Source: France-Diplomatie – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development
Today, April 1, 2025, France takes over the presidency of the United Nations Security Council for a period of one month.
The Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and, as a permanent member, France is committed to working with its partners to enable it to respond to current challenges and conflicts.
France succeeds Denmark, which effectively assumed the presidency of the UNSC last month, and precedes Greece, which will take up this function in May, and the French presidency of the Council is therefore at the heart of a “European quarter” of the presidency of the Security Council, through which we mark, together, our commitment to effective multilateralism and respect for the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
In the face of current challenges, the guiding principle of our presidency will be to make multilateral dialogue prevail over power relations.
The war of aggression waged by Russia against Ukraine since February 2022, in defiance of the most fundamental principles of international law, will be at the heart of our mobilization, and France will continue its efforts in favour of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
The situation in the Middle East will be the subject of a ministerial meeting at the end of the month, chaired by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to which international and regional partners will be invited, which will illustrate France’s commitment to peace in that region, and will be part of the preparations for the international conference on the two-state solution co-organised in New York by France and Saudi Arabia.
Given the seriousness of the ongoing conflicts, France will pay particular attention to the situation in the Great Lakes, those in Sudan and South Sudan, as well as in Haiti.
The French presidency will also be at the initiative with meetings devoted to peacekeeping operations and the protection of humanitarian workers, two strong commitments to support those who, on the ground, provide assistance to vulnerable populations, and to ensure effective multilateralism, France will continue to demonstrate its commitment to the reform of the Security Council in order to improve its representativeness.
Throughout its presidency, France will have as its sole compass its commitment to multilateralism, the United Nations system and respect for international law for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a bipartisan collection of more than three dozen other senators to introduce primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
These sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated. The legislation also imposes a 500 percent tariff on imported goods from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products.
“In 1994, as part of the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine gave up approximately 1,700 nuclear weapons with a promise from the U.S., Russia and United Kingdom that Ukraine’s sovereignty would be honored in the future. This failed to deter Russian aggression. In 2014 and 2015, the Minsk agreements were reached to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but again, it did nothing to deter future aggression. In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine once more, leading to deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and the displacement of millions.
“It is our hope that in 2025, President Trump and his team will achieve what has eluded the world in the past: ending Russian aggression against Ukraine permanently and ensuring the survivability of a free and democratic Ukraine. These sanctions against Russia are at the ready and will receive overwhelming bipartisan, bicameral support if presented to the Senate and House for a vote.
“We support an immediate ceasefire to secure a lasting, honorable peace,” the senators said.
The sanctions are cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Todd Young (R-IN), Angus King (I-ME), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Curtis (R-UT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jon Husted (R-OH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), James Lankford (R-OK), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Rick Scott (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jim Justice (R-WV), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Jack Reed (D-RI).
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)
CEO and Commercial Manager of Iranian Company Charged in Connection with Conspiracies to Provide Material Support, Violate Export Control Laws and Commit Money Laundering
BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, a complaint was unsealed charging Iranian nationals Hossein Akbari and Reza Amidi, and an Iran-based Rah Roshd Company (“Rah Roshd”), with conspiring to procure U.S. parts for Iranian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (“UAVs”), also known as drones, conspiring to provide material support to the IRGC, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and conspiring to commit money laundering. Akbari is the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Rah Roshd. Amidi is the company’s commercial manager and was previously the commercial manager of Qods Aviation Industries (“QAI”), an Iranian state-owned aerospace company. They are both citizens of Iran and remain at large.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Sue Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“As alleged in the complaint, the defendants conspired to obtain U.S.-origin parts needed to manufacture drones for military use in Iran and send those parts to Iran in violation of export control laws,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “The charges filed today demonstrate the commitment by my Office and our law enforcement partners to dismantle illicit supply chains and prosecute those who unlawfully procure U.S. technology in support of a foreign terrorist organization. The IRGC and Qods Aviation Industries have been core players in the Iranian military regime’s production of drones, which threaten the lives of civilians, U.S. personnel, and our country’s allies. These charges should serve as a warning to those who violate U.S. export control laws and who unlawfully seek to aid Iran’s drone program.”
Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the FBI and the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) for their work on the case. Today, OFAC sanctioned Akbari, Rah Roshd, and other companies and individuals for their roles in the sanctions-evasion scheme described in the complaint. OFAC previously sanctioned Amidi.
“Today’s charges lay bare how U.S.-made technology ended up in the hands of the Iranian military to build attack drones,” stated Sue J. Bai, head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department will continue to put maximum pressure on the Iranian regime. We will relentlessly dismantle illicit supply chains funneling American technology into the hands of Iran’s military and terrorist organizations and pursue those complicit in operations that threaten our country.”
“Hossein Akbari and Reza Amidi allegedly engaged in a multi-year conspiracy to obtain U.S. technology for use in Iranian made drones in violation of export laws and to provide material support to the IRGC—a designated terrorist organization,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The Iranian government has repeatedly demonstrated they are willing to violate the laws of our nation—this time utilizing dishonest businessmen who deliberately misrepresented themselves—in order to further their treacherous goals. The FBI will continue to protect the national security and interests of the United States through vigorous enforcement of export control laws put in place to prevent sensitive U.S. technology from being obtained by hostile foreign governments.”
As set forth in the complaint, Akbari and Amidi operate Rah Roshd, which procures and supplies advanced electronic, electro-optical, and security systems to the Government of Iran and designs, builds, and manufactures ground support systems for UAVs. Akbari serves as the CEO and Managing Director of Rah Roshd, and Amidi serves as the Commercial Manager. Rah Roshd’s clients include the IRGC and several Iranian state-owned aerospace companies and drone manufacturers, including QAI, Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (“MODAFL”), Shahed Aviation Industries Research Center (“SAIRC”), and Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group (SBIG).
Between January 2020 and the present, Amidi and Akbari used Rah Roshd in furtherance of a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions and procure U.S.-origin parts for use in Iranian-manufactured UAVs, including the Mohajer-6 UAV. At least one of those parts was manufactured by a Brooklyn, New York-based company (“Company-1”). In September 2022, the Ukrainian Air Force shot down an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone used by the Russian military in Ukraine. The drone recovered by the Ukrainian Air Force contained parts made by several U.S. companies, including Company-1.
To facilitate their scheme, Amidi and Akbari falsely purported to represent companies other than Rah Roshd, including a company based in the United Arab Emirates (“Company-2”) and a company based in Belgium (“Company-3”). The defendants used a “spoofed” email address with a misspelled version of Company-2’s name to communicate regarding the procurement of parts, including parts manufactured by U.S. companies. The defendants also used various “front” or “shell” companies to pay for UAV parts and to obfuscate the true end destination and the true identities of the sanctioned end users, including QAI and the IRGC, which were acquiring U.S.-made parts through Rah Roshd. Amidi and Akbari also used aliases to obfuscate their true identities in furtherance of the scheme.
Additionally, the defendants conspired to provide material support to the IRGC by providing goods and services for the benefit of the IRGC’s military campaign. This included constructing military shelters, providing cameras and drone field hangers, and conspiring to procure drone parts as well as parts to operate drones, including “servo motors,” “pneumatic masts,” which are a component of the operation of the Mohajer-6 drone, and engines. The investigation uncovered correspondence from the IRGC, signed by the head of the UAV Command for the IRGC’s Aerospace Force, thanking Rah Roshd for its work on behalf of the IRGC and praising Rah Roshd’s achievements in designing and manufacturing servo motors for defense equipment. The letter included a quote from the Supreme Leader of Iran regarding the importance of self-sufficiency and domestic production to strengthen Iran’s economy and “disappoint the enemies of the Islamic Republic.” The letter also noted continued efforts of Rah Roshd “in strengthening the defensive capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Both Amidi and Akbari possessed documents indicating that they had purchased servo motors for delivery to Iran, including a servo motor contained in the Mohajer-6 drone. Akbari also emailed supply companies located in China and noted that he was purchasing parts for drones to be shipped to Iran.
Finally, Amidi and Akbari conspired to commit money laundering. They used at least three shell companies, all based in the United Arab Emirates, to pay a China-based company that sent invoices to Rah Roshd for the sale of motors. Those payments were processed through U.S.-based correspondent bank accounts. The defendants also used two of these shell companies to pay a separate China-based company for the sale of pneumatic masts.
Today’s actions were coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
The charges in the complaint are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nina C. Gupta and Lindsey R. Oken are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Rebecca Roth, along with Trial Attorney Scott Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Trial Attorney Charles Kovats of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
The Defendants:
HOSSEIN AKBARI (also known as “Danial Yousef” and “Danial White”) Age: 63 Iran
REZA AMIDI (also known as “Ali Rahmani”) Age: 62 Iran
The program includes a comprehensive study of approaches to formulating queries (prompts) for the effective solution of various problems using artificial intelligence. During the training, participants will master the creation and optimization of queries for generating texts, images, video and audio, and will also learn to improve prompts to achieve the most accurate and high-quality results.
The course consists of theoretical lectures and practical classes covering both the basics of modern language models and the practical possibilities of using neural networks in professional and everyday activities. Participants will be able to consolidate their acquired knowledge by working on real examples and projects.
The program is scheduled to start on May 20, 2025. The course duration is 4 months. Classes will be held online, in the format of webinars, video lectures and practical consultations with teachers.
Upon completion of the course, students will create their own portfolio, confirming their competencies in the field of industrial engineering and the practical use of artificial intelligence.
Armen Beklaryan, teacher of the program “Prompt-engineering: neural networks for humans”
“The Prompt Engineering program will introduce you to methods of constructing and optimizing queries for modern artificial intelligence systems. During the training, you will learn how to correctly structure text commands, adapt them to different AI models, and analyze the results. The program combines theoretical classes with extensive practice: students will create their own projects, practicing their skills in working with the latest tools for generating text, images, audio, and video information. This program will not only deepen your understanding of the principles of AI, but also acquire in-demand competencies for effective interaction with modern digital technologies.”
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.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story
Ukraine Donor Platform confirms support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction
The Ukraine Donor Platform’s Steering Committee held its thirteenth meeting today, gathering for the second time in person in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.
The meeting brought together senior representatives of Platform members, observers and international financial institutions.
The UK reiterated our absolute commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and is engaging with key allies in support of this effort. The UK reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine and our determination to contribute to Ukraine’s long-term economic stability, resilience, and recovery.
Budget financing needs
Finance Minister Marchenko confirmed Ukraine’s external financing needs for 2025, projected at USD 39.3 billion. Through joint efforts, including the financing being mobilised by the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan initiative, resources have been secured to cover its external budget financing needs for 2025.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK’s total military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine amounts to £15 billion: £10 billion in military support (including our £2.26 billion ERA Loan contribution), and £5 billion in non-military support. The UK’s non-military support comprises £4.1 billion in fiscal support through World Bank loan guarantees to bolster Ukraine’s economic stability and support vital public services, and £977million in bilateral support, including £477million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the region since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine
Ukraine presented its top recovery and reconstruction priorities for 2025, based on the fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment and the Single Project Pipeline established by the Government of Ukraine: energy, heating, water supply and sanitation, housing and transport. Delivering effective support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction is a key priority for the Platform and donors committed to further strengthen their engagement on this track. The UK emphasised the importance of long-term planning for recovery and reconstruction, including efforts to support social recovery which will be vital for underpinning economic recovery.
Ukraine has withstood the winter season, surmounting the impact of Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure, with the strong support of the donor community. The UK will continue to support Ukraine in realising its vision of a cleaner, more modern, decentralised energy system.
The UK and other partners noted the importance of insurance for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction and for supporting international trade and investment. Work continues on facilitating a return of global reinsurance businesses to Ukraine.
Reforms driving sustainable growth and progress towards EU accession
Many participants welcomed Ukraine’s strong and continuing progress on reforms, including on the implementation of the Ukraine Plan, which are essential to improve the business climate, attract foreign direct investment and support economic development, and support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic trajectory.
Enhancing public investment management for recovery and reconstruction
Ukraine updated on its progress towards an effective, transparent and well-coordinated public investment management system, which is crucial for its successful recovery and reconstruction. An integral part will be the two project preparation facilities under development – the Ukraine PPF, to be administered by the Government of Ukraine with support from the World Bank, and Ukraine FIRST, to be administered by the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The facilities are expected to be operational by the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2025), which will take place in Rome on 10-11 July, hosted by the Governments of Italy and Ukraine.
Stakeholder engagement
The Steering Committee discussed the Business Advisory Council’s latest input and commended its members’ efforts to identify concrete steps to boost private sector investment in Ukraine. It also held a productive exchange of views with representatives of Ukrainian civil society, with a focus on human capital. This discussion also served as a preparatory event for the human dimension of URC 2025.
