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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Incomparable charisma: how the Pallas’s cat Timofey lives in the Moscow Zoo

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Timofey – one of the most charismatic inhabitants Moscow Zoo— all visitors know. He is an Internet star and a favorite of children and adults. Videos with him get thousands of views on the zoo’s social networks, and recently a song was dedicated to him. At the same time, the Pallas’s cat is not only a recognizable animal, but also a rare one. It is listed in the Red Book of Russia and the International Red Book. This small wild cat, on average no larger than a domestic cat, is distinguished by bright yellow eyes, lush sideburns and long white whiskers. The Pallas’s thick fur and short paws give it a squat and heavy appearance.

    On International Pallas’s Cat Day, celebrated on April 23, we tell you how the most famous Moscow cat spends his days and how he surprises visitors.

    House made of natural materials

    You can see a Pallas’s cat already at the entrance to the capital’s zoo. This animal is a living symbol of the Moscow Zoo. It is depicted on the emblem above the main gate.

    “It is no coincidence that the Pallas’s cat appeared on the zoo’s emblem. The fact is that the Moscow Zoo was one of the first in the world to achieve regular breeding of this feline species in captivity. Since 1975, more than 140 cubs have been born here. Since 1987, the Pallas’s cat began to decorate the emblem, then in 2013 the image changed, and in 2019 it returned,” says Mikhail Bragin, head of the Mammals Department of the Moscow Zoo.

    Timofey is not a native Muscovite. He was born in June 2020 at the Novosibirsk Zoo and moved to the capital in 2021. The Pallas’s cat settled near the Bolshoi Presnensky Pond next to pandas and a large eagle – the golden eagle. You can get to him by turning left from the main entrance.

    We stop at a spacious outdoor enclosure with thick glass sides. In the center is a clearing with stumps and logs. A little further away is a play complex – one of the Pallas’s favorite places. On the far wall of the outdoor enclosure are fixed wooden ledges, shelves and ladders. The cat can run, jump and climb on them. Timofey also has a place to hide. Under the ladders, a pipe is built into the wall, imitating a cave.

    “The Pallas’s cat is a sneaking, lurking animal. In the wild, it lives for about five years, in a zoo – up to 12. Such animals live in the steppes and rocky deserts of Central Asia, feed on rodents, small birds and reptiles. To catch prey, they hide and then make dexterous throws. In addition, Pallas’s cats have many enemies. Among them are birds of prey, wolves and even snow leopards. Therefore, Pallas’s cats lead a secretive lifestyle, hiding among stones, in abandoned burrows and crevices. Timofey also likes to hide and spends most of the day where few people see him,” says Mikhail Bragin.

    The Pallas’s cat can be alone in the inner enclosure. This is a room with wooden paneling, hidden from prying eyes. There the Pallas’s cat has a litter box – like a real cat – and several houses. The animal rests and sleeps in them. A massive door leads from the inner enclosure to the street one. From behind it, the large wild cat cautiously watches passers-by.

    “The Pallas’s cat is mostly active in the morning and at dusk. In warm weather, it likes to spend time in the sun. In winter, it is kept warm by its thick fur coat – the fluffiest among cats. Thanks to its grey-black color with red, it also helps the cat camouflage itself well,” adds the mos.ru source.

    Having seen the Pallas’s cat, the zoo visitors come closer to the fence. Timofey moves his ears, pushes off and jumps out from behind the door. He climbs up the ladder and dives into the pipe. The cat moves so quickly that only the most attentive people manage to notice his presence in the outdoor enclosure. It seems as if he is playing hide-and-seek with the guests. But the reason for such activity is different: the Pallas’s cat is getting ready for dinner. The neighboring door opens, and one of the zoo employees enters the enclosure, carrying a paper bag in his hands.

    Jumping, jogging and spring diet

    Keepers, veterinarians and technologists of the capital’s zoo monitor Timofey’s nutrition and health. A special menu and feeding schedule are developed for the Pallas’s cat. The number of portions depends on the time of year.

    “The Pallas’s cat stands out among other cats in a number of ways: it does not make a characteristic meow, has round pupils (which is unusual for small wild cats), and is actively preparing for winter. This process is called fattening, or fattening. To help Timofey gain weight, we feed him twice a day in the fall, and once a day in the spring so that he can lose the weight he has gained. The Pallas’s cat eats whole carcasses of quails and small rodents, and in the summer it can sometimes enjoy grass growing on the lawn,” notes Mikhail Bragin.

    Feeding the Pallas’s cat is an unusual process. The specialists do not simply bring him food, but imitate hunting conditions. The prey is hidden on ledges and ladders, behind stumps and logs, and even hung, creating the impression that it is moving. Timofey’s food is often brought in a craft bag. The rustling of paper and the smell of food do not leave the cat indifferent, and he eagerly begins to unpack. Zoo staff have chosen this method of feeding today.

    The keeper puts the bag on the ground and goes out, closing the door. Having sensed prey, the manul runs from ladder to ladder, hiding behind the ledges. Then he jumps to the very top of the game complex and slowly creeps down, calculating the trajectory of the jump. But the bag is far away – it is standing a little further than the center of the clearing, closer to the group of visitors delighted by such a hunt. The wild cat does not dare to run up to it and again runs away behind the open door of the inner enclosure.

    “The Pallas’s cat does not have a specific feeding time, it is always different, so that it does not wait for food to be brought. It should be unexpected, like in nature. At the same time, we regularly check its health. For example, we monitor its weight. In winter, thanks to fattening, Timofey weighs about six kilograms, and in the warm season – about four. Now he is actively losing weight. We do not conduct training with him for this, he copes well on his own with the help of games and imitation of hunting,” the mos.ru interlocutor emphasizes.

    A healthy wild cat does not require serious care. It sharpens its claws using logs and the wooden paneling of the inner enclosure. In the wild, it can brush off excess fur on rock ledges, and in the zoo, this function is performed by juniper growing in the clearing.

    “Timofey is a cat with character and great charisma. He is completely self-confident: he is not afraid of attention and often demonstrates feline playfulness to visitors. The main thing is to behave calmly and not to frighten the cat with sudden actions or loud sounds. Then he will definitely show up,” adds Mikhail Bragin.

    And so it happens. Without waiting for Timofey to appear, the visitors move on to other enclosures. And a few minutes later, noticing that no one is watching him, the manul looks out from behind the door again.

    You can now see how the main symbol of the capital’s zoo lives online. To do this, visit the mos.ru portal video broadcast available. The live broadcast is hosted byfrom the enclosures of other zoo inhabitants.

    Pandas, Pallas’s cats and capybaras: broadcasts from the Moscow Zoo enclosures have been viewed more than 820 thousand timesMore broadcasts from the Moscow Zoo are now available on mos.ruThe “City of Tasks” project invites you to meet the animals of the Moscow Zoo and get points

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

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

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152985073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 80 years of CFA fire stations

    Source:

    From tin sheds, red brick buildings to weatherboard structures and ex-army Nissen huts, the home base for CFA brigades across Victoria has evolved significantly over the last 80 years.

    From tin sheds, red brick buildings to weatherboard structures and ex-army Nissen huts, the home base for CFA brigades across Victoria has evolved significantly over the last 80 years.   

    Our volunteers work hard to protect the growing Victorian community, so it is important they have adequate facilities to support their fire response.  

    When CFA made its impact throughout Victoria in the early 1950s, and postwar shortages had ended, large numbers of tin shed fire stations began to appear across rural Victoria. Now, to cater for growing communities and response efforts, state-of-the-art features are being rolled out statewide in our fire stations.  

    CFA General Manager Infrastructure Services Paul Santamaria said CFA first made the decision to borrow funds from the government in 1951 to put toward the construction of new fire stations.  

    “While farm sheds were the garages for rural fire brigades pre the 1950’s, some primitive stations were also made of fibro cement,” Paul said.  

    “From 1953, CFA embarked on building galvanised iron sheds for rural brigades, renovating and extending urban fire stations and building several new ones. 

    “We borrowed £50,000 to build 40 sheds for rural fire trucks and urgently needed urban fire stations. Brigades often erected the two bay or single bay prefabricated iron buildings themselves.” 

    The tin sheds have become landmarks throughout Victoria, appearing in clearings without a house in sight, and were deemed a public sign of a community prepared to defend itself.  

    “Back then, brigade members lent horses, ploughs and scoops to level the ground of the new sites, and working bees took place to build the stations. Local fundraisers were held to pay for sirens and connect electricity,” Paul said.  

    “All CFA stations conformed to the building standards at the time that they were constructed to ensure alignment with building codes and to provide adequate housing for appliances that were developed for various risk environments. 

    “Over time, these station design standards have changed and have been amended to include additional functional requirements to support remote rural, rural, semi urban, and fully urbanised areas.” 

    Over the 2000s, a new generation of modern sheds and stations with additional facilities replaced older stations around the state, with greater consideration for sustainability and of diverse communities and membership.  

    Today, our latest, fit-for-purpose facilities can include drive-through motor bay rooms and ancillary sheds for equipment, separate toilet facilities and turnout areas that ensure privacy for our members. 

    “It is really pleasing to see the improvements our fire stations have seen over the years. Whether brigades are receiving renovations or a brand-new station, all enhancements will go a long way in accommodating the future needs of the brigade,” Paul said.   

    “Some stations now have adequate room for kitchens, multi-purpose rooms, privacy areas, gender diverse amenities, administration areas, workshops, breathing apparatus maintenance spaces, ICT equipment, laundry facilities, storerooms and hose drying towers. 

    “The larger, and improved facilities will be of great benefit to our Victorian towns as a whole, with members efficiently able to continue responding to incidents in the local area and surrounding neighbourhoods.” 

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Claire Anderson to the British Columbia Broadband Association

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Richmond, British Columbia
    April 22, 2025

    Claire Anderson, Commissioner for British Columbia and the Yukon
    Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

    Check against delivery

    Thank you once again, Bob, for that welcome and for inviting me to join all of you once again at the British Columbia Broadband Association’s annual conference. My thanks, as well, to the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations for allowing us to conduct our conference on their traditional, ancestral and unceded territories.

    The City of Vancouver acknowledges that the City is “located on territory that was never ceded, or given up to the Crown by the Musqueam, Squamish, or Tsleil-Waututh peoples. The term unceded acknowledges the dispossession of the land and the inherent rights of those Indigenous peoples to the territory.” So again, I pay my respects.

    Thank for you for inviting me to speak with you for a third year running now. This time, of course, I am meeting with you under very different circumstances, as we are currently in the midst of an election period.

    As you know, the CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. We hold public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and make decisions based on the public record.

    And as an independent tribunal, we are mindful that during an election period the federal public service operates under the principles outlined in what is commonly referred to as the “caretaker convention.” We, like the rest of the government, continue routine operations and necessary business, but we exercise restraint in what we say and do to demonstrate respect for the democratic process.

    What that means for today is I will not be able to discuss, for the most part, what the future might hold for the CRTC. I certainly will not speculate on the election or what it might mean for the CRTC, your sector, or any other areas of interest being discussed at the conference today. This will be true both for my time here at the podium, as well as in any discussion we have together afterward.

    With that out of the way, I would like to get to the things we can discuss, especially considering the theme of this year’s conference: “The Dollars and Sense of Telecom.” Because for many of the members here today, the CRTC’s recent regulatory decisions create the potential to open up new market opportunities for service providers willing to seize them.

    So let’s get started. 

    HSA

    I am, of course, referring to our decisions over the past couple years regarding aggregated, wholesale high-speed access services over fibre-to-the-home networks. The process by which we arrived at our decision began when we received a new policy direction from the government in February 2023. The direction asked us to renew our approach to telecommunications policy in Canada, requiring the CRTC to consider how our decisions could promote competition, affordability, reliability, and consumer interests.

    Shortly after we launched a proceeding on the Internet services market, focusing on how we could increase competition and encourage more affordable choices for consumers in the market.

    In November of the same year, we released an interim decision that provided competitors with a workable way to sell Internet services using the fibre-to-the-home networks of large telephone companies in Ontario and Quebec, where the CRTC had noticed that competition in the market had declined most significantly.

    We continued our public process, including a comprehensive review of all submissions on the matter, as well as a week-long public hearing in February of last year. In August 2024, we released our final decision in the proceeding. That decision expands competitor access to fibre networks nationwide.

    Our decisions throughout this process have aimed to promote greater competition in the Internet services marketplace while ensuring incentives for companies to continue investing in high-quality networks. For example, the access granted in our decisions only includes fibre that was already deployed on the date of the decision. Any new fibre built after that date is exempt until August 2029.

    Our hope is that through this decision, British Columbians and Canadians in general will soon benefit from increased competition for high-speed Internet. Because we know increased competition leads to more affordable choices and innovative services. 

