you Mom because you take me out to play…”

    Moksh’s mother had tears in her eyes when she read this simple, loving, and heartwarming note written by her son in uneven letters and wobbly handwriting. Though it seems like just ten simple words written by a kid to his mother. But behind those words lies a powerful story of love, waiting, and hope.

    Moksh was born with a condition called “knock knees,” which made his legs bend inward. He was left at a Child Care Institution when he was just a day old unaware of anything in this new world. He was put up for adoption. For four years, families walked in and out of his life—pausing, hesitating, moving on. His condition was listed on the form. And that was often the end of the conversation.

    Until one day, it wasn’t.

    In 2021, a couple saw him, not the label, not the diagnosis, but ‘Their child.’ To them, he wasn’t a problem to solve, he was their son, waiting for them from the day he was born. The second wave of COVID-19 made the wait even longer. But they didn’t let him go, they stayed—through video calls, telling him bedtime stories through screens, making him smile from far away and patiently waiting to hold him in their arms.

    Finally, before the New Year, Moksh came home. His new parents enrolled him in swimming to help his legs, took him for regular check-ups, and gave him love and care. Today, Moksh is not just healthy—he’s thriving. He learned to swim, act in plays, and most of all, fly through the air in parkour, that bold sport of leaps and climbs and courage. From a child once left behind… to being named ‘Student of the Month’.  

    Moksh’s story is one of love triumphing over hesitation. And across India, many more stories like his are finally being written. Over the years, legal adoptions in India have seen a boost with families coming forward to give home to orphaned children. In FY 2024-25, India saw a record 4,515 adoptions—the highest in nearly a decade. Of these, 4,155 were domestic, marking a powerful shift in societal attitudes. It’s no longer rare for Indian families to adopt. It’s becoming a choice made with open hearts and open arms.

    The Promise of Legal Adoption

    Driving this transformation is the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), with its mission to ensure no child is left behind. The statutory body under the Ministry of Women and Child Development ensures that adoptions should happen legally and ethically to safeguard innocent children.

    It functions as the nodal body for the adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions. It is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions by the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by the Government of India in 2003. CARA primarily deals with the adoption of orphan, abandoned, and surrendered children through its associated /recognized adoption agencies. CARA is working day and night through on-ground activities, training sessions, and social media campaigns to promote legal adoptions. As adoption is not just about legal contracts, it is more of an emotional journey that both parents and child take together, the process becomes even more important.  

    Before planning to adopt, the Prospective Adoptive Parents must go through the eligibility criteria mentioned on CARA’s website. Illegal adoption is concerning as it amounts to child trafficking and is a punishable offense under The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021.

    Illegal Adoption refers to taking direct, immediate and unsolicited custody of a child in need of care and protection.

    More Children, More Hope

    For years, one of the biggest hurdles in adoption was the gap between children in need and parents willing to adopt. But 2023–24 marked a turning point.

    • Over 8,500 children were identified and added to the adoption pool—many of them from institutions where they had long waited to be seen, chosen, and loved. 
    • 245 new agencies were added to CARA’s network, making adoption more accessible than ever.

    These are not just policy wins—they are acts of restoration. Every child added to the list represents a new possibility for connection, belonging, and a chance to be a child again.

    Stories of Finding Home

    References:

    Download in PDF

    ***

    Santosh Kumar/ Sheetal Angral/ Priya Nagar

    (Release ID: 2124267) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ryoko Reviews: Must Read Before Buying Ryoko Pro Wi-Fi!

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FRANKLIN, Tenn., April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The internet has grown to become one of the greatest inventions of man. Many businesses, healthcare services, government operations and even the simplest day to day activities require some degree of Internet connection.

    Ryoko Reviews

    For something that is a necessity, many people are still struggling with fast, affordable and secure internet. You might have solved the problem of a stable internet in your home but what about when you are traveling?

    The Ryoko claims to offer quick, safe, and hassle-free internet access worldwide. The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi is marketed as a gadget that will simplify your life by bringing fast internet access to you anywhere, without the inconvenience of costly roaming fees or insecure public Wi-Fi.

    Imagine being able to check your emails, surf the web, or even watch your favourite shows while camping in the woods or perhaps on a beautiful road trip. Doesn’t it sound like a dream? However, it is very much a reality with Ryoko.

    No matter where you are, you can get fast and secure internet with this compact, stylish, and remarkably portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Ryoko claims to ensure a flawless experience by automatically connecting to the best local network, whether you’re in a foreign metropolis or a secluded lodge in the country.

    Does it, however, truly live up to the hype? What is the difference between it and other portable Wi-Fi choices available on the market? Above all, is the investment worthwhile? Many USA intending buyers rated the product 4.9/5, with many searching for an honest review on Reddit, BBB and Trustpilot. We will be giving all the necessary details to help you make an informed purchase. Are you eager to learn more? Let’s get started!.

    What Is Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi?
    (Ryoko Reviews)

    Ryoko Pro is a pocket-sized wireless router that creates a personal Wi-Fi network using global 4G LTE signals. It’s designed to deliver a fast, secure internet connection on the go. The device comes with a SIM card already preloaded with 500 MB of mobile data and has additional ad-blocking/anti-phishing capabilities.

    Ryoko Pro connects you to the best local networks, guaranteeing dependable service for all of your devices, whether you’re traveling to a remote location, heading out on a road trip, or just need a steady connection away from home. Ryoko ensures you stay connected to the world. With fast and reliable Wi-Fi available in more than 75+ countries, this gadget serves as a mobile hotspot and is a necessary travel companion both domestically and abroad.

    The Ryoko is lightweight, portable, and fits neatly in your pocket or purse. It’s ideal for people who need to access the internet while on the road without having to deal with the weight of conventional routers or finding a public Wi-Fi connection. You may use Ryoko to access the internet from any location, whether you’re working remotely from your vacation home, fishing by a lake, or camping in the woods.

    According to many verified USA, Canadian, UK, and Australian user reviews, Ryoko can run for up to eight hours between charges, which is more than enough power for an entire day of internet access while you’re out and about. Ryoko is designed to keep you online whether you are working while on the go, streaming a game, or keeping in touch with loved ones.

    First Impression: Unboxing the Ryoko Wi-Fi
    (Ryoko WiFi Reviews)

    Unboxing the Ryoko Pro is a simple yet satisfying experience that instantly reflects the product’s core promise: convenience without complexity. The packaging is compact, clean, and minimal — designed for travel, just like the device itself.

    Here’s what you will find inside the box:

    • Ryoko Pro Wi-Fi Device: The first thing you will notice is its size — smaller than a smartphone, lightweight, and sleek. Its matte finish and curved edges make it easy to grip and slip into your pocket, travel pouch, or even the palm of your hand.
    • Pre-installed SIM Card: One of Ryoko’s best features is that it arrives ready to use. You do not need to buy or insert a SIM — it is already installed and activated. This is a major relief for travelers who are used to fumbling with SIM trays or tracking down country-specific plans.
    • USB-C Charging Cable: The device includes a standard USB-C cable for quick charging. Some bundles may also include an optional magnetic charging dock, which lets you charge the device just by placing it on the base — no cords needed.
    • User Guide: A short, easy-to-follow instruction booklet walks you through setup. Spoiler: setup takes under 2 minutes. Most users don’t even need to open the manual.

    No tech skills? No problem. There is no app to install, no complicated configuration screens, and no extra software. Just press the power button, wait a few seconds, and the device automatically connects to the nearest available 4G LTE tower. Then you connect your phone, tablet, or laptop to the Ryoko Wi-Fi network, just like you would at home.

    From the moment you open the box, Ryoko feels like a device designed for modern life: lightweight, intuitive, and ready for action — whether that is working from the road, staying in touch on a hike, or streaming content in a cabin mile from the city.

    DON’T MISS OUT: Ryoko Wi-Fi Is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order From The Official Website

    How Does Ryoko Work?

    The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi is definitely different from your regular portable WiFi; it works by creating a private, secure Wi-Fi network which automatically connects to the best local network in more than 75+ countries using virtual SIM technology. By choosing the best network for your location, Ryoko guarantees a strong connection irrespective of your location.

    The gadget is easy to set up; all you need to do is turn it on, connect your laptop, tablet, or phone to the Wi-Fi network, and you can begin working, browsing, or streaming. Up to ten devices can be online at once without compromising performance because of the device’s ability to connect to numerous devices at once. Even in places where regular cell coverage may not be strong, Ryoko’s 4G access guarantees high internet speeds.

    Key Features Of Ryoko Portable Router
    (Ryoko Pro Reviews)

    Let’s go through the features and specifications that make the Ryoko special:

    • Worldwide Coverage Without Roaming Fees: Ryoko provides worldwide coverage in over 75+ countries, guaranteeing that you can stay connected wherever you are. Without having to buy pricey overseas SIM cards or worry about erratic roaming fees, Ryoko Pro effortlessly switches to the best local network. It’s a great device for tourists from other countries who wish to avoid paying expensive mobile data prices. As Sophia N. writes: “The connection was consistently fast and reliable, even in a remote area of the woods. It worked everywhere, from my campsite to the lakeside.”
    • Integrated Ad Blocker: Ryoko has a smart ad-blocking tool that protects against malware and phishing websites. For anyone who values privacy and performance, this means faster surfing, improved speed, and an extra layer of online security.
    • Lightweight and No Tangled Cables: Ryoko was created with portability in mind and is small enough to fit in your pocket or in the palm of your hand. Its elegant, wire-free design guarantees that you can access fast internet anywhere; no cumbersome setup or tangled cables, just unrestricted mobility.
    • USB-C Fast Charging: Ryoko uses a USB-C connector, which reduces downtime and the hassle of finding a special charger. Better yet, the kit comes with a USB-C cable, so you don’t need any more purchases to power up and stay connected.
    • Fast, Data-Efficient Connectivity: Take advantage of speeds of up to 150 MB/s while Ryoko’s data-saving technology makes every megabyte matter. Whether you use Ryoko for business, streaming, or surfing, it provides quick, efficient internet without using up too much data.
    • Longer Battery Life: You may not always have access to a power outlet when you’re traveling or working in the field. That’s where Ryoko’s remarkable battery life comes into play. With up to 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge, you won’t have to worry about running out of battery power when working, streaming, or browsing. Another verified USA buyer, David T., reported, “The battery life really exceeded my expectations. I can’t imagine traveling without it!” Ryoko is ideal for travels, treks, and even working remotely from a café without always needing to recharge.
    • Easy to Use and Set Up: If you are not too tech-savvy, setting up a mobile hotspot can sometimes be a pain. Ryoko’s straightforward plug-and-play design solves that issue. It will take little time to get you up and running, even if you are not a tech specialist. “She set it up on her own, and she’s not a big techie. It’s that easy!” David T. claims that his wife set it up easily. The Ryoko hassle-free experience is a great bonus for individuals who wish to be online without needless complex installations.
    • Supports Multiple Devices at Once: Ryoko enables you to connect up to ten devices at once, meaning that you can simultaneously use your tablet, phone, laptop, and other devices online. Families, groups, or everyone else who needs to keep several devices connected while traveling will find it ideal. Sophia N. “I was using my tablet while my dad was using his phone by the lake. Ryoko handled both connections smoothly!” She remembers using it during a camping trip with her family.
    • Safe Connection: Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafes and airports, are notoriously unreliable. If you are handling sensitive data, such as online banking or business correspondence, Ryoko’s private and secure connection is definitely what you need. You can now travel with peace of mind knowing that your data is secure thanks to its secure connectivity. According to Carlanaise, “I need a stable, secure connection, and I get that 95% of the time with Ryoko.
    • Affordable: Ryoko is designed to save you a whole lot of money. Frequent traveler NomadNetizen expressed his dissatisfaction with traditional mobile providers, saying, “International data charges are a nightmare. Ryoko saved me from those expensive fees, and now I never travel without it.” Ryoko makes staying connected simple and affordable for families, digital nomads, and anyone else who needs dependable internet on the go.

