NewzIntel.com

Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Coons leads Senior Democrats in demanding additional information from White House after Trump disregards mishandling classified information by defense officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, led a letter to the White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles asking for additional details regarding their decision to close the case on the disclosure of sensitive information after The Atlantic revealed senior Trump Administration defense officials included a journalist in a Signal group chat about plans for U.S. strikes in Yemen. 

    Last month, The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg published a series of articles detailing his inclusion in a Signal chat with high-ranking Trump administration officials about upcoming military strikes conducted in Yemen. Despite lawmakers on both sides of the aisle calling for investigations into the officials and circumstances around the group chat, the White House said that this “case has been closed.” However, shortly after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made those comments, the press reported that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and his aides used personal Gmail accounts for government business. 

    The senators wrote, “It is unclear to us if this White House review included the existence of additional Signal group chats, or their contents, or the use of personal email accounts for government business.”

    In their letter, the Senators requested that Wiles answer the following questions:

    1. Did the White House review identify other instances in which Signal, or other unapproved personal applications such as Gmail, were used to conduct official business?
    2. How many additional Signal group chats were created to conduct official business? What topics were discussed?  Have those chats been archived in compliance with the Presidential Records Act?  Were subsequent classification reviews of the material conducted?
    3. What steps have been taken to ensure that the National Security Council’s archives directorate has accessed all communication on Signal, or other unapproved applications, to preserve the content of these deliberations in compliance with the Presidential Records Act?
    4. What, if any, disciplinary actions were taken as a result of the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive military information to a journalist?
    5. Was a formal classification review conducted of the messages included in the “Houthi PC small group” Signal group chat?  Did the Department of Defense and the United States Central Command concur with the proposed portion-markings contained in any classification review?
    6. Did this classification review assess the risk of adversary detection of U.S. aircraft if the adversary were able to obtain the precise take-off location of inbound aircraft?
    7. Is Signal an approved messaging application for the transmission of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)?
    8. What specific steps have been taken “to ensure that something like that can, obviously, never happen again?

    In addition to Senator Coons, the letter is signed by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair; Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS).

    Last month, Senator Coons led his fellow democratic ranking members in sending a letter to the Acting Inspectors General of the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the Department of State calling for an investigation into the matter. 

    You can read the full text of the letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: UNDER TRUMP AND GOP PLAN TO CRIPPLE MEDICAID, COUNTLESS WESTERN NY SENIORS COULD BE KICKED OUT OF NURSING HOMES, REHAB FACILITIES & LOSE HEALTHCARE; STANDING WITH BUFFALO SENIORS AND NURSES,…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    JUST LAST WEEK Congressional Republicans Voted To Advance The Biggest Medicaid Cut In History — $880 BILLION — Which Could Force Nursing Homes Across Upstate NY To Close Or Lay Off Staff, As Well As Hospitals, Health Centers, Addiction Treatment Centers, Kicking Patients To The Curb

    Lancaster’s Greenfield Health & Rehab Center Is 50% Funded By Medicaid, Paying For Seniors’ Care; GOP’s Dangerous Medicaid Cuts Would Impact 370,000+ WNYers, Forcing Families To Pick Up The Whole Bill To Keep Loved Ones In Facilities

    Schumer: We Are In A Fight Of A Lifetime To Protect WNY Seniors & Their Families From Looming GOP Medicaid Cuts

    Just a week after Congressional Republicans voted to advance the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stood with Western NY seniors and nurses at GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center to call on Congressional Republicans to block Trump’s plan to decimate Medicaid. The Republican plan to cut $880 billion from Medicaid would hurt more than 370,000 Western New Yorkers and millions more across the nation, forcing families to choose between taking their loved ones out of their homes and covering all the costs to keep them in facilities.

    “Last week, House Republicans voted to advance the biggest Medicaid cut in history, putting places like GreenField that care for our seniors in danger. Buffalo’s nursing homes, addiction treatment centers, hospitals and more all depend on Medicaid to provide care. If these cuts go through, it would risk care for over 370,000 in Western NY,” said Senator Schumer. “This proposal to decimate Medicaid is not just heartless, it would mean Western NY’s seniors can’t get the care they need and might face the prospect of being kicked out of homes like this. It would be a gut punch to our hospitals like Erie County Medical Center, jeopardize funding to addiction treatment centers worsening the opioid crisis here in Western NY. We are in the fight of a lifetime to block the Republican plan to gut Medicaid by $880 BILLION. That’s why I’m demanding Congressional Republicans stand up and protect Western NY’s seniors and their families from this awful choice.”

    Schumer said Western New York’s seniors and their families will face the worst when Republicans cut Medicaid. Over 370,000 people in Western New York have Medicaid for their insurance, and many of them are seniors who could be discharged from local nursing homes, rehab facilities, and assisted living care if Congressional Republicans Medicaid. Schumer explained that once Medicaid is forced to stop paying for senior care in these facilities, and once the facilities exhaust every possible way to keep seniors in place, many families could face a grueling dilemma: pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket to keep ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ in care, or move them back home.

    In Western New York’s 23rd congressional district, Medicaid is a lifeline, covering nearly 70% of nursing home residents, 38% of children, close to half of all births, and nearly one-third of ER visits, outpatient surgeries, and clinic care. At Lancaster’s GreenField Health and Rehabilitation Center –50% of funding comes from Medicaid to ensure seniors can live there with dignity – the proposed cuts would deal a serious financial blow, not only to GreenField, but also to its parent organization, Lineage, which operates multiple senior care and health services across the region. Erie County Medical Center relies on over $800 million in revenue from Medicaid every year, which is 48% of the funding for Western NY’s premier Level 1 trauma center. For Catholic Health, Medicaid covers over $200 million in healthcare for patients across its four nursing homes and six hospital campuses.  It would also risk some of the region’s most critical medical services, like addiction treatment which heavily relies on Medicaid, and experts say would be among the hardest hit under the GOP cuts worsening the opioid crisis.

    The Congressional Republican proposal to cut $880 billion from Medicaid would mean that the costs of care shifts to states, which would result in slashed services, benefits, eligibility, and reimbursement rates. These agonizing decisions would happen at the state and local level, with county executives and state legislators forced to decide where to make up for the huge budget hole caused by Republicans slashing federal funding for Medicaid. Counties could even be forced to shoulder the burden of increased costs in Medicaid, using more local dollars to provide coverage because less federal funding will be coming in. This means legislators and county executives will have to decide who loses their Medicaid, what services will no longer be covered, or how much doctors will be paid. The senator said while some Congressional Republicans claim that this plan won’t cut Medicaid, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found the GOP plan could not be reached without reducing the funding that goes to Medicaid. There is no way to protect Medicaid benefits if Republicans move ahead with these cuts.

    Schumer added, “Trump wants these cuts for one reason: to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. It’s not looking out for your parents or grandparents. They have tried to hide their Medicaid cuts, use smoke and mirrors and claim this isn’t a cut, but the math shows this would hurt our seniors and families Medicaid, and places like Western NY the most.”

    “New York State Nursing homes face a Medicaid deficit in funding of over $100 per day per resident. Nearly 70,000 nursing home beds in New York are at risk for closing under this growing funding deficit. Without proper reimbursement, the post acute system will crumble, and residents of our community not be able to get the care they need. Further cuts to the Medicaid system will put the entire health care system at risk. We need others at the Federal level to follow Senator Schumer’s lead in making sure these cuts are stopped,” said Dr. Christopher Koenig, President of Lineage Care Group.

    “This idea to cut Medicaid is a shame. It shows we don’t value our elders. We don’t value our caregivers. If we did, we wouldn’t be talking about cutting this massively important funding—we’d be fighting to strengthen it. Cutting long term care Medicaid is a moral failure, not just a policy debate. I thank Senator Schumer for being here today and going to bat for healthcare workers and seniors all across Western New York and New York State,” said Sheri Scavone, Board Member of Niagara Lutheran and family member of affected patient.

    “Medicaid is an essential part of the healthcare of millions of Americans and thousands of Erie County residents in nursing homes, rehab facilities and elsewhere, helping them to live dignified and meaningful lives. Under this cruel and heartless GOP plan, our loved ones who rely on Medicaid will be sacrificed, healthcare workers could lose their jobs, and healthcare facilities could close all so that billionaires can get more tax breaks,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “All Americans should be gravely concerned about this brazen theft, the biggest Medicaid cut in history, and all should stand and speak against it. An administration that robs from the poor to give to the rich, aided and abetted by a craven GOP majority that has abandoned American principles, is actively working to hurt Americans and we cannot just stand by and let it happen.”

    Schumer detailed the scope of Medicaid enrollment throughout the country and warned that Medicaid serves as a lifeline for millions of seniors. More than 7 million New Yorkers are enrolled in Medicaid, and it is the primary payer for long-term care in the United States, including at nursing homes and for people living at home. Medicaid pays for services for 2 in 3 nursing home residents. Additionally, close to 4.5 million people across the country rely on Medicaid for home- and community-based services. Families will have nowhere else to turn if Medicaid is cut, and millions of people will be left trying to figure out how to access the care and services they rely on everyday.

    Major reductions in Medicaid spending will have serious consequences for seniors and people with disabilities. Nearly 1 in 4 Medicaid enrollees are eligible for the program because they are ages 65 and older or have a disability. Proposals to limit federal spending on Medicaid will force states to consider dropping or limiting eligibility or coverage for seniors and people with disabilities to make up for a huge budget hole with fewer federal dollars coming to New York. Loss of Medicaid coverage poses unique challenges for seniors and people with disabilities, people who are likely to live on fixed incomes, have high health care spending, and rely on Medicaid for help with everyday life and for coverage of long-term care.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Putin and Sobyanin visited the new campus of Bauman Moscow State Technical University

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin visited the new campus of the Moscow State Technical University (MSTU) named after N.E. Bauman. He familiarized himself with the research and development of teachers, students and postgraduates in the field of space exploration, as well as in other areas. The Mayor of Moscow Sergei Sobyanin reported to the head of state on the work of the Moscow Government to develop Russia’s leading engineering university.

    Vladimir Putin also held a meeting at the university on the development of space activities, which was attended by representatives of departments related to this industry.

    “Our focus today is on the development of the domestic space industry for the long term. Addressing this topic is always a special responsibility to the pioneers of space, to those people who set the highest bar for us,” said the Russian President.

    Vladimir Putin congratulated veterans of the industry, cosmonauts and servicemen of the Russian Aerospace Forces on the recent Cosmonautics Day, and also thanked all employees of state enterprises, private space companies, scientific organizations and universities for their work. Particular attention was paid to the merits of the team of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, among whose graduates there is a whole galaxy of famous cosmonauts, outstanding scientists and designers.

    “The best traditions of personnel training are developing and multiplying these days, and, as we have seen, in the new campus. Modern conditions are being created here for obtaining in-demand competencies. Of course, we will implement such projects in other cities of Russia,” Vladimir Putin emphasized.

    Construction of the campus of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University

    The project for the construction of a new educational complex of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University was implemented by the Moscow Government together with the Russian Government on behalf of Vladimir Putin. The new campus became the first facility in the country built under the federal project “Creation of a Network of Modern Campuses”. It became part of the national project “Science and Universities”, the implementation of which has been ongoing since 2025 within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”This is one of the largest and most complex projects in the field of development of higher professional education.

    “A total of 14 buildings with a total area of about 170 thousand square meters were built and restored in the shortest possible time. This was achieved through coordinated work – the facilities were built and designed in parallel. In almost 90 percent of cases, components and equipment from domestic manufacturers were used,” the Moscow Mayor said.

    in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    In 2022 – early 2024, six facilities of the MSTU research cluster were opened.

    The Life Sciences Engineering Cluster (formerly the Biomedical Systems and Technologies Center) is designed to implement modern educational programs, conduct research and development in the field of engineering and life sciences. Along with the educational programs of the Biomedical Engineering Faculty, research and development in the field of advanced biomedical engineering is conducted here. The building houses classrooms, including an office with a transformable partition, rooms for teachers, and a meeting room. Much space is allocated to advanced laboratories, including Biophotonics and Visualization of Living Systems, Neuroinfobionics, Rapid Prototyping, Cellular Technologies and Tissue Engineering, and Functional Hydrogels.

    The Engineering Center for Ground Transport and Technological Systems is designed to carry out research and development work, as well as to implement educational programs in the field of creation and operation of ground transport and technological machines and complexes. The building houses laboratories, engineers’ offices, educational and laboratory premises, office premises for employees, a classroom, premises for scientific research and meetings. The KAMAZ-Bauman Scientific and Educational Center and several specialized laboratories operate here. In particular, the Wheeled Machines laboratory has been opened, conducting work in five key areas, such as Traction Electric Drives and Mechatronic Transmissions, Intelligent NTTS Systems, Hydraulic Testing, On-Board Storage Devices, and Acoustic Testing.

    The multifunctional scientific and educational building is a new five-story building with an area of 20 thousand square meters, designed to accommodate research laboratories, scientific, administrative and educational spaces. The building houses seven departments of the university, as well as a complex of laboratories of mechanical engineering technologies, ground-based technological and launch equipment for rocket and space, vacuum and compressor technology. In total, 26 laboratories are open here, including laboratories of additive manufacturing technologies, reverse engineering and prototyping, research and certification of additive materials and additive manufacturing technologies.

    The exhibition and educational media space “Palace of Technologies” is located in the building of an architectural monument – the restored two-story Phanagoria barracks built in the 18th century. The ceremonial halls of the palace are intended for holding ceremonies, international meetings, scientific and educational forums and other thematic events of congress and exhibition activities. The university’s specialized departments are located here – the information policy department and the organizational and protocol work department. In December 2023, the building hosted the first open day of the Faculty of Robotics and Complex Automation, which was attended by more than 200 people. Representatives of the faculty prepared lectures on the digital transformation of industry, robotics and engineering infrastructure of a modern industrial enterprise. Applicants and their parents were told about the admission rules, curricula of educational programs, as well as future employment, career and salary prospects.

    The research center is a new six-story building with an area of 5.1 thousand square meters. The advanced engineering school “System Engineering of Rocket and Space Technology” operates on its basis. In addition, departments developing products for space and aviation have launched their activities here.

    The multifunctional library building is a restored three-story building of the chemical laboratory of the Imperial Moscow Technical School, built in the 19th century according to the design of the architect Lev Kekushev. It trains IT specialists. It houses classrooms and computer labs for lectures, seminars and laboratory work, specialized laboratories for classes with senior students of the university’s industrial partners – IT companies, as well as coworking spaces and premises for teachers and postgraduate students of the departments. Since February 2024, the building has been hosting strategic sessions, scientific and practical conferences and other socially significant events. In addition, it was used as an accreditation center on the day of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University alumni meeting, which was attended by more than two thousand people.

    Vladimir Putin and Sergei Sobyanin opened new buildings of Bauman Moscow State Technical University

    By September 2024, work on several sites was completed.

    The central cluster with a total area of about 51 thousand square meters includes five buildings of different heights – from four to six. The main task of the architects was to visually separate different functional areas without disturbing the overall harmony of the ensemble. To do this, they decided to detail the facades of the buildings with the help of scientific formulas. The facade glass looks different: in some places the formulas and equations are visible as clearly as possible, in others they are reflected, and in buildings with atrium spaces they can disappear depending on the viewing angle. All five buildings are united by a hovering dome roof – a membrane structure with an area of 2.5 thousand square meters, which will protect the ensemble and the inner courtyard from bad weather and make it more comfortable.

    The center of the square is the “tree of knowledge” – an oak tree, around which an amphitheater for students and employees of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University is located. The inner courtyard is open to city residents, which made it possible to create a new center for meetings and communication.

    The central cluster of Bauman Moscow State Technical University houses an innovation hub and a congress center, a cluster of “Environmental Protection Technologies – Green Territory”, a center of excellence and a scientific and educational cluster of digital transformation, a center of excellence and a scientific and educational cluster of “Digital Materials Science”, as well as a federal testing center.

    The multifunctional complex “Quantum Park” with a total area of 13.8 thousand square meters houses research laboratories with advanced equipment, including world-class “clean rooms”, co-working spaces and transformable spaces for presenting scientific developments.

    Today, it is one of the most advanced research complexes in the world. It is designed to solve practical problems at the intersection of quantum, photonic and fluid technologies that will determine the future of science and industry.

    The Quantum Park building is one of the largest and at the same time the most equipped in the new cluster. “House of Light” was the working title of the new building. The architects sought to make it truly airy and luminous.

    The Bauman Moscow State Technical University dormitory complex consists of the Spektr and Strela buildings. It is designed to accommodate about 2.3 thousand students.

    According to Sergei Sobyanin, a small plot of land between the river and the city collector was chosen for its construction. Now the dormitories have everything necessary for a comfortable stay of students.

    In addition to living quarters, the buildings with a total area of 60.5 thousand square meters house a multifunctional educational and leisure center, multimedia spaces and the necessary social infrastructure. An unusual form of faceted crystals was chosen for the student dormitory buildings: the monoform effect was achieved by increasing the size of the glass on the facades.

    The flat facade of the building reflects the surrounding environment during the day: trees, clouds and sun. From the street, spectacular panoramic glass spanning the entire floor is visible. The windows inside the building are not only beautiful, but also fully functional: there are window sills and ventilation sashes.

    The seven-story Spektr building on Gospitalnaya Embankment is designed for 550 students who live in single, double, triple and quadruple rooms. Some of the rooms have been adapted for people with disabilities. The residential units have a kitchen area, an entrance hall, a bathroom with a bathtub, and modern and functional furniture. The building houses the Novoselye information center. It processes documents for moving in and accepts requests for electrical, plumbing and furniture repairs. Public spaces include coworking spaces and rooms with individual work areas, music classrooms and rehearsal rooms. The Spektr building also has a modern canteen with 140 seats.

    Sergei Sobyanin announced the completion of construction of two new buildings of Baumanka

    Metro station and pedestrian bridges

    Simultaneously with the construction of the research cluster, the Moscow Government implemented a set of measures to develop transport infrastructure and improve the territory in the area of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

    Opened in 2020 Elektrozavodskaya station Large metro ring line. Thanks to the improvement of the adjacent territory, convenient approaches and access roads to it from residential buildings were provided.

    In April 2022, a pedestrian bridge across the Yauza River was opened near the new station. The 111-meter-long artificial structure connected residential areas on the Semenovskaya and Rubtsovskaya embankments, providing convenient access for teachers and students of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, as well as local residents, to the Elektrozavodskaya metro station of the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya and Big Circle Lines and the station of the same name on the third Moscow Central Diameter.

    In September 2024, the construction of a 243-meter-long bicycle and pedestrian bridge across the Yauza River was completed. It provides a connection between the educational buildings of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University, as well as unimpeded passage from Rubtsovskaya Embankment to the buildings of the N.N. Burdenko Main Military Clinical Hospital. The artificial structure was made in the form of open caissoned steel structures with lighting from the bottom. This gives a sense of the fluidity of the bridge and the river beneath it. The smooth lines of the structures compositionally continue the lines of the concrete supports.

    The accent points of the bridge are the staircase and elevator units, made in the form of crystals. They harmoniously connect the appearance of the engineering structure with the architecture of the new campus buildings. In addition, the crystals have a symbolic connection with education and scientific activity. Cyclists and pedestrians can move along the bridge. There is a recreation area and a viewing area – a comfortable observation deck with an amphitheater. In addition to bike paths, the bridge is equipped with ramps for cyclists, stairways and elevators for people with limited mobility.

    Moscow Mayor: 25 Tunnels, Overpasses, Bridges and Overpasses Built in 2024

    Metallurg Stadium

    The historic Metallurg stadium on the bank of the Yauza River was donated to Bauman Moscow State Technical University. It became the university’s main home arena.

    According to Sergei Sobyanin, a complete reconstruction of the stadium is currently underway, within the framework of which a modern gym and changing rooms will be built here, and all the necessary infrastructure will be created.

    The comprehensive renovation of the sports facility is planned to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. It will house a football and rugby field, a basketball and volleyball court, beach volleyball, workout and tennis areas. In addition, sports enthusiasts will be provided with a physical education and health complex and an administrative and household complex with volleyball courts that can be transformed for other sports (table tennis, basketball and mini-football), as well as a hall for the volleyball super league, exercise machines, comfortable locker rooms, coaches’ rooms, a room for storing sports equipment and a first aid station. In addition, the stadium will have an event venue, a recreation area, a pavilion-cafe with a summer terrace and a children’s play area.

    The renovated Metallurg stadium will become a modern sports complex — Sobyanin

    Improvement of neighborhoods in the area of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University

    “Along with the construction of the research cluster, much was done to improve the transport infrastructure in the area of the university. The nearby neighborhoods were also improved,” said Sergei Sobyanin

    in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    Landscaping works were carried out in the areas located near the Bauman Moscow State Technical University complex of buildings and the Metallurg stadium. In particular, in 2023, landscaping of 14 objects was completed: Baumanskaya, 2-ya Baumanskaya, Malaya Pochtovaya and Ladozhskaya streets, as well as Staro-Kirochny, Denisovsky, Gardnerovsky, Brigadirsky, Maly Gavrikov, Gospitalny and Spartakovsky lanes, Proektiruyemy proezd No. 1106, the inter-yard area from Lefortovskaya Square to Gospitalny Lane, as well as Khomutovsky blind alley.