    For service providers like many of you here today, the new framework presents an opportunity to compete in the fibre-to-home market. The access to that market is already available – large telephone companies had to be ready to grant it to competitors by February 2025. So we hope that you consider this as an option in your business planning.

    Broadband Fund

    Promoting both competition and continued investment has been one key focus of CRTC decisions in the past couple years. Another area where we have focused much of our attention is on expanding networks to ensure all Canadians have access to high-quality and reliable Internet – especially in underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. The open data we publish tells us that 21.8 percent of households in those areas do not have access to reliable 50/10 connectivity.

    In 2016, we decided to overhaul our program for ensuring basic telephone service to all Canadians to focus on broadband. We established the criteria for the Broadband Fund in 2018, and launched three calls for applications – the first two in 2019, and then the third in 2022.

    We have directed funding to Inuit communities in northern Quebec and Nunavut, to nearly 100 kilometres of major roads in Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec and Ontario, and to roads and rural communities in the Yukon, here in B.C., and in Manitoba. Over the Fund’s lifetime, it has supported improved broadband infrastructure for more than 270 communities, including significant investments in the Far North.

    Thirty-one of these projects are in the $1 to $10 million range. Seventeen of these projects come in at $1 million or below. Although we are encouraged to see that smaller providers have been able to successfully apply for funding, we know that we can do more to make it easier.

    That’s why we are conducting an ongoing review of the Fund. Late last year we announced a number of changes in three broad areas — making it faster for you to submit an application and for us to evaluate it; supporting Indigenous applicants; and making our mapping more sensible and accessible.

    In terms of faster application and evaluation, we simplified some eligibility and assessment criteria, like the requirement to propose specific packages and rates. We also collapsed the separate access and transport categories to further simplify things. We have reduced the amount of information required at all stages of the funding process, and we’ve consolidated separate reporting requirements.

    In terms of reducing barriers for Indigenous applicants, we have made a number of changes including on community engagement. We have taken steps to streamline the application process and to provide Indigenous applicants with a dedicated point of contact in our Indigenous Relations Team, instead of having to navigate our processes alone.

    We are also providing funding for up to two years of technical training for Indigenous staff in communities they are proposing to serve as part of funded capital projects, and for Indigenous applicants we are not requiring a 10% holdback on projects with approved funding of $5 million or less. Furthermore, we are requiring each Broadband Fund applicant to obtain and show they have conducted meaningful consultations with Indigenous communities and earned consent for any projects that are built on their territories.

    Finally, in terms of updating our mapping, we’ve dropped the hexagons for a call-by-call approach, expanded how we define major transportation roads, and provided a way to identify the roads that provide key linkages between communities.

    We expect these changes to improve how we operate the Fund and improve outcomes for recipients. Any further changes we make will be in service of our overarching goal: to help close the remaining connectivity gaps across the country effectively and efficiently.

    Recent decisions and ongoing consultations

    Our Broadband Fund work and our decisions regarding network access are not our only ongoing telecommunications work at the CRTC. Far from it.

    Just two months ago at the end of February we also released a decision to help strengthen network resiliency and reliability for emergency services like 9-1-1. Measures in the decision will help improve the resiliency of the wireless public alerting system, prioritize 9-1-1 traffic over Internet traffic during periods of network congestion, and provide greater information to the public on how to contact emergency services during outages.

    As British Columbians know all too well, access to emergency services and public alerts are even more important in a crisis. We will continue to help support Canadians’ access to 9-1-1 services and public alerts within our mandate.

    Another of our ongoing work streams at the CRTC regards access to poles and support structures. As many of you know, we issued decisions in recent years streamlining the approach to accessing support structures that are owned or controlled by large incumbent local exchange carriers, and then finalizing the tariffs by which to do so.

    At the same time, we have been exploring whether these tariffs ought to give competitors the right to include wireless attachments to help deploy next-generation 5G networks — in other words, whether the rules requiring telcos to let third parties attach equipment to support structures should be modified and, potentially, broadened. What types of facilities could be deployed to support wireless networks? What would that mean for spare capacity, construction standards, and interference? What can we do at the Commission to streamline processes?

    These are just a few of the questions we are considering. Because this is a matter before us, I cannot even hint at any possible outcome, except that any decision we make will continue to promote both greater competition and more investment in networks.

    Next, I want to take a few moments to explain some of our ongoing work on the consumer side of things. While we hope our high-speed access to fibre-to-the-home networks decision will improve choice and affordability for consumers, we also think more can be done to ensure consumers have better information in the Internet services market.

    Last fall, we published our Consumer Protections Action Plan, which summarizes our measures to ensure clear contracts and promote transparency both in terms of how consumers are able to choose their provider, and in knowing what to expect from them.

    We are currently engaged in a series of four consultations around making it easier to choose, change, and cancel a plan.

    The first one is about clear rules for notifying customers when their plans or discounts are about to end. The second looks at fees that some service providers may charge when a subscriber cancels or changes a plan. The third consultation is around tools that providers give their subscribers to manage their plans, like online portals.

    And the fourth is about whether service providers should have to provide information in a standardized way to make it easier for Canadians to compare plans. To take a well-known example — we are all used to seeing nutrition labels when we visit the grocery store. We are considering a common look and feel for information on broadband services, so that it can be conveyed in a consistent manner from one provider to the next, just like the labels on your cereal boxes and granola bars.

    These consultations are still very much ongoing, and there will be a public hearing on the potential labeling system in June.

    Conclusion

    Which, I think, is a good place for me to wrap up today. As I said at the beginning, at the CRTC we regulate the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. To ensure we achieve our mandate, we have to gather input from everyone – including and especially everyone gathered here in this room – from our Internet service providers to everyday Canadians.

    So please visit our website, and work with your trade associations and advisors to stay up to date on our proceedings as they continue. Intervene in our proceedings and let us know the impact they could have on you and your business. Your input matters a great deal to what we do. When you intervene on the record of our proceedings, we’re able to take it into account and consider it in our final decision.

    Thank you for your time today, and I look forward to continuing our work together.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 160

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 160
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    530 PM CDT Tue Apr 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    South-Central Kansas
    Western Oklahoma
    Northwest Texas

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning from 530
    PM until 100 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorm development is anticipated this evening from
    south-central KS southward through western OK into northwest TX. The
    environment across the region supports the potential for supercells,
    with large to very large hail as the primary risk. A tornado or two
    is also possible, along with some strong gusts as well.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
    statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northwest of
    Hutchinson KS to 60 miles southwest of Wichita Falls TX. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 159…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    24035.

    …Mosier

    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 160
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    530 PM CDT Tue Apr 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    South-Central Kansas
    Western Oklahoma
    Northwest Texas

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning from 530
    PM until 100 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorm development is anticipated this evening from
    south-central KS southward through western OK into northwest TX. The
    environment across the region supports the potential for supercells,
    with large to very large hail as the primary risk. A tornado or two
    is also possible, along with some strong gusts as well.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
    statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northwest of
    Hutchinson KS to 60 miles southwest of Wichita Falls TX. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 159…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    24035.

    …Mosier

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW0
    WW 160 SEVERE TSTM KS OK TX 222230Z – 230600Z
    AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    45NW HUT/HUTCHINSON KS/ – 60SW SPS/WICHITA FALLS TX/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM E/W /46WSW SLN – 50SW SPS/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24035.

    LAT…LON 38539753 33349837 33340010 38539938

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU0.

    Watch 160 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (70%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces Sentencing of Ada County Man to 25 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Enticement of a Minor

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces Sentencing of Ada County Man to 25 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Enticement of a Minor

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that Joseph Michael Przybylski, 31, was convicted of one count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child by Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material (Child Pornography) and one count of Enticing a Child Through the Use of the Internet. The Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and the Felony Enticement of a Child is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Przybylski was sentenced on April 14, 2025 by Ada County District Judge Patrick Miller. 
    In June 2024, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit received a priority CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that an account belonging to Przybylski contained child sexual abuse material (CSAM). After obtaining search warrants, officers found over 400 files of CSAM on Przybylski’s account. During an interview of Przybylski, he admitted to the possession of the CSAM files on the account and admitted to having a sexually explicit chat with a 12-year-old minor female. The CSAM files found on Przybylski’s account depicted minor females ranging from two (2) years old and up. Many of these files depicted young children being raped by adult men. Przybylski was previously convicted of the Possession of Sexually Exploitative Material in 2019 and placed on 10 years of probation. 
    Attorney General Labrador stated, “I’m grateful to our Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, local law enforcement, and prosecutors for their unwavering commitment to protecting Idaho’s kids and ensuring this offender is removed from society. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to pursue and prosecute child predators to the fullest extent of the law.”
    The State recommended the maximum sentences on both counts. Judge Miller sentenced Przybylski to a total of twenty-five (25) years, ordering that he be eligible for parole after serving fifteen (15) years. Przybylski was also ordered to pay a fine and court costs. Upon release, Przybylski will have to remain on the sex offender registry pursuant to Idaho law. 
    The investigation of this case was led by ICAC Commander Nicholas Edwards. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Madison Allen.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 159

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL9

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 159
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    315 PM CDT Tue Apr 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    West Texas

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 315 PM until
    1100 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75
    mph likely
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter likely
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will develop and increase in coverage
    through the afternoon and evening across much of west Texas, in an
    increasingly moist and unstable environment. The strongest cells
    are expected to produce large hail and damaging wind gusts.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70
    statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northeast of
    Amarillo TX to 35 miles east of Dryden TX. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU9).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    27025.

    …Hart

    SEL9

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 159
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    315 PM CDT Tue Apr 22 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    West Texas

    * Effective this Tuesday afternoon and evening from 315 PM until
    1100 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds and isolated significant gusts to 75
    mph likely
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter likely
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will develop and increase in coverage
    through the afternoon and evening across much of west Texas, in an
    increasingly moist and unstable environment. The strongest cells
    are expected to produce large hail and damaging wind gusts.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70
    statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles northeast of
    Amarillo TX to 35 miles east of Dryden TX. For a complete depiction
    of the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU9).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    27025.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW9
    WW 159 SEVERE TSTM TX 222015Z – 230400Z
    AXIS..70 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    45NE AMA/AMARILLO TX/ – 35E 6R6/DRYDEN TX/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 60NM E/W /33NE AMA – 60NW DLF/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27025.

    LAT…LON 35669991 30030045 30030280 35660240

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU9.

    Watch 159 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low ( 65 knots

    Mod (60%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (60%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Wins Six Webby Awards, Six Webby People’s Voice Awards

    Source: NASA

    NASA was recognized today by the 29th Annual Webby Awards with six Webby Awards and six Webby People’s Voice Awards, the latter of which are awarded by the voting public. The Webbys honors excellence in eight major media types: websites and mobile sites; video and film; advertising, media and public relations; apps and software; social; podcasts; artificial intelligence, immersive and games; and creators.

    Michelle R. Jones
    Acting Associate Administrator for Communications

    Since 1998, NASA has been nominated for more than 100 Webby Awards, winning 49 Webbys and 67 People’s Voice Awards.

    Full List of NASA’s 29th Annual Webby Award Wins

    NASA.govWebby Winner, People’s Voice WinnerWebsites and Mobile Sites | Government and AssociationsThis is the sixth Webby Award and the 13th People’s Voice Award for the agency’s website
    NASA InstagramWebby WinnerSocial | Education and Science
    NASA+ Webby Winner, People’s Voice WinnerWebsites and Mobile Sites | Television, Film and Streaming
    2024 Total Solar Eclipse: Through the Eyes of NASAWebby Winner, People’s Voice WinnerVideo and Film | Events and Live
    NASA’s 2024 Total Solar Eclipse CampaignWebby Winner, People’s Voice WinnerSocial | Events and Live streams
    NASA’s Webb Telescope: Unfolding a Universe of WondersWebby Winner, People’s Voice WinnerSocial | Education and Science (Campaigns)
    NASA Streams Historic Cat Video From Deep SpacePeople’s Voice WinnerVideo and Film | Events and Live streams

    About the Webby Awards
    Established in 1996 during the web’s infancy, The Webbys is presented by the IADAS—a 3000+ member judging body. The Academy is comprised of Executive Members—leading Internet experts, business figures, luminaries, visionaries, and creative celebrities—and associate members who are former Webby winners, nominees and other internet professionals.
    The Webby Awards presents two honors in every category—the Webby Award and the Webby People’s Voice Award. Members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS) select the nominees for both awards in each category, as well as the winners of the Webby Awards. In the spirit of the open web, the Webby People’s Voice is chosen by the voting public, and garners millions of votes from all over the world.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon delivered strong financial growth with industry-leading wireless service revenue in 1Q 2025

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon delivered strong financial growth with industry-leading wireless service revenue in 1Q 2025

    Download News Release PDF

    Download 1Q Financials PDF

    Download Infographic PDF

    Download Non-GAAP Reconciliations PDF

    Key 1Q 2025 Highlights

    • Industry-leading total wireless service revenue1 of $20.8 billion
    • Best wireless retail core prepaid2 net additions since the TracFone acquisition 
    • Continued to take broadband market share with strong demand for Fios and fixed wireless access 
    • Verizon exits first quarter with momentum in both mobility and broadband

    NEW YORK – Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) today reported strong financial performance for the first-quarter of 2025, fueled by innovative and segmented product offerings that meet the ever-changing needs of consumers and businesses across market sectors. The company’s strategically designed portfolio of diversified wireless and broadband products and adjacent services positioned Verizon for a successful quarter, as well as resiliency in any economic environment. With a focus on growing connections and strengthening customer relationships, the company’s strategic and disciplined approach drove success across its three priorities of growing wireless service revenue, expanding adjusted EBITDA3 and generating strong free cash flow3. Verizon remains confident in achieving its 2025 goals and delivering on its full-year guidance.