    Who Needs The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi Device?
    (Muama Ryoko Reviews)

    Everywhere, at any time, Ryoko provides the ease of a reliable connection. The following people will find the Ryoko Pro most beneficial:

    • International Travelers
      If you’ve ever landed in a new country and immediately stressed over mobile data, Ryoko is for you. Instead of buying a new SIM card in every country — or worse, paying for expensive roaming — you can just turn on your Ryoko device and connect. It works in over 70 countries (more on that later), so you stay online the moment your flight touches down.
    • Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
      From freelancers to full-time remote employees, stable Wi-Fi is non-negotiable. Ryoko eliminates the need to rely on cafes, coworking spaces, or hotel networks. It gives you a private, secure, and fast connection wherever you go — ideal for Zoom calls, email, file uploads, and cloud-based work.
    • Campers, Hikers & Outdoor Adventurers
      Ryoko has become a favorite among adventurers, especially those who travel to remote areas. Whether you’re camping by a lake, hiking through trails, or road-tripping across states, Ryoko can keep you online where traditional mobile signal might fail. Tim Bennet, an extreme athlete, even described it as a replacement for bulky satellite gear.
    • Families and Group Travelers
      With support for up to 10 devices at once, Ryoko is perfect for groups. Instead of buying separate data plans for each phone, tablet, or laptop, the whole family or team can connect to one secure network — saving money and making coordination easier during trips.
    • Anyone Tired of Public Wi-Fi
      Even at home or in the city, Ryoko is useful. Public Wi-Fi in cafes, airports, or malls is often slow, unreliable, or risky. Ryoko gives you your own private connection, reducing the chances of data theft or signal drops when you need to stay productive.

    In short, Ryoko is made for people who value mobility, security, and simplicity. If you’ve ever wished you could bring your home internet connection with you, this device is exactly that — only smarter, smaller, and safer.

    MUST SEE: CLICK HERE NOW TO GET THE RYOKO PRO DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE

    Is Ryoko Legit or Scam?

    The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi device is a genuine product that has gained a strong reputation among consumers for offering a secure and fast way to stay connected while on the go. Ryoko provides a safe substitute for costly roaming fees or slow public Wi-Fi networks.

    The Muama Ryoko’s capacity to offer internet access in more than 75+ countries makes it a great choice for tourists visiting other nations. Users will enjoy quick, safe connections even in more isolated or underdeveloped locations, such as lakes and forests, thanks to this worldwide coverage. Ryoko can sustain a strong connection even in locations that regular networks are unable to reach, as numerous consumers have noted in their reviews.

    Many people have mentioned how handy it is to have weather when going on road vacations, camping excursions, or visits to their summer residences. Also, many USA customers have confirmed that the device lasts for over 8 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough for the majority of trip days.

    Not to be overlooked is how easy it is to set up and use. Customers have reported that it is very user-friendly, with simple instructions that even people who are not tech-savvy can follow. The Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi is authentic as all of its claims have been verified by real customers with an average rating of a whopping 4.9/5 . You have no reason to be scared; Ryoko is not a fraud!

    Ryoko Pro Wi-Fi vs. Regular Portable Wi-Fi
    (Ryoko Reviews)

    Several important factors distinguish the Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi from standard portable Wi-Fi. To help you make a better choice, we will compare the variations in performance, portability, battery life, and general user experience of the Ryoko and other portable Wi-Fi devices:

    Performance

    Ryoko Pro has received recognition for sustaining a steady internet connection even in remote locales. According to many USA user feedback, Ryoko performs exceptionally in remote locations, wooded areas, and lakes where other portable hotspots sometimes falter. This is a huge benefit for anyone who needs dependable internet, even while traveling.

    On the other hand, standard portable Wi-Fi devices are not always reliable. They often depend on carrier-specific data plans or local networks, which might not always provide the best coverage or speed, particularly in rural or isolated places, so the Ryoko got the win on this one

    Mobility

    The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi has a huge edge in terms of portability. Among the lightest gadgets in its class, it’s compact enough to fit in your pocket, purse, or even your hand. Its portability has been praised by many users, making it ideal for lengthy road trips and trekking adventures.

    Regular portable Wi-Fi devices, on the other hand, are usually bigger. Additionally, they can have a less elegant design, which would make them more difficult to transport without a special place to store them in your backpack or travel box.

    Battery Life

    Another notable edge of the Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi is its battery life. Ryoko guarantees that you can stay online all day long without having to continuously recharge because of its remarkable 8-hour battery life on a single charge. Ryoko’s long-lasting battery is designed to meet your needs, whether you’re working remotely from a remote location or watching a game while camping.

    However, most standard portable Wi-Fi devices will not last as long. Many types require frequent charging, particularly when used for extended periods of time. The longer battery life of Ryoko is a significant advantage for tourists who require reliable internet connectivity for lengthy periods of time.

    Usability

    The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi device is renowned for being easy to set up. It’s really simple to connect to, according to many verified users, and doesn’t require any additional programs or complex setups. It’s a fantastic option for anyone looking for rapid and easy internet access because of its user-friendly interface.

    Regular portable Wi-Fi devices, on the other hand, may call for more complicated configuration or particular carrier support, which might be difficult for non-techies. Additionally, some devices require manual setups or other programs, which complicates the experience for novices.

    It’s obvious that Ryoko Portable router delivers better performance, portability, battery life, and user-friendliness than a standard portable Wi-Fi device. Ryoko is the obvious choice if you need a secure connection that functions in remote locations and a portable gadget with a long battery life. Ryoko makes sure you stay connected with the least amount of trouble, whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or adventure.

    How To Use Ryoko WiFi (Setting Up and Instructions)

    One of the most impressive things about Ryoko Pro is how quickly and easily it gets you connected — no apps, no installations, and definitely no tech stress.

    Here’s how setup works from the moment you open the box:

    1.   Power It On:
    Press the power button. Ryoko boots up and automatically connects to the best available mobile network in your location.

    2.   Connect Your Device:
    You have two options:
            •        Scan the QR code on Ryoko’s screen using your device’s camera, or
            •        Open your Wi-Fi settings, find the Ryoko network, and enter the provided password.

    3.   Enjoy Private, Secure Internet:
    Once connected, you can browse, stream, email, or work online just as you would on home Wi-Fi — only now, your connection is mobile and encrypted.

    4.   Recharge When Needed:
    Ryoko lasts between up to 8 hours depending on how many devices are connected and how actively you use it. It charges with a USB-C cable or an optional magnetic dock — both are easy to travel with.

    No SIM switching, no waiting for activation, and no surprise fees — that’s the experience Ryoko was built to deliver.

    DON’T MISS OUT: Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi Is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order Directly From The Official Website

    Is Ryoko Wi-Fi Free?

    One of the most common questions people ask before buying Ryoko Pro is:
    “Is the Wi-Fi free once I buy the device?”

    The short answer is — Ryoko Wi-Fi isn’t completely free, but it’s far more flexible and affordable than traditional options like roaming plans or country-specific SIM cards.

    Every Ryoko device comes with a pre-installed SIM card and an initial 500MB of free data. After that, users can top up their data anytime online — without contracts or surprise fees.

    You are not tied to a fixed monthly subscription. You only pay for what you use, when you need it — which makes it ideal for travelers, seasonal users, and people who want full control over their internet costs.

    While Ryoko Pro is not completely free to operate, it gives you full control over your data spending — no contracts, no surprises, and no overpriced roaming charges. You pay for data only when you need it, and at a rate that is easy to manage.

    Ryoko Reviews Consumer Reports and Complaints USA

    Ryoko Pro has gotten wonderful feedback from clients worldwide. Users praise its mobility, reliability, and ease of use. The encouraging comments demonstrate how well it works in both urban and rural settings. We have included some verified reviews from actual customers:

    • Jenny P. | Verified Buyer – I love it. Im using it when going to my summer house or short road trips. Everywhere connection is fast and great! I love its portable design. It is very light, small and stylish, and easy to hold in my hand or pocket. Battery worked for more than 8 hours, that’s what I need when I am on the road. It brings Internet to the most remote places, woods, lakes. With Ryoko I can enjoy watching the game on my phone while im away.
    • Sophia N.| Verified Buyer – Absolutely looove my ryoko! My cousin lent me hers and I tried it while camping. the connection was consistently fast and reliable; even though it was quite a remote area of the woods. I really liked how portable ryoko is, super light, didn’t take up any space in our backpacks. battery life also exceeded my expectations, lasted more than 8h. I was even able to enjoy the game on my tablet while fishing with my dad at the lake. Got home and immediately bought one for me and my husband.
    • David T.| Verified Buyer – The connection is fast and hardly ever patchy, even in the woods, it blew my mind. It’s super light, and the battery life really exceeded my expectations. I can’t imagine traveling without it! It’s a MUST if you’re outdoors a lot. my wife got one as well. She says that it was super easy to set up, which she did not expect because she’s not a big techie.
    • Dilip G. | Verified USA Customer – The product is fantastic. It works as advertised, and my family is happy with it. The connection is consistent and fast. It is a good recommendation, as I tried it and everything worked just as it should.

    MUST SEE: CLICK HERE NOW TO GET THE RYOKO WIFI DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE

    Ryoko Reviews: Pros

    • Truly Portable: Ryoko is easy to carry in your pocket, backpack, or even your hand because of its stylish and small design. Perfect for tourists who appreciate ease of use.
    • Reliable Connection in Remote Areas: Numerous users have attested to the device’s ability to function even in isolated locations, such as forests, lakeshores, and rural cabins, perfect for outdoor excursions.
    • Long Battery Life: Ryoko can sustain prolonged surfing, streaming, or working sessions without need frequent recharging thanks to a battery that lasts more than eight hours.
    • Fast and Stable Internet: Even in areas where standard mobile networks fail, customer reviews highlight quick and reliable connections.
    • No Installation Difficulties: Simply turn it on and connect to get started. Without expert assistance, even non-technical individuals have found it simple to get started.
    • Supports Multiple Devices: Ryoko is ideal for small families or groups of friends traveling together because it can connect multiple devices at once.
    • Perfect for Gaming and Streaming: Users have used it to stream videos and games on tablets and smartphones, even when they’re outside without any lagging
    • Excellent for foreign Travel: Ryoko has consistently performed well for travelers throughout Europe, help them save money on expensive foreign data roaming fees.
    • Elegant and Understated Design: In addition to being highly efficient, the gadget has a nice appearance. It is fashionable, lightweight, and will not draw undue attention.

    Ryoko Pro Reviews: Cons

    • Initial Cost Could Be a Barrier: While it will definitely help you save money over time, some purchasers could find the initial cost to be a problem.
    • Not Available on Retail Stores: The best place to get the Ryoko is the official website online.
    • Limited in stock: The Ryoko is trending on many platforms online, so it will not be surprising if it runs out of stock.

    Ryoko Pro Price – What is the Cost?

    The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi is marketed as a cost-effective, secure internet solution for anyone in need of safe, mobile connectivity, including tourists and home users. You can get yours at the following prices:

    Ryoko is currently available for a temporary discount of up to 70% off. Also, the manufacturers have made available a 30-Day money back guarantee rerun policy: Hurry while supplies last.

    Where To Buy Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi

    To ensure you are getting a genuine Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi with full features and warranty, it’s strongly recommended to purchase only from the official website.

    Buying directly from the source comes with several important benefits:

    • Authenticity guaranteed — no risk of counterfeits or outdated models
    • Exclusive deals — up to 70% off, free shipping, and other limited-time offers you won’t find elsewhere
    • Risk-free purchase — backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee and often a 1-year warranty

    The official website is the only place where you are guaranteed the latest version of Ryoko Pro, complete with updates, customer support, and trusted delivery.

    CLICK HERE TO BUY THE RYOKO PRO WIFI DIRECTLY FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE

    Frequently Asked Questions (Ryoko Pro Reviews)

    The Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi device has quickly gained popularity among digital nomads, tourists, and everyone else who needs secure on-the-go internet connectivity. Based on customer reviews and product specifications, below are the answers to some commonly asked questions concerning Ryoko.