    Comfortable conditions for pedestrians were created on the landscaped streets: sidewalks were widened where possible, new outdoor lighting supports with energy-saving lamps were installed, and comfortable public spaces with places to rest were arranged.

     

    Four new pavilions with charging slots and information boards were installed at public transport stops. Convenient parking for 278 cars was arranged, and for cyclists – bicycle parking for 63 places.

    During the additional landscaping work, lawns and flower beds with a total area of over 14 thousand square meters were laid out, and large trees and shrubs were planted.

    Under the Clean Sky project, overhead cable lines were moved to underground collectors. In addition, storm drains were put in order, the asphalt pavement of the roadway was replaced, road signs and other infrastructure facilities were updated.

    Sobyanin: A number of areas near universities in Moscow will be improved by 2024

    In September 2024, the reorganization of the space between Lefortovo Embankment and Bauman Moscow State Technical University was completed. A convenient route from the main building of the university to the Faculty of Power Engineering and a new pedestrian path from Lefortovo Square to the embankment were created for students and teachers. The area in front of Lefortovo Palace was also transformed: an additional approach to the main building of the university was organized in place of the dilapidated buildings, the granite paving of the staircase near the building was renewed, benches were installed on the territory, a lawn was laid out and a video surveillance system was installed. The sidewalk along the embankment was widened, protective screens and lanterns with energy-efficient lamps were installed, and the parking area was reorganized.

    Leading space university in Russia

    Bauman Moscow State Technical University is rightfully considered the largest center for training personnel for the space industry. Among the university’s graduates are outstanding designers Sergei Korolev, Vladimir Barmin, Nikolai Pilyugin, many other managers and leading employees of industry enterprises, as well as 15 cosmonauts.

    Today, more than 4.5 thousand students are studying at the university in areas related to space exploration. By the end of 2024, 90 percent of graduates in these specialties were successfully employed.

    For the practice-oriented training of students and the implementation of research and development work on space topics, specialized divisions operate at Bauman Moscow State Technical University:

    — educational and experimental center based at the Dmitrov branch;

    — an educational and scientific youth space center with a flight control center, in which students develop microsatellites, payloads for space experiments, and special software and mathematical support;

    — the design bureau “Breakthrough Space Research and Technology”, which implements the full cycle of spacecraft and their systems development, integration of target equipment from third-party developers and leading domestic scientific organizations. Currently, there are six satellites in orbit, designed for weather monitoring and forecasting. They are also used for marine navigation of ships, including in the Northern Sea Route zone;

    — advanced engineering school “System Engineering of Rocket and Space Technology”. The federal project was created in 2022 on the initiative of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation with the aim of training specialists in the field of system design to solve breakthrough problems in the rocket and space industry, as well as to implement projects in the interests of high-tech companies. Special equipment and machinery have been purchased for specific educational and research purposes, which are already being used by teachers and students.

    Today, 160 students are studying at the engineering school. The training includes practical work at enterprises of the state corporation Roscosmos and private space companies in the laboratories of the advanced engineering school, work with mentors in team projects. Students in interdisciplinary teams participate in the implementation of research and development work commissioned by industry enterprises. The school works in several areas, including the creation of the Russian orbital station and the production of a promising component base to ensure Russia’s technological sovereignty in space.

    Which capital companies offer internship and practical training programs for university and college students

    On cooperation with the Moscow Innovation Cluster

    MSTU named after N.E. Bauman is a member Moscow Innovation Cluster. The university carries out research and development work for government and commercial customers in the field of creating spacecraft, electronic systems, and other strategically important areas. In particular, work is underway on the project of a small-sized descent vehicle “Zaryanka” – a system for delivering samples and materials for research from orbit of space stations.

    On the development of the Moscow aerospace industry

    Moscow is the center of the rocket and space industry of Russia, where over 40 enterprises, scientific and technical centers, laboratories and research institutes work. They employ over 30 thousand people. These are engineers and designers, developers and other specialists in related fields, thanks to whom almost everything is created in the city: from ultra-light cables to launch vehicles and components for spacecraft.

    In 2024, manufacturers of aircraft, including spacecraft, and related equipment increased shipments by 11.7 percent compared to 2023: companies delivered products worth about 214.4 billion rubles. The revenue of enterprises in 2024 amounted to almost 200 billion rubles, and investments in fixed assets exceeded nine billion rubles.

    The Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center operates in Moscow. It is one of the basic enterprises of the Roscosmos state corporation, a leading domestic developer and manufacturer of space launch vehicles of various payload capacities and their components for federal and commercial programs. For example, it created the third stage, assembly units, payload fairing and other parts of the Angara-A5 heavy rocket, which was launched on April 11, 2024.

    The development of control systems for rocket and space technology is carried out by the Scientific and Production Center for Automation and Instrumentation (NPCAI) named after Academician N.A. Pilyugin. Here they produced the control system for the Angara-A5 rocket, and for the Proton-M launch vehicle – a single hardware and software complex that ensures control of pre-launch preparation and flight mode. In addition, the Fregat upper stage, designed to launch spacecraft into various specified orbits, is equipped with an integrated inertial-satellite control system of JSC NPCAI.

    A unique development of Moscow industrialists was space bread. The capital’s Research Institute of the Baking Industry is responsible for its production. This product, which can be stored for 15 months, is supplied to cosmonauts in the form of mini-loaves. In addition, flour flatbreads with onions, cheese and ketchup are prepared for them, as well as mini-muffins and rolls for tea.

    The capital’s Spetskabel plant produces a cable for onboard computer networks using SpaceWire technology. Information is transmitted at a speed of 400 megabits per second, four times faster than similar products. It is manufactured using lightweight foam insulation technology, which makes the cable thinner and lighter than foreign analogues. Its operating temperature is from minus 198 to plus 200 degrees, which guarantees stable operation in extreme space conditions.

    In the Moscow engineering center “Automated Control Systems” they test the electronic component base for products of the rocket and space industry in the components of ground simulators for training cosmonauts for flight, as well as in many other devices. They are tested, in particular, for resistance to shock loads and for determining the critical frequencies of the product.

    Ventilation systems produced in the capital are used at key facilities in the space industry. Thus, the GalVent ventilation factory ensures a comfortable microclimate in the premises at the Vostochny and Plesetsk cosmodromes, the country’s scientific and production centers, and the center for the operation of ground-based space infrastructure facilities.

    The Russian aerospace company Bureau 1440 is developing a low-orbit satellite constellation that will provide broadband Internet access with data transfer rates of up to one gigabit per second with minimal delays anywhere on Earth. The work is being carried out as part of the national project Data Economy.

    Sobyanin: Moscow remains the center of Russia’s high-tech industry

    A number of other companies also work in the Moscow space industry. For example, the N.A. Dollezhal Research and Design Institute of Power Engineering produces systems for the automation of reactors and nuclear space installations.

    ExpertStroyProekt LLC produces antenna and telemetry systems, ground-based receiving telemetry stations, as well as command radio line equipment, space, rocket and aviation based for stationary monitoring of the Earth’s surface and its atmosphere, measuring, receiving and control radio engineering and optoelectronic testing complexes for rocket and aviation equipment.

    The State Research Institute of Instrument Engineering produces drones and various devices of a wide range, on-board systems for space and aircraft.

    The Kometa Corporation produces computing systems, automated control systems, spacecraft payloads, television systems, automatic equipment, radio measuring equipment, artistic castings and television surveillance systems. The Research Institute of Precision Instruments produces products for radio control of spacecraft.

    The research and production enterprise (RPE) “Impulse” is creating a controlled thermostatic system for liquid fuel of a rocket engine under conditions of variable thermal load, and the RPE “Quantum” is creating autonomous power supply systems.

    OOO Sputniks (Skolkovo) manufactures debugging tools and devices for microsatellites, and the scientific and production concern Barl develops and implements solutions in the field of remote sensing of the Earth and satellite communications.

    The VNIIEM corporation is engaged in space systems for remote sensing of the Earth, and the scientific and production association Nauka creates life support systems.

    The All-Russian Research Institute of Aviation Materials of the National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute” is producing a light-filtering gold coating for the Orlan spacesuit.

    JSC Aeropribor-Voskhod produces aerometric, radio-electronic and navigation equipment, precision and working pressure gauges for aviation and space technology.

    A large number of projects in this industry and the telecommunications sector are being implemented in the special economic zone (SEZ) Technopolis Moscow. At the Pechatniki site, one of the leading Russian developers of high-tech equipment, Neoros LLC, in partnership with Biforcom Tek LLC, produces transceivers used in telecommunications equipment. The Goodwin Concern produces a microcellular communication system used to service subscribers. Labs 1440 JSC (ICS Holding Company) has placed the production of components for a low-orbit satellite system.

    At the Alabushevo site in Zelenograd, the Electroinvest group of companies launched the production of radiation-resistant secondary power sources.

    The construction of the Moscow Photonics Center has been completed. Its production capacity will be 100 thousand photonic integrated circuits (PIC) per year. A PIC is a microchip designed for ultra-fast processing of light (photonic) signals, which increases the data transfer rate by 100 times. It is a basic element for the implementation of modern technologies of artificial intelligence, fifth-generation mobile communications (5G), biomedicine, lidars, radars and much more.

    Another important project at the Alabushevo site is the construction of a photomask center, which is used to create integrated circuits. The enterprise’s capacity will allow it to produce up to 5.5 thousand photomasks per year.

    Over the year, 30 high-tech production facilities have been launched in the Technopolis Moscow SEZ

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12629050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Small Businesses Highlight Devastating Impacts of Sweeping Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

     ***VIDEO AVAILABLE***

    Video download is available here.

    Las Vegas, Nev. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) highlighted the devastating impacts the chaos of the Trump Administration’s tariffs have had on the cost of operating small businesses and on the American economy itself. President Donald Trump recently implemented sweeping new tariffs that will raise the cost of groceries, energy, and household goods for Nevada businesses and families and are impacting travel and tourism to Nevada. The Senator was joined by Co-Founder of Tacotarian Kristen Corral, CEO and Founder of Mothership Coffee Juanny Romero, and Owner of BAMBU Dessert Drinks Santy Luangpraseuth.

    “In his first 100 days, President Trump has done nothing but create chaos and uncertainty, impacting hardworking families across the country,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Nevada’s small businesses know better than anyone just how hard it has been to operate right now. I will never stop fighting for our small business owners.”

    Senator Cortez Masto has continued to push the Trump Administration to address the impacts of Trump’s tariffs on working families. Earlier this month, the Senator wrote a letter to the Administration demanding they provide their plan to mitigate the economic stress caused by the implementation of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and other executive actions. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Cortez Masto pressed U.S. Trade Representative Greer about the impacts of President Trump’s blanket tariffs on Nevadans, particularly those employed in the tourism and hospitality industry. The Senator introduced the Tariff Transparency Act to require the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate how Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada will impact the American people and make that information public.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: People in British Columbia encouraged to prepare for seasonal hazards

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in British Columbia are urged to prepare for seasonal hazards as the warming weather increases the likelihood of climate-related emergencies, including spring flooding, wildfires and drought.

    “Over the past year, we’ve taken significant action to strengthen our ability to mitigate and respond to emergencies to better support people,” said Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. “Preparing for emergencies is a team effort, and as warmer weather arrives, it’s equally important that people have their own emergency plan, have a grab-and-go bag ready and know what to do in all types of emergency situations. By being prepared, we will get through whatever this season brings together.”

    Warming weather in the coming weeks will cause snowpack to melt, leading to increased spring runoff. When paired with heavy or extended rainfall, this can heighten the risk of flooding in rivers, streams and lakes. The latest snowpack surveys from the River Forecast Centre, released on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, show B.C.’s overall snowpack is at 79% of normal. Comparatively, in April 2024, the provincial snowpack averaged 63% of normal, the lowest it had been in 50 years.

    “Even though it’s only April, drier than normal conditions in parts of the province, combined with long-term water supply challenges, mean we already need to be mindful of water use,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “That’s why we continue to update our Drought and Water Scarcity Response Plan and invest in long-term water security, including through the $100-million Watershed Security Fund.”

    Flooding and drought preparedness:

    To prepare for potential flooding, people living in low-lying areas are encouraged to move equipment and other assets to higher ground and clear perimeter drains, eavestroughs and gutters. People should be on alert if they notice a rapid change in water levels, especially a drop, as this indicates a problem upstream. People should call their local fire, police or public works department immediately if they suspect something is out of the ordinary.

    The River Forecast Centre snowpack survey also provides insight into how people and communities in B.C. could be affected by drought. In summer 2024, many parts of the province experienced one of the most severe droughts in recorded history. As B.C. continues to get less snow and rain than average, it’s having a lasting impact on water levels and there is potential for prolonged drought this year.

    Communities and businesses are encouraged to take steps to use water more efficiently and plan for potential drought conditions. Everyone can help save water. Small changes make a big difference when people do them together.

    Wildfire preparedness:

    BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) forecasts indicates that British Columbia may experience an active spring wildfire season due to persistent drought conditions. This activity is expected to increase if there continues to be limited precipitation over the next several weeks and months. Until significant and sustained rains occur, the risk of ignition will remain elevated.

    “Every day, the hard-working members of the BC Wildfire Service are preparing for the 2025 wildfire season,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “We don’t know what it will bring, but we are putting in the work each and every day to protect our communities. With warmer weather just around the corner, I urge British Columbians to do their part to help protect their homes and communities through our provincial FireSmart program.”

    The Province is working to keep communities safe by focusing on all four phases of emergency management: prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. As part of these efforts, a series of enhancements were made to improve firefighter recruitment and training, step up wildfire-prevention work, expand BCWS contracts for aerial support and incorporate new technologies to better support firefighting.

    How people can prepare for emergencies:

    To prepare for seasonal hazards, people should put together an emergency kit that includes essentials, such as water, non-perishable food, medication and a first-aid kit. In addition, pack a grab-and-go bag, which is a small emergency kit that’s easy to take with you, in case you need to leave right away. Having a home emergency plan with important details, such as contact information and emergency meeting places, is also encouraged.

    When there is an evacuation order, Emergency Support Services (ESS) will be available to support people with their short-term basic needs, such as accommodation, food and clothing. People can create an Emergency Support Services profile here: https://ESS.gov.bc.ca
    In the event you are evacuated, having a profile can make it even easier and quicker to receive support.

    In 2024, the Province improved how people are supported by ESS, including introducing the option for evacuees to receive $200 per night for accommodation, providing evacuees with a direct deposit payment option to reduce lineups at reception centres during large-scale emergencies, and establishing the BC Evacuation Helpline to help people get connected to supports remotely.

    Having home or tenant insurance is one of the best ways people can protect their families, homes and property in the event of an emergency. In B.C., home insurance that provides coverage for fire damage and losses is readily available in every community in B.C. Both home and tenant insurance policies typically have additional coverage for living expenses if you need to leave your home during an evacuation order.

    Quick Facts:

    • The Province issues BC Emergency Alerts to cellphones, radio and television for wildfires, floods, extreme heat and tsunamis.
    • Natural Resources Canada issues emergency alerts for earthquakes. 
    • Since 2017, the Province has provided approximately $500 million to First Nations and local governments for approximately 2,600 disaster-preparedness and mitigation projects through Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness funding programs.
    • For wildfire-prevention initiatives through BCWS, FireSmart initiatives and the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC), $90 million has been allocated in 2025.
    • There are 88 cultural and prescribed burn projects planned for 2025, 48 were completed in 2024.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, including information about emergency kits, household emergency plans and hazard-specific guides, visit: https://PreparedBC.ca  

    For information on evacuation alerts and orders, visit: https://EmergencyInfoBC.ca or follow @EmergencyInfoBC on X.

    To learn about flood conditions and advisories, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/riverforecast

    To learn about how to prepare for wildfires, visit: https://firesmartbc.ca/

    To learn more about open burning safety, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status

    Real-time wildfire information can be found on the BC Wildfire Service mobile app, which is available for Apple and Android users.

    To register with Emergency Support Services, visit: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mississippi Firm to Pay $1,207,600 to Resolve Disaster Recovery Claims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston announced today that Horne LLP, of Ridgeland, Mississippi, has agreed to pay the United States $1,207,600 to resolve civil allegations that it received improper payments from federal disaster recovery grant funds in connection with disaster recovery services it provided in 2017 and 2018 in West Virginia.

    On June 23, 2016, portions of the Southern District of West Virginia experienced extreme levels of rainfall, resulting in historic flooding over a vast swath of the region. Flood waters rushing across West Virginia’s mountainous landscape damaged or swept away thousands of homes, businesses, bridges and other infrastructure, leaving thousands of West Virginia residents homeless and at least 23 dead. Following a presidential disaster declaration issued in response to the flooding, Congress appropriated funds for disaster recovery in West Virginia to be administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the form of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. These funds were made available to fund an array of recovery needs in West Virginia including housing rehabilitation and replacement for low income homeowners.

    Soon after CDBG-DR funds were appropriated, Horne was selected by the West Virginia Development Office (WVDO) to develop the state’s Action Plan for use of the disaster recovery grant funds. Horne is an accounting and professional services firm specializing in administering state and federal disaster recovery programs across the United States. Horne’s contract with the State of West Virginia included task orders requiring Horne to assist the WVDO in developing a CDBG-DR Action Plan which were to be used to secure additional project funding and to provide program guidance, design and development services. The contract which provided for total compensation of $900,000 was approved by the West Virginia Department of Administration Purchasing Division (WVDAPD). 

    Although the contract provided for total compensation of $900,000, additional “task orders” were added to the contract that inflated the cost of the contract to more than $18,000,000. As a result of these additions, Horne was awarded responsibility for the housing rehabilitation program, which was later re-branded as “Rise West Virginia Housing Restoration Program” (WV-HRP or “RISE”).

    The RISE program came under scrutiny in late 2017 when Horne’s contract was reviewed by the West Virginia Department of Administration Purchasing Division. During the review, it was discovered that Horne’s original contract price had ballooned from $900,000 to more than $18,000,000 without competitive bidding, review, or approval by the WVDAPD or the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

    The administration of then-Gov. Jim Justice declared the additional work orders to be illegal, and that Horne could not be paid for any services competed under them. This prompted Horne to seek to sell the data it had generated through its operations in West Virginia to the government at a price intended to reflect the value of its prior services. Horne submitted an invoice totaling $6,739,575, and the invoice was paid on November 6, 2018, from the federal CDBG-DR funds.

    After Horne transmitted its project data to state officials, investigators discovered that many of the services sold to the sate were problematic. In particular, investigators discovered that many of the “personal consultations,” included on Horne’s invoice at $950 each, were for cold calls that resulted in a finding of “no unmet need.” Despite a quick call confirming the homeowner had no need of Horne’s services, Horne created an applicant file for each person, complete with fictitious birthdates, social security numbers, and fake signatures on legal documents. Investigators also found that in some cases these personal consultations were actually performed by staff for Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), not Horne. Investigators found that approximately 48 of the physical property inspections, costing the government $1,850 each, were for vacant lots where an inspection was not required. Similarly, Horne billed $1,650 for each of 72 repair estimates where there was nothing to repair.

    The Settlement Agreement announced today requires Horne to pay $1,207,600 to resolve the government’s claims.

    “Thousands of West Virginians remained in need after historic flooding damaged or destroyed their homes, and the Horne firm took advantage of the situation,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “This settlement agreement is a result of the excellent work by HUD-OIG and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations, our office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud Investigative Specialist Tyler E. Japhet, and Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. Neil.”

    “The alleged actions of Horne, LLP undermine the mission of HUD’s disaster recovery efforts and takes critical resources away from those who need them the most,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG is committed to partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue accountability for those who seek to exploit federal programs.”

    “The Commission on Special Investigations began investigating the handling of flood related disaster assistance in December of 2018,” said West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations Director Rick Eplin. “Investigators conducted interviews and documented conditions throughout 12 counties in West Virginia touched by the flooding. Investigators documented tragic stories from the families whose homes were destroyed by flood waters. They were struck by the resiliency of the citizens and their commitment to their communities. In the course of the investigation, it was determined that data collected by Horne did not accurately reflect the conditions and circumstances observed by CSI investigators. In partnership with the HUD Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia a positive resolution was achieved.”

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    ###

     

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Addresses Industry Leaders and Innovators at Energy, Technology & Environmental Business Association’s Forum

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) delivered remarks at the Energy, Technology & Environmental Business Association’s New Mexico Federal Business Opportunities Forum to highlight federal investments in energy, innovation, and sustainability, as well as the success of New Mexico businesses in energy, technology, and environmental issues. Senator Luján specifically highlighted investments he helped secure for the National Labs located in New Mexico through the Inflation Reduction Act and efforts he championed in the CHIPS and Science Act to drive scientific innovation in underserved areas in rural New Mexico.