    “Verizon plays an essential role in our customers’ lives and our differentiated value proposition delivers what customers want and need, on their terms,” said Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg. “We continue to drive our multi-year customer-first strategy, launching new programs such as our 3-year price lock and free phone guarantee for consumers and My Biz Plan for small and medium sized businesses. With our high quality customer base, network superiority and position of financial strength, we have the momentum and flexibility to continue innovating to meet customer needs and invest for growth.”

    1Q 2025 Highlights

    Consolidated: Improved earnings per share (EPS), revenue and net income in first-quarter 2025, highlighting strong financials

    • EPS of $1.15 in first-quarter 2025 compared to EPS of $1.09 in first-quarter 2024; adjusted EPS3, excluding special items, of $1.19 compared to $1.15 in first-quarter 2024.
    • Total operating revenue of $33.5 billion in first-quarter 2025, up 1.5 percent year over year.
    • Cash flow from operations totaled $7.8 billion in first-quarter 2025, up from $7.1 billion in first-quarter 2024.  
    • Free cash flow3 was $3.6 billion in first-quarter 2025, up from $2.7 billion in first-quarter 2024.  
    • Consolidated net income for first-quarter 2025 was $5.0 billion compared to $4.7 billion in first-quarter 2024. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA3 was $12.6 billion in first-quarter 2025 compared to $12.1 billion in first-quarter 2024. 
    • Verizon’s total unsecured debt as of the end of first-quarter 2025 was $117.3 billion, compared to $117.9 billion at the end of fourth-quarter 2024 and $128.4 billion at the end of first-quarter 2024. The company’s net unsecured debt3 at the end of first-quarter 2025 was $115.1 billion. At the end of first-quarter 2025, Verizon’s ratio of unsecured debt to net income (LTM) was 6.4 times and net unsecured debt to consolidated adjusted EBITDA ratio3 was 2.3 times.

    Mobility: Industry-leading wireless service revenue in first-quarter 2025

    • Total wireless service revenue in first-quarter 2025 was an industry-leading $20.8 billion, up 2.7 percent year over year. 
    • Wireless equipment revenue of $5.4 billion in first-quarter 2025, up 0.7 percent year over year. 
    • Total postpaid phone net losses of 289,000 in first-quarter 2025 compared to 114,000 postpaid phone net losses in first-quarter 2024.

    Broadband: Verizon continued to take broadband market share with strong demand for best in class Fios and fixed wireless access offerings

    • Broadband net additions of 339,000 in first-quarter 2025. 
    • Total fixed wireless access net additions of 308,000 in first-quarter 2025, growing the base to over 4.8 million fixed wireless access subscribers. The company is well-positioned to achieve the next milestone of 8 to 9 million fixed wireless access subscribers by 2028. 
    • Fios internet net additions were 45,000 in first-quarter 2025 compared to 53,000 in first-quarter 2024. 
    • Total broadband connections grew to more than 12.6 million as of the end of first-quarter 2025, representing a 13.7 percent increase year over year.  

    Verizon Consumer: Total revenue increases year over year to $25.6 billion in first-quarter 2025, driven by service revenue gains

    • Total Verizon Consumer revenue in first-quarter 2025 was $25.6 billion, an increase of 2.2 percent year over year, predominantly driven by gains in wireless service revenue. 
    • Consumer wireless service revenue in first-quarter 2025 was $17.2 billion, up 2.6 percent year over year.
    • Consumer wireless retail postpaid churn was 1.13 percent in first-quarter 2025, and wireless retail postpaid phone churn was 0.90 percent. 
    • Consumer wireless postpaid average revenue per account (ARPA) of $146.46 in first-quarter 2025, an increase of 3.6 percent year over year. 
    • In first-quarter 2025, Consumer reported 356,000 wireless retail postpaid phone net losses compared to 194,000 postpaid phone net losses in first-quarter 2024. 
    • In first-quarter 2025, Consumer reported 137,000 wireless retail core prepaid2 net additions compared to 131,000 net losses in first-quarter 2024. 
    • Consumer reported 199,000 fixed wireless net additions and 41,000 Fios Internet net additions in first-quarter 2025. Consumer Fios revenue was $2.9 billion in first-quarter 2025. 
    • In first-quarter 2025, Consumer operating income was $7.4 billion, an increase of 0.7 percent year over year, and segment operating income margin was 29.0 percent, compared to 29.4 percent in first-quarter 2024. Segment EBITDA3 in first-quarter 2025 was $11.0 billion, an increase of 2.7 percent year over year. These results were driven by improvements in Consumer wireless service revenue. Segment EBITDA margin3 in first-quarter 2025 was 42.8 percent compared to 42.6 percent in first-quarter 2024.

    Verizon Business: Operating income increases with strong wireless service revenue growth

    • Total Verizon Business revenue was $7.3 billion in first-quarter 2025, a decrease of 1.2 percent year over year. 
    • Business wireless service revenue in first-quarter 2025 was $3.6 billion, an increase of 2.8 percent year over year. 
    • Business reported 94,000 wireless retail postpaid net additions in first-quarter 2025. This result included 67,000 postpaid phone net additions. 
    • Business wireless retail postpaid churn was 1.52 percent in first-quarter 2025, and wireless retail postpaid phone churn was 1.15 percent. 
    • Business reported 109,000 fixed wireless net additions in first-quarter 2025.
    • In first-quarter 2025, Verizon Business operating income was $664 million, an increase of 66.4 percent year over year, resulting in segment operating income margin of 9.1 percent, an increase from 5.4 percent in first-quarter 2024. Segment EBITDA3 in first-quarter 2025 was $1.7 billion, an increase of 10.3 percent year over year. Segment EBITDA margin3 in first-quarter 2025 was 23.1 percent, an increase from 20.7 percent in first-quarter 2024.

    Outlook and guidance 

    The company does not provide a reconciliation for certain of the following adjusted (non-GAAP) forecasts because it cannot, without unreasonable effort, predict the special items that could arise, and the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

    For 2025, Verizon continues to expect the following: 

    • Total wireless service revenue1 growth of 2.0 percent to 2.8 percent.
    • Adjusted EBITDA3 growth of 2.0 percent to 3.5 percent.
    • Adjusted EPS3 growth of 0 to 3.0 percent.
    • Cash flow from operations of $35.0 billion to $37.0 billion.
    • Capital expenditures between $17.5 billion and $18.5 billion. 
    • Free cash flow3 of $17.5 billion to $18.5 billion. 

    Our 2025 financial guidance does not reflect any assumptions regarding the potential impacts of the evolving tariff environment.

    1 Total wireless service revenue represents the sum of Consumer and Business segments. Reflects the reclassification of recurring device protection and insurance related plan revenues from other revenue into wireless service revenue in the first quarter of 2025. Where applicable, historical results have been recast to conform to the current period presentation.

    2 Represents total prepaid results excluding our SafeLink brand.

    3 Non-GAAP financial measure. See the accompanying schedules and www.verizon.com/about/investors for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures cited in this document to most directly comparable financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

    Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

    Forward-looking statements

    In this communication we have made forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking statements also include those preceded or followed by the words “anticipates,” “assumes,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “hopes,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets” or similar expressions. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The following important factors, along with those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), could affect future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements: the effects of competition in the markets in which we operate, including the inability to successfully respond to competitive factors such as prices, promotional incentives and evolving consumer preferences; failure to take advantage of, or respond to competitors’ use of, developments in technology, including artificial intelligence, and address changes in consumer demand; performance issues or delays in the deployment of our 5G network resulting in significant costs or a reduction in the anticipated benefits of the enhancement to our networks; the inability to implement our business strategy; adverse conditions in the U.S. and international economies, including inflation and changing interest rates in the markets in which we operate; changes to international trade and tariff policies and related economic and other impacts; cyberattacks impacting our networks or systems and any resulting financial or reputational impact; damage to our infrastructure or disruption of our operations from natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, acts of war, terrorist attacks or other hostile acts and any resulting financial or reputational impact; disruption of our key suppliers’ or vendors’ provisioning of products or services, including as a result of geopolitical factors or the potential impacts of global climate change; material adverse changes in labor matters and any resulting financial or operational impact; damage to our reputation or brands; the impact of public health crises on our business, operations, employees and customers; changes in the regulatory environment in which we operate, including any increase in restrictions on our ability to operate our networks or businesses; allegations regarding the release of hazardous materials or pollutants into the environment from our, or our predecessors’, network assets and any related government investigations, regulatory developments, litigation, penalties and other liability, remediation and compliance costs, operational impacts or reputational damage; our high level of indebtedness; significant litigation and any resulting material expenses incurred in defending against lawsuits or paying awards or settlements; an adverse change in the ratings afforded our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations or adverse conditions in the credit markets affecting the cost, including interest rates, and/or availability of further financing; significant increases in benefit plan costs or lower investment returns on plan assets; changes in tax laws or regulations, or in their interpretation, or challenges to our tax positions, resulting in additional tax expense or liabilities; changes in accounting assumptions that regulatory agencies, including the SEC, may require or that result from changes in the accounting rules or their application, which could result in an impact on earnings; and risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, including our ability to consummate the proposed acquisition of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. and obtain cost savings, synergies and other anticipated benefits within the expected time period or at all.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TRAI releases recommendations on ‘the issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’

    Source: Government of India

    Ministry of Communications

    TRAI releases recommendations on ‘the issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 3:27PM by PIB Delhi

    Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released its recommendations on ‘the issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’. 

    1. Earlier, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through its letter dated 01.01.2024, had referred to the TRAI’s recommendations dated 05.09.2017 on ‘Spectrum, Roaming and QoS related requirements in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Communications’, and had requested TRAI to provide reconsidered recommendations, as per the provisions of Section 11 of the TRAI Act 1997 on the following issues:
    1. Identification of Critical Services in the M2M Sector
    2. Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs
    1. In this regard, TRAI, on 24.06.2024, issued a consultation paper on ‘the Issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’ for soliciting comments and counter comments from stakeholders. In response, TRAI received 16 comments and one counter-comment from stakeholders. An open house discussion on the consultation paper was held on 24.10.2024 through virtual mode.
    1. Based on the comments received from stakeholders and on its own analysis, TRAI has finalized its recommendations on ‘the Issues Related to Critical Services in the M2M Sector, and Transfer of Ownership of M2M SIMs’.
    1. Machine to Machine (M2M) communication can enable applications and services across a broad range of vertical markets such as automotive, utilities, healthcare, safety & surveillance, financial, public safety, smart city and agriculture. At present, the M2M ecosystem is at an early stage of growth of its lifecycle. As the M2M ecosystem matures, and thereby gains user confidence, more and more services will be delivered to individuals, enterprises and public institutions by using Internet of Things (IoT). Many of such services would be critical IoT services, requiring ultra-reliable, low latency M2M connectivity with very high availability. As critical IoT will be used for delivering services of critical importance, the identification of services as critical IoT service requires to be done well in advance. The identification of a service as a critical IoT service would enable user agencies to enter into suitable service level agreements (SLAs) with telecom service providers. Through the SLAs, telecom service providers may be held accountable for ensuring that the M2M connectivity provided by them meets the requisite telecommunication service performance parameters (such as latency, reliability, and availability) which are sacrosanct for the successful operation of the concerned critical IoT service. Through these recommendations, TRAI has recommended a broad guiding framework for classifying a service as a ‘critical IoT service’. TRAI has recommended that a service should be classified as a ‘critical IoT service’, if it passes the following twin tests:
    1. Whether the service (application) demands ultra-reliable low-latency M2M connectivity with very high availability? 
    2. Whether any disruption of the M2M connectivity used for delivering the service (application) will have a debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health, or public safety?
    1. TRAI has recommended that the classification of critical IoT services of a particular domain/ sector should be done by the ministry/ regulatory body concerned in consultation with Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
    1. TRAI has also recommended that for the classification of critical IoT services, DoT should devise an institutional mechanism for the assistance of concerned ministries/ regulatory bodies.
    1. TRAI has recommended a technology-agnostic approach for the provision of critical IoT services. Specifically, TRAI has recommended that any wireless M2M communication technology (utilizing unlicensed spectrum, or licensed spectrum) or wired M2M communication technology should be permitted to be used for the provision of critical IoT services if it meets the prescribed service performance benchmarks.
    1. Owing to the pervasive nature of the deployment of IoT devices in all walks of life, the importance of security and privacy requirements of IoT devices is paramount. The security and privacy concerns from IoT devices emanate essentially from the M2M communication modules embedded in them through which IoT devices get connected to telecommunication networks including public internet. With a view to allaying security and privacy concerns in respect of IoT devices, particularly those which are used in critical sectors, TRAI has recommended that the M2M communication modules embedded/ plugged in all IoT devices (which are capable of being connected to telecommunication networks) deployed in the critical sectors identified by National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), Government of India should be notified under the framework of Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) in a phased manner.
    1. Through these recommendations, TRAI has recommended that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) should establish a framework for the transfer of M2M Service Provider (M2MSP) registration/ authorisation to the resultant entity in case of merger, demerger, acquisition etc. of M2MSP entities.
    1. TRAI has also recommended that DoT should introduce an enabling provision for the transfer of the ownership of M2M SIMs from one M2MSP registration holder/ authorised entity to another.
    1. The recommendations have been placed on the TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in. For clarification/ information, if any, Shri Akhilesh Kumar Trivedi, Advisor (Network Spectrum & Licensing), TRAI, may be contacted at Telephone Number +91-11-20907758 or email at advmn@trai.gov.in.