    How many devices is Ryoko able to connect to?

    You can connect up to ten devices at once with Ryoko. Families, parties, or business travelers who need to keep several devices online would find this excellent. Ryoko makes sure that everyone stays connected without sacrificing speed.

    Is Ryoko’s battery life really good?

    Ryoko’s battery life is one of its noteworthy qualities. Depending on usage, it can run for up to eight hours on a single charge. It’s ideal for long flights, day trips, and remote work sessions when you might not always have access to a power source.

    Is it possible to use Ryoko abroad?

    Of course! With coverage in more than 75+ countries, Ryoko is made to be used anywhere in the world. Ryoko guarantees dependable internet access without incurring costly roaming fees, whether you’re visiting distant regions of North America, Europe, or Asia. You won’t have to worry about signal loss in far-off places because it automatically switches to the best network available in each location.

    How fast is Ryoko’s internet connection?

    Ryoko’s 4G network allows for high internet rates. Even in remote locations, users have reported seamless video calls, browsing, and streaming. Ryoko guarantees a quick and dependable connection whether you’re working, watching a game, or just surfing the internet.

    Is it safe to use Ryoko?

    It is safe to use the Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi. Compared to public Wi-Fi, it offers a private connection that is far safer than most other devices. It also aids in defence against dangerous websites and pop-ups thanks to an integrated ad blocker. Its dependability and security, particularly in remote areas, have been commended by numerous Canada consumer reports. Ryoko gives you peace of mind at all times, protecting your data as you browse, work, or stream.

    Which devices are compatible with my Ryoko router?

    Your Ryoko router can be connected to a smartphone, laptop, tablet, PC, or even a smartwatch. Additionally, you can share the Internet with the devices of your friends and family. Ten devices can be used simultaneously!

    Does the Ryoko come with a SIM card? What are my options for topping up, and how much data do I get with it?

    It already has 500MB of mobile data, and the SIM card is included! Ryoko has no roaming charges, and you can top it up at any time.

    Can my parents or children use it? They are not tech-savvy

    Of course! Ryoko was created with an emphasis on simplicity. It only needs two button controllers!

    What is the purpose of the Ad Blocker feature?

    • Block trackers and ads: To shield you from undesired ads and trackers, Ryoko employs one of the most extensive ad and tracker blocking lists available, which is compiled from more than two dozen carefully selected block lists.
    • Stops malware: The Ryoko stops malware from websites that have a reputation for spreading malware, initiating phishing scams, or acting as servers to connect to devices that are already infected.
    • Blocks phishing domains: Blocks phishing domains, which are designed to steal personal information by tricking you into believing you are on a website you are familiar with. For example, playpal.com can look a lot like paypal.com, which you may not notice unless you’re paying attention. Ryoko will help make sure that you are protected from such websites.

    Final Thoughts On Ryoko Reviews

    Customers all over the world have made the Ryoko Portable Wi-Fi their go-to mobile internet solution because of its features, which include but are not limited to global coverage, long battery life, and ease of use. Staying connected is one less worry with Ryoko, whether you’re traveling to a rural cabin, fishing by the lake, camping in the woods, or just doing your everyday tasks

    The entire purchase process is easy and stress-free. All users, from casual road trippers to tech-savvy digital nomads, have expressed the same sentiment: it works, and it works well. Simple setup. No heavy equipment. Just a quick, stable internet connection in your pocket. Additionally, you can rely on it all day long due to its long-lasting battery and lightweight design. Try the Ryoko out; you will find yourself wondering how you managed to survive without it. Hurry to the official website while supplies last!

    DON’T MISS OUT: Ryoko Pro Is Available At A Special Price – Click Here To Order Directly From The Official Website
    Media Contact:
    support@getryoko.com

    Disclaimer: All the information in this release is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. The content provider does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this press release, is strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eb45d18d-b609-40bf-9259-44b06e25443f

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f9261dd-37a6-4ccd-b6e8-95f240796419

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c4ff26b7-e0b0-4322-9361-39d827dc0f9b

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a62beedd-817a-4dd9-805e-f3f240d21938

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: March 2025 Retail Prices Index published25 April 2025 ​​​​​Statistics Jersey have today published the March 2025 Retail Prices Index report. The All Items Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the main measure of inflation in Jersey. It measures the change from quarter… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    25 April 2025

    ​​​​​Statistics Jersey have today published the March 2025 Retail Prices Index report.

    The All Items Retail Prices Index (RPI) is the main measure of inflation in Jersey. It measures the change from quarter to quarter in the price of the goods and services purchased by an average household in Jersey.

    The March report shows:

    • the All Items Retail Prices Index (RPI) for Jersey increased by 2.3% to stand at 237.1 (June 2000 = 100)
    • the increase in the RPI was less than that to December 2024 (2.5%); hence the annual rate of inflation decreased by 0.2 percentage points (pp) since last quarter
    • five groups contributed to the decrease in the annual rate of inflation, including the housing, tobacco and household services groups
    • prices in most groups increased and these increases were similar to or less than those over the 12 months to December 2024, which resulted in an overall downward contribution to the annual rate of inflation
    • leisure services which includes entertainment, sport and leisure fees and off-Island holidays, was the price group that made the largest contribution to the annual rate of inflation, contributing +0.6 pp to the rate
    • the increase in the RPI was 3.4 pp smaller than a year ago (5.7% in March 2024)
    • RPI(Y), which measures underlying inflation, increased by 3.4%, which was 0.4 pp higher than the December 2024 rate (up from 3.0%)
    • RPI(X) increased by 3.4%
    • RPI Pensioners increased by 3.3%
    • RPI Low Income increased by 3.4%
    • annual changes in RPI(X), RPI(Y) and RPI Pensioners were 0.2 to 0.4 pp higher than those in December 2024 and RPI Low Income was essentially unchanged from December 2024
    • the rate of inflation in Jersey as measured by the RPI, was 1.1 pp lower than the UK CPIH, which is the broadly comparable headline rate of inflation for the UK;

    ​Jersey Retail Prices Index March 2025​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Campaign shines a light on capital’s unclaimed millions

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    Edinburgh residents are being urged to check their cost-of-living support to claim everything they are entitled to.

    With 80,000 people living in poverty in Edinburgh – including close to a quarter of all children – tackling inequality and preventing poverty remains one of the biggest challenges facing the capital.

    As it’s revealed that households could be owed up to £80 million in unclaimed benefits in Edinburgh, the council has rolled out two new self-help tools to make it easier for people to check what they’re owed.

    A DIY benefits calculator, Entitled To, and a one-stop-shop for other forms of financial support, Lightning Reach, have been made available online.

    A campaign has been launched to highlight these tools, urging residents not to leave their household budgets to chance. 

    Council Leader Jane Meagher said:

    It’s a worrying time for lots of people who are struggling with rising costs and we want to make sure that every household is claiming all the benefits they are entitled to. If you go online, you’ll find our DIY benefits calculator which makes it straightforward to check what you might be owed, so that you can then apply for support.

    Our efforts to tackle poverty in Edinburgh have put almost £24 million into the pockets of those who need it most, but around £80 million in benefits remains unclaimed. It’s my hope that this campaign will help to challenge the barriers – stigma, complexity and lack of awareness – that prevent people from accessing the support they should be getting. I urge everyone to check their cost-of-living support and to get in touch for more advice or support as needed.

    Linda’s story

    Linda, 59, has been a full-time-carer for her brother since their mother passed away almost 10 years ago.

    She said:

    I worked from the age of 17 and in my late 20’s I bought my own home and a car. But in 2015, my mother suddenly became unwell. She spent six months in intensive care on a ventilator and then passed away. I very suddenly became a full time carer for my brother, who has additional support needs. I had to stop working and sell my house to go live with him and my life changed completely.

    I went from ‘having it all’ – a job, a house, holidays and savings – to having next to nothing. The stigma associated with having to ask for help and being judged for having to rely on benefits has probably been the hardest part.

    I wish I had sought help earlier than I did. I wish I had set my pride and feelings of shame aside and realised that asking for help is not a bad thing. When life events happen that turn your world upside down, there is help available. The hardest part is knowing where to look to find that help – it can be very challenging – and accepting that there is no stigma in asking.

    Progress to End Poverty in Edinburgh

    This July will mark the mid-point between the publication of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission’s final report and the city’s target to end poverty by 2030.

    Linda (as above) is a member of End Poverty Edinburgh. Speaking about this experience, she said:

    By being part of End Poverty Edinburgh, I have had the opportunity to attend and speak at various meetings and events to raise awareness of the issues which those living in poverty have to face. We work closely with the council and others to improve customer experiences when seeking advice and help. We try to promote the help that is available which a lot of people aren’t aware of. Being part of this group has given me back a feeling of self worth.

    So far, positive collaboration on a range of initiatives between the council and partners has led to:

    •          Increasing access to grants and welfare advice by 20% over the last year

    •          Helping residents to receive almost £24 million in previously unclaimed benefits

    •          Supporting 5,000 people into work or learning (a 19% increase on the previous year)

    •          Driving down bills for 900 homes thanks to new energy efficiency measures

    •          Securing savings worth £206k for tenants through Energy Advice Support (an average of £428 per household)

    •          Helping to prevent homelessness for 461 households

    •          Over 9,000 free school meal payments and nearly 8,400 clothing grant awards

    •          Supporting 95% of all pupils to reach positive destinations after school

    •          Encouraging payment of the living wage (up 80 in a year to 720 accredited employers)

    •          Agreeing Council contracts committed to paying the real Living Wage (96% of suppliers, up 14%)

    •          Introducing a new Regenerative Futures Fund, a third sector led programme bringing £15m of new investment.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leicester’s revamped Jewry Wall Museum to open in July

    Source: City of Leicester

    LEICESTER’S exciting new Roman visitor attraction is to open its doors to the public on Saturday 26 July.

    In just three months’ time, people will be able to see how the remains of the Roman bath house at Jewry Wall have been incorporated into a contemporary museum, with more than 100 Roman artefacts ­– all discovered in Leicester and Leicestershire – and the latest digital technology helping to bring Leicester’s Roman past to life.

    The Grade II listed building that housed the old museum and the former Vaughan College has been sensitively refurbished, with huge glass walls connecting the ancient Jewry Wall and the outdoor space with the modern exhibition space inside, and with a new pedestrian bridge from St Nicholas Circle making the building fully accessible for the first time.

    Inside the museum, an immersive film will welcome visitors with a journey through the excavated areas of Roman Leicester, while interactive displays, games and projections will allow visitors to explore the 2nd century site, transporting them back in time to experience everyday life in Leicester as it was around 2,000 years ago.

    Characterisations of the buildings and the people of Roman Leicester, created by artist Scott Tetlow, will help to animate the story, giving visitors an insight into the public and private lives of the residents of Ratae Corieltauvorum ­ – the Roman name for the city of Leicester.

    Managed by the same team responsible for the award-winning King Richard III Visitor Centre, the museum will also boast an attractive café – overlooking the remains of the Roman bath house – which will be open to the public every day, without the need to buy an admission ticket.

    “It’s fair to say that this project has faced more than its fair share of challenges, with a global pandemic and not one but two key contractors going out of business during the construction phase, so I’m delighted that we can now – finally – look forward to the opening of this brilliant new attraction for Leicester,” said City Mayor Peter Soulsby.

    “Everything that will be on display in the new museum has been discovered right here in Leicester and Leicestershire, from the Blackfriars Mosaic that’s been described as one of the finest mosaics found in Roman Britain, to a beautifully crafted bronze key handle that depicts a man grappling with a lion, uncovered by archaeologists right next to Jewry Wall on Great Central Street in 2016.

    “The opening of the new museum on Saturday 26 July means that Leicester can finally shout about its Roman roots, offering visitors another must-see attraction in our historic city and making local people even more proud of Leicester’s extraordinary 2,000-year history.”

    Admission tickets for Jewry Wall: A Real Roman Experience are now on sale at jewrywall.com, with the first visitors being welcomed at 10am on Saturday 26 July.