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants of the Youth Parliament in the Legislative Assembly of Saint Petersburg
Volunteering is helping with specific actions, and an active life position is promoting and implementing initiatives for the benefit of society. This is the motto of the first deputy chairman of the student council of SPbGASU, head of the Open For Students project Ivan Baranovsky (a third-year student of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Economy) and the editor-in-chief of the student council of SPbGASU Alexandra Polyanskaya (a second-year master’s student of the Faculty of Architecture). They have already accumulated a solid baggage of good deeds, successfully implemented many ideas and, as they admit, do not intend to stop there. We talk to them about their initiatives, supported by the Youth Parliament under the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, and the priority areas that they are developing.
– How did your path to social activity and the volunteer movement begin?
Ivan Baranovsky: The path of volunteering began in elementary school. What prompted it? Probably a simple desire to help. I realized that seeing happy faces in response, for whom you try to do something without asking for anything in return, is the most pleasant result. I get pleasure when I help people. Our university has a well-developed student government, thanks to which volunteering develops. In fact, we all do volunteering in one way or another throughout our lives: we help friends, the elderly, strangers. It became the starting point for me in active social activities.
Alexandra Polyanskaya: I started doing social work back in the St. Petersburg State Academy of Art and Industry named after A. L. Stieglitz, where I joined the team of a grant project to create a media center. I have always been attracted by the opportunity to turn ideas into real products that others see and appreciate. And when I entered the master’s program at SPbGASU, I decided to continue what I had started: I joined the student council, completed the POTOK and Open for Students training programs. I wanted not just to study, but to create events, help the guys from the university, and develop the media direction. Volunteering and activism gave me the tools for this – from organizing events to working with people whose stories inspire.
– What areas of volunteering are particularly in demand today and how are they developing in our university and city?
Alexandra Polyanskaya: Media volunteering and projects related to patriotic education are in high demand now. For example, our university requires organizers, content creators, photographers, videographers, and designers to hold the events of the Golden Faculty or Architectural Seasons. This is a large team of diverse specialists, primarily from the student council media center, which trains these specialists to join its team under the Open for Students program. In addition, we are actively developing the media direction: in the last year alone, we have launched websites for elections, Olympiads, and workshops using neural networks. Such skills help activists in life: thanks to them, they can find a decent part-time job while studying. In St. Petersburg, there is a growing demand for projects that unite young people around common values: for example, helping the families of SVO participants or preserving historical memory. The state supports and encourages activists. Thus, Ivan received two honorary medals for his active civic position and contribution to public life.
Ivan Baranovsky: When I learned about the awards, I was quite surprised: yes, I volunteered at the call of my heart, often went and collected humanitarian aid to the SVO zone, participated in charity events, helped the families of SVO participants, but I didn’t even think about any award. The first medal was awarded for assistance in conducting the Special Military Operation. The second medal, “Active Participant in the Volunteer Movement,” is for activities in the field of volunteerism.
– What skills does active social activity help to develop?
Ivan Baranovsky: Being active in public life develops communication and management skills, and most importantly, the ability to motivate your team to implement a project at the idea level. The student council is a small test drive of adult life: here you gain a lot of experience and expand your circle of acquaintances for the realization of yourself and others. The city has many opportunities for the comprehensive development of students, many youth organizations that also develop volunteering in one form or another.
Alexandra Polyanskaya: Working in the student council of our university allows you to discover incredible opportunities in yourself that you never even knew about! Student council events became one of the compelling reasons for me to enroll in the master’s program at SPbGASU. Self-development in these areas is inevitable. For example, for the needs of the student council to implement our collective ideas, I mastered web design and the basics of UX/UI, although I had no experience in this area before. Organizing a workshop on neural networks for Young Design forced me to immerse myself in the world of AI tools in order to explain them clearly even to beginners. In general, volunteering for me is an opportunity to live thousands of lives at once, try myself in completely different areas and improve in what I already understand. Recently, Ksenia Vitsina, chairperson of the student council of SPbGASU, noted that after the student council, our guys want to work in the same active team, with a developed corporate culture.
– You are taking part in the Youth Parliament of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg of the second convocation. It is appropriate to note your personal growth. What are your achievements in this area?
Ivan Baranovsky: The Youth Parliament of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg is an advisory and consultative body that works on a voluntary basis. Its goal is to facilitate the activities of the Legislative Assembly in the area of legislative regulation of the rights and legitimate interests of young people. Our team of four people put forward an initiative to completely update the design of contactless smart cards (BSC) and contactless electronic smart cards (BEPK). This initiative passed the second reading, now all that remains is to hold a competition for the best design. I hope that this summer the design of the cards in St. Petersburg will completely change.
I am also developing two initiatives for federal legislation: the first concerns the rules for advertising placement, the second is to supplement the Federal Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” (No. 2300-1). I will be able to tell you more about it later.
Alexandra Polyanskaya: The Youth Parliament is a structure that helps active young people influence the life of the city. Here we support youth projects, interact with the city administration and promote ideas that are aimed at improving the life of the city and, in the long term, the country. Now, for example, we are developing socially useful ideas for federal legislative initiatives. I am working on ideas for the Federal Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage, including the topic of zoological parks, which overlap with my master’s thesis. This topic combines two areas that excite me at once – architecture as a life’s work and love for animals.
We have just started our activities in the Youth Parliament, but I am sure that there is a lot of good ahead, as we receive incredible support from the curator of the Youth Parliament, Advisor to the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Maryana Borisovna Yakovleva.
Vanya and I are on different committees, but I promote and defend his legislative initiatives, and Vanya helps me with project ideas. Our personnel reserve also includes the head of the SECOND HOM project, a student of the construction faculty, Olga Kostyleva.
– How do you manage to combine your studies with active social activities? And what plans have you outlined for yourself?
Ivan Baranovsky: It’s hard to combine. But I don’t intend to retreat: I need to successfully graduate from university, enroll in a master’s program, and implement all the ideas I have planned for 2025.
Alexandra Polyanskaya: Strict planning helps to combine studies with active social activities. Without it, everything turns into chaos from a large number of different tasks. In such cases, notepads and reminder apps help. Although in reality, sometimes it is extremely difficult to manage everything due to the workload and specifics of the faculty. I prioritize my studies.
At some point, there were so many tasks that I wanted to have a separate person to plan them, but nothing is impossible. You can contact Vanya and me on the topic of legislative and project initiatives: for example, now we are working on helping the SECOND HOM student council project hold the Russia-China festival. Vanya works more with projects, and I – in the field of legislation, mainly related to architecture and construction. Now I am also trying to improve my knowledge of legislation in general. At present, we are developing ideas for federal initiatives to solve certain problems. One of them is to provide students studying in a specialized field with the opportunity to participate in the examination of cultural heritage sites. I think it is very important for students to prove themselves in the professional field even before receiving a diploma, in order to gain initial experience. Then they are more likely to work in their profession, and good young people will come to the industry.
I plan to enroll in graduate school and do not rule out that I will stay to work at the university in order to motivate the younger generation to take an active life position both in the professional environment and in public life.
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.
RAF to protect European skies on NATO’S eastern flank
UK jets will protect the skies of NATO’s eastern flank once again, working for the first time with Sweden to protect Polish airspace.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker at a ceremony in Poland to kick off the enhanced air policing mission.
UK jets will protect the skies of NATO’s eastern flank once again, working for the first time with Sweden to protect Polish airspace.
British built Typhoon jets arrived in Eastern Poland today, to take part in a NATO enhanced air policing mission.
RAF pilots will join up with Swedish Airforce Gripen fighter jets, as Europe steps up together to defend NATO airspace. The deployment is the first time that Swedish fighter jets will take part in air policing on the territory of another NATO Ally since they joined the alliance in 2024.
Touching down in Poland on Tuesday (1 April), Defence Minister Lord Coaker met with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Marcin Kosiniak-Kamysz and Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson, to outline the UK’s commitment to European security and to mark the start of the operation.
Defence Minister Lord Coaker said:
The UK is unshakeable in its commitment to NATO. With threats increasing and growing Russian aggression, it is vital that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies.
This latest air policing mission in Poland displays the UK’s ability to operate effectively with NATO’s newest member in Sweden and deter our common adversaries across the alliance’s airspace, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.
The mission comes as European NATO allies are stepping up on European security and defence spending. NATO remains the cornerstone of UK Defence and this government will continue to pursue a “NATO first” defence policy and take on a leadership role in the alliance.
Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority, and an integral part of its Plan for Change. The work of defence is critical to the security and stability of the UK, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad, whilst supporting all of the Government’s five missions as a foundation of its plan.
Poland is also a key UK defence and security partner, NATO Ally and partner in the European Group of Five (E5). Our nations have both been large supporters of Ukraine and have the led the way in increasing defence spending in Europe.
In last week’s Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced an additional £2.2 billion for defence in 2025/26. This comes on top of the announcement of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, as the government will hit 2.5% of GDP spend by April 2027, and has a commitment to hit 3% in the next Parliament.
This mission follows on from 2024’s successful air policing missions across the continent. In April 2024, six Typhoon fighter jets with over two hundred personnel were stationed in Romania defending NATO’s eastern border. Followed on by an August 2024 deployment of four cutting edge F-35B jets to Iceland, defending NATO airspace in the high north.
This time, six British built typhoons from II (AC) Squadron will be patrolling Polish airspace, having travelled from RAF Lossiemouth.
RAF Typhoons and Voyagers also conduct NATO air policing in the UK through the Quick Reaction Alert Force, based at RAF Coningsby, Lossiemouth and Brize Norton, protecting UK airspace 24/7, 365 days a year.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
World news story
UK sanctions corrupt actors in Guatemala
The UK has sanctioned seven corrupt actors whose actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala.
The UK has sanctioned seven corrupt actors whose actions have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala, including former President Alejandro Giammattei and Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras
This forms parts of a wider sanctions package against corrupt individuals linked to Moldova, Georgia and Guatemala
This is the latest action in the Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle corruption and dirty money around the world, global threats that undermine the very foundations of free and democratic societies
Among the members of the “Pacto de Corruptos” (Pact of the Corrupt) facing sanctions are former President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei, his associate Miguel Martinez, and the Attorney General Maria Consuelo Porras. In office, Giammattei profited from significant acts of corruption including re-appointing Porras to target his political rivals and undermine anti-corruption investigations. Porras and her cronies have achieved this by undermining the operational independence of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity and prosecuting journalists, lawyers and judges. Porras also attempted to annul the 2023 election and hinder the 2024 transition of power to President Arévalo. Meanwhile, Melvin Ernesto Quijivix Vega, former head of the National Institute of Electrification (Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion), embezzled more than 14.5m quetzales (£1.5m) of public funds.
Independent investigative reporting and the activities of civil society groups often play a crucial role in informing sanctions of this kind. But Porras and the Pacto de Corruptos have weaponised their powers against Guatemalan journalists who have tried to hold them to account. This led to the closure of noted investigative newspaper El Periódico and the jailing of its founder, following an investigation into a bribe from a Russian mining company to former President Giammattei in exchange for favourable exploration licences and port access.
Individuals targeted by today’s sanctions will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes, denying them entry to the UK and preventing them from holding funds or economic resources in the UK and its overseas territories.
These sanctions reaffirm the UK’s commitment to combating corruption and protecting the institutions designed to hold these unscrupulous individuals to account. The UK continues to stand with all Guatemalans in defence of democracy and the rule of law, and against those who trample on these principles for personal gain.
Background
Today the UK has sanctioned:
Alejandro Giammattei, former President of Guatemala;
Maria Consuelo Porras, Attorney General of Guatemala;
Jose Curruchiche, Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad);
Cinthia Monterroso, Prosecutor and Head of Unit at the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad);
Angel Pineda, Secretary General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Publico);
Melvin Quijivix, former Head of the National Institute of Electrification (Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion);
Miguel Martinez, associate of Giammattei and former Head of the Centre of Government (Centro de Gobierno).
The war in Ukraine is often marked by specific dates, like February 24, 2022 – the day of the full-scale invasion. But for many Ukrainians, that February never really ended. For me, then a 22-year-old master’s student in construction engineering, that day shattered everything I understood about my future. I was glued to my phone, refreshing news updates in a frantic attempt to make sense of the chaos.
The distant echoes of explosions rumbled through the city, shaking windows and setting off endless car alarms. Air raid sirens wailed, their sound slicing through the early morning stillness. Outside, people hurried past with suitcases, their faces pale and tense, while others lined up at pharmacies and ATMs, their hands trembling as they stocked up on essentials.
My family and friends sent frantic messages (Are you safe? Are you leaving? What do we do?) but no one had an answer. Fear settled in like a second skin, thick and suffocating. The streets, once familiar, now felt unrecognisable, transformed by the weight of uncertainty.
We were all touched by the war, including my family. My father, who is a scientist and professor of Mykolaiv University of Shipbuilding, voluntarily joined the military forces to fight for Ukraine and give my family the possibility to work and study while the war raged outside.
