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Category: Military Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Defence Secretary calls on Italian Defence Minister in Rome to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation

    Source: Government of India

    Defence Secretary calls on Italian Defence Minister in Rome to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation

    11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting held; Focus on closer defence collaboration especially in technology and armament production

    MoU inked between SIDM & AIAD to foster closer cooperation between defence industries of both nations
               

    Posted On: 15 APR 2025 7:32PM by PIB Delhi

    Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh visited Rome, Italy from April 14-15, 2025 on an official trip. The visit started with the Defence Secretary calling on the Defence Minister of Italy Mr Guido Crosetto. During the meeting, the two sides held productive discussions aimed at further enhancing defence cooperation as a key pillar of India-Italy strategic partnership.

    During his visit, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh co-chaired the 11th India-Italy annual bilateral Joint Defence Committee meeting with his Italian counterpart, Secretary General of Defence Ms Luisa Riccardi. They discussed a wide range of defence, security and industrial cooperation issues including maritime cooperation and information sharing arrangements between India and Italy with emphasis on Trans Regional Maritime Network. The situation in the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean Region also came up during the discussions.

    The Defence Secretary stressed on closer defence collaboration especially in technology and armament production, which is a priority area for India. He also brought out that the Government of India is proactively building an ecosystem for defence production and innovation within the country through conscious policy initiatives. India has developed a vibrant innovation and industrial ecosystem.

    In his keynote address during India-Italy Defence Industry Roundtable, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh shared his views on how the Indian defence industry has witnessed significant changes, particularly in the past few years through progressive reforms. He said that these reforms have been marked by the creation of a conducive environment for the growth of the Indian Industry through transparency, predictability and Ease of Doing Business.

    An MoU between Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Federation of Italian Companies for Aerospace, Defence and Security (AIAD) was also signed, marking a significant step toward fostering closer cooperation between the defence industries of both nations.

    The Defence Secretary was accompanied by a high-level Ministry of Defence delegation, comprising senior officials from Service Headquarters, Department of Defence and Department of Defence Production. A substantial industry delegation from SIDM also accompanied the Defence Secretary to foster closer B2B connections between the Indian and Italian defence industries.

    *******

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2121937) Visitor Counter : 105

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INSV TARINI FLAGGED OFF FROM CAPE TOWN FOR THE FINAL LEG OF THE NAVIKA SAGAR PARIKRAMA II EXPEDITION

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 15 APR 2025 5:28PM by PIB Delhi

    INSV Tarini was ceremonially flagged off from the Royal Cape Yacht Club for the final leg of her journey to Goa on 15 Apr 25, at 1030 hours local time (1400 hrs IST). The send-off was graced by the presence of the Officiating Consul General of India in Cape Town, the Defence Attaché of India to South Africa, members of the RCYC Governing Council, and representatives of the Indian community in Cape Town.

    The circumnavigation is a significant endeavour aimed at promoting ocean sailing in India, showcasing the strength and resilience of Indian women in uniform, and highlighting India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

    As part of the ongoing Navika Sagar Parikrama II, INSV Tarini, proudly crewed by Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, made a scheduled stopover at Cape Town, South Africa.

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2117120

    During her port call at Cape Town, INSV Tarini served as a hub for numerous outreach and diplomatic engagements. The vessel played host to several esteemed guests including:

    •        Shri Prabhat Kumar, Hon’ble High Commissioner of India to South Africa.

    •        Mr Reagan Allen, Deputy Speaker of the Western Cape.

    •        Mr Johnathan Rhodes, former international cricketer and a friend of India.

    •        Ms Kirsten Neuschäfer, winner of the prestigious Golden Globe Race 2022–23 and a noted solo circumnavigator.

    •        Smt Ruby Jaspreet, Counsel General of India at Cape Town.

    •        Members of the Indian diaspora and local dignitaries.

    This visit also provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and highlighted the growing maritime cooperation between India and South Africa.

    In addition to hosting high-profile guests, the crew of INSV Tarini engaged in a series of interactive events aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment, and India’s capability in indigenous boat building. These included:

    •        A special interaction with students from the Indian diaspora.

    •        Experience sharing with prominent citizens, and members of the diplomatic community at RCYC, Cape Town, where the officers shared insights into their journey, the challenges of ocean sailing, and the vision behind Navika Sagar Parikrama.

    •        A formal session with faculty and Select students at the University of the Western Cape.

    •        Engagement with Naval Cadets at the Naval College, inspiring the next generation of naval officers.

    •        Interaction with young aspiring sailors of the Royal Cape Yacht Club(RCYC) Sailing Academy, promoting maritime spirit and camaraderie.

    The crew also utilized the stop to undertake routine and essential maintenance of INSV Tarini, ensuring the vessel remains in peak operational condition for the final stretch of the voyage.

    INSV Tarini is expected to reach Goa by end May 2025, marking the successful completion of yet another proud chapter in India’s maritime history. The Navika Sagar Parikrama II continues to be a beacon of women empowerment, maritime excellence, and national pride.

    _____________________________________________________________

    VM/SKS                                                                                                        88/25

     

     

    (Release ID: 2121885) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Centre for Joint Warfare Studies Hosts Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 15 APR 2025 5:15PM by PIB Delhi

    The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with Pentagon Press, successfully hosted the second edition of the Defence Literature Festival ‘Kalam & Kavach 2.0’ at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. This year’s theme was ‘Securing India’s Rise through Defence Reforms’.

    The event, held on April 15, 2025, focused on Defence Technology and Future Warfare, particularly in the context of defence manufacturing. It was aligned with the Prime Minister’s call for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) and highlighted key aspects of acquisition & procurement reforms.

    The event brought together distinguished experts from the Armed Forces, strategic policymakers, industry leaders, and domain specialists to deliberate on critical issues affecting India’s national security. Discussions included several cutting-edge topics including Technology & Future Warfare; the role of AI, cyber technologies, quantum computing, drones, space technology, and semiconductors in modern military operations; Defence Manufacturing & Aatmanirbharta, Acquisition & Procurement Reforms.

    The event focused on charting a strategic roadmap for its national security, diplomacy and development. It also covered the progress made on adoption of niche technologies, enhancing multi-domain and cross-domain operational capabilities to include land, air, sea, cyber and space. The agenda also included contemporary maritime security paradigms, future challenges and the way ahead to further the combat capability.

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms,’ marking a transformational year aimed at converting the Armed Forces into a technologically-advanced, combat-ready force. This vision underscores the nation’s commitment to multi-domain, integrated operations and emphasises a mission-mode approach to defence reforms, facilitating technology transfer, and improving public-private partnerships.

    *****

    VK/SR/PS

    (Release ID: 2121877) Visitor Counter : 66

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: YORK COUNTY – Shapiro Administration, PA Office of Attorney General to Encourage Participation in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Get Unwanted Meds off the Street

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    April 16, 2025 – York, PA

    ADVISORY – YORK COUNTY – Shapiro Administration, PA Office of Attorney General to Encourage Participation in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, Get Unwanted Meds off the Street

    The Shapiro Administration and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General will join York County officials tomorrow to encourage Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth to take part in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 26.

    Individuals may drop off unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medication at any of the hundreds of secure locations throughout the state.

    WHO:
    Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, Secretary, Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
    Major General John Pippy, Adjutant General, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA)
    Sergeant Logan Brouse, Pennsylvania State Police
    Kara Bowser, Senior Counsel, Office of Attorney General
    Jonathan Bowman, Acting Deputy Secretary, Department of Aging
    Michael Muldrow, York City Police Commissioner

    WHEN:
    April 16, 2025; 11:00 AM

    WHERE:
    York City Police Department; 50 West King Street, York PA 17401

    VISUALS:
    Photos and video may be taken of a take-back box and DMVA’s collection truck which will both be onsite

    RSVP:
    Please email stdugan@pa.gov and share the reporter’s name and media outlet who wishes to attend.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: InspireSemi Announces Appointment of Jack Cartwright as Permanent CFO

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia and AUSTIN, Texas, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inspire Semiconductor Holdings Inc.  (“InspireSemi” or the “Company”), a chip design company that provides revolutionary high-performance, energy-efficient accelerated computing solutions for High Performance Computing (HPC), AI, graph analytics, and other compute-intensive workloads is pleased to announce that it has promoted its interim Chief Financial Officer, Jack Cartwright, to the permanent Chief Financial Officer role with the Company.

    Ron Van Dell, InspireSemi CEO, commented, “Jack has been working with the InspireSemi team since June 2024 and has shown tremendous dedication and skill while acting as interim CFO. We are delighted to now make the position with the Company permanent and look forward to Jack leading the finance side of the business at this critical juncture for the Company, as we seek to commercialize our product.”

    Jack Cartwright is a successful financial and operational leader with over 20 years of corporate finance experience ranging from high growth early-stage tech firms to highly technical complex global businesses. Jack’s depth of experience includes SaaS, B2C marketplaces, AdTech, telecommunications, carbon and clean energy, and logistics.

    Based in Austin, Texas, Jack was previously CFO at two other technology firms and has held a variety of leadership positions in finance, including leading several M&A transactions on both the sell side and buy side, and also several fundraising efforts with large, institutional investors.

    Jack has also led many post-closing integration projects involving advanced reporting optimization, including the financial integration of two public software companies and the acquisition and concurrent integration of 4 Fintech companies with audit and IPO filings.

    Jack holds an MBA (The University of Texas at Austin) with a concentration in finance, accounting & strategy, and a Master of Science degree in Accounting (University of Miami) and was formerly an officer in the United States Army.

    The Company also announces its board of directors approved the grant of stock options dated April 15, 2025 (the “Options“) to an officer to acquire a total of 1,000,000 subordinate voting shares in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.16.

    All of the Options are exercisable for a ten-year term expiring April 15, 2035, and were granted pursuant to the Company’s omnibus equity incentive plan (the “Plan“). All of the Options are subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable option agreements.

    166,667 stock options will vest immediately. A further 83,333 will vest on August 1, 2025, and the remainder will vest in equal monthly amounts over 3 years from August 1, 2025.

    About InspireSemi

    InspireSemi provides revolutionary high-performance, energy-efficient accelerated computing solutions for High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI, graph analytics, and other compute-intensive workloads. The Thunderbird I ‘supercomputer-cluster-on-a-chip’ is a disruptive, next-generation datacenter accelerator designed to address multiple underserved and diversified industries, including financial services, computer-aided engineering, energy, climate modeling, cybersecurity, and life sciences & drug discovery. Based on the open standard RISC-V instruction set architecture, InspireSemi’s solutions set new standards of performance, energy efficiency, and ease of programming. InspireSemi is headquartered in Austin, TX.

    For more information visit https://inspiresemi.com  
    Follow InspireSemi on LinkedIn

    Company Contact
    Ron Van Dell, CEO
    (737) 471-3230
    invest@inspiresemi.com

    Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

    This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (“forward-looking statements”). Statements concerning InspireSemi’s objectives, goals, strategies, priorities, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and the business, operations, financial performance and condition of InspireSemi are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass.

    Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding the Delisting and any future listing. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this presentation, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of InspireSemi, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to the Company including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects management’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to them and on assumptions they believe to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    Should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Strengthens U.S.-Pakistan Ties During Bipartisan Delegation Visit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    April 15, 2025 

    Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Strengthens U.S.-Pakistan Ties During Bipartisan Delegation Visit

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) recently returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Pakistan, marking his first official trip to the country and the first such congressional visit in two years. The delegation engaged in high-level discussions on critical issues, including security, defense, and counterterrorism, while also fostering cultural and diplomatic ties. 