    Standard ticket prices are as follows:

    Adults (16+): £12.50

    Concessions: £11.50

    Children (5-15): £6.25

    Family tickets: £32 (2 x adults + 2 x children)

    Official carers and children under 5: free of charge

    A joint ticket is also available for those who wish to visit both the Jewry Wall Museum and the King Richard III Visitor Centre, with adult tickets for both attractions costing £23 and a family ticket priced at £62.

    All tickets provide visitors with a Roman Explorer Pass, which gives access to the museum for a whole year. Subject to conditions, people can book as many visits as they like in a 12-month period, enjoying special events and re-enactment activities without having to pay again.

    More information about Jewry Wall: A Real Roman Experience is available at jewrywall.com

    Anyone who is fascinated by Leicester’s Roman history doesn’t need to wait until July to find out more about the city’s past. Tomorrow (Saturday 26 April) and Sunday (27 April), Leicester’s historic centre will be transformed for the annual Old Town Festival, which this year has a Roman theme.

    From 10am tomorrow (Saturday), visitors will be able to help recreate the entrance to Leicester’s long-gone Roman Forum in Jubilee Square, thanks to the genius of visual artist Olivier Grossetête, step back in time to a Roman living history camp, learn to march like a legionnaire, watch Roman soldiers parade through the streets of Ratae, and return on Sunday at 3pm to help demolish the spectacular cardboard Roman Forum.

    More information about Leicester’s Old Town Festival is available at visitleicester.info

    Picture caption: City Mayor Peter Soulsby studies the extraordinary Stibbe Mosaic, discovered beneath the former Stibbe knitwear factory by archaeologists from the University of Leicester in 2016/17. The mosaic is one of more than 100 stunning Roman artefacts, all discovered in Leicester and Leicestershire, that visitors will be able to see at the new Jewry Wall Museum.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Operational updates on food assistance to famine-risk populations in Sudan

    Source: World Food Programme

    This is a summary of what was said by Samatha Chattaraj, WFP’s Emergency Coordinator for Sudan (speaking from Port Sudan via Zoom) – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

    GENEVA – I am here to give you a brief update on WFP’s operations in Sudan, undoubtably one of the most complex and challenging humanitarian situations.

    In recent weeks, WFP has had some access breakthroughs and reached populations who have been largely cut off from aid. 

    In March, WFP reached 4 million people across Sudan—the highest monthly figure since the conflict began in April 2023 and nearly four times the number of people we were assisting per month at the same time one year ago. This includes 1.6 million people in areas classified as Famine or at Risk of Famine – meaning in the last month we’ve supported four out of five people in these extreme levels of hunger across all of the 27 localities facing famine or risk.

    This still represents just a fraction of the needs: Across the country – nearly 25 million people – or half the population, face acute hunger. Nearly 5 million children and breastfeeding mothers are acutely malnourished. Sudan is also the only place in the world where famine is currently confirmed.

    WFP’s goal is to be reaching 7 million people by mid-year, focusing primarily on the 27 areas that are classified as in famine or risk of famine; and the IPC 4 and nutrition hotspot areas.

    Earlier this week I returned from a mission to Khartoum, where we had meetings with local authorities to scale up emergency food and nutrition assistance to 1 million people across greater Khartoum in the coming month. This can’t happen soon enough as it includes many areas at high risk of famine. 

    What I saw was absolutely devastating. Vast parts of the city are destroyed. Levels of hunger and desperation are extremely high – yet people remain hopeful. We expect that many will try to return to their homes in the coming months. But their basic needs – including food – need to be met.

    WFP food distributions for 100,00 people have just started in Jabal Awlia, an area south of Khartoum that is at high risk of famine. These trucks arrived last week and are the first aid deliveries into Jabal Awlia since last December. 

    Additional aid deliveries are en route to greater Khartoum over the coming weeks as we push to establish a stronger operational footprint that will allow regular deliveries to the capital.

    Additionally, WFP delivered nearly 800 metric tonnes of food aid to famine-struck areas in the Western Nuba Mountains, supporting 64,000 people. These were the first in-kind food deliveries to the area since conflict started two years ago. 

    Meanwhile, trucks carrying 1,600 metric tonnes of WFP food and nutrition supplies for 220,000 people have started to arrive in Tawila, North Darfur where 180,000 people fleeing from El Fasher and Zamzam camp have arrived in the last week alone. 

    Reports from the ground are shocking. It is deeply disturbing that around 450,000 people who were already facing famine and enduring horrific levels of violence have been forced to flee from El Fasher and Zamzam camp in just a matter of weeks.  We are mobilizing assistance to reach people wherever they have fled to – across different parts of Darfur and Northern State. 

    Many of the recently displaced had been trapped by conflict in El Fasher or Zamzam for months. WFP has been doing everything possible to assist people even in the face of escalating violence. Last month, 270,000 people in El Fasher and Zamzam received assistance from WFP.  

    Another WFP convoy from Port Sudan is en route to El Fasher as we speak, carrying 1,000 metric tonnes of assistance for about 100,000 people who remain in the besieged city. 

    We have also delivered mobile warehouses to Tawila. These are being set up now to increase storage capacity so we can pre-stock food. This is vital ahead of the rainy season, which starts in June and will leave many routes across the Darfur region impassable. 

    I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that we pre-position assistance close to populations in need now. We have just a few weeks to do this before the rains start and will make it very difficult for large trucks carrying food assistance to travel.  

    However, this progress that I have outlined is fragile. As we ramp up our response in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, we need two things: 1) sustained humanitarian access to deliver a consistent flow of aid to needy populations and 2) additional funding to meet overwhelming needs of the Sudanese people.  Only then can we turn the tide of famine.

                                             #                           #                            #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are 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 Twitter @wfp_media 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: When rock music met ancient archeology: the enduring power of Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Craig Barker, Head, Public Engagement, Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney

    Sony Music

    The 1972 concert film Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii, back in cinemas this week, remains one of the most unique concert documentaries ever recorded by a rock band.

    The movie captured the band on the brink of international stardom, released seven months before their breakout album Dark Side of the Moon, which would go on to sell 50 million copies and spend 778 weeks on the Billboard charts.

    The film was the first time a rock concert took place in the ruins of an archaeological site. This intermingling of art and archaeology would change the way many thought of Pompeii.

    The amphitheatre of Pompeii

    The amphitheatre of Pompeii has quite a history as a venue for spectacles.

    Constructed around 70 BCE, it was one of the first permanent constructed amphitheatres in Italy, designed to hold up to 20,000 spectators.

    From graffiti and advertisements, we know it was used in antiquity for gladiatorial fights and displays and hunts of wild beasts and athletic contests.

    The Amphitheatre of Pompeii was constructed around 70 BCE.
    Marco Ober/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Famously we are told by Roman historian Tactius in 59 CE a deadly brawl occurred between Pompeiians and residents of the nearby town of Nuceria during games, resulting in a ten-year ban on gladiatorial contests at the venue. The amphitheatre was destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE.

    There is a long tradition of authors, artists, filmmakers and designers taking inspiration from the site and its destruction. A 13-year-old Mozart’s visit to the Temple of Isis at the site inspired The Magic Flute in 1791.

    This fresco depicts the amphitheatre riots of 59 CE, which would lead to gladiatorial contests being banned at the venue for a decade.
    National Archaeological Museum of Naples/Wikimedia Commons

    In the rock music era, Pompeii has inspired numerous artists, especially around themes of death and longing. Cities in Dust (1985) by Siouxsie and the Banshees was perhaps the most famous until Bastille’s 2013 hit Pompeii. In The Decemberists’ Cocoon (2002), the destruction of Pompeii acts as a metaphor for the guilt and loss in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

    Since 2016, the amphitheatre has hosted concerts – with audiences this time. Appropriately, one of the first was a performance by Pink Floyd’s guitarist David Gilmour. His show over two nights in July 2016 took place 45 years after first playing at the site.

    But how did Pink Floyd come to play at Pompeii in 1972?

    Rethinking rock concert movies

    It was the peak era of rock concert documentaries. Woodstock (1970) and The Rolling Stone’s Gimme Shelter (1970), and other documentaries of the era, placed the cameras in the audience, giving the cinema-goer the same perspective as the concert audience.

    As a concept, it was getting stale.

    Filmmaker Adrian Maben had been interested in combining art with Pink Floyd’s music. He initially pitched a film of the band’s music over montages of paintings by artists such as Rene Magritte. The band rejected the idea.

    Maben returned to them after a holiday in Naples, realising the ambience of Pompeii suited the band’s music. A performance without an audience provided the antithesis of the era’s concert films.

    Roger Waters during the film Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii.
    Sony Music

    The performance would become iconic, particularly the scenes of Roger Waters banging a large gong on the upper wall of the amphitheatre, and the cameras panning past the band’s black road case to reveal the band in the ancient arena.

    It was as far away from Woodstock as possible.

    The performance was filmed over six days in October 1971 in the ancient amphitheatre, with the band playing three songs in the ancient venue: Echoes, A Saucerful of Secrets, and One of These Days.

    Ancient history professor Ugo Carputi of the University of Naples, a Pink Floyd fan, had persuaded authorities to allow the band to film and to close the site for the duration of filming. Besides the film crew, the band’s road crew – and a few children who snuck in to watch – the venue was closed to the public.

    In addition to the performance, the four band members were filmed walking over the volcanic mud around Boscoreale, and their performances in the film both were interspersed with images of antiquities from Pompeii.

    The movie itself was fleshed out with studio performances in a Paris TV studio and rehearsals at Abbey Road Studios.

    Marrying art and music

    Famously the Pink Floyd film blends images of antiquities from the Naples Archaeological Museum with the band’s performances.

    Roman frescoes and mosaics are highlighted during particular songs. Profiles of bronze statues meld with the faces of band members, linking past and present.

    Later scenes have the band backdropped by images of frescoes from the famed Villa of the Mysteries and of the plaster casts of eruption victims.

    The band’s musical themes of death and mystery link with ancient imagery, and it would have been the first time many audience members had seen these masterpieces of Roman art.

    The Memento mori mosaic features significantly during the performance of the song Careful with that Axe, Eugene.
    Naples National Archaeological Museum/Wikimedia Commons

    Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii marked a brave experiment in rock concert movies.

    Watching it more than 50 years later, it is a timepiece of early 70s rock and a remarkable document of a band on the brink of fame.

    Because of their progressive rock sound, sonic experimentation and philosophical lyrics, it was often said by Pink Floyd’s fans that they were “the first band in space”. They even eventually had a cassette of their music played in space.

    But many are not aware of their earlier roots in the dust of ancient Pompeii. The re-release of the film gives an opportunity to enjoy the site’s unlikely role in music history.

    Pink Floyd at Pompeii – MCMLXXII is in cinemas from Thursday.

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

    – ref. When rock music met ancient archeology: the enduring power of Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii – https://theconversation.com/when-rock-music-met-ancient-archeology-the-enduring-power-of-pink-floyd-live-at-pompeii-252744

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s consumer goods trade-in program drives sales of over 720 bln yuan

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

    BEIJING, April 25 — China’s extensive consumer goods trade-in program has made phased progress this year, delivering tangible benefits to consumers and driving sales growth, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday.

    Li Gang, an official with the ministry, said that the program had enabled over 120 million consumers to receive cash subsidies, boosting sales to over 720 billion yuan (about 99.91 billion U.S. dollars).

    In a bid to stimulate consumer spending, China has rolled out an expansive trade-in policy across multiple sectors.

    By the end of Thursday, the nationwide trade-ins included 2.71 million vehicles, 47.47 million home appliances, and 4.2 million electric bicycles, Li said.

    The program also saw the sale of 36.61 million mobile phones and other digital products, and 37.12 million units of home decor products, kitchenware and bathroom ware, the official added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man who had bomb-making guide on his phone jailed

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man who admitted possessing extreme right-wing terrorism documents, including a bomb-making guide, has been jailed, after an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

    As part of an investigation into indecent images of children being posted online, police raided the home address of Vitor Dias, 21 (04.03.2003) of Willesden, on 17 May 2022.