Meanwhile, my hometown, Mykolaiv – previously a strategically important shipbuilding and port city on the Black Sea – became a key stepping-stone for Russian forces on the road to Odesa. It is very close to currently occupied territories and the frontline.
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Controlling access to the city and its bridges was crucial in the battle for Ukraine. The destruction of these bridges cut off vital supply routes, leaving Mykolaiv isolated and struggling to hold the line. What were once ordinary crossings became symbols of survival, as the city fought to stay connected and withstand the siege.
As my home was attacked, I realised something fundamental: bridges were not just engineering projects. They were lifelines.
Engineering hope
Rebuilding bridges and roads is about more than repairing physical structures; it is about restoring security, economic stability and vital connections between communities. A collapsed bridge isolates people from essential services, disrupting supply chains and deepening vulnerability. The war has exposed just how critical Ukraine’s infrastructure is for survival.
Mykolaiv is one of the hardest-hit regions. According to the Ukrainian government, more than 20 bridges were destroyed or severely damaged by Russian attacks, including the Inhul Bridge, a vital artery for the city.
The Snihurivka Bridge, another key crossing, was also wiped out, leaving thousands stranded without reliable access to healthcare and supplies. For months, humanitarian aid and commerce were forced onto alternative, unreliable routes, further isolating communities. The reconstruction of key bridges in my home region has allowed life to resume, but the scale of the challenge across the country remains immense.
Elsewhere, the destruction has been just as devastating.. The Irpin Bridge, north-west of Kyiv, which once carried 40,000 vehicles a day, became a symbol of both loss and survival. Ukrainian forces had to destroy the bridge to stop Russian advances on Kyiv. Thousands of civilians fled across its wreckage under fire.
Science: a light in the dark
Fast forward to the autumn of 2022. Ukraine’s power grid was under relentlessattack. Entire cities were plunged into darkness. I sat at my desk in Lviv, in western Ukraine, where I have been working on my PhD thesis. My laptop battery was draining and a single candle flickered beside me. I was writing a research paper on strengthening methods for buildings and infrastructure. Yet, all around me real infrastructure was collapsing, making my work feel disconnected from reality.
Laptop battery draining and a single candle flickers during one of the regular power cuts. Nadiia Kopiika
The city had endured weeks of missile strikes targeting critical infrastructure and power cuts became part of daily life. Simple tasks like boiling water for tea, charging a phone, or even sending an email became unpredictable challenges. The hum of generators filled the streets and people lined up at charging stations trying to stay connected. The darkness wasn’t just outside, it seeped into everything, a constant reminder that the war was never far away.
At that moment, a question struck me: what if science could help rebuild Ukraine? Could research, something that had once felt so theoretical, actually make a difference in the aftermath of war?
The project aimed to not only repair what was damaged but to build better infrastructure: homes that are more resilient, more sustainable and ready for future crises. Mitoulis recalled that the whole idea for BridgeUkraine was born out of a deeply personal moment:
I first thought of BridgeUkraine when I spoke with my former MSc student, Marat Khodzhaiev, who was in Ukraine when the war started. He was stranded in his house and at risk of missing the opportunity to graduate from his MSc course in the UK. All bridges around him had collapsed, there was no escape route. His wife was pregnant at the time. That call made me realise the urgent need, not only to rebuild infrastructure, but also to support and empower Ukrainian engineers to build their future. BridgeUkraine became more than just a research alliance, it became a mission that ensures that Ukraine’s recovery will be driven by its own people, equipped with the best knowledge and tools to rebuild their country.
The KSE Institute estimates that more than 300 bridges across Ukraine require urgent reconstruction, with damages exceeding US$2.6 billion. But this isn’t all about infrastructure; it is about securing Ukraine’s independence and ensuring that its economy and society can function even under the most difficult conditions. Every bridge rebuilt is a step toward recovery, a restored connection between families and communities, and a symbol of resilience.
To address these challenges, rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure cannot follow conventional methods. The sheer scale of destruction demands a new approach, one that not only restores what was lost but strengthens the country for the future.
At BridgeUkraine, we are developing solutions that prioritise resilience over quick fixes. Instead of rebuilding vulnerable structures, we are integrating sustainable materials, climate-adaptive engineering, and strategic planning to ensure that Ukraine’s transport networks are built to last.
Rebuilding fairly and efficiently
A comprehensive assessment conducted by the government of Ukraine, the World Bank Group, the European Commission, and the United Nations estimates that the total cost of Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery stands at approximately €506 billion (US$524bn) over the next decade. This underscores the necessity for continued and enhanced international support to address the extensive needs arising from the conflict.
There are no academic guidelines on how to rebuild after such destruction. What is the most effective way to approach reconstruction in this context? We quickly came to the realisation that conventional methods were too slow and rigid to address the urgent and widespread damage.
Our research team wanted to re-imagine how to rebuild infrastructure and homes that are resilient to future challenges, from war-related destruction to climate-induced disasters. As Mitoulis told me:
Rebuilding infrastructure is not just about restoring roads and bridges, it’s about rebuilding lives. Our approach is centred on people, ensuring that the infrastructure is designed by Ukrainians, for Ukrainians. It must not only reconnect communities but also support economic recovery and long-term resilience.
But such ethical reconstruction must be inclusive, sustainable and community-driven, ensuring that those who depend on infrastructure have a say in how it is rebuilt.
Reconstruction must be a participatory, creative effort – one that rebuilds cities with beauty and meaning, connecting them to their past while preparing for the future. Too often, post-war recovery efforts have been dictated by external donors, prioritising short-term economic gains over long-term resilience.
People like me, who have grown up in these places, understand the culture, the rhythm of daily life, and the importance of preserving identity as well as buildings. We want to see our cities restored in a way that reflects our history and spirit.
For example, in post-second world war Warsaw, reconstruction efforts initially ignored the city’s historical character in favour of Soviet-style urban planning. It was only through the persistence of local architects and historians that parts of the Old Town were painstakingly restored to reflect their original designs.
Ukraine cannot afford such myopic, profit-driven decision-making. Instead, it must empower local communities, integrating their knowledge, needs and skills into the reconstruction process.
This vision started to take shape through workshop discussions with experts in geography and urban planning. Everyone agreed on the need for an adaptable transportation system where modular designs and relocatable, prefabricated bridges (like the Mabey bridge in US) could respond to evolving demands and disruptions.
Similarly, at the ReBuild Ukraine 2024 conference leading engineers, policymakers and researchers showcased groundbreaking technologies designed to accelerate reconstruction while reducing long-term environmental and economic risks (for example, nature-based solutions, 3D-printing, Virtual Reality and Building Informational Modelling).
Revolutionising damage assessment with AI, radar and satellite imagery
But to effectively plan for recovery and reconstruction, it’s crucial to first accurately characterise the damage. A clear picture of what has been destroyed allows for smarter decisions, prioritising the most urgent repairs and using resources effectively.
Our latest research, published in Automation in Construction, introduces a faster, more precise way to assess damage to key infrastructure, particularly bridges. Bringing together expertise from a large multidisciplinary team, we developed a new approach that combines satellite images and radar and artificial intelligence to swiftly and accurately analyse damage.
This technology allowed us to assess the condition of bridges remotely, without having to be onsite in dangerous or inaccessible areas. By providing rapid, data-driven insights, our method helps ensure that reconstruction efforts start where they are needed most, speeding up recovery and making rebuilding efforts more effective.
We tested this approach on numerous bridges in the Irpin region of Ukraine, and the results were striking. It significantly improved both the speed and accuracy of damage assessments. Using Sentinel-1 SAR images (radar satellite images from the European Space Agency’s Copernicus program), crowdsourced data (photos and reports from people on the ground), and high-resolution imagery, we developed a comprehensive approach for damage detection and classification.
This approach works on multiple levels: it provides a big-picture view of damage across entire regions while also zooming in on specific structural issues in individual bridge components. By combining satellite data with detailed images, our method makes damage assessments more precise, faster and safer, ensuring that reconstruction efforts focus on the most critical areas first.
These findings can play a crucial role in damage and needs assessment such as those conducted by the World Bank.
Sustainable infrastructure
In war zones, destruction often affects vital humanitarian and evacuation corridors, making it essential to prioritise reconstruction based on factors such as the national importance of a bridge, its role in border crossings, and its impact on social services.
But rebuilding after a disaster is also an opportunity to create something stronger, smarter, built to last – and with a sustainable focus.
From the first day of the invasion, Nadiia began volunteering at Lviv Polytechnic National University helping to weave camouflage nets. @kathryn_moskalyuk
Given Ukraine’s commitment to net-zero emissions and resilience, we expanded our research [and published a study] which introduced an innovative model for rebuilding infrastructure that can withstand future hazards while minimising carbon emissions. At its core, the model features a “smart prioritisation system” that helps decision-makers allocate resources effectively. It assesses key factors such as repair urgency, community impact and long-term durability, ensuring that rebuilding efforts provide the greatest benefits where they are needed most.
For example, when assessing damaged structures, the system prioritises projects that will provide the most long-term benefits. That might mean restoring energy systems to prevent future blackouts or repairing bridges that serve as key evacuation routes and economic lifelines.
As Stanislav Gvozdikov, deputy director of Euro-integration Process at Ukraine’s State Road Research Institute, told me: “Every bridge we restore, every road we reopen, isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about restoring life, reconnecting families and ensuring that communities have the resilience to withstand whatever comes next.”
This is already a reality near my home town, Mykolaiv, where newly rebuilt bridges have restored transport links and also revived local economies, giving people hope for the future.
But no one rebuilds a country alone.
The UK-Ukraine 100-year agreement, announced in February 2025, underscored a deep commitment to Ukraine’s security, economic resilience, and post-war reconstruction. The partnership recognises the importance of cooperation between the UK and Ukraine to strengthen technological innovation and to increase collaboration in transport more widely.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds in the field, including more than 50 practitioners, consultants, academics, institutions and international bodies. This alliance of experts was united by a shared vision: to change the way the world approaches post-war reconstruction.
A key part of this mission is training engineers, equipping them with the latest knowledge in damage assessment, resilience-based and people-centred design and international standards to lead Ukraine’s reconstruction.
We come from different backgrounds – engineering, economics, policy, humanitarian efforts, and governmental bodies. But we all share the same motivation in wanting to help our country.
Leading researchers from Ukraine specialising in AI technologies, infrastructure engineering, sustainable and energy-saving buildings or climate change, are also members of BridgeUkraine. AI-specialist, Ivan Izonin has spoken passionately about how he believes that the collaborative efforts we have started “will lay the foundation for large-scale scientific projects that will be pivotal in post-war reconstruction…”. While Natalya Shakhovska , also a specialist in AI, recalled: “My activity in the BridgeUkraine alliance gave me the opportunity to align my research to critical infrastructure assessment, enabled by my AI modelling…Today I really feel included, I understand that my expertise is helping [my country’s recovery]”
Another enthusiastic Ukrainian researcher, Khrystyna Myroniuk, who specialises in building physics, told me how the collaboration had given her the opportunity to continue her “research on sustainable housing solutions for Ukraine”.
Stopping the brain drain
One of the most critical challenges facing Ukraine today, aside from the physical destruction, is the brain drain – the mass exodus of skilled professionals who left the country in search of safety and better opportunities abroad.
This trend has had a significant impact on the country’s ability to rebuild. Engineers, architects and other highly trained specialists have long been a pillar of Ukraine’s development. But the war has forced many to leave, with no clear path back to contribute to the reconstruction effort. BridgeUkraine is helping to reverse this trend by offering a compelling reason for these skilled professionals to return.
Our engagement with Ukrainian engineers then sparked another idea: what if we trained local professionals to apply our expertise, equipping them to drive this transformation within their engineering communities?
This ensures that Ukraine’s recovery is driven by its own people, equipped with the latest global knowledge. By bridging the knowledge gap and integrating the best methods and ideas from across Europe, Ukraine can position itself as a leader in resilient infrastructure design.
Our research was taken up by the Ministry of Restoration of Ukraine. Stanislav Gvozdikov collaborated with us to launch a joint programme of Continuing Professional Development seminars for engineers designed to help them stay up to date with the latest knowledge and skills in their field. To date, our expertise has been shared with over 1,500 Ukrainians.
Argyroudis emphasised to me how critical the role of engineers will be in Ukraine’s reconstruction, saying: “It’s about rebuilding Ukrainian identity as a country.”
The ultimate goal is to build a culture of innovation and self-reliance among local professionals who have the expertise and passion to drive this change.
Professionals can now contribute to projects and be part of a larger community of practice, which brings together engineers, academics and international partners.
I am, personally, incredibly proud to have had the privilege, over the past two years, to help empower Ukrainians to develop world-leading research that accelerates their country’s recovery.