    During the visit, Congressman Jackson and the delegation held constructive meetings with key Pakistani leaders, including: 

    – H.E. Mohsin Naqvi, Minister of Interior 

    – General Asim Munir, Army Chief of Staff 

    – H.E. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning 

    These discussions underscored the importance of continued U.S.-Pakistan collaboration on shared strategic interests and regional stability. 

    The delegation also traveled to Kartarpur, where they joined leaders from the Sikh community to celebrate “Baisakhi”, a festival commemorating the founding of the Sikh community. Congressman Jackson toured the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and visited the Langar Hall, engaging with community members and partaking in a traditional meal. 

    “I witnessed the spirit of faith, unity, and discipline in Pakistan,” said Congressman Jackson. “This visit was a unique opportunity to strengthen ties rooted in shared history and mutual trust.”

    Reflecting on the trip, Congressman Jackson expressed optimism about Pakistan’s future and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening bilateral relations. “I firmly believe that Pakistan has a very bright future, and I reaffirmed my commitment to expanded cooperation, strengthened partnerships, and support for the country’s progress.”

    This visit highlights Congressman Jackson’s dedication to fostering international diplomacy, security collaboration, and cultural exchange. He looks forward to continued engagement with Pakistani leaders and communities to advance mutual goals. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on April 9, 2025 2025-04-15 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military, on the afternoon of April 9, 2025.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense 2

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

    Zhang Xiaogang: I have three pieces of information to announce on the top.

    Firstly, the Second Military Translation Challenge of the Chinese Armed Forces will be held at the College of International Studies, National University of Defense Technology from April to August. This year’s contest features an innovative competition system, updated language categories, and expanded scope of participants. It aims to support stronger exchanges and cooperation with foreign militaries and the building of a world-class military by enhancing defense language capabilities of the PLA.

    Secondly, the Ministry of National Defense will hold the 3rd International Security Cooperation Seminar for Foreign Military Attachés to China at the International College of Defense Studies of the National Defense University from April 10 to 11. Foreign defense attachés and the representatives of some international organizations will attend. During the event, civilian and military experts will be invited to deliver themed presentations, discussions and exchanges will be conducted on topics including strengthening international military cooperation and addressing regional security challenges, and a visit to model new rural communities will be organized. The seminar is to help foreign military attachés better understand China and the Chinese military, and to further enhance friendship and mutual trust.

    Thirdly, at the invitation of the Pakistan military, the PLA Army will send a unit to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS)-2025 international military skills competition. The main subjects include nighttime reconnaissance and infiltration, ambush and counter-ambush, combat swimming, etc. It aims to test and improve combat capabilities of participating troops and strengthen exchanges and mutual trust among militaries of all participating countries.

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Journalist: It’s reported that President Xi Jinping and the Indian President have exchanged congratulatory messages, and agreed to advance a sound and steady growth of bilateral ties. How will the Chinese side grow its military relationship with India?

    Zhang Xiaogang: To celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and India, President Xi Jinping has exchanged congratulatory messages with the Indian President, which set the course of the bilateral relationship. As two ancient civilizations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and India are both in a crucial stage of modernization. Being partners of mutual success serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples. The Chinese military stands ready to work with the Indian side to implement the important consensus reached between the two state leaders, strengthen communication and strategic mutual trust, safeguard peace and tranquility in the border areas, promote a sound and stable mil-mil relations, and maintain peace in the region and beyond.

    Journalist: According to reports, the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream has been officially inaugurated and put into operation. China and Cambodia militaries launched the “Golden Dragon-2025” joint exercise at the center. Could you tell us more about that?

    Zhang Xiaogang: The construction of the China-Cambodia Joint Support and Training Center at Port Ream embodies the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation between the two countries. It complies with domestic regulations of both countries, the relevant international law, and international practices, and will add new energy and dimensions to China-Cambodia mil-mil relations. The Chinese and Cambodian militaries will further strengthen substantive cooperation in areas such as joint training and exercises, personnel training, and professional exchanges, to continuously enhance their capabilities for maintaining regional peace and stability.

    Journalist: It is reported that during his recent visit to Japan, the US Secretary of Defense said Japan as a “warrior country” was indispensable for tackling “Chinese aggression” and complimented the “valor” of Japanese soldiers in the Battle of Iwo Jima. His remarks have aroused controversies in the US. Do you have any comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: History shall not be forgotten, and the right and wrong must not be confused. The international community has long had a fair judgment on who launched wars, aggression and expansion, and who fought for peace during the Second World War. This year marks the 80th year of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Some people in the US are making a political stunt by distorting facts and whitewashing Japan’s militarism. It is a betrayal to soldiers who died in fighting fascists and has aroused public anger back in the US. It will surely be opposed by the international community and disdained by history. We urge relevant countries to stop spreading erroneous narratives, stop turning the Asia-Pacific into a hunting ground for geopolitical rivalry, stop stoking bloc politics and military confrontation, and stop undermining security and well-being of people in the region.

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Journalist: It is reported that the US Secretary of Defense reiterated US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to counter the so-called “China threat” on his visit to the Philippines. During his visit, the Philippines, the US and Japan conducted a joint patrol in the South China Sea. Recently, the US approved selling F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. Do you have any comment?

    Zhang Xiaogang: On the pretext of honoring bilateral treaties, the US is meddling in the South China Sea issue, undermining China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and attempting to threaten and coerce China. This approach will simply not work. It needs to be pointed out that the Philippine side has repeatedly made infringements and provocations against China. Outside countries led by the US have made continued efforts to destabilize the South China Sea through playing up tensions and providing weapons. It fully exposed their true intention of making troubles in the region. For the Philippine side, “relying on foreign support to make waves at sea” will backfire and a pawn will only be used and discarded. We urge the Philippine side to give up unrealistic illusions and come back to the right track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date.

    Journalist: According to US media reports, the US Secretary of Defense signed a secret internal guidance memo, which identifies China as the “sole pacing threat,” allegedly prioritizing “denial of the mainland’s seizure of Taiwan” and strengthening US homeland defense. Please comment on that.

    Zhang Xiaogang: We have noted relevant reports. It seems that the US side’s “paranoia toward China” is increasingly severe. Viewing China as a threat is a serious strategic miscalculation that will only lead to disastrous consequences. It must be emphazised that China will and must achieve reunification. It is an unstoppable historical trend that no one or force can hold it back.

    On the afternoon of April 9, 2025, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Zhang Zhicheng)

    Journalist: It is reported that Taiwan has received the first F-16V fighter jet ordered from the US, with an additional 65 scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2026. Some analysts suggest that this move is aimed at countering the increasingly modernized air force of the Chinese mainland. Please comment on that.

    Zhang Xiaogang: We have noted relevant reports. This is yet another instance of the double standard of the US where it broke its solemn political commitments, breached the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiqués, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, and undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. I want to underline that the US arms sales to Taiwan cannot change the strength contrast between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait much less impede the historical and inevitable trend of China’s reunification. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have squandered taxpayers’ money, which should have been used to benefit the people, to fill the bottomless hole of harming and ruining Taiwan. The attempts to solicit US support for “Taiwan independence” and to resist reunification by force will only plunge Taiwan into a dangerous and precarious situation of war and ultimately lead to its own destruction.

    Journalist: According to reports, the G7 Foreign Ministers and the European Union’s High Representative issued a statement on the joint exercises around Taiwan island conducted by the PLA in early April. The statement accused China of making “provocative actions” that escalate tensions across the Strait, opposed any unilateral actions to threaten the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Please comment on that.

    Zhang Xiaogang: Relevant countries and organizations blatantly violate the one-China principle and grossly interfere in China’s domestic affairs. We strongly deplore and resolutely oppose this. The joint drills of the PLA Eastern Theater Command around Taiwan Island deter the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces with overwhelming power and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is a firm commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and safety and well-being of our compatriots in Taiwan.

    The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China and how to resolve it brooks no foreign interference. The PLA remains in a combat-ready posture to fight against “Taiwan independence” separatist forces and pursue national reunification. We will resolutely thwart any separatist attempt for “Taiwan independence” and external interference.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting Veterans and Our Communities – Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program Intake Now Open

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on April 15, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan, Royal Canadian Legion – Saskatchewan Command and the Saskatchewan Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) would like to announce the Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program intake for 2025-26 is currently open.

    Introduced in 2019-20, the program provides grants for facility upgrades, operations, events and other activities to advance the work and help strengthen the long-term sustainability of veteran service organizations across the province.  

    “Our province’s veterans service organizations play a vital role – they enrich our communities, preserve local history and work tirelessly on behalf of veterans who have faithfully served our province and our country,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “We cannot thank them enough for their continued efforts and look forward to continuing to this important work.”  

    Applications are being accepted until June 1, 2025.

    In 2024-25, grants were provided to 81 Legion branches, ANAVETS units and other registered, non-profit veterans organizations across the province.  

    “The Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program has resulted in many achievements and accomplishments,” Royal Canadian Legion – Saskatchewan Command President Carol A. Pedersen said. “It is not by chance that our Legion branches in Saskatchewan find success, but by the dedication and hard work of Legion members and the support of the Government of Saskatchewan. This program ensures the work of the Royal Canadian Legion, directed toward veterans and our communities, will continue. I express the deepest gratitude of the Royal Canadian Legion for the Saskatchewan Veterans Service Club Support Program.”

    The program is delivered collaboratively by the Royal Canadian Legion – Saskatchewan Command, the Saskatchewan ANAVETS and the Government of Saskatchewan.

    “On behalf of the ANAVETS members, staff and directors, I would like to thank the Saskatchewan government for this wonderful grant program,” ANAVETS Saskatchewan Command President Rick Taylor said. “Our units, their members and friends have greatly benefited from these grants during the past years. We have used previous grants for furnishings, flooring, roofs, and appliances. We look forward once again to enhancing our units with this year’s grants. Thank you very much.”  

    More information about the program, guidelines and applications are available through the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command at 306-525-8739 or admin@sasklegion.ca.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS Minnesota Returns Home to Naval Base Guam

    Source: United States Navy

    NAVAL BASE GUAM (April 14, 2025) – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returned to its homeport of Naval Base Guam following its first operational tasking while forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, April 14, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Charles Wratto, Associate Professor of Peace, Politics, and Conflict Studies, Babes Bolyai University

    The use of child soldiers is a profound human tragedy that continues to scar generations across the world.

    According to the United Nations, over the years, thousands of children, some as young as six years old, have been manipulated, indoctrinated and coerced into joining armed groups.

    Many of these children have fought against peacekeeping troops in Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and US-led coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.

    The devastating effect of this grave, yet persistent, tragedy extends beyond the individual child. It tears communities and families apart and leaves generations scarred with the trauma of war long after the guns fall silent.

    International agreements like the Optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the Paris principles and commitments, the Rome statute and the Cape Town principles have condemned the practice. They provided legal and practical pathways to stop the use of child soldiers.

    Intervention campaigns like Child Soldiers International, the Children, Not Soldiers campaign, and the Kony 2012 campaign were launched to combat unlawful recruitment. They also raise awareness to protect child combatants in conflict regions.