    “New Mexico’s business owners, engineers, scientists, and advocates are helping drive innovation and economic growth right here at home and across the country,” said Senator Luján. “It was a privilege to join industry leaders today at the Energy, Technology & Environmental Business Association’s New Mexico Federal Business Opportunities Forum and recognize all the work that is happening to build a sustainable, competitive, and secure future. I have long fought to make sure New Mexico is front and center in every conversation about energy, innovation, and sustainability, and will continue to do so. I look forward to working together with these industry leaders, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to shape the future of innovation in New Mexico.”

    The Energy, Technology & Environmental Business Association’s New Mexico Federal Business Forum connects industry leaders, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and federal partners to forge new partnerships, share knowledge, and shape the future of innovation in New Mexico.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Courtney, DeLauro, Hayes, 171 Colleagues Introduce Bicameral Legislation To Raise Minimum Wage To $17 By 2030, Benefitting Nearly 22 Million Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.-03), and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05) joined 171 members of Congress and 85 organizations from across the country in introducing the Raise the Wage Act of 2025. This bicameral legislation would ensure American workers make a living wage, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality by raising the minimum wage to $17 for all workers and gradually eliminating subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers. The minimum wage in Connecticut is $16.35 per hour.

    “It’s shameful that there are millions of people in this country who work full-time jobs and yet they can’t afford rent or pay for their groceries. Raising the federal minimum wage to $17 would help 42,000 workers in Connecticut keep up with the cost of living, but it’s just a start. Our economy is failing working people, and I will keep fighting for a future where hard work gives everyone in this country a fair shot at the American Dream,” said Murphy.

    “Low wages have impoverished workers in our country for too long. Raising the minimum wage would drive much-needed economic growth, reduce wealth inequality, and raise 22 million Americans across the country out of poverty. I’m proud to support the Raise the Wage Act and I urge my colleagues to do the same because working class Americans deserve economic security,” said Blumenthal.

    “American workers have gone for more than a decade without a raise in the federal minimum wage,” said Courtney. “At a pitiful $7.25 an hour, the current federal minimum wage does not provide working people with a paycheck that meets the true cost of living. Increasing the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation will go a long way to helping 42,000 Connecticut workers meet their basic needs. ”

    “Working-class Americans are struggling with the high cost of living, and Democrats are moving policies to put more money in their pockets right now,” said DeLauro. “The Raise the Wage Act would ensure the minimum wage is $17 for all workers, strengthening economic security for workers across America – including the 42,000 minimum wage earners in Connecticut. I am proud to join my colleagues in championing this critical legislation.”

    “Connecticut has been ahead of the curve in providing workers with a livable wage,” said Hayes. “The benefits of raising the federal minimum wage would be far-reaching, as there has been no change since 2009 at the federal level. A person who works should be paid a living wage that meets their basic needs.”

    Last year, nearly one in four workers in the U.S. made less than $17 per hour. The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 would raise the federal minimum wage to $17 over five years, eliminate the tipped subminimum wage over seven years, eliminate the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities over five years, and eliminate the subminimum wage for youth workers over seven years. According to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), passing the Raise the Wage Act of 2025 would provide raises to over 22 million workers across the country by 2030.

    In 2024, voters in Missouri and Alaska overwhelmingly voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In 2022, voters in Nebraska voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. In 2020, Florida voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. As a result of inflation, $15 an hour a couple of years ago would be over $18 an hour today. Moreover, if the minimum wage had increased with worker productivity over the last 57 years, it would be over $23 an hour today, not $7.25 an hour.

    Over the last 50 years, nearly $80 trillion in wealth has been redistributed from the bottom 90 percent of America to the top one percent. Today, the value of the current federal minimum wage – $7.25 per hour – is the lowest it has been since 1956 and has declined by over 32 percent since it was last increased in 2009. While approximately four million tipped workers in the U.S. depend on tips for as much as half of their income or more, the tipped sub-minimum wage has remained stagnant at just $2.13 per hour since 1991. The current median wage for at least 37,000 workers with disabilities is just $3.50 per hour.

    Meanwhile, across every state in the country, a living wage for a worker in a family with two working adults and one child is greater than $17 per hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) Family Budget Calculator. Many of these low-wage workers face persistent economic insecurity, struggling to put food on the table and afford basic necessities, including housing, health care, and childcare.

    Black and Hispanic workers disproportionately feel the burden of these low wages as compared to their white counterparts, and that disparity is even worse for women of color. Nearly 40 percent of Hispanic women and 35 percent of Black women make less than $17 per hour.

    U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also cosponsored the legislation.

    More than 85 organizations endorsed the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, including Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Equal Pay Today, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Education Association (NEA), National Employment Law Project (NELP), The National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), One Fair Wage, Oxfam America, Patriotic Millionaires, UNITE HERE, United Autoworkers (UAW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United for Respect, and United Steelworkers (USW).

    The full bill text is available HERE and a fact sheet is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, 43 Colleagues Introduce Bill To Cut Taxes For Working Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    April 16, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 43 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Tax Cut for Workers Act to give millions of working Americans a much-needed tax break. The bill is part of Senate Democrats’ comprehensive plan to bring relief to the American people, and it is being introduced with the senators’ American Families Act to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit. 

    “Donald Trump and Republicans’ sole priority is passing a massive tax break for the billionaires and corporations, while ordinary Americans get table scraps. This bill would give a tax break to the working families who actually need it – not billionaires trying to buy their seventh home or second yacht,” said Murphy.

    “Connecticut workers deserve a break. They are struggling with soaring grocery prices, exorbitant electricity costs, and a myriad of challenges to their everyday budgets. Hard-working Americans need help, not Trump’s billionaire buddies. This bill makes sure tax breaks go to people who really need them,” said Blumenthal.

    The existing Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – the Worker Tax Cut – has been delivering tax relief for millions of workers for decades. This legislation would cut taxes for working class Americans without children, who currently receive a much smaller EITC than workers with children. It also extends eligibility for the tax cut to workers under the age of 25 and over the age of 64.

    U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also cosponsored the legislation.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, 27 Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Expand Childcare Relief To Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    April 16, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 27 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act, legislation to help more working families cover a greater share of the high cost of childcare.

    The senators’ bill would help ease the burden of high childcare costs for working families by permanently expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, raising the maximum credit to $4,000 per child and up to $8,000 per family to offset up to $16,000 in expenses. It would also make the credit refundable to ensure low-income working families can benefit. The credit would be indexed to inflation to retain its value over time.

    “The cost of child care in this country is astronomical, even for millions of Americans who are working full-time to provide for their family. Permanently expanding the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit would offer some relief to parents in Connecticut and across the country trying to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of care,” said Murphy.

    “As the Trump Administration slashes child care funding, we need to fight for even greater investment in this critical resource – sadly unaffordable for countless families. Expanding access to high quality child care is a tremendous boon not only for young children, but also for families, enabling parents to be breadwinners and assets to the workforce. It’s a sound investment and force multiplier for the economy at a time when businesses need more workers,” said Blumenthal.

    The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act would:

    1. Increase the maximum credit amount to $4,000 per child, allowing families to receive up to $8,000 in tax credits to offset up to $16,000 in expenses;
    2. Automatically adjust it to keep pace with inflation;
    3. Save money by phasing out the credit for families making more than $400,000; and
    4. Ensure low-income families can benefit from the tax credit by making it refundable.

    U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) also cosponsored the legislation.

    The bill is also endorsed by the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Child Care Aware of America, Save the Children, First Focus Campaign for Children, First Five Years Fund, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Moms Rising, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Zero to Three, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC).  

    Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee against Torture Commend Armenia on Proactively Addressing Issues in Prisons, Raise Questions on Ensuring Police Accountability for Excessive Use of Force and Tackling the Criminal Subculture in Prisons

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee against Torture today concluded its consideration of the fifth periodic report of Armenia.  Committee Experts commended the State on proactively addressing issues in its main prisons, while raising questions on ensuring the accountability of police officers for excessive use of force and tackling the criminal subculture within prisons. 

    Anna Racu, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee welcomed the swift and constructive response by the Armenian authorities regarding the “quarantine” and disciplinary blocks at Artik Prison, which were promptly closed for refurbishment, ensuring that these areas no longer remained in a state of severe disrepair.  This proactive approach to addressing immediate concerns was commendable.

    Peter Kessing, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said it had been reported that there were still cases where the police used excessive force in conflict with the Convention.  Were audio or video recordings of police interrogation mandatory?  Were taped interrogations routinely reviewed to identify potential instances and acts of torture?  What initiatives had Armenia taken to prevent excessive use of force, including lethal force, by the police in future demonstrations and protests? 

    Ms. Racu said in Armenia, the influence of the criminal subculture significantly undermined the reputation of the prison administration.  What measures had been taken by the Government to break down the informal hierarchies and criminal gangs and networks that had an informal power in many of Armenia’s penitentiary institutions?  What steps were being taken to ensure that all prisoners, regardless of their social status or affiliations, had equal protection under the law and were not subject to discrimination or abuse, including sexual abuse by other inmates or informal leaders?  What measures were being taken to address corruption among prison staff?

    The delegation said in 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established as a civilian oversight body over the police.  It was responsible for areas of public safety, security and disaster risk management, and was driven by the objective of introducing human rights-based approaches in policing and public services.  The large-scale use of video surveillance in police operations ensured accountability of the police.  Patrol police wore body cameras all the time, acknowledged by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture as an important tool for the prevention of torture.

    The delegation said Armenia had produced a draft bill which criminalised receiving or leading groups promoting the criminal subculture.  Since 2024, significant structural reforms had been undertaken and a new operational department now functioned within the central penitentiary service, containing an intelligence unit which was equipped with tools used by criminal police.  From 2022 to 2024, 60 criminal cases were initiated and nine came from penitentiary institutions.  Addressing the criminal subculture was a top priority for Armenia’s Ministry of Justice, the police and penitentiary units.

    Introducing the report, Anna Karapetyan, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia and head of the delegation, said based on its Constitution and ratified international treaties, Armenia had taken strong steps to establish legal provisions and capacities to combat torture and hold violators accountable. In 2021, the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were adopted, followed by the adoption of the new Penitentiary Code in 2022.  The new Criminal Code prescribed three levels of penalty according to the aggravating circumstances of torture and brought substantive changes to the procedure of initiating criminal investigations.  While Armenia continued to uphold its human rights commitments domestically, the continued imprisonment, ill-treatment and torture of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees held by Azerbaijan remained a concern.

    In concluding remarks, Claude Heller, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the excellent and informative dialogue.  The multilateral system was in deep crisis, at the political level and financially.  However, despite all these restrictions, the Committee worked arduously, objectively and constructively to produce a positive impact on the lives of people in the States parties.

    In her closing remarks, Ms. Karapetyan expressed sincere appreciation to the Committee for the excellent dialogue. The Committee’s comments and recommendations reinforced the shared responsibility held together for the prohibition of torture everywhere, under all circumstances.

    The delegation of Armenia consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs; the Ministry of Internal Affairs; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Prosecutor General; the Investigative Committee; and the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee will issue concluding observations on the report of Armenia at the end of its eighty-second session on 2 May.  Those and other documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, will be available on the session’s webpage.  Summaries of the public meetings of the Committee can be found here, and webcasts of the public meetings can be found here.

    The Committee will next meet in public on Thursday, 17 April at 3 p.m. to conclude its consideration of the eighth periodic report of France (CAT/C/FRA/8).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the fifth periodic report of Armenia (CAT/C/ARM/5).

    Presentation of Report

    ANNA KARAPETYAN, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia and head of the delegation, said based on its Constitution and ratified international treaties, Armenia had taken strong steps to establish legal provisions and capacities to combat torture and hold violators accountable.  Armenia had made notable progress in preventing torture and ill-treatment through several strategic reforms.  The 2020–2022 Human Rights Action Plan envisaged 15 actions, including installing audio-video recording in interrogation rooms, developing the relevant guidelines on the investigation of cases of torture, and wide-scale training for professionals in law enforcement, healthcare, and justice, among others. 

    The ongoing 2023–2025 Human Rights Action Plan reinforced the absolute right to be free from torture, including through strengthening the reporting mechanism, enhancing the capabilities of the relevant Department in the Investigative Committee, and improving the conditions of the detention facilities in penitentiary institutions and courts.  The 2020–2022 Police Reform Strategy led to a significant achievement in strengthening civilian oversight of the police, through the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2023.  The 2019–2023 and 2023-2026 Penitentiary and Probation Strategies, along with a dedicated 2021–2022 plan on suicide prevention, contributed to better detention conditions and medical documentation practices. 

    In 2021, the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes were adopted, followed by the adoption of the new Penitentiary Code in 2022.  The new Criminal Code prescribed three levels of penalty according to the aggravating circumstances of torture and brought substantive changes to the procedure of initiating criminal investigations.  The new Criminal Procedure Code guaranteed the minimum rights of arrested persons, as outlined in article 110, which were aligned with international standards. 

    In 2021, the Government adopted a decree furthering the procedure of filling in and monitoring the medical examination protocol, which was extended to police detention facilities.  In 2022, amendments were adopted to the Internal Regulations of Police Detention Facilities, making it mandatory to conduct medical examination of arrestees by ambulance in each case of admitting a new arrestee, regardless of the presence of bodily injuries or health complaints. 

    The adoption of the law on police guard in 2024 envisaged the establishment of the new police guard instead of the current police troops, shifting from a militarised service to the modern policing approach with a specialisation on crowd management.  The law on advocacy ensured attorneys could communicate privately with clients, and detainees had the right to inform the third party of their detention.  The new Penitentiary Code established the right of lawyers to freely meet their clients in prisons or detention facilities without requiring special permission for access.  It was noteworthy that the Criminal Procedure Code required almost all types of investigative actions, including interrogations, to be audio and video recorded. 

    Following the dissolution of the Special Investigative Service in 2021, the mandate for investigating acts of torture was transferred to the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia, where a dedicated division consisting of eight investigators was responsible for handling such cases.  Allegations of torture or ill-treatment committed by investigators of the Investigative Committee were reviewed by the Anti-Corruption Committee. By 2024, 386 criminal proceedings were investigated, with 133 terminated and one case involving four individuals referred to court.  In recent years two torture verdicts had been rendered, although neither had entered into force yet. 

    Alleged police violence was investigated under other articles of the Criminal Code; three police officers had been convicted for obstructing lawful professional activities of journalists during 2018 protests and were dismissed from the police service as a result of disciplinary proceedings.  Similarly, three police officers were dismissed from service for obstructing lawful professional activities of journalists during mass protests of 2015.

    The new Criminal Code also introduced new types of preventive measures that acted as non-custodial alternatives to detention, such as house arrest and administrative supervision. In 2024, these alternative preventive measures were applied to 1,587 defendants.  Similarly, the new Criminal Code provided the limitation of liberty as an alternative to incarceration.  The Civil Code now included provisions for redress for torture victims.  Victims also had the right to rehabilitation, including compensation for medical care, and access to free psychological and legal services.  This year within the implementation of the Human Rights Strategy and deriving Action Plan, a study was developed regarding the possible directions of the establishment of the rehabilitation centre.  The new Codes were currently undergoing a monitoring phase; necessary steps would be taken to address any potential shortcomings which may arise. 

    Armenia had made significant progress in countering domestic violence, in particular through the new Criminal Code which defined “close relative,” which included spouses and former spouses, as well as individuals in or formerly in marital relations. 

    While Armenia continued to uphold its human rights commitments domestically, the continued imprisonment, ill-treatment and torture of Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees held by Azerbaijan remained a concern.  The Committee, in its most recent concluding observations on Azerbaijan, had expressed deep concern regarding Azerbaijan’s conduct and the ongoing detention of the 23 Armenian individuals, which remainedMs. Karapetyan concluded by stating that Armenia was fully committed to the full and effective implementation of the Convention.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PETER KESSING, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said since Armenia’s last review by the Committee in 2017, progress had been made in prohibiting and preventing torture and ill-treatment.  In particular, the Committee noted and commended the State party for the enactment of a fundamentally new Criminal Code, a new Criminal Procedure Code, and a new Penitentiary Code, which were very positive signs.  Additionally, Armenia had joined the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and had undertaken significant reforms in the police, penitentiary, and justice sectors in recent years. 

    Could the delegation elaborate on specific cases and court decisions where Armenian courts had applied the principle in article 5 (3) of the Constitution and found that international law, including the Convention, took precedence over national law? Mr. Kessing commended Armenia and the Armenian Constitution for article 81, and the obligation to take the views of United Nations Committees into account when interpreting the Constitution, which illustrated a strong commitment to international law.  Could cases be provided where the practice of the Committee had been taken into account when interpreting the Armenian Constitution?

    It was reported that the definition of ‘State officials’ in Armenian law was narrow, and did not include staff working in psychiatric institutions or medical workers. Was this correct?  Did this mean that those people working in psychiatric institutions or medical workers could not be investigated or prosecuted for torture? If this was the case, was Armenia considering amending and broadening the definition of ‘State officials’ in line with the obligation in the Convention against Torture?  Pursuant to the new Criminal Code, no limitation periods were applicable to the offence of torture and the offence of abusing and exceeding public authority.  Did this apply retroactively to past cases of torture?  Was there still a statute of limitations in relation to civilian court cases concerning redress and compensation for torture? 

    Regarding the Virabyan case from 2012, could the delegation explain what decision the Armenian Court of Cassation had taken, after the court received the advisory opinion from the European Court of Human Rights in April 2022?   Had the Armenian Court of Cassation handed down a decision? Had the police officer responsible for torturing Mr. Virabyan been held accountable?  Could the delegation confirm that evidence and material extracted by use of torture or ill-treatment would always be excluded from court proceedings in Armenia?  Were there concrete cases where Armenian courts had excluded torture-material? 

      

    According to the Council of Europe, Armenia had the second highest proportion of pre-trial detainees in Europe, with 53 per cent of the people in Armenian prisons being held in pre-trial detention; this was a very high rate.  It was expected that the new Criminal Codes that entered into force during the second half of 2022 would help further reduce the number of remand prisoners.  Had the necessary implementing laws and by-laws been adopted to ensure the full implementation of the new Criminal Codes?  Had the new Criminal Codes reduced the number of remand prisoners? Could up to date information about the use of electric monitoring and other alternatives to detention be provided? 

    It had been reported that there were still cases where the police used excessive force in conflict with the Convention.  What was the status of police reform?  What concrete initiatives had been taken to date to reform the police?  Were all individuals who were arrested informed about the reason for their arrest?  Were audio or video recordings of police interrogation mandatory?  Were taped interrogations routinely reviewed to identify potential instances and acts of torture?

    What initiatives had Armenia taken to prevent excessive use of force, including lethal force, by the police in future demonstrations and protests? 

    Despite progress made by Armenia since the last review, it was reported that the quality of the investigations of police conduct remained a significant issue. 

    It was a positive sign that criminal cases concerning alleged police torture were initiated and investigated, but it was reported that torture cases often remained unsolved for many years and rarely led to criminal charges.  Could updated information about the number of investigations into torture and ill-treatment over the last three years be provided? 

    The Committee had been informed that after the adoption of the new Criminal Codes, it was more difficult for lawyers to assist alleged victims of torture in court proceedings, due to the 30 per cent tax applied; was this correct?  Could information about the legal and practical independence of the Investigative Committee of Armenia established in 2022 be provided?  Was the Committee fully independent from the Police?  Would Armenia take steps to ensure a more prompt and effective investigation of police complaints?  Were alleged perpetrators of torture immediately suspended from their duties for the duration of the investigation?

    During the last two examinations of Armenia by the Committee, the police’s excessive use of force in connection with a protest in March 2008 following the February elections, leading to the death of 10 people, was discussed.  The Committee expressed its concern over the slow and ineffective investigation of the situation.  What was the status of the investigation into the 2008 demonstration and later demonstrations?  How many police officers had been identified and held accountable in disciplinary, civilian or criminal proceedings?  What kind of sentences had they received?   Had the victims been provided redress and compensation as required under the Convention? 

    The Committee was aware of reports alleging that Armenian forces had violated international humanitarian law and human rights law during the conflict.  Had Armenia taken steps to ensure that alleged war crimes committed by Armenian forces during the conflict were promptly and impartially investigated by an independent body? 

    As part of a new expedited asylum procedure, there was a 15-day deadline for applying for asylum for asylum seekers arriving illegally to Armenia.  Was this correct?  If so, how many asylum requests had been rejected over the last three years due to the 15-day deadline?  Was it correct that asylum seekers were being prosecuted for illegal entry in Armenia in conflict with domestic law and article 31 in the Refugee Convention that was ratified by Armenia?  Would the State party take further measures to ensure that this practice was ended? What steps were taken to ensure that asylum seekers in detention had access to fair and efficient refugee status determination procedures, as well as appeals procedures with suspensive effect on the deportation order?

    The Human Rights Defender of Armenia was established by law in October 2003, and since 2006 had been accredited “A” status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institution.  In October 2024, the institution reiterated its recommendation that a clear, transparent and participatory selection and appointment process for membership of the Human Rights Defender’s decision-making body must be included in relevant legislation.  Had Armenia taken steps to implement this recommendation? 