Shaping tomorrow
My hometown, Mykolaiv, still bears the scars of war. Returning there, I saw firsthand what was lost. But also what could be rebuilt. War has taken, and continues to take so much, but it has also forged a new generation of engineers who understand that our profession is no longer just about calculations and designs. It is about resilience, survival and national recovery.
Three years ago, I would have imagined a very different career for myself. But today, I know that engineering is more than my profession, it is my mission.
I am committed to ethical and inclusive infrastructure recovery in Ukraine, because science must be the foundation of national resilience. Ethical reconstruction must prioritise people over profits, creating systems that empower and strengthen communities.
Ukraine’s recovery is about setting a global precedent for post-conflict reconstruction. Our research, training programs and commitment to innovation are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected Ukraine, offering a paradigm shift to the war-torn world. Because rebuilding is about more than replacing the past. It is about creating a future that can withstand whatever comes next.
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Nadiia Kopiika receives funding from British Academy. She is affiliated with University of Birmingham, UK and Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Campaign to tackle dirty money steps up with new sanctions
UK sanctions corrupt actors undermining democratic governments in Foreign Secretary’s latest steps to crack down on corruption and illicit finance.
UK sanctions pro-Kremlin operation responsible for destabilising Moldova
Cronies used by corrupt leaders to undermine democracy and rule of law in Georgia and Guatemala also included in new crackdown
Action marks latest step in Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle threats to UK from corruption and illicit finance
Pro-Kremlin operatives responsible for rigging elections in Moldova are among those hit with sanctions today (2 April), which will freeze assets and ban travel.
This crackdown is the latest in the Foreign Secretary’s campaign to tackle corruption and dirty money, which is vital to protect the UK public from organised criminals and safeguard our democracy.
The sanctions target a network of pro-Russian actors named Evrazia operating in Moldova on behalf of corrupt fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, previously designated by the UK in 2022, to destabilise Moldovan democracy and spread Russia’s malign influence.
Evrazia, a Russian non-profit, has been used by Shor to bribe Moldovan citizens to vote “no” in last year’s referendum on joining the EU. Moldovan police have said that approximately 130,000 citizens received a total of $15 million from Evrazia – with payments ranging from $50 per month for “supporters” to over $2,500 per month for “leaders”.
Today’s sanctions target the founder and director of Evrazia Nelli Alekseyevna Parutenko and member of Evrazia’s management board Natalia Parasca, as well as Evrazia itself and another of Shor’s key political operatives, Marina Tauber.
These sanctions expose the Kremlin’s attempts to undermine and destabilise democracies in Eastern Europe. By targeting corrupt actors and their enablers, the UK is using its powers to create a more hostile environment for corruption and illicit finance and deter threats to the safety and security of Britain.
This marks the next step in the government’s ambitious agenda to tackle the devastating impacts of corruption and illicit finance, both at home and overseas, and deliver the UK’s national security under the Plan for Change.
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:
These sanctions send a clear message. We will not stand idly by as Russia undermines democracy and the rule of law, threatening the national security of countries we consider friends and partners.
Left unchecked, this kind of insidious corruption can erode the very foundations of our society and open doors for Russia and other malign actors to expand their influence and compromise the stability of our neighbours and the UK.
We must protect the institutions designed to hold these unscrupulous individuals to account, and the independent investigative journalists whose hard and often dangerous work exposes the truth behind their actions.
Minister Doughty met earlier today with journalists from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to express support for their tireless and risky work exposing corruption and bringing those responsible to justice.
The independent investigative reporting by the OCCRP and the activities of civil society groups such as Transparency International often play a crucial role in informing sanctions of this kind.
Today’s sanctions also target corrupt officials and prosecutors in Georgia and Guatemala, who are sabotaging democratic governance and undermining judicial impartiality by abusing their power.
In Georgia, this includes the leaders of the ‘Judicial Clan’ – a group of party-political judges who are abusing their position to influence court rulings and undermine the rule of law for the benefit of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and their control of Georgia’s judicial system.
In Guatemala, the sanctions are targeted at former President Giammattei and his ‘Pacto De Corruptos’ (‘Pact of the Corrupt’) – a cabal of officials and prosecutors still operating under the current Attorney General who have sought to undermine the anti-corruption reforms of President Arévalo by interfering in prosecutions and threatening investigators.
Background
The individuals and entity designated for sanctions today are:
Moldova
Evrazia, a non-governmental organisation that acts on behalf of pro-Russian Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor;
Nelli Parutenko, founder and director of Evrazia;
Natalia Parasca, member of the Evrazia management board and former leader of the Shor-backed Renaissance Party;
Marina Tauber, former leader of the Shor Party.
Guatemala
Alejandro Giammattei, former President of Guatemala;
Maria Consuelo Porras, Attorney General of Guatemala;
Jose Curruchiche, Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (FECI), who has undermined corruption investigations into Giammattei and his allies;
Cinthia Monterroso, Prosecutor and Head of Unit at FECI;
Angel Pineda, Secretary General of the Public Ministry, who has undermined corruption investigations into Giammattei and his allies, and targeted anti-corruption journalists, judges and prosecutors;
Melvin Quijivix, former Head of the National Institute of Electrification, who misappropriated public funds for the benefit of his own businesses;
Miguel Martinez, close associate of Giammattei.
Georgia
Levan Murusidze, member of the High Council of Justice of Georgia and member of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals;
Mikheil Chinchaladze, Chairman of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals.
About the OCCRP
The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project is a global network of investigative journalists that exposes organised crime and corruption so citizens can hold powerful politicians and officials to account.
About Transparency International
Transparency International is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit and works with like-minded partners across the world to end the injustice of corruption. Its mission is to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. As part of the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium, TI uses OCCRP’s investigative reporting to seek legal redress for victims of corruption, and advocate for reforms to close down the systems and networks that enable corruption to thrive, demanding greater transparency and integrity in all areas of public life.
Definitions
Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world.
Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The international student construction team “Dune” has completed its work in Egypt. 49 people from different parts of our country worked at the construction site of the first Egyptian nuclear power plant “El-Dabaa”. Polytechnic University was represented in the team by fifth-year student of IPMET Darina Zaitseva and sixth-year student of ISI Maria Khorosheva.
The International Student Construction Team “Dune” was founded in 2021 and is a labor project of the All-Russian Youth Public Organization “Russian Student Teams”. The host organization of the labor project is the holding company “TITAN-2” (a strategic partner of the State Corporation “Rosatom”). This is one of the largest holdings that carries out construction, installation and other types of work at construction sites in Russia and abroad.
Darina Zaitseva worked at the construction site of the nuclear power plant in the economics and finance directorate (control and other expenses department). She kept a register of memos on employee transfers, processed documents and entered information into a special program. Based on the results of her work, Darina was recognized as the best fighter in the detachment.
Of course, this is an unforgettable experience. Both in terms of working in another country and in terms of working on a project of such a scale! I never thought that I would ever be able to take part in the construction of a nuclear power plant. Immersion in another culture, completely different from ours, gave me vivid impressions. It is one thing to come as a tourist, and another to live for two months in constant interaction with local residents. And I want to say a big thank you for the fascinating excursions to the management of the TITAN-2 holding. In general, no matter how you look at it, this entire trip was filled with new experiences and unforgettable emotions! – said Darina.
Maria Khorosheva worked in the quality control directorate, visiting the construction site daily as part of the inspection commission. In addition to work, excursions were organized for the children to the Alexandria Library, the World War II Museum in El Alamein, and, of course, to Cairo to visit the famous pyramids of Giza.
Working on such a large-scale project once again proved to me how much I love construction. It was very interesting not only to watch, but also to participate in the construction of a unique industrial building, such as a nuclear power plant. For me, this experience showed what kind of construction industry I would like to work in. And, of course, I went abroad for the first time and fulfilled my childhood dream – to visit Africa! – shared Maria.
El Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt. It is being built in the city of the same name in the Matrouh Governorate on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo. El Dabaa consists of four power units with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts each, equipped with Russian-class VVER-1200 water-moderated reactors of the latest third generation.
In 2022, workers at the El Dabaa NPP successfully completed the course of Russian as a foreign language and received certificates. The training was organized by the Rosatom Technical Academy as part of the comprehensive training of specialists. The training complex, designed for accelerated language acquisition, was developed by teachers of the Center for Russian as a Foreign Language (Center for RCL) of the Higher School of International Educational Programs of SPbPU.
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.
Naypyidaw (Agenzia Fides) – The severe earthquake in Myanmar has broken the international political isolation that had surrounded the country’s ruling military junta following the 2021 coup. This has given new strength to the position of ruling General Min Aung Hlaing, as diplomatic channels that had been closed for four years have been opened. By interacting publicly and directly with countries such as India, China, and Russia, with other Asian and non-Asian nations, and with international organizations to organize humanitarian aid, the General is presenting himself as Myanmar’s most important public authority.Last week, General Min Aung Hlaing spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and these talks led to a flow of international aid. A meeting between the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), from which Myanmar has been excluded, is also scheduled to take place soon and will almost certainly result in Burmese representatives returning to the table to organize regional humanitarian assistance.The earthquake occurred just weeks after the junta announced it would hold general elections at the end of 2025 – a program considered impractical and unrealistic given that 50 percent of the country is under the control of the resistance fighters. However, the tragic event of the earthquake has opened a new window for the Burmese leadership to interact with regional powers.According to analysts, the military junta could also exploit the crisis by denying aid to towns, villages, and populations close to the opposition groups. The resistance organization ‘Octopus’ also noted in a statement that “the army carried out several airstrikes on some towns and villages in the days following the earthquake.” “Myanmar’s youth are ready to help during this time of natural disaster. However, due to the forced recruitment imposed by the junta last year, many were forced to flee to border regions or abroad,” the organization said. “We are grateful for the humanitarian aid reaching earthquake victims. However, because the aid is administered by the military junta, we are deeply concerned that it is not truly reaching all those who truly need it,” the statement reads. In light of the ongoing aftershocks in Myanmar, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided emergency assistance to approximately 25,000 survivors in the Mandalay and Naypyidaw regions and assessed critical needs in the Mandalay, Magway, and Sagaing regions. A total of 45% of the 3.8 million internally displaced people who have already fled their homes as a result of Myanmar’s civil war live in the earthquake-affected areas. The UNHCR continues to call for “unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to assist communities in urgent need of assistance,” emphasizing the need for an immediate ceasefire in the civil war, a demand also made by the Burmese Catholic Church (see Fides, 31/3/2025), to enable relief efforts to proceed. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 2/4/2025)
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Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
As part of the cooperation between SPbGASU and the St. Petersburg regional branch of the Russian society “Knowledge”, Associate Professor of the Department of History and Philosophy Evgeny Guryev gave a lecture to employees of the linear police departments on transport of the Vitebsk and Varshavsky railway stations.
The lecture “Soviet military leadership in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945” was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory.
Evgeny Pavlovich introduced the audience to the main periods into which the history of the Great Patriotic War is divided: the defensive period, the period of radical change and the offensive period. The lecture was based on the history of Soviet military art from the unsuccessful Border Battle of 1941 to the victorious May of 1945. The milestones of this history were the main battles of the Great Patriotic War: the Battle of Moscow, the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of Kursk, the Belorussian, Berlin and Manchurian offensive operations. The lecture emphasized the importance of remembering the events of the war and the efforts that were made to achieve Victory.
“I have been studying the topic of the Great Patriotic War since my first year at university. I have two textbooks on it,” the teacher said.
“The performances of the teachers of the Department of History and Philosophy of SPbGASU as speakers of the Russian Society “Knowledge” testify to their high qualifications, and form a positive public opinion about the university. Other lectures by Evgeny Guryev are also planned: the next one will take place on April 17 – for employees of the Main Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for St. Petersburg,” said Irina Lapina, Head of the Department of History and Philosophy of SPbGASU.
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.
The details on the quantum of rare earth metals imported and the countries from which it has been imported during the last five years is given at Annexure-I.
Government is aware of the occurrence of neodymium in the country. The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, is actively engaged in carrying out mineral exploration across the country following guidelines of United Nations Framework Classification [UNFC stage viz. reconnaissance surveys (G4), preliminary exploration (G3) and general exploration (G2)] and the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) (MEMC) Rules, 2015 with an aim to augment resource for various mineral commodities including critical minerals specified in Part D of the First Schedule of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2023. During Field Season (FS) 2021-22 and 2022-23, GSI had taken up three reconnaissance stage projects for Rare Earth Elements including neodymium in Sirohi and Bhilwara districts of Rajasthan as per the approved field season programme. The details are given at Annexure-II.
The Department of Atomic Energy has explored 1,11,845 tonne in-situ Rare Earth Elements Oxide (REO) in hard rock terrains in parts of Balotra (erstwhile Barmer) district, Rajasthan. As policy framework for utilizing critical minerals, including rare earth metals, the National Critical Mineral Mission has been launched, which is India’s strategic initiative to secure critical mineral supply chain by increasing domestic critical minerals production and foreign supply sources.