    Read more:
    Why some rebel groups force kids to fight: it depends on how they are funded


    The International Criminal Court has held trials and convicted warlords responsible for the abduction and arming of children.

    The United Nations has published a list to “shame” governments and non-state actors that enlist minors in their armies.

    Despite these efforts, the problem persists as governments and insurgent groups recruit minors in various regions of the world.

    One of the reasons may be that children’s presence on the battlefield throws the training and ethics of professional soldiers off balance. Children are widely considered innocent, harmless, and deserving of care and protection. Harming them can cause severe emotional and psychological distress that conventional soldiers are ill-equipped to handle. Armed groups who use children can get a strategic advantage if they make adult soldiers feel guilt, terror, shame and cowardism.

    As a researcher in peace, politics and conflict studies and a former child soldier in the Liberian civil war, I have centred my studies on children in armed conflict and how states respond to crises and conflict.

    I am passionate about protecting children in conflict zones because I know what it means to experience violence at a very young age.

    I also understand, from my own experience, what it means to return to a society that saw me as a dangerous and irredeemable person and to find purpose in a world that labelled people like me as a “lost generation”.

    Based on my personal experiences and interaction with child soldiers, I identify six ways society can help protect children in conflict zones. They are: cutting off arms sales to conflict regions; providing continuous education during conflict; providing life-saving essentials; working with local communities; listening to children’s voices; and involving child soldiers in the implementation of disarmament and reintegration programmes.




    Read more:
    The old ways of reintegrating young veterans need to be abandoned


    Six ways to protect children in conflict zones

    Cut arm sales to conflict regions

    Armed groups often rely on the constant flow of small arms and light weapons to maintain their operations.

    The availability of these weapons enables groups to enlarge their forces, often using vulnerable children. Stopping weapons sales would undermine the effectiveness of these groups.

    If there are fewer arms, warlords will find it harder to lure children with false promises of protection and power. Warlords might have to create pathways for peace talks, and children could be demobilised.

    Under Charles Taylor, Liberia was a regional hub for illicit weapons trade and child soldier recruitment. The UN arms embargo in 2001 limited Taylor’s ability to resupply his troops, leading to his eventual exile and an end to the war in 2003. While an effective arms embargo may not end a war or child recruitment immediately, it can erode armed groups’ combat ability, pressuring them to negotiate, collapse, or lose their grip over vulnerable children.

    Provide life-saving essentials

    In war-torn places, poverty and starvation sometimes push families to hand over their children to armed groups in exchange for food.

    Given life-saving essentials such as food, shelter and medical care, families can be shielded from poverty. This will reduce voluntary enlistment.

    Microfinance initiatives that support small businesses, and provision of vocational training programmes, can also lift families from poverty.

    Continuous education during conflict

    Governments and multilateral institutions must provide emergency education
    and train teachers and caregivers in camps for internally displaced people.

    Being able to carry on with schooling in a safe environment can curb child recruitment and empower young people for the post-war reconstruction of their nations. Such sanctuaries should also include mobile counselling and trauma therapy centres where children can process their grief and experiences to rebuild trust.




    Read more:
    Adolescent girls in five African conflict zones share stories about their lives


    Work with local communities and leaders

    Governments, NGOs and policymakers must address existing grievances and empower local communities to assist in reintegrating former child soldiers. Reintegration involves not only children returning home but also ensuring communities are better prepared and equipped to welcome them.

    Partnering with local communities can also strengthen awareness about the dangers of child (re) recruitment.

    Ex-child soldiers as part of disarmament and reintegration

    Governments and humanitarian agencies must include former child soldiers in the design and implementation of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes.

    Their firsthand knowledge of the conscription process, combat realities, fears, nightmares and reintegration struggle offers unique insights. They can help create programmes that meet real needs.

    Although the current disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration guidelines emphasise children’s rights to disarm, they do not mention children’s inclusion in the development of effective life changing programmes.

    Listen to children’s voices

    Educational institutions, governments and peacebuilding agencies must take children’s contributions to peacebuilding seriously.

    Children bear the wounds of war. They have seen the destruction firsthand and have experienced various forms of loss and pain. This makes them not only observers of violence but also powerful advocates for peace.




    Read more:
    War affects girls and boys differently: what we found in our study of children in the DRC


    Why the world must act

    My experiences have taught me that no child is beyond redemption, particularly when given the right support and care they need.

    Child soldiers, though shaped by unfortunate circumstances, are not inherently violent. They should not be feared or stigmatised. They are victims who deserve healing, love and education.

    I was not given a gun because I was strong. I was handed one because I was weak, because children, stripped of alternatives, can be manipulated and turned into weapons of war.

    I survived not because I was better than others, I survived because someone, a Nigerian, refused to reduce me to the war I was forced into. This is why I believe everyone can play a role to protect children in conflict zones. Those who can, but refuse to, are no different from the warlords who enlisted the children.

    Charles Wratto is affiliated with the Center for Peace and Violence Prevention.

    – ref. I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones – https://theconversation.com/i-was-a-child-soldier-heres-what-itll-take-to-protect-young-lives-in-conflict-zones-245517

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Charles Wratto, Associate Professor of Peace, Politics, and Conflict Studies, Babes Bolyai University

    The use of child soldiers is a profound human tragedy that continues to scar generations across the world.

    According to the United Nations, over the years, thousands of children, some as young as six years old, have been manipulated, indoctrinated and coerced into joining armed groups.

    Many of these children have fought against peacekeeping troops in Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and US-led coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.

    The devastating effect of this grave, yet persistent, tragedy extends beyond the individual child. It tears communities and families apart and leaves generations scarred with the trauma of war long after the guns fall silent.

    International agreements like the Optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the Paris principles and commitments, the Rome statute and the Cape Town principles have condemned the practice. They provided legal and practical pathways to stop the use of child soldiers.

    Intervention campaigns like Child Soldiers International, the Children, Not Soldiers campaign, and the Kony 2012 campaign were launched to combat unlawful recruitment. They also raise awareness to protect child combatants in conflict regions.


    Read more: Why some rebel groups force kids to fight: it depends on how they are funded


    The International Criminal Court has held trials and convicted warlords responsible for the abduction and arming of children.

    The United Nations has published a list to “shame” governments and non-state actors that enlist minors in their armies.

    Despite these efforts, the problem persists as governments and insurgent groups recruit minors in various regions of the world.

    One of the reasons may be that children’s presence on the battlefield throws the training and ethics of professional soldiers off balance. Children are widely considered innocent, harmless, and deserving of care and protection. Harming them can cause severe emotional and psychological distress that conventional soldiers are ill-equipped to handle. Armed groups who use children can get a strategic advantage if they make adult soldiers feel guilt, terror, shame and cowardism.

    As a researcher in peace, politics and conflict studies and a former child soldier in the Liberian civil war, I have centred my studies on children in armed conflict and how states respond to crises and conflict.

    I am passionate about protecting children in conflict zones because I know what it means to experience violence at a very young age.

    I also understand, from my own experience, what it means to return to a society that saw me as a dangerous and irredeemable person and to find purpose in a world that labelled people like me as a “lost generation”.

    Based on my personal experiences and interaction with child soldiers, I identify six ways society can help protect children in conflict zones. They are: cutting off arms sales to conflict regions; providing continuous education during conflict; providing life-saving essentials; working with local communities; listening to children’s voices; and involving child soldiers in the implementation of disarmament and reintegration programmes.


    Read more: The old ways of reintegrating young veterans need to be abandoned


    Six ways to protect children in conflict zones

    Cut arm sales to conflict regions

    Armed groups often rely on the constant flow of small arms and light weapons to maintain their operations.

    The availability of these weapons enables groups to enlarge their forces, often using vulnerable children. Stopping weapons sales would undermine the effectiveness of these groups.

    If there are fewer arms, warlords will find it harder to lure children with false promises of protection and power. Warlords might have to create pathways for peace talks, and children could be demobilised.

    Under Charles Taylor, Liberia was a regional hub for illicit weapons trade and child soldier recruitment. The UN arms embargo in 2001 limited Taylor’s ability to resupply his troops, leading to his eventual exile and an end to the war in 2003. While an effective arms embargo may not end a war or child recruitment immediately, it can erode armed groups’ combat ability, pressuring them to negotiate, collapse, or lose their grip over vulnerable children.

    Provide life-saving essentials

    In war-torn places, poverty and starvation sometimes push families to hand over their children to armed groups in exchange for food.

    Given life-saving essentials such as food, shelter and medical care, families can be shielded from poverty. This will reduce voluntary enlistment.

    Microfinance initiatives that support small businesses, and provision of vocational training programmes, can also lift families from poverty.

    Continuous education during conflict

    Governments and multilateral institutions must provide emergency education and train teachers and caregivers in camps for internally displaced people.

    Being able to carry on with schooling in a safe environment can curb child recruitment and empower young people for the post-war reconstruction of their nations. Such sanctuaries should also include mobile counselling and trauma therapy centres where children can process their grief and experiences to rebuild trust.


    Read more: Adolescent girls in five African conflict zones share stories about their lives


    Work with local communities and leaders

    Governments, NGOs and policymakers must address existing grievances and empower local communities to assist in reintegrating former child soldiers. Reintegration involves not only children returning home but also ensuring communities are better prepared and equipped to welcome them.

    Partnering with local communities can also strengthen awareness about the dangers of child (re) recruitment.

    Ex-child soldiers as part of disarmament and reintegration

    Governments and humanitarian agencies must include former child soldiers in the design and implementation of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes.

    Their firsthand knowledge of the conscription process, combat realities, fears, nightmares and reintegration struggle offers unique insights. They can help create programmes that meet real needs.

    Although the current disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration guidelines emphasise children’s rights to disarm, they do not mention children’s inclusion in the development of effective life changing programmes.

    Listen to children’s voices

    Educational institutions, governments and peacebuilding agencies must take children’s contributions to peacebuilding seriously.

    Children bear the wounds of war. They have seen the destruction firsthand and have experienced various forms of loss and pain. This makes them not only observers of violence but also powerful advocates for peace.


    Read more: War affects girls and boys differently: what we found in our study of children in the DRC


    Why the world must act

    My experiences have taught me that no child is beyond redemption, particularly when given the right support and care they need.

    Child soldiers, though shaped by unfortunate circumstances, are not inherently violent. They should not be feared or stigmatised. They are victims who deserve healing, love and education.

    I was not given a gun because I was strong. I was handed one because I was weak, because children, stripped of alternatives, can be manipulated and turned into weapons of war.

    I survived not because I was better than others, I survived because someone, a Nigerian, refused to reduce me to the war I was forced into. This is why I believe everyone can play a role to protect children in conflict zones. Those who can, but refuse to, are no different from the warlords who enlisted the children.

    – I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones
    – https://theconversation.com/i-was-a-child-soldier-heres-what-itll-take-to-protect-young-lives-in-conflict-zones-245517

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Navy Secretary Embarks Gerald R. Ford for First Carrier Visit

    Source: United States Navy

    ATLANTIC OCEAN – Secretary of the Navy John Phelan embarked USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, to observe the strike group’s Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), Apr. 10-11. The visit was the Secretary’s first visit to an operational carrier strike group since becoming the 79th Secretary of the Navy on March 25, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Law’s Anna VanCleave Recognized for Criminal Law Research Project

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn Law Professor Anna VanCleave has been selected as a Bellow Scholar, a program run by the Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Clinical Legal Education’s Committee on Lawyering in the Public Interest.