    Dias was not arrested but two mobile phones were seized and the contents were downloaded and analysed.

    A large amount of extreme right-wing terrorist material was recovered, including guides on how to make explosives, firearms and ammunition.

    Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “This case demonstrates that we will arrest and prosecute anyone accessing terrorist material.

    “I am grateful to the work of colleagues in the Wembley Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation unit who uncovered Dias’s offending after his phones were seized.

    “This case was also a successful example of the use of risk management software installed on the devices of those convicted of sexual offences.

    “This case demonstrates that units from across the Met are committed to safeguarding vulnerable victims and specialist resources from counter terrorism will support the excellent work of officers and staff. Their excellent work allowed my officers to uncover the threat Dias posed.”

    Dias was arrested on 8 September 2022 and subsequently charged on 3 October 2023 with four counts of possessing a document containing information useful for a terrorist purposes, contrary to section 58(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

    He pleaded guilty to these charges at the Old Bailey on 5 August 2024.

    PC Merima Salkovic of North West BCU JIGSAW team ran a parallel investigation in to Dias leading to him being charged with two counts of possessing an extreme pornographic image, one count of making an indecent photograph of a child, category B and one count of making an indecent photograph of a child category C.

    Dias appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 17 December 2024 and pleaded guilty to the first three charges. The making indecent images of a child, category C, will remain on file.

    He was sentenced at the Old Bailey on 24 April to a total of three years in jail. He was also made subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

    Dias was convicted on 31 March 2023 for the making of indecent images of children, and possession of prohibited images of children. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years and was managed by Wembley Jigsaw Unit.

    As part of his conviction he was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting for five years, which meant he had various prohibitions placed upon him, including risk management software to be installed on his electronic devices.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The UK’s social security system falls way below international human rights standards: new report

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Koldo Casla, Senior Lecturer, Essex Law School, University of Essex

    9to9studio/Shutterstock

    The right to social security is enshrined in several international agreements on human rights. But the UK’s system – even before the disability benefits cuts announced earlier this year – falls way below these standards.

    For a new report published today, Amnesty International asked my colleague Lyle Barker and me to review the evidence about the state of the UK’s social security in relation to international human rights law.

    The UK has signed and ratified a number of international agreements on human rights. One of these is the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which lays out the right to social security. An accompanying document defines the three key principles of this right as:

    • Availability A social security system established in law, administered publicly, and materially reachable by those who need it.

    • Adequacy Benefits must be suitable, both in amount and in duration, to realise essential socioeconomic rights.

    • Accessibility Everyone should be covered by the social security system, paying particular attention to disadvantaged and marginalised individuals and groups.

    The conclusion of our study for Amnesty International is crystal clear: even disregarding the cuts announced in March, the UK’s social security system does not meet these standards.

    Availability

    Our review of the literature shows a widespread underclaiming of benefits. It has been estimated that in 2024, £22.7 billion in income-related benefits went unclaimed, a £4 billion increase from the previous year.

    Gaps in official data hinder a clear understanding of why many people are missing out on the support they are entitled to. But qualitative evidence suggests this is largely due to fear, stigma, bureaucratic and digital hurdles, and eligibility cliff edges for means-tested benefits.

    In recent years, the UK government has adopted a contentious and punitive stance toward benefit recipients. Media and political rhetoric have portrayed those who claim benefits as idle or undeserving scroungers.

    This stigma harms the mental health and self-esteem of people experiencing poverty. It can result in shame and secrecy, and create barriers to people accessing support they are entitled to.

    Our research for Amnesty International concludes that UK claimants do not get enough information and support about their rights to benefits. Combined with the stigma of claiming, the UK is falling far short of making benefits “available” in line with international standards.

    Adequacy

    Since the austerity policies of the 2010s, the UK’s social security system has become significantly less adequate in supporting vulnerable people and families. The basic rate of universal credit (the main benefit for working-age people on a low income) is at 40-year low in real terms amid a cost of living crisis.

    Restrictive policies, such as the benefit cap (introduced in 2013 to set a maximum limit to the total benefits received by a household) and the two-child limit have curtailed access to essential benefits. Although inflation adjustments in the last two years provided some relief, many benefits still fail to keep up with rising living costs.

    The two-child limit is the cruellest expression of the inadequacy of the UK’s social security system. Introduced by the Conservative government in 2017, the two-child limit restricts financial support through universal credit to two children. It is likely to be the most significant single cause of child poverty in the UK, including in families where adults work but do not earn enough to make ends meet.

    When Labour returned to power, there was much speculation about whether they would reverse the two-child limit. But despite pleas from experts and people with direct experience, the government has persisted in retaining it.



    Read more:
    Our research shows the harm the two-child limit on benefits is doing. Only scrapping it can end this

    Accessibility

    Our study lays out the many barriers to accessibility in the UK’s system. For example, the bureaucratic hurdles in the assessment process, and the disproportionate impact of punitive sanctions on lone mothers and on minority ethnic claimants.

    The UK operates a benefits sanction regime, which imposes penalties on claimants who fail to meet certain conditions. These include attending jobcentre appointments or accepting job offers. In general, sanctions and the fear of sanctions erode the trust between benefit claimants and the social security system.

    Benefits sanctions are just one of the barriers to accessing social security.
    1000words/Shutterstock

    As it did in its previous review in 2016, in February the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights recommended that the UK review the use of benefit sanctions to ensure they are used proportionately and are subject to prompt and independent dispute resolution mechanisms.

    Another accessibility concern is the shift to a digital-by-default system in the 2010s. While intended to make accessing benefits more efficient, it has become an administrative barrier.

    Many people, particularly the elderly and others who are less digitally literate, struggle to navigate the benefits system. It excludes people without reliable internet access, underscoring a digital divide that prevents meaningful access to social security.

    Meeting standards

    Given the evidence, it is no surprise that earlier this year, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights urged the UK government to assess the cumulative effects of the austerity measures introduced in the 2010s.

    In particular, the committee recommended reversing the two-child limit, the benefit cap and the five-week delay for the first universal credit payment, and increasing the budget allocated to social security. These recommendations were made before the changes announced in the spring statement.

    To live up to the internationally recognised right to social security, the UK should recognise in law, policy and practice that social security is a human right. And, that it is essential to the fulfilment of other human rights.

    Amnesty International recommends the government set up a commission with statutory powers, to produce a strategy for “wholesale reform” of the social security system. The UK must establish a minimum support level and an essentials guarantee, to ensure beneficiaries can consistently meet their basic needs. A good way to start would be abolishing the two-child limit once and for all.

    Koldo Casla and Lyle Barker wrote the study underpinning Amnesty International’s report on the state of the right to social security in the UK.

    – ref. The UK’s social security system falls way below international human rights standards: new report – https://theconversation.com/the-uks-social-security-system-falls-way-below-international-human-rights-standards-new-report-254528

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Minister for European Union Relations’ Lecture at the Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Minister for European Union Relations’ Lecture at the Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe

    A lecture delivered by the Minister for European Union Relations, The Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds, at the Conference on Baltic Studies in Europe, University of Cambridge

    Introduction

    It’s a pleasure to be here with you all. Before I begin, I would like to thank the Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies for hosting this important conference.

    I would also like to thank my friend Charles Clarke, not only for the invitation to speak here today.

    [political content removed]

    As part of that career, his time as Home Secretary, he had to deal daily with the implications of a complex and dangerous world, encapsulated by the heinous 7/7 attacks.

    While the nature of the threats our country faces have evolved since then – we know that the threats to our security, our economy and way of life are as pronounced now as they have been at any time in post war history.

    And these challenges do not just face the UK – or any one of our allies – alone; we face them, together. Therefore, it is crucial to ask how we can leverage our longstanding international relationships – and build upon them – to face these challenges together.

    The United Kingdom and the Baltic States enjoy an alliance built on shared values, on open trade, on a strategic, robust approach to defence.

    We respect one another, and it is through this respect that we work alongside each other – whether directly or through international organisations – to the benefit of our societies.

    Our citizens not only celebrate freedoms, but also realise that they are hard won and must be defended.

    I believe that – through the UK’s mission to go beyond the status quo with the European Union and grow our strategic alliance with our biggest trading partner – we could build on our relationship even further, to make us more prosperous, safer and better defended.

    I should clarify that – in the spirit of this broad alliance – while I will mainly be talking about Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, I will also be touching on the Baltic Sea States, the other countries that share the same icy waters, including Sweden, Poland and Finland, which I understand follows the remit of this centre.

    Relationship with the Baltics

    Just over a month ago, the Times journalist Oliver Moody gave a talk at this university – at the Centre for Geopolitics – about his book ‘Baltic: The Future of Europe’.

    He spoke about the remarkable journey that the Baltic Sea States have taken over the last century: not just armed conflict, but the push and pull between independence, occupation and independence again.

    Reflecting on where we are now, he said: “This is the most coherent that north-eastern Europe has ever been. You have the Nordic and Baltic States working on a more equal footing than ever before, you have Poland starting to look north, and Germany is getting more involved”. He capped his remarks off by saying that this teamwork would have delighted the former Prime Minister of Estonia – Jaan Tonisson – who campaigned for a Scandinavian Superstate in 1917. Moody said that this cooperation is nothing short of “Jaan Tonisson’s dream, on steroids”.

    That claim is probably for the experts in this room to take a view on, but what is clear is the sheer depth of the shared objectives, opportunities and challenges.

    When you consider the history of these countries, this state of play is all the more remarkable. After all, to study the 20th Century developments of the Baltic States is to study world history. I am proud to say that, in many ways, the United Kingdom has been a positive part of that history, especially with Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

    When the British public were rejoicing throughout the UK on Armistice Day in 1918, the Royal Navy had no time to rest, as they started their campaign in the Baltic. They were playing their part to establish an independent Estonia and Latvia, providing weapons, ammunition and much-needed support, where over 100 naval servicemen bravely lost their lives for Baltic independence. In May 2022, the UK and Lithuania agreed a Joint Declaration to mark 100 years of bilateral relations, but it also looked towards the future. It outlined an agreement to boost defence and security collaboration, build closer trade ties, and promote people-to-people links.

    We already start from a strong place, as the UK is a home to many Baltic people – well over 350,000 of them.

    We host Latvia’s largest diaspora, as well as Lithuania’s and Estonian’s largest European diaspora. Our trading relationship is positive, which accounts for over £6bn in goods and services – up from last year. Who would have thought, from just over thirty years of Estonian independence, that there would be an Estonian bank running offices in London, Manchester and Leeds, or an Estonian defence company setting up a production facility for air defence missiles in Wales.

    I greatly admire the spirit, the fortitude and the determination of the Baltic States; they have known what it is to lose their freedom, their independence and – as a result – are embracing its benefits. The Baltic tech sector – for example – has one of the strongest and most innovative ecosystems within Europe, a fact elegantly demonstrated at this year’s Oscars, when a wholly digitally designed film from Latvia won the Best Animated Feature, against long-established studios like the US’s Pixar and the UK’s Aardman Animations.  

    Many Baltic firms are key investors in the UK, and have excelled in areas where others have stumbled, because they have had a clear focus on innovation and progress.

    Indeed, I have deeply appreciated my time with the Baltic Sea States. Last year, in Opposition, I visited Estonia – to meet with various leaders who are working tirelessly to defend their homeland. I was struck not only by the scale of the Russian threat their face – especially in areas like cyber-warfare – but also by their determination to rise to that challenge.

    Also, during a visit to Stockholm, I went to the SAAB Headquarters – who recently announced that they will be supplying the Latvian Government with a short-range ground-based air defence system. We spoke openly about the importance of cross-Europe defence, and they were very grateful for the UK’s renewed focus on European defence, and the Prime Minister’s leadership.