Under the Mission, GSI has prioritized and intensified its exploration activities for critical and strategic minerals across the country including Rajasthan, with an aim to find out potential mineralized locales as well as to establish more resources for these minerals. During the current FS 2024-25, GSI has taken up 195 exploration projects including 35 projects in Rajasthan, to assess the mineral potential of strategic and critical minerals. The detailed list of mineral exploration projects taken up by GSI in Rajasthan exclusively for REE/RM and associated minerals from FS 2021-22 to 2024-25 is given at Annexure-III. Since MMDR Amendment Act, 2015, GSI has established resource of REE in Barmer and Sikar districts of Rajasthan. GSI has handed over one resource bearing geological report (GR) on REE, one Geological Memorandums (GM) on REE and one GM on tungsten for auctioning.
ANNEXURE-I
Annexure-I referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding ‘Import of Rare Earth Metals’
Table: Country wise quantum of rare earth metals imported by India during last 5 years
Quantity in Tonnes
#
HS Code- Description
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
Country
Qty
Country
Qty
Country
Qty
Country
Qty
Country
Qty
1.
28053000– Alkali or alkaline earth metals: Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or inter alloyed
China
437
China
445
China
714.5
China
709
China
699
Hong Kong
34
Japan
11
Japan
34
Japan
42
Hong Kong
234
Japan
2
Sweden
10
USA
6.6
Singapore
20
Japan
192
USA
0.57
USA
4.69
Hong Kong
5
Hong Kong
20
Mongolia
60
UK
0.08
Hong Kong
0.05
Russia
1
USA
1.09
UK
0.11
Others
0.00
Others
0.07
Others
0.06
Others
0.18
Others
0.02
Total
473.65
Total
470.61
Total
761
Total
792
Total
1,185
2.
2846- Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare earth metals
Russia
452
China
695
China
745
China
796
China
780
China
434
Russia
156
Japan
196
Korea
150
Japan
148
Japan
255
Japan
133
Korea
93
Japan
148
Korea
90
Germany
59
Korea
91
Austria
41
USA
20
USA
24
Austria
31
Austria
46
Russia
40
France
14
France
19
Others
144
Others
129
Others
69
Others
24
Others
24
Total
1,375
Total
1,250
Total
1,183
Total
1,153
Total
1,086
REE Total
1,848
1,721
1,944
1,945
2,270
Note:REE has 17 elements. HS codes 280530 and 2846 pertain to REE as a whole and not to a particular element.
ANNEXURE-II
Annexure-II referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding ‘Import of Rare Earth Metals’
Table: G4 stage projects taken up for Rare Earth Elements including neodymium in Rajasthan during FS 2021-22 and FS 2022-23
Sl. No
State
District
Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt
UNFC Stage
Mineral Commodity
FS: 2021-22
1
Rajasthan
Sirohi
Jirawal-Sanpur
G4
Neodymium and Dysprosium
2
Rajasthan
Bhilwara
Mahendragarh-Gundli-Bawri
G4
Neodymium and associated REE
FS: 2022-23
3
Rajasthan
Bhilwara
Kodukota-Raser-Lulas-Kallyakhera
G4
REE and associated Neodymium
ANNEXURE-III
Annexure-III referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5253 answered on 02.04.2025 regarding ‘Import of Rare Earth Metals’
Table: List of projects taken up by GSI on REE/RM and associated minerals from FS 2021-22 to FS 2024-25
Question for written answer E-001126/2025/rev.1 to the Commission Rule 144 Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)
The European Parliament resolution of 13 March 2025 strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages and called for targeted sanctions against the Azerbaijani officials responsible for these violations. However, no concrete steps have been taken at EU level to put pressure on Azerbaijan to comply with international law.
Greece has been a steadfast advocate of human rights and the rule of law both within and outside the EU, upholding a principled stance in cases of political imprisonment. However, the EU’s response to Azerbaijan’s ongoing violations remains weaker compared to the action it has taken in response to other instances of human rights violations, including those concerning Russia and Belarus.
In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following:
1.What specific steps has the Commission taken to ensure the immediate release of the Armenian hostages, in accordance with the European Parliament resolution?
2.Why have targeted sanctions not been adopted against the Azerbaijani officials responsible for these violations, despite Parliament’s clear call to action?
3.How does the Commission explain its inconsistent approach, acting with severity in cases of human rights violations in some cases, while avoiding decisive action against Azerbaijan?
On 10 April 2025, the AFET and BUDG Committees will hold a second Ukraine Facility Dialogue in the framework of the Article 37 of the Ukraine Facility Regulation. The Ukraine Facility is a EUR 50 billion instrument, disbursed in stages, which represents one of the cornerstones of the EU’s strategy for the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression.
Members will have the opportunity to discuss with Commissioner Marta Kos the state of play of the implementation of the Facility, in particular the Ukraine Plan and related reforms, Ukraine’s progressive alignment to the EU acquis, as well as the payments made. Ukraine Facility Dialogues shall be held at least every four months.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The 18th Interuniversity Student Olympiad “Management in Transport and Logistics”, organized by the Institute of Industry Management of the State University of Management, has ended at the State University of Management.
The central event of the Olympiad was the defense of project work, where 9 teams presented their developments to a competent jury. The guys demonstrated a deep understanding of modern challenges facing the logistics and transport industry, and proposed innovative solutions based on advanced technologies and best practices.
The participants demonstrated not only a deep knowledge of theory, but also the ability to apply it to solve real business problems, creating projects ready for implementation in practice.
The jury included representatives of the largest companies in the transport industry and logistics business: JSC OREKH, FS Mackenzie, LKTK GROUP (OOO SPAK), CESCA, OOO KAMPARI RUS, JSC Oktoblu, OOO COTTON CLUB, OOO SP BUSINESS CAR, NAMI, Tablogix, Fast Pax, ATI SU, JSC Russian Post, Alfa Group – BN Alfascan.
The experts noted the high level of preparation of the students, their creative thinking and ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems.
The best practice-oriented project was prepared by the team of the State University of Management “MyBestRoute”. The winners in the nomination “Research Project” were also our students from the team “Delivery Fly”, and the first place among video business cards was taken by the team of RUDN University “Logisticians of Friendship”.
The winners of the scientific paper competition were: Tatyana Mananik, Daniil Yushin, Alexandra Patrick, Vasilina Shumskaya and Yuliana Linda.
The competition demonstrated the high level of preparation of the participants and their genuine interest in the development of the logistics industry. Students from GUU, MADI and RUDN contributed to the creation of a unique atmosphere of competition and exchange of experience.
At the award ceremony, Deputy Head of the Department of Transport Complex Management of the State University of Management Alexey Stepanov congratulated the competition participants and presented diplomas and memorable prizes to the winners.
We would like to thank all participants and experts for their support and active participation in the Olympiad. We look forward to new meetings and inspiring ideas at the next event!
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/02/2025
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.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
On March 27, the traditional event “Trends in Marketing, Brand Management and Advertising” was held in the Presentation Hall of the Scientific Library of the State University of Management, dedicated to the key areas of research work of students of the Institute of Marketing.
Teachers from three graduate departments presented their initiative areas of scientific research and invited students to participate in the scientific life of the Institute.
The presentations were made by Vasily Starostin, Olga Vasilyeva, Kristina Arzhanova, Dmitry Dolgopolov, Olga Larina, Victoria Bogdanova and Svetlana Silina.
During the meeting, current topics were discussed concerning both the education sector itself, such as education marketing and university campus development, as well as the technology sector and the use of artificial intelligence.
The participants also considered the issues of information perception in consumer communities, sustainable development marketing and transformation processes in the labour market.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/02/2025
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.
Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –
Photography is a form of visual communication that, while remaining technically accessible to a wide range of people, requires a strong theoretical background and constant practice. Specialists in this field define the face of modern culture, media, fashion, and advertising. Students majoring in Photography receive knowledge unique to a Russian university in the field of interaction between photography, design, video art, and installation. The School of Design offers photography training in two educational trajectories: fashion photography and art photography.
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.
On 10 April 2025, the AFET and BUDG Committees will hold a second Ukraine Facility Dialogue in the framework of the Article 37 of the Ukraine Facility Regulation. The Ukraine Facility is a EUR 50 billion instrument, disbursed in stages, which represents one of the cornerstones of the EU’s strategy for the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s war of aggression.
Members will have the opportunity to discuss with Commissioner Marta Kos the state of play of the implementation of the Facility, in particular the Ukraine Plan and related reforms, Ukraine’s progressive alignment to the EU acquis, as well as the payments made. Ukraine Facility Dialogues shall be held at least every four months.
2. Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (debate)
European Council and Commission statements: Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20 March 2025 (2024/2980(RSP))
António Costa (President of the European Council) and Ursula von der Leyen (President of the Commission) made the statements.
The following spoke: Manfred Weber, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Terry Reintke, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Manon Aubry, on behalf of The Left Group, Alexander Sell, on behalf of the ESN Group, Dolors Montserrat, Raphaël Glucksmann, Jean-Paul Garraud, Patryk Jaki, Billy Kelleher, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Pasquale Tridico, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Ruth Firmenich, Siegfried Mureşan, Paolo Borchia, Nicolas Bay, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Hannah Neumann, Li Andersson, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Željana Zovko, Alex Agius Saliba, Anna Bryłka, Charlie Weimers, Hilde Vautmans, Reinier Van Lanschot, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Christel Schaldemose, Gilles Pennelle, Carlo Fidanza, Svenja Hahn, Tom Berendsen (the President spoke about Siegbert Frank Droese’s behaviour following Hannah Neumann’s speech), Javier Moreno Sánchez, Harald Vilimsky, Johan Van Overtveldt, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Reinhold Lopatka, Dan Nica, Emmanouil Fragkos, Ľubica Karvašová, Danuše Nerudová, Marta Temido, Anna Zalewska, Karlo Ressler, Elio Di Rupo, François-Xavier Bellamy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Brando Benifei.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Dariusz Joński, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Anna Maria Cisint, Sebastian Tynkkynen, João Oliveira, Siegbert Frank Droese, Lukas Sieper, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Bruno Gonçalves and Seán Kelly.
The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) and António Costa.
The debate closed.
3. Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: standing with Ukraine and upholding justice (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: standing with Ukraine and upholding justice(2025/2635(RSP))
The President said that there would be only one round of political group speakers and no catch-the-eye procedure or blue-card questions.
Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.
The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Thijs Reuten, on behalf of the S&D Group, Anders Vistisen, on behalf of the PfE Group, Michał Dworczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Petras Auštrevičius, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, and René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.
The debate closed.
4. Amendment of the agenda
In accordance with Rule 164(2), the President proposed the following amendment of the agenda, with the agreement of the political groups:
Wednesday/Thursday
The vote on ‘Energy-intensive industries’ (item 24 on the agenda) would be held over until voting time on Thursday.
Parliament agreed to the proposal.
The agenda was amended accordingly.
(The sitting was suspended at 11:54.)
IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS Vice-President
5. Resumption of the sitting
The sitting resumed at 12:01.
6. Voting time
For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.
6.1. Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements ***I (vote)
Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (COM(2025)0080 – C10-0038/2025 – 2025/0044(COD)) – JURI Committee
REQUEST FOR AN URGENT DECISION by the PPE Group (Rule 170(6))
Approved
The following tabling deadlines had been set:
– amendments: Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 13:00 – requests for separate votes and split votes: Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 19:00.
Vote: 3 April 2025.
The following had spoken:
Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group (the author of the request), and Manon Aubry against.
Detailed voting results
6.2. Request for waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová (vote)
Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Jana Nagyová [2024/2035(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Krzysztof Śmiszek (A10-0029/2025)
6.3. Request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron (vote)
Report on the request for waiver of the immunity of Petr Bystron [2024/2048(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Dominik Tarczyński (A10-0030/2025)
6.4. Request for waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wąsik (vote)
Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Maciej Wąsik [2024/2043(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Mario Furore (A10-0031/2025)
6.5. Request for waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński (vote)
Report on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Mariusz Kamiński [2024/2046(IMM)] – Committee on Legal Affairs. Rapporteur: Mario Furore (A10-0032/2025)
6.6. Partial renewal of a member of the Court of Auditors – Lucian Romașcanu (vote)
Report on the nomination of Lucian Romașcanu as a Member of the Court of Auditors [05958/2025 – C10-0010/2025 – 2025/0801(NLE)] – Committee on Budgetary Control. Rapporteur: Tomáš Zdechovský (A10-0039/2025)
(Majority of the votes cast) (Secret ballot (Rule 133(3)))
The list of Members voting is annexed to these minutes (minutes of 1.4.2025 Annex 1)
Detailed voting results
6.7. Common data platform on chemicals, establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals ***I (vote)
Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common data platform on chemicals, laying down rules to ensure that the data contained in it are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable and establishing a monitoring and outlook framework for chemicals [COM(2023)0779 – C9-0449/2023 – 2023/0453(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0018/2025)
Dimitris Tsiodras (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).