    Every two years, the program recognizes and supports the empirical research projects of clinical law professors who increase the quality of justice in marginalized communities, enhance the delivery of legal services, and promote economic and social justice. The selection process is highly competitive and VanCleave’s project was unanimously supported by the committee.

    “I’m so honored to be part of the Bellow Scholars program,” said VanCleave, director of UConn Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic. “I’m lucky to have so much support at UConn to develop research like this, and I’m especially grateful for my collaborators, Jackie and Ray Boyd at Next Level Empowerment, and my colleague Erin Romano, all of whom bring a lot of wisdom to the work on bail in Connecticut.”

    VanCleave’s project is titled “Bail, Detention, and Pretrial Procedures in Connecticut: An Analysis of Current Practices and Recommendations for the Elimination of Cash Bail.” She is working with Next Level Empowerment, a non-profit organization that supports formerly incarcerated people and their families in Connecticut.

    “Collaboration is the cornerstone of innovation and growth,” Next Level Empowerment Program Executive Director Jacqueline James-Boyd said. “By supporting Anna VanCleave as a recipient of the Bellow Scholars Program, NLEP is not only investing in individual excellence but also fostering a community of shared knowledge and transformative ideas. Together, we can amplify our impact and inspire future generations.”

    Broadly, the project aims to answer the question how well do current procedures function for assessing which individuals should be detained?

    Specifically, the project will study three driving factors. It will examine if courts are adhering to procedures for bail hearings, automatic bail review hearings and hearings on bail modification motions. It will seek to find how often defense lawyers are filing motions for bail modification. It will also assess how well the existing procedures anticipate who will be deemed a risk to public safety at the conclusion of the case.

    VanCleave will analyze current Connecticut pretrial procedures, using data to understand how well the criminal procedures are ensuring that people are not being detailed pretrial who do not need to be.

    The project aims to gather data on bail and detention practices and impacts that will inform discussions about the current practices and the necessary components of a bail reform package.

    “Professor VanCleave is an innovative and outstanding scholar who has significantly enriched our intellectual community at UConn Law,” Dean Eboni S. Nelson said. “Her commitment to excellence, justice, and service has had a wonderful impact on her students, clients, and community both inside and outside Connecticut. I’m thrilled that the committee honored her with this well-deserved recognition.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Scholten Calls for Immediate Action to Prevent Costly Delays in Grand Haven Dredging Project

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Hillary Scholten – Michigan

    WASHINGTON – After months of ongoing communication with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Governor’s office, U.S. Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI03) called on the Governor and EGLE’s director to prevent costly delays in the dredging of Grand Haven’s Inner Harbor—a project critical to West Michigan’s economy.

    “We’ve been working for months to protect Grand Haven’s necessary dredging schedule, but we’re now at a tipping point,” said Rep. Scholten. “This isn’t just a bureaucratic delay—it’s a potential economic crisis for West Michigan. I’m urging the state to act now so we don’t lose out on critical federal funding, drive up costs for Michigan families, and risk Grand Haven becoming unnavigable. We can protect our Great Lakes and our local economy at the same time, but only if we act quickly and collaboratively.”

    Scholten has been actively working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Whitmer Administration, and EGLE since January to prevent delays to the project. While the USACE has funds and a dredging plan ready to go, they require final sediment disposal standards from EGLE before they can proceed. EGLE finalized draft sediment guidance on April 8—just weeks before the dredging cycle was set to begin.

    Scholten pressed the Whitmer Administration and EGLE to pursue immediate solutions, including the possibility of a one-time permit or temporary extension that would allow dredging to proceed while broader PFAS disposal standards are finalized.

    A delay threatens serious consequences: Grand Haven’s harbor supports over 450 jobs and generates $88.8 million annually in regional economic impact. A missed dredging cycle could increase shipping costs by 25 to 30%, disrupt road and agricultural supply chains across Michigan, and result in an estimated $3 to 5 million in additional costs that could ultimately fall on consumers.

    The dredging of Grand Haven’s Inner Harbor is also vital for delivering aggregate materials used in construction and agriculture across the state. Without dredging, nearly 2 million tons of materials may go undelivered this year, creating ripple effects across industries and potentially overwhelming nearby harbors unequipped to handle the volume. Efficient transportation of road-building materials is critical to meeting the Whitmer Administration’s road repair goals. Ensuring reliable cargo shipping channels will help support ongoing construction efforts and keep projects on track—an area of shared concern and commitment. 

    In the letter, Scholten acknowledged the dangers of forever chemicals on the Great Lakes and supports the need for thoughtful standards to guide their management. She also stressed the importance of moving forward in a timely and pragmatic way that safeguards water quality without stalling critical infrastructure and economic projects.

    Since the issue was first raised, Rep. Scholten has kept local officials informed and continues to advocate for a timely, environmentally responsible solution that keeps Grand Haven’s harbor open for business and ensures public health protections remain in place. 

    Full text is available at the link here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM, Union Coalition Sues Trump Administration Over Cuts to Key Labor Relations Agency

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    The IAM Union, along with the AFL-CIO and several affiliated unions that represent workers across private and public sector industries, sued the Trump administration over its dismantling of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), including firing mediators and staff, and closing field offices across the country.

    “The Trump administration’s reckless attempt to eliminate FMCS is yet another attack on working people and our rights to collectively bargain,” said IAM International President Brian Bryant. “FMCS is a small, but vitally important agency that serves as a much-needed independent arbiter during negotiations between workers and employers. For the IAM Union, FMCS has been vital in resolving contract disputes with national and international economic consequences, including a strike of 4,300 U.S. Navy shipbuilders at Bath Iron Works, and helping to avoid work stoppages on numerous occasions. We are proud to stand with our partners in the labor movement to fight back against this illegal attack on the rights of all working families.”

    FMCS is a small but important independent federal agency that is integral to the federal government’s labor relations infrastructure. Among the critical services FMCS provides is helping resolve contract negotiations between workers and employers to protect both the economy and workers’ rights, generating more than $500 million in national economic savings each year, even by conservative estimates. But Elon Musk’s DOGE cuts have decimated the agency: 93% of FMCS staff have been placed on leave, the mediation workforce has been taken down from the 80 to 100 needed for the agency’s work to just five, and all of the field offices have been closed. 

    “FMCS is a little-known but critical government agency that works to bring labor and management together to solve problems between workers and employers—and it’s illegally under attack by Elon Musk and his DOGE,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Without FMCS, there will be longer and drawn-out contract negotiations, as well as delays in implementing increased wages and improved benefits won through collective bargaining. The unnecessary cuts to FMCS make absolutely no economic sense and will cost taxpayers, consumers, businesses and workers. Congress created FMCS nearly 80 years ago, and only an act of Congress can shutter it. I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our affiliated unions today in filing this lawsuit to challenge this illegal, cruel and wrong-headed action by DOGE.”

    The legal challenge was brought by the AFL-CIO, IAM, AFGE, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, and United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and other affiliated unions that have worked with FMCS mediators in labor disputes with their members’ employers. Many were actively engaged in collective bargaining negotiations with FMCS when the mediator was forced to abruptly leave or cancel the negotiations because they had been placed on leave. With only five mediators remaining at FMCS, these unions and their workers will be left in the lurch, working under expired contracts or no contracts, and strikes or lockouts are much more likely to occur.

    The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint can be found online here.

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: 25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Kominoski, Professor of Biological Sciences, Florida International University

    The Everglades has often been referred to as a vast river of grass. National Park Service/B.Call via Flickr

    Do you know where your drinking water comes from?

    In South Florida, drinking water comes from the Everglades, a vast landscape of wetlands that has long filtered the water relied on by millions of people.

    But as the Everglades has shrunk over the past century, the region’s water supply and water quality have become increasingly threatened, including by harmful algal blooms fueled by agriculture runoff. Now, the water supply faces another rising challenge: saltwater intrusion.

    Waterways cut through the Everglades.
    South Florida Water Management District/Flickr, CC BY-ND

    Protecting South Florida’s water hinges on restoring the Everglades. That’s why, 25 years ago, the federal government and universities launched the world’s largest ecosystem restoration effort ever attempted.

    I’m involved in this work as an ecosystem ecologist. The risks I see suggest continuing to restore the Everglades is more crucial today than ever.

    What happened to the Everglades?

    The Florida Everglades is a broad mosaic of fresh water, sawgrass marshes, cypress domes and tree islands, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows all connected by water.

    But it is half its original size. In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began installing canals and levees to control flooding in the Everglades, which allowed people to build farms and communities along its edges. The Tamiami Trail became the first road across the Everglades in 1928. It connected Tampa to Miami, but the road and canals cut off or diverted some of the natural water flow in South Florida.

    Maps show how the Everglades changed over time. Source: USGS.

    Since then, Florida’s economy, agriculture and population have exploded – and with them has come a nutrient pollution problem in the Everglades.

    The major crop, sugarcane, is grown in a region south of Lake Okeechobee covering 1,100 square miles that’s known as the Everglades Agricultural Area. Nearly 80 tons of phosphorus fertilizer from federally subsidized farm fields runs off into the Everglades wetlands each year. And that has become a water quality concern. Drinking water with elevated nitrogen is linked to human health problems, and elevated phosphorus and associated algal blooms can cause microbes to accumulate toxins such as mercury.

    Healthy wetlands can filter out those nutrients and other pollutants, cleaning the water.

    Some of the ways the Everglades filters water contaminated with phosphorus.
    South Florida Water Management District

    Rain falling in the Everglades percolates through the porous limestone and recharges the Biscayne Aquifer, which supplies drinking water for 1 in 3 Floridians.

    But wetlands need time and space to function properly, and the damage from farm pollution has harmed that natural filtering system.

    By the 1990s, Everglades wetlands and the wildlife they support hit a critical stress level from elevated concentrations of phosphorus, a nutrient in fertilizer that washes off farm fields and fuels the growth of toxic algal blooms and invasive species that can choke out native plant populations.

    The changes led to seagrass die-offs and widespread invasion of sawgrass marshes by cattail and harmful algal blooms. Degraded wetlands can themselves become pollution sources that can contaminate surface water and groundwater quality by decreasing oxygen in the water, which can harm aquatic life, and releasing chemicals and nutrients as they decay.

    A vast restoration campaign

    Congress approved the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in 2000 to support reducing phosphorus concentrations by recreating large wetlands areas to remove excess nutrients and reestablishing more of the natural water depth to bolster native populations.

    That restoration effort is making progress in reconnecting wetlands to natural water flows by rehydrating large areas that were cut off. Phosphorus levels are lower in many wetlands that now remain hydrated longer, and in these wetlands fresh water is recharging the aquifer, helping sustain the drinking water supply.

    However, delays in critically important components of that work have left some wetlands in degraded conditions for longer than expected, especially in regions near and downstream of the Everglades Agricultural Area, where phosphorus concentrations remain stubbornly high.

    An algal bloom spreads in Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, at the heart of the Everglades.
    Nicholas Aumen/USGS

    South Florida continues to experience harmful algal blooms from phosphorus reaching rivers and the coast, resulting in fish kills and the deaths of manatees. Red tide can shut down fishing and keep beach-going tourists away, harming local economies. This pollution is estimated to have cost Florida’s economy US$2.7 billion in 2018.