    ***

    Samrat

    (Release ID: 2123440)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr Jitendra Singh calls for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable StartUp ecosystem;

    Source: Government of India

    Dr Jitendra Singh calls for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable StartUp ecosystem;

    Startup Ecosystem must link all stakeholders together to become globally competitive: Dr. Jitendra Singh

    ‘Time to Open the Gates’: Union Minister Calls for Science-Industry Synergy at Hyderabad Conclave

    Agriculture is India’s exclusive and relatively under-explored domain, says Minister

    Hyderabad Startup Meet Marks Shift Toward Inclusive Innovation, Says Dr. Jitendra Singh

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 5:22PM by PIB Delhi

    In a spirited call for greater synergy between innovation and industry for a sustainable StartUp ecosystem, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the time has come for Indian science to break silos and integrate with stakeholders including industry, investors, and the public.

    Speaking at the Startup Conclave jointly organized by CSIR-IICT, CSIR-CCMB, and CSIR-NGRI in Hyderabad, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that India’s moment in science and innovation has arrived.

    Addressing a gathering of scientists, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers, Dr. Jitendra Singh lauded the rare joint initiative by the three Hyderabad-based CSIR labs, noting that “such an integrated scene of science and governance under one roof” reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of collaborative and inclusive innovation.

    The Minister made a strong pitch for dismantling the outdated image of government labs as “ghost-haunted places where frogs are dissected,” narrating how villagers once misunderstood the work of CSIR labs due to lack of public outreach. “Science should not be confined behind gates. If your domain is agriculture, invite the farmers in. Let them see what you’re doing,” he asserted.

    Dr Jitendra Singh underlined the need for early and deep industry involvement in research and innovation, pointing to the success of CSIR’s Aroma Mission, where over 3,000 youth, many of them non-graduates, became successful agri-entrepreneurs with minimum annual earnings of ₹60 lakh. “That’s the real transformation—a blend of technology, livelihood, and dignity,” he said.

    Referring to India’s rapidly growing biotechnology sector, Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled that in 2014, there were only 50 biotech startups. Today, the number exceeds 10,000. “It’s not just numbers. We’ve moved from $10 billion to nearly $170 billion in biotech valuation. This is not just growth, it’s a revolution,” he said, citing the government’s dedicated policies like Bio-E3 and the National Quantum Mission.

    Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed concern over internal compartmentalization within CSIR and even within his own Ministry. He revealed that he now holds monthly joint meetings of all science departments including Atomic Energy, Space, and Biotechnology, to ensure overlapping initiatives are integrated rather than duplicated. “How can we compete globally if we don’t even know what our neighbouring lab is doing?” he questioned.

    The Minister also announced plans to open up the nuclear sector, noting that a new realism has replaced the secrecy that once shrouded scientific endeavours. “When Google can peek into our lives, what’s the point of denying access to potential collaborators in the name of confidentiality?” he asked.

    The Minister made a compelling case for realistic, demand-driven innovation. “Let the industry do the mapping. Let them invest from day one. If they put in ₹20, they’ll make sure your startup doesn’t fail,” he said, encouraging researchers to see industry not just as a customer but as a co-investor.

    In a candid remark, Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged that while the government has significantly increased support—CSIR and DSIR budgets have risen over 230% since 2014—true sustainability lies in self-sufficiency and public-private collaboration. “You can start a startup, but sustaining it is the challenge. Social and economic security must match the aspiration,” he said.

    Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that Hyderabad, with its unique blend of scientific legacy and tech-savvy spirit, is best positioned to lead India’s science-led development agenda. “This is not just about Hyderabad or about CSIR. This is about India stepping out of the shadows and leading the global innovation narrative,” he said.

    The event, held at a time when India’s Global Innovation Index has jumped from 81 to 39 in less than a decade, marked a decisive moment in the Centre’s mission to democratize science, empower youth, and position India as a global innovation powerhouse.

    ****

    NKR/PSM

    (Release ID: 2123497) Visitor Counter : 65

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Missouri Man Sentenced 21 Years in Prison for Recording Minor Victim in Bathroom

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Audrey G. Fleissig on Tuesday sentenced a man whose trial for recording a girl in the bathroom revealed allegations that he had sexually abused at least three other children to 21 years in prison.

    Rayford Evans, 52, of Doniphan, in Ripley County, was convicted of attempted sexual exploitation of a minor after a one-day bench trial in January. Evidence and testimony showed that Evans used his cell phone to record a 15-year-old girl while she was bathing and using the bathroom by holding it up to a window above the bathroom door. The victim saw the phone and told a friend, the friend’s father and then her own father, who contacted the Doniphan City Police Department. An officer found three videos of the girl that Evans tried to delete.

    During Evans trial, another victim testified about her sexual abuse at the hands of Evans, and there was testimony that Evans had recorded videos of a different girl. Three others testified at Evans’ sentencing hearing Tuesday about his sexual abuse of them.

    “Evans has sexually exploited children for decades,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter wrote in a sentencing memo, and “used bribery in the form of electronics, toys, and candy to violate the trust of innocent children to sexually abuse them.”

    One victim described Evans in a letter as a predator who has “hunted children, for his depraved sexual appetite, for at least 26 years.”

    Evans has disputed the allegations involving other victims.

    The FBI and the Doniphan City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Safety Evaluation Issued by NRC Confirms Regulatory Acceptance of Fuel Qualification Methodology, Paving the Way for Eventual KRONOS Microreactor Deployment at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    New York, N.Y., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued its final Safety Evaluation (SE) approving the Fuel Qualification Methodology Topical Report (FQM TR) for the advanced fuel design to be used in the NANO Nuclear’s stationary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System.

    This important regulatory milestone marks the successful culmination of a rigorous review process and represents a major step toward deployment of the KRONOS reactor prototype at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.). The approved Fuel Qualification Methodology defines the regulatory framework and testing approach for the qualification of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM®) fuel, which incorporates tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles embedded in a silicon carbide matrix. With this latest regulatory breakthrough, NANO Nuclear is now positioned to submit its Construction Permit Application for the KRONOS reactor, with fuel qualification rapidly progressing. NANO Nuclear is advancing its vision to become a leader in small, clean energy technologies that address global energy security and decarbonization goals.

    Figure 1 – NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System

    “This is a major victory for advanced nuclear energy and a transformative moment for NANO Nuclear, bringing us closer to turning the promise of KRONOS into a working reality at U. of I.,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “With the NRC’s final approval of the FQM Topical Report, we now have the regulatory green light to move forward with the Construction Permit (CP) application for the prototype KRONOS. We thank the NRC for their thorough review. This milestone is a critical enabler for our entire reactor program and affirms the strength of our fuel strategy. The nuclear energy future is coming—and NANO Nuclear is at the center of it.”

    “Fuel is one of the biggest sources of uncertainty in any advanced nuclear project,” Illinois Grainger Engineering Associate Professor Caleb Brooks, Head of the Microreactor Demonstration Program at U. of I. “This favorable regulatory outcome represents a significant reduction in that uncertainty for our project, and the SE establishes a common language between us and the regulator on how the fuel will be shown, with high assurance, to be safe and effective.”

    The FQM TR had previously undergone joint review by the NRC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), with initial participation from the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) as an observer. NANO Nuclear believes that final approval of the FQM TR by the NRC demonstrates confidence in the methodology’s scientific soundness and regulatory compliance, offering a repeatable pathway for advanced fuel qualification applicable to NANO Nuclear reactors.

    “With this regulatory foundation in place, we are prepared to execute,” said Dr. Florent Heidet, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear. “Our next steps include finalizing fuel fabrication timelines, preparing and submitting the construction permit this year, and completing early-stage site work at U. of I., including geotechnical drilling and environmental assessments. We will keep accelerating until the reactor is operating.”

    Figure 2 – Rendering of the KRONOS MMR™ Energy System

    The KRONOS MMR Energy System would be the first advanced microreactor built and operated on a U.S. university campus and will serve as a national platform for research, training, and demonstration. It would also become a centerpiece of U. of I.’s energy innovation initiatives, providing the university with clean, resilient energy while training the next generation of nuclear professionals.

    “NANO Nuclear is doing what others are still planning—we are executing,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The NRC’s approval of the FQM TR is more than a regulatory milestone; it’s a launchpad for reliable, deployable, and efficient nuclear power in the U.S. and beyond.”

    About The Grainger College of Engineering at U. of I.

    The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is one of the world’s top-ranked engineering institutions, and a globally recognized leader in engineering education, research and public engagement. With a diverse, tight-knit community of faculty, students and alumni, Grainger Engineering sets the standard for excellence in engineering, driving innovation in the economy and bringing revolutionary ideas to the world. Through robust research and discovery, our faculty, staff, students and alumni are changing our world and making advances once only dreamed about, including the MRI, LED, ILIAC, Mosaic, YouTube, flexible electronics, electric machinery, miniature batteries, imaging the black hole and flight on Mars. The world’s brightest minds from The Grainger College of Engineering tackle today’s toughest challenges. And they are building a better, cooler, safer tomorrow.

    Visit https://grainger.illinois.edu for more information.

    About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

    NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

    Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include patented KRONOS MMR™Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

    Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

    HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

    NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon’s surface.

    For more corporate information please visit: https://NanoNuclearEnergy.com/

    For further NANO Nuclear information, please contact:

    Email: IR@NANONuclearEnergy.com
    Business Tel: (212) 634-9206

    PLEASE FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES HERE:

    NANO Nuclear Energy LINKEDIN
    NANO Nuclear Energy YOUTUBE
    NANO Nuclear Energy X PLATFORM

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statement relate to the NANO Nuclear’s development, demonstration, licensing and commercial plans for the KRONIS MMR, each as described herein. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management’s current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state or non-U.S. nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Saves Preston High School in the Bronx

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that Preston High School in the Bronx will remain open for years to come. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) facilitated an agreement between the Sisters of the Divine Compassion of the State of New York, which owned the property of Preston High School since 1947, Preston High School, and the Bally’s Foundation of North America, a charitable nonprofit organization. The Bally’s Foundation has purchased the property from the Sisters of the Divine Compassion and will lease the property to Preston High School for $1 per year for the next 25 years. The agreement gives Preston High School the option to renew its lease for successive five-year intervals at the end of the current 25-year lease term. Today’s agreement to keep Preston High School open follows a public hearing held by Attorney General James with teachers, students, parents, alumni, elected officials, and community members.

    “Preston High School is a pillar of the Bronx community that has educated generations of young women and today I am proud to announce that the school will stay open for years to come,” said Attorney General James. “I want to thank all the students, teachers, parents, alumni, and elected officials who submitted testimony to my office and advocated to keep the school open. Today’s announcement would not have been possible without their relentless advocacy and leadership. Preston High School raises young women to become strong leaders, and I am thrilled that many more generations will benefit from this treasured school.”