Detailed voting results
6.8. Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency ***I (vote)
Report on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks to the European Chemicals Agency [COM(2023)0781 – C9-0448/2023 – 2023/0454(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0019/2025)
Dimitris Tsiodras (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).
Detailed voting results
6.9. Re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals ***I (vote)
Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 401/2009, (EU) 2017/745 and (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the re-attribution of scientific and technical tasks and improving cooperation among Union agencies in the area of chemicals [COM(2023)0783 – C9-0447/2023 – 2023/0455(COD)] – Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety. Rapporteur: Dimitris Tsiodras (A10-0020/2025)
Dimitris Tsiodras (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).
Detailed voting results
6.10. Macro-financial assistance to Jordan ***I (vote)
Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan [COM(2024)0159 – C9-0146/2024 – 2024/0086(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Céline Imart (A10-0038/2025)
Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.
6.11. Macro-financial assistance to Egypt ***I (vote)
Report on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on providing macro-financial assistance to the Arab Republic of Egypt [COM(2024)0461 – C10-0009/2024 – 2024/0071(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Céline Imart (A10-0037/2025)
– Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission), before the vote, to make a statement.
– Céline Imart (rapporteur), after the vote on the Commission’s proposal, to request that the matter be referred back to the committee responsible, for interinstitutional negotiations, in accordance with Rule 60(4).
6.12. Customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the USA ***I (vote)
Report on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/196 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2018 on additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating in the United States of America [COM(2025)0027 – C10-0007/2025 – 2025/0012(COD)] – Committee on International Trade. Rapporteur: Bernd Lange (A10-0034/2025)
8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting
The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.
9. CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TUE)(joint debate)
Report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy – 2024 annual report [2024/2080(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: David McAllister (A10-0010/2025) Report on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024 [2024/2082(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (A10-0011/2025)
David McAllister and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte introduced the reports.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).
The following spoke:Michael Gahler, on behalf of the PPE Group, Sven Mikser, on behalf of the S&D Group, Kinga Gál, on behalf of the PfE Group, Adam Bielan, on behalf of the ECR Group, Urmas Paet, on behalf of the Renew Group, Marc Botenga,on behalf of The Left Group,Stanislav Stoyanov, on behalf of the ESN Group,Rasa Juknevičienė, Tobias Cremer, António Tânger Corrêa, Alberico Gambino, Bart Groothuis, Hannah Neumann,Özlem Demirel, Marcin Sypniewski, Monika Beňová, Łukasz Kohut, Yannis Maniatis, Pierre-Romain Thionnet,Rihards Kols, Hilde Vautmans, Jaume Asens Llodrà, Lynn Boylan, Hans Neuhoff, Francisco José Millán Mon,Nacho Sánchez Amor, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Nathalie Loiseau, Hanna Gedin, Salvatore De Meo, Hana Jalloul Muro,Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Petras Auštrevičius,Davor Ivo Stier, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Tonino Picula, Lucia Yar, Vangelis Meimarakis, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Thijs Reuten, Marta Wcisło, Riho Terras, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Mārtiņš Staķis, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, and Sebastian Tynkkynen.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Tomislav Sokol, João Oliveira, Željana Zovko, Lukas Sieper and Michał Szczerba.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas, David McAllister and Nicolás Pascual de la Parte.
The debate closed.
Vote: 2 April 2025.
10. Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 (debate)
Report on human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2024 [2024/2081(INI)] – Committee on Foreign Affairs. Rapporteur: Isabel Wiseler-Lima (A10-0012/2025)
Isabel Wiseler-Lima introduced the report.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).
The following spoke: Abir Al-Sahlani (rapporteur for the opinion of the FEMM Committee), Antonio López-Istúriz White, on behalf of the PPE Group, Francisco Assis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Christophe Bay, on behalf of the PfE Group, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Catarina Vieira, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Kathleen Funchion, on behalf of The Left Group, Petr Bystron, on behalf of the ESN Group, Reinhold Lopatka, Elisabeth Grossmann, Silvia Sardone, Sophie Wilmès, Mounir Satouri, Alvise Pérez, Liudas Mažylis, Marco Tarquinio, András László, who also answered a blue-card question from Catarina Vieira, Loucas Fourlas, Chloé Ridel, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Hermann Tertsch, Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, Evin Incir and Alice Teodorescu Måwe.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sunčana Glavak, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Lukas Sieper and Michał Wawrykiewicz.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.
IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE Vice-President
The following spoke: Isabel Wiseler-Lima.
The debate closed.
Vote: 2 April 2025.
11. Presentation of the new European Internal Security Strategy(debate)
Commission statement: Presentation of the new European Internal Security Strategy (2025/2608(RSP))
Magnus Brunner (Member of the Commission) made the statement.
The following spoke: Tomas Tobé, on behalf of the PPE Group, Birgit Sippel, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Saskia Bricmont, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giuseppe Antoci, on behalf of The Left Group, Mary Khan, on behalf of the ESN Group, Jeroen Lenaers, Thijs Reuten, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Alessandro Ciriani, Moritz Körner, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper, Lena Düpont, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Petra Steger, Mariusz Kamiński, François-Xavier Bellamy, Marieke Ehlers, Charlie Weimers, Javier Zarzalejos, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Dariusz Joński, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Elena Donazzan, Maciej Wąsik and Gheorghe Piperea.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Dariusz Joński, José Cepeda, João Oliveira, Sunčana Glavak, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Ana Miguel Pedro and Lukas Sieper.
The following spoke: Henna Virkkunen (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).
The debate closed.
12. EU Preparedness Union Strategy (debate)
Commission statement: EU Preparedness Union Strategy (2025/2641(RSP))
Hadja Lahbib (Member of the Commission) made the statement.
The following spoke: Lena Düpont, on behalf of the PPE Group.
IN THE CHAIR: Pina PICIERNO Vice-President
The following spoke: Yannis Maniatis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Roberto Vannacci, on behalf of the PfE Group, Beata Szydło, on behalf of the ECR Group, Grégory Allione, on behalf of the Renew Group, Diana Riba i Giner, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Ana Miranda Paz, on the language used by a Member during this debate (the President agreed), Merja Kyllönen, on behalf of The Left Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group (the President reminded the House of the rules on conduct), Lukas Mandl, Christophe Clergeau, Christophe Bay, Elena Donazzan, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Ville Niinistö, Catarina Martins, Cecilia Strada, who referred to the speech of Roberto Vannacci (the President reiterated the need to respect the rules on conduct), Kostas Papadakis, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Tomislav Sokol, Heléne Fritzon, Barbara Bonte, Adrian-George Axinia, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Alvise Pérez, Nathalie Loiseau, Lena Schilling, Luke Ming Flanagan, Massimiliano Salini, Annalisa Corrado, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Grégory Allione, Michał Dworczyk, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Leire Pajín, Matej Tonin, Tobias Cremer, Victor Negrescu and Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Hélder Sousa Silva, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Ana Miranda Paz, Cecilia Strada, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, João Oliveira and Maria Zacharia.
The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib.
The debate closed.
13. Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (debate)
Council and Commission statements: Improving the implementation of cohesion policy through the mid-term review to achieve a robust cohesion policy post 2027 (2025/2648(RSP))
Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.
The following spoke: Andrey Novakov, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Rody Tolassy, on behalf of the PfE Group, Denis Nesci, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Cristina Guarda, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Elena Kountoura, on behalf of the The Left Group, Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Marcos Ros Sempere, Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza, Ciaran Mullooly, Gordan Bosanac, who also answered a blue-card question from Lukas Sieper.
IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS Vice-President
The following spoke: Dan-Ştefan Motreanu, Victor Negrescu, Antonella Sberna, Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Christian Doleschal, Carla Tavares, who also answered a blue-card question from Ana Miranda Paz, Elsi Katainen, Elena Nevado del Campo, who also answered a blue-card question from Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, Estelle Ceulemans, Joachim Streit, Jacek Protas and Hannes Heide.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Nikolina Brnjac, Rosa Serrano Sierra, Ana Miranda Paz, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Francisco José Millán Mon, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral and Maria Grapini.
The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto and Adam Szłapka.
The debate closed.
14. Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Safeguarding the access to democratic media, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty(2025/2630(RSP))
Marta Kos (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The following spoke: Sebastião Bugalho, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nils Ušakovs, on behalf of the S&D Group, António Tânger Corrêa, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Irena Joveva, on behalf of the Renew Group, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, Andrey Kovatchev, Francisco Assis, Hermann Tertsch, Alexandr Vondra, Dan Barna, Mary Khan, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Erik Kaliňák, who also answered a blue-card question from Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Ondřej Kolář, Robert Biedroń, Virginie Joron, Rihards Kols, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Petar Volgin, Fidias Panayiotou, Rasa Juknevičienė, Hannes Heide, Csaba Dömötör, who also answered a blue-card question from Gabriella Gerzsenyi, Claudiu-Richard Târziu, Laurence Farreng, Elena Yoncheva, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Evin Incir, who also answered a blue-card question from Fidias Panayiotou, and Julien Sanchez.
IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA Vice-President
The following spoke: Helmut Brandstätter, Mika Aaltola, Michał Kobosko, Alice Teodorescu Måwe and Tomáš Zdechovský.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Radan Kanev, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă and Gabriella Gerzsenyi.
The following spoke: Marta Kos.
The debate closed.
15. Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu(2025/2642(RSP))
Marta Kos (Member of the Commission) made the statement on behalf of the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The following spoke: Emmanouil Kefalogiannis, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nacho Sánchez Amor, on behalf of the S&D Group, Susanna Ceccardi, on behalf of the PfE Group, Assita Kanko, on behalf of the ECR Group, Malik Azmani, on behalf of the Renew Group, Vladimir Prebilič, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Michalis Hadjipantela, Kathleen Van Brempt, Mathilde Androuët, Bernard Guetta, Mélissa Camara, Özlem Demirel, Reinhold Lopatka, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, Željana Zovko, Nikos Papandreou, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi and Dario Nardella.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Sebastian Tynkkynen, Ana Miranda Paz, Hanna Gedin, Maria Zacharia, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Lukas Sieper and Fidias Panayiotou.
The following spoke: Marta Kos.
The debate closed.
16. Dramatic situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement (debate)
Statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:Dramatic situation in Gaza and the need for an immediate return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release agreement(2025/2644(RSP))
Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.
The following spoke: Hildegard Bentele, on behalf of the PPE Group, Evin Incir, on behalf of the S&D Group, Fabrice Leggeri, on behalf of the PfE Group, Bert-Jan Ruissen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Villy Søvndal, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Irene Montero, on behalf of The Left Group, Alice Teodorescu Måwe, Sebastiaan Stöteler, Hana Jalloul Muro, Barry Andrews, Ana Miranda Paz, Giorgos Georgiou, Ondřej Kolář, who also answered a blue-card question from Rima Hassan, and Matjaž Nemec.
IN THE CHAIR: Ewa KOPACZ Vice-President
The following spoke: Tomáš Kubín, Leoluca Orlando, Danilo Della Valle, Céline Imart, who also answered a blue-card question from Benedetta Scuderi, Marta Temido, Saskia Bricmont, Estrella Galán, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Mimmo Lucano, and Marit Maij and Benedetta Scuderi, on the language sometimes used during this debate (the President took note).
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Davor Ivo Stier, Daniel Attard, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Vladimir Prebilič and Marc Botenga.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.
The debate closed.
17. Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security (debate)
Council and Commission statements: Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security (2025/2612(RSP))
Kaja Kallas (Vice President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) made the statement.
The following spoke: Lukas Mandl, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marit Maij, on behalf of the S&D Group, Thierry Mariani, on behalf of the PfE Group, Patryk Jaki, on behalf of the ECR Group, Hilde Vautmans, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mounir Satouri, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marc Botenga, on behalf of The Left Group, Tomasz Froelich, on behalf of the ESN Group, Wouter Beke, Francisco Assis, György Hölvényi, Alexander Sell, Nikolaos Anadiotis, Reinhold Lopatka, Anja Arndt, Ingeborg Ter Laak and Davor Ivo Stier.
The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Saskia Bricmont, Bert-Jan Ruissen and Sebastian Tynkkynen.
The following spoke: Kaja Kallas.
Motions for resolutions tabled under Rule 136(2) to wind up the debate: minutes of 3.4.2025, item I.
The debate closed.
Vote: 3 April 2025.
18. Explanations of vote
18.1. Written explanations of vote
Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.
19. Agenda of the next sitting
The next sitting would be held the following day, 2 April 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.
20. Approval of the minutes of the sitting
In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.