    Was it true that the salaries of staff working in the Human Rights Defender’s office were lower than comparable positions in the public sector?  What was the State party doing to remedy the situation?  How many complaints of torture or ill-treatment had the Human Rights Defender received over the last three years?  Could the Human Rights Defender recommend redress to a victim of torture or ill-treatment and criminal proceedings against alleged perpetrators of torture and ill-treatment?  How did the State party follow-up on the recommendations of the national preventive mechanism? 

    The Committee hoped that Armenia would consider making a declaration under article 22 of the Convention and recognise the Committee’s competence to receive and consider individual complaints.  This would provide redress to victims and assist Armenia in implementing the Convention and developing a justice system in line with international human rights law.

    ANNA RACU, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said since Armenia’s last review by this Committee in 2016, there had been notable advancements in the country’s human rights framework.  Significant reforms had been made, including amendments to national legislation and the adoption of policies aimed at improving detention conditions and aligning with international standards.  These positive steps were a testimony of Armenia’s commitment to enhance its legal and institutional frameworks to combat torture and ill-treatment and different forms of violence. 

    The Committee welcomed the fact that periodic professional trainings on the Convention and European Committee for the Prevention of Torture were carried out for the police and prison staff.  The Committee commended the positive initiative that jurisprudence of the European Court for Human Rights was included in the common core curricula for judges, prosecutors, prison staff and civil servants.  The National Strategy for Human Rights Protection (2020–2022) and its action plan emphasised the importance of capacity building for law enforcement and prison staff, including training on human rights and torture prevention.  Had there been any other specific strategic documents that envisaged capacity building activities for law enforcement, judges and prosecutors and other groups with specific competencies under the Convention?   

    It was positive that the Armenian Government had managed to establish a good cooperation with international partners.  The Police Academy and Penitentiary Service Training Centre had incorporated elements of human rights education into their curricula, while the introduction of specialised training modules on the absolute prohibition of torture had been a step forward.  However, some sources indicated that there were some issues that continued to affect the overall effectiveness of the training programmes.  

    What oversight mechanisms were in place to ensure police officers were adequately trained and disciplined for misconduct related to the use of force or mistreatment during arrest or detention?  What measures were in place to ensure that training on the Istanbul Protocol and the prohibition of torture was effectively applied in practice?  Were the training programmes based on practical aspects, which emerged from specific cases or recorded human rights violations? With respect to the courses held for medical personnel, were there plans to provide mandatory training on the Istanbul Protocol, given its importance for proper documentation of torture?

    Had the State party implemented any training programmes focused on the prevention of torture and the appropriate use of force for military personnel, intelligence officers, and security guards, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions related to the military conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh?  How many officers had undergone this training and was it mandatory?

    Could information on recent developments or reforms aimed at improving the living conditions and the treatment of inmates be provided?  Had measures been taken to enhance oversight and accountability within the prison system?  It was encouraging to note the significant progress made, particularly the comprehensive refurbishment of Abovyan Prison, including the reconstruction of the wing for mothers with children and the installation of ventilation and heating systems in the main accommodation areas of Armavir Prison.  These initiatives were important steps forward in enhancing the material conditions for inmates and improving their overall living environment. Furthermore, the Committee welcomed the swift and constructive response by the Armenian authorities regarding the “quarantine” and disciplinary blocks at Artik Prison, which were promptly closed for refurbishment, ensuring that these areas no longer remained in a state of severe disrepair. 

    This proactive approach to addressing immediate concerns was commendable.  These efforts reflected a commitment to addressing longstanding issues in Armenia’s prison system, and the Committee looked forward to seeing the continued actions for the refurbishment of Artik and Armavir Prisons. 

    Despite these positive developments, there were some concerns.  The activities of the “Kosh” and “Hrazdan” penitentiary institutions were suspended on 1 January 2022.  Despite the ongoing discussions on the need to suspend the activities of the “Nubarashen” penitentiary institution, it continued to operate.  Could the delegation’s views regarding these institutions be provided?  Could detailed information regarding the number of inmates in Armenian prisons over the past four years be provided?  What steps had been taken to address overcrowding, including the use of non-custodial measures and alternatives to detention?

    Current legislation in Armenia allowed for the restriction of family communication for up to one month for any violation, which contradicted the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) and European Prison Rules.  What specific rehabilitation programmes were available for prisoners in Armenia? Could an update be provided on recidivism rates and the successful reintegration of former prisoners, as well as the approach of the Government on cooperation with civil society organizations for the benefits of inmates?

    By transferring the competence of medical services to the Ministry of Justice and subsequently to the Ministry of Health, Armenia had taken important steps towards the independence of medical staff in detention.  However, there were still some problematic areas.  After the reform of medical prison services, how independent were the prison doctors from the prison administration?  What systems ensured they could prioritise inmate health without external pressures?  How was access to specialised medical treatment managed for inmates requiring complex care? What oversight mechanisms monitored the quality of healthcare services in prisons?  What measures were implemented to prevent the spread of communicable diseases among inmates? 

    Could an update on harm reduction programmes for drug users, those with HIV and treatment for prisoners with disabilities be provided?  What was the current level of medical equipment and medicines available in prisons?  What specialised medical equipment and healthcare provisions were available for women in detention?  What protocols were in place for documenting injuries from torture or violence, and could inmates and lawyers access these reports?

    What rules and formal protocols existed for medical professionals to document injuries or signs of torture and ill-treatment?  What training did medical professionals receive on identifying and reporting signs of torture and ill-treatment? 

    How were reports of torture and ill-treatment by medical professionals submitted to the competent authorities? 

    In 2023, there were 29 suicide attempts by 22 individuals, primarily concentrated in the “Nubarashen” and “Armavir” institutions. Submissions received from human rights non-governmental organizations indicated that many deaths were attributed to pre-existing health conditions and inadequate medical care.  What were the delegation’s views on the effectiveness of the procedure for checking and assessing the risk of suicide and self-harm? What specific assessments were in place to identify individuals at risk?  Were there cells with safe conditions with no easy access to means of killing oneself? What specific training programmes were provided to penitentiary staff regarding prevention and managing suicidal tendencies, self-harm behaviours, and instances of violence among inmates?

    In Armenia, the influence of the criminal subculture significantly undermined the reputation of the prison administration.  Despite the implementation of legislative amendments by the State to reduce the influence of the criminal subculture in penitentiary institutions and measures aimed at their practical application, the influence of the criminal subculture in places of deprivation of liberty still continued to exist.  What measures had been taken by the Government to break down the informal hierarchies and criminal gangs and networks that had an informal power in many of Armenia’s penitentiary institutions?  What steps were being taken to ensure that all prisoners, regardless of their social status or affiliations, had equal protection under the law and were not subject to discrimination or abuse, including sexual abuse by other inmates or informal leaders?  What measures were being taken to address corruption among prison staff?

    What specific measures had the Armenian Government implemented over the past few years to increase the number of prison staff?  How had the Government addressed the issue of staff retention, including any changes to salaries, working conditions, or benefits aimed at reducing turnover among prison personnel?

    What efforts were being made to ensure that staffing levels in penitentiaries met international standards, particularly concerning the ratio of staff to prisoners?

    A Committee Expert said the Committee had received information that seven out of 10 children aged one to 14 years old were subject to psychological or corporal punishment. What was the State party doing to prevent violence against children?  The Committee had also received reports which revealed concerning cases of violence against children with disabilities, including at a psychological care home in 2023, where a resident was restrained with chains. What measures had Armenia adopted to eliminate unauthorised physical restraints and other inhumane practices in care institutions? 

    Another Committee Expert asked if there were any Azerbaijanis who remained in Armenia’s custody? What procedures had been implemented to ensure any abuse of prisoners of war was fully investigated?  Had there been any kind of arrangements aimed at ensuring the returning prisoner would be promptly investigated for torture cases by the receiving side?  What measures had been taken to prevent discrimination and hate speech against those of Azerbaijani origin? 

    An Expert asked what training members of special teams received, and what were rules on the use of force?  Was equipment deployed by special units certified?  Was it imported or manufactured locally? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the monitoring of the Criminal Procedure Code had already led to 13 amendments.  International law prevailed in Armenia.  Evidence and materials obtained through torture were totally excluded from criminal cases.  Currently, more than 52 per cent of inmates in penitentiary institutions were in pretrial detention.  Audio and video recording in police stations were mandatory for every case. 

    Armenia had advanced legislation regarding asylum seekers and victims of trafficking. International law had almost been copied into the criminal legislation, particularly article 31 of the Geneva Convention on the status of refugees.  A small limitation had been imposed in consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which related to the 15 days of applying for asylum for three groups of cases: unlawful entry to the country, if the person was being criminally prosecuted, and for those who had been apprehended. Under this rule, 14 cases of asylum had been rejected, five approved and five suspended.

    The Human Rights Defender was ensured access to all penitentiary records.  Most of the recommendations from the Human Rights Defender’s Office were taken into account when completing renovations and works in the penitentiary institutions.  Currently, the Human Rights Defender could not initiate court cases but could provide briefs to the Constitutional Court.  New legislation on discrimination was being developed which stipulated that the Human Rights Defender could recommend cases to court when it came to discrimination.  Currently, Armenia was not discussing the possibility of implementing article 22. 

    The National Human Rights Action Plan provided for the relevant chapters for each individual who should receive training on torture prevention.  Currently the Ministry of Justice was in the process of developing a single human rights training programme for staff at the penitentiary institutions.  There were two key educational complexes which provided training to judges, the judiciary and police officers.  Last year the Human Rights Defender’s Office provided training to all police detention facilities. 

    In 2024, a mother and childcare penitentiary institution was constructed.  Currently, the sanitation facilities were adapted to meet the needs of pregnant women and children up to three years old.   Food preparation for penitentiary institutions had been outsourced to a private company, which ensured dietary diversity. More than 95 per cent of the inmates were satisfied with the food provided. 

    From 2019, persons deprived of their liberty under the age of 19 were included in the general education programme to ensure the continuity of education.  Surveys had been conducted among inmates to identify those without secondary education, and efforts had been made to provide them with secondary education or vocational training.  Last year, an innovative workshop was opened for inmates, allowing them to make furnishings for other institutions, providing them with the necessary equipment and materials.

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said under Armenian law, amnesty did not apply to individuals who had committed the crime of torture.  The term public official had been broadened to include any person who had the authority to act on behalf of the State.  As such, all individuals operating in this capacity could be held criminally liable. All institutions which could be engaged in cases of torture were covered within the criminal legislation for criminal liability.  Armenia had ratified the Rome Statute and remained fully committed to aligning its national legislation with the requirements of the International Criminal Court.  Trainings for public officials, judges and members of the Investigative Committee were planned with international officials in this regard. 

    There had been a notable increase in detention motions of around 20 per cent in 2024, compared to previous years.  The percentage of granted motions of detention had generally decreased. Legislative amendments and relevant trainings had been organised for the probation service, and they were being monitored.  A thematic report on the practical challenges of alternative measures was developed in 2022 to see where the law could be improved.  Work was being done to ensure that pro bono lawyers would be exempt from taxes.

    Armenia had produced a draft bill which criminalised receiving or leading groups promoting the criminal subculture.  Since 2024, significant structural reforms had been undertaken and a new operational department now functioned within the central penitentiary service, containing an intelligence unit which was equipped with tools used by criminal police. From 2022 to 2024, 60 criminal cases were initiated and nine came from penitentiary institutions.  Addressing the criminal subculture was a top priority for Armenia’s Ministry of Justice, the police and penitentiary units.

    The fight against corruption remained a top priority for the Armenian Government, and a strategy had been underway for the past three years.  Individuals could submit anonymous reports via an online platform, directly accessible to the Ministry of Justice, under the whistleblowers law. 

    The penitentiary service guaranteed equal treatment, and the Criminal Code ensured equality for all convicted individuals.  Any case of attempted suicide or self-harm was reported to investigative authorities. Mental health and suicide risk monitoring tools had been implemented in all penitentiary institutions since 2022. In every case of suicide, attempted suicide, or self-harm, a comprehensive analysis of the situation was undertaken. Since July 2024, a risk and needs assessment tool was introduced which supported the rehabilitation services.   

    In 2023, the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established as a civilian oversight body over the police.  It was responsible for areas of public safety, security and disaster risk management, and was driven by the objective of introducing human rights-based approaches in policing and public services.  The large-scale use of video surveillance in police operations ensured the accountability of the police.  Under the new Criminal Procedure Code, the police were no longer authorised to conduct interrogations of persons accused of committing a crime.  This responsibility had been transferred to the independent Investigative Committee.  Patrol police wore body cameras all the time, acknowledged by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture as an important tool for the prevention of torture.  Work was underway to provide the same equipment to community police.

    In 2024, operations of nine out of 33 police facilities were discontinued, with an additional two terminated in 2025.  Modernization and renovation works were planned for the remaining facilities to ensure compliance with international standards.  In 2024, joint trainings on documenting and reporting torture were organised for police officers and medical professionals, with the support of the Council of Europe.  Trainings based on the provisions of the Convention and the Istanbul Protocol were being developed and were expected to be scheduled this year. 

    Over the past 10 years, there had been several police officers dismissed due to exhibiting excessive use of force against journalists during demonstrations.  To ensure the independence of medical professionals from the police, since 2022, medical examinations in police facilities were conducted exclusively by the doctors of ambulance services. 

    In 2024, the law on the police guard was adopted, which provided for the establishment of a new specialised police service with clear criteria for proportional use of force. This law and the relevant bylaws aimed to create the correct modus operandi for Armenian police officers, particularly in the context of mass demonstrations. 

    In 2024, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in cooperation with the migration and citizenship service, had conducted trainings for penitentiary officials on cases of asylum.  The Bar Association of Armenia provided the penitentiary service with leaflets and posters related to granting asylum, available in eight languages.  They contained information about the grounds for granting asylum and rights of asylum seekers. 

    The criminal case of March 2008 remained ongoing, and the Committee had already been provided with information pertaining to this case.  Taking into account the volume and complexity of the case, investigative teams had been set up to ensure the comprehensive investigation.  Around 7,000 victims had been questioned over the course of the investigation.  As part of the ongoing forensic examination being conducted, firearms were being submitted for study.  More information would be provided in writing. 

    Concerning the case of Mr. Virabyan, the advisory opinion of the European Court of Human Rights was applied in the decision of the court of cassation.  The Convention took precedence over domestic legislation, and this was applied in the case of Mr. Virabyan.  In 2024, two convictions were rendered under the Criminal Code for police officials found guilty of the crime of torture, with the individuals sentenced to four years in prison. 

    Targeted interventions had been adopted in care home settings to prevent cases of abuse.  A draft order addressing the submission of anonymous reports in care institutions was now in process.  This would allow standardised information to be provided to beneficiaries about the clearly defined mechanism for submitting complaints. 

    In April 2024, a procedure was adopted for referring child victims of violence, and where necessary placing the child within a family, institution or support centre. Corporal punishment was prohibited in all settings, including the family setting.  Children who had experienced violence were entitled to State support, and entities responsible for childcare were required to promptly report any instances of violence.  In recent years, Armenia had made progress in expanding the welfare and rights of the child. 

    To strengthen the independence of medical personnel in penitentiary institutions, the penitentiary centre was founded independently in 2018.  Medical examinations were carried out by a doctor, totally excluding the employees of penitentiary institutions and out of earshot of penitentiary staff. A preliminary examination of mental health and suicide risks was ensured.  In cases of suspected torture and ill-treatment, all injuries were noted and documented. 

    The medical examinations of persons deprived of their liberty were organised in a timely manner, without undue delay.  Upon entering the penitentiary institution, persons deprived of their liberty underwent a mental health screening within 24 hours, and psychologists and mental health staff were stationed at the centres.  The law on reproductive health applied to everyone, including those in prisons. Tests were performed for all sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.  If a positive result was received, medical staff would begin medical treatment. 

    The Ministry of Justice had implemented a wide range of awareness raising activities in all penitentiary institutions, including posters on combatting torture.  Video material regarding the prohibition of torture was also disseminated publicly.  Armenia was actively working to combat hate speech and had classified hate speech through technology as a distinct type of cybercrime.  A comprehensive range of awareness raising activities to address the manifestations of hate speech had been implemented, including a month-long campaign in high traffic areas, such as the metro, highlighting the negative impacts of hate speech.  Armenia was currently drafting a new strategy on combatting discrimination and hate speech, to address the possible issues which may arise during the investigation processes.  This had stemmed from the human rights agenda of the Government. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    PETER KESSING, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, commended Armenia for the efforts made to comply with the Convention.  What happened if a person was not able to comply with the 15 days of deadline in relation to asylum applications?  Had any of the cases against police officers led to criminal proceedings?  Regarding the March 2008 investigation, 17 years was a long time, and the Committee looked forward to receiving the written information from the delegation. Was it true that cases by the Investigative Committee were slow?  Would the State take measures to make investigations more prompt?  Was the committee fully independent from the police? Had Armenia undertaken any investigations into allegations of mistreatment of Azerbaijani soldiers and civilians on Armenian soil?  The national mechanism to follow up on concluding observations was a positive step.  Could more information on this mechanism be provided? 

    ANNA RACU, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee was concerned about the lack of community services for psychiatric patients, and the lack of a mechanism for the deinstitutionalisation of children in social care homes.  Could more information about the reform of social care homes in Armenia be provided? Which institution had oversight on psychiatric facilities?  Did civil society organizations have access to monitoring visits?  Did any complaints mechanisms exist in these institutions? How many complaints had been received and what had been the results?  Could updated statistics be provided in cases where victims had been offered redress and compensation?  How did the Government plan to ensure that compensation was accessible to victims, even in cases where perpetrators remained unidentified? 

    There were ongoing efforts by the Government to monitor violent incidents and deaths within the armed forces, but there was a significant lack of public oversight over the military units.  The practice of non-statutory relationships among servicemen, which often resulted in bullying, violence and sexual abuse, persisted.  What specific measures were being taken by the Armenian military management to address and prevent violence in the army?  What steps was the Government taking to increase public oversight of the military?  How did the Government plan to ensure that the military was held accountable for offences such as injuries and murders?  What actions were being taken to provide psychological support for soldiers to prevent suicide and address mental health issues? 

    Armenia had made notable progress in addressing gender-based and domestic violence.  The adoption of the 2017 law on violence in the family was a significant step forward.  However, there were concerns about the high number of incidents of gender-based violence, particularly during the pandemic.  It was important to ensure access to free health care services to victims and survivors, and shelters must be accessible to victims with disabilities.  What measures were in place to address the gaps in the reporting system, particularly in rural and remote areas?  What shelters were available for victims and survivors?  How did Armenia intend to integrate the provisions of the Istanbul Convention into its domestic legislation?  When would it be ratified? 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the independence and impartiality of the Investigative Committee was ensured through a special unit, tasked with investigating torture and abuse by officials. Regarding allegations of torture of Azerbaijanis soldiers, comprehensive investigations had been undertaken relating to videos received.  However, the investigations remained ongoing.  There were currently no prisoners of Azerbaijani origins in Armenia’s custody; all individuals had been returned.  In stark contrast, Azerbaijan continued to hold Armenian nationals in its custody, in contrast to its national obligations.  The closure of the Red Cross office in Azerbaijan had created a protection gap.  International human rights organizations had reported grave human rights violations by Azerbaijani forces. 

    Armenia was establishing a mechanism for reporting and follow-up on human rights recommendations. The national mechanism would be a permanent structure which involved members of judicial and legislative branches of the Government. 

    If the applicant for asylum missed the 15-day deadline, the person was treated not as an asylum seeker, but as a foreigner.  The law had been developed with assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and non-governmental organization colleagues. 

    There were 67 disciplinary proceedings launched against police officers last year, with 27 resulting in finding no violations.  As a result of one of the proceedings, three police officers were found guilty and dismissed from service. 

    The fight against gender-based violence was an ongoing process carried out with State and non-State parties and civil society actors.  State financed shelter services were available which provided victims with safe accommodation and psychosocial and legal support.  Over the past five years, the number of individuals receiving these services had increased, due to the increase in social workers.  The law on the protection of domestic violence had undergone many changes, with almost 11 provisions amended.  The provision concerning the reconciliation procedure had been annulled, and now stipulated for medical services to be provided to victims of violence based on the type of violence they had experienced. 

    Armenia had conducted awareness raising campaigns which focused on educating stakeholders on the importance of the Istanbul Convention as it pertained to gender-based violence.  Recent legal reforms strengthened protections for victims, improved measures for reporting violence, and improved training for police and those dealing with victims.  A new vulnerability assessment system was being launched, which would help families overcome extreme poverty. 

    Since 2014, the number of children in institutional care had been reduced five-fold from more than 2,000 to less than 400.  There were now three crisis centres providing round the clock care to children.  There had been a sharp increase in foster care placements over the last five years. 

    Regarding the armed groups, there were several main actors within the human rights action plan, including suicide and self-harm prevention groups, which operated within military units.  Legal and human rights education efforts had also been strengthened, with training courses provided on torture and ill-treatment, targeting military personnel. 