    “From the very beginning, when families and community members voiced their concerns about the possible closure of Preston High School, I made it a priority to listen and support them,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “I’m truly grateful that Attorney General Letitia James took our concerns seriously and acted swiftly, resulting in an agreement to keep Preston open for years to come.”

    “I’m thrilled at the news that an agreement has been reached to keep Preston High School open,” said Assemblymember Michael Benedetto. “This is a tremendous victory for the students, families, and the entire Throggs Neck community. I want to sincerely thank Attorney General Letitia James and her team for their steadfast commitment to protecting our schools and standing with Preston students during this critical moment.”

    “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Attorney General Letitia James for her swift and thoughtful action in helping to prevent Preston’s abrupt closure,” said City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias. “Her open communication, leadership, and commitment to keeping all parties at the table were instrumental in reaching this critical turning point. As a proud Preston alumna, I’ve been deeply invested in this fight from the very beginning – organizing, advocating, and working directly with stakeholders to ensure Preston had a future. I’m especially grateful that the Attorney General heard our concerns, launched a timely investigation, and ensured that due process and community voices were respected every step of the way. This outcome – including the historic agreement with the Bally’s Foundation to secure Preston’s home for the next 25 years and beyond – is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with love, persistence, and unity. I am proud to have helped shape a deal that not only protects the future of Preston but honors the community that fought so hard for it. We didn’t just preserve a beloved institution – we protected a legacy.”

    “I am thrilled to hear that an agreement has been reached to keep Preston High School open,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “At a time when we’ve seen the heartbreaking closure of several Catholic schools in our borough and across New York City, this outcome is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together. Preston High School has been a beacon of education and opportunity in the Bronx since it first opened its doors in 1947. Its legacy of academic excellence, character formation, and service has touched generations of young women and helped shape countless leaders in our city and beyond. Thank you to Attorney General Letitia James, the Charities Bureau, parents, students, educators, advocates, alumni, and my elected colleagues who fought tirelessly to preserve this institution. Our collective voices made this happen. This is more than just a win for Preston — it’s a win for the Bronx and for every young person who dreams of a bright future.”

    Preston High School is an all-girls Catholic school that has served the Bronx community for 75 years. In late February, the Sisters of the Divine Compassion announced their plans to close the school and sell the property at the end of the 2025 academic year, citing financial hardship. On April 8, Attorney General James held a public hearing to gather input from students, teachers, parents, alumni, and community members on the impact of the closure. 

    Today, Attorney General James announced that the Bally’s Foundation has purchased the property from the Sisters of the Divine Compassion for $8.5 million. The Bally’s Foundation will lease the property to Preston High School for $1 per year for the next 25 years, with the opportunity to renew the lease for five successive years at the end of the current 25-year term. The lease also gives Preston High School the option to purchase the property and a right of first refusal if the Bally’s Foundation seeks to sell the property in the future. Moreover, the Bally’s Foundation has agreed to fund up to $1 million in capital improvements for the school and to cover up to $600,000 in legal and closing costs that associated with the process.  

    In addition, the Sisters of the Divine Compassion have agreed to establish independent governance of Preston High School that requires them to:

    • Work with Preston High School to establish the school as an independent Catholic school as acceptable to the Archdiocese of New York;
    • Help establish an independent board of trustees for Preston High School by appointing, with OAG approval, trustees to the board of trustees who are not affiliated with the Sisters of the Divine Compassion or employed at Preston High School; and
    • Immediately relinquish all but one seat on the schools’ board of trustees and give up that seat once the school is fully independent.

    Attorney General James thanks the Sisters of the Divine Compassion, the Bally’s Foundation, and Preston High School for working together with her office to find a financial and practical resolution for Preston High School to stay open for years to come.

    This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Peggy Farber, Assistant Attorney General William Wang, and Section Chief Emily Stern, all of the Charities Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Karin Kunstler Goldman and Bureau Chief James Sheehan. The Charities Bureau is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. The public hearing was led by Operations team members Andrea Rua, Michael Fasullo, Sally Rifkin, Rouselle Ligon, and Wayne Collins, all under the supervision of Director of Strategic Planning Ryan Doyle. Hearing testimony was collected and managed by members of the Intergovernmental Affairs team, including Hanadi Doleh, Julian Sepulveda, Jessica Mates, Javier Medrano, and Casandra Walker, all under the supervision of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Harold Miller. Both the Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs teams are part of the Executive Division, which is overseen by Chief of Staff Anna Brower. Technical support for the hearing was provided by Jermaine Francis, Malik Donadelle, and Marcus Williams, all of the Administration Division’s Bureau of Internet Technology.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Colbert County Man Arrested for Failure to Register in the State of Alabama as a Sex Offender

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A Colbert County man has been charged for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and United States Marshal Martin Keely.

    A one-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Michael Shane McDaniel, 56, of Plainfield, Indiana, with failing to register or update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). McDaniel was convicted of child molestation in the Marion Superior Court in Indianapolis, Indiana, and required to register as a sex offender under SORNA. Following this conviction, McDaniel travelled across state lines from Indiana to Alabama and did not register as a sex offender. McDaniel was arrested on April 16, 2025, in Colbert County, Alabama. McDaniel will be detained and held in federal custody pending disposition of this case.

    The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 implemented SORNA and established a comprehensive national system for the registration of sex offenders. The Act requires anyone convicted of specified crimes to register with the national sex offender registry. It is a federal felony offense for sex offenders to travel to another state and fail to register. Federal violations of SORNA can result in imprisonment for up to 10 years.

    The U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Alabama investigated the case along with the U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Hendricks County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office, and the Colbert County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Leann White is prosecuting the case.

    The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Correction: Dividend Payment Procedure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Corrected:  Dividends of legal entities residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to the Corporate Profit Tax rate.

     

    The Ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on 31 March 2025 approved allocation of the profit of Šiaulių Bankas AB which included a pay-out of dividends – 0.061 euro shall be paid for each ordinary registered share with a nominal value of 0.29 euro. Dividends shall be paid out to persons who were the shareholders of Šiaulių Bankas AB at the end of the record day – 14 April 2025.

     

    The Bank shall pay out dividends on 25 April 2025 in compliance with the following procedure:

    – those shareholders whose shares are being accounted in the securities accounts with banks and financial brokerage companies rendering investment services will receive an amount of dividends after deduction of Personal Income Tax or Corporate Profit Tax in compliance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania which shall be transferred to the accounts with the respective banks or financial brokerage companies;

     

    – for shareholders whose shares are accounted for in Šiaulių Bankas AB in the issuer’s accounting, the amount of dividends, after deducting personal income tax or income tax in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, will be transferred to the account specified by the shareholder. If the shareholder has not specified an account for the transfer of dividends, he/she must submit an application for the transfer of dividends. Applications are accepted from     18 April 2025 in all customer service points of Šiaulių Bankas AB. Before going to the customer service department, it is necessary to register for a visit on-line at https://sb.lt/en or by phone +370 610 44447. Applications for dividend transfer can also be submitted via the Internet Bank.

     

    Taxation of dividends:

    – Dividends of natural persons residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to 15 per cent of the Personal Income Tax rate;

     

    – Dividends of legal entities residents of the Republic of Lithuania and foreign countries shall be subject to 16 per cent of the Corporate Profit Tax rate, unless otherwise provided for in the laws.

     

    Additional information:

    Director of Securities Operations Department Jolanta Dobiliauskienė

    jolanta.dobiliauskiene@sb.lt , +370 610 28767

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Inclusion Awards recipients announced

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Ravi Krishnamurthy accepts the Leader in Inclusion award from Mark Mulligan of Icon Water.

    In brief

    • Winners of this year’s Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards have been announced.
    • The Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in the community.
    • The six award winners are listed in this story.

    Recipients of the Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards have been announced.

    The Awards celebrate people with disability who are leaders in the Canberra community.

    They recognise those who improve the experiences of people with disability in the workplace, business and community.

    The nomination process

    Anybody can nominate someone in one of the six award categories.

    Nominees can be:

    • individuals
    • teams
    • local businesses
    • community organisations

    Self-nominations are also welcome.

    The judging process

    The judging panel includes:

    • people with disability
    • awards sponsors
    • ACT Inclusion Council members
    • members of the Canberra business community.

    “It is wonderful to see the achievements of all the winners… They are taking us one step closer to a truly inclusive capital,” ACT Inclusion Council Chair Mr David Smith said.

    The winners

    Leader in Inclusion – Ravi Krishnamurthy
    Ravi has been a relentless force for change in the Canberra community for more than 20 years.

    Excellence in Inclusive and Innovative Employment Practices – The Apollo Neurodiversity Program
    This program offers neurodivergent people a career in ICT within the Australian Public Service.

    Excellence in Collaborating with people with Disability – Safer Me Safer You Project Advisory Group
    Safer Me Safer You Project Advisory Group, by Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT, has set a benchmark for inclusive co-design.

    Excellence in Access and Inclusion – Netball ACT’s 2024 All Abilities Netball program
    Netball ACT’s 2024 All Abilities Netball program has enabled people with disability to play netball in a mainstream competition, making sport more inclusive.

    Excellence in Innovation and Impact – Derek Brewer
    Derek is the founder of Panache Special Needs Driver Training Program. This supports neurodivergent learner drivers and other learner drivers with disability.

    Sue Salthouse Award for Championing Human Rights and Equality – Renée Heaton
    Renée is a powerful advocate and leader. She has led the ACT Disability Reference Group for almost four years.

    Congratulations to the winners and all nominees.

    View the list of finalists and winners on the ACT Inclusion Council website.

    Read more like this:

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: India Stakes Claim to the Top Leadership position at International Telecom Union (ITU)

    Source: Government of India

    India Stakes Claim to the Top Leadership position at International Telecom Union (ITU)

    Ms. M. Revathi Nominated as Indian Candidate for the post of Director at ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau

    Posted On: 22 APR 2025 12:13PM by PIB Delhi

    India has nominated Ms. M. Revathi, Joint Wireless Advisor at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), as its candidate for Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This marks India’s most significant bid in decades to influence global radio spectrum governance.

    A specialized UN agency based in Geneva, the ITU ensures that the world’s communication systems work together, safely, securely, and fairly. The Radiocommunication Bureau of the ITU regulates the global radio frequencies and satellite orbits—crucial for 5G, 6G, space broadband, disaster response, managing these finite resources. As Director, Ms. Revathi would play a central role in shaping next-gen radiocommunication standards and ensuring equitable spectrum access.

    Her candidacy reflects India’s vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and its push for inclusive digital growth, particularly benefiting developing nations. If elected, she would become the first woman and the first representative from ITU Regions E (Asia/Australasia) and D (Africa) to lead the Bureau—representing more than half the world’s population.

    With nearly 30 years of experience in spectrum and satellite orbit management, Ms. Revathi is widely recognized for pioneering regulatory innovations. She currently serves on the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board, advocating global equity in spectrum use.

    India’s leadership in global telecom was also underscored by its successful hosting of the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in Oct 2024 in New Delhi, attended by the highest ever 3,700 delegates from 150+ countries. The adoption of eight landmark Resolutions at WTSA 2024 highlights India’s growing role in shaping the digital future.

    About ITU:

    ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies (ICTs). ​The Organization is made up of a membership of 194​ Member States and more than 1000 companies, universities and international and regional organizations. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with regional offices on every continent, ITU is the oldest agency in the UN family – connecting the world since the dawn of the telegraph in 1865.

    ITU coordinates the global telecom systems through its three sectors: ITU-T (Standardization), ITU-D (Development), and ITU-R (Radiocommunication). The Radiocommunication Bureau manages the global radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources, ensuring countries and technologies (like 5G, aviation, space missions, etc.) don’t interfere with one another. This coordination is crucial for everything from mobile networks to GPS, weather satellites, and broadcasting.

     

    ******

    Samrat : pibcomm[at]gmail[dot]com

    (Release ID: 2123374) Visitor Counter : 124

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong ICT Awards 2025 opens for enrolment

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong ICT Awards (HKICTA) 2025 opens for enrolment today (April 22). Entries of locally developed information and communications technology (ICT) products and solutions are invited to compete for the Grand Awards in the eight award categories and the top accolade of the competition – the Award of the Year. Enrolment is free of charge and the deadline is July 14, 2025.