21. Closure of the sitting
The sitting closed at 22:07.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT
I. Documents received
The following documents had been received from committees:
– Report on Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 (2024/2111(BUI)) – BUDG Committee – Rapporteur: Matjaž Nemec (A10-0048/2025)
The Joint Communication[1] remains valid in the areas that it covers. Its implementation continues to deliver on its goals and objectives.
While climate change remains the most comprehensive threat to the Arctic, the overall security and geopolitical context has changed significantly as a consequence of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In this context, the question of an updated EU Arctic policy becomes relevant. However, such a decision would require careful reflection and any potential process to review and update the Arctic Joint Communication in the future will take time[2]. The question of further enhancing the EU’s presence is relevant.
The EU is a major player in areas such as Arctic sustainable fisheries[3], environmental protection, sustainable blue economy development, science and research, and regional development in the European Arctic.
Since 2021, the EU has been increasing its presence in other areas, including municipal cooperation, and support to Indigenous peoples and the youth[4].
In relation to Greenland, the EU operates long-standing relations with Greenland based on its status as an Overseas Country/Territory[5]. The Commission opened an office in Nuuk in 2024.
In areas such as hybrid threats, critical infrastructures and demographic trends affecting also Arctic regions, the EU’s actions are anchored in competences and policies set out in the Treaties.
EU relations with Norway, Iceland and Greenland are based on existing agreements and arrangements[6]. Changes to those agreements and arrangements will require decisions in each country in line with their national rules and procedures.
[2] The decision must also take into account the civilian nature of the EU´s engagement in Arctic matters and available resources.
[3] This includes the implementation of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement, to which the Commission is part on behalf of Member States, as well as EU fleets fishing in the Barents Sea or the deployment since 2023 of an inspection vessel to that area. The EU is also reflecting about additional areas where more presence could be of an added value.
[4] This includes two new initiatives, namely the Arctic Youth Dialogue and the Arctic Urban and Regional Cooperation network.
[5] In December 2024, the EU signed a new protocol of a duration of six years under the existing Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement concluded in 2021
[6] E.g. European Economic Area, Schengen area and other areas of cooperation as well as Greenland’s association with the EU as an Overseas Country and Territory (OCT).
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The State University of Management invites students to take part in the new season of the creative video content competition “Battle of Creators”, which is being implemented with the support of the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives.
The competition will give students interested in developing in the creative field the opportunity to gain significant professional experience and cash prizes for the videos they create. Student media centers will be able to improve their knowledge and receive cash prizes that will allow them to develop the association.
Anyone can take part. To do this, you need to register on the competition website and shoot a promotional video on a given topic.
After registration, video tutorials, participant chat and support from a team of professionals will become available.
The winners of the “Battle of Creators” will receive prizes and contracts with federal brands.
All details on the official website and in the Vkontakte community.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/02/2025
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.
NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Marex Group plc (Nasdaq: MRX) (‘Marex’), the diversified global financial services platform, provides a Q1 trading update at its Investor Day, being held today at the Nasdaq Marketsite in New York City.
Marex reports a strong start to the year with positive momentum and supportive market conditions continuing through the first quarter of 2025. Client activity has remained strong across the platform with high levels of exchange volumes driven by volatility. Agency and Execution has benefited from strong performance in the Prime Services business and continued progress in the Energy business.
As a result, first quarter 2025 revenues are expected to be in a range of $449.3 to $464.3 million (Q1 2024: $365.8 million) and Adjusted Profit Before Tax2 in a range of $92.3 to $97.3 million (Q1 2024: $67.7 million).
Ian Lowitt, CEO, stated: “Very robust levels of client activity across our businesses and positive market conditions have continued into 2025 and led to a strong performance in the first quarter of the year, building on our performance in 2024. These benefits more than outweighed the impact of lower net interest income partly arising from the interest rate environment, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. This demonstrates the successful execution of our strategy to diversify our business and deliver sustainable growth through a variety of market conditions by expanding our geographic footprint and product capabilities, increasing our relevance to a growing client base.”
Preliminary Q1 2025 results range
We have not yet completed our closing procedures for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The table below are certain estimated preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025:
3 Months ended March 31, 20251
3 Months ended March 31, 2024
Unaudited ($m)
Estimated Low
Estimated High
Actuals
Revenue
449.3
464.3
365.8
Reported Profit Before Tax
94.4
102.1
58.9
Tax
24.5
26.5
15.3
Reported Profit After Tax
69.9
75.6
43.6
Adjusted Profit Before Tax2
92.3
97.3
67.7
Profit After Tax Margin
16%
16%
12%
Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin2
21%
21%
19%
Basic Earnings per Share ($)3
0.94
1.02
0.60
Diluted Earnings per Share ($)3
0.88
0.96
0.56
Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share ($)2,3
0.94
0.99
0.74
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ($)2,3
0.88
0.93
0.69
Figures reflect certain estimated preliminary unaudited financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Estimates represent results that are preliminary and subject to change. Actual results will not be finalized until after we complete our normal quarter-end accounting procedures, including the execution of our internal control over financial reporting. These estimates reflect our management’s best estimate of the impact of events during this quarter.
These are non-IFRS financial measures. See Appendix 1 “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” for additional information and for a reconciliation of each such IFRS measure to its most directly comparable non-IFRS measure.
Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split (refer to Appendix 1 for further detail).
Investor Day
Marex is hosting an Investor Day today, April 2, 2025 starting at 9:30am E.T. The event will feature presentations from Marex’s business heads, to provide a greater understanding of Marex’s operations and growth strategy, as well as a question and answer session with senior leadership including Ian Lowitt, CEO, Rob Irvin, CFO and Paolo Tonucci, Chief Strategist and CEO Capital Markets.
An audio livestream of the event will be available under the ‘events and presentations’ section on ir.marex.com. The webcast will also be available for replay, after the completion of the event.
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/qbimzrae/
About Marex Group:
Marex Group plc (NASDAQ: MRX) is a diversified global financial services platform providing essential liquidity, market access and infrastructure services to clients across energy, commodities and financial markets. The Group provides comprehensive breadth and depth of coverage across four core services: Clearing, Agency and Execution, Market Making and Hedging and Investment Solutions. It has a leading franchise in many major metals, energy and agricultural products, with access to 60 exchanges. The Group provides access to the world’s major commodity markets, covering a broad range of clients that include some of the largest commodity producers, consumers and traders, banks, hedge funds and asset managers. Headquartered in London with more than 40 offices worldwide, the Group has over 2,300 employees across Europe, Asia and the Americas. For more information visit www.marex.com.
Enquiries please contact:
Marex
Investors – Robert Coates +44 7880 486 329 / rcoates@marex.com
Media – Nicola Ratchford, Marex / FTI Consulting US / UK + 44 7786 548 889 / nratchford@marex.com / +1 919 609 9423 / +44 7776 111 222 | marex@fticonsulting.com
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including expected outlook regarding Q1 2025 financial results. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, some of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual outcomes may differ materially from the information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, without limitation: subdued commodity market activity or pricing levels; the effects of geopolitical events, terrorism and wars, such as the effect of Russia’s military action in Ukraine or the on-going conflicts in the Middle East, on market volatility, global macroeconomic conditions and commodity prices; changes in interest rate levels; the risk of our clients and their related financial institutions defaulting on their obligations to us; regulatory, reputational and financial risks as a result of our international operations; software or systems failure, loss or disruption of data or data security failures; an inability to adequately hedge our positions and limitations on our ability to modify contracts and the contractual protections that may be available to us in OTC derivatives transactions; market volatility, reputational risk and regulatory uncertainty related to commodity markets, equities, fixed income, foreign exchange; the impact of climate change and the transition to a lower carbon economy on supply chains and the size of the market for certain of our energy products; the impact of changes in judgments, estimates and assumptions made by management in the application of our accounting policies on our reported financial condition and results of operations; lack of sufficient financial liquidity; if we fail to comply with applicable law and regulation, we may be subject to enforcement or other action, forced to cease providing certain services or obliged to change the scope or nature of our operations; significant costs, including adverse impacts on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and expenses associated with compliance with relevant regulations; and if we fail to remediate the material weaknesses we identified in our internal control over financial reporting or prevent material weaknesses in the future, the accuracy and timing of our financial statements may be impacted, which could result in material misstatements in our financial statements or failure to meet our reporting obligations and subject us to potential delisting, regulatory investments or civil or criminal sanctions, and other risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and our other reports filed with the SEC.
The forward-looking statements made in this press release relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this press release, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
Appendix 1
Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators
In addition to our results determined in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS), we believe the following non-IFRS measures provide useful information both to management and investors in measuring our financial performance for the reasons outlined below. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies, and they should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS. The Group changed the labelling of its non-IFRS measures during 2024 to simplify the naming to better align to the equivalent IFRS reported metric for better understanding and communication and enhance transparency and comparability.
Adjusted Profit Before Tax (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit)
We define Adjusted Profit Before Tax as profit after tax adjusted for (i) taxation charge (ii) acquisition costs, (iii) bargain purchase gains, (iv) owner fees, (v) amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists, (vi) activities in relation to shareholders, and (vii) IPO preparation costs. Items (i) to (vii) are referred to as “Adjusting Items.” Adjusted Profit Before Tax is an important measure used by our management to evaluate and understand our underlying operations and business trends, forecast future results and determine future capital investment allocations. Adjusted Profit Before Tax is the measure used by our executive board to assess the financial performance of our business in relation to our trading performance and hence it is our segments performance measure presented under IFRS Accounting Standards. Adjusted Profit Before Tax is also presented on a consolidated basis because our management believes it is important to consider our profitability on a basis consistent with that of our operating segments. When presented on a consolidated basis, Adjusted Profit Before Tax is a non-IFRS measure. The most directly comparable IFRS measure is profit after tax.
We define Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin as Adjusted Profit Before Tax (as defined above) divided by revenue. We believe that Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business in relation to revenue. The most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure is profit margin, which is profit after tax divided by revenue.
Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity (formerly labelled Adjusted Operating Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity)
We define Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity as profit after tax adjusted for the items outlined in the Adjusted Profit Before Tax paragraph above. Additionally, Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity is also adjusted for (i) tax and the tax effect of the Adjusting Items to calculate Adjusted Profit Before Tax and (ii) profit attributable to AT1 note holders, which is the coupons on the AT1 issuance and accounted for as dividends adjusted for the tax benefit of the coupons. Common equity is a non-IFRS measure and we define Common Equity as being the equity belonging to the holders of the Group’s share capital.
Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share is defined as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity for the period divided by weighted average number of ordinary shares for the period. We believe Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business per share. The most directly comparable IFRS metric is basic earnings per share. This metric has been designed to highlight the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity over the available share capital of the Group. Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is defined as the Adjusted Profit After Tax Attributable to Common Equity for the period divided by the diluted weighted average shares for the period. We believe Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share is a useful measure as it allows management to assess the profitability of our business per share on a diluted basis. Dilution is calculated in the same way as it has been for diluted earnings per share. The most directly comparable IFRS metric is diluted earnings per share.
Reconciliation
The following table reconciles: (1) Adjusted Profit Before Tax and Adjusted Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity from the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure, which is profit after tax, (2) Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin from the most directly comparable IFRS Accounting Standards measure, which is profit margin (which is profit after tax divided by revenue), (3) Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share from the most directly comparable IFRS measure, which is basic earnings per share, and (4) Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share from the most directly comparable IFRS measure, which is diluted earnings per share, in each case, for the periods presented below.
Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators:
3 months ended March 31, 2025
3 months ended March 31, 2025
3 months ended March 31, 2024
Estimated Low
Estimated High
Actuals
$m
$m
$m
Profit After Tax
69.9
75.6
43.6
Taxation charge
24.5
26.5
15.3
Profit Before Tax
94.4
102.1
58.9
Bargain purchase gains1
(3.4)
(6.1)
—
Acquisition costs2
—
—
0.2
Amortisation of acquired brands and customer lists3
1.3
1.3
0.8
Activities relating to shareholders4
—
—
2.4
Owner fees5
—
—
1.7
IPO preparation costs6
—
—
3.7
Adjusted Profit Before Tax
92.3
97.3
67.7
Tax and the tax effect on the Adjusting Items7
(22.8)
(24.1)
(15.5)
Profit attributable to AT1 note holders8
(3.3)
(3.3)
(3.3)
Adjusted Profit after Tax Attributable to Common Equity
66.2
69.9
48.9
Profit After Tax Margin
16%
16%
12%
Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin9
21%
21%
19%
Basic Earnings per Share ($)10
0.94
1.02
0.60
Diluted Earnings per Share ($)11
0.88
0.96
0.56
Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share($)10
0.94
0.99
0.74
Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share ($)11
0.88
0.93
0.69
A bargain purchase gain is expected to be recognised as a result of the Group’s acquisition of Darton Group Limited.
Acquisition costs are costs, such as legal fees incurred in relation to the business acquisitions.