    Closing Remarks

    CLAUDE HELLER, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for the excellent and informative dialogue.  The multilateral system was in deep crisis at the political level and financially. However, despite all these restrictions, the Committee worked arduously, objectively and constructively to produce a positive impact on the lives of people in the States parties. 

    ANNA KARAPETYAN, Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia and head of the delegation, expressed sincere appreciation to the Committee for the excellent dialogue. The Committee’s comments and recommendations reinforced the shared responsibility held together for the prohibition of torture everywhere, under all circumstances.  Armenia was proud of the progress made but recognised that the journey for a torture-free society was ongoing.  Armenia remained committed to working towards this goal. 

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

    CAT25.005E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Matsuyama City

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    Matsuyama City is the local government of the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island. Matsuyama City provides public services to the citizen of the city. 

    　Estimated population as of April 1, 2022 (based on the most recent census, with additions and subtractions of births, deaths, and in- and out-migration data)

    • Total population: 503,123
    • Men: 235,901
    • Women: 267,222
    • Number of households: 239,436
    • Average household size: 2.10
    • Population density: 1,172 people/km2
    • Matsuyama City has an area of
      ​​429.35 square kilometers

    DRR activities

    　Matsuyama City has a warm Seto Inland Sea climate, with an average annual temperature of 16.8°C. The annual precipitation is about 1,300mm, with most rain in June and little rain in December.
    　Overall, the city enjoys mild and favorable climatic conditions, with little precipitation, very little snowfall, and fewer typhoons than Kochi Prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture on the Pacific coast.

    Matsuyama City is actively implementing various DRR activities and also has joined the MCR2030 of UNDRR in the year 2023. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Going Home: NASA Retires S-3B Viking to POW/MIA Museum

    Source: NASA

    After supporting the center’s research missions for more than a decade, NASA’s S-3B Viking aircraft is moving on from NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland to begin a new and honorable assignment.
    The aircraft is heading to the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum in Jacksonville, Florida, where it will be on display, honoring all Prisoners of War (POW), those Missing in Action (MIA), and the families who seek the return of their loved ones. The museum gives visitors a place of solace to reflect, learn, and hear stories about America’s POW and MIA service members through exhibits and events.

    “We are honored to be part of it,” said JD Demers, chief of Aircraft Operations at NASA Glenn. “Moving the S-3 is a win-win for everybody. The museum gets an aircraft in beautiful shape, and our S-3 gets to continue living a meaningful life.”
    Originally designed by Lockheed Martin as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft, NASA’s S-3B Viking will travel south to its new museum home, which is located at the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field where S-3B Vikings once flew. It will be displayed with a plaque recognizing the 54 service members who perished during S-3 flight missions. 

    “It’s really fortunate for us that this S-3 has such a well-kept, beautiful airframe that we can use as part of this plaza,” said Ed Turner, executive director of the National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum. “Cecil Field was the East Coast home for the S-3B Vikings, so we are proud to have it for display here as one of Cecil’s legacy aircraft.”
    Behind the scenes, this S-3 supported vital NASA flight research by donating parts to its sister plane, another S3-B Viking that was retired in 2021. Through the donation of its parts, the S-3 contributed to communications research in advanced air mobility and monitoring of algal bloom growth in Lake Erie.
    “Having this aircraft added an extra 10 years of life to its sister plane,” Demers said. “Those 10 years were vital for research. This plane allowed us to keep flying that aircraft after the Navy retired the S-3B Vikings in 2009. We wouldn’t have been able to find parts.”

    The U.S. Navy flew S-3 Vikings primarily out of three locations: North Island Naval Air Station, Naval Air Station Cecil Field, and Naval Air Station Jacksonville. There were S-3B Vikings in all locations except Jacksonville, until now.
    “There are three bases in three locations that used to fly S-3s, and now each area has an S-3 as part of its display,” Demers said. “It belongs there. It’s going back to its original home.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Canadian Manufacturer to Invest $9.3 Million in High Point for First U.S. Manufacturing Operation

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Canadian Manufacturer to Invest $9.3 Million in High Point for First U.S. Manufacturing Operation

    Canadian Manufacturer to Invest $9.3 Million in High Point for First U.S. Manufacturing Operation
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that Opsun Corporation, a manufacturer of structures for solar panels, will create 20 new jobs in Guilford County. The company will invest $9.3 million to build its first United States production facility in High Point.

    “This announcement is yet another illustration of how much companies want to do business in North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Our skilled workforce, commitment to sustainability, and convenient East Coast location continues to attract global manufacturers like Opsun Corporation. I am proud of North Carolina’s continued commitment to our clean energy economy, and I am excited to welcome Opsun to our state.”

    Headquartered in Quebec City, Opsun Corporation designs and manufactures aluminum solar panel mounting structures for commercial, industrial, and residential markets. These high-quality mounts are engineered for durability, renewability, and energy optimization. As a third manufacturing site, Opsun’s new facility will increase efficiency, add more warehouse space, and triple the footprint of the current operations.

    “We’re thrilled to open our first US-base factory in such a booming economic and strategic center” said François Gilles-Gagnon, President of Opsun Corporation. “This new facility will be a key to Opsun’s growth in the USA, and together with our North Carolina workforce and local suppliers, we will help drive the growth of solar installations across the state and throughout the United States. Opsun always sourced all components in North America and this new U.S. facility reinforces our commitment for domestically made, high performance solar mounting systems.”

    “In addition to our manufacturing workforce of nearly 470,000 North Carolinians, our state is within a day’s drive of 170 million people,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “As the fourth largest state for installed solar energy capacity, Opsun is a great addition to North Carolina’s clean energy supply chain and we’re confident that they will be in great company in Guilford County.”

    While wages vary by position, the annual average salary for the new positions will be $63,015, exceeding Guilford County’s average of $60,195. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $1.2 million for the region.

    A performance-based grant of $40,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help the company locate in North Carolina. The OneNC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All OneNC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

    “These new jobs are a great addition to Guilford County and the entire state of North Carolina,” said N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. “The manufacturing workforce and accessible talent in the region are second to none, and we know Opsun will have a prosperous future here.”

    In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, NC Carolina Core, Guilford Technical Community College, GuilfordWorks, Guilford County, Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, City of High Point, and Greensboro Chamber. 

    Apr 16, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Human Rights Violations During Mozambique’s Post-2024 Election Crackdown

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Footnotes

    [1] Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), “User Guide: OONI Probe Desktop App”, 25 October 2022, https://ooni.org/support/ooni-probe-desktop/

    [2] Amnesty International, Mozambique: turn the page! A human rights manifesto for political parties and candidates, October 2019 election (Index: AFR 41/1019/2019), 17 September 2019, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr41/1019/2019/en/; Amnesty International, “Mozambique: Civil society calls for the unconditional and immediate release of the Gaza-18 election party delegates”(Index: AFR 41/1427/2019), 25 November 2019, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr41/1427/2019/en/; Amnesty International, “Mozambique police must only use live ammunition to protect life during demonstrations”(Index: PRE 01/301/2010 ), 1 September 2010, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/pre01/301/2010/en/; Amnesty International,“Mozambique: authorities must launch a full and impartial investigation into the killing of journalist” (Index: AFR 41/2361/2015), 31 August 2015, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr41/2361/2015/en/; Amnesty International, Mozambique: media freedom in ashes (Index: AFR 41/2947/2020), 31 August 2020, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr41/2947/2020/en/; Amnesty International,“Mozambique: civil society groups call for the unconditional and immediate release of radio journalist” (Index: AFR 41/0205/2019 ), 11 April 2019, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr41/0205/2019/en/; Amnesty International, “What I saw is death”: war crimes in Mozambique’s forgotten cape (Index: AFR 41/3545/2021), 2 March 2021, https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr41/3545/2021/en/; Amnesty International, “Mozambique: Torture by security forces in gruesome videos must be investigated”, 9 September 2020, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2020/09/mozambique-torture-by-security-forces-in-gruesome-videos-must-be-investigated/

    [3] Amnesty International, “What I saw is death” (previously cited); Amnesty International, “Mozambique: Authorities must promptly investigate arrest of journalist while covering demonstration”, 7 June 2024, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/06/mozambique-authorities-must-promptly-investigate-arrest-of-journalist-while-covering-demonstration/; Amnesty International, “Mozambique: Authorities must investigate killing of newspaper editor João Fernando Chamusse”, 15 December 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/mozambique-authorities-must-investigate-killing-of-newspaper-editor-joao-fernando-chamusse/; Amnesty International, “Mozambique: Fears grow for election monitors secretly transferred to new prison”, 18 November 2019, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/11/mozambique-fears-grow-for-election-monitors-secretly-transferred-to-new-prison-2/; Caitlin Sturridge and others, Copping with the risk of conflict, climate and internal displacement in northern Mozambique: ‘We can’t just sit here with our arms crossed’, November 2022, https://media.odi.org/documents/USAID_CCD_Mozambique_final.pdf; Republic of Mozambique, Estratégia Nacional de Desenvolvimento (2015-2035), [National Development Strategy (2015-2035)], July 2024, https://www.mef.gov.mz/index.php/publicacoes/estrategias/397-estrategia-nacional-de-desenvolvimento/file; Human Rights Watch (HRW), Mozambique: abuses against media, activists before elections, 11 September 2024, https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/11/mozambique-abuses-against-media-activists-elections 

    [4] Africa News, “Frelimo’s candidate wins in Maputo amid ongoing vote count”, 14 October 2024, https://www.africanews.com/2024/10/14/frelimos-candidate-wins-in-maputo-amid-ongoing-vote-count/

    [5] Times Live, “Africa: Frelimo extends 50-year rule in Mozambique as it retains power in disputed general elections”, 24 October 2024, https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2024-10-24-frelimo-extends-50-year-rule-in-mozambique-as-it-retains-power-in-disputed-general-election/

    [6] Associated Press (AP), “Long-ruling party leads in Mozambique’s election as opposition candidate calls for strikes”, 16 October 2024, https://apnews.com/article/mozambique-election-frelimo-vote-6987692541d92a9c6a287be4af89a524

    [7] The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), “Mozambique opposition lawyer shot dead”, 19 October 2024,  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4d3j1mm2yo 

    [8] Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), “Elvino Dias was killed preparing a draft of the PODEMOS appeal to the Constitutional Council: Mozambique elections 316- 20 October 2024”, 20 October 2024, https://www5.open.ac.uk/technology/mozambique/sites/www.open.ac.uk.technology.mozambique/files/files/Election-Bulletin-316_20Out24_Murders_Will-CNE-change-results.pdf

    [9] Deutsche Welle (DW), “Mozambique: Police fire tear gas at opposition leader”, 21 October 2024, https://www.dw.com/en/mozambique-police-fire-tear-gas-at-opposition-leader/a-70561138; Venâncio Mondlane, “REVOLUÇÃO: Venâncio Mondlane anuncia nova manifestação [“REVOLUTION: Venâncio Mondlane announces new demonstration”], 22 October 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG5g-SbnNy8    

    [10] Interview by voice call with lawyer, 12 February 2025; HRW, “Mozambique: Abuses against media, activists before elections”, 11 September 2024, https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/09/11/mozambique-abuses-against-media-activists-elections

    [11] Integrity Magazine, “CNE confirma Daniel Chapo e Frelimo como vencedores das eleições de 9 de Outubro”, [“The National Electoral Commission confirms the victory of Daniel Chapo and Frelimo the winners of the 9 October elections”], 25 October 2024, https://integritymagazine.co.mz/arquivos/33773

    [12] DW, “Mondlane: “Está-se a cometer crimes contra a humanidade”, [“Mondlane: “Crimes against humanity are being committed”], 26 October 2024, https://www.dw.com/pt-002/ven%C3%A2ncio-mondlane-est%C3%A1-se-a-cometer-crimes-contra-a-humanidade/a-70608646

    [13] DW, Venâncio Mondlane anuncia “manifestação four by four”, [“Venâncio Mondlane announces “demonstrations four by four””], 2 December 2024, https://www.dw.com/pt-002/ven%C3%A2ncio-mondlane-anuncia-manifesta%C3%A7%C3%A3o-four-by-four/a-70938463; Al Jazeera, “Clanging pans: why Mozambique’s election protesters refuse to go away, 15 November 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/11/15/clanging-pans-why-mozambiques-election-protesters-refuse-to-go-away

    [14] Al Jazeera, “Clanging pans: why Mozambique’s election protesters refuse to go away, 15 November 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/11/15/clanging-pans-why-mozambiques-election-protesters-refuse-to-go-away

    [15] Al Jazeera, “Mozambique’s controversial election result upheld: What to know”, 23 December 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/23/mozambiques-controversial-election-result-upheld

    [16] Al Jazeera, “Chapo sworn in following Mozambique’s disputed presidential elections”, 15 January 2025, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/15/chapo-sworn-in-following-mozambiques-disputed-presidential-election 

    [17] BBC, “Injuries as Mozambique police fire on opposition protest”, 6 March 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd3y2eyxy3o

    [18]  Televisão de Moçambique (TVM)’s video of President Chapo’s address, 24 February 2025, on file with Amnesty International; Radio France Internationale – International French Radio (RFI), “Daniel Chapo vows to fight “terrorism and demonstrations”, 25 February 2025, https://www.rfi.fr/pt/%C3%A1frica-lus%C3%B3fona/20250225-daniel-chapo-promete-combater-terrorismo-e-manifesta%C3%A7%C3%B5es

    [19] Amnesty International identified these units based on the uniforms apparent in visual evidence and description of uniforms provided in interviews with eyewitnesses and victims.

    [20] Amnesty International, Kinetic Impact Projectiles in Law Enforcement – an Amnesty International Position Paper, March 2023, pg. 18; https://www.amnesty.nl/content/uploads/2023/03/Amnesty-position-paper-kinetic-impact-projectiles.pdf?x55122

    [21] Interview by voice call with doctor, 17 February 2025; Interview by voice call with doctor, 22 February 2025.

    [22] Interview by voice call with doctor, 17 February 2025; Interview by voice call with doctor, 22 February 2025.

    [23] Interview by voice call with doctor, 17 February 2025; Interview by voice call with doctor, 22 February 2025.

    [24] TV Mirramar, “Ordem dos medicos preocupada com aumento de feridos por armas de fogo” [“Order of Doctors concerned about increase in firearm injuries”], 29 October 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0YqkTsYGaI&t=52s; Interview by voice call with doctor, 17 February 2025.

    [25] Interview by voice call with doctor, 17 February 2025; Interview by voice call with doctor, 22 February 2025.

    [26] For instance, interview by voice call with victim’s relative, 21 and 27 February 2025; Interview by voice call with victim’s relative, 18 and 21 February 2025

    [27] Interview by voice call with victim, 17 February 2025.

    [28] Interview by voice call with victim’s relative, 17 February 2025.

    [29] Plataforma DECIDE, “Preliminary report on the post-electoral context in Mozambique: 21 October 2024- 21 January 2025”, Undated, https://pdecide.org/blog/preliminary-report-on-the-post-electoral-context-in-mozambique-3-months

    [30] TVM, “Police records” Bernardino Rafael reports 956 acts of violence and records 96 deaths”, 23 January 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTS1gRRNJmY  

    [31] BBC Africa, “President Chapo on Mondlane’s ‘parallel government”, 22 January 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSIetyQHyQ

    [32] Attorney General of Mozambique, Speech at the opening of the judicial year, 4 February 2025, on file with Amnesty International; Club of Mozambique, “Mozambique: 651 cases opened during post-elections protests- Attorney General”, 4 February 2025, https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-651-cases-opened-during-post-election-protests-attorney-general-275268/

    [33] Venâncio Mondlane, Facebook post, “O que se falou no encontro? [What was said at the meeting?]”, 24 March 2025, https://www.facebook.com/venamondlane/videos/998522575570322/  

    [34] Amnesty International, Guidelines on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly (Index: ACT 30/8426/2024), November 2024, ACT3084262024ENGLISH.pdf

    [35] HRC, General Comment 36: Article 6 (The Right to life), 30 October 2018, UN Doc. CCPR/C/GC/36, para. 7. The right to life is protected by article 6.1 of the ICCPR and article 4 of the ACHPR. Article 4.2 of the ICCPR also protects the right to life in exceptional circumstances, such as internal political instability or any other public emergency. See, also, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Resolution 1989/65: The Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, adopted on 24 May 1989.  

    [36] Amnesty International, Guidelines on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly (Index: ACT 30/8426/2024), November 2024, ACT3084262024ENGLISH.pdf

    [37] UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials (Basic Principles), 7 September 1990.

    [38] Amnesty International, Use of Force – Guidelines for Implementation of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by law enforcement officials, August 2015, https://www.amnesty.org.uk/files/use_of_force.pdf; UN Basic Principles.

    [39] HRC, Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, A/HRC/26/36, para 63.

    [40] Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), 10 December 1984. Mozambique ratified the CAT on 14 September 1999. United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body Database – Mozambique, https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx

    [41] Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on extra-custodial use of force and the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, A/72/178, para. 46. 

    [42] HRC, General Comment No. 37, (previously cited), para. 78. 

    [43] UN Guidance on less-lethal weapons in law enforcement, 2020, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/HRBodies/CCPR/LLW_Guidance.pdf, guideline 6.3; HRC, General Comment No. 37 (previously cited).

    [44] UN Guidance on less-lethal weapons in law enforcement (previously cited), HRC, General Comment No. 37 (previously cited), para. 88; https://www.amnesty.nl/content/uploads/2017/07/guidelines_use_of_force_eng.pdf?x90620

    [45] Amnesty International Guidelines on the use of force (previously cited), guideline 5b and p. 114

    [46] African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Commission), African Commission Guidelines for the Policing of Assemblies by Law Enforcement Officials in Africa, para. 21.3.1 https://achpr.au.int/en/soft-law/guidelines-policing-assemblies-law-enforcement-officials-africa

    [47] UN Guidance on less-lethal weapons in law enforcement (previously cited), guideline 6.3; Amnesty International, Guidelines on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (previously cited), guideline 14.1.

    [48] UN Guidance on less-lethal weapons in law enforcement (previously cited), guideline 7.5; Amnesty International, “Kinetic impact projectiles in law enforcement”, March 2023, https://www.amnesty.nl/content/uploads/2023/03/Amnesty-position-paper-kinetic-impact-projectiles.pdf?x36065

    [49] UN Guidance on less-lethal weapons in law enforcement (previously cited), guideline 7.5; HRC, General Comment No. 37 (previously cited), para. 87; Amnesty International, “Kinetic impact projectiles in law enforcement”, March 2023, https://www.amnesty.nl/content/uploads/2023/03/Amnesty-position-paper-kinetic-impact-projectiles.pdf?x36065

    [50] Amnesty International, “Chemical irritants in law enforcement”, June 2021, https://www.amnesty.nl/content/uploads/2021/07/Amnesty-position-paper-chemical-irritants.pdf

    [51]  Video published on the platform X on 27 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1861915616598167924

    [52] Video sent to researchers via messaging app, on file with Amnesty International.

    [53] Amnesty International, Guidelines on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly (Index: ACT 30/8426/2024), November 2024, ACT3084262024ENGLISH.pdf

    [54] In addition to the PP and TP, one eyewitness identified the presence of the Rapid Intervention Police that day. Interview by voice call, 14 February 2025.

    [55] In addition to the PP and TP, one eyewitness identified the presence of the Rapid Intervention Police that day. Interview by voice call, 14 February 2025.

    [56] RFI, “Moçambique: Polícia confirma morte de um manifestante pró-Mondlane no Niassa” [“Mozambique: Police confirm death of pro-Mondlane protester in Niassa”], 28 October 2024, https://www.rfi.fr/pt/%C3%A1frica-lus%C3%B3fona/20241028-mo%C3%A7ambique-pol%C3%ADcia-confirma-morte-de-um-manifestante-pr%C3%B3-mondlane-no-niassa

    [57] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 11 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 14 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 17 February 2025.

    [58] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 11 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 14 February 2025.

    [59] Video provided by eyewitness; on file with Amnesty International

    [60] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 11 February 2025.

    [61] Videos provided by eyewitness, on file with Amnesty International

    [62] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 14 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 17 February 2025.

    [63] Inerview by voice call with eyewitness, 27 February 2025.

    [64] Video provided by eyewitness; on file with Amnesty International

    [65] Video published on Facebook and YouTube, respectively, on 26 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1173170507612261, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj_AfHK_JcI

    [66] Video provided by eyewitness, on file with Amnesty International.

    [67] Interview by voice call, 11 February 2025; Interview by voice call, 14 February 2025; Interview by voice call, 17 February 2025.