         The HKICTA 2025 is organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) with each award category to be led by a local industry association or professional body. The award categories and respective leading organisers are listed below:
     

    Award categories Leading organisers
    Digital Entertainment Award Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association
    FinTech Award Institute of Financial Technologists of Asia
    ICT Startup Award Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association
    Smart Business Award Hong Kong Computer Society
    Smart Living Award Hong Kong Information Technology Federation
    Smart Mobility Award GS1 Hong Kong
    Smart People Award The Hong Kong Council of Social Service
    Student Innovation Award Hong Kong Education City

     
         A Grand Award will be granted in each category, and the Award of the Year will be selected by a Grand Judging Panel from the eight Grand Awardees.
     
         In a bid to foster the innovative use of AI, the Best Use of AI award winner will be selected in each of the eight categories to magnify and honour outstanding achievements in harnessing the power of AI in respective areas.

         Established in 2006, the HKICTA is an annual signature event of the local ICT industry which aims to recognise and promote outstanding ICT inventions and applications, thereby encouraging the pursuit of innovation and excellence among Hong Kong’s ICT professionals and enterprises to develop innovative applications meeting business and social needs, use innovation and technology (I&T) to bring benefits to the community, and foster Hong Kong’s I&T and smart city development. Through concerted efforts of the ICT sector, academia and the Government, the HKICTA has always been highly regarded by the information technology industry, and the winners may also be nominated to compete in other regional and international competitions on behalf of Hong Kong and be sponsored to participate in overseas I&T exhibitions. The award acts as an encouragement and recognition to the winners, and enables their access to both Mainland and overseas markets.
     
         Details of the HKICTA are available on the thematic website (www.hkictawards.hk). Enquiries can be made to the DPO at 3974 5224 or by emailing hkictawards@digitalpolicy.gov.hk.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU are winners of the international olympiad in descriptive geometry

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    Students of SPbGASU demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill at the final stage of the Open International Student Internet Olympiad in the discipline “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”, profile “Specialized (with in-depth study of the discipline)”. Our students took prizes, confirming the high level of training that they receive at the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics.

    Gold medals of the Olympiad were awarded to Alexander Korobov (first-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, majoring in Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation) and Matvey Matveyev (first-year student of the Faculty of Construction, majoring in Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures). Victoria Dreeva (second-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, majoring in Heat and Gas Supply and Ventilation) was awarded a silver medal.

    “We are proud of our students, who have once again confirmed their high level of training in descriptive geometry. The victory in the Olympiad is a natural result of our joint work aimed at developing students’ spatial thinking, design skills and engineering culture,” noted Elena Denisova, Head of the Department of Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics at SPbGASU.

    “Participation in the Olympiad is a great opportunity to test your knowledge and skills, as well as communicate with other students who are passionate about engineering. I am very glad that I was able to represent my university with dignity!” – shared his impressions Alexander Korobov.

    Congratulations to the winners!

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Engineering Elite: Polytechnics Win Medals at International Olympiad

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    The Polytechnic University team, led by ISI teachers, won prizes in the international student Internet Olympiad in the discipline “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”. The event brought together 166 students from 35 universities in Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

    In the second round of the open international student Internet Olympiad, the participants demonstrated a high level of knowledge and professional training in these subject areas. Polytechnicians performed for the third year in a row. During this time, the university team has established itself as one of the strongest, winning prizes every year.

    This time, the achievements of the Polytechnic University were once again impressive: each participant was awarded medals of various degrees.

    Silver medal – Aidar Ibragimov, Arseniy Belashev and Mikhail Bogdanov; Bronze medal – Anastasia Kuskova, Kirill Kulinushkin and Ulyana Morenko.

    The students were prepared and accompanied by associate professors of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Civil Engineering Institute, Tatyana Markova and Elena Knyazeva.

    “All the polytechnics who participated in the Olympiad returned with medals. And our team has shown such a result for the third year in a row. The success of our students at the Olympiads is the tip of the iceberg, which is based on the methodology of teaching geometric and graphic disciplines, formed and developed over several decades,” said the head of the section “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”, associate professor of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Contemporary Art Mikhail Kokorin.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Call for Nominations: 2025 Global Citizen Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading international residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, in partnership with Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit humanitarian organization, is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2025 Global Citizen Award.

    Created 11 years ago in 2014, the Global Citizen Award is a tribute that honors remarkable individuals working to advance any one of the global challenges affecting humanity today – challenges that transcend national boundaries and cannot be resolved by any one country acting alone.

    The 2025 laureate will be selected by a distinguished, independent committee and honored at the Global Citizen Award ceremony. This is a gala evening event which forms part of the annual Henley & Partners Global Citizenship Conference which is taking place this year at The Dorchester, London from 2–4 November 2025.

    Henley & Partners Chairman and Founder of the Andan Foundation, Dr Christian H. Kaelin, says the awardee’s work needs to demonstrate a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable social groups, particularly with a connection to migration-related issues. “The Global Citizen Award is open worldwide to those working in a field with a direct link to the issues they are looking to affect. The committee is looking for remarkable and inspirational individuals who demonstrate vision, courage, and innovation in driving global change, and whose actions and outlook contribute to a more just, peaceful, connected, and tolerant world.”

    The selection process is based on a majority decision of the Award Committee. The award itself consists of a bespoke sculptural medal designed by leading Italian artist Antonio Nocera, an award certificate signed by the Chairman of the Global Citizen Award Committee, and a monetary prize of USD 20,000, which goes towards supporting the awardee’s humanitarian efforts. In addition, Henley & Partners commits to working closely with the awardee for a period of one year, raising awareness of their work and supporting the selected project through the firm’s network of more than 60 offices worldwide.

    Since its inception, the Global Citizen Award has honored many remarkable individuals, including German entrepreneur Harald Höppner, who set up the refugee humanitarian aid project Sea Watch, Dr. Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation, Africa’s largest disaster relief organization and Monique Morrow, Co-Founder of The Humanized Internet, a digital identity project that aims to bring hope to the estimated 1.1 billion individuals in the world who cannot prove their legal identity.

    Diep Vuong, Co-Founder and President of the Pacific Links Foundation, was awarded for her work in Southeast Asia campaigning for the rights of those enslaved by human trafficking, while Prof. Dr. Padraig O’Malley received his Global Citizen Award in recognition of his work on conflict resolution and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, South Africa, and Iraq. Zannah Bukar Mustapha was recognized for the psychological, educational, spiritual and other developmental support provided to the children and widows affected by the insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria, and last year, Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives and the current Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, was acknowledged for his pioneering work as a human rights activist and advocate for climate action.

    Reflecting on the award’s legacy and impact, Dr. Kaelin explains that the ideals of global citizenship have always been central to Henley & Partners. Through its collaboration with the Andan Foundation, the firm extends vital support to individuals displaced by conflict, war, and climate-related crises. “Each of our Global Citizen Award recipients has moved us with their courage to tackle challenges many consider overwhelming,” he says. “Today’s global issues go far beyond individual communities or nations. More than ever, it’s essential to support those who are actively creating meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable communities worldwide.”

    Nominations close on Tuesday, 1 July 2025. You can submit your nomination online here or send it to gca@henleyglobal.com.

    Media Contact

    For further information, please contact:

    Sarah Nicklin
    Group Head of Public Relations
    sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com
    Mobile: +27 72 464 8965

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Faces of CFA – Kate Lamble

    Source:

    What binds CFA members is the common goal to protect lives and property. But they are a diverse bunch – every member has a story and Faces of CFA introduces you to just some of those stories.

    KATE LAMBLE, KANGAROO GROUND FIRE BRIGADE, DISTRICT 14

    What is your CFA role?

    I’m the 2nd lieutenant. In the past I’ve been 1st lieutenant and the brigade training officer. I am also a District 14 driving instructor and trainer and assessor for General Firefighter, low structure and BA.

    Why did you join?

    I had grown up in a volunteer family with dad being a volunteer ambulance officer in the 80s. In those days the ‘special phone’ would ring and dad would race off and come back with lots of stories. I remember mum and dad doing a lot of bushfire preparation when I was a child, and my uncle was on summer crew with the then Forestry Commission.

    Then as I was finishing my Masters and wondering what I would do with my spare time, we were faced with the 2005 bushfires in Gippsland. That was my trigger to join CFA and I have never regretted it. I remember my dad saying to me when I joined: don’t get on the back of a truck with a bad driver. He loved it when I got my truck licence.

    Who have been your mentors in CFA?

    There are too many to mention but those that stand out for me are Di Simmons from Christmas Hills for being amazing and showing me I could aspire to any role in CFA, and Steve Riley and Clem Egan at Eltham for teaching me so much. Not to forget Pete Grant at Kangaroo Ground and Lindsay McHugh from District 14 driving, for believing in me. Many other volunteers and career staff have also been mentors and they will know who they are.

    What incident has had the greatest impact on you?

    It probably goes without saying – Black Saturday. I was still a reasonably new firefighter and it had a profound impact on me. It taught me that you can’t control much in those situations and that situational awareness and crew safety are paramount. I was on the Eltham brigade truck that responded into Kinglake West just after the initial fire front went through.

    I remember driving up from Whittlesea past the first burnt out car and thinking the occupants were lucky to get out. When we passed a third burnt out car on that small stretch of road I was hit with the reality that not everyone might have survived. That night was a steep learning curve.

    The highlight was rescuing a scared and slightly burned dog who I handed to a police officer. Thankfully, the dog was reunited with its owner.

    Many other incidents have had an impact on me. I love trying to learn something from every incident I attend.

    What have been the highlights of your time in CFA?

    Becoming a driver educator has to be one of my biggest achievements. I never believed in my wildest dreams I would actually drive a fire truck, let alone teach others. Being an educator and watching others develop is such a privilege, especially those I’ve known since Juniors.

    The connections and long-lasting friendships that develop between members is also one of my biggest highlights. There is truth in the saying that CFA is family and to work alongside people you know and respect is one of my favourite things, whether at local calls, training or on strike teams. Having been a part of two fabulous brigades in a great group (Nillumbik) also helps.

    How do you motivate your brigade members?

    By doing. Not standing back and letting someone else do it. I love teaching and mentoring newer members and showing them what they are capable of. I also like to have a bit of fun and I think that helps. Doing things the right way is easy when you have a great group of people with you.

    What lessons are you keen to pass onto other members?

    CFA does not have to consume you. If you want longevity don’t say yes to everything! Pick and choose as there are endless ways to be involved. In turn, CFA can be a great source of stability when other parts of your life are a bit rubbish. For a time many years ago, CFA was the only constant I had. Also, you get out of CFA what you put in. You can dare to dream but always be prepared to hang off the end of a hose. That’s fundamentally why we joined.

    What do you like to do in your spare time?

    As a full-time working mum, my spare time is spent hanging out with my special people, my annual camping trip with friends, gardening and occasionally sewing.

    Submitted by News and Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defendant Convicted of Five Armed Robberies and Attempted Robberies in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and New Jersey

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A federal jury today convicted Tony Clanton, also known as “Tone,” on all counts of a superseding indictment charging him with Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, two counts of Hobbs Act robbery, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and use of firearms during crimes of violence.  The charges arose from a string of robberies and attempted robberies committed at gunpoint by the defendant and co-conspirators.  The verdict followed a six-day trial before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.  When sentenced, Clanton faces a mandatory minimum term of 25 years in prison and up to life in prison.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Terence G. Reilly, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict.

    “Over a six-month period, Clanton directed a cruel and violent spree in New York City and New Jersey that left terrorized robbery victims in his wake, including two children who watched as their parents were shot at or menaced with guns,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “Thanks to exceptional investigative work by the FBI and the NYPD, the defendant was identified, apprehended, and rightly convicted today by jurors who were presented with a mountain of evidence that demonstrated his crime wave and overwhelmingly proved his guilt.”

    Mr. Durham also thanked the Edison, New Jersey Police Department for their valuable assistance on the case.

    “Tony Clanton is a serial violent criminal who has gone to great lengths to terrorize his victims in the pursuit of monetary gain. The FBI won’t rest until violent organized criminals are taken off the street so victims and others in the community may sleep soundly, and know justice has been served,” stated FBI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Reilly.  “The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Forces spearhead countless cases similar to this one.  But with each case, there are victims.  All our efforts are for them.”

    “Tony Clanton terrorized communities throughout New York City — holding victims at gunpoint in front of their children, firing recklessly, even impersonating a federal agent,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.  “Thanks to the outstanding work of NYPD investigators, in partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he’s now been brought to justice.  This conviction ends a violent spree that had no place in our city.  And we will continue working with our partners to make sure criminals like this are held accountable.”

    As proven at trial, Clanton orchestrated a series of violent robberies at gunpoint in the Eastern District of New York and in New Jersey between January 2023 and July 2023.  After he was indicted, Clanton removed his ankle monitor and fled the district two weeks before a previously scheduled trial date and went on the run for five weeks.  While he was a fugitive, Clanton fled from two police officers who pulled him over, presented fake identification documents, and searched on the Internet for how to fake his own death.