This represents the amortisation charge for the period of acquired brands and customers lists.
Activities in relation to shareholders primarily consist of dividend-like contributions made to participants within certain of our share-based payments schemes.
Owner fees relate to management services fees paid to parties associated with the ultimate controlling party based on a percentage of our EBITDA in each year, presented in the income statement within other expenses.
IPO preparation costs related to consulting, legal and audit fees, presented in the income statement within other expenses.
Tax and the tax effect on the Adjusting Items represents the tax for the period and the tax effect of the other Adjusting Items removed from Profit After Tax to calculate Adjusted Profit Before Tax. The tax effect of the other Adjusting Items was calculated at the Group’s effective tax rate for the respective period.
Profit attributable to AT1 note holders are the coupons on the AT1 issuance, which are accounted for as dividends.
Adjusted Profit Before Tax Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted Profit Before Tax (as defined above) divided by revenue for the period.
The weighted average numbers of shares used in the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 range estimates and three months ended March 31, 2024 actuals were 70,541,771 and 65,683,374 respectively. Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split.
The weighted average numbers of diluted shares used in the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2025 range estimates and three months ended March 31, 2024 actuals were 74,942,291 and 70,383,309 respectively. Weighted average number of shares have been restated as applicable for the Group’s reverse share split.
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
With the support of RN-Uvatneftegaz (part of the Rosneft oil production complex), a new multifunctional educational space was created in the Tyumen Technopark. The project was implemented within the framework of an agreement between Rosneft and the Government of the Tyumen Region.
Rosneft actively supports social initiatives aimed at creating favorable living conditions in the regions where it operates. The company pays great attention to educational and cultural initiatives.
During the project, a 300 sq. m. space was reconstructed, ventilation and communications systems were installed, and the space was equipped with furniture and equipment. Modern digital equipment and high-resolution video panels make it possible to create new educational programs, develop innovative technologies, and exchange experiences.
The coworking plan includes organizing trainings, seminars and master classes for schoolchildren and students, young scientists, and technology entrepreneurs. The training events are aimed at developing project management skills, system analysis and effective communications.
On the opening day, specialists from the Rosneft scientific center in Tyumen held competitions for schoolchildren of specialized classes in the design and construction of a horizontal well. The future oil workers were faced with the task of “building” a well within the geological section and demonstrating the most effective opening of an imaginary productive formation and the accuracy of drilling.
The new space will facilitate the implementation of the Tyumen Technopark’s tasks to develop new technologies and promote high-tech products in such industries as oil and gas production and processing, ecology and rational use of natural resources, and information technology. The coworking area will complement the main divisions of the technopark – a business incubator, a regional engineering center, a prototyping center, and a programming school.
Reference:
RN-Uvatneftegaz is engaged in exploration and development of a group of fields located in the Uvatsky District of the Tyumen Region and the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug-Yugra. The Uvatsky project includes 19 licensed areas with a total area of over 25 thousand square kilometers. The company provides about 80% of the total volume of oil produced in the region.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft April 02, 2025
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.
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
The State University of Management has become the winner of a grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for universities to create modern educational laboratories for the aircraft manufacturing, shipbuilding and innovative transport industries.
The modern laboratory for the aircraft construction and innovative transport industry, created on the basis of the State University of Management, in terms of automated development of control programs and studying the basics of working on the CNC system (numerical program control) for machines of various technological groups, will become an important element of the university infrastructure. The laboratory will facilitate the integration of practical activities into the educational process, and in the future – the creation of mechanisms for opening scientific and production associations with partners of the real sector of the economy in the direction of more active cooperation with them and solving applied problems.
The key goal of the created Laboratory of CNC Control is to improve the engineering skills of young people, to involve students in solving practical problems and challenges of Russian industry and engineering science in the field of innovative technologies.
The development strategy of the State University of Management involves building up competencies and scientific and technical groundwork in the field of managing the technological process of manufacturing high-tech products to form basic technical training for university graduates. The laboratory will become a practical basis for implementing academic disciplines and additional professional education as part of developing international cooperation in programs for training senior and middle management personnel to work with high-tech CNC equipment in the field of intelligent manufacturing.
Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 04/02/2025
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.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
A postgraduate student of the Samarkand State University named after Sharaf Rashidov, Sanjar Kenjaev, spent one semester at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University under the academic mobility program, working on algorithms for intelligent processing of heterogeneous data. In this interview, Sanjar shares his impressions of cooperation with Russian colleagues, talks about the difficulties and achievements, as well as plans to implement his developments in Uzbekistan.
— Sanzhar, why did you decide to go to the Polytechnic?
— I studied in Uzbekistan, majoring in System Analysis, Information Processing, and Management. We were offered several universities for an internship, and the St. Petersburg Polytechnic was the closest to my topic. I wrote to the teachers — they agreed to accept me. In addition, there is a memorandum of cooperation between our universities, which simplified the process.
— What exactly did you do during your internship?
— My dissertation is devoted to algorithms for intelligent processing of heterogeneous data. The tasks were ambitious: to optimize the storage and processing of data, including unstructured data, in real time. Under the guidance of Polytechnic professors, for example, Vadim Pak, I finalized the chapters of the dissertation, participated in seminars and prepared articles for conferences. It is important that there is an opportunity to use the capacity of the SPbPU supercomputer — this significantly accelerated the experiments.
— What achievements can you highlight?
— We managed to adjust the title of the dissertation to a more precise one — “Algorithms for Intelligent Processing of Heterogeneous Data”. In collaboration with colleagues from the Polytechnic University, we prepared four articles for international conferences. We also agreed on the remote participation of SPbPU professors in further research in the laboratories of SSU.
— How do you like Saint Petersburg and the university?
— The city amazed me with its atmosphere, although the sun is a rare guest here. But this is compensated by the openness of the people. Everything is organized perfectly at the Polytechnic: a clear schedule, teachers are always in touch, libraries and laboratories are equipped with the latest technology. I remember how professors instantly connected colleagues from other departments to solve complex issues — this is an indicator of the level of teamwork.
— Were there any difficulties?
— There were no problems with the language — I know Russian well. But I had to worry about the documents: registration, access control… But I think this is a general situation for Russia, and not specific to the Polytechnic.
— How did you communicate with other graduate students?
— There were guys from different countries living in the dormitory: China, Iraq, Lithuania. We discussed scientific tasks, shared conference contacts. We even found common topics with those whose direction was different. It’s just a pity that I didn’t get to the Interclub events — I learned about them too late.
— What are your plans after returning to Uzbekistan?
— I want to develop cooperation between SSU and SPbPU: offer exchange programs and summer schools to students. I have already discussed the possibility of joint projects with colleagues. And also — continue research using data from the partner UzInfocom. Well, after a successful defense, I will remain in the academic environment — teach and, of course, constantly collaborate with the international department.
— What advice would you give to future postgraduate students who want to go to the Polytechnic?
— Don’t be afraid to take the initiative! The teachers here appreciate your interest. And be sure to participate in conferences — this is a great chance to make yourself known. And yes, take warm clothes with a hood — the St. Petersburg weather requires it.
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.
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
The Polytechnic University held the CIT Day (Career in IT) on the topic “AI is changing IT”. The central theme was the transformation of the IT sphere under the influence of artificial intelligence technologies. More than a hundred students, teachers and industry professionals exchanged views on modern trends and prospects of information technology.
Leading experts from Sber, T-Bank, Gazprom Neft, Sovcombank and other companies covered current issues: how artificial intelligence is changing IT professions, what relevant tools have appeared in the arsenal of programmers, how large language models influence the IT landscape. Several reports were devoted to successful cases of companies implementing artificial intelligence technologies in infrastructure and development processes.
“KIT Day has a history of more than ten years,” said the event organizer, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Software Engineering Alexander Shchukin. “This year, we are glad to see representatives of the largest companies with interesting reports and many motivated, interested students at our university, for whom this is primarily an opportunity to obtain the most relevant specialized knowledge about promising technologies, communicate with professionals, meet and receive offers for internships.”
There were so many questions for the speakers that the guys did not let them go even after the event ended. For the best questions, the students received branded gifts.
Everything went great, the audience was very lively, the guys asked a lot of questions. It is not for nothing that we and the Polytechnic University are implementing joint educational programs and training future programmers, – says Mikhail Sukach, Executive Director of Sber’s Block T.
All participants agreed that the reports aroused genuine interest not only among students, but also among IT specialists from various companies. Thus, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University became a platform for exchanging opinions for IT business.
It is especially worth noting that most of the work in preparing the event was carried out by second-year students of the Higher School of Software Engineering.
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.
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
Starting in April, Muscovites aged 14 to 35 will be able to attend free programming and design classes, which will be held in the multi-format space “Youth of Moscow”.
To do this, you must first register. on the portal. Events can be found in the “Training” tab.
“We aim to give young people practical tools for successful self-presentation, work in the digital environment and promotion of their ideas. The lectures will help participants learn how to effectively interact with the audience, understand the basics of internet safety and understand modern media technologies,” shared Margarita Savinkina, head of the “Youth of Moscow” project.
Lectures are held within the framework of additional academy program, which includes three main training blocks: “Personal Brand”, “Digital Space” and “Media Environment” with different tracks in each. The Academy will operate throughout 2025. It is being implemented by the ANO “Development of Human Capital” and the “Youth of Moscow” project.
The first lecture will be devoted to the topic of design, it will be held on April 9. The lesson will cover design and its types, work in an online service for interface development, the basics of composition, balance, and the psychology of color. Participants will learn how to develop visual acuity and find inspiration.
On April 12, a lecture on the creation of Telegram bots will be held in the multi-format space, which will help participants master modern automation tools. Young people will learn how to think through and create bots, work with online payment systems.
A lecture on PR and creating a personal brand will be held on April 13. The speaker will share the secrets of the kinetic and speech image of successful people, as well as the creation of expert self-presentations and the design of pages in social networks. In addition, participants will be taught to reveal and emphasize their strengths to achieve results in business and study, build an individual development strategy and increase the recognition of a personal brand.
On April 24, a practical seminar on creating landing pages in the Tilda website builder will be held. Participants will learn how to make stylish and convenient one-page sites that are needed for effective promotion of goods or services, stylish design of a portfolio on the Internet.
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
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
The II International Scientific and Analytical Forum “Digital Law” was held at the “Boiling Point – Novosibirsk” of Academpark. The event was organized by Novosibirsk State University (Institute of Philosophy and Law), Institute of Philosophy and Law of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Law School of Heilongjiang University (PRC).
— We hold many joint events with the Institute of Philosophy and Law of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, but today, thanks to cooperation with Heilongjiang University, we are already reaching the international level of discussing the problems of legal regulation in the field of information technology. The Forum program includes many reports on various aspects of digital law. And all this suggests that its topic is becoming more and more relevant every year, the emergence of new technologies entails the emergence of new tasks and conflicts that need to be resolved with the help of legal mechanisms, — noted Vladimir Diev, Director of the Institute of Philosophy and Law of NSU, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, in his speech.
The forum program opened with a report by Doctor of Law, Professor of the Department of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Forensic Science at NSU Roman Borovskikh, dedicated to the university’s developments in the field of new technologies for training future forensic scientists.
— Forensic science is an applied science, it requires honing certain skills, which is best done at a testing ground. But it is not always possible to create a full-scale, physical testing ground, and here its virtual version comes to the rescue. Simulators are used in many areas of training specialists — in cosmonautics, medicine, and others. We have applied this approach in jurisprudence, — he said.
Modeling of training scenarios on simulators is carried out in several directions. First of all, lines of models are built on the investigation of different types of crimes: violent against the person (murder, rape, etc.), property (various thefts), economic, official, etc. Within each such line there is a gradation depending on a specific situation in which the investigation takes place – place, time, situation, etc.
— Our simulators are based on the idea of a computer game, a quest, but at the same time they incorporate the entire arsenal of forensic tools for investigation, evidence collection, verification of versions, and so on. That is, they allow you to simulate the situation of investigating certain types of crimes in a game form. And the first lessons on them have already aroused great interest not only among students, but also among our fellow practitioners and scientists, — emphasized Roman Borovskikh.
In addition to NSU students, participants of the first international student festival of cybercriminology were able to work on cyber simulators CRIMELABE Fest-2024, organized by the university last fall. The event was a success, and Roman Borovskikh invited all the forum participants to take part in the next festival, which will take place approximately in September 2025.
It can be expected that by that time the list of situations simulated on virtual training grounds will expand even more – simulator developers are constantly improving their product.
— Not long ago, we formed a working group, which included university employees as theorists and employees of the Investigative Committee as practitioners. The goal is to improve this educational technology. In particular, we added to the range of simulated situations the investigation of an airliner crash, sabotage at infrastructure facilities. And we continue this work. I think we will be able to show a lot of interesting things at the next festival, — Roman Borovskikh summed up.
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.