    [68] Video published on Facebook and YouTube, respectively, 26 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1173170507612261, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj_AfHK_JcI

    [69] RFI, “Moçambique: Polícia confirma morte de um manifestante pró-Mondlane no Niassa” [“Mozambique: Police confirm death of pro-Mondlane protester in Niassa”], 28 October 2024, https://www.rfi.fr/pt/%C3%A1frica-lus%C3%B3fona/20241028-mo%C3%A7ambique-pol%C3%ADcia-confirma-morte-de-um-manifestante-pr%C3%B3-mondlane-no-niassa

    [70] Facebook profiles managed by Albino José Síbia. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084198734038 https://www.facebook.com/ShottasOficial, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069938172987

     

    [72] Videos published on the platform X on 12 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/mozinforma/status/1867313710223831438

    [73] 360 Mozambique, “General Protests: Ressano Garcia Border Returns to Normal”, 16 December 2024, https://360mozambique.com/business/general-protests-ressano-garcia-border-returns-to-normal/

    [74] A section of the video posted on the platform X on 12 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1867262509016920434

    [75] Video posted on the platform X on 12 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/justicefrontil/status/1867281218351640723

    [76] Video posted on Facebook on 12 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1526742851326323

    [77] Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), “Albino Sibia (Mano Shottas)”, https://cpj.org/data/people/albino-sibia-mano-shottas/

    [78] Mozambique ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 21 July 1993 and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on 22 February 1989. See United Nations Human Rights Treaty Body Database – Mozambique, https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx and ACHPR, https://achpr.au.int/en/charter/african-charter-human-and-peoples-rights/

    [79] Interview by voice call with someone with intimate knowledge of the situation, 10 February 2025; Adriano Nuvunga, Facebook post: “CDD entra com uma acção contra o Estado mocambicano pelo assassinato Bárbaro do jovem blogueiro “Shottas”” [“CDD files a lawsuit against the Mozambican state for the barbaric murder of the young blogger “Shottas””], 30 December 2024, https://www.facebook.com/Prof.adrianonuvunga/videos/cdd-entra-com-uma-ac%C3%A7%C3%A3o-contra-o-estado-mocambicano-pelo-assassinato-b%C3%A1rbaro-do-/1029506992507642/

    [80] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 10 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 27 February 2025; Miramar, “UIR invade cemitério e dispara no momento de luto” [“UIR invades cemetery and shoots during mourning”], 14 December 2024, https://miramar.co.mz/noticias/mocambique/uir-invade-cemiterio-e-dispara-no-momento-de-luto-14-12-2024-49489 

    [81] Videos published on the platform X on 14 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International 
    https://x.com/mozinforma/status/1867929771835076734/video/1 https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1867936730910703888
    https://x.com/mozinforma/status/1867929771835076734/video/1

    [82] Inerview by voice call with eyewitness, 27 February 2025.

    [83] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 27 February 2025.

    [84] Video published on Facebook on 14 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=595714569533356

    [85] Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), “COMUNICADO- MISA condena baleamento de repórter pela UIR” [“-STATEMENT- MISA condemns the shooting of a reporter by the UIR”], 20 December 2024, https://www.misa.org.mz/index.php/destaques/noticias/327-comunicado-misa-condena-baleamento-de-reporter-pela-uir

    [86] Interview by voice call with person known to the victim, 19 February 2025.

    [87] DW, “Vários mortos no regresso de Mondlane a Moçambique” [“Several dead on Mondlane’s return to Mozambique”]; 9 January 2025, https://www.dw.com/pt-002/v%C3%A1rios-mortos-no-regresso-de-mondlane-a-mo%C3%A7ambique/a-71257510; Observador, “Chegada de Mondlane a Maputo. Número de mortos em Moçambique sobe para três – como aconteceu” [“Mondlane arrives in Maputo. Death toll in Mozambique rises to three – as it happened”], 9 January 2025, https://observador.pt/liveblogs/mondlane-chegou-a-maputo-estou-aqui-presente-de-carne-e-osso/

    [88] Video published on YouTube on 9 January 2025, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnA0Ur-Eb8I

    [89] Video published on YouTube on 9 January 2025, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCVLf30Ajfs

    [90] Video published on Facebook on 9 January 2025, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1194732825606271

    [91] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 13 February 2025.

    [92] Interview by voice call with “Pedro”, 1 March 2025.

    [93] Interview by voice call with “Pedro”, 1 March 2025.

    [94] Interview by voice call with “Pedro”, 1 March 2025.

    [95] Interview by voice call with “Pedro”, 1 March 2025.

    [96] Videos published on the platform X on 9 January 2025, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/AllexandreMZ/status/1877368651554124233
    https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1877308762274329016
    https://x.com/AllexandreMZ/status/1877304210435330388/video/1

    [97] Videos received via messaging app; on file with Amnesty International; Video published on Facebook on 21 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International.
    https://www.facebook.com/tvsucessoofficial/videos/1049942656916240/

    [98] Interview by voice call with an eyewitness, 12 February 2025.

    [99] Video published on Facebook on 21 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1049942656916240

    [100] Interview by voice call with an eyewitness, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 21 February 2025.

    [101] Interview by voice call with an eyewitness, 12 February 2025.

    [102] Video published on Facebook on 21 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1049942656916240

    [103] Amnesty International reviewed videos and X-rays. The videos indicate the injury was caused by a tear gas canister. The X-rays clearly show a fracture in the tibia.

    [104] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 21 February 2025.

    [105] Videos sent via messaging app, on file with Amnesty International.

    [106] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 21 February 2025.

    [107] VOA, “Jornalistas moçambicanos feridos em manifestação em Maputo” [“Mozambican journalists injured in protest in Maputo”], 21 October 2025, https://www.voaportugues.com/a/jornalistas-mo%C3%A7ambicanos-feridos-em-manifesta%C3%A7%C3%A3o-em-maputo/7830621.html 

    [108] Publico, “Pelo menos 30 pessoas foram detidas nos confrontos em Maputo” [“At least 30 people were arrested in the clashes in Maputo”], 22 October 2024, https://www.publico.pt/2024/10/22/mundo/noticia/menos-30-pessoas-detidas-confrontos-maputo-2108971

    [109] Video published on Facebook on 21 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/tvsucessoofficial/videos/8571222766325965/

    [110] Video published on Facebook on 21 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/tvsucessoofficial/videos/8571222766325965/

    [111] Video published on Facebook on 21 October 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://www.facebook.com/tvsucessoofficial/videos/8571222766325965/

    [112] Videos sent via messaging app, on file with Amnesty International.

    [113] Principle 5(c) of the UN Basic Principles (previously cited).

    [114] RFI, “Moçambique: Três mortos e dezenas de feridos nas manifestações” [“Mozambique: Three dead and dozens injured in protests”], 8 November 2024, https://www.rfi.fr/pt/%C3%A1frica-lus%C3%B3fona/20241108-mo%C3%A7ambique-tr%C3%AAs-mortos-e-dezenas-de-feridos-nas-manifesta%C3%A7%C3%B5es; Radio Renascença (RR), “Protestos em Maputo deixam 57 pessoas feridas por arma de fogo“ [“Protests in Maputo leave 57 people injured by firearms”], 8 November 2024, https://rr.pt/noticia/mundo/2024/11/08/protestos-em-maputo-deixam-57-pessoas-feridas-por-arma-de-fogo/400690/

    [115] Videos published on the platform X on 7 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1854544977507856444 https://x.com/wilkerDias13/status/1854464732637327870 https://x.com/wilkerDias13/status/1854464732637327870

    [116] Videos published on the platform X on 7 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International.  https://x.com/wilkerDias13/status/1854461552214114747/video/1
    https://x.com/wilkerDias13/status/1854485342604104076

    [117] Video published on the platform X on 7 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/wilkerDias13/status/1854461552214114747/video/2

    [118] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 19 and 20 February 2025.

    [119] HRC, General Comment No. 37 (previously cited), para 80; ACHPR Guidelines on the Policing of Assemblies in Africa (previously cited), para. 3.2; Amnesty International, Guidelines on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly (previously cited), guideline 7.5.

    [120] Videos published on the platform X on 27 and 28 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1861684733605806131 https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1862014546333856026 https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1861685433677013386

    [121] Video published on the platform X on 27 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1861931525492617413

    [122] Video published on the platform X on 27 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1861919381283827798

    [123] Videos published on the platform X on 27 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/Cidiachissungo/status/1861919381283827798

    [124] Pictures published on the platform X on 30 November 2024, on file with Amnesty International. https://x.com/AllexandreMZ/status/1862832887285854247

    [125] VOA, “Ministry of National Defence admits to having run over young man [sic] in protest in Maputo”, 27 November 2024, https://www.voaportugues.com/a/ministério-da-defesa-nacional-reconhece-ter-atropelado-jovem-em-protesto-em-maputo/7879042.html

    [126] VOA, “Ministry of National Defence admits to having run over young man [sic] in protest in Maputo”, 27 November 2024, https://www.voaportugues.com/a/ministério-da-defesa-nacional-reconhece-ter-atropelado-jovem-em-protesto-em-maputo/7879042.html

    [127] Interview by voice call with individual with intimate knowledge of the situation, 11 February 2025.

    [128] Interview by voice call with individual with intimate knowledge of the situation, 11 February 2025.

    [129] Plataforma DECIDE, “Preliminary report on the post-electoral context in Mozambique: 21 October 2024- 21 January 2025” (previously cited), pg. 2.

    [130] Plataforma DECIDE, “Preliminary report on the post-electoral context in Mozambique: 21 October 2024- 21 January 2025” (previously cited), pg. 2.

    [131] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [132] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [133] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [134] Plataforma DECIDE, “Preliminary report on the post-electoral context in Mozambique: 21 October 2024- 21 January 2025” (previously cited), pg. 2.

    [135] Plataforma DECIDE, “Preliminary report on the post-electoral context in Mozambique: 21 October 2024- 21 January 2025” (previously cited), pg. 2.

    [136] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [137] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [138] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [139] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025.

    [140] Interview by voice call with a victim of arbitrary detention, 12 February 2025.

    [141] Interview by voice call with a victim of arbitrary detention, 12 February 2025.

    [142] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025; Interview by voice call with victim, 18 and 19 February 2025.

    [143] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 19 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a victim of arbitrary detention, 12 February 2025; Interview by voice call with a relative of a detainee, 18 and 21 February 2025.

    [144] Interview by voice call with son of victim of detainee, 18 and 21 February 2025.

    [145] Interview by voice call with son of victim of detainee, 18 and 21 February 2025.

    [146] Interview by voice call with a victim of arbitrary detention, 12 February 2025.

    [147] Interview by voice call with a victim of arbitrary detention, 12 February 2025.

    [148] Interview by voice call with a lawyer, 12 February 2025.

    [149] Interview by voice call with victim, 18 and 19 February 2025.

    [150] Interview by voice call with victim, 18 and 19 February 2025.

    [151] Photos of victim taken on 6 and 7 December 2024, on file with Amnesty International.

    [152] Interview by voice call with victim, 18 and 19 February 2025.

    [153] Interview by voice call with victim, 18 and 19 February 2025.

    [154] ICCPR, Article 9.1; ACHPR, Article 6.

    [155] ICCPR, Article 14; ACHPR, Article 7. See also the African Commission, Principles and Guidelines on the Rights to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa.

    [156] African Commission Principles and Guidelines on the Rights to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa; article 1(e) and (g).

    [157] For instance, ICCPR, Articles 7 and 10. Conditions of detention which violate article 10 of the ICCPR may also violate Article 7 of the ICCPR (prohibition of torture or other ill-treatment). See also, UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Interim report, 3 August 2009, UN Doc. A/64/215 paras 48, 55.

    [158] The 1955 UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules); Rules 15; 16; 19; 20; and 19. See also the ACHPR Guidelines on the Conditions of Arrest, Police Custody and Pre-Trial Detention in Africa (the Luanda Guidelines), March 2015; and The UN Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners, 1990.

    [159] Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Article 37(b).

    [160] African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), Article 17.2(b). See also, ICCPR, Article 10.2(b).

    [161] ICCPR, Article 9.1; ACHPR, Article 6; Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, 16 November 2004, Article 59.1.

    [162] ICCPR, Article 17.

    [163] ICCPR, Article 2.3. See also, HRC, General Comment 31: The Nature of the General Legal Obligation Imposed on States Parties to the Covenant, 26 May 2004, UN Doc. CCPR/C/21/Rev.1/Add. 13.

    [164] ICCPR, Article 9.5.

    [165] CAT, Article 14. See also, Committee Against Torture, General Comment 3: Implementation of article 14 by States parties (Article 14), 13 December 2012, UN Doc. CAT/C/GC/3; UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Resolution 22/21: Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment: rehabilitation of torture victims, adopted on 12 April 2013.

    [166] Photo of police complaint, on file with Amnesty International.

    [167] Interview by voice call with victim, 18 and 19 February 2025 and correspondence on 1 April 2025.

    [168] Integrity Magazine, “Moçambique enfrenta 18 horas de corte de internet em meio `a tensão pós-eleitoral [“Mozambique faces internet shutdown amid post-electoral tension”], 26 October 2024, https://integritymagazine.co.mz/arquivos/33806; Sahara Reporters, “Social media platforms down in Mozambique ahead of protests against disputed election results”, 31 October 2024, https://saharareporters.com/2024/10/31/social-media-platforms-down-mozambique-ahead-protests-against-disputed-election-results

    [169] Internet Outage Detection & Analysis (IODA) and Cloudflare, “Mozambique’s post-election fallout: fatal protests and widespread internet shutdowns”, 26 February 2025, https://ioda-dev.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/mozambiques-post-election-fallout-fatal-protests-and-widespread-internet-shutdowns/

    [170] Club of Mozambique, “Mozambique elections: Mondlane calls for week-long strike and a national march to Maputo”, 29 October 2024, https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-elections-mondlane-calls-for-week-long-strike-and-a-national-march-to-maputo-269757/

    [171] IODA and Cloudflare, “Mozambique’s post-election fallout: fatal protests and widespread internet shutdowns”, 26 February 2025, https://ioda-dev.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/mozambiques-post-election-fallout-fatal-protests-and-widespread-internet-shutdowns/

    [172] Netblocks, X post, 25 October 2024, https://x.com/netblocks/status/1849839619291988399

    [173] IODA and Cloudflare, “Mozambique’s post-election fallout: fatal protests and widespread internet shutdowns”, 26 February 2025, https://ioda-dev.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/mozambiques-post-election-fallout-fatal-protests-and-widespread-internet-shutdowns/

    [174] Netblocks, X post, 8 November 2024, https://x.com/netblocks/status/1854830014555914571

    [175] IODA and Cloudflare, “Mozambique’s post-election fallout: fatal protests and widespread internet shutdowns”, 26 February 2025, https://ioda-dev.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/mozambiques-post-election-fallout-fatal-protests-and-widespread-internet-shutdowns/

    [176] IODA and Cloudflare, “Mozambique’s post-election fallout: fatal protests and widespread internet shutdowns”, 26 February 2025, https://ioda-dev.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/reports/mozambiques-post-election-fallout-fatal-protests-and-widespread-internet-shutdowns/

    [177] Tmcel is a state mobile company that resulted from the merging of telecommunication company Telecomunicações de Moçambique (AS30619) and Mcel (mobile company).

    [178] Netblocks, X post, 31 October 2024, https://x.com/netblocks/status/1851892913292071349

    [179] OONI Probe testing of ‘www.facebook.com’, ‘www.instagram.com’ and WhatsApp services in Mozambique between 15 October and 18 November 2024.

    [180] Club of Mozambique, “Mozambique Elections: Second internet shutdown – AIM”, 1 November 2024, https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-elections-second-internet-shutdown-aim-269982/

    [181] Club of Mozambique, “Mozambique Elections: Second internet shutdown – AIM”, 1 November 2024, https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-elections-second-internet-shutdown-aim-269982/

    [182] RFI, “Moçambique: Ministro justificou restrições na internet para impedir ’destruição’ do país” [“Mozambique: Minister justified internet restrictions to prevent “destruction” of the country”], 11 November 2024, https://www.rfi.fr/pt/%C3%A1frica-lus%C3%B3fona/20241111-mo%C3%A7ambique-ministro-justificou-restri%C3%A7%C3%B5es-na-internet-para-impedir-destrui%C3%A7%C3%A3o-do-pa%C3%ADs

    [183] Text messages shared with researchers by Vodacom, Movitel and Tmcel clients, on file with Amnesty International. See also, HRW, “Mozambique: post-election internet restrictions hinder rights”, 6 November 2024, https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/11/06/mozambique-post-election-internet-restrictions-hinder-rights

    [184] Ngani, “Manifestações pós-eleitoral: mais um apagão dos serviços de internet em Moçambique” [“Post-election demonstrations: another blackout of internet services in Mozambique”], 1 November 2024, https://ngani.co.mz/tech/01/11/2024/manifestacoes-pos-eleitoral-mais-um-apagao-dos-servicos-de-internet-em-mocambique/

    [185] Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (Centro para Democracia e Direitos Humanos – CDD), “Depois da proibição do bloqueio pelo tribunal: submetida acção principal contra as operadoras de telefonia móvel por bloqueio de internet” [“After a blockage from court has been denied: a complaint against internet shutdown by mobile companies submitted down”], 18 December 2024, https://cddmoz.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Submetida-accao-principal-contra-as-operadoras-de-telefonia-movel-por-bloqueio-de-internet.pdf

    [186] Video sent by eyewitness, on file with Amnesty International.

    [187] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 11 February 2025; Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 14 February 2025.

    [188] Interview by voice call with eyewitness, 11 February 2025.

    [189] Interview by voice call with media professional, 12 February 2025.

    [190] ICCPR, Article 19.2.

    [191] ICCPR, Article 19.3(a)(b). See also the African Commission, Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, November 2019; the Johannesburg Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, 1 October 1995.

    [192] ACHPR, Article 9.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How single-stream recycling works − your choices can make it better

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex Jordan, Associate Professor of Plastics Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Stout

    Successful recycling requires some care. Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images

    Every week, millions of Americans toss their recyclables into a single bin, trusting that their plastic bottles, aluminum cans and cardboard boxes will be given a new life.

    But what really happens after the truck picks them up?

    Single-stream recycling makes participating in recycling easy, but behind the scenes, complex sorting systems and contamination mean a large percentage of that material never gets a second life. Reports in recent years have found 15% to 25% of all the materials picked up from recycle bins ends up in landfills instead.

    Plastics are among the biggest challenges. Only about 9% of the plastic generated in the U.S. actually gets recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some plastic is incinerated to produce energy, but most of the rest ends up in landfills instead.

    A breakdown of U.S. recycling by millions of tons shows about two-thirds of all paper and cardboard gets a second life, but only about a third of metal, a quarter of glass and less than 10% of plastics do.
    Alex Jordan/University of Wisconsin-Stout

    So, what makes plastic recycling so difficult? As an engineer whose work focuses on reprocessing plastics, I have been exploring potential solutions.

    How does single-stream recycling work?

    In cities that use single-stream recycling, consumers put all of their recyclable materials − paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal − into a single bin. Once collected, the mixed recyclables are taken to a materials recovery facility, where they are sorted.

    First, the mixed recyclables are shredded and crushed into smaller fragments, enabling more effective separation. The mixed fragments pass over rotating screens that remove cardboard and paper, allowing heavier materials, including plastics, metals and glass, to continue along the sorting line.

    The basics of a single-stream recycling system in Pennsylvania. Source: Van Dyk Recycling Solutions.

    Magnets are used to pick out ferrous metals, such as steel. A magnetic field that produces an electrical current with eddies sends nonferrous metals, such as aluminum, into a separate stream, leaving behind plastics and glass.

    The glass fragments are removed from the remaining mix using gravity or vibrating screens.

    That leaves plastics as the primary remaining material.

    While single-stream recycling is convenient, it has downsides. Contamination, such as food residue, plastic bags and items that can’t be recycled, can degrade the quality of the remaining material, making it more difficult to reuse. That lowers its value.

    Having to remove that contamination raises processing costs and can force recovery centers to reject entire batches.

    Plastic bags, food residue and items that can’t be recycled can contaminate a recycling stream.
    City of Greenville, N.C./Flickr

    Which plastics typically can’t be recycled?

    Each recycling program has rules for which items it will and won’t take. You can check which items can and cannot be recycled for your specific program on your municipal page. Often, that means checking the recycling code stamped on the plastic next to the recycling icon.

    These are the toughest plastics to recycle and most likely to be excluded in your local recycling program:

    • Symbol 3 – Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, found in pipes, shower curtains and some food packaging. It may contain harmful additives such as phthalates and heavy metals. PVC also degrades easily, and melting can release toxic fumes during recycling, contaminating other materials and making it unsafe to process in standard recycling facilities.

    • Symbol 4 – Low-density polyethylene, or LDPE, is often used in plastic bags and shrink-wrap. Because it’s flexible and lightweight, it’s prone to getting tangled in sorting machinery at recycling plants.

    • Symbol 6 – Polystyrene, often used in foam cups, takeout containers and packing peanuts. Because it’s lightweight and brittle, it’s difficult to collect and process and easily contaminates recycling streams.

    Which plastics to include

    That leaves three plastics that can be recycled in many facilities:

    However, these aren’t accepted in some facilities for reasons I’ll explain.

    Taking apart plastics, bead by bead

    Some plastics can be chemically recycled or ground up for reprocessing, but not all plastics play well together.

    Simple separation methods, such as placing ground-up plastics in water, can easily remove your soda bottle plastic (PET) from the mixture. The ground-up PET sinks in water due to the plastic’s density. However, HDPE, used in milk jugs, and PP, found in yogurt cups, both float, and they can’t be recycled together. So, more advanced and expensive technology, such as infrared spectroscopy, is often required to separate those two materials.