    January 20, 2023 Home Invasion in Staten Island

    Clanton orchestrated an attempted robbery in which a co-conspirator, wearing a white hazmat suit, gloves, and standing in the vestibule of an apartment building with a can of paint, accosted Victim-1, who was entering the vestibule with his 10-year-old son.  The co-conspirator pointed a silver revolver at Victim-1 and said, “Don’t make this a homicide,” struck Victim-1 in the head with the gun, and fired a shot.  Clanton, who was also armed with a gun, grabbed Victim-1’s keys and tried unsuccessfully to open Victim-1’s apartment door.  Clanton and his co-conspirator then fled in a U-Haul van.

    June 3, 2023 Robbery of a Smoke Shop in Staten Island

    Clanton orchestrated the robbery of an employee (Victim-2) of a smoke shop in Annadale, Staten Island as he was closing the store for the night.  As his co-conspirators brandished firearms and robbed the smoke shop, Clanton monitored a police scanner radio and maintained cell phone contact with his accomplices to warn them that the police were on the way.  They restrained Victim-2 with zip ties and pressed a gun to the back of his head.  The robbers took approximately $4,000 in cash, packages of cigarettes, and a quantity of marijuana.

    June 24, 2023 Attempted Robbery of a Car Buyer in Staten Island

    Clanton orchestrated a robbery in which he pretended he was selling his Mercedes-Benz automobile to a prospective buyer (Victim-3).  While Clanton waited in the area, two of Clanton’s co-conspirators tried to rob Victim-3.  With Victim-3’s teenage son watching from the doorway, one of the co-conspirators attempted to rob Victim-3 at gunpoint.  Victim-3 fled into his home and slammed the door shut before the co-conspirator could barge inside.  That co-conspirator then fled the scene with Clanton as the get-away driver.

    June 27, 2023 Attempted Robbery of the Owners of a Jewelry Store in New Jersey

    Clanton and a co-conspirator attempted to rob the husband (Victim-4) and wife (Victim-5) owners of an Edison, New Jersey jewelry store outside their home.  Clanton identified Victim-4 and Victim-5 as potential targets and conducted surveillance on them for over a week before the attempted robbery.  During the attempted robbery, Clanton and his co-conspirator were wearing jackets with the letters “FBI,” badges that said “FBI,” and hats identifying themselves as law enforcement agents that Clanton had previously ordered from Amazon.  When the victims pulled into their driveway, Clanton and his co-conspirator ordered them out of the car at gunpoint.  Realizing Clanton and his co-conspirator were not FBI agents, the victims sped away and escaped unharmed.

    July 12, 2023 Robbery of the Owner of an Ice Cream Store in Brooklyn

    Clanton and a co-conspirator waited outside a TD Bank in Brooklyn for the victim (Victim-6) to leave with a bag of cash.  They followed Victim-6 to his home where the co-conspirator took a bag containing over $6,000 at gunpoint.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew M. Roddin and Matthew Skurnik are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Timothy Migliaro.

    The Defendant:

    TONY CLANTON (also known as “Tone”)
    Age:  51
    Staten Island, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-328 (S-1) (KAM)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal leads Commencement Ceremony of Cruise Operations from MICT in Mumbai, India’s largest Cruise Terminal

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal leads Commencement Ceremony of Cruise Operations from MICT in Mumbai, India’s largest Cruise Terminal

    Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurate renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks along with two other heritage buildings in Colaba; Boost to Green Port Initiatives with Shore to Ship Electric Supply along with ‘Sagar Upavan’ Garden

    Sarbananda Sonowal attends MoU signing Ceremony for Three Agreements on Strategic Development of Vadhavan Port, aimed at Port Infra Development and Cargo Handling Facilities

    Sarbananda Sonowal attends MoU signing ceremony for infra projects development worth ₹5700 crores at Vadhavan Port

    Posted On: 21 APR 2025 6:43PM by PIB Delhi

    The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoSPW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off Cruise Operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (MICT), India’s largest cruise terminal, in Mumbai today. The Union Minister also inaugurated renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks as well as renovated two heritage buildings — Fort House Ballard Estate and Evelyn House at Colaba. Sonowal also inaugurated Sagar Upvan garden along with Shore to Ship Electric Supply under Green Port Initiative. 

    The MICT, developed as per Cruise Bharat Mission, was developed as per latest global standards and is expected to take a pioneering role in developing cruise tourism in India. Spread over a built up area of more than 4,15,000 Square Feet, the MICT is developed at Ballard Pier. MICT is India’s largest world class cruise terminal. Equipped with  72 Check in and Immigration counters spreading over an area of 2,07,000 Square Feet on the first two floors (G+1) while the other two floors (2 + 3) are developed as Commercial Floors. The newly inaugurated MICT is designed to handle 1 million passengers every year with an approximate 10,000 passengers per day. It can also handle 5 ships simultaneously, with 11 meters draft and upto 300 meters length. At the parking space, more than 300 vehicles can be parked simultaneously. 

    Speaking on the commencement of Cruise Service from MICT, the Union Minister said, “The maritime history of Mumbai is rich and an integral part of our civilisation. As a coastal hub, it has served the nation handsomely with its bustling coastal business. It is only logical that we work towards realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of ‘Bharat becoming a global cruise hub through its state-of-the-art infrastructure.’ Today, Mumbai, with its longstanding repute as a major maritime hub in the world, commenced Cruise Operations from the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, providing passengers modern amenities for a better and safer experience. This adds to our existing such top class international terminals at Visakhapatnam and Chennai. In order to celebrate the heroic contribution of Mumbai Port Fire Services personnel, the newly renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks celebrates their distinctive service to the nation.”  

    MICT has been designed with a wavy ceiling reflecting the maritime identity with functional and minimalist architecture. MICT blends modern design with Mumbai’s maritime spirit—featuring fluid architecture, rose gold accents, and a sweeping ceiling. From heritage-inspired entry to sleek interiors with wave seating, selfie points, and maritime plaques, it offers a serene yet vibrant gateway to India’s emerging global cruise hub. MICT will provide enhanced passenger experience and position Mumbai as one of major hub for cruise tourism hub. The total investment in the MICT project has been ₹556 crores. 

    Elaborating on the vision of Cruise Bharat Mission, the Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “PM Narendra Modi ji’s call for port-led prosperity has redefined our maritime ambitions. we also give momentum to the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’—our resolve to make Bharat one of the top cruise destinations in the world. The mission embraces three pillars—Ocean and Harbour Cruises, River and Inland Cruises, and Island and Lighthouse Cruises. With a comprehensive strategy that combines digital ease, circuit integration, environmental sustainability, and global partnerships, This is India’s cruise awakening—bold, inclusive, and future-ready. Under the visionary leadership of hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India’s maritime sector has witnessed an astonishing transformation. it is the story of an India that believes in its potential and invests in its people.”

    The renovated Fire Memorial at Victoria Docks, which was inaugurated by the Minister, is a solemn tribute to the Mumbai Port Fire Services personnel for their distinctive service to the nation. The fire memorial is renovated with “Golden Tears” theme as the tragic event which rained golden bricks were blown in the surrounding area of Port. To promote heritage and tourism, façade lighting was inaugurated at two iconic heritage buildings of MbPA – Port House at Ballard Estate and Evelyn House at Colaba — adding to the aesthetic and historical appeal of the city’s legacy. 

    In a boost to Green Port Initiative, the Shore to Ship Electric Supply at MbPA will help Tug boats and Coast Guard vessels, reduce emissions, bring in operational efficiency and reduce noise pollution. MbPA’s commitment to environmental sustainability and modernisation of port infrastructure, providing shore-based electric power will significantly enhance energy efficiency and operational cleanliness. 

    The rejuvenated Sagar Upvan Garden at Colaba was also inaugurated today.  With support from Tata Trusts, the MbPA undertook extensive repair and enhancement works, including the restoration of the compound wall, construction of facilities for gardeners, along with a 25000 KLD Sewage Treatment Plant. Rich with more than 500 varieties of plants, it has scenic views of the Arabian Sea as well as Sassoon Docks. It has  lush green lawns, sea-facing benches, and pathways ideal for jogging and walking along with a living laboratory for botany students and nature enthusiasts. 

    Union Minister Shri Sonowal also attended MoU signing ceremony for development of Infrastructure projects with investment worth of more than ₹5700 crores at Vadhavan Port, today. The agreements were signed for development of a terminal for handling container, bulk, and liquid cargo with investment of ₹4200 crores, development of a dedicated terminal for handling bulk and liquid cargo with an investment of ₹1,000 crores and development of a liquid cargo jetty and a tank farm with a capacity of 3,00,000 CBM for handling liquefied chemicals and related products with an investment of ₹500 crores.

    Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Our dynamic leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has given us a vision of transforming Vadhavan Port to become one of the Top 10 Global ports. As Vadhavan Port project is likely to power up India’s current capacity by more than three times, this is all weather, green field deep draft major port is going to act as a game changer for not only India’s maritime sector, but also enable regional trade. As India is poised to become a Viksit Bharat by 2047, this port is likely to act as a major growth multiplier. In this regard, the MoUs signed today adds towards creation of infrastructure and capacity of the Vadhavan port and helps us take another step towards realising the vision of PM, Shri Narendra Modi ji.”

    The inauguration of fuel dispensing infrastructure — including two HSD units, one gasoline unit, and a fast electric vehicle (EV) charger — further bolsters the port’s push towards sustainable mobility within the operational area. The event also included the formal handover of key land assets. A charge certificate of the plot at Malet Bunder was handed over to JNPA for its corporate building. Another plot at Reay Road was transferred to the Hare Krishna Mission for social and community activities. Additionally, the E Shed at Mumbai Port was handed over to M/s Ruchi India Logistics to strengthen port-led logistics operations.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of State, MoPSW, Shri Shantanu Thakur said, “The launch of the new cruise service in Mumbai, restoration of Mumbai’s maritime heritage buildings, and green port initiatives mark a transformative step forward in realising Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s vision of a sustainable, vibrant, and tourism-driven maritime economy that honours our past while embracing a cleaner, greener future. These efforts boost coastal tourism and urban renewal. They also reinforce India’s maritime leadership globally.”

    The Cruise Bharat Mission has set ambitious yet achievable goals like Development of 10 international sea cruise terminals, creation of 100 river cruise terminals, Launch of 5 marinas along our coast, Seamless integration of more than 5000 km of waterways, Aiming for 1 million sea cruise passengers and 1.5 million river cruise passengers by 2029, creation of over 400 thousand direct and indirect jobs across the cruise value chain. Since 2014, the government under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, has led to a transformation of the maritime sector. The cargo handled at the major port cargo surged from 556 MMT in 2014 to 854 MMT in 2024-25 while costal cargo grew by 119%. The inland water cargo rose from 6.89 MMT to 133 MMT—a leap of over 1800%. The cruise passengers increased from 85,000 in 2014 to 4.71 lakh today, a phenomenal growth of 454%. 

    Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, was joined by Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, MoSPW as the Guest of Honour along with Susil Kumar Singh (IRSME), Chairman, Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA); Adesh Titarmare, IAS, Deputy Chairman, MbPA; Unmesh  Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Dhruv Kotak, Managing Director, J.M. Baxi among other dignitaries and senior officials of the MoPSW and MbPA. 

    ***

    GDH/HR

    (Release ID: 2123251) Visitor Counter : 43

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lolo Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Pornography

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

    MISSOULA – A Lolo man who received and distributed child pornography was sentenced today to 240 months in prison to be followed by lifetime supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Erik Robert Salazar, 29, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.

    U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that on September 13, 2023, Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) detectives received a Cyber Tipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report originated from Snapchat, who reported to NCMEC that a user, later identified as Salazar, had uploaded two images of child sexual abuse material to their servers on August 19, 2023.

    Through legal process, detectives determined the Snapchat account in question belonged to Salazar. Detectives received the remaining contents of Salazar’s Snapchat account and reviewed his communications with other parties.

    Salazar’s communications were replete with contact with minor females on dates ranging from September 2015 to October 31, 2023. Salazar consistently requested images and videos of those minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the minors sent Salazar images and videos in response to his requests. Additionally, Salazar used Snapchat to send some of these minors images and videos depicting other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. For example, beginning on August 4, 2023, Salazar began to communicate on Snapchat with a minor female (MV1) who was then 15 years old. In their communications, MV1 informed Salazar of her age, which Salazar indicated sexually excited him. Throughout the communications, Salazar solicited nude images of MV1, which she sent. MV1 also reported that Salazar sent her at least one video of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. MV1 reported Salazar told her he wanted to have a baby with her and asked MV1 if she would allow him to perform similar acts on their future daughter.