    The unexpected risk: Saltwater

    An unforeseen threat has also started to creep into the Everglades: saltwater.

    As sea level rises, saltwater reaches further inland, both in rivers and underground through the porous limestone beneath South Florida. Saltwater intrusion also occurs when wells draw down aquifers to provide water for drinking or irrigation. That saltwater is causing parts of the Everglades marshes, often referred to as a river of grass, to collapse into open water.

    Saltwater intrusion into South Miami and how Everglades restoration can help. Source: Emily Northrop and Rachael Johnson, University of Miami.
    The red line shows how far saltwater had intruded into aquifers beneath Fort Lauderdale as of 2019.
    South Florida Water Management District

    The loss of these freshwater marshes reduces the capacity of the Everglades to remove phosphorus from the water. And that means more nutrients flowing downstream, contaminating aquifers and causing harmful algal blooms to form in coastal waters.

    Scientists have learned that marsh plants need freshwater pulses during the wet season, from April to November, to avoid saltwater intrusion.

    For example, saltwater intruded about one mile inland between 2009 and 2019 in parts of the Fort Lauderdale area. More fresh water is needed to push the saltwater back out to sea.

    However, the restoration effort was never intended to combat saltwater intrusion.

    Reasons for optimism

    Despite the continuing challenges, I am optimistic because of how scientists, policymakers and communities are working together to protect the Everglades and drinking water.

    I lead part of that restoration work through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research program. The effort started at Florida International University on May 1, 2000, the same year the Everglades restoration plan was authorized by Congress.

    Our research was used to set the levels of nutrients allowable to still protect the region’s water supplies, and we have been working for 25 years to reduce saltwater intrusion and phosphorus pollution to ensure drinking water for South Florida remains both fresh and clean. We continually use our research to inform water managers and policymakers of the best practices to reduce saltwater intrusion and pollution.

    A roseate spoonbill hunts for dinner in Everglades National Park.
    National Park Service, R. Cammauf, via Flickr

    As saltwater intrusion continues to threaten South Florida’s freshwater aquifer, Everglades restoration and protection will be increasingly important.

    Everyone in the region can help.

    By rehabilitating degraded wetlands, allowing for more fresh water to flow throughout the Everglades ecosystems, reducing the use of fresh water on lawns and crops, and reusing municipal water for outdoor needs, South Florida can keep its drinking water safe for generations of future residents and visitors. This is something that everyone can contribute to.

    Mangroves along Turner River in the Everglades.
    Chauncey Davis/Flickr, CC BY

    Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Miami’s renowned conservationist who helped establish the Everglades National Park, often said, “The Everglades is a test. If we pass it, we may get to keep the planet.”

    John Kominoski works for Florida International University. He receives funding from federal agencies, such as the National Park Service and the National Science Foundation.

    – ref. 25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising – https://theconversation.com/25-years-of-everglades-restoration-has-improved-drinking-water-for-millions-in-florida-but-a-new-risk-is-rising-253167

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Europe: Children affected by war receive support in new OSCE-equipped spaces in Ukraine

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Children affected by war receive support in new OSCE-equipped spaces in Ukraine

    Three dedicated centres equipped to provide psychological assistance to children affected by war and their caregivers were opened on 15 April — two in Vinnytsia and one in Pohrebyshche. The initiative is implemented by the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine (SPU) in partnership with the National Social Service of Ukraine (NSSU), local authorities such as the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration and local communities.
    The support spaces — named “Tvii” after the Ukrainian word for “Yours” — offer a wide range of services: from group sessions, art therapy and individual consultations with professionals for children to legal, psychological and informational support for parents and guardians. The centres are located on the premises of municipal facilities, and staffed by trained psychologists and social workers.
    “The ‘Tvii’ spaces are not about opening new institutions, but about meaningfully strengthening the existing support systems within communities. This is a new model of service delivery that becomes part of the local infrastructure and will remain with the community for the long term,” said Vasyl Lutsyk, Head of NSSU.
    The OSCE refurbished and equipped the rooms — with furniture, toys and books — and covered all staff expenses for the first year. Thereafter, the management and operation of the spaces will be transferred to local communities to ensure long-term sustainability.
    “There are numerous studies stating that childhood traumas can seriously affect the rest of one’s life. And what could be more traumatising than an ongoing war? While some things cannot be undone, it is important that we help the affected children overcome their tragic experiences,” said Pierre Baussand, Chief of Operations at OSCE SPU. “Opening comfort spaces where children and their parents can get such assistance is an important step in this direction. We hope that, together with our Ukrainian partners, we will generate positive practices that inspire communities across the country to do everything in our power to mitigate the effects of the war on minors”.
    Nine more “Tvii” spaces are scheduled to open in the Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia regions by the end of the year. To further strengthen the capacity of national and local authorities to provide assistance to those in need, the OSCE delivered 12 trainings for 350 social workers and psychologists in 2024.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Joint Statement: 16th Ukraine Defence Contact Group – National Armaments Directors Format

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Joint Statement: 16th Ukraine Defence Contact Group – National Armaments Directors Format

    Joint Statement from Ukraine, Germany and the United Kingdom, co-chairs of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG).

    MOD Crown Copyright.

    On Friday 11 April the National Armaments Directors (NADs) from over 40 nations met at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. They were supported by multiple international government organisations.

    They agreed to ensure that the commitments made in the UDCG Ministerial Format are rapidly converted into contracts with industry and the tangible delivery of support to Ukraine to ensure Ukraine is able to sustain the resolute defence of her sovereignty and her people and negotiate a lasting and secure peace.

    MOD Crown Copyright.

    The UDCG NAD Format, co-chaired by Ukraine, Germany and the UK and building on the work of the US since its inception, will report its progress to the June ministerial meeting.

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    Published 15 April 2025

    Invasion of Ukraine

    • UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals
    • Move to the UK if you’re coming from Ukraine
    • Homes for Ukraine: record your interest
    • Find out about the UK’s response

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Duck Creek Technologies Appoints General Daniel Hokanson, USA, Ret. to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duck Creek Technologies, the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, has announced the appointment of General Daniel Hokanson, USA, Ret. to the company’s board of directors. He brings deep expertise and experience in leading organizations through the development and implementation of detailed strategic policy to Duck Creek’s board.

    Hokanson is a retired 4-Star General who served as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the 29th Chief of the National Guard Bureau. In this role, he was a military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council. He also served as the Department of Defense’s channel of communications to the Governors and State Adjutants General.

    “Dan is an accomplished and decorated leader, and we are excited to have him join the Duck Creek Board of Directors,” said Michael Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. “As we continue to expand globally and help insurance companies tackle tough challenges resulting from climate change and increasingly complex regulatory environments, his unique skill set will be instrumental in guiding Duck Creek.”

    As Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Hokanson oversaw the Guard’s historic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, civil disturbances, and numerous natural disasters, while simultaneously meeting every global military operations requirement. He also led the National Guard and Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which includes over 100 member countries, regularly conducting senior government and military leader engagements worldwide.

    A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in aerospace engineering, Hokanson also earned master’s degrees in international security and civil-military relations from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He also completed the Department of Defense year-long National Security Fellowship at Harvard University.

    “I am honored to join Duck Creek Technologies’ board of directors. The company’s dedication to innovation and excellence in the insurance industry strongly aligns with my values and experience,” said Hokanson. “I look forward to supporting Duck Creek’s mission to shape the future of property and casualty insurance while helping the industry navigate its evolving challenges.”

    Hokanson’s role was sourced through the external board program operated by Vista Equity Partners, a global technology investor that specializes in enterprise software and a majority investor in Duck Creek. Launched in 2017, the board program leverages Vista’s ecosystem and additional resources to identify, train, and appoint qualified board candidates for its portfolio companies. The program works to create a pipeline of highly talented board candidates through programs and partnerships that will drive results for the corporate world at large.

    About Duck Creek Technologies   
    Duck Creek Technologies is the global intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance industry. We are the platform upon which modern insurance systems are built, enabling the industry to capitalize on the power of the cloud to run agile, intelligent, and evergreen operations. Authenticity, purpose, and transparency are core to Duck Creek, and we believe insurance should be there for individuals and businesses when, where, and how they need it most. Our market-leading solutions are available on a standalone basis or as a full suite, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.com to learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information – LinkedIn and X.

    Media Contacts:   
    Marianne Dempsey/Tara Stred   
    duckcreek@threeringsinc.com 

    The MIL Network –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Video: Is this the WORST Army training or what?

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #Shorts

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoehmeYcz1Y

    MIL OSI Video –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s article on building leading country in culture to be published

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

    BEIJING, April 15 — An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on accelerating the process of building China into a leading country in culture will be published on Wednesday.

    The article by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year’s eighth issue of Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.

    The article states that building China into a leading country in culture bears on the overall Chinese modernization drive, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and the improvement of international competitiveness.

    It emphasizes staying committed to the strategic goal of building China into a leading country in culture by 2035, which will lay a solid cultural foundation for building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation.

    The article makes requirements for accelerating the building of a leading country in culture from five aspects: staying firmly on the path of a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, inspiring the cultural creativity of the entire nation, prioritizing the people in cultural development, carrying forward Chinese cultural heritage through creative transformation and innovative development, and continuously enhancing China’s cultural soft power and the appeal of Chinese culture.

    The article urges Party committees and governments at all levels to place cultural advancement in a prominent position, strengthen leadership, and create a powerful collective force for building a leading country in culture.

    MIL OSI China News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Groundbreaking Work Reaffirms UConn’s Excellence in Laser Research

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    From studying the mysterious fabric of our universe to advancing quantum computing to enabling communication over vast distances, ultrafast laser technologies drive advancements across many fields and applications. New research is taking lasers – and UConn – further.

    UConn Department of Physics researchers – including lead author and Ph.D. student Kevin Watson, research faculty Tobias Saule, Professor Carlos Trallero, Professor and member of the National Academy of Science Nora Berrah, Professor and Department Head George Gibson, and their co-authors – have broken new ground by achieving higher peak power and average power in optical pulses than ever before with a novel class of lasers. Their findings are published in Optica.

    Trallero says this research studies how lasers with high peak power and high average power interact with molecular gas. The high peak and average powers mean each laser pulse, though quick, is very intense.

    “As a laser propagates, it interacts non-linearly with the molecules, and in doing so, it creates new frequency components,” he says.

    Trallero explains these newly created components allow researchers to alter other qualities of the laser pulse, such as making the pulses shorter in duration.

    “Before this paper was published, the established knowledge was that for very intense lasers, the repetition of the laser pulses could not be too high, because what happens is they would heat up the molecules too much, and in doing so, the laser would stop targeting the molecules in such a way that would allow it to add more frequencies,” says Trallero.

    The world record for using nitrogen molecular gas to broaden these pulses was around 20 watts of average power. However, with this research, Trallero and his collaborators were able to break new ground and increase the pulses by more than a factor of ten to 250 watts.

    “We prove that not only can we increase this, but that we are not limited by how many pulses in time we have, but that the limitation is really the structure of the molecule,” says Trallero. “As long as the pulses have a certain pulse duration, we can propagate these very intense pulses through any gas. The limitation is not the power of the laser but the relationship between the short pulses and the structure of the molecules we are propagating through, in particular, the role of the rotational and vibrational structure. This is kind of a big deal.”

    This research could help advance the use of high-power lasers in applications ranging from defense to long-range communication, and the authors believe it will inform future directed energy research.