    Once separated, the plastic from your soda bottle can be chemically recycled through a process called solvolysis.

    It works like this: Plastic materials are formed from polymers. A polymer is a molecule with many repeating units, called monomers. Picture a pearl necklace. The individual pearls are the repeating monomer units. The string that runs through the pearls is the chemical bond that joins the monomer units together. The entire necklace can then be thought of as a single molecule.

    During solvolysis, chemists break down that necklace by cutting the string holding the pearls together until they are individual pearls. Then, they string those pearls together again to create new necklaces.

    Other chemical recycling methods, such as pyrolysis and gasification, have drawn environmental and health concerns because the plastic is heated, which can release toxic fumes. But chemical recycling also holds the potential to reduce both plastic waste and the need for new plastics, while generating energy.

    The problem of yogurt cups and milk jugs

    The other two common types of recycled plastics − items such as yogurt cups (PP) and milk jugs (HDPE) − are like oil and water: Each can be recycled through reprocessing, but they don’t mix.

    If polyethylene and polypropylene aren’t completely separated during recycling, the resulting mix can be brittle and generally unusable for creating new products.

    Chemists are working on solutions that could increase the quality of recycled plastics through mechanical reprocessing, typically done at separate facilities.

    One promising mechanical method for recycling mixed plastics is to incorporate a chemical called a compatibilizer. Compatibilizers contain the chemical structure of multiple different polymers in the same molecule. It’s like how lecithin, commonly found in egg yolks, can help mix oil and water to make mayonnaise − part of the lecithin molecule is in the oil phase and part is in the water phase.

    In the case of yogurt cups and milk jugs, recently developed block copolymers are able to produce recycled plastic materials with the flexibility of polyethylene and the strength of polypropylene.

    Improving recycling

    Research like this can make recycled materials more versatile and valuable and move products closer to a goal of a circular economy without waste.

    However, improving recycling also requires better recycling habits.

    You can help the recycling process by taking a few minutes to wash off food waste, avoiding putting plastic bags in your recycling bin and, importantly, paying attention to what can and cannot be recycled in your area.

    Alex Jordan received funding in in the past from TotalEnergies. He has worked on projects to create PP-PE block copolymers.

    – ref. How single-stream recycling works − your choices can make it better – https://theconversation.com/how-single-stream-recycling-works-your-choices-can-make-it-better-250017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Visit to the Multimedia Complex of Contemporary Arts

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Multimedia Complex of Contemporary Arts invites you to visit the exhibitions “The arrangement of paintings depends on taste. Contemporary art from the collection of Anton Kozlov”, “Natalia Turnova. Unceremonious portrait”, “Naum Granovsky. Moscow: from the first taxis to Olympic construction sites”, “From the history of the Moscow House of Photography. In memory of Mikhail Golosovsky”, “Grisha Selsky. Pokemon Go Go Go” and “Ivan Mikhailov. Space of silence”.

    The exhibition of works by the classic of Russian photography Naum Granovsky, dedicated to the 115th anniversary of his birth, presents unique evidence of how rapidly the architectural appearance of the capital changed from the mid-1920s to the 1980s, and with it the life of Moscow and its citizens. The city was always in the center of the master’s attention. In addition, visitors will see rare newsreels of the capital, showing its life in different years: the work of market squares, cabbies and taxis, the opening of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition (now VDNKh) and the Moscow swimming pool, the construction of new houses and districts, advertising of Soviet hotels and shops.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: // Rytlet.mos.ru/Event/343302257/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DSD wins eight awards at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Drainage Services Department (DSD) achieved outstanding results at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, winning one gold medal with the congratulations of jury, one gold medal, four silver medals and two bronze medals.

    The Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said today (April 16), “The DSD won a total of eight awards at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva. Among them, an in-house developed project – the Mosaic Model Map (M³) received a gold medal with the congratulations of jury. Additionally, the Flood Alert System for Tomorrow (FAST), which received a silver medal, was the first collaborative achievement between the DSD and the Pearl River Water Resources Research Institute of the Pearl River Water Resources Commission in an international competition. These accomplishments underscore the department’s commitment to research and the application of innovative technologies, driving the development of a smart city.”
     
    The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is one of the most significant global annual events on inventions. Around 1 050 inventions from 35 countries and regions were evaluated by an international jury of specialists.

    The DSD’s winning projects are:

    Gold medal with the congratulations of jury

    • Mosaic Model Map (M³) – Real-time territorial flood risk visualisation system leveraging Hydraulic Model Pre-run, Scenario Mapping and Mosaic Compilation technologies

    ​Gold medal 

    • The Smart Structural Integrity Monitoring System

    Silver medals

    • CRISmart – CRISPR-based Smartphone Microbial Assay for Rapid Testing
    • Flood Alert System for Tomorrow (FAST) – Intelligent Flood Alert and Emergency Response System
    • MAESTRO – Machinery Analysis & Early System Trouble Resolution Operator
    • Automated Software for Drainage Network Detailed Design

    ​Bronze medals

    • MoShark Water Surface Mowing Robot – Wireless AI-powered Remote-controlled River Cleaning Robot
    • RAPID – Real-time Alert Platform for Inundation Detection

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India’s Retail Inflation Hits Six-Year Low

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

    2024-25 Retail Inflation Drops to 4.6%, March Sees YoY Dip to 3.34%

    Introduction

    Retail inflation in India, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which reflects the cost of everyday goods and services, fell to a remarkable 4.6% in the fiscal year 2024-25, the lowest since 2018-19. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of the Reserve Bank of India’s pro-growth monetary policy, which has successfully balanced economic expansion with price stability. Notably, the year-on-year inflation rate for March 2025 dropped to 3.34%, a decline of 27 basis points from February 2025, marking the lowest monthly inflation rate since August 2019. These figures demonstrate a sustained effort to curb price rises while fostering economic growth.

    The government’s strategic interventions have been pivotal in achieving this outcome. Key measures include bolstering buffer stocks of essential food items and releasing them periodically in open markets, alongside subsidised retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, pulses, and onions. Simplified import duties on critical food items, stricter stock limits to prevent hoarding, and reduced GST rates on essentials have further eased price pressures. Targeted subsidies, such as LPG support under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, have protected vulnerable households from rising food grain costs, ensuring that the benefits of lower inflation reach those who need it most.

    What is Consumer Price Index?

    The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one of the most important economic indicators used to measure changes in the general level of retail prices over time. It reflects how much households need to spend on a fixed basket of goods and services they typically consume, such as food, clothing, housing, and fuel. In India, the CPI is compiled by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and is currently calculated using the base year 2012. By tracking the cost of this basket over time, the CPI shows how prices rise or fall, affecting the purchasing power of consumers and their overall welfare.

    The CPI measures price changes by comparing the current cost of this fixed basket of goods and services to what it cost in a previous period. Since the contents of the basket are kept constant in terms of quantity and quality, any change in the index reflects only the change in prices. When prices increase, the CPI goes up, signalling inflation; when they fall, the CPI declines, indicating lower inflation or deflation.

    Originally, CPI figures were developed to track changes in the cost of living for workers so that their wages could be adjusted in line with price movements. Over time, however, the CPI has evolved into a widely used macroeconomic tool. It is now a key benchmark for targeting inflation, monitoring price stability, and guiding monetary policy decisions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It also serves as a deflator in the National Accounts to measure real economic growth.

    In India, along with the general CPI (CPI–Combined), segment-specific indices are also published to cater to different population groups:

    • CPI (IW) – Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers
    • CPI (AL) – Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers
    • CPI (RL) – Consumer Price Index for Rural Labourers

    These indices help in wage revisions, rural planning, and understanding inflation trends in specific segments of the population.

    Key Highlights for March 2025

    • Food Inflation: The year-on-year food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.69% in March 2025, the lowest since November 2021. This marks a sharp decline of 106 basis points from the previous month.
    • Rural food inflation: 2.82%
    • Urban food inflation: 2.48%

     

    • Drivers of Decline: The overall moderation in food prices was led by a drop in inflation across key categories such as vegetables, eggs, pulses and products, meat and fish, cereals and products, and milk and products.

     

    • Rural Inflation: A notable fall was recorded in both headline and food inflation in rural areas.

     

    • Headline inflation fell from 3.79% in February to 3.25% in March
    • Food inflation dropped from 4.06% to 2.82%

     

    • Urban Inflation: Headline inflation in urban areas saw a marginal rise to 3.43% in March, up from 3.32% in February. However, food inflation declined significantly from 3.15% to 2.48%.
    • Housing Inflation: For the urban sector, housing inflation rose slightly to 3.03% in March 2025 from 2.91% in February.
    • Fuel & Light: Inflation in this category rebounded to 1.48% in March from -1.33% in February, covering both rural and urban areas.
    • Education Inflation: A moderate increase was noted in education-related inflation, rising to 3.98% from 3.83% the previous month.
    • Health Inflation: Prices in the health segment saw a mild rise, with inflation at 4.26% in March, up from 4.12% in February.
    • Transport & Communication: Inflation in this category increased to 3.30% in March 2025 compared to 2.93% in February.
    • Items with Highest Inflation: In March 2025, the top five items with the highest year-on-year inflation were coconut oil (56.81%), coconut (42.05%), gold (34.09%), silver (31.57%), and grapes (25.55%).
    • Items with Lowest Inflation: The items witnessing the steepest decline in prices were ginger (-38.11%), tomato (-34.96%), cauliflower (-25.99%), jeera (-25.86%), and garlic (-25.22%).

    Retail Inflation Eases for Third Year in a Row

    Retail inflation in India has followed a steady downward path over the past three financial years, falling from 6.7 percent in 2022–23 to 5.4 percent in 2023–24, and further to 4.6 percent in 2024–25. This consistent moderation highlights the combined impact of the Reserve Bank of India’s calibrated monetary policy and the Government of India’s focused interventions to ease supply-side constraints and stabilise prices of essential commodities. The declining trend has helped ease cost-of-living pressures and fostered a more stable environment for economic growth.

    From High Prices to Stability: A Decade of Inflation Control

    Between 2009–10 and 2013–14, India faced a prolonged period of high inflation, with the average annual rate remaining in double digits. Households across the country bore the brunt of steep increases in food and fuel prices, which eroded purchasing power and created a challenging environment for both consumers and businesses. Looking at a broader timeframe, the average annual inflation between 2004–05 and 2013–14 stood at 8.2 percent, reflecting a decade marked by considerable volatility in retail prices.

    In sharp contrast, the ten-year period from 2015–16 to 2024–25 witnessed a marked decline in inflationary pressures, with the average rate coming down to 5 percent. This significant moderation reflects the sustained efforts of both the Government and the Reserve Bank of India to improve price stability through better supply-side management, fiscal prudence, and inflation-targeting monetary policy. The shift from a high-inflation era to a more stable pricing environment has provided greater certainty for consumers and strengthened the foundation for long-term economic growth.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the steady decline in retail inflation over recent years marks a crucial milestone in India’s economic journey, reflecting the success of coordinated efforts by the Government of India. From proactive monetary policies to targeted fiscal measures that safeguard consumers, especially the vulnerable, from volatile price swings, the approach has been both inclusive and effective. With inflation now at its lowest since 2018–19, India has not only reinforced macroeconomic stability but also created an enabling environment for sustainable growth. This trajectory underscores the country’s resilience and commitment to ensuring price stability without compromising on development goals.

    References:

    Click here to see PDF.

    ******

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Saurabh Kalia

    (Release ID: 2122148) Visitor Counter : 83

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom files lawsuit to end President Trump’s tariffs

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 16, 2025

    What you need to know: California today filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s authority to unilaterally enact tariffs, which have created economic chaos, driven up prices, and harmed the state, families, and businesses.

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging President Trump’s use of emergency powers to enact broad-sweeping tariffs that hurt states, consumers, and businesses. The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs through the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, creating immediate and irreparable harm to California, the largest economy, manufacturing, and agriculture state in the nation. 

    These tariffs have disrupted supply chains, inflated costs for the state and Californians, and inflicted billions in damages on California’s economy, the fifth largest in the world.

    “President Trump’s unlawful tariffs are wreaking chaos on California families, businesses, and our economy — driving up prices and threatening jobs. We’re standing up for American families who can’t afford to let the chaos continue.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “The President’s chaotic and haphazard implementation of tariffs is not only deeply troubling, it’s illegal. As the fifth largest economy in the world, California understands global trade policy is not just a game. Californians are bracing for fallout from the impact of the President’s choices — from farmers in the Central Valley, to small businesses in Sacramento, and worried families at the kitchen table — this game the President is playing has very real consequences for Californians across our state. I am proud to go to bat alongside Governor Newsom to fight for California’s vibrant economy, businesses, and residents.”

    Attorney General Rob Bonta

    The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, requests the court to declare the tariffs imposed by President Trump void and enjoin their implementation. 
     

    The President lacks authority to enact unilateral tariffs

    The lawsuit argues that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs against Mexico, China, and Canada or create an across-the-board 10% tariff. The President’s use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact tariffs is unlawful and unprecedented. 
     

    The IEEPA gives the President authority to take certain actions if he declares a national emergency in response to a foreign national security, foreign policy, or economic threat.  The law, which was enacted by Congress in 1977, specifies many different actions the President can take, but tariffs aren’t one of them. In fact, this is the first time a president has attempted to rely on this law to impose tariffs. 
     

    Supreme Court precedent

    The lawsuit invokes the U.S. Supreme Court’s major questions doctrine, which holds that in novel matters of vast economic and political significance, federal agencies and the executive branch must have clear and specific authorization from Congress. In recent years, the Court has applied this standard to strike down major initiatives, including President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, ruling that novel executive actions with broad impacts on the national economy cannot rest on vague statutory authority. 

    It is difficult to imagine a more economically significant set of actions than the one Trump is taking on tariffs, which have inflicted hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses on a whim, using a statute that doesn’t mention tariffs. The Court, applying this doctrine even-handedly, will find that such expansive action absent congressional approval is a clear violation of the law. 

    California is the backbone of the nation’s economy 

    California’s gross domestic product was $3.9 trillion in 2023, making it 50% bigger than the GDP of the nation’s next-largest state, Texas. The state drives national economic growth and also sends over $83 billion more to the federal government than it receives in federal funding. California is the leading agricultural producer in the country and is also the center for manufacturing output in the United States, with over 36,000 manufacturing firms employing over 1.1 million Californians. The Golden State’s manufacturing firms have created new industries and supplied the world with manufactured goods spanning aerospace, computers and electronics, and, most recently, zero-emission vehicles.

    The Golden State is global leader in two-way trade

    California engaged in nearly $675 billion in two-way trade in 2024, supporting millions of jobs throughout the state. California’s economy and workers rely heavily on this trade activity, particularly with Mexico, Canada, and China – our top 3 trade partners. Over 40% of California imports come from these countries, totaling $203 billion of the more than $491 billion in goods imported by California in 2024. These countries are also our top three export destinations, buying nearly $67 billion in California exports, which was over one-third of the state’s $183 billion in exported goods in 2024. 

    Tariffs irreparably harm California businesses and consumers

    As the largest economy in the nation, the largest agriculture state in the nation, and the largest U.S. trading partner, the harm of the tariffs on the state of California is immense. President Trump’s policies have already inflicted hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses. 

    Tariffs have an outsized impact on California businesses, including its more than 60,000 small business exporters. 

    Standing up for California families and businesses 

    Governor Newsom has responded quickly to help reduce negative impacts from the Trump tariffs on California’s economy and maintain California’s strong partnerships worldwide. Today’s lawsuit follows the Governor’s recent announcement of California’s goal to create new strategic trade relationships with international partners aimed at strengthening shared economic resilience and protecting California’s manufacturers, workers, farmers, businesses, and supply chains.  The Governor has also announced a new international campaign to help maintain the strong tourism partnership between California and Canada.

    More opposition to President Trump’s tariffs

    U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas): “Listen, I love President Trump, I’m his strongest supporter, and I think he’s doing incredible things as president. But here’s one thing to understand, a tariff is a tax.”

    U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky): “Every dollar collected in tariff revenue comes straight out of the pockets of American consumers.”

    U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska): “And if the global implications of these tariffs have shown us nothing else, it’s that measures that are as important as these should be considered by the 535 elected individuals that are in tune with the American people, rather than vesting that with just one individual acting unilaterally.”

    Ben Shapiro, political commentator: “The idea that this is inherently good and makes the American economy strong is wrongheaded; it is untrue…”

    U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “What we have heard from business of all sizes, across all industries, from around the country is that these broad tariffs are a tax increase that will raise prices for American consumers and hurt the economy.”

    National Retail Federation: “American consumers could lose between $46 billion and $78 billion in spending power each year if new tariffs on imports to the United States are implemented.”

    The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board: “The dumbest trade war in history.”

    Recent news

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: The passage of Proposition 1 by California voters adds rocket fuel to Governor Gavin Newsom’s transformational overhaul of the state’s behavioral health system. These reforms refocus existing funds to prioritize Californians with the most…

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: The First Partner released the final report of a working group tasked with developing recommendations for policymakers, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and the judicial system in order to better support survivors of sexual assault….

    Apr 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: Preliminary data suggests property and violent crimes in California were down in 2024. Sacramento, California – As the state continues to invest in the safety and security of California communities, new data suggests violent and property…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Negative impact of wind farms on the environment – E-001434/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001434/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kosma Złotowski (ECR)

    The problem of birds and bats being killed by wind turbines is nothing new. Protected species are also among the birds that die in wind turbine collisions.

    On 7 April 2025, a French court in Montpellier ruled that a wind farm in Aumelas in Hérault would have to suspend operations for four months for this very reason, and the company that owns the farm was fined. Last year, furthermore, a court in Nîmes ruled that a wind farm in Bernagues in the Grands Causses in Hérault had to be dismantled due to the damage it causes to the environment.

    In this context, the EU Wind Power Action Plan may have a number of negative effects on the natural environment and lead to additional costs for wind farm operators.

    • 1.Is the Commission monitoring cases involving onshore wind farms having an adverse impact on the environment and protected species, and if so, how large is the scale of this phenomenon, and have any EU-funded wind energy investments been suspended because of this?
    • 2.Does the Commission have any estimates of how possible fines for environmental damage imposed by European courts could affect the prices of electricity from wind farms?
    • 3.In the Commission’s view, what is the safe distance from valuable nature sites, nature reserves, parks, forests (especially Natura 2000 sites), but also buildings or houses, at which wind farms can be built without adverse consequences for the environment and human health?

    Submitted: 9.4.2025

    Last updated: 16 April 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • A new building has opened at the Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard, Odesa Oblast, expanding emergency services for over 36 000 residents in the settlement and neighbouring communities.
    • Equipped to handle wartime challenges, the new facility will strengthen rescue operations, allow for on-site staff training, and provide shelter for civilians and emergency teams during air raids.
    • The facility’s construction was supported through the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme, which helps rebuild essential social infrastructure in Ukrainian communities.

    A second building has been added to the Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard, Odesa Oblast, increasing the emergency response capacity in a region regularly targeted by Russian shelling and located on key transport routes. The centre plays a vital role in firefighting, emergency response and public awareness – not only for Avangard, but for other nearby communities as well. Supported by the European Union and its financial arm, the European Investment Bank (EIB), this new building significantly increases the centre’s ability to respond to emergencies and support local residents.

    The new building will improve emergency response times by enabling faster deployment of rescue teams and equipment, thanks to indoor storage, better administrative space and increased operational capacity. It will also be a safe shelter for staff and residents during air raids, and offer social support services, including basic humanitarian assistance and information for internally displaced persons. The building features modern training facilities to support the skills development and operational readiness of emergency personnel.

    The expansion project has a total investment value of €484 000, and comes under the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme, a joint initiative of the European Union and its bank, EIB. The programme is being implemented in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories and Ministry of Finance, Odesa Oblast Military Administration and Avangard Village Council, with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.

    In Odesa Oblast alone, 28 projects under EIB-backed recovery programmes are ongoing or complete, with a total investment value of €48.7 million. These include the reconstruction of 15 educational institutions, seven medical facilities, three administrative buildings, two sewage treatment facilities and a heating plant – all of which will improve services and lead to better quality of life for local residents and displaced communities.

    EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who is responsible for the Bank’s operations in Ukraine, said, “This new facility at the Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard is a meaningful investment in the safety and resilience of Odesa Oblast. Supporting infrastructure like this is exactly what the EIB, as the bank of the European Union, is here for: to help Ukrainian communities stay strong, respond quickly and move forward with recovery.”

    Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Rémi Duflot said, “Today’s opening of the expanded and refurbished Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard marks an important step towards strengthening local resilience and emergency response services in Odesa Oblast. Together with the EIB, we are continuing to restore essential social infrastructure across Ukraine to help communities recover in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression.”

    Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said, “Each new facility opened under the EIB’s recovery programmes, like today’s Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard, makes our communities stronger, more prepared and better equipped with modern solutions. Thanks to EU support, we are not only responding to today’s challenges, but also building the foundations for the longer-term recovery, development and resilience of Ukraine.”