    Salazar was arrested in Missoula, Montana, for a related offense on October 31, 2023, and was interviewed by detectives. He admitted the Snapchat account involved in the cyber tip belonged to him and that he received images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct using the account.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the FBI and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oshkosh Man Indicted on Production of Child Pornography Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on April 15, 2025, a federal grand jury issued an indictment alleging that Bradley D. Hounsell (age: 43) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, “attempted to and did employ a minor under the age of 18, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct” in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a), 2251(e), and 2(a).

    According to the unsealed indictment, between on or about November 4, 2023, and November 8, 2023, Hounsell is alleged to have employed, used, persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a minor for the purpose transporting child pornography via the internet. If convicted of the offense, Hounsell faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 30 years of incarceration. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and would be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.     

    # #  #

     

    For Additional Information Contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    414-297-1700

     

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: York County man arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material* chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Daniel Cole Prince, 28, of Catawba, S.C., on five charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the York County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, also a member of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

     

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led them to Prince. Investigators state Prince possessed files of child sexual abuse material.

     

    Prince was arrested on April 11, 2025. He is charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

     

    This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

     

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

     

     

     

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Announces Listing of Hyperlane (HYPER) with a 165,000 HYPER and 50,000 USDT Prize Pool

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the Hyperlane (HYPER) listing on April 22, 2025(UTC). To celebrate this significant addition to the exchange, MEXC is launching a special event with a prize pool of 165,000 HYPER and 50,000 USDT for new and existing users.

    Hyperlane is the first permissionless, universal interoperability protocol dedicated to building a truly open and decentralized cross-chain communication infrastructure. As “The Open Interoperability Framework,” it enables anyone to freely expand, utilize, and customize the network, allowing developers to easily and securely build cross-chain applications and token bridges. To date, Hyperlane has connected over 140 blockchains, processed nearly 9 million cross-chain messages, and bridged more than $6 billion in volume through its Warp Routes.

    $HYPER is the native token of the Hyperlane ecosystem, with an initial total supply of 1 billion tokens. It plays a critical role in securing the protocol through staking, rewarding validators for verifying cross-chain messages, incentivizing user-driven activity, and enabling community governance over protocol development.

    To celebrate the listing, MEXC will launch an Airdrop+ event with substantial rewards for users:
    Event Period: April 21, 2025, 10:00 – May 01, 2025, 10:00 (UTC)
    Benefit 1: Deposit and share 120,000 HYPER (New user exclusive)
    Benefit 2: Spot Challenge — Trade to share 15,000 HYPER (For all users)
    Benefit 3: Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
    Benefit 4: Invite new users and share 30,000 HYPER (For all users)

    MEXC has established itself as a leading exchange by consistently offering users early access to high-potential crypto assets. In 2024 alone, the platform listed 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC led the industry with 461 spot listings between November 1, 2024, and February 15, 2025. During this period, the exchange maintained a high listing frequency, consistently ranking among the top six platforms, demonstrating its agility in capturing emerging market trends. MEXC will continue to expand its asset offerings and help users seize timely opportunities in the fast-moving crypto market.

    For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    Source

    Contact :
    Lucia Hu
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f7a2b6b-03ea-4dc2-9cf4-d21adb93fe1c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BharatNet

    Source: Government of India

    BharatNet

    Extending Internet Access, Expanding Rural Progress

    Posted On: 21 APR 2025 2:48PM by PIB Delhi

    • Q: What is the BharatNet project?

    A: BharatNet is an ambitious project of the Government of India aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. It is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world.

    • Q: What is the objective of the BharatNet project?

    A: The primary objective is to provide unrestricted access to broadband connectivity to all the telecom service providers. This enables access providers like mobile operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to launch various services such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural and remote India. It aims to empower rural India, foster inclusive growth, and bridge the gap between urban and rural communities.

    • Q: How many Gram Panchayats (GPs) are targeted under BharatNet?

    A: The project initially aimed to connect approximately 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country.

    • Q: What are the different phases of the BharatNet project?

     A: The Telecom Commission approved the implementation of the project in three phases on 30.04.2016:

      • Phase I: Focused on laying optical fibre cables to connect 1 lakh Gram Panchayats by utilising existing infrastructure. This phase was completed in December 2017
      • Phase II(ongoing): Expanded coverage to an additional 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats using optical fibre, radio, and satellite technologies. This phase incorporated collaborative efforts with state governments and private entities.
      • Phase III(ongoing): Aims at future-proofing the network by integrating 5G technologies, increasing bandwidth capacity, and ensuring robust last-mile connectivity. This phase is ongoing. The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) approved in August 2023 can be considered part of this evolution.
    • Q: What is the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP)?

     A: Approved in August 2023, the ABP is a design improvement aiming for Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 2.64 lakh GPs in ring topology (a network design where connected devices form a circular data channel) and OF connectivity to the remaining non-GP villages on demand. It includes features like IP-MPLS (Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network with routers at Blocks and GPs, operation and maintenance for 10 years, power backup, and Remote Fibre Monitoring System (RFMS). The cost allocated is Rs. 1,39,579 crores.

    • Q: What other initiatives support digital empowerment in rural India?

     A: Several other initiatives complement BharatNet, including:

      • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): To ensure digital literacy in rural households, with over 6.39 crore individuals trained by March 31, 2024.
      • National Broadband Mission (NBM): Launched to fast-track the expansion of digital communications infrastructure. National Broadband Mission 2.0 was launched on January 17, 2025. Key initiatives under NBM include the Centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal GatiShakti Sanchar.
    • Q: How is BharatNet being funded?

    A: BharatNet is primarily funded through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which is a fund that replaced the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The total funding for BharatNet (Phase-I and Phase-II) approved by the Cabinet is Rs 42,068 crores (exclusive of GST, Octroi, and local taxes). As of 31.12.2023, a total of Rs. 39,825 crores have been disbursed under the BharatNet Project since its inception.

    • Q: Who is executing the BharatNet project?

    A: The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), which was incorporated on 25.02.2012 under the Indian Companies Act 1956. Under the Amended BharatNet Program, BSNL is appointed as the single Project Management Agency (PMA) for Operation & Maintenance of the entire network.

    • Q: What is the current status of BharatNet implementation?

    A:

      • As of 19th March 2025, 2,18,347GPs have been made service ready under the BharatNet project in the country.
      • As of March 25, 2025, the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) length has increased to 42.13 lakh route km.
      • As of 13.01.2025, 6,92,676 Km of OFC (Optical Fiber Cable) has been laid.
      • 12,21,014 Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections are commissioned
      • 1,04,574 Wi-Fi hotspots are installed.
    • Q: How is the BharatNet network utilised?

    A: The network is utilised through leasing bandwidth and dark fibre, Wi-Fi to access broadband or internet services in public places, and Fibre to the Home (FTTH). Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) is provided through Wi-Fi in public places or other suitable broadband technologies, including FTTH at Government institutions such as schools, hospitals, post offices, etc.

    • Q: What are the benefits and impact of the BharatNet project?

    A: BharatNet has had a transformative impact on rural India, contributing to socioeconomic development in multiple ways:

      • Digital Inclusion: Connecting remote villages to high-speed internet, enabling access to e-governance, online education, and telemedicine.
      • Economic Opportunities: Enabling participation in digital commerce, access to financial services, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
      • Education and Healthcare: Facilitating digital classrooms and telehealth services.
      • Empowering Local Governance: Enabling Gram Panchayats to implement e-governance projects.
    • Q: What is the role of CSC e-Governance Services India Limited in BharatNet?

    A: CSC (Common Services Centre) e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC-SPV) was assigned to provide the last mile connectivity in GPs through Wi-Fi Access Points and FTTH connections.  As of September 2024, 1,04,574 Wi-Fi Access Points and 11,41 ,825 FTTH connections have been installed in the GPs. CSC-SPV also undertook a pilot project for laying overhead optical fiber from GPs.

    • Q: What is the collaboration between DBN and NABARD?

    A: Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) have signed an MoU to drive rural development by providing access to digital services, digital governance, and promoting a digital economy through high-speed broadband connectivity under the BharatNet program. Key areas of collaboration include reference data sharing, digital content sharing, digital services integration, awareness and capacity building, promoting a digital economy, and inclusion of ICT infrastructure.

    • Q: How does BharatNet relate to mobile connectivity in rural areas?

     A: Alongside BharatNet, the government is also focusing on expanding mobile connectivity in rural areas. As of December 2024, around 6,25,853 villages are covered with mobile connectivity, including 6,18,968 villages having 4G mobile coverage. The median mobile broadband speed has increased significantly. These efforts are complementary to BharatNet in bridging the digital divide.

    REFERENCES

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086701#:~:text=the%20government%20of,truly%20digital%20nation

    https://x.com/PIB_India/status/1905232713227067857

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2115831

    https://usof.gov.in/en/ongoing-schemes

    https://bbnl.nic.in/

    https://it.tn.gov.in/en/TACTV/BharatNet

    https://www.data.gov.in/keywords/BharatNet

    https://usof.gov.in/en/bharatnet-project

    https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086701

    https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/1714/AU2874.pdf?source=pqals

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117923#:~:text=Government%20of%20India%20Takes%20Measures,and%20Meaningful%20Connectivity%20for%20all.

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2077908&reg=3&lang=1

    https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/267/AU2155_28gbez.pdf?source=pqars

    KIndly find the pdf file 

    *****

    Santosh Kumar | Sarla Meena | Chaitanya Mishra

    (Release ID: 2123137) Visitor Counter : 193

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC Announces the Listing of Balance (EPT) with 6,000,000 EPT and 50,000 USDT in Rewards

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced that it will list Balance (EPT) on April 21, 2025 (UTC). To celebrate the listing, the platform has launched a series of events featuring a total reward of 6,000,000 EPT and 50,000 USDT for users.

    Balance is an innovative Web3 platform that integrates AI and blockchain technologies to create immersive digital interaction experiences. Developed by the team behind E-PAL, the world’s largest game companion platform. Balance offers services such as Human Epal, AI Epal, AI-Driven Battle Report System, and more. These features effectively address key challenges in blockchain gaming, including security, scalability, and development efficiency.

    $EPT is the native utility token of the Balance ecosystem, with a total supply of 10 billion tokens. It functions as the core medium powering payments, governance participation, and on-chain transactions across the platform, forming a highly synergistic and sustainable internal economy.

    In celebration of the Balance (EPT) listing, MEXC is launching a series of events to offer users exclusive opportunities to earn generous rewards.

    The key details are as follows:

    • Event 1: EPT Launchpool – Stake USDT, MX and EPT to Share 4,800,000 EPT
      Event Period: April 21, 2025, 12:00 – April 24, 2025, 10:00 (UTC)
      Users can stake USDT, MX, or EPT to earn valuable rewards through MEXC’s EPT Launchpool.
    • Event 2: Join Airdrop+ to Share 1,200,000 EPT & 50,000 USDT Bonus
      Event Period: April 21, 2025, 12:00 – May 1, 2025, 10:00 (UTC)
      Benefit 1: Deposit and share 960,000 EPT (New user exclusive)
      Benefit 2: Futures Challenge — Trade to share 50,000 USDT in Futures bonus (For all users)
      Benefit 3: Invite new users and share 240,000 EPT (For all users)
    • Event 3: Spread the Word & Win
      Event Period: April 21, 2025, 10:00 – April 27, 2025, 23:59 (UTC)
      Users who share the EPT events on social media during the event period can win extra rewards.

    As a global exchange, MEXC drives innovation across emerging sectors such as Web3 gaming, AI, and DePIN by offering deep liquidity, streamlined market access, and performance-based incentive programs. The listing of EPT opens new investment avenues in the rapidly evolving AI-driven gaming space.

    MEXC has established itself as a leading exchange by consistently offering users early access to high-potential crypto assets. In 2024 alone, the platform listed 2,376 new tokens, including 1,716 initial listings. According to the latest TokenInsight report, MEXC led the industry with 461 spot listings between November 1, 2024, and February 15, 2025. During this period, the exchange maintained a high listing frequency, consistently ranking among the top six platforms, demonstrating its agility in capturing emerging market trends. Looking ahead, MEXC remains committed to expanding its asset offerings and helping users seize timely opportunities in the fast-moving crypto market.

    For full event details and participation rules, please visit here.

    About MEXC
    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.
    MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

    Risk Disclaimer:
    The information provided in this article regarding cryptocurrencies does not constitute investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully assess market fluctuations, the fundamentals of projects, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

    Source

    Contact :
    Lucia Hu
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e87a7d97-e964-48d6-a6d6-f5a84a3e3038

    The MIL Network –