    Ukraine

    This historic collaboration – these well-defined relationships – only adds to our collective strength when we consider countering the complex situation, facing the world reshaped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    Of course, to many of the Baltic Sea States, Russian aggression is nothing new. Indeed, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are ardent supporters of the Ukrainian fighters seeking to overcome this illegal Russian invasion. And they have shown this support in many ways – including as key hosts for Ukrainian refugees. According to the U.S. think tank The Wilson Centre, Estonia has hosted approximately 40,000 Ukrainian refugees, Latvia has around 50,000, and Lithuania has issued more than 50,000 visas.  A record of support that the UK also shares, and I am proud of the role my own constituency is playing in hosting Ukrainian families.

    In stepping up to defend the freedoms the UK and Baltic nations enjoy we recognise the hard-won sovereignty and dignity which the Baltic States have worked so hard to secure.

    I know from my own personal experience from meeting those defence officials – many with frontline experience on their border with Russia and Ukraine – that the threat they feel is not theoretical, it is existential. The defence of the Baltic Sea is – unquestionably – as important now as ever. That is why NATO takes this issue so seriously, launching the ‘Baltic Sentry’ mission to increase surveillance of ships crossing those cold waters.

    The UK also takes the security of the Nordic and Baltic states incredibly seriously. It’s why we were so supportive of NATO expansion for Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia – and others – in 2004. As the then UK Prime Minister – and Charles’s former boss – Tony Blair, said these invitations meant “a significant contribution to European security, and secures the place of the new Allies in the Euro-Atlantic community”.

    It’s also why we formed – with our Baltic counterparts and Nordic countries – the Joint Expeditionary Force, set up in 2018. To ensure our commitment to European security and international stability remains strong.

    It was only in November last year that we demonstrated the effectiveness of this Force with ‘Exercise Joint Protector’. More than 300 personnel were deployed to Liepāja in Latvia, and worked with staff in the UK. This – and the many other exercises the Force has undertaken – shows just how ready we and our partners are to respond to crises in the Baltic and Nordic regions.

    Keir visited British troops serving with NATO in December 2023 in Estonia.  There is an incredibly powerful image of him on that trip – standing with our brave troops.  Showing how committed he is to supporting the vital work they do, working with NATO allies to keep this continent safe.

    [Political content removed]

    The UK and Euro-Atlantic Security

    Here in the UK, we have been unequivocal about the need to bolster security across the European continent. We must look at how we safeguard each other – through our alliances; NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force and through direct country-to-country connections too.

    We need to work better together on key issues facing our continent’s security. I mean everything – from how we improve our defence capabilities to ensuring we have the technological edge in conflict, how we finance these improvements, to how we bolster our industrial capacity across the continent. The Prime Minister will make this point on the world stage at the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Oslo next month, and NATO’s Hague Summit in June.

    Much of this work is underway. You may have seen His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visit British troops in Estonia last month, who – under Operation Cabrit – are providing a deterrent to Russian aggression, bolstering NATO’s presence in Europe.

    At the centre of this is our absolute commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The Prime Minister has been clear that for this plan to succeed, it must have strong US backing – and he is working closely with President Trump on this. I know other leaders – including those in the Baltics – have joined the chorus demanding that Ukraine’s voice must be at the heart of any talks.

    The importance of this cannot be overstated. Indeed, it was a point the Prime Minister made absolutely clear at the ‘Leading the Future’ Summit hosted here in the UK. There, he convened the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, building on our efforts to put pressure on Putin, keep military aid flowing to Ukraine and strengthen sanctions on the Russian war machine. This was followed by the announcement from the Defence Secretary of an additional £450m to Ukraine, which will fund hundreds of thousands of new drones, anti-tanks mines and supplies to make necessary repairs to military vehicles.

    This work is of vital importance. When Europe is under threat, then the Europeans have to – and are – stepping up on defence and security.

    We are living through a generational moment in the history of our continent. This is a point I made at a recent Baltic Breakfast event where I welcomed the further expansion of NATO to include Finland and Sweden. With both these countries, we are building on our defence and security relationship – whether it’s the strategic partnership we share with Sweden or the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Finland on civil nuclear, strengthening our energy security.

    The UK knows we have a responsibility to help secure the continent and that, even though we have left the EU, we would never turn our back on our allies in Europe. That’s why we have committed to reaching 2.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2027, with an ambition to achieve 3% in the next parliament. In practice, that means spending over £13 billion more on defence every year from 2027. This is the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, and it will safeguard our collective security and fund the capabilities, technology and industrial capacity needed to keep the UK and our allies safe for generations to come.

    It has been good to see other European nations doing the same, especially across the Baltic States. Lithuania continues to set the standard within NATO. Your desire to increase defence spending to 5% or even 6% GDP is admirable. Latvia now spends 3.45% of its GDP on defence, and is investing heavily in areas, such as air and coastal defence. And Estonia is aspiring to increase defence spending to 5% of its GDP.

    Given the political context, it is of vital importance for European countries to take on responsibility for their own security. As one of Europe’s leading NATO powers, it is essential that the UK and the EU work together to strengthen European security. We have substantial shared interests and objectives and, crucially, we both have the means and influence to effect change on a global stage.

    But we cannot shy away from the reality of the situation we find ourselves in. Europe faces war on the continent, as well as an urgent need to ramp up our collective defence capabilities, and we have already seen a step-change in European cooperation.

    At the same time the UK and EU are facing global economic challenges. These are shared problems which require a collective response, with mutual interests.

    And I believe a firm alliance between the UK and the EU is undeniably a part of that – and mutually beneficial. We need to put an end to ideology and build a new strengthened partnership with Europe.

    Now, Charles, I promise not to make a point of mentioning you throughout my lecture, but I wanted to touch on something from the recent past.

    After he left Government, Charles became the Visiting Professor at the University of East Anglia for their School of Political, Social and International Studies, where – during a series of lectures – he posited the idea of the ‘Too Difficult Box’, the place where important political decisions get put when things got too complicated to solve.

    As he explained in a lecture eleven years ago at the University of South Wales – just south of my constituency of Torfaen – plenty of short-term challenges face politicians when they are trying to solve the long-term problems this country faces, which means decisions get delayed, politicians don’t feel empowered or convinced enough to act, the ‘Too Difficult Box’ fills up.

    I think everyone in this room can recognise at least one important national decision that has been left to grow dust in the ‘Too Difficult Box’.

    Which is why this Government has chosen to behave differently towards our national interests. Indeed, it is precisely the difficulty of our challenges which urges us to act. The ‘Plan for Change’ recognises the complex world we live in and redefines the way that Central Government responds to the problems of the day, to work across-Departments to tackle some of the most challenging problems we face – whether it’s breaking down the barriers to opportunity, making the UK a clean energy superpower, or building an NHS that is fit for the future.

    At the heart of all of this work are what we call our ‘Strong Foundations’, which are economic stability, secure borders and national security. To me, these priorities are inseparable; you cannot have one without the other two.

    I also believe that our relationship with the European Union has an important role in these foundations, we must find pragmatic solutions that work in the national interest.

    The kind of pragmatic approach that Charles promoted with the ‘Too Difficult Box’ is exactly the kind of approach we must take when redefining our relationship with the EU, as we move towards a strengthened partnership with our biggest trading partner.

    So far, by my count, we have seen over seventy different direct engagements between UK Ministers and their EU counterparts.

    This work was exemplified by the meeting the Prime Minister had with the President of the European Commission last October, a meeting where both agreed to put our relationship on a more solid, stable footing. They agreed to work together on some of the most pressing global challenges including economic headwinds, geopolitical competition, irregular migration, climate change and energy prices. In December, the Chancellor attended a meeting of the EU finance ministers – the first time a British Chancellor has been invited to the Eurogroup since Brexit. And I have been having regular meetings with my counterpart Maroš Šefčovič to maintain forward momentum on our shared agendas.

    However, I want to be clear: we fully respect the choice made by the British public to leave the European Union, that was clear in our manifesto.  As were the clear red lines we set out, around the Customs Union, the Single Market and Freedom of Movement.   

    We are also demonstrating our role as good faith actors through the implementation of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and the Windsor Framework.

    But I also believe that this global moment requires us to go further. It is an opportunity to build our partnership – where our continental security is paramount, where our collective safety is guaranteed, where our respective economies flourish together. It is in our mutual self interest. 

    The Three Pillars

    I mentioned that the defining structure of our future relationship with the European Union has three important pillars – prosperity, safety and security.

    On prosperity, we must boost growth and living standards, by creating export and investment opportunities for UK business and reducing barriers to trade with our biggest trading partners.

    Already we have started work on this. We have said that we will seek to negotiate a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement – which is one of the clear barriers to trade across the continent, and it was particularly pleasing to see a number of UK businesses writing in last weekend’s Financial Times supporting this plan.

    Let me turn to safety. Now, of all audiences, I don’t need to explain the importance of a strong and secure border, but we must do all we can to strengthen our continental collective ability to tackle organised crime and criminality, working together on irregular migration. We see – every day – the threats across our continent from criminals with no respect for international borders.  From terrorism, to vile people smuggling gangs and drug smugglers – the threat to our communities is real. If we want to protect our respective borders and keep our citizens safe, then we need to work together.

    Already, we have made important progress on this work. Within the first few weeks of coming into power, the Prime Minister stated that border security would be at the very heart of our plans to reset our relationship with the European Union. We have committed to deepening our partnerships with Europol and its European Migrant Smuggling Centre. But I believe that we can go further in this work. We need to find ways to better coordinate law enforcement. We must do all we can to strengthen the tools available to aid our collective ability to tackle organised crime, which will only lead to more secure borders.

    We recognise that the Baltic states have faced a unique challenge when it comes to irregular migration, Russian led instrumentalisation of migration is an appalling use of human beings for political gain.

    I saw the nature of this myself on a recent visit to the Polish / Belarussian border. We absolutely condemn states instrumentalising human beings and putting them in danger, and support efforts to combat this issue at the EU’s external border. Whilst the UK may face different migration challenges, there are clear commonalities – underlining the imperative of working together on the shared priority of securing our borders.

    Which brings me on to the final point, security. I have made clear throughout this lecture that we must respond to the collective security challenge that we all face. An ambitious UK-EU security and defence relationship must be a part of this.

    All of us in the UK Government appreciate the steps that the EU is taking on this, and we welcome their recent Defence White Paper, which recognises the UK as an “essential European ally”. But we should also recognise the importance of the Baltic Sea States within that Paper.

    As Oliver Moody pointed out in his talk, the significance and the symbolism of that paper cannot be overlooked. He said: “It was presented by an Estonian high representative, a Lithuanian defence commissioner, with a great deal of input from a Latvian economics commissioner, a Polish budget commissioner, a Finnish vice-president of the commission for technological sovereignty and security, all in tandem under the leadership of a German president of the European Commission […] this would have been completely unimaginable in the 1990s.”

    He’s right to point out the importance of this unity, both in the Baltic region and across our continent. 

    We have made it clear to our EU partners that we are ready to negotiate a Security & Defence Partnership with the EU. We believe it should build on the EU’s existing partnership agreements with other third countries, while recognising the unique nature of our security relationship. It will complement NATO and our NATO First approach, while boosting our bilateral cooperation with European partners.

    But we want to go further, trying to create new ways to ramp up our defence industrial capacity, financing and capability development.

    UK-EU Summit

    All of these points I have mentioned will no doubt be crucial discussion points when the UK welcomes European Union leaders to the first UK-EU Leaders’ Summit on 19th May.

    The Prime Minister will host the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

    The Summit will provide an opportunity to make further progress on our shared priorities and we shall set out further details in due course. What I can tell you now is that this will be the first of regular UK-EU summits, which we committed to when the Prime Minister met the President of the European Commission in October last year. We expect these to take place annually, in addition to regular engagements at Ministerial level, recognising that new agreements will take time to agree.

    Conclusion

    Ladies and gentlemen, it is clear to me that the future of Europe – whether that’s innovative businesses or the most resilient of responses to Russian aggression – has a home in the Baltic.

    The UK wants to be an important part of that future, and we are working hard – right across the Government – to change our relationship with the EU for the mutual benefit of all European states.

    We are living through a time of generational challenge to our very way of life.  I know that in the face of this, an alliance – across our continent, in pursuit of freedom – will be vital.