    “All of these lasers carry what we call directed energy. For example, if you want to direct energy for communication, say from here to Mars, you have to go through Earth’s atmosphere, then Mars’s atmosphere,” says Trallero. “That’s a lot of molecular gases, and you don’t want those lasers to change too much. Knowing how these powerful lasers can propagate is relevant knowledge for a lot of things.”

    This project has been in the making for many years, and the purchase of the state-of-the-art laser was made possible with money from a grant from the CLAS Research Equipment Funding Program and a collaboration between UConn, Few-cycle,  Amphos, and the TRUMPF Group. Though progress was initially stalled by the pandemic and the challenges of working across three countries, the collaboration has been making great strides since. In January, Trallero and collaborators met with the TRUMPF Americas group, to demonstrate this new research and explore a formal joint research agreement with UConn. This collaboration links UConn researchers and students with TRUMPF, which is one of the largest lasers companies in the world.

    “I think it shows that we can do great things with these world-class lasers, and here at UConn, we have people who are extremely well recognized in this field, which helps put UConn on the map for sure,” says Trallero.

    The partnership solidifies UConn’s position as a world-class laser research institution and helps ensure UConn students are well-connected to industry opportunities both before and after they graduate. Trallero points out that there are many other UConn researchers who are prominent in the optics field, including Berrah and Dean of the College of Engineering Ji-Cheng ‘JC’ Zhao.

    As a pioneer in the field, Trallero and his research group are busy putting the technology to the test for both applied and fundamental research. One project funded by the Department of Energy is at the most fundamental level, where the researchers are attempting to capture three-dimensional movies of electron motion in molecules in real-time.

    Trallero’s group is also utilizing a technique called attosecond interferometry in which very short laser pulses can interfere with one another. This interference allows for very precise measurements between molecules in each wave taken at the attosecond time scale.

    “The laser pulses are extremely short,” says Trallero. “I like to use the comparison used for the 2023 Nobel Prize in physics. If you think about a second, and you think about the entire life of the universe, of roughly 13 and a half billion years, there have been as many seconds in the entire history of the universe as there are attoseconds in one second. In my lab we have not just one attosecond pulse, we have two. We can interfere them, and that interference gives us access to the zeptosecond time scale which is 10 to the minus 21 seconds. With this new laser, we are hopeful that we can break the 10 to the minus 24 seconds, or yactoseconds.”

    Trallero says it can be hard to wrap one’s mind around these incredibly tiny timeframes. However, this fundamental knowledge, coupled with strong ties to industry giants, has massive potential to push the boundaries of innovation.

    Gibson is very enthusiastic about this research and says,

    “When I first came to UConn in 1993, I designed and built the first high-repetition rate femtosecond laser in Connecticut, as they were not yet commercially available. It is very gratifying to see how UConn has continued to lead in this field with the arrival of Professor Berrah and then Professor. Trallero. They have each broken new ground in ultrafast physics and technology, making UConn an internationally recognized center for ultrafast science.”

    This work was made possible with funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (FA9550-21-1-0387); Office of Naval Research (N00014-18-1-2872, N00014-19-1-2339); Basic Energy Sciences (DE-SC0024508), US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, & Biosciences Division, the Directed Energy Professional Society, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences of the University of Connecticut.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 16, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova: The plan to celebrate the 650th anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo includes a whole block of events for the social development of the region and the restoration of cultural heritage sites

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, head of the Russian Historical Society Sergei Naryshkin and the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Central Federal District Igor Shchegolev held a meeting of the organizing committee for preparations for the celebration of the 650th anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo. The members of the organizing committee summed up the preliminary results and determined further areas of work in preparation for the anniversary. The event took place in the Government House.

    “In 2030, we will celebrate one of the significant events in the history of Russia – the 650th anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo. This event has become a symbol of the unity of our people, cohesion and exceptional strength of spirit in the face of an external threat. The plan of the main events was approved in 2021 and includes 66 events. It is important that the plan includes not only festive events, but also a whole block aimed at the social development of the region, the restoration and repair of cultural heritage sites, as well as educational projects,” said Deputy Prime Minister, co-chair of the organizing committee Tatyana Golikova.

    She emphasized that the implementation of the plan began in 2022. Six events have been completed. In 2024, the Russian Ministry of Culture, together with the government of the Tula Region, completed work on adapting the building of the chambers in Venev for a museum complex; a modern local history museum was opened and equipped there. The Cultural Development Center was built in Venev. Navigation in the Kulikovsky tourism and recreation cluster was improved, and the Kulikovo Battle: Archaeological VR Quest project was developed and implemented. The Palace of Culture of Machine Builders in Uzlovaya and the Mobile Culture and Leisure Center in Kimovsk were renovated at the expense of the regional budget.

    “The victory at Kulikovo Field, won by the united Russian army under the command of Dmitry Donskoy, is one of those turning points in Russian history, during which our people defended their freedom and right to the future. Therefore, it is rightly placed on a par with the famous Battle on the Ice, the Battle of Borodino and the Battle of Stalingrad. The theme of the legacy of the Battle of Kulikovo deserves special attention from our organizing committee. Many members of the Russian Historical Society have proposed relevant projects. The plan includes initiatives from the Institute of Archaeology, the Institute of Russian History and the Institute of General History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as the State Historical Museum and the Central Museum of the Armed Forces. A number of events are planned by regional branches of the Russian Historical Society in the Tula and Kaluga regions. The History of the Fatherland Foundation will also make its contribution to organizing the celebration,” said the head of the Russian Historical Society and co-chairman of the organizing committee Sergei Naryshkin.

    The Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in the Central Federal District, co-chairman of the organizing committee Igor Shchegolev noted that the plan turned out to be very intense. He emphasized that the 650th anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo is an event of national scale. It is important to pay special attention to holding events not only in the Tula Region, but also in Moscow and the Moscow Region.

    First Deputy Minister of Culture Sergei Obryvalin reported that a number of publishing and exhibition projects are already being implemented. This year, the State Museum-Reserve “Kulikovo Pole” will publish thematic guidebooks “From Nepryadva to Ugra”, “From Vozha to Don”, “Along the Upper Don”, a collection of documents “The Era of the Battle of Kulikovo and Dmitry Donskoy”, and will also host a conference “The Battle of Kulikovo in National Historical Memory, Literature and Art”.

    Tula Region Governor Dmitry Milyaev reported that, within the framework of the main plan, more than 100 creative competitions, round tables and intellectual competitions among students dedicated to the Battle of Kulikovo were held in the region in 2024 alone, scientific conferences, thematic exhibitions and festivals were organized. Among them is the traveling exhibition of Ilya Glazunov “Kulikovo Field”, which includes 22 monumental canvases by the artist, donated by him to the Tula Museum of Fine Arts. The Tula Drama Theater staged the play “Dmitry”. Every year, with the support of the regional government, the Day of Military Glory is celebrated on the anniversary of the Battle of Kulikovo, and the regional youth historical and cultural forum “Peresvet” is also held. Municipalities that are part of the Kulikovo cluster are developing.

    Director of the State Military-Historical and Natural Museum-Reserve “Kulikovo Pole” Vladimir Gritsenko spoke about the projects that the museum is preparing for the anniversary of the battle.

    Following the meeting, the members of the organizing committee agreed to supplement the plan of events.

    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 –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI China: Xi attends wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam, attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

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    MIL OSI China News –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Does Russia have military interest in Indonesia? Here’s what we know – and why Australia would be concerned

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Sussex, Associate Professor (Adj), Griffith Asia Institute; and Fellow, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University

    A news report that Russia has sought to base long-range aircraft in Indonesia caught Australia’s political leaders by surprise during an already hectic election campaign.

    The military publication Janes reported on Tuesday that Russia had requested permission for its aircraft to be based at the Manuhua Air Force Base in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua.

    The base is just 1,300 kilometres away from Darwin.

    Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles issued a statement denying the report, saying his Indonesian counterpart assured him there would be no Russian planes based in Indonesia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was seeking “further clarification” with Jakarta about the Janes report.

    Janes is a respected outlet when it comes to defence news, so it’s likely the Russians did float the idea, even if it might have been done at lower levels.

    Why would Russia be cosying up to Indonesia?

    Since Prabowo Subianto came to power as Indonesia’s new president last October, Moscow and Jakarta have sought to deepen their military ties. In fact, the two countries conducted their first-ever joint naval exercises a month after Prabowo took office.

    But this isn’t a totally new strategy by Moscow, which has tried on numerous occasions to pivot to Asia to give itself more economic heft and leverage in the region.

    The Kremlin is also cognisant that Europe won’t be a friend for the foreseeable future. As such, it’s even more pressing for Russia to establish itself as a player in the Indo-Pacific region – and with that comes a miltary and security presence.

    About ten years ago, for instance, the Russian regime secured an agreement with Vietnam to allow its air force to refuel their aircraft at a former US base in the country. Russia also had interest in reestablishing a submarine base in Vietnam and has sold submarines to the country.

    In addition, Moscow has sought to sell defence technology and fighter jets to Indonesia for some time, seeing it as a potentially lucrative market for Russian arms. Beyond defence, the bilateral relationship has also focused on energy and education.

    These attempts to deepen Moscow-Jakarta ties form part of a targeted Russian campaign to boost its relationships with a number of Southeast Asian nations.

    What about the timing?

    If the Janes report is accurate, the timing of the purported approach from Russia would be interesting. The report said it came after a meeting between Sergei Shoigu (recently demoted from Russia’s defence minister to an inferior role as secretary of the Russian Security Council) and Indonesia’s defence minister in February of this year.

    At the time, the United States was distracted by the first chaotic weeks of US President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

    So, if Russia did make such a request, it would be highly opportunistic, especially given Jakarta has been keen to deepen ties with Moscow.

    It is also noteworthy that Indonesia recently joined the BRICS, the group of rapidly emerging economies that also includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and Russia, among others.




    Read more:
    Indonesia’s BRICS agenda: 2 reasons Prabowo’s foreign policy contrasts with Jokowi’s


    How concerned should Australia be?

    Even though both Canberra and Jakarta dismissed the report, there was good reason for Australia to be concerned.

    Russia’s long-range aviation assets, notably the venerable Tu-95, which is used for reconnaissance as well as strategic bombing, can easily travel over 10,000 kilometres.

    From a base in Indonesia, this would give the Russian air force the ability to conduct ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaisance) missions during Australian military exercises, gather data on military installations in the Northern Territory (which also host US Marines), and even conduct surveillance on US military activities in Guam.

    Equally, given the closeness of ties between Beijing and Moscow, any Russian intelligence that was gathered could be shared with China.

    The reported Russian military interest in Indonesia will also have irritated Australian foreign policy makers, especially since Canberra has invested significant diplomatic capital in boosting Australia-Indonesia ties.

    Fortunately, the closeness of the relationship, which includes recently upgraded defence ties, will also have allowed for some plain speaking from Australian interlocutors.

    They will doubtless have pointed out that agreeing to any such Kremlin request would cast significant doubt on Indonesian claims about non-alignment. It would also be viewed unfavourably by other regional actors, who have no interest in seeing an enhanced Russian military presence in the region.

    The assurance from Jakarta that no Russian planes would be based in Indonesia is therefore a positive development.

    But ultimately the reported Russian request is another example of the messy and fragmented world we now live in.