    Head of the Odesa Oblast Military Administration Oleh Kiper said, “The expansion of the Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard is part of a broader effort to strengthen essential services and improve the daily lives of people across Odesa Oblast. With support from the EU and the EIB, 28 recovery projects are already making a real difference – from schools and hospitals to heating and water infrastructure. These investments help our communities stay resilient and move forward despite the war.”

    Head of Avangard Village Council Serhii Khrustovskyy said, “This centre stands for protection and rapid response – exactly what Odesa Oblast needs under the constant threat. I’m proud that the Avangard community is setting an example of how, with the right support, local leadership can deliver real impact.”

    UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers said, “Ukraine’s recovery is already underway, and we at UNDP are proud to support it through the EIB’s recovery programmes. Together, we are delivering tangible results to communities like Avangard, which can now better serve and support their residents – even under the most challenging conditions.”

    Background information

    The EIB in Ukraine 

    The EIB Group has supported Ukraine’s resilience, economy and recovery efforts since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, with €2.2 billion already disbursed since 2022. The Bank continues to focus on securing Ukraine’s energy supply, restoring damaged infrastructure and maintaining essential public services across the country. Under a guarantee agreement signed with the European Commission, the EIB is set to invest at least €2 billion more in urgent recovery and reconstruction. This funding is part of the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027 and is fully aligned with the priorities of the Ukrainian government.

    EIB recovery programmes in Ukraine

    Construction of the second building of the Citizen Safety Centre in Avangard, Odesa Oblast was carried out under the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme, a €200 million multisectoral framework loan from the EIB. The Bank finances three recovery programmes in all, totalling €640 million, which are provided as framework loans to the government of Ukraine. Through these programmes, Ukrainian communities gain access to financial resources to restore essential social infrastructure, including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, housing, and heating and water systems. These EIB-backed programmes are further supported by €15 million in EU grants to facilitate implementation. The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, coordinates and oversees the programme implementation, while local government bodies are responsible for managing recovery sub-projects. The UNDP in Ukraine provides technical assistance to local communities, supporting project implementation and ensuring independent monitoring for transparency and accountability. More information about these programmes is available here.

    Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support
    Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support
    Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support
    ©EIB
    Download original
    Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support
    Ukraine: Odesa Oblast improves emergency services with safety centre expansion, thanks to EU bank support
    ©EIB
    Download original

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Great Falls woman sentenced to 20 years in prison on meth charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS – A Great Falls woman who conspired to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. The government also forfeited nearly $75,000 in cash, a gun, a BMW, and a motorhome.

    Melissa Ann Barone, 55, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that in 2020, law enforcement discovered Melissa Barone and her co-defendant were involved in distributing pounds of methamphetamine in and around Great Falls. Between 2020 and 2024, numerous drug associates advised law enforcement

    of the pair’s drug distribution activities and travels to Colorado, Washington and Arizona to obtain methamphetamine to redistribute in Montana. Sources identified purchasing one-pound quantities of methamphetamine totaling over six to eight pounds within a 10-month period from 2020 to 2021.

    In 2022 and 2023, sources reported Barone was trafficking half or full eightballs of methamphetamine for her co-defendant. It was discovered her codefendant was purchasing 50 to 100 pounds of methamphetamine at a time and spending over $100,000 delivered in bulk amounts. Barone and her co-defendant were purchasing vehicles and RVs at auto auctions for cash.

    In February 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by the defendants as they were traveling back to Montana from Texas. A K-9 detection dog alerted on the vehicle, and $17,000 in United States currency was found rubber banded to a seatbelt inside the vehicle.

    On May 5, 2024, law enforcement executed a warrant and arrested Barone in Great Falls. A search of her purse revealed approximately 444.4 grams of methamphetamine, a scale, and paraphernalia. Her vehicle contained $7,911 in United States currency, 46.3 grams of methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. During the seizure of a BMW owned by her co-defendant, law enforcement located $5,000 in United States currency in a vacuum-sealed bag concealed under the back seat.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the Russell Country Drug Task Force.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boulder man sentenced to over 6 years in prison on gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS – A Boulder man who possessed a firearm while being a prohibited person was sentenced today to 78 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Paul Anthony LaFournaise, 59, was found guilty of prohibited person in possession of a firearm  in December 2024.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

    At trial, the government presented evidence that LaFournaise has multiple previous felony convictions, and as a result is prohibited from using, owning, possessing, transferring, or controlling any firearms or ammunition. LaFournaise was aware of this prohibition. On May 11, 2024, a relative of LaFournaise reported to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office that he was threatening family members at their home. LaFournaise was ultimately arrested for partner or family member assault, and his relative then revealed the cause of his agitation: he had returned from work to discover that his bag—which contained a handgun and drug paraphernalia—was missing. A family member had found the bag earlier that day and had hidden it from LaFournaise upon discovering the gun inside of it. The gun was identified as a Kel-Tec 9 mm pistol.

    When LaFournaise was interviewed by law enforcement, he admitted he received the gun from a friend and was holding on to it. The friend was interviewed and confirmed giving the gun to LaFournaise because LaFournaise needed it “for protection” when getting drugs.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the ATF, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Montana Probation and Parole Office.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairmen Babin and Cruz Lead Texas Delegation in Support of Relocating NASA Headquarters to Houston

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brian Babin (R-TX)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,  U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (TX-36) and Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) led a bicameral coalition of federal lawmakers representing Texas communities in sending a letter to President Trump urging his administration to move the headquarters for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) from Washington, D.C. to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas. The lease for NASA’s current D.C. office expires in 2028.

    In the letter, the lawmakers argue that NASA is disconnected from the day-to-day work of its centers and hindered by bureaucratic micromanagement in Washington, D.C. Houston is well suited for NASA’s headquarters because of JSC’s substantial involvement in nearly everything that makes America a leader in space exploration. JSC maintains the largest NASA workforce, accommodates extensive research and development partnerships, and houses Mission Control, the NASA astronaut corps, and the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility.

    Additionally, Texas boasts a strong business environment, low government regulation, a robust commercial space sector, and a cost of living that is less than half of the Washington, D.C. area. Moving the NASA headquarters to Texas will create more jobs, save taxpayer dollars, and reinvigorate America’s space agency.

    Joining Sen. Cruz and Rep. Babin in sending the letter are Sen. John Cornyn and Reps. Jodey Arrington, John Carter, Michael Cloud, Dan Crenshaw, Monica De La Cruz, Jake Ellzey, Pat Fallon, Brandon Gill, Craig Goldman, Tony Gonzales, Lance Gooden, Wesley Hunt, Ronny Jackson, Morgan Luttrell, Michael McCaul, Nathaniel Moran, Troy E. Nehls, August Pfluger, Chip Roy, Keith Self, Pete Sessions, Beth Van Duyne, Randy Weber, and Roger Williams.

    As the lawmakers wrote:

    “From its founding in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a storied history of exploring new frontiers, making transformational discoveries, and reaching far into the great beyond. However, as NASA’s leadership has languished in our nation’s capital, the core missions of this critical agency are more divided than ever before. This seismic disconnect between NASA’s headquarters and its missions has opened the door to bureaucratic micromanagement and an erosion of centers’ interdependence. For NASA to return to its core mission of excellence in exploration, its headquarters should be located at a place where NASA’s most critical missions are and where transformational leadership from the ground up can be provided. In 2028 the lease for NASA’s current headquarters building in Washington, D.C. expires. We write to urge you to use this opportunity to reinvigorate our national space agency and move NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C. to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas.

    “Perhaps no city is more closely linked to America’s space program than ‘Space City.’ Some of the first words spoken on the surface of the moon called out to Houston which is home to numerous aerospace businesses. JSC in particular is the largest home of the NASA workforce, with more than 12,000 employees across its 1,620-acre facility and supporting more than 52,000 public and private jobs. As the pinnacle of human spaceflight development, Houston is home to Mission Control, the NASA astronaut corps, the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility, commercial space agreements, and extensive research and development partnerships. JSC plays a role in nearly everything that makes America a leader in space exploration.

    “Houston is particularly well suited for NASA’s headquarters due in part to the unique strengths of the city and the state. Texas is the eighth largest economy in the world, with low government regulation and a strong business environment. Houston boasts a cost of living that is less than half that of the Washington, D.C. area ; three ‘R1: Doctoral Universities’ producing the high caliber professionals necessary for human spaceflight; and two major commercial service airports for easy connectivity around the country. In contrast, NASA’s current headquarters in Washington, D.C. is disconnected from the NASA centers across the country and thus much of the day-to-day work. Consolidating greater and greater levels of work and authority in Washington, D.C. has been a decades-long trend, resulting in decision making funneled up to bureaucrats at headquarters rather than empowering scientists and astronauts across the centers. This strategy has separated decision makers from the actual workforce and stands antithetical to NASA’s core function.

    “Relatedly, for the United States to reach the surface of Mars, NASA must rely on a robust commercial space sector. Towards that end, no state offers greater economic and geographic benefits than Texas. The Lone Star State is home to more than 2,000 aerospace, aviation, and defense-related companies, with 18 of the 20 largest aerospace companies based in Texas. Notably, SpaceX relocated their entire company to Texas, establishing the town of Starbase, Texas, to develop, test, and launch SpaceX vehicles. Similarly, Blue Origin develops engines and rockets in West Texas, leading a new generation of spaceflight, and conducts its commercial sub-orbital flights there. Firefly Aerospace, in Cedar Park, recently sent photos of Earth from its Blue Ghost lunar lander on its voyage to explore the surface of the moon. Axiom Space, based in Houston, is building the next generation spacesuit for NASA and a commercial space station to succeed the International Space Station. In addition, the State of Texas recently stood up the Texas Space Commission to promote innovation in space operations and commercial aerospace and to attract commercial space ventures to the state. These are just a few of the ways Texas aerospace companies, projects, and institutions are transforming our nation’s leadership in the space economy.

    “A central location among NASA’s centers and the geographical center of the United States, Houston offers the ideal location for NASA to return to its core mission of space exploration and to do so at a substantially lower operating cost than in Washington, D.C. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the great servants of NASA — who are focused on recommitting America’s space agency to its roots and exploring the final frontier — by relocating NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C. to the Johnson Space Center.”

    Read the full text of the letter HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur inspects key initiatives in East Khasi Hills District

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister of State Smt. Savitri Thakur inspects key initiatives in East Khasi Hills District

    MoS lauds local efforts in Child Welfare and Women’s Empowerment in Meghalaya

    Posted On: 16 APR 2025 7:41PM by PIB Shillong

    The Minister of State, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, Smt. Savitri Thakur, on her second day of her visit to Meghalaya conducted an official visit to East Khasi Hills District on April 16, 2025, to review the implementation of flagship schemes and engage with grassroots stakeholders.

    As part of the visit, the Minister inspected the One Stop Centre, Shakti Sadan, in Mawroh. Eighteen residents, aged between 18 and 50 years, are currently housed at the facility and are participating in vocational training programs. The Minister interacted with the inmates and encouraged their efforts toward empowerment and rehabilitation.

    The Minister also visited the Child Care Institution at Mawkasiang, where she engaged with staff, children, and caregivers. She commended the institution’s work in ensuring child protection and care and emphasized the need for continued psychosocial support and quality education for children in need of care and protection.

    At the Anganwadi Centre in Mawsmai, the Minister reviewed services provided under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, including nutrition, preschool education, and health check-ups. She praised the dedication of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers and encouraged sustained community participation in child welfare programs.

    During her visit to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Sohra, the Minister assessed maternal and child health services, the availability of essential medicines, and the integration of health and nutrition schemes. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving healthcare access for women and children, especially in remote and tribal areas.

    The visit also included an inspection of rural development projects under MGNREGS and PMAY-G. The Minister interacted with beneficiaries and reviewed the progress and impact of these initiatives. She appreciated the inter-departmental coordination contributing to enhanced rural livelihoods and infrastructure.

    The Minister concluded her visit by commending the District Administration and local stakeholders for their dedicated efforts in strengthening institutional care, nutrition, and the overall empowerment of women and children in Meghalaya.

    ****

    GD

     

    (Release ID: 2122232) Visitor Counter : 81

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE, law enforcement partners arrest more than 200 alien offenders during enhanced immigration enforcement operation in New York

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and law enforcement partners apprehended 206 illegal aliens during an enhanced targeted immigration enforcement operation focusing on egregious criminal alien offenders in and around New York City April 6-12.

    “New York is much safer today because of the hard work of ICE and our law enforcement partners,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “Working with our partner agencies, ICE officers and agents arrested hundreds of alien offenders and removed them from the streets of New York. Throughout this enhanced enforcement operation, we targeted the most dangerous alien offenders in some of the most crime-infested neighborhoods in and around the city of New York. Our efforts resulted in 206 arrests in just one week. I commend the efforts of everyone involved, as all were truly committed to the success of this operation. ICE remains dedicated to our mission to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from communities throughout this great nation.”

    During the week-long enhanced operation, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE Homeland Security Investigations and their law enforcement partners from the Federal Bureau of Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices from the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York targeted egregious criminal alien offenders including transnational criminal organizations known to operate in and around New York. These organizations include the notorious MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Sureños and 18th Street gangs.

    “The success of this enhanced operation highlights the resolve of ICE and our federal partners in keeping our country safe from violent criminal aliens,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City Acting Field Office Director Judith Almodovar. “The majority of the aliens arrested have egregious criminal histories to include manslaughter, rape, assault, drug trafficking and sex assault against minors. I am exceptionally grateful for the professionalism and dedication of our ICE New York City officers and special agents as well as the unwavering support from our partners in the FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, DSS and the USAOs of both SDNY and EDNY during this week-long operation to remove dangerous alien offenders from our New York City communities.”

    ICE and their federal partners concentrated their efforts in and around the New York City area, but operations extended throughout Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley region of New York.

    121 of the 206 apprehended had significant criminal convictions or are currently facing charges or for crimes such as murder, assault, arson, sex crimes, drug crimes and firearms crimes. One is a foreign fugitive wanted for crimes in his home country, and one has a conviction of homicide in the Philippines.

    ICE and their law enforcement partners made many of the apprehensions after local jurisdictions refused to honor immigration detainers and released the alien offenders back into their communities.

    Among those arrested during the enhanced targeted operation include:

    • Camilo Cesar Gonzales-Encalada, 23, an illegally present Spanish national and member of the Sureños gang whose criminal history includes convictions for assault, criminal possession of a loaded firearm and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Officers with ICE New York arrested Gonzales April 6.

    • Alexander Steven Jimbo-Perez, 25, an illegally present Ecuadoran national whose criminal history includes arrests assault with intent to cause physical injury, act in a manner to injure a child less than 17, criminal possession stolen property and harassment physical contact. Officers with ICE New York arrested Jimbo April 6.

    • Derrick Alphonso Roberts, 60 an illegally present Jamaican national whose criminal history includes convictions for manslaughter with intent to cause serious physical injury, criminal possession of controlled substance, criminal solicitation, corruption of minors, possessing an instrument of crime, terrorist threats, criminal conspiracy, cocaine possession with intent to distribute, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Roberts April 7.

    • Luis Olmedo Quishpi-Poalasin, 35, an illegally present Ecuadoran national whose criminal history includes a conviction for rape: forcible compulsion, sexual abuse: contact by forcible compulsion, rape: anal sexual contact with a person incapable of consent, unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching – touch sexual/intimate parts of another person, sexual misconduct: engage in vaginal sexual contact without consent and sexual abuse: subject another person to sex contact without consent. Quishpi also has arrests for witness tampering: prevent testimony – fear of injury, criminal contempt: violate order protection – communicating with person, aggravated harassment – communicating threat by phone/computer/mail, unlawful imprisonment and various traffic charges including driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of property damage accident. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Quishpi April 7.

    • Edimar Alejandra Colmenares Mendoza, 22, an illegally present Venezuelan national and member of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang whose criminal history includes charges for conspiracy, larceny and possession of stolen property. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Colmenares April 8, 2025.

    • Marcos Tul-Guallpa, 39, an illegally present Guatemalan national whose criminal history includes an arrest for sexual abuse: subject another person to sex without consent and a conviction for acting in a manner to injure a child less than 17 years old. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Tul April 9.

    • Modesto Arias-Soto, 35, an illegally present Dominican national whose criminal history includes a conviction for conspiracy to distribute narcotics and an arrest for tampering with public records. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Arias April 9.

    • Jhonny Morocho-Veletanga, 32, an illegally present Ecuadoran national whose criminal history includes convictions for assault: causing injury to a non-participant during the commission of a felony and disorderly conduct: fight/violent behavior. ICE New York City arrested Morocho April 10.

    • Will Alexander Ordonez, 48, an illegally present Honduran national whose criminal history includes convictions for arson, criminal possession of controlled substance, criminal possession of stolen property, unlawful use of controlled substance, driving while intoxicated and false impersonation. Ordonez has numerous additional charges for criminal possession of controlled substance. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Ordonez April 11.

    • Jaime Gustavo Quizpi-Romero, 51, an illegally present Ecuadoran national whose criminal history includes arrests for assault: intent to cause physical injury with weapon/instrument and strangulation: obstruct breath/blood circulation causing serious injury. ICE New York City arrested Quizpi April 11.

    • Adnan Paulino-Flores, 58, an illegally present Mexican national whose criminal history includes arrests for sexual abuse: person incapable of consent – physically helpless, Sexual Abuse-3rd Degree: Subject Another Person to Sex Contact Without Consent, and Forcible Touching – Touch Sexual/Intimate Parts of Another Person, pending. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Paulino April 11.

    • Jose Felix Ortiz-Martinez, 49, an illegally present Mexican national whose criminal history includes a conviction for assault and an additional arrest for assault. Officers with ICE New York City arrested Ortiz April 12.

    Partner law enforcement participating in the operation were FBI New York; DEA New York; ATF New York; USMC New York; DSS New York and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X: @ICEgov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Physician Convicted at Trial for Illegal Distribution of Opioids and Healthcare Fraud Conspiracies

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A federal jury convicted a medical doctor yesterday for his participation in conspiracies to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and to unlawfully distribute controlled substances.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Neil K. Anand M.D., 48, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, conspired to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, health plans provided by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Independence Blue Cross (IBC), and Anthem, for “Goody Bags” of medically unnecessary prescription medications, which were dispensed to patients by in-house pharmacies owned by Anand. As the evidence at trial showed, the conspirators required patients to take the Goody Bags, which they did not need or want, to receive prescriptions for controlled substances. In total, Medicare, OPM, IBC, and Anthem paid over $2.3 million for the Goody Bags. Anand also conspired to distribute oxycodone outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. In furtherance of the conspiracy, unlicensed medical interns wrote prescriptions for controlled substances using blank prescriptions that were pre-signed by Anand. Anand prescribed 20,850 oxycodone tablets for nine different patients, as part of the scheme. After learning that he was under investigation, Anand concealed the proceeds of the fraud by transferring approximately $1.2 million into an account in the name of his father and for the benefit of his minor daughter.

    Anand was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud; three counts of health care fraud; one count of money laundering; four counts of unlawful monetary transactions; and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 19 and faces a statutory maximum penalty of 130 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Kathleen Woodson of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (U.S. Postal Service OIG); and Special Agent in Charge of Investigative Operations Derek Holt of the OPM-Office of the Inspector General (OPM-OIG) made the announcement.

    The HHS-OIG, U.S. Postal Service OIG, and OPM OIG investigated the case.  FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office provided valuable assistance.

    Trial Attorneys Paul J. Koob, Patrick J. Campbell, and Arun Bodapati of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: South Sudan: Protection of Civilians | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Tens of thousands of people who fled violence during the brutal civil war that raged across South Sudan in 2013 found sanctuary in a camp next to the United Nations peacekeeping base in Juba. Twelve years later, many remain. They feel unable to return safely to their homes. UN peacekeepers continue to engage with the communities through patrolling and being present in the area in an aim to help people feel safer.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc3rUBya8HU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Guided tours of contemporary art exhibitions

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The Multimedia Complex of Contemporary Arts invites you to attend free guided tours. They will start at 15:00 and 17:00. Together with the museum mediators, visitors will learn all the most interesting things about the new exhibitions. These are the projects “The arrangement of paintings depends on taste. Contemporary art from the collection of Anton Kozlov”, “Natalia Turnova. Unceremonious portrait”, “Naum Granovsky. Moscow: from the first taxis to Olympic construction sites”, “From the history of the Moscow House of Photography. In memory of Mikhail Golosovsky”, “Grisha Selsky. Pokemon Go Go Go” and “Ivan Mikhailov. Space of silence”.

    The exhibition of works by the classic of Russian photography Naum Granovsky, dedicated to the 115th anniversary of his birth, presents unique evidence of how rapidly the architectural appearance of Moscow changed from the mid-1920s to the 1980s, and with it the lives of its residents. In addition, visitors will see rare newsreels showing the city in different years: the work of cabbies and taxis, market squares, the opening of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition (now VDNKh) and the Moscow swimming pool, the construction of new houses and districts, advertising of Soviet hotels and shops.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //bytle.mo.ru/Event/343290257/

    MIL OSI Russia News –