    So, I thank all of you here for your interest in this vital area, I thank Charles for the invitation to address this group – and I look forward to working with many of you to deliver a secure and prosperous future for our people.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Engineers of Victory” was shown in the White Hall

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    For three days, the White Hall hosted a theatrical performance dedicated to the memory of the Polytechnic students and teachers who participated in the Great Patriotic War. Students from all areas of SPbPU training were involved in this large-scale event. The audience and performers were united by the desire to preserve the historical truth and convey it through art.

    The play “Engineers of Victory” became an important part of the events of the Polytechnic University dedicated to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

    The contribution of our university to the Victory is great. More than 4.5 thousand Polytechnicians fought at the front, the hydro corps housed a school for riflemen and radio operators, and the main building housed a hospital. Thanks to the engineers of the Polytechnic Institute, some of the best guns in the history of military equipment went on combat duty. From the stage of the White Hall, they told about the graduate of the mechanical engineering faculty Mikhail Koshkin, who created the legendary T-34 tank, about the graduate of the electromechanical faculty Pyotr Kapitsa, who received liquid oxygen and saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers, about the Road of Life, about the protection of the navy from the enemy mine threat. But the most poignant moment of the production was the voiced letters from the front line.

    “We listened with special trepidation to the letters of students who went to the front,” shared IMMIT first-year student Sofya Kochkina. “And when you see their portraits with the date of their death, it is impossible to hold back your tears. They were the same age as us!”

    The production about the Polytechnic students of the war years involved today’s students: soloists of the SPbPU pop-symphony orchestra, members of the Student Theatre, the Polyhymnia Youth Choir, the Polytechnic Chamber Choir, and students of the Humanities Institute, which made the performance unusually touching and symbolic.

    Particular attention in the stage action was given to the atmosphere – lighting, video footage, sound effects allowed the audience to immerse themselves in the events of those years, to feel the pain of loss and the joy of Victory.

    “The audience stood up to the sounds of the metronome, because there was no other way to listen to the beats, which became a call to freeze and remember the Polytechnicians, whose portraits floated like a river through the White Hall as the Immortal Regiment. The audience also stood up when the choir performed the final composition, “Where does the Motherland begin?” said Marina Arkannikova, scriptwriter and director of the production “Engineers of Victory”, director of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations of the State Institute of Culture, artistic director of the Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity. “Of course, the production was special for all of us. This is our duty to the fallen heroes of the Great Patriotic War and such an important need today to talk to young people about our great historical past as part of our identity, about our contribution to the present and future of humanity.”

    The production, created by the Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity with the support of the Polytechnic Museum, became a living history lesson for students.

    In a few days, the Immortal Regiment will “stand” on the SPbPU campus and on the territory of student dormitories — 80 portraits of polytechnic students who went to the front from their student days — so that everyone can feel that the Great Victory is backed by the lives of those who studied at our university, so that May 9 will forever become not only a date on the calendar, but also the history of every heart.

    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 Asia-Pac: Voter registration ends Jun 2

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) today called on eligible individuals and bodies who have not yet registered as electors/voters to submit registration applications no later than June 2, so that their registration particulars can be included in the final registers of electors/voters to be published this year, and vote in the elections to be held this year.

    Hong Kong permanent residents who hold an identity document, will reach 18 years old by September 25 this year and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong are eligible to register as geographical constituency electors.

    Registered electors/voters need not register again, but if there are changes to their registration particulars, they should submit applications for change of particulars to the REO by June 2.

    Eligible citizens are welcome to submit applications for new registration as geographical constituency electors or change of voter registration particulars through iAM Smart. They may also provide or update their mobile phone number and email address, and check their voter registration status through the app.

    Alternatively, citizens can register by filling in application forms which are available on the Voter Registration website for download. Hard copies can obtained at District Offices, the management offices of public housing estates and the REO.

    Completed forms can be sent by post to the Registration & Electoral Office, 29/F, Standard Chartered Tower, Millennium City 1, 388 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon; by fax to 2891 1180; by email to form@reo.gov.hk, or via the REO e-Form Upload Platform.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Social care services to 800 adults set to return to the council

    Source: City of Salford

    • Adult social care services delivered by Aspire to return to the council.
    • 10-month transition period until 31 March 2026 to enable the changes to be planned and delivered.
    • Consultation period will ensure that continuity of services remain in place for people receiving support and their families.

    Adult social care services delivered to more than 800 residents in Salford are set to return to be delivered in-house by the city council.

    The services have been delivered by community interest company Aspire for Intelligent Care and Support since 2015, with around 350 staff providing 744,000 hours of care a year for adults with care needs including learning disabilities, dementia and care for older people.

    The decision, made by Salford City Council’s cabinet on Tuesday (22 April), will include a 10-month transition period until 31 March 2026 to enable the changes to be planned and delivered in consultation with staff involved and in partnership with Aspire to ensure that continuity of services remain in place for people receiving support and their families.

    The decision follows on from a pledge in the council’s Corporate Plan 2024-2028 and values the people who work in adult social care while protecting services that support people in living independent and fulfilled lives in Salford.

    Councillor John Merry, cabinet member for adult social care and health, said: “Following our pledge to work toward in-sourcing social care and the commitment in the council’s Corporate Plan 2024-28 to protect services that support our residents in Salford, significant work has been underway to develop recommendations on how to take this forward. The cabinet decision means that adult social care services currently being delivered under contract by Aspire will come back to the council’s adult social care directorate from April 2026. We are committed to working closely with Aspire and all staff involved to successfully manage the transition period.

    “The services delivered by Aspire over the past 10 years have been an asset to the city, and we have seen a dedicated workforce provide high quality care and support to residents. We are excited about welcoming the Aspire team back into the council and learning from all the teams and their wealth of experience in terms of growing the services offered in the city.

    “While we recognise the value the council places on social care and the drive to protect and professionalise the sector, we understand that this will mean a period of change for staff involved and every support will be provided to manage the transition. The knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm of Aspire staff will be of critical importance as we move back under council control and staff views and opinions will continue to be heard through the transition phase, and will continue when the services move back to the council.”

    Lisa Dickinson, chief executive of Aspire for Intelligent Care and Support, said: “We are committed to working with the council through this transition period, while supporting our staff and ensuring that residents continue to receive the high quality of services required to meet their needs.”

    Salford City Council is committed to creating a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all. To achieve this vision, it has set out seven interconnected priorities as the focus for our work from 2024 to 2028.

    • Good growth
    • A good home for all
    • Tackling poverty and inequality
    • Creating places where people want to live
    • A child friendly city
    • Responding to climate change
    • Healthy lives and quality of care for all.

    Find out more about our ambitions and how we intend to deliver them in our corporate plan, This is our Salford, at www.salford.gov.uk/this-is-our-salford

    The plan builds on past successes and continues to find new and innovative ways to improve residents’ lives.

    Salford continues its remarkable story of transformation with already much to celebrate as a city – more well-paid jobs, new affordable and social homes, thriving local schools, award-winning green spaces, iconic infrastructure, cleaner transport, more integrated health and care and a vibrant cultural scene.

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    Date published
    Friday 25 April 2025

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A representative of Setl Group held a master class on the Renga program for the finalists of the TIM Championship

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – During the master class

    In the era of import substitution and well-known geopolitical events, the focus of attention of enterprises, developers, and educational institutions is focused on the transition to domestic digital solutions. The finalists of the All-Russian TIM Championship at SPbGASU. SPO League 2025 developed competition projects in the Renga program – a Russian comprehensive BIM system for automated three-dimensional design using the technology of information modeling of buildings and structures. Therefore, the master class of the chief engineer of the architectural bureau “Setl Group” Dmitry Sergeev aroused keen interest among the contestants.

    “When assessing the situation with foreign vendors, we tested many domestic products. We took into account the labor costs associated with them, time, capabilities, compliance with the standards that we need to organize the work process. Renga was the best choice. But we understood that for objective reasons, third-party libraries would not work for us, because some contain slightly different information, while others do not have what we need at all. Therefore, we created our own library of standard elements that we and our clients use in modeling. A year later, we made it widely available: anyone can download it for use both for educational purposes and for work. As a pilot project, we designed a standard residential complex of varying heights in Renga, the highest section is 23 floors. And then we realized that the existing computers could not handle the full model, so we divided it into sections. Subsequently, we purchased more powerful computers,” said Dmitry Sergeev.

    Using this project as an example, the expert explained the entire design process step by step, including water supply, electricity and other utilities, architectural drawings, and finishing materials. In addition, he clarified how and why the team made this or that decision during the design process.

    “All this work is carried out by teams, which include many young specialists. Our architectural bureau is happy to employ them. There is a mentoring system for adaptation, so we will be glad to see you in our architectural bureau. For internships, employment, you can contact the career start on our company’s website by sending an application,” concluded Dmitry Sergeev.

    Victoria Zinchenko, a student at the Novgorod Construction College, noted that she was pleased to listen to a lecture directly from an industry representative working at Renga.

    “It was interesting to learn how the bureau created all the families for further work in the program. We work on this software at college, and I believe that even with the existing nuances, the program can become a worthy competitor in the market. I am very grateful to the organizers for the opportunity to gain such practical knowledge about it,” Victoria shared.

    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 Global: Malaria scorecard: battles have been won and advances made, but the war isn’t over

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Shüné Oliver, Medical scientist, National Institute for Communicable Diseases

    Sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the brunt of malaria cases in the world. In this region 11 countries account for two-thirds of the global burden.

    World Malaria Day is marked on 25 April. What progress has been made against the disease, where are the gaps and what’s being done to plug them?

    As scientists who research malaria in Africa, we believe that the continent can defeat the disease. New, effective tools have been added to the malaria toolbox.

    Researchers and malaria programmes, however, must strengthen collaborations. This will ensure the limited resources are used in ways that make the most impact.

    The numbers

    Some progress has been made, but in some cases there have been reverses.

    • Between 2000 and 2015 there was an 18% reduction in new cases from 262 million in 2000 to 214 million in 2015. Since then, progress has stalled.

    • The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 2.2 billion cases have been prevented between 2000 and 2023. Additionally, 12.7 million deaths have been avoided. In 2025, 45 countries are certified as malaria free. Only nine of those countries are in Africa. These include Egypt, Seychelles and Lesotho.

    • The global target set by the WHO was to reduce new cases by 75% compared to cases in 2015. Africa should have reported approximately 47,000 cases in 2023. Instead there were 246 million.

    • Almost every African country with ongoing malaria transmission experienced an increase in malaria cases in 2023. Exceptions to this were Rwanda and Liberia.

    So why is progress stagnating and in many cases reversing?

    The setbacks

    Effective malaria control is extremely challenging. Malaria parasite and mosquito populations evolve rapidly. This makes them difficult to control.

    Africa is home to malaria mosquitoes that prefer biting humans to other animals. These mosquitoes have also adapted to avoid insecticide-treated surfaces.

    It has been shown in South Africa that mosquitoes may feed on people inside their homes, but will avoid resting on the sprayed walls.

    Mosquitoes have also developed mechanisms to resist the effects of insecticides. Malaria vector resistance to certain insecticides used in malaria control is widespread in endemic areas. Resistance levels vary around Africa.

    Resistance to the pyrethroid class is most common. Organophosphate resistance is rare, but present in west Africa. As mosquitoes become resistant to the chemicals used for mosquito control, both the spraying of houses and insecticide treated nets become less effective. However, in regions with high malaria cases, nets still provide physical protection despite resistance.

    An additional challenge is that malaria parasites continue to develop resistance to anti-malarial drugs. In 2007 the first evidence began to emerge in south-east Asia that parasites were developing resistance to artemisinins. These are key drugs in the fight against malaria.

    Recently this has been shown to be happening in some African countries too. Artemisinin resistance has been confirmed in Eritrea, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Molecular markers of artemisinin resistance were recently detected in parasites from Namibia and Zambia.

    Malaria parasites have also developed mutations that prevent them from being being detected by the most widely used rapid diagnostic test in Africa.