    It highlights the reality that Australia will sometimes have to do business with partners who have friends we don’t like. Under those conditions, being firm on issues that threaten our national interests – like the prospective basing of military assets by a hostile power close to our shores – becomes all the more important.

    Matthew Sussex has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Atlantic Council, the Fulbright Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, the Lowy Institute and various Australian government departments and agencies.

    – ref. Does Russia have military interest in Indonesia? Here’s what we know – and why Australia would be concerned – https://theconversation.com/does-russia-have-military-interest-in-indonesia-heres-what-we-know-and-why-australia-would-be-concerned-254601

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Economics: Artificial Intelligence fuels rise of hard-to-detect bots that now make up more than half of global internet traffic, according to the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Artificial Intelligence fuels rise of hard-to-detect bots that now make up more than half of global internet traffic, according to the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report

    15 Apr 2025

    Share this article

    • Rise in accessible AI tools significantly lowered the barrier to entry for cyber attackers, enabling them to create and deploy malicious bots at scale.
    • For the first time in a decade, automated traffic surpassed human activity, accounting for 51% of all web traffic.
    • API-directed attacks surged to 44% of advanced bot traffic, with the travel sector topping the list for bot attacks overall.

    Thales, the leading global technology and security provider, today announced the release of the 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report, a global analysis of automated bot traffic across the internet. This year’s report, the 12thannual research study, reveals that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the development of bots, allowing less sophisticated actors to launch a higher volume of bot attacks with increased frequency. Today’s attackers are also leveraging AI to scrutinize their unsuccessful attempts and refine techniques to evade security measures with heightened efficiency, amidst a growing Bots-As-A-Service (BaaS) ecosystem of commercialized bot services.


    Automated bot traffic surpassed human-generated traffic for the first time in a decade, constituting 51% of all web traffic in 2024. This shift is largely attributed to the rise of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), which have simplified the creation and scaling of bots for malicious purposes. As AI tools become more accessible, cyber criminals are increasingly leveraging these technologies to create and deploy malicious bots which now account for 37% of all internet traffic – a significant increase from 32% in 2023. This is the sixth consecutive year of growth in bad bot activity, posing security challenges for organizations striving to safeguard their digital assets.

    Both the Travel and the Retail sectors face an advanced bot problem, with bad bots making up 41% and 59% of their traffic respectively. In 2024, the travel industry became the most attacked sector, accounting for 27% of all bot attacks, up from 21% in 2023. The most notable shift in 2024 is the decline in advanced bot attacks targeting the travel industry (41%, down from 61% in 2023) and the sharp increase in simple bot attacks (52%, up from 34%). This shift indicates that AI-powered automation tools have lowered the barriers to entry for attackers, allowing less sophisticated actors to initiate more basic bot attacks. Rather than relying exclusively on sophisticated techniques, cybercriminals are increasingly utilizing high volumes of simpler bots to inundate travel sites, resulting in more frequent and widespread attacks.

    The Rise of AI-Driven Bots: A New Era of Cybersecurity Challenges

    The emergence of advanced AI tools, including ChatGPT, ByteSpider Bot, ClaudeBot, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and Cohere AI, are transforming not just user interactions but also the methods by which attackers execute cyber threats. According to the Imperva Threat Research team, widely used AI tools are being leveraged for cyberattacks, with ByteSpider Bot alone responsible for 54% of all AI-enabled attacks. Other significant contributors include AppleBot at 26%, ClaudeBot at 13%, and ChatGPT User Bot at 6%.

    “The surge in AI-driven bot creation has serious implications for businesses worldwide,” said Tim Chang, General Manager of Application Security, Thales Cybersecurity Products. “As automated traffic accounts for more than half of all web activity, organizations face heightened risks from bad bots, which are becoming more prolific every day.”

    As attackers become more adept at utilizing AI, they can execute a variety of cyber threats—ranging from DDoS attacks to custom rules exploitation and API violations. While bot-driven attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, they pose significant challenges for detection efforts.

    “This year’s report sheds light on the evolving tactics and techniques utilized by bot attackers. What were once deemed advanced evasion methods have now become standard practice for many malicious bots,” Chang said. “In this rapidly changing environment, businesses must evolve their strategies. It’s crucial to adopt an adaptive and proactive approach, leveraging sophisticated bot detection tools and comprehensive cybersecurity management solutions to build a resilient defense against the ever-shifting landscape of bot-related threats.”

    Bad Bots Targeting API Business Logic Pose Increased Threat to Modern Enterprises

    Recent findings from the Imperva Threat Research team reveal a significant surge in API-directed attacks, with 44% of advanced bot traffic targeting APIs. These attacks aren’t just limited to overwhelming API endpoints; rather, they target the intricate business logic that defines how APIs operate. Attackers deploy bots specifically designed to exploit vulnerabilities in API workflows, engaging in automated payment fraud, account hijacking, and data exfiltration.

    Analysis in the report reveals a deliberate strategy by cyber attackers to exploit API endpoints that manage sensitive and high-value data. Implications of this trend are especially impactful for industries that rely on APIs for their critical operations and transactions. Financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors are bearing the brunt of these sophisticated bot attacks, making them prime targets for malicious actors seeking to breach sensitive information.

    APIs serve as the backbone of modern applications, enabling connectivity across services, streamlining operations, and delivering personalized customer experiences at scale. They underpin essential functions such as payment processing, supply chain management, and AI-driven analytics, making them indispensable for enhancing efficiency, accelerating product development, and unlocking new revenue streams.

    “The business logic inherent to APIs is powerful, but it also creates unique vulnerabilities that malicious actors are eager to exploit,” Chang said. “As organizations embrace cloud-based services and microservices architectures, it’s vital to understand that the very features that make APIs essential can also leave them susceptible to risk of fraud and data breaches.”

    Financial Services, Healthcare, and E-commerce Industries Face Heightened Risk

    The 2025 Imperva Bad Bot Report provides an in-depth analysis highlighting the industries most at risk. Financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce are the most affected sectors, industries that rely on APIs for critical operations and sensitive transactions, making them attractive targets for sophisticated bot attacks.

    The financial services sector was the most targeted industry for account takeover (ATO) attacks, accounting for 22% of all incidents, followed by Telecoms and ISPs with 18%, and Computing & IT with 17%. Financial Services has long been a prime target for ATO attacks due to the high value of accounts and the sensitive nature of the data at stake. Banks, credit card companies, and fintech platforms possess vast amounts of Personally Identifiable Information (PII), including credit card and bank account details, which can be profitably sold on the dark web. Additionally, the growing proliferation of APIs within the industry has broadened the attack surface, allowing cyber criminals to exploit vulnerabilities such as weak authentication and authorization methods, thereby facilitating account takeovers and data theft.

    About the Research

    The 12th Annual Imperva Bad Bot Report is based on insights from our Threat Research and Security Analyst Services (SAS) teams. Our analysis draws from data collected from across the Imperva global network in 2024, including the blocking of 13 trillion bad bot requests across thousands of domains and industries. This dataset provides key insights into bot activity to help organizations understand and address the growing risks of automated attacks.

    About Thales

    Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

    The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

    Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth calls on Tanzanian Vice-President Mr Philip Isdor Mpango and Minister of Defence & National Service Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax in Dar es Salaam

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 14 APR 2025 11:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth called on Vice-President of Tanzania Mr Philip Isdor Mpango and Minister of Defence & National Service Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax in Dar es Salaam on April 14, 2025. During his meeting with the Tanzanian Vice-President, Raksha Rajya Mantri updated him on the Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement cooperation from Indian defence industries to exercise (AIKEYME) and Defence Expo inaugurated on April 13, 2025. He offered to fulfil the defence requirements of Tanzania People’s Defence Force. India-Tanzania development partnership, cultural connections and cooperation in health and education were also discussed. 

    During the meeting between Tanzanian Minister of Defence & National Service and Raksha Rajya Mantri, the ongoing defence cooperation was reviewed and new ways were explored to further bolster the ties. Training of Tanzania officers in military training institutes of India, defence industry collaboration, cooperation in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, and cyber security were some of the key areas of cooperation deliberated upon during the meeting. 

    Raksha Rajya Mantri ended his day with an Indian Community event where he highlighted the progress India has made in various spheres in recent years. He dwelt upon the contribution of the Indian diaspora in growth and prosperity of not only India but Tanzania too. He visited Sanatan Dharma and Swaminarayan Mandir prior to the interaction with the Indian community. He also participated in the Ambedakar Jayanti celebrations organised in the High Commission of India in Tanzania.

     ****

    SR/Savvy

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sets Coverage for SpaceX 32nd Station Resupply Launch, Arrival

    Source: NASA

    NASA and SpaceX are targeting 4:15 a.m. EDT, Monday, April 21, for the next launch to deliver science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station. This is the 32nd SpaceX commercial resupply services mission to the orbiting laboratory for the agency.
    Filled with more than 6,400 pounds of supplies, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
    Live launch coverage will begin at 3:55 a.m. on NASA+. Learn how to watch NASA content through a variety of platforms.
    NASA’s coverage of Dragon’s arrival to the orbital outpost will begin at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, on NASA+. The spacecraft will dock autonomously to the zenith port of the space station’s Harmony module.
    Along with food and essential equipment for the crew, Dragon is delivering a variety of science experiments, including a demonstration of refined maneuvers for free-floating robots. Dragon also carries an enhanced air quality monitoring system that could protect crew members on exploration missions to the Moon and Mars, and two atomic clocks to examine fundamental physics concepts such as relativity and test worldwide synchronization of precision timepieces.
    The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until May, when it will depart and return to Earth with research and cargo, splashing down off the coast of California.
    NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations):
    Wednesday, April 16
    1 p.m. – International Space Station National Lab Science Webinar with the following participants:

    Jennifer Buchli, chief scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program
    Michael Roberts, chief scientific officer, International Space Station National Lab
    Claire Fortenberry, research aerospace engineer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland
    Yupeng Chen, co-founder, Eascra Biotech
    Mari Anne Snow, CEO, Eascra Biotech
    Maj. Travis Tubbs, U.S. Air Force Academy
    Heath Mills, co-founder, Rhodium Scientific
    Sarah Wyatt, researcher, Ohio University

    Media who wish to participate must register for Zoom access no later than one hour before the start of the webinar.
    Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the International Space Station National Lab website.
    Friday, April 18
    3 p.m. – Prelaunch media teleconference (no earlier than one hour after completion of the Launch Readiness Review) with the following participants:

    Zebulon Scoville, deputy manager, Transportation Integration Office, NASA’s International Space Station Program
    Jennifer Buchli, chief scientist, NASA’s International Space Station Program
    Sarah Walker, director, Dragon Mission Management, SpaceX
    Jimmy Taeger, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

    Media who wish to participate by phone must request dial-in information by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 17, by emailing Kennedy’s newsroom at: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov.
    Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website.
    Monday, April 21:
    3:55 a.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+.
    4:15 a.m. – Launch
    Tuesday, April 22:
    6:45 a.m. – Arrival coverage begins on NASA+.
    8:20 a.m. – Docking
    NASA website launch coverageLaunch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 3:55 a.m., April 21, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video on NASA+ and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff. For questions about countdown coverage, contact the NASA Kennedy newsroom at 321-867-2468. Follow countdown coverage on our International Space Station blog for updates.
    Attend Launch Virtually
    Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. NASA’s virtual guest program for this mission also includes curated launch resources, notifications about related opportunities or changes, and a stamp for the NASA virtual guest passport following launch.
    Watch, Engage on Social Media
    Let people know you’re watching the mission on X, Facebook, and Instagram by following and tagging these accounts:
    X: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASASocial, @Space_Station, @ISS_Research, 
    @ISS National Lab
    Facebook: NASA, NASAKennedy, ISS, ISS National Lab
    Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @ISS, @ISSNationalLab
    Coverage en Espanol
    Did you know NASA has a Spanish section called NASA en Espanol? Check out NASA en Espanol on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for additional mission coverage.
    Para obtener información sobre cobertura en español en el Centro Espacial Kennedy o si desea solicitar entrevistas en español, comuníquese con Antonia Jaramillo o Messod Bendayan a: antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov o messod.c.bendayan@nasa.gov.
    Learn more about the commercial resupply mission at:

    NASA’s SpaceX CRS-32

    -end-
    Julian Coltre / Josh FinchHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100julian.n.coltre@nasa.gov / joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov
    Stephanie Plucinsky / Steven SiceloffKennedy Space Center, Florida321-876-2468stephanie.n.plucinsky@nasa.gov / steven.p.siceloff@nasa.gov
    Sandra JonesJohnson Space Center, Houston281-483-5111sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Gilat Receives a Multimillion Order from a Global Defense Organization

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PETAH TIKVA, Israel, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, announced today its Defense Division received a Multimillion order from a Global Defense Organization for the supply of advanced antenna technology to be integrated into the organization’s advanced defense communication systems. Deliveries are scheduled towards the end of 2025.

    Gilat’s antenna solutions are designed to support secure and resilient connectivity under the most demanding conditions, helping defense organizations stay connected, anywhere, anytime. This win reflects Gilat’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-performance solutions that meet the stringent requirements of defense applications worldwide.

    “This order builds on our strong partnership, reflecting the trust earned through consistent performance and technological excellence,” said Gilad Landsberg, President of Gilat Defense. “It highlights the value our partners place on our advanced defense communications and our ongoing commitment to their missions.”

    About Gilat

    Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT) is a leading global provider of satellite-based broadband communications. With over 35 years of experience, we develop and deliver deep technology solutions for satellite, ground, and new space connectivity, offering next-generation solutions and services for critical connectivity across commercial and defense applications. We believe in the right of all people to be connected and are united in our resolution to provide communication solutions to all reaches of the world.

    Together with our wholly owned subsidiaries—Gilat Wavestream, Gilat DataPath, and Gilat Stellar Blu—we offer integrated, high-value solutions supporting multi-orbit constellations, Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS), and Software-Defined Satellites (SDS) via our Commercial and Defense Divisions. Our comprehensive portfolio is comprised of a cloud-based platform and modems; high-performance satellite terminals; advanced Satellite On-the-Move (SOTM) antennas and ESAs; highly efficient, high-power Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPA) and Block Upconverters (BUC) and includes integrated ground systems for commercial and defense markets, field services, network management software, and cybersecurity services.

    Gilat’s products and tailored solutions support multiple applications including government and defense, IFC and mobility, broadband access, cellular backhaul, enterprise, aerospace, broadcast, and critical infrastructure clients all while meeting the most stringent service level requirements. For more information, please visit: http://www.gilat.com

    Certain statements made herein that are not historical are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “estimate”, “project”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gilat to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, inability to maintain market acceptance to Gilat’s products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, rapid changes in the market for Gilat’s products, loss of market share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, introduction of competing products by other companies, inability to manage growth and expansion, loss of key OEM partners, inability to attract and retain qualified personnel, inability to protect the Company’s proprietary technology and risks associated with Gilat’s international operations and its location in Israel, including those related to the terrorist attacks by Hamas, and the hostilities between Israel and Hamas and Israel and Hezbollah. For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties associated with Gilat’s business, reference is made to Gilat’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

    Contact:

    Gilat Satellite Networks

    Hagay Katz, Chief Product and Marketing Officer
    hagayk@gilat.com

    Alliance Advisors:

    GilatIR@allianceadvisors.com
    Phone: +1 212 838 3777

    The MIL Network –

    April 15, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Magical World of Creativity: How the M.I. Glinka Children’s Art School Works

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Multi-colored walls and benches whose outlines resemble musical instruments, works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and avant-garde compositions written in a computer program are inChildren’s School of Arts (DSHI) named after M.I. Glinka in Pechatniki everything is bright, creative, modern, close to the young generation. Here even the classics sound new, and the children express themselves through music, movement and colors. The teachers of this educational institution call it Hogwarts and the magical world of creativity. Young Muscovites can become a part of it, because on April 15 in children’s art schools subordinate to To the Department of Culture of the City of Moscow, the admissions campaign for pre-professional programs has begun.

    Room for creativity

    The M.I. Glinka Children’s Art School is located in the Pechatniki district on Guryanova Street (83a). The brick building is distinguished by a line of music decorating the facade. It was built as part of the Art for Children project not far from the previous location of the school. The children moved here with their instruments in 2021.

    The school began its work as a creative circle in the club of the repair enterprise of Vnukovo airport back in 1962. However, it never had its own building, and had to constantly change addresses. In recent years, before settling in its current premises, the school occupied a cramped two-story building in Pechatniki.

    “I am a graduate of the Glinka Children’s Art School. I entered the piano class here in 1998. I remember having to study in different classrooms all the time, those that were free. Between classes there was nowhere to sit, relax, get in a creative mood. And now we are in a spacious room, where the space is divided into zones decorated in different colors, each direction has its own floor, there is a cafe downstairs where you can have a snack. If before children went to study music after school and everything merged into one long school day, now they run here as if to a holiday, here you want to create,” shares the deputy director of the Glinka Children’s Art School and sound design teacher Maxim Novozhilov.

    The new building is decorated in a single color, like other art schools in the capital. The first floor is yellow and green. Theoretical classes, such as solfeggio, are located here. The second floor is bright blue. Here they study modern dance and sound engineering — they write arrangements in computer programs, and at the same time compose their own electronic compositions. “All our training is at the intersection of classics and modern art,” smiles Denis Gordeyev, director of the Glinka Children’s Art School.

    In the classroom we enter, teenage girls wearing headphones are pressing the keys of a miniature one-octave synthesizer (the device is called a MIDI keyboard), and lines and dashes appear on the display, visually representing the sounds.

    “I found the notes of my favorite artist, now I play the melody and add special effects, bass, drums. I like that you can not only play, but arrange it in your own way, and you don’t need other instruments,” explains sixth-grader Vasilisa Shashkova.

    On the third floor, decorated in blue, children play flutes, drums, cellos and violins – these are the instruments of a symphony orchestra. Next door, young actors are practicing.

    There is also a 300-seat concert hall here. Right now, an event is taking place there to mark the 80th anniversary of the Victory: a girl in a tunic and cap is singing “Three Tankmen, Three Merry Friends” accompanied by an accordionist.

    “The performance is classical, and the hall is modern. It is made in the form of a movie theater, with a large screen on which the concert can be broadcast, since today’s children are used to receiving information from monitors. At the same time, the stage is minimalist, without any distracting decorations,” says Denis Gordeev.

    On the fourth floor, dark green, future specialists in folk art (choreographers, singers, performers of compositions on balalaikas and accordions) and artists hone their skills. In the painting class, children complete an assignment from teacher Maria Gilyarova: the subjects of their drawings are about the Great Patriotic War. Thus, one student depicted how schoolchildren lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

    “They study in this department for five years, it’s pre-professional training. Most children will go on to art colleges and universities. Two-hour classes are held three times a week,” Maria Gilyarova explains.

    On all floors there are multi-colored soft benches-banquettes, in the outlines of which one can guess cellos, guitars or drums. And this is only a hint of the similarity with musical instruments: each child can fantasize and develop creative thinking.

    “Another interesting design technique is that the walls of the classrooms that border the corridor are painted the same color as the hall. This is necessary so that the students do not feel like they are in a confined space, because a creative person needs freedom,” adds Denis Gordeev.

    Sergei Sobyanin opened a new building of the Glinka Children’s Art SchoolOpen Days Begin in Moscow Schools and Arts Colleges

    Waiting for talents

    Today, more than 540 children study at the School of Arts. And 49 teachers and accompanists teach classes. Before and during the admission campaign, until the end of May, parents and children can come to open days and see how the educational institution is organized, and talk to teachers.

    You can apply for the pre-professional program at the Glinka School of Arts from April 15 to May 15, and for general development programs from May 16 to July 1. You can do this in person at the institution or online – on the portal Mos.ru.

    After parents apply for admission, the child will have to take a creative test. There is no single requirement for it. Everything depends on which direction is chosen and how the candidate plans to express himself in creativity.

    “Our school has four areas: music, painting, choreography and theatre. During the interview, we check the musician’s memory and hearing, ask him to sing a song, clap a simple rhythm, repeat the sounds of the piano with his voice. Dancers usually demonstrate a sense of rhythm, coordination in space, we also pay attention to the structure of the body, flexibility. Artists bring their works and complete an exam task: a drawing on a given topic. And future actors read a short story, similar to how it happens when entering creative universities. Also, since children from 10 years old, already conscious, well-read, often enter the theater department, we ask them questions on literature, history – we check their general outlook,” says Denis Gordeev, director of the Glinka Children’s Art School.

    The art of teaching

    While we are studying the school in the company of the director, we are greeted by the children who came to the classes. Everyone is smiling, satisfied, happy. Our interlocutor knows everyone by name, asks how things are going. Every child is an individual, a creative person. Many come here on the advice of their parents, but stay of their own free will. This is what happened to eight-year-old Alexander Tupikov, a future pianist.

    “My mother brought me to school. And I liked my teacher so much that I wanted to study. I have been playing the piano for the second year, I really like the works of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, I can perform the “March of the Tin Soldiers” and “Nanny’s Tale”. I have already decided that I will become a professional pianist,” says Alexander Tupikov.

    He gets up at seven in the morning to practice at home before going to a comprehensive school. Even now, Alexander Tupikov plays like an adult, places accents, feels the keys.

    “I find the key to each child through their interests: I play different compositions for the students, and they choose what they like best. And that is what we study further. I do not force them to learn boring scales by heart if the children do not want to. Technique can be practiced in another way, for example, by performing the same “Nyanina Skazka”. It is important when children participate in competitions and win. For creative development, it is necessary to feel like the best,” says Tatyana Batura, a piano teacher at the Glinka Children’s Art School.

    Meanwhile, in the solfeggio class, students review the material they have covered over the year. Children often dislike this subject, finding it boring, as they have to memorize incomprehensible notes and intervals. But here, everything is different.

    “If a child understands how this will be useful to him in life, the attitude towards the subject changes. I tell students that knowing solfeggio, being able to repeat the sounds of musical instruments with their voice, they will always be able to sing along at some creative evening, express themselves, attract attention. In addition, when it works out, you want to go further,” says solfeggio teacher at the M.I. Glinka Children’s Art School Yulia Petrushevich.

    Children’s Art School “Center” is 55 years old: history, traditions and students’ achievementsKeepers of Russian traditions. What folk crafts do children study in Moscow creativity centersTicket to the Future: How Moscow Mayor’s Grants in Culture and Arts Help Young Talents

    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/152609073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    April 15, 2025
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