    Countries in the Horn of Africa, where parasites with these mutations are common, have changed the malaria rapid diagnostic tests used to ensure early diagnosis.

    The progress

    Nevertheless, the fight against malaria has been strengthened by novel control strategies.

    Firstly, after more than 30 years of research, two malaria vaccines – RTS,S and R21 – have finally been approved by the WHO. These are being deployed in 19 African countries.

    These vaccines have reduced disease cases and deaths in the high-risk under-five-years-old age group. They have reduced cases of severe malaria by approximately 30% and deaths by 17%.

    Secondly, effectiveness of long-lasting insecticide-treated nets has been improved.

    New insecticides have been approved for use. Chemical components that help to manage resistance have also been included in the nets.

    Thirdly, novel tools are showing promise. One option is attractive toxic sugar baits. This is because sugar is what mosquitoes naturally eat. Biocontrol by altering the native gut bacteria of mosquitoes may also prove effective.

    Fourthly, reducing mosquito populations by releasing sterilised male or genetically modified mosquitoes into wild mosquito populations is also showing promise. Trials are currently happening in Burkina Faso. Genetically sterilised males have been released on a small scale. This strategy has shown promise in reducing the population.

    Fifthly, two new antimalarials are expected to be available in the next year or two. Artemisinin-based combination therapies are standard treatment for malaria. An improvement to this is triple artemisinin-based combination therapy. This is a combination of this drug with an additional antimalarial. Studies in Africa and Asia have shown these triple combinations to be very effective in controlling malaria.

    The second new antimalarial is the first non-artemisinin-based drug to be developed in over 20 years. Ganaplacide-lumefantrine has been shown to be effective in young children. Once available, it can to be used to treat parasites that are resistant to artemisinin. This is because it has a completely different mechanism of action.

    The end game

    It has been several years since the malaria control toolbox has been strengthened with novel tools and strategies that target both the vector and the parasite. This makes it an ideal time to double down in the fight against this deadly disease.

    In 2020, the WHO identified 25 countries with the potential to stop malaria transmission within their borders by 2025. While none of these countries eliminated malaria, some have made significant progress. Costa Rica and Nepal reported fewer than 100 cases. Timor-Leste reported only one case in recent years.

    Three southern African countries are included in this group: Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa. Unfortunately, all these countries showed increases in cases in 2023.

    With the new tools, these and other countries can eliminate malaria, getting us closer to the dream of a malaria-free world.

    Shüné Oliver receives funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa and the South African Medical Research Council. She is associated with both the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the Wits Research Institte for Malaria.

    Jaishree Raman receives funding from the Gates Foundation, Global Fund, Wellcome Trust, National Research Foundation, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South African Medical Research Council, and the Research Trust. She is affiliated with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the Wits Institute for Malaria Research, University of Witwatersrand, and the Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control, University of Pretoria.

    – ref. Malaria scorecard: battles have been won and advances made, but the war isn’t over – https://theconversation.com/malaria-scorecard-battles-have-been-won-and-advances-made-but-the-war-isnt-over-255230

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: GUU took part in the discussion of the ECG rating and the role of large families in the development of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Director of the Center for Assessment and Development of Management Competencies of the State University of Management Anton Velichko, as part of the national standard project “Index of Business Reputation of Entrepreneurs (EKG-rating)”, took part in the work of the Annual All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference of the D. I. Mendeleyev Institute of Demographic Policy “From the Year of the Family to the Century of the Family”.

    The plenary session of the conference was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy Tatyana Golikova, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Central Federal District, member of the Presidential Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy Igor Shchegolev, Head of the Presidential Administration for Public Projects Sergei Novikov, Chairman of the State Fund for Support of Participants of the NVO “Defenders of the Fatherland”, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Anna Tsivileva, Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture, Executive Secretary of the Presidential Council for the Implementation of State Demographic and Family Policy Liliya Gumerova and others.

    The event was attended by more than 400 representatives of government bodies, scientific, educational and public organizations, and businesses.

    The past Year of the Family allowed us not only to focus on the demographic agenda, but also to understand the fact that the Russian family should never again fall out of the sight of the state and society if we are talking about the preservation and development of the Russian nation and statehood.

    The aim of the conference is to find effective solutions in the area of population conservation and improvement of demographic policy, as well as corporate practices to support families with children.

    The annual All-Russian scientific and practical conference of the D. I. Mendeleyev Institute of Demographic Policy “From the Year of the Family to the Century of the Family” is organized with the support of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/25/2025

    Центра оценки и развития управленческих компетенций ГУУ Антон Величко в рамках проекта национальный стандарт «Индекс деловой репутации субъектов предпринимательской деятельности (ЭКГ-рейтинг)» принял участие в работе Ежегодной всероссийской научно-практической конференции Института демографической политики имени Д….” data-yashareImage=”https://guu.ru/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9380-scaled.jpg” data-yashareLink=”https://guu.ru/%d0%b3%d1%83%d1%83-%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%bd%d1%8f%d0%bb-%d1%83%d1%87%d0%b0%d1%81%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%b5-%d0%b2-%d0%be%d0%b1%d1%81%d1%83%d0%b6%d0%b4%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b8-%d1%8d%d0%ba%d0%b3-%d1%80%d0%b5/”>

    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 Security: Guam Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 120 Months in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Lorina Ann Fejeran, aka Lori Leon Guerrero, age 55, from Dededo, Guam was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment.  She was convicted in the U.S. District Court of Guam for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or more Grams of Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1), and Engaging in Monetary Transactions with Proceeds of Specified Unlawful Activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(1)(1)(B)(i). The Court ordered that Fejeran forfeit $1,636.00 and pay a money judgment in the amount of $45,500.00.  The money judgment represented money she wired to her supplier to pay for drugs.  The Court also ordered three years of supervised release and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee.  In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

    On November 29, 2022, the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a suspicious package addressed to “Srgt. Vincent Fejeran.” The package contained 437 gross grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride with a purity of 98 percent.  On December 1, 2022, Fejeran and co-defendant Jesse Fergurgur Belen attempted to receive the drugs.  As law enforcement stopped Fejeran’s car, Jesse Fegurgur Belen grabbed the package and fled on foot.  He abandoned the package in a residential yard before being arrested.

    The investigation revealed that Fejeran communicated with her drug supplier using WhatsApp and received three prior drug packages containing methamphetamine.  Fejeran wired or had others wire over $45,000.00 to her supplier or his nominee using MoneyGram. At the time of her arrest, she possessed $1,636 in illegal proceeds from drug sales. Fejeran admitted that she recruited Jesse Fegurgur Belen to receive “dope” as well to “make some cash” in exchange for assisting her in picking up the package.

    Jesse Fergurgur Belen, was previously sentenced in this matter to 105 months in federal prison for Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Fifty or more Grams of Methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).  The Court also ordered five years of supervised release, forfeiture of $1,636, 50 hours of community service, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee. 

    “This case demonstrates the substantial penalties a drug trafficker may face in federal court,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.  “Even when evidence is insufficient to charge an individual, we will still remove illicit drugs from the mail to stop the supply to Guam. No community should suffer from this criminal activity.”

    “The sentencing of Ms. Fejeran underscores HSI’s commitment to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to keep drugs out of Guam,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas. “We recognize the severe harm illegal narcotics inflicts on communities and spare no effort in ensuring that those who contribute to drug trafficking are held accountable for their actions.”

    “Dangerous controlled substances like methamphetamine put postal workers and our communities at risk. Postal inspectors will aggressively pursue anyone who uses the US Mail to transport and distribute deadly drugs,” said United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) San Francisco Division – Inspector in Charge Stephen Sherwood.  “We thank our federal and local law enforcement partners, including Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, and the Guam National Guard Counterdrug Program for working with us to combat these crimes in the effort to make our communities a safer place to live and work.”

    This investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations and United States Postal Inspection Service.  

    Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas prosecuted the case in the District of Guam.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Frozen anchovies recalled due to the presence of a marine biotoxin

    Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

    New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Pendarves Ltd in its recall of a specific range of imported frozen anchovies due to the presence of a marine biotoxin.

    “Testing of the product has found the presence of domonic acid, a neurotoxin produced by certain algae that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s acting deputy director-general Claire McDonald.

    “These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out.”

    The affected products were sold at a small number of supermarkets and specialty stores.

    Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product.

    Food recall: Imported whole frozen anchovies

    New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness.

    Symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal, especially at low toxin levels. These usually appear within 24 hours of eating and may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps.

    In more serious cases there can be neurological symptoms. These can take up to 3 days to develop and can range from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and, for severe cases, coma.

    If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

    The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.

    The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts.

    Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

    More information about illness caused by algae, including amnesic shellfish poisoning, can be found on our website.

    What is toxic shellfish poisoning?

    For general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

    For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pacific editor welcomes US court ruling in favour of Radio Free Asia

    By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor

    The former head of BenarNews’ Pacific bureau says a United States court ruling this week ordering the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to release congressionally approved funding to Radio Free Asia and its subsidiaries “makes us very happy”.

    However, Stefan Armbruster, who has played a key role in expanding the news agency’s presence in the region, acknowledged, “there’s also more to do”.

    On March 14, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to defund USAGM outlets Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, including placing more than 1300 Voice of America employees on leave.

    “This order continues the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary,” the executive order states.

    Armbruster told RNZ Pacific Waves that the ruling found the Trump administration failed to provide evidence to support their actions.

    Signage for US broadcaster Voice of America in Washington, DC . . . Trump administration failed to provide evidence to support its actions. Image: RNZ Pacific

    “[Judge Royce Lamberth] is basically saying that the actions of the Trump administration [are] likely to have been illegal and unconstitutional in taking away the money from these organisations,” he said.

    Order to restore funding
    “The judgments are saying that the US administration should return funding to its overseas broadcasters, which include Voice of America [and] Radio Free Asia.”

    He said that in America, they can lay people off without a loss, and they can still remain employees. But these conditions did not apply for overseas employees.

    “Basically, all the overseas staff have been staff let go, except a very small number in the US who are on visas, dependent on their employment, and they have spoken out about this publicly.

    “They have got 60 days to find a job, a new sponsor for them, or they could face deportation to places like China, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

    “So for the former employees, at the moment, we are just waiting to see how this all plays out.”

    Armbruster said there were hints that a Trump administration could take such action during the election campaign, when the Trump team had flagged issues about the media.

    Speed ‘totally unexpected’
    However, he added the speed at which this has happened “was totally unexpected”.

    “And the judge ruled on that. He said that it is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary, capricious action, basically, random and unexplained.

    “In short, the defendants had no method or approach towards shutting down USAGM that this Court could discern.”

    Armbruster said the US Congress funds the USAGM, and the agency has a responsibility to disburse that funding to Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, and Radio Free Asia.

    The judge ruled that the President does not have the authority to withhold that funding, he said.

    “We were funded through till September to the end of the financial year in the US.

    “In terms of how quickly [the executive order] came, it was a big surprise to all of us. Not totally unexpected that this would be happening, but not this way, not this hard.”

    BenarNews ‘gave a voice’
     The BenarNews Pacific bureau was initially set up two-and-a-half years ago but evolved into a fully-fledged bureau only 12 months ago. It had three fulltime staff based in Australia and about 15 stringers and commentators across the region.

    “We built up this fantastic network of people, and the response has been fantastic, just like Radio New Zealand [Pacific],” Armbruster said.

    “We were doing a really good thing and having some really amazing stories on our pages, and big successes. It gave a voice to a whole lot of Pacific journalists and commentators to tell stories from perspectives that were not being presented in other forums.

    “It is hard to say if we will come back because there has been a lot of court orders issued recently under this current US administration, and they sometimes are not complied with, or are very slowly complied with, which is why we are still in the process.”

    However, Armbruster remains hopeful there will be “some interesting news” next week.

    “The judgment also has a little bit of a kicker in the tail, because it is not just an order to do [restore funding].

    “It is an order to turn up on the first day of each month, and to appraise the court of what action is [the USAGM] taking to disburse the funds.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –