Category: Russian Federation

MIL-OSI: HBT Financial, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Third Quarter Highlights

Net income of $18.2 million, or $0.57 per diluted share; return on average assets (“ROAA”) of 1.44%; return on average stockholders’ equity (“ROAE”) of 13.81%; and return on average tangible common equity (“ROATCE”)⁽¹⁾ of 16.25%
Adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $19.2 million; or $0.61 per diluted share; adjusted ROAA⁽¹⁾ of 1.53%; adjusted ROAE⁽¹⁾ of 14.62%; and adjusted ROATCE⁽¹⁾ of 17.20%
Asset quality remained strong with nonperforming assets to total assets of 0.17% and net charge-offs to average loans of 0.07%, on an annualized basis
Net interest margin and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ expanded to 3.98% and 4.03%, respectively

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial” or “HBT”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, today reported net income of $18.2 million, or $0.57 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2024. This compares to net income of $18.1 million, or $0.57 diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2024, and net income of $19.7 million, or $0.62 diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2023.

J. Lance Carter, President and Chief Executive Officer of HBT Financial, said, “In the third quarter, we continued our consistently solid financial performance with net income of $18.2 million, adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ of $19.2 million, adjusted ROAA⁽¹⁾ of 1.53% and adjusted ROATCE⁽¹⁾ of 17.20%. We have also seen tangible equity continue to build, with tangible book value per share increasing 23.3% over the last year. Our net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ increased 3 basis points to 4.03% while funding costs remained modest, increasing 5 basis points to 1.47%. Our asset quality remains strong with net charge-offs at 0.07% of average loans on an annualized basis during the quarter and nonperforming assets to total assets at 0.17%. We have not seen any significant signs of stress in our loan portfolio, but we continue to monitor the portfolio closely. Noninterest income remained consistent and noninterest expense of $31.3 million was up only 2.1% when compared to the third quarter of 2023, as we remain focused on operational efficiency while continuing to invest in our business. Lastly, all capital ratios had solid increases and can support future organic growth or acquisitions.”
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(1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted Net Income

In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company believes non-GAAP measures such as adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, which adjust for acquisition expenses, branch closure expenses, gains (losses) on closed branch premises, net earnings (losses) from closed or sold operations, charges related to termination of certain employee benefit plans, realized gains (losses) on sales of securities, and mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustments, provide investors with additional insight into its operational performance. The Company reported adjusted net income of $19.2 million, or $0.61 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2024. This compares to adjusted net income of $18.1 million, or $0.57 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the second quarter of 2024, and adjusted net income of $20.3 million, or $0.63 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the third quarter of 2023 (see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures).

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income for the third quarter of 2024 was $47.7 million, an increase of 1.5% from $47.0 million for the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to improved loan yields which were mostly offset by an increase in funding costs.

Relative to the third quarter of 2023, net interest income decreased 1.1% from $48.3 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to higher funding costs which were partially offset by higher asset yields and an increase in interest-earning assets.

Net interest margin for the third quarter of 2024 was 3.98%, compared to 3.95% for the second quarter of 2024, and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ for the third quarter of 2024 was 4.03%, compared to 4.00% for the second quarter of 2024. Higher yields on interest-earning assets, which increased by 7 basis points to 5.35%, were mostly offset by an increase in funding costs, with the cost of funds increasing by 5 basis points to 1.47%.

Relative to the third quarter of 2023, net interest margin decreased 9 basis points from 4.07% and net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)⁽¹⁾ decreased 10 basis points from 4.13%. These decreases were primarily attributable to increases in funding costs outpacing increases in interest-earning asset yields.
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(1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the third quarter of 2024 was $8.7 million, a decrease from $9.6 million for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to changes in the mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) fair value adjustment, with a $1.5 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the third quarter 2024 results compared to a $0.1 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the second quarter 2024 results. Partially offsetting the MSR fair value adjustment was a $0.2 million increase in service charge income and a $0.2 million increase in other noninterest income, primarily attributable to swap fee income.

Relative to the third quarter of 2023, noninterest income decreased 8.3% from $9.5 million. The decrease was primarily attributable to the $1.5 million negative MSR fair value adjustment included in the third quarter 2024 results, partially offset by the absence of $0.8 million in realized losses on the sale of securities included in the third quarter 2023 results.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense for the third quarter of 2024 was $31.3 million, a 2.7% increase from $30.5 million for the second quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.5 million increase in occupancy expense, driven in part by a seasonal increase in planned building maintenance expenses, and a $0.4 million increase in marketing and customer relations expense.

Relative to the third quarter of 2023, noninterest expense increased 2.1% from $30.7 million. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.7 million increase in salaries and a $0.4 million increase in employee benefits. Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.3 million decrease in marketing and customer relations expense.

On February 1, 2023, HBT Financial completed its acquisition of Town and Country Financial Corporation (“Town and Country”) with the core system conversion successfully completed in April 2023. Acquisition-related expenses recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 are summarized below. No Town and Country acquisition-related expenses were recognized subsequent to the second quarter of 2023.

(dollars in thousands)		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES	$	5,924
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries		3,584
Furniture and equipment		39
Data processing		2,031
Marketing and customer relations		24
Loan collection and servicing		125
Legal fees and other noninterest expense		1,964
Total noninterest expense		7,767
Total acquisition-related expenses	$	13,691

Loan Portfolio

Total loans outstanding, before allowance for credit losses, were $3.37 billion at September 30, 2024, compared with $3.39 billion at June 30, 2024, and $3.34 billion at September 30, 2023. The $15.7 million decrease from June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to several larger commercial real estate loan payoffs due to the sale of the property and a couple of larger one-to-four family residential loan payoffs. These decreases were partially offset by increased line usage and term originations in our agricultural and farmland portfolio.

Deposits

Total deposits were $4.28 billion at September 30, 2024, compared with $4.32 billion at June 30, 2024, and $4.20 billion at September 30, 2023. The $38.0 million decrease from June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to lower balances maintained in retail accounts and a $18.3 million decrease in escrow balances related to seasonal tax payments, partially offset by increases in public funds and business accounts. Additionally, we continue to see a shift towards higher cost deposit products, with decreases in noninterest-bearing deposits, interest-bearing demand, and savings balances being partially offset by an increase in money market and time deposit balances.

Asset Quality

Nonperforming loans totaled $8.2 million, or 0.24% of total loans, at September 30, 2024, compared with $8.4 million, or 0.25% of total loans, at June 30, 2024, and $6.7 million, or 0.20% of total loans, at September 30, 2023. Additionally, of the $8.2 million of nonperforming loans held as of September 30, 2024, $2.0 million is either wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. government. The $0.2 million decrease in nonperforming loans from June 30, 2024 was primarily attributable to the payoff of $0.1 million in nonaccrual agricultural and farmland loans.

The Company recorded a provision for credit losses of $0.6 million for the third quarter of 2024. The provision for credit losses primarily reflects a $1.2 million increase in required reserves resulting from changes in economic forecasts; a $0.2 million increase in required reserves resulting from qualitative factor changes; a $0.6 million decrease in required reserves driven by decreased loan balances and changes within the loan portfolio; and a $0.2 million decrease in specific reserves.

The Company had net charge-offs of $0.6 million, or 0.07% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2024, compared to net charge-offs of $0.7 million, or 0.08% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the second quarter of 2024, and net recoveries of $0.1 million, or 0.01% of average loans on an annualized basis, for the third quarter of 2023. During the third quarter of 2024, net charge-offs were primarily recognized in the commercial and industrial category which had $0.7 million of net charge-offs.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses was 1.22% of total loans and 499% of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2024, compared with 1.21% of total loans and 484% of nonperforming loans at June 30, 2024. In addition, the allowance for credit losses on unfunded lending-related commitments totaled $4.1 million as of September 30, 2024, compared with $4.3 million as of June 30, 2024.

Capital

As of September 30, 2024, the Company exceeded all regulatory capital requirements under Basel III as summarized in the following table:

	September 30, 2024		For Capital Adequacy Purposes With Capital Conservation Buffer

Total capital to risk-weighted assets	16.54	%	10.50	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets	14.48		8.50
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio	13.15		7.00
Tier 1 leverage ratio	11.16		4.00

The ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets⁽¹⁾ increased to 9.35% as of September 30, 2024, from 8.74% as of June 30, 2024, and tangible book value per share⁽¹⁾ increased by $0.91 to $14.55 as of September 30, 2024, when compared to June 30, 2024.

During the third quarter of 2024, the Company did not repurchase shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $15 million of HBT Financial common stock under its stock repurchase program, which is in effect until January 1, 2025. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $10.6 million remaining under the stock repurchase program.
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(1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.

About HBT Financial, Inc.

HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT Financial provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa through 66 full-service branches. As of September 30, 2024, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.0 billion, total loans of $3.4 billion, and total deposits of $4.3 billion.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the financial measures included in this press release are not measures of financial performance recognized in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include net interest income (tax-equivalent basis), net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis), efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis), ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible book value per share, ROATCE, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted ROAA, adjusted ROAE, and adjusted ROATCE. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, together with the related GAAP financial measures, in its analysis of our performance and in making business decisions. Management believes that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present these non-GAAP financial measures, and accordingly believes that providing these measures may be useful for peer comparison purposes. These disclosures should not be viewed as substitutes for the results determined to be in accordance with GAAP; nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP financial measures that may be presented by other companies. See our reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” tables.

Forward-Looking Statements

Readers should note that in addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains, and future oral and written statements of the Company and its management may contain, “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “will,” “propose,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” or “should,” or similar terminology. Any forward-looking statements presented herein are made only as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) the strength of the local, state, national and international economies (including effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints); (ii) the economic impact of any future terrorist threats and attacks, widespread disease or pandemics, acts of war or other threats thereof (including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russian invasion of Ukraine), or other adverse external events that could cause economic deterioration or instability in credit markets, and the response of the local, state and national governments to any such adverse external events; (iii) changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; (iv) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning the Company’s general business and any changes in response to the recent failures of other banks or as a result of the upcoming 2024 presidential election; (v) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of the Company’s assets; (vi) increased competition in the financial services sector, including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and “fintech” companies, and the inability to attract new customers; (vii) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (viii) unexpected results of acquisitions, which may include failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and the possibility that transaction costs may be greater than anticipated; (ix) the loss of key executives or employees; (x) changes in consumer spending; (xi) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; (xii) the economic impact of exceptional weather occurrences such as tornadoes, floods and blizzards; (xiii) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio; (xiv) concentrations within our loan portfolio (including commercial real estate loans), large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (xv) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (xvi) the level of non-performing assets on our balance sheets; (xvii) interruptions involving our information technology and communications systems or third-party servicers; (xviii) breaches or failures of our information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents, and (xix) the ability of the Company to manage the risks associated with the foregoing as well as anticipated. Readers should note that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:
Peter Chapman
HBTIR@hbtbank.com
(309) 664-4556

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

	As of or for the Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023
Interest and dividend income	$	64,117		$	62,824		$	59,041		$	188,902		$	167,588
Interest expense		16,384			15,796			10,762			47,453			23,600
Net interest income		47,733			47,028			48,279			141,449			143,988
Provision for credit losses		603			1,176			480			2,306			6,460
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		47,130			45,852			47,799			139,143			137,528
Noninterest income		8,705			9,610			9,490			23,941			26,841
Noninterest expense		31,322			30,509			30,671			93,099			100,577
Income before income tax expense		24,513			24,953			26,618			69,985			63,792
Income tax expense		6,333			6,883			6,903			18,477			16,396
Net income	$	18,180		$	18,070		$	19,715		$	51,508		$	47,396

Earnings per share – Diluted	$	0.57		$	0.57		$	0.62		$	1.62		$	1.49

Adjusted net income ⁽¹⁾	$	19,244		$	18,139		$	20,279		$	55,456		$	58,910
Adjusted earnings per share – Diluted ⁽¹⁾		0.61			0.57			0.63			1.75			1.86

Book value per share	$	17.04		$	16.14		$	14.36
Tangible book value per share ⁽¹⁾		14.55			13.64			11.80

Shares of common stock outstanding		31,559,366			31,559,366			31,774,140
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		31,559,366			31,579,457			31,829,250			31,600,442			31,598,650

SUMMARY RATIOS
Net interest margin *		3.98	%		3.95	%		4.07	%		3.96	%		4.14	%
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) * ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		4.03			4.00			4.13			4.01			4.20

Efficiency ratio		54.24	%		52.61	%		51.85	%		55.00	%		57.73	%
Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		53.71			52.10			51.25			54.45			57.04

Loan to deposit ratio		78.72	%		78.39	%		79.63	%

Return on average assets *		1.44	%		1.45	%		1.58	%		1.37	%		1.29	%
Return on average stockholders’ equity *		13.81			14.48			17.02			13.58			14.22
Return on average tangible common equity * ⁽¹⁾		16.25			17.21			20.70			16.11			17.17

Adjusted return on average assets * ⁽¹⁾		1.53	%		1.45	%		1.62	%		1.48	%		1.61	%
Adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity * ⁽¹⁾		14.62			14.54			17.51			14.62			17.68
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity * ⁽¹⁾		17.20			17.27			21.29			17.34			21.34

CAPITAL
Total capital to risk-weighted assets		16.54	%		16.01	%		15.09	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets		14.48			13.98			13.18
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio		13.15			12.66			11.88
Tier 1 leverage ratio		11.16			10.83			10.34
Total stockholders’ equity to total assets		10.77			10.18			9.14
Tangible common equity to tangible assets ⁽¹⁾		9.35			8.74			7.64

ASSET QUALITY
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans *		0.07	%		0.08	%		(0.01)	%		0.04	%		(0.01)	%
Allowance for credit losses to loans, before allowance for credit losses		1.22			1.21			1.16
Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses		0.24			0.25			0.20
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.17			0.17			0.16

* Annualized measure.
(1) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary Consolidated Statements of Income

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
Loans, including fees:
Taxable	$	53,650		$	52,177		$	49, 640		$	157,753		$	138,948
Federally tax exempt		1,133			1,097			1,072			3,324			3,064
Debt Securities:
Taxable		6,453			6,315			6,402			18,972			19,460
Federally tax exempt		502			521			978			1,620			3,337
Interest-bearing deposits in bank		2,230			2,570			714			6,752			2,234
Other interest and dividend income		149			144			235			481			545
Total interest and dividend income		64,117			62,824			59,041			188,902			167,588
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		14,649			14,133			7,211			42,375			13,908
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		134			129			35			415			107
Borrowings		119			121			2,108			365			5,594
Subordinated notes		470			469			470			1,409			1,409
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts		1,012			944			938			2,889			2,582
Total interest expense		16,384			15,796			10,762			47,453			23,600
Net interest income		47,733			47,028			48,279			141,449			143,988
PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES		603			1,176			480			2,306			6,460
Net interest income after provision for credit losses		47,130			45,852			47,799			139,143			137,528
NONINTEREST INCOME
Card income		2,753			2,885			2,763			8,254			8,326
Wealth management fees		2,670			2,623			2,381			7,840			6,998
Service charges on deposit accounts		2,081			1,902			2,040			5,852			5,830
Mortgage servicing		1,113			1,111			1,169			3,279			3,522
Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment		(1,488	)		(97	)		23			(1,505	)		(460	)
Gains on sale of mortgage loans		461			443			476			1,202			1,125
Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities		—			—			(813	)		(3,382	)		(1,820	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities		136			(96	)		(46	)		24			(61	)
Gains (losses) on foreclosed assets		(44	)		(28	)		550			15			443
Gains (losses) on other assets		(2	)		—			52			(637	)		161
Income on bank owned life insurance		170			166			153			500			415
Other noninterest income		855			701			742			2,499			2,362
Total noninterest income		8,705			9,610			9,490			23,941			26,841
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries		16,325			16,364			15,644			49,346			51,715
Employee benefits		2,997			2,860			2,616			8,662			7,658
Occupancy of bank premises		2,695			2,243			2,573			7,520			7,460
Furniture and equipment		446			548			667			1,544			2,135
Data processing		2,640			2,606			2,581			8,171			9,787
Marketing and customer relations		1,380			996			1,679			3,372			3,874
Amortization of intangible assets		710			710			720			2,130			1,950
FDIC insurance		572			565			512			1,697			1,705
Loan collection and servicing		476			475			345			1,403			971
Foreclosed assets		19			10			76			78			234
Other noninterest expense		3,062			3,132			3,258			9,176			13,088
Total noninterest expense		31,322			30,509			30,671			93,099			100,577
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE		24,513			24,953			26,618			69,985			63,792
INCOME TAX EXPENSE		6,333			6,883			6,903			18,477			16,396
NET INCOME	$	18,180		$	18,070		$	19,715		$	51,508		$	47,396

EARNINGS PER SHARE – BASIC	$	0.58		$	0.57		$	0.62		$	1.63		$	1.50
EARNINGS PER SHARE – DILUTED	$	0.57		$	0.57		$	0.62		$	1.62		$	1.49
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING		31,559,366			31,579,457			31,829,250			31,600,442			31,598,650

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	26,776		$	22,604		$	24,757
Interest-bearing deposits with banks		152,895			172,636			87,156
Cash and cash equivalents		179,671			195,240			111,913

Interest-bearing time deposits with banks		—			520			500
Debt securities available-for-sale, at fair value		710,303			669,055			753,163
Debt securities held-to-maturity		505,075			512,549			527,144
Equity securities with readily determinable fair value		3,364			3,228			3,106
Equity securities with no readily determinable fair value		2,638			2,613			2,300
Restricted stock, at cost		5,086			5,086			11,165
Loans held for sale		2,959			858			3,563

Loans, before allowance for credit losses		3,369,830			3,385,483			3,342,786
Allowance for credit losses		(40,966	)		(40,806	)		(38,863	)
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses		3,328,864			3,344,677			3,303,923

Bank owned life insurance		24,405			24,235			23,747
Bank premises and equipment, net		65,919			65,711			64,713
Bank premises held for sale		317			317			35
Foreclosed assets		376			320			1,519
Goodwill		59,820			59,820			59,820
Intangible assets, net		18,552			19,262			21,402
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		17,496			18,984			20,156
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries		1,614			1,614			1,614
Accrued interest receivable		24,160			22,425			23,447
Other assets		40,109			59,685			58,538
Total assets	$	4,990,728		$	5,006,199		$	4,991,768

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	1,008,359		$	1,045,697		$	1,086,877
Interest-bearing		3,272,341			3,272,996			3,111,191
Total deposits		4,280,700			4,318,693			4,198,068

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		29,029			29,330			28,900
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		13,435			13,734			177,650
Subordinated notes		39,533			39,514			39,454
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts		52,834			52,819			52,774
Other liabilities		37,535			42,640			38,671
Total liabilities		4,453,066			4,496,730			4,535,517

Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock		328			328			327
Surplus		296,810			296,430			295,483
Retained earnings		302,532			290,386			256,050
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(38,989	)		(54,656	)		(78,432	)
Treasury stock at cost		(23,019	)		(23,019	)		(17,177	)
Total stockholders’ equity		537,662			509,469			456,251
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,990,728		$	5,006,199		$	4,991,768
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING		31,559,366			31,559,366			31,774,140

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024		June 30, 2024		September 30, 2023

LOANS
Commercial and industrial	$	395,598	$	400,276	$	386,933
Commercial real estate – owner occupied		288,838		289,992		297,242
Commercial real estate – non-owner occupied		889,188		889,193		901,929
Construction and land development		359,151		365,371		371,158
Multi-family		432,712		429,951		388,742
One-to-four family residential		472,040		484,335		488,655
Agricultural and farmland		297,102		285,822		275,239
Municipal, consumer, and other		235,201		240,543		232,888
Total loans	$	3,369,830	$	3,385,483	$	3,342,786

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024		June 30, 2024		September 30, 2023

DEPOSITS
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	1,008,359	$	1,045,697	$	1,086,877
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing demand		1,076,445		1,094,797		1,134,721
Money market		795,150		769,386		673,780
Savings		566,783		582,752		623,083
Time		803,964		796,069		564,634
Brokered		29,999		29,992		114,973
Total interest-bearing deposits		3,272,341		3,272,996		3,111,191
Total deposits	$	4,280,700	$	4,318,693	$	4,198,068

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2024							June 30, 2024							September 30, 2023
(dollars in thousands)	Average Balance			Interest		Yield/Cost *		Average Balance			Interest		Yield/Cost *		Average Balance			Interest		Yield/Cost *

ASSETS
Loans	$	3,379,299		$	54,783	6.45	%	$	3,374,058		$	53,274	6.35	%	$	3,296,703		$	50,712	6.10	%
Debt Securities		1,191,642			6,955	2.32			1,187,795			6,836	2.31			1,317,603			7,380	2.22
Deposits with banks		185,870			2,230	4.77			211,117			2,570	4.90			77,595			714	3.65
Other		12,660			149	4.68			12,588			144	4.60			16,430			235	5.68
Total interest-earning assets		4,769,471		$	64,117	5.35	%		4,785,558		$	62,824	5.28	%		4,708,331		$	59,041	4.97	%
Allowance for credit losses		(40,780	)						(40,814	)						(38,317	)
Noninterest-earning assets		278,030							283,103							294,818
Total assets	$	5,006,721						$	5,027,847						$	4,964,832

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,085,609		$	1,408	0.52	%	$	1,123,592		$	1,429	0.51	%	$	1,160,654		$	761	0.26	%
Money market		800,651			4,726	2.35			788,744			4,670	2.38			682,772			2,026	1.18
Savings		573,077			396	0.27			592,312			393	0.27			639,384			249	0.15
Time		804,379			7,702	3.81			763,507			7,117	3.75			519,683			3,275	2.50
Brokered		29,996			417	5.54			38,213			524	5.51			66,776			900	5.34
Total interest-bearing deposits		3,293,712			14,649	1.77			3,306,368			14,133	1.72			3,069,269			7,211	0.93
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		29,426			134	1.80			30,440			129	1.70			33,807			35	0.41
Borrowings		13,691			119	3.47			13,466			121	3.60			157,908			2,108	5.30
Subordinated notes		39,524			470	4.73			39,504			469	4.78			39,444			470	4.72
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts		52,827			1,012	7.63			52,812			944	7.18			52,767			938	7.05
Total interest-bearing liabilities		3,429,180		$	16,384	1.90	%		3,442,590		$	15,796	1.85	%		3,353,195		$	10,762	1.27	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		1,013,893							1,043,614							1,105,472
Noninterest-bearing liabilities		39,903							39,806							46,564
Total liabilities		4,482,976							4,526,010							4,505,231
Stockholders’ Equity		523,745							501,837							459,601
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,006,721						$	5,027,847						$	4,964,832

Net interest income/Net interest margin ⁽¹⁾				$	47,733	3.98	%				$	47,028	3.95	%				$	48,279	4.07	%
Tax-equivalent adjustment ⁽²⁾					552	0.05						553	0.05						675	0.06
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)/ Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) ^{(2) (3)}				$	48,285	4.03	%				$	47,581	4.00	%				$	48,954	4.13	%
Net interest rate spread ⁽⁴⁾						3.45	%						3.43	%						3.70	%
Net interest-earning assets ⁽⁵⁾	$	1,340,291						$	1,342,968						$	1,355,136
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		1.39							1.39							1.40
Cost of total deposits						1.35	%						1.31	%						0.69	%
Cost of funds						1.47							1.42							0.96

* Annualized measure.
(1) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
(3) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024							September 30, 2023
(dollars in thousands)	Average Balance			Interest		Yield/Cost *		Average Balance			Interest		Yield/Cost *

ASSETS
Loans	$	3,374,875		$	161,077	6.38	%	$	3,183,641		$	142,012	5.96	%
Debt Securities		1,197,772			20,592	2.30			1,366,298			22,797	2.23
Deposits with banks		188,087			6,752	4.80			84,720			2,234	3.53
Other		12,744			481	5.04			15,334			545	4.75
Total interest-earning assets		4,773,478		$	188,902	5.29	%		4,649,993		$	167,588	4.82	%
Allowance for credit losses		(40,611	)						(37,053	)
Noninterest-earning assets		279,789							289,843
Total assets	$	5,012,656						$	4,902,783

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing demand	$	1,112,198		$	4,148	0.50	%	$	1,204,937		$	1,902	0.21	%
Money market		800,693			14,193	2.37			664,036			4,467	0.90
Savings		592,134			1,232	0.28			678,495			616	0.12
Time		744,349			20,744	3.72			441,760			6,011	1.82
Brokered		50,046			2,058	5.49			22,987			912	5.30
Total interest-bearing deposits		3,299,420			42,375	1.72			3,012,215			13,908	0.62
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		30,769			415	1.80			35,844			107	0.40
Borrowings		13,387			365	3.64			148,443			5,594	5.04
Subordinated notes		39,504			1,409	4.76			39,424			1,409	4.78
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts		52,812			2,889	7.31			51,054			2,582	6.76
Total interest-bearing liabilities		3,435,892		$	47,453	1.84	%		3,286,980		$	23,600	0.96	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		1,031,239							1,123,917
Noninterest-bearing liabilities		38,943							46,310
Total liabilities		4,506,074							4,457,207
Stockholders’ Equity		506,582							445,576
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,012,656							4,902,783

Net interest income/Net interest margin ⁽¹⁾				$	141,449	3.96	%				$	143,988	4.14	%
Tax-equivalent adjustment ⁽²⁾					1,680	0.05						2,092	0.06
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)/ Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) ^{(2) (3)}				$	143,129	4.01	%				$	146,080	4.20	%
Net interest rate spread ⁽⁴⁾						3.45	%						3.86	%
Net interest-earning assets ⁽⁵⁾	$	1,337,586						$	1,363,013
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		1.39							1.41
Cost of total deposits						1.31	%						0.45	%
Cost of funds						1.42							0.72

* Annualized measure.
(1) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.
(2) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state income tax rate of 9.5%.
(3) See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to their most closely comparable GAAP financial measures.
(4) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023

NONPERFORMING ASSETS
Nonaccrual	$	8,200		$	8,425		$	6,678
Past due 90 days or more, still accruing		5			7			—
Total nonperforming loans		8,205			8,432			6,678
Foreclosed assets		376			320			1,519
Total nonperforming assets	$	8,581		$	8,752		$	8,197

Nonperforming loans that are wholly or partially guaranteed by the U.S. Government	$	2,046		$	2,132		$	1,968

Allowance for credit losses	$	40,966		$	40,806		$	38,863
Loans, before allowance for credit losses		3,369,830			3,385,483			3,342,786

CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Allowance for credit losses to loans, before allowance for credit losses		1.22	%		1.21	%		1.16	%
Allowance for credit losses to nonaccrual loans		499.59			484.34			581.96
Allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans		499.28			483.94			581.96
Nonaccrual loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses		0.24			0.25			0.20
Nonperforming loans to loans, before allowance for credit losses		0.24			0.25			0.20
Nonperforming assets to total assets		0.17			0.17			0.16
Nonperforming assets to loans, before allowance for credit losses, and foreclosed assets		0.25			0.26			0.25

HBT Financial, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Financial Summary

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023

ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Beginning balance	$	40,806		$	40,815		$	37,814		$	40,048		$	25,333
Adoption of ASC 326		—			—			—			—			6,983
PCD allowance established in acquisition		—			—			—			—			1,247
Provision for credit losses		746			677			983			1,983			5,004
Charge-offs		(1,101	)		(870	)		(412	)		(2,198	)		(733	)
Recoveries		515			184			478			1,133			1,029
Ending balance	$	40,966		$	40,806		$	38,863		$	40,966		$	38,863

Net charge-offs (recoveries)	$	586		$	686		$	(66	)	$	1,065		$	(296	)
Average loans		3,379,299			3,374,058			3,296,703			3,374,875			3,183,641

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans *		0.07	%		0.08	%		(0.01)	%		0.04	%		(0.01)	%

* Annualized measure.

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024		September 30, 2023				2024		2023

PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Loans ⁽¹⁾	$	746		$	677	$	983		$	1,983	$	5,004
Unfunded lending-related commitments ⁽¹⁾		(143	)		499		297			323		1,456
Debt securities		—			—		(800	)		—		—
Total provision for credit losses	$	603		$	1,176	$	480		$	2,306	$	6,460

(1) Includes recognition of an allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans of $5.2 million and an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $0.7 million in connection with the Town and Country merger during the first quarter of 2023.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Return on Average Assets
	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023

Net income	$	18,180		$	18,070		$	19,715		$	51,508		$	47,396
Adjustments:
Acquisition expenses ⁽¹⁾		—			—			—			—			(13,691	)
Gains (losses) on closed branch premises		—			—			—			(635	)		75
Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities		—			—			(813	)		(3,382	)		(1,820	)
Mortgage servicing rights fair value adjustment		(1,488	)		(97	)		23			(1,505	)		(460	)
Total adjustments		(1,488	)		(97	)		(790	)		(5,522	)		(15,896	)
Tax effect of adjustments ⁽²⁾		424			28			226			1,574			4,382
Total adjustments after tax effect		(1,064	)		(69	)		(564	)		(3,948	)		(11,514	)
Adjusted net income	$	19,244		$	18,139		$	20,279		$	55,456		$	58,910

Average assets	$	5,006,721		$	5,027,847		$	4,964,832		$	5,012,656		$	4,902,783

Return on average assets *		1.44	%		1.45	%		1.58	%		1.37	%		1.29	%
Adjusted return on average assets *		1.53			1.45			1.62			1.48			1.61

* Annualized measure.
(1) Includes recognition of an allowance for credit losses on non-PCD loans of $5.2 million and an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments of $0.7 million in connection with the Town and Country merger during the first quarter of 2023.
(2) Assumes a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Adjusted Earnings Per Share — Basic and Diluted
	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)	September 30, 2024		June 30, 2024		September 30, 2023				2024		2023

Numerator:
Net income	$	18,180	$	18,070	$	19,715		$	51,508	$	47,396
Earnings allocated to participating securities ⁽¹⁾		—		—		(10	)		—		(26	)
Numerator for earnings per share – basic and diluted	$	18,180	$	18,070	$	19,705		$	51,508	$	47,370

Adjusted net income	$	19,244	$	18,139	$	20,279		$	55,456	$	58,910
Earnings allocated to participating securities ⁽¹⁾		—		—		(10	)		—		(33	)
Numerator for adjusted earnings per share – basic and diluted	$	19,244	$	18,139	$	20,269		$	55,456	$	58,877

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding		31,559,366		31,579,457		31,829,250			31,600,442		31,598,650
Dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units		118,180		87,354		137,187			115,266		102,574
Weighted average common shares outstanding, including all dilutive potential shares		31,677,546		31,666,811		31,966,437			31,715,708		31,701,224

Earnings per share – Basic	$	0.58	$	0.57	$	0.62		$	1.63	$	1.50
Earnings per share – Diluted	$	0.57	$	0.57	$	0.62		$	1.62	$	1.49

Adjusted earnings per share – Basic	$	0.61	$	0.57	$	0.64		$	1.75	$	1.86
Adjusted earnings per share – Diluted	$	0.61	$	0.57	$	0.63		$	1.75	$	1.86

(1) The Company previously granted restricted stock units that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividend equivalents, which were considered participating securities. Prior to 2024, these restricted stock units were included in the calculation of basic earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Net Interest Income (Tax-equivalent Basis) and Net Interest Margin (Tax-equivalent Basis)
	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023

Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis)
Net interest income	$	47,733		$	47,028		$	48,279		$	141,449		$	143,988
Tax-equivalent adjustment ⁽¹⁾		552			553			675			1,680			2,092
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) ⁽¹⁾	$	48,285		$	47,581		$	48,954		$	143,129		$	146,080

Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis)
Net interest margin *		3.98	%		3.95	%		4.07	%		3.96	%		4.14	%
Tax-equivalent adjustment * ⁽¹⁾		0.05			0.05			0.06			0.05			0.06
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) * ⁽¹⁾		4.03	%		4.00	%		4.13	%		4.01	%		4.20	%

Average interest-earning assets	$	4,769,471		$	4,785,558		$	4,708,331		$	4,773,478		$	4,649,993

* Annualized measure.
(1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Efficiency Ratio (Tax-equivalent Basis)
	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023

Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis)
Total noninterest expense	$	31,322		$	30,509		$	30,671		$	93,099		$	100,577
Less: amortization of intangible assets		710			710			720			2,130			1,950
Noninterest expense excluding amortization of intangible assets	$	30,612		$	29,799		$	29,951		$	90,969		$	98,627

Net interest income	$	47,733		$	47,028		$	48,279		$	141,449		$	143,988
Total noninterest income		8,705			9,610			9,490			23,941			26,841
Operating revenue		56,438			56,638			57,769			165,390			170,829
Tax-equivalent adjustment ⁽¹⁾		552			553			675			1,680			2,092
Operating revenue (tax-equivalent basis) ⁽¹⁾	$	56,990		$	57,191		$	58,444		$	167,070		$	172,921

Efficiency ratio		54.24	%		52.61	%		51.85	%		55.00	%		57.73	%
Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) ⁽¹⁾		53.71			52.10			51.25			54.45			57.04

(1) On a tax-equivalent basis assuming a federal income tax rate of 21% and a state tax rate of 9.5%.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets and Tangible Book Value Per Share
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023

Tangible Common Equity
Total stockholders’ equity	$	537,662		$	509,469		$	456,251
Less: Goodwill		59,820			59,820			59,820
Less: Intangible assets, net		18,552			19,262			21,402
Tangible common equity	$	459,290		$	430,387		$	375,029

Tangible Assets
Total assets	$	4,990,728		$	5,006,199		$	4,991,768
Less: Goodwill		59,820			59,820			59,820
Less: Intangible assets, net		18,552			19,262			21,402
Tangible assets	$	4,912,356		$	4,927,117		$	4,910,546

Total stockholders’ equity to total assets		10.77	%		10.18	%		9.14	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		9.35			8.74			7.64

Shares of common stock outstanding		31,559,366			31,559,366			31,774,140

Book value per share	$	17.04		$	16.14		$	14.36
Tangible book value per share		14.55			13.64			11.80

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Return on Average Tangible Common Equity, Adjusted Return on Average Stockholders’ Equity and Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			September 30, 2023				2024			2023

Average Tangible Common Equity
Total stockholders’ equity	$	523,745		$	501,837		$	459,601		$	506,582		$	445,576
Less: Goodwill		59,820			59,820			59,875			59,820			56,406
Less: Intangible assets, net		18,892			19,605			21,793			19,607			20,005
Average tangible common equity	$	445,033		$	422,412		$	377,933		$	427,155		$	369,165

Net income	$	18,180		$	18,070		$	19,715		$	51,508		$	47,396
Adjusted net income		19,244			18,139			20,279			55,456			58,910

Return on average stockholders’ equity *		13.81	%		14.48	%		17.02	%		13.58	%		14.22	%
Return on average tangible common equity *		16.25			17.21			20.70			16.11			17.17

Adjusted return on average stockholders’ equity *		14.62	%		14.54	%		17.51	%		14.62	%		17.68	%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity *		17.20			17.27			21.29			17.34			21.34

* Annualized measure.

The MIL Network –

January 24, 2025

MIL-OSI Security: “NATO will defend Allied interests in the Arctic” says Chair of NATO Military Committee

Source: NATO

On 19 October 2024, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer attended the 11th edition of the Arctic Circle Assembly. While in Iceland, he also met with the Chief of Defence, Mr Jonas G. Allansson, former President of Iceland Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman of the Arctic Circle Assembly and Michael Sfraga, newly appointed US ambassador-at-large for the Arctic.

In his keynote speech for the Arctic Circle Assembly, Admiral Bauer expressed his concerns about Russia’s continued military build-up in the Arctic and the growing (military) cooperation between China and Russia, also in the Arctic region. “NATO will defend its interests in the Arctic. We have a responsibility to protect all our Allies, including the seven here in this region. And we want to uphold the international rules-based order, which includes freedom of navigation,” Admiral Bauer said. He underscored NATO’s strong posture in the High North based on new defence plans, major exercises and build-up of Joint Force Command Norfolk to ensure NATO’s deterrence and defence for the whole of the North Atlantic. Admiral Bauer also praised closer Nordic Defence Cooperation: “The historic accession of Sweden and Finland makes NATO stronger, also in the High North. And Nordic Allies are investing deeply in their capabilities and equipment”.

Sitting down with the Icelandic Chief of Defence, Mr Jonas Allansson, Admiral Bauer reiterated the key role Iceland plays as a NATO Ally. “Iceland continues to be strategically important because of its location and by operating crucial NATO air defence and surveillance systems. Iceland also hosts Allied Air Policing and key exercises,” Admiral Bauer stated, adding that Iceland is one of 13 Allies involved in the NORTHLINK initiative that was launched during the Defence Ministerial Meeting on 17-18 October 2024. This initiative will help develop a secure, resilient and reliable multinational Arctic satellite communications capability. Admiral Bauer also welcomed Iceland’s long-term support to Ukraine.

Meeting with Mr Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Admiral Bauer praised the Arctic Circle Assembly for being a key venue to address global challenges, including the security implications of climate change. “Reduction in sea ice due to climate change means that new shipping routes come into play in the Arctic, making them economically and militarily significant,” Admiral Bauer said.

In his meeting with the US Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, Michael Sfraga, Admiral Bauer discussed the role of the United States as an Artic ally, both on the diplomatic front and also militarily, as Pentagon published an updated Arctic Strategy in July this year.

Read the speech at the Arctic Circle Assembly.

MIL Security OSI –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: 2024 WSTDF to open in Beijing

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

A press briefing on the 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum is held in Beijing on Oct. 18. [Photo courtesy of the China Association for Science and Technology]

The 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum (WSTDF), hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), will commence in Beijing on Oct. 22, according to a press briefing held on Friday.

Guided by the implementation of China’s three major global initiatives, the forum will center on the theme “Science and Technology for the Future” and focus on in-depth discussions of six topics. It aims to harness international expertise to drive high-quality development, foster cross-cultural scientific exchanges, and tackle global challenges through innovation and technological solutions.

The main activities of the 2024 WSTDF will take place in Beijing from Oct. 22-24, with the closing ceremony set for Oct. 30. During the event, in addition to the opening ceremony on Oct. 22, six major thematic sessions and three roundtable dialogues will be held, complemented by several cultural exchange activities. The six thematic sessions will explore the following key areas: “AI Governance Innovation: Building an International Trust Foundation for Cultivating the Ecology of Science and Technology Governance (Intelligence)”; “Interdisciplinary Science-Based Solutions Towards Sustainable Development (Interdisciplinary)”; “Open Science Infrastructures: Building a Collaborative Platform for the Sciences Decade (Infrastructures)”; “Cross-Industry Resource Collaboration and Integration to Provide Innovative Application Scenarios for Enhancing the Intelligent Manufacturing Industry (Innovation)”; “Harmonious Coexistence of Nature and Humanity: Environment and Health (Interaction)”; and “Science and Technology for Risk-Informed Sustainable Development (Integration).” The three roundtable dialogues will focus on the following themes: “Encouraging women’s participation in science and technology”; “Science: Openness, Cooperation and Mobility”; and “Seminar on Effectively Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.”

In addition, three key international exchange events will enrich the forum, namely the 2024 China-ASEAN Engineers Forum in Beijing on Oct. 16; the opening ceremony of the 2024 WLA Forum & The Award Ceremony of the 2024 WLA Prize in Shanghai on Oct. 25; and the 11th China-Russia Engineering and Technology Forum in Heilongjiang on Oct. 28-29.

The 2024 WSTDF is expected to attract hundreds of high-profile participants, including leaders from relevant countries, global award winners, heads of the United Nations as well as international science and technology organizations, as well as renowned scientists, entrepreneurs and educators from home and abroad. Among the attendees will be over 10 Nobel laureates and other major award winners, more than 40 academicians, over 30 business representatives, and nearly 50 delegates from international organizations.

Featuring a diverse array of events, including thematic sessions, open forums and closed-door meetings, the forum will emphasize fostering interdisciplinary technological cooperation and integration. Through proposals, reports and declarations, it aims to drive meaningful progress in science and technology.

In line with its commitment to simplicity and practicality, the forum will embrace a green, low-carbon and sustainable approach. This includes utilizing paperless communication to boost efficiency, leveraging digital technology to streamline event services, and using renewable energy vehicles for guest transportation. Additionally, the forum will limit the number of participants, avoid unnecessary formalities and minimize decorations to foster a focused and efficient environment.

First launched and hosted by CAST in 2019, the WSTDF has been held five times. Amidst the complex and evolving global landscape, the forum has played a vital role in fostering non-governmental scientific and technological exchange, broadening avenues for international collaboration, and establishing an open and trustworthy network of cooperation. This year, the forum will once again offer a crucial platform for nations to exchange ideas, deepen partnerships and advance scientific innovation and development on a global scale, contributing to a community with a shared future for mankind.

MIL OSI China News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Beijing logs 1.7M inbound trips by foreigners in 3 quarters

Source: China State Council Information Office 2

More than 1.7 million foreign nationals entered the Chinese capital in the first three quarters, a year-on-year increase of 156.6%, according to the Beijing General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection.
The number of cross-border travelers at Beijing ports reached nearly 13.7 million from January to September, more than doubling that of the same period last year. The figure also surpassed the total number of entries and exits for the whole of last year.
China’s optimized visa-free policy, together with measures aimed at facilitating international travel, has substantially helped to increase the number of foreign travelers arriving in Beijing.
According to the Beijing border inspection office, most of the foreign travelers who entered through Beijing in the first three quarters of the year originated from Russia, the U.S., the Republic of Korea, Germany, and Malaysia.
During the period, 580,000 foreigners entered Beijing under visa-free policies, with 46,000 benefiting from the 144-hour transit visa exemption, representing six-fold and 3.4-fold increases year on year, respectively.
The Beijing General Station of Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection has implemented multiple measures facilitating services for foreign travelers, including promoting the use of electronic boarding passes with 14 airlines, and piloting self-service printing of entry cards for foreigners to reduce waiting time. Moreover, additional channels and waiting areas have been installed at busy checkpoints.

MIL OSI China News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: Sophos to Acquire Secureworks to Accelerate Cybersecurity Services and Technology for Organizations Worldwide
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

News Summary
- Secureworks shareholders to receive $8.50 per share in cash
- Sophos intends to integrate solutions from both companies into a broader and stronger security portfolio for all small, mid- and enterprise customers
- By combining complementary AI-driven security platforms powered by automated prevention, detection and response, the two organizations can deliver advanced solutions for defeating modern, persistent adversaries even faster
- The deal is expected to strengthen the security community by bringing together two industry leaders with shared mission-driven cultures
OXFORD, United Kingdom and ATLANTA, Oct. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sophos and Secureworks^® (NASDAQ:SCWX), two global leaders of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced a definitive agreement for Sophos to acquire Secureworks. The all-cash transaction is valued at approximately $859 million. Sophos is backed by Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm.

Sophos’ experience and reputation as a leading provider of managed security services and end-to-end security products, combined with Secureworks’ security operations expertise transformed into the Taegis™ platform, is expected to further deliver complementary advanced MDR and XDR solutions for the benefit of their global customer bases. Together, they will help strengthen the resilience and security posture of global organizations of any size with a combination of security controls, AI, world-class threat intelligence, and two teams with decades of cybersecurity expertise.

Sophos expects to integrate solutions from both companies into a broader and stronger security portfolio benefiting small, mid- and enterprise customers. This includes Sophos expanding its current portfolio with other new offerings like identity detection and response (ITDR), next-gen SIEM capabilities, operational technology (OT) security, and enhanced vulnerability risk prioritization. As two partner-centric organizations, the combination of Sophos and Secureworks will enable the combined company to expand its market presence to create greater value within the channel and strengthen the overall security community.

“Secureworks offers an innovative, market-leading solution with their Taegis XDR platform. Combined with our security solutions and industry leadership in MDR, we will strengthen our collective position in the market and provide better outcomes for organizations of all sizes globally,” said Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos. “Secureworks’ renowned expertise in cybersecurity perfectly aligns with our mission to protect businesses from cybercrime by delivering powerful and intuitive products and services. This acquisition represents a significant step forward in our commitment to building a safer digital future for all.”

Cyber risk continues to escalate, driven by a rampant cybercriminal ecosystem and global geopolitical pressures. Combined, Sophos and Secureworks share a long history of having exceptional threat intelligence, security operations, incident response, and innovative security product capabilities that help organizations defeat these adversaries.

“Our mission at Secureworks has always been to secure human progress. Sophos’ portfolio of leading endpoint, cloud, and network security solutions – in combination with our XDR-powered managed detection and response – is exactly what organizations are looking for to strengthen their security posture and collectively turn the tide against the adversary,” said Wendy Thomas, CEO, Secureworks. “As Joe and I both believe, this transaction will strengthen our go-to-market offering with Sophos’ global scale, expertise and reputation.”

Transaction Details
Under the terms of the agreement, Sophos intends to acquire Secureworks in an all-cash transaction valued at $859 million. Secureworks shareholders, including Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL), will receive $8.50 per share in cash. This represents a 28% premium to the unaffected 90-day volume-weighted average price (VWAP). The transaction is expected to close in early 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Additional information regarding this announcement can be found in the Form 8-K filed by Secureworks with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Oct. 21, 2024.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to Sophos and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC., Barclays, BofA Securities, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and UBS Investment Bank are acting as financial advisors and providing debt financing for the transaction. Piper Sandler & Company and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as financial advisors to Secureworks and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is acting as legal counsel.

About Sophos
Sophos is a global leader and innovator of advanced security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and incident response services and a broad portfolio of endpoint, network, email, and cloud security technologies. As one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity providers, Sophos defends more than 600,000 organizations and more than 100 million users worldwide from active adversaries, ransomware, phishing, malware, and more. Sophos’ services and products connect through the Sophos Central management console and are powered by Sophos X-Ops, the company’s cross-domain threat intelligence unit. Sophos X-Ops intelligence optimizes the entire Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which includes a centralized data lake that leverages a rich set of open APIs available to customers, partners, developers, and other cybersecurity and information technology vendors. Sophos provides cybersecurity-as-a-service to organizations needing fully managed security solutions. Customers can also manage their cybersecurity directly with Sophos’ security operations platform or use a hybrid approach by supplementing their in-house teams with Sophos’ services, including threat hunting and remediation. Sophos sells through reseller partners and managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at http://www.sophos.com.

About Secureworks
Secureworks (NASDAQ: SCWX) is a global cybersecurity leader that secures human progress with Secureworks^® Taegis™, a SaaS-based, open XDR platform built on 20+ years of real-world detection data, security operations expertise, and threat intelligence and research. Taegis is embedded in the security operations of thousands of organizations around the world who use its advanced, AI-driven capabilities to detect advanced threats, streamline and collaborate on investigations, and automate the right actions.

Connect with Secureworks via LinkedIn and Facebook or Read the Secureworks Blog

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes certain disclosures which contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including but not limited to those statements related to the merger of the wholly-owned subsidiary of Sophos, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“Parent”) with and into SecureWorks Corp. (the “Company”), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”), including financial estimates and statements as to the expected timing, completion and effects of the Merger, including the delisting from NASDAQ and deregistration under the Exchange Act the timing of the foregoing. In most cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “confidence,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “outlook,” “should,” and “would,” or similar words or expressions that refer to future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Merger, are based largely on information currently available to our management and our management’s current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of performance. There is no assurance that our expectations will occur or that our estimates or assumptions will be correct, and we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

Important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include but are not limited to: (i) the completion of the Merger on the anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the Merger; (ii) potential litigation relating to the Merger that could be instituted against the Company or its directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (iii) the risk that disruptions from the Merger (including the ability of certain customers to terminate or amend contracts upon a change of control) will harm the Company’s business, including current plans and operations, including during the pendency of the Merger; (iv) the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel, including those with extensive information security expertise; (v) the diversion of management’s time and attention from ordinary course business operations to completion of the proposed transaction and integration matters; (vi) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Merger; (vii) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (viii) potential business uncertainty, including changes to existing business relationships, during the pendency of the Merger that could affect the Company’s financial performance; (ix) certain restrictions during the pendency of the Merger that may impact the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (x) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, outbreaks of war or hostilities or the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health issues, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xi) the impact of inflation, rising interest rates, and global conflicts, including disruptions in European economies as a result of the Ukrainian/Russian conflict and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the relationship between China and Taiwan and ongoing trade disputes between the United States and China; (xii) the possibility that the Merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (xiii) the ability to obtain the necessary financing arrangements set forth in the commitment letter received in connection with the Merger; (xiv) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Merger, including in circumstances requiring the Company to pay a termination fee; (xv) the risk that the Company’s stock price may decline significantly if the Merger is not consummated; (xvi) there may be liabilities that are not known, probable or estimable at this time or unexpected costs, charges or expenses; (xvii) those risks and uncertainties set forth under the headings “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, which are available via the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; and (xviii) those risks that will be described in the information statement that will be filed with the SEC and available from the sources indicated below.

These risks, as well as other risks associated with the Merger, will be more fully discussed in the information statement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. There can be no assurance that the Merger will be completed, or if it is completed, that it will close within the anticipated time period. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company does not undertake to update, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, any of its forward-looking statements, whether resulting from circumstances or events that arise after the date the statements are made, new information, or otherwise. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. You should specifically consider the factors identified in this communication that could cause actual results to differ. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict those events or how they may affect the Company.

Important Additional Information and Where to Find It

This communication is being made in connection with the pending Merger. The Company plans to file an information statement on Schedule 14C for its stockholders with respect to the Merger. The information statement will be mailed to stockholders of the Company. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE INFORMATION STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of such documents filed by the Company when filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). In addition, the Company’s stockholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of such documents filed by the Company at the Company’s website (investors.secureworks.com) or by e-mailing the Company’s Investor Relations department at investorrelations@secureworks.com. Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from the Company upon written request by mail to SecureWorks Corp., Investor Relations, One Concourse Parkway NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.

Press Contacts
Susie Evershed
press@secureworks.com

Kelly Kane
Kelly.Kane@sophos.com

The MIL Network –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

From the transcript:

M. Mishustin: Dear Akylbek Usenbekovich! Dear colleagues!

Mikhail Mishustin with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

October 21, 2024

Mikhail Mishustin with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

October 21, 2024

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

October 21, 2024

Mikhail Mishustin at Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

October 21, 2024

Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

October 21, 2024

Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

October 21, 2024

Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

October 21, 2024

Signing of documents following Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

October 21, 2024

Signing of documents following Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

October 21, 2024

Previous news Next news

Mikhail Mishustin with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

I am pleased to welcome you all to the Government of the Russian Federation. Your official visit is timed to coincide with the celebration of the centenary of the formation of the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Region and the opening of the Days of Kyrgyz Culture in Russia.

We, as you know, highly value our relations with Kyrgyzstan – our ally and strategic partner.

The presidents of our countries are in constant contact. There is an intensive dialogue at all levels. This year, the respected Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Japarov has already visited the Russian Federation three times. And we, of course, are waiting for him at the BRICS summit events in Kazan this week.

You and I, dear Akylbek Usenbekovich, also maintain regular communication. We work along the lines of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States. Just last week we participated together in the SCO summit in Pakistan, in Islamabad.

Our Intergovernmental Russian-Kyrgyz Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Humanitarian Cooperation, headed by Alexey Logvinovich Overchuk on the Russian side, is also working successfully. It is very pleasant that you are personally involved in all issues. Its latest meeting was held in July, simultaneously with the Russian-Kyrgyz Interregional Conference.

Russia and Kyrgyzstan have great potential for increasing cooperation. First of all – we also discussed this with you – in the financial sector, industry, agriculture, energy, transport, and also in the field of digital technologies. And we just talked about this in detail today, dear Akylbek Usenbekovich.

Our trade cooperation is developing at a good pace. In the first eight months of this year, trade turnover has grown by 16%. The share of the ruble in mutual settlements has reached almost 90%. And we, of course, would like to maintain this trend in order to ensure stable and predictable conditions for doing business.

Our country makes a significant contribution to strengthening the energy security of your republic. At the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in June, long-term contracts were signed for the supply of Russian natural gas to the northern and southern regions of your country.

The creation of a low-power nuclear power plant based on a Russian project and the construction of solar power plants are also being discussed. An industrial cluster for the production of components necessary for such modules is also being formed.

Of course, our cooperation is not limited to the economic agenda.

We pay special attention to humanitarian ties. This is the foundation for strengthening friendly, good-neighborly and truly fraternal relations between our peoples.

At the end of August, the Kyrgyz-Russian Fair of Innovative Solutions in Education was held. More than 150 representatives of leading Russian institutions in this area took part in it. It was possible to discuss in detail the mechanisms for developing scientific and technical creativity of schoolchildren, the specifics of working with talented children.

Kyrgyz youth are interested, which pleases us, in studying in Russia. About 16 thousand Kyrgyz students study in our country. Other popular projects are also being implemented.

We have an extensive bilateral agenda. I am ready to discuss all the issues that exist today.

It is with pleasure that I give you the floor, dear Akylbek Usenbekovich.

Please.

A. Zhaparov: Dear Mikhail Vladimirovich! Dear colleagues and friends!

To be continued…

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://government.ru/nevs/53063/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show toured India with success

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

With the support of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show “The Love Story of Scheherazade” toured in the Indian city of Ahmedabad (Gujarat) from December 18 to 20. Ice shows were held in India for the first time.

Musical performances based on Arabian tales and the novels “A Thousand and One Nights” took place at the sports stadium EKA ARENA. An ice rink was installed at the stadium especially for the show, for the creation of which more than 100 tons of real ice were used.

The audience had a unique opportunity to feel the atmosphere of several Eastern cultures at once: India, Egypt, Ancient Babylon and Persia, and also to see unique special effects and costumes, to appreciate the skills of famous Russian figure skaters. The show was attended by stars of world figure skating, multiple champions of Russia, Europe and the world, Olympic champions. Among them were the author of the idea, director and general producer of the project Tatyana Navka, as well as Victoria Sinitsina, Nikita Katsalapov, Povilas Vanagas, Ivan Righini, Egor Murashov and many others.

The show aroused great interest among the people of India. Spectators travelled from New Delhi, Mumbai and other cities of the country to see the ice show in Ahmedabad. The show was also attended by Indian politicians and representatives of the business community.

All five performances of the ice show were sold out. Most of the viewers saw ice for the first time. And the highest skill of the skaters and unique special effects caused thunderous applause throughout the show. At the same time, after the performance, the viewers were in no hurry to leave and thanked the artists for the unique performance.

Rosneft actively supports significant cultural projects and contributes to the development of cultural ties between Russia and other countries. Thanks to the Company, large-scale projects aimed at reviving spiritual and national values are being implemented. Among such projects are support for the Sretensky Monastery Choir, the State Hermitage Museum, the White Steamship project, and much more. Earlier, with the participation of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show Evenings on a Farm based on the works of N.V. Gogol was shown in Moscow.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 21, 2024

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/220931/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial News: Expensive Consultations and Conditional Discounts: A Review of Unscrupulous Practices in Auto Loans

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

Banks and car dealerships often impose additional paid services on the client, and at inflated prices. At the same time, contracts are drawn up in such a way that it is impossible to refuse the services and return the money. This violates the rights and interests of consumers.

For example, clients are offered expensive insurance consulting services, although such consultations are usually free, or a discount on a car, but only if it is purchased on credit or additional paid services are purchased. In addition, there are cases where borrowers are deliberately poorly informed about the terms of the transaction. As a result, clients incur additional costs by purchasing unnecessary goods or services and cannot be fully protected by current regulations.

The Bank of Russia recommended that creditors refrain from using the funds specified inreview of practices. Explanations have also been prepared for consumers on how to avoid falling for the tricks of unscrupulous creditors or sellers and where to go if they become their victims.

Preview photo: Take Photo / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.kbr.ru/press/event/?id=21104

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: One for all: regulator’s proposals for using a universal QR code for payment

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia –

The Bank of Russia has sent proposals to the Russian Ministry of Finance to change legislation concerning the use of QR codes when paying for purchases and services. According to them, banks will have to use only a universal QR code based on the solution of the National Payment Card System (NSPK).

The universal QR code of the NSPK will allow accepting all types of payments, including payment solutions of banks (pay services), SBP, and in the future — the digital ruble. It will also provide support for bank loyalty programs and cashbacks. The implementation of this solution will minimize the costs of banks and trading companies for connecting various payment instruments.

Such a step will also promote the development of competition in this area and will provide all banks, both large and small, with equal conditions for connecting to the NSPK infrastructure and interacting with it.

The document assumes that all IT systems of banks and technical devices (trading terminals and others) that are associated with accepting payments must support payment using the universal NSPK QR code.

Preview photo: Mr Aesthetics / Shutterstock / Fotodom

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.kbr.ru/press/event/?id=21084

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Calls to Ban Funding for American Consulting Firm Working for CCP

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined Chairman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in exposing new evidence of an American consulting firm working for the Chinese military and Chinese Communist Party and calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to initiate a criminal investigation and debar McKinsey & Company from receiving Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
The lawmakers reveal how McKinsey failed to disclose consulting work for the Chinese government and lied about working for the Chinese government under oath, all while receiving over $480 million to consult for the U.S. military since 2008. In their letter, the lawmakers outline the details of McKinsey’s work to advance the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese military, its work to shape the Chinese Communist Party’s five-year plans to surpass the United States, and its failure to report its China work, as required by U.S. law.
McKinsey’s work on sensitive U.S. national security matters occurred as the company failed to disclose its similar work for China – while it is seeking to capably threaten the U.S. military and American troops. The risk that McKinsey leveraged sensitive American programs and secrets to benefit the Chinese state is grave and merits an investigation and future consequences.
“It is deeply disturbing that McKinsey, which has a history of undermining the interests of the U.S. government in favor of another client, engaged in sensitive government contracts with DoD while failing to disclose its work with the PRC [People’s Republic of China] government and its state-owned enterprises on issues of national importance,” the lawmakers wrote.
“McKinsey not only failed to make necessary disclosures but actively concealed its sensitive work for the PRC government in sworn testimony before Congress. In describing McKinsey’s Chinese contracts, McKinsey’s Global Managing Partner testified under oath before Congress this year that the company never worked for the central government of the PRC,” they continued.
The lawmakers also highlighted the massive discrepancies in McKinsey’s Managing Partner’s testimony before Congress in February 2024. They concluded by requiring a briefing from both Attorney General Garland and Defense Secretary Austin by Dec. 1 about McKinsey’s criminal implications and its status as a DoD contractor.
Background:
Ernst has led the bipartisan CONSULT Act to prohibit DoD from contracting with consulting firms like McKinsey for national security matters when those firms also provide consulting services for sanctioned entities or foreign adversaries, like China, Russia, or Iran.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The All-Russian Olympiad in Strength of Materials has ended at the Polytechnic University

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

The final round of the 43rd All-Russian Student Olympiad on Strength of Materials with International Participation was held at the Polytechnic University. The event was held as part of the 125th anniversary of SPbPU. The Physics and Mechanics Institute was the organizer.

At the opening, the Vice-Rector for Educational Activities of SPbPU Lyudmila Pankova noted that in 1976, the Department of Material Strength of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute was one of the initiators of organizing city Olympiads in Strength of Materials. Later, such events began to be held at the Polytechnic Institute annually. In 1981, the USSR Ministry of Education decided to hold an annual All-Union Olympiad in Material Strength to improve the level of student training. Since 1991, the event has received All-Russian status with international participation. In different years, representatives of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Ukraine, and Turkmenistan have participated in the Olympiad. Teams from universities in different regions of Russia, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, come annually.

In 2002, the event was first held at the Polytechnic University. In the year of its 125th anniversary, SPbPU again welcomed guests from leading Russian universities. This time, the participants included a team from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B. N. Yeltsin.

“Polytech is expanding its boundaries for the exchange of international academic experience and the establishment of partnerships, as well as for the development of cooperation between universities,” emphasized Lyudmila Pankova.

Professor of the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes (HSMCP) Artem Semenov noted that 63 students from St. Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Surgut, Kaliningrad, Belgorod, Tula, Perm, Vladimir, Arkhangelsk, Samara, Tver, Ivanovo, Bishkek (team of the Kyrgyz Republic) registered to participate in the competitive tests.

“The Olympiad is taking place in St. Petersburg, the city where Pushkin and Dostoevsky lived and worked, and where Euler and Lame wrote their immortal formulas. The book “Who’s Who in Strength of Materials” by N. N. Malinin shows that of the 110 engineers and scientists from all over the world who influenced the development of this discipline, 25 studied or worked in St. Petersburg, and nine are directly related to our university,” said Artem Semenovich.

He wished the participants to achieve maximum results in the competition, to effectively use their knowledge, and to make new friends.

Professor of the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” Irina Krasyuk noted the development of the Olympiad movement, which creates conditions for the formation of engineering potential and lays the foundations for mastering science-intensive engineering and technical disciplines in the future.

“Strength of materials is a fundamental discipline that studies the features of deformation of the simplest structures and the mechanical stresses that arise in them. The format of the work presented at the Olympiad is aimed at forming advanced professional competencies of a modern engineer,” says Irina Anatolyevna.

She presented the interaction of the Physics and Mechanics Institute and the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” in the organization and work of the Olympiad. This contributes to further internal university integration and external cooperation with leading Russian technical universities.

Irina Anatolyevna focused on how the scientific and educational process takes place at the Physics and Mechanical Institute and the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” of SPbPU, where they provide a unique set of professional competencies in solving complex multidisciplinary industrial problems that meet the world level and the needs of high-tech industries of the Russian Federation.

The organizing committee included the chairman — director of PhysMech Aleksey Filimonov, deputy chairman — chief specialist of the Directorate of Educational Programs of PhysMech Daria Afonskaya, adviser to the rector’s office Vitaly Drobchik, professor of GSOMPU Artem Semenov, associate professor of GSOMPU Daria Kitaeva, associate professor of GSOMPU Elena Yakovleva and assistant of GSOMPU Aleksey Grishchenko. The chairman of the jury was professor of Bauman Moscow State Technical University Aleksey Pokrovsky.

The first place was taken by the team of the Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman, the second place went to the Moscow Polytechnic University, and the third place went to the Samara National Research University named after Academician S.P. Korolev. Three participants won in the nomination “Miss Olympiad”, and the prize for the originality of the solution was won by a student of the Moscow Automobile and Road State Technical University. All winners and prize winners received diplomas, memorable gifts, souvenirs of the Polytechnic, letters of thanks and certificates.

The KRSU team was awarded a 1st degree diploma as winners among foreign participants. The head of the university, Denis Fomin-Nilov, was thanked.

“Thank you very much for your hospitality and cordiality. Our trip to you exceeded all my expectations, which I am very happy about,” shared the head of the KRSU team Azamat Dzhamankulov, head of the Department of Mechanics and Instrumentation named after Ya. I. Rudayev.

A cultural program was prepared for the Olympiad participants, which included a visit to the Polytechnic History Museum, the A. G. Gagarin Laboratory of Strength of Materials in the Mechanical Building, laboratories of the Higher School of Theoretical Mechanics and Computational Physics, and a walk around the campus.

The closing ceremony of the Olympiad was attended by the Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation of SPbPU, the Head of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU “Digital Engineering” Alexey Borovkov. He noted that the strength of materials, like theoretical mechanics, are an integral fundamental element of high-quality engineering education. Strength of materials or mechanics of materials and structural elements is the most important element of the culture of engineers around the world. The priority goal of the development of systems engineering education is to train engineering special forces with fundamental physical, mathematical, computational and engineering training. Conditions for training such specialists have been created in the Master’s program of the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering” of SPbPU. The uniqueness of the educational process lies in the training of personnel for orders from leading high-tech companies, which allows developing modern multidisciplinary competencies to solve frontier engineering problems put forward by the high-tech industry of Russia.

Alexey Ivanovich emphasized the importance of acquiring and consolidating knowledge, developing skills and abilities to solve problems within the discipline “Strength of Materials” for the further development of advanced digital and production technologies. This multidisciplinary knowledge and competencies are necessary for the application of advanced technology of the 21st century – the development of digital twins of high-tech products, materials, physical and mechanical, technological and operational processes. The development of system digital engineering requires fundamental principles of physical and mathematical and physical and mechanical education, within which the strength of materials plays an important role.

In conclusion, Alexey Ivanovich congratulated the participants on their results and invited them to apply for master’s programs at PISh SPbPU, where the educational process is built on the principle of “Come to study where you can work! Come to work where you can study! Which guarantees an invitation to work in a leading high-tech company during your master’s degree!”

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/education/the-all-Russian-Olympiad-in-compromise-compromise-has ended at the Polytechnic University/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic at the Kyrgyz-Russian Educational Forum

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

The Kyrgyz-Russian Educational Forum was held at the J. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University in Bishkek. The event was organized by Rossotrudnichestvo and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic with the support of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and the Administration of the President of Russia. More than 40 Russian and 34 Kyrgyz universities participated.

“Ties between Russia and Kyrgyzstan are being established and strengthened. Our energy, medicine, education and other sectors need highly qualified specialists, and we must train them. In this matter, we have great support from Russia,” said Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov at the opening of the forum.

“Russia allocates 700 quotas for admission of Kyrgyz citizens to leading Russian universities,” said Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo. “Today’s forum and exhibition will allow us to understand even more deeply what areas of training and specialties are most in demand among young people in Kyrgyzstan. The country’s leading universities, which have been successfully training citizens of foreign countries for decades, are present here. The Decade of Science and Education is currently taking place in Russia. And today Russia has something to show Kyrgyzstan and the world. I am confident that today’s forum will give impetus to the development of higher education in both countries.”

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was represented at the forum by the executive secretary of the coordinating council of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in the field of education “Engineering, technology and technical sciences” professor Pavel Romanov. He held a round table on the topic “Engineering and technical education of the future: training personnel for the digital economy”, spoke about the proposals of the coordinating council of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation in the field of engineering, technology and technical sciences to create a nationally oriented model of engineering education, presented the experience of developing the Advanced Engineering School “Digital Engineering”, and also introduced the participants of the round table to the tasks and practices of strategic interaction between SPbPU and the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin (KRSU) on the development of engineering education in KRSU.

Following the round table, the Polytechnic University’s proposal was adopted into the draft resolution of the forum: “Cooperation between Russia and Kyrgyzstan in the development of engineering education is a priority task. The basis for cooperation is the presence of a historically established common fundamental basis for engineering education: the unity of all levels of the educational space; high-quality physical and mathematical training in schools; fundamental and practical orientation of engineering education. Taking into account modern trends in technological development, it is recommended to pay special attention to the possibilities of digital technologies in education and, in general, to the processes of digital transformation of universities as tools for accelerated development. It is also recommended to develop interaction between universities and industrial partners to improve the efficiency of training personnel to meet the needs of the economy. A successful example of effective interaction between universities in Russia and Kyrgyzstan in the development of engineering education is the cooperation between Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin. The dissemination of this experience will allow us to significantly improve the quality and demand for engineering education in the short term.”

“For two days, representatives of the educational community of the two countries participated in lively discussions on issues of scientific and educational cooperation, discussed the most interesting formats of interaction. The forum aroused great interest among colleagues from Kyrgyzstan and Russia. I thank our partners for the warm welcome and rich program,” said Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky.

In conclusion, the delegates attended a concert by the Black Sea Fleet ensemble.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/partnership/polytech-at-the-kyrgyz-russian-educational-forum/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: The 2026 Commonwealth Games will create an economic model that allows smaller nations to step up and host

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gayle McPherson, Chair in Events and Cultural Policy, and Director of the Research Centre for Culture, Sport and Events, University of the West of Scotland

The tension was palpable as we waited to see if Glasgow would rescue the Commonwealth Games for 2026. After the Australian state of Victoria pulled out, the eyes of the Commonwealth turned to Scotland.

Glasgow delivered a hugely successful event in 2014, raising questions about whether a future games there could match that success. I was part of the bid team as the cultural advisor for Glasgow 2014 and went on to conduct research on the impact of the games on sustainable community participation for people with a disability. So I understand the positive impact the games had for Scotland.

My work over the past couple of decades has examined the social impact of mega sports events and their role as agents for change, specifically disability rights, social inclusion, and peace and diplomacy. In other words, considering whether major sport events truly serve as a force for good as it’s often argued they do. If this is indeed the case, why shouldn’t smaller Commonwealth nations benefit from hosting the games?

Experts often criticise the economic and social impact of major sporting events, but others argue for the social value these events can bring to communities long after they have left town.

My research team conducted a survey on perceptions of the impact of the Glasgow 2014 games that revealed overwhelming support for their lasting impact on the city and Scotland.

The results showed that 75% of respondents believed the games increased civic and national pride, boosted Glasgow and Scotland’s chances of securing future events, enhanced their international reputation, and, as often attested, strengthened the nation’s soft power. Scotland ranks second (behind Quebec) out of ten similar territories for overall soft power, and third for sport.

Amid a rise in the Bric countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) using sport in soft power terms, other nations have sought to be part of this too. The Commonwealth Games is increasingly being used as a vehicle for positive change and regional soft power.

Read more:
Glasgow’s 2026 Commonwealth Games needs to showcase an affordable and socially beneficial way of hosting sporting events

There has been a rise in emerging states running mega sports events, often wealthy illiberal nations such as China and Qatar. However, what about the smaller nations in the Commonwealth? Only two – Malaysia and Jamaica – have ever hosted the Commonwealth Games, and the only other nation outside of Australia, Canada, UK and New Zealand to do so is India.

Glasgow is offering a new model that will create a legacy not only for Scotland, but for many other smaller nations in the Commonwealth. The games are known as the “Friendly Games” – it’s a community that is known for three core values: humanity, equality and destiny.

The family of nations

The African nations form a significant part of the Commonwealth sports movement, so shouldn’t we expect the model that Glasgow is developing to be transferable, ensuring that sport can serve a common good? An environmentally sustainable approach would use facilities and networks already in place to help developing nations, which already suffer disproportionately in terms of climate and environmental risks.

Under this model, venues and infrastructure are already in place. The event is athlete-focused, with competitors staying in hotels as opposed to a purpose-built athlete village, and transport needs minimised through walking or the use of team buses. The 2026 Glasgow event could serve as a blueprint for a sustainable approach to games delivery, inspiring nations such as Ghana, which already has the necessary venues and infrastructure to take on future Commonwealth Games.

With just ten sports across four venues, Glasgow 2026 has thought differently about delivery and digital broadcast. This is the only fully integrated games, hosting para competition at the same time as able-bodied events. This too will help smaller nations’ para-athletes, who often do not get a chance to compete internationally.

The Commonwealth is made up of 56 independent countries and the Commonwealth Games Federation consists of 72 member nations and territories. Gabon and Togo joined the Commonwealth in 2022, neither of which had previous ties to the British empire or other Commonwealth states, demonstrating that some countries still want to be part of a wider family.

Given 19 African countries have Commonwealth Games Associations, we could well see one of these take the baton in future. The Ghanaian sports minister made it clear that after hosting a successful African Games in 2024, he believed the next step would be the Commonwealth Games.

The recent African Games in Ghana’s capital Accra held athletics in a stadium that seats 11,000 spectators, while the World Athletics Championships in 2022 used the University of Oregon’s temporary stadium that seated 13,000. Commonwealth Games Scotland realised that, for 2026, Glasgow could host athletics at an existing stadium in the city with an upgrade to facilities that would provide seating for 11,000.

Ghana and Scotland are learning from each other to lay a path for smaller nations to host future games. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 contributed £1.2 billion to the UK economy and £79.5 million in social value. This is possible for small nations too.

Glasgow 2026 can create a different legacy for the Commonwealth Games; one that is built on inclusion, diversity and sustainability and which incorporates the culture, values and pride of the Commonwealth. The time is right to offer a new approach to event delivery that offers other smaller nations the chance to benefit from sport as a force for good.

Professor Gayle McPherson receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Sport Canada and has previously received funding from the Peter Harrison Foundation and Observatory for Sport in Scotland.

– ref. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will create an economic model that allows smaller nations to step up and host – https://theconversation.com/the-2026-commonwealth-games-will-create-an-economic-model-that-allows-smaller-nations-to-step-up-and-host-241059

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Russia’s ‘meat grinder’ tactics in Ukraine have proved effective in past wars – but at terrible cost

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Becky Alexis-Martin, Peace Studies and International Development, University of Bradford

Reports have emerged in recent months of particularly savage casualties among Russian troops fighting in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, as the Russian military bids to capture as much territory as it can, possibly with one eye on a potential ceasefire deal. Much will depend on the outcome of the US election. Donald Trump has said he will end military aid to Ukraine if elected, bringing the war to an end in “one day”.

This could mean that Kyiv will be forced to cede Ukrainian territory along current lines of occupation. Analysts have commented that this was one of the motivations for Ukraine’s Kursk offensive inside Russia in August, since territory captured by Ukraine would be a valuable bargaining chip in negotiations.

But meanwhile Russia’s offensive in eastern Ukraine has been particularly bloody, with US intelligence reports of casualty numbers of up to 1,000 per day, dead and wounded. This calls to mind the “meat grinder” tactics of previous Russian and Soviet military campaigns.

The “meat grinder” is a collective battlefield approach that values high troop density and intensity to overwhelm the enemy. It is a uniquely Russian approach nine decades in the making, consisting of a combination two much older strategies, namely attrition and mass mobilisation.

At the heart of attrition is the notion of abundance. The opponent is physically and psychologically exhausted by the sheer force of numbers, as wave after wave of cannon fodder are relentlessly deployed. Mass mobilisation is the large-scale movement of troops to a particular location with the intention of overpowering the adversary. Neither approach recognises the intrinsic value of individual lives.

Despite being outmatched in organisation and tactics, the Russian military successfully undertook a war of attrition against Napoleon’s invasion in 1812. A century later, the Russian empire generated enormous casualties but successfully launch large-scale counterattacks during the first world war.

The “meat grinder” became embedded in Soviet military tactics. The phrase “quantity has a quality of its own” has apocryphal roots in Stalin’s leadership during the second world war. Key battles such as Stalingrad and Kursk involved the deployment of millions of soldiers, and the Soviet army eventually crushed the Nazi blitzkrieg through sheer weight of numbers on the eastern front.

Past victories do not guarantee future success. But – for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and his military planners – it seems the dead and disabled bodies of their own soldiers are necessary collateral damage. It is estimated that more than 70,000 Russian troops have died since 2022. But it has been reported that Russian casualty rates are now rising more rapidly due to its military’s increased reliance on inexperienced fighters.

The state of the war in Ukraine, October 20 2024.
Institute for the Study of War

Civilian recruits now make up the greatest proportion of deaths since the invasion began. This increase is partially their lack of military knowledge in a challenging fighting environment against a highly motivated enemy. But inadequate medical care and poor quality protective kit are also important factors. The Russian state media shares carefully curated images and stories of the deceased but morale is still crashing, and military wives and mothers are rebelling.

Ultimate sacrifice

Putin’s meat grinder continues to expand, however. The Russian government announced plans to spend £133.8 billion on national security and defence in 2025, equivalent to 41% of annual government expenditure. All healthy men aged 18 to 30 can now be conscripted, and Russia has recently ordered a third increase in Russian troops. The recruitment of a further 180,000 soldiers will make Russia’s army the second largest in the world, with nearly 2.4 million members. Yet this army is unqualified and offers little protection for the individual soldier.

Ukraine does not view its soldiers’ lives as disposable in the same way – and they are comparatively well trained and resourced. But the dynamic in Ukraine may be changing. The country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed new conscription laws in April 2024 that lowered the age of conscription to 25, and it has reached the point where eligible men are now being dragged away from restaurants and nightclubs by army recruiters.

Russia’s meat-grinder tactics are not infallible and will eventually collapse. Large formations can quickly become large targets in an age of remote reconnaissance. While Russia can coerce military participation through the carrot of high wages and the stick of forced conscription, a large and unmotivated army is not well-equipped for modern warfare and will eventually produce diminishing returns.

Even declaration of martial law in the whole of Russia – Putin introduced martial law in occupied part of Ukraine in September 2022 – would not overcome the deeply embedded structural issues Russia faces. Poor care of soldiers and veterans will generate long-term challenges in the form of disability and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The social and cultural harms of a poor culture of care are already manifesting in Russia. Approximately 190 serious crimes have been committed by veterans upon returning home. With Putin showing no interest in peace, we can only hope that the Russian war machine burns itself out – and that the long-term consequences are not terminal.

Becky Alexis-Martin is affiliated with the British American Security Information Council.

– ref. Russia’s ‘meat grinder’ tactics in Ukraine have proved effective in past wars – but at terrible cost – https://theconversation.com/russias-meat-grinder-tactics-in-ukraine-have-proved-effective-in-past-wars-but-at-terrible-cost-241688

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Arctic Circle Assembly: Minister Doughty Plenary Speech

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

UK Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories outlines the UK’s commitment to the Arctic in the face of rising global challenges.

Location:

Reykjavik

Delivered on:

18 October 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you very much. It is a genuine pleasure to be here, President Grímsson and all of you at the Arctic Circle, distinguished guests and friends across the room.

It’s a pleasure to be here representing the new government in the United Kingdom, and it has been fantastic to be part of some fascinating discussions – yesterday following my visit with my ministerial colleague in Tromsø, at the Framsenteret in Norway, and in Oslo, and then here in Reykjavik, and meeting with many colleagues from across the Arctic region.

I am glad of the opportunity to be able to say a few words to you about the UK’s valuable work with all of you as fellow friends of the Arctic.

I reflect on many of my own personal relationships with people and communities across this incredible region. I have friends from Iqaluit to Nuuk, from Tromsø to Tórshavn, and here in Reykjavik too.

I reflect back on a moment I spent as a 19-year-old in Finnish Lapland, in the Millenium New Year’s Eve, in a little cabin in the snow, in minus 25, enjoying the sauna and some skiing.

But like many that night, I thought a lot about the world, the future of the world in this century, my place in it and what the future might hold.

And as I sat there amid the incredible beauty and peace, little could I have imagined how the world would look nearly a quarter of a century on.

With Putin’s war raging on the European continent, and all of the implications that brings for regional and global security.

And with climate change and biodiversity loss advancing at such a frightening pace, wrecking precious ecosystems and destroying livelihoods.

And with me as the British minister responsible for Europe, North America and indeed our relations in the Polar regions, I am very conscious that I have to work with all of you to address those challenges.

And of course that is a daunting responsibility.

But it is also an immense privilege to hold this role and to be here with you all, united in concern and care for the Arctic, and indeed both polar regions, and determined to navigate the challenges ahead in a spirit of co-operation and respect.

So there are three areas I wanted to focus on briefly with you today – firstly, our relationships, secondly, our shared security, and thirdly, our efforts to tackle the climate and nature crises.

Firstly, let me confirm to you that the new UK government is putting internationalism and multilateralism at the heart of all that we do.

We are resetting and deepening relationships with friends in Europe and beyond – many here in this room – to better face global challenges.

The UK’s Arctic Policy Framework continues to guide our approach, and we continue to update and develop that, guided by science and indeed the strategic challenges that we face.

And, as it makes clear, we are committed to the Arctic Council in our role as a State Observer, recognising that it has been at the heart of a stable and peaceful region for much of the past three decades.

And indeed, the Council has an important role to play in articulating a strong voice and delivering effective governance.

It has potential to act as a multilateral ‘glue’, with the strength to bind together a fragmented world.

So, our objectives for the Council are characterised by strong co-operation and constructive dialogue – objectives I think we all share in this room.

And I commend Norway’s work as Chair of the Council to re-start the technical engagement in the face of the very significant geopolitical challenges.

We will do what we can to further those efforts, as part of our commitments to the multilateral system.

But we are of course not naïve. The security of the Arctic is clearly at risk – the impacts of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine cannot be underestimated, let alone the wider geopolitical cooperation and competition landscape, and that will impact on all of us in this important region.

So alongside our resolute support for Ukraine, we are working tirelessly with partners for peace, security and stability, particularly for all of those areas of Europe on what I call the flanks – including the Western Balkans, the Nordic states and beyond.

We recognise Russia’s rights and role as an Arctic state.

But we will not tolerate attempts to wreck regional stability, disrupt critical infrastructure or restrict freedom of navigation.

There is no global security without Arctic security. So, we are ready to protect and – if necessary – assert our rights.

And on Wednesday, I was privileged to take a tour with the Norwegian Coastguard in Tromsø, to see how security threats and environmental changes are monitored in the High North.

They have a tough job in tough conditions – and all credit to them.

And as someone who’s participated alongside our training with Royal Marines in Northern Norway, I have huge respect for all of those who regularly brave the Arctic wilderness to ensure we are ready to protect it.

And let me be clear that the UK’s commitment to NATO, to the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Northern Group, and the Arctic Security Forces Roundtable is ironclad, including of course our close partnership with our hosts, Iceland.

And the NATO alliance is of particular significance to me personally. Many members of my family have served in NATO operations over many years, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with allies.

Of course, beyond Putin’s menace, climate change and the global marine biodiversity loss that we are tragically seeing is the other immense threat that we are all discussing here looming over the Arctic.

We are witnessing devastating impacts – on glaciers, fish stocks and weather patterns – with implications for us all.

And we are painfully aware that global warming is driving geopolitical competition over resources beneath the ice too.

And so that’s why my colleague, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, made clear in his first major policy speech last month that efforts to address the climate and nature crisis are central to our new government’s work.

So at COP29 we will press the global community to accelerate ambition to reduce our emissions and push for an agreement on an ambitious new climate finance goal.

And we have also seen how research to understand and assess climate change – including through the Arctic Council – has been an important basis to build collaboration. We will continue to back this.

But we have already invested over one hundred and thirty-five million pounds in Arctic research over the last decade, including through UK centres of expertise.

Our Royal Research Ship, Sir David Attenborough, paid its first visit to Greenland over the summer, and I was delighted to hear about their work here last night.

That data gathered will help us understand crucial changes and their impacts on the Arctic Ocean and beyond.

Now, our Advanced Research and Invention Agency has launched an eighty-one-million-pound call for proposals for further research around Greenland.

This new programme will develop an early warning system for ‘tipping points’, providing climate data of local and global importance.

And we are committing further funds to collaborations with Arctic Council Working Groups, helping to enhance understanding of climate impacts on the livelihoods of Arctic indigenous people, including many other things.

And I think it’s important to say here that, while we tend to focus on modern science for solutions, indigenous knowledge often holds the key to understanding and responding to the climate and nature crises, on top of the absolute necessity of working in respect and partnership with all of those communities and peoples who live in these wonderful lands, understand these lands, and steward their resources, and indeed their beauty.

So further research will be key, and will build on our programmes, for example with Canada and the Inuit Nunangat, which is looking into climate-driven changes in that Arctic homeland, as well as impacts on health and wellbeing. I have been delighted to meet representatives of communities from across the Arctic at this fantastic conference.

So this is just a brief flavour of our work, of our partnerships, of our hope for the future.

But let me say in conclusion that the future of the Arctic depends on every one of us, working together, in a spirit of strong collaboration and co-operation.

I hope that when we look back, 25 years from now, it’ll be from the perspective of a more secure, peaceful and indeed sustainable era. Not least here in the Arctic, but also globally.

Thank you very much.

Updates to this page

Published 21 October 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Principality of Liechtenstein Becomes IMF’s 191st Member

Source: IMF – News in Russian

October 21, 2024

Washington, D.C. – October 21, 2024: The Principality of Liechtenstein became a member of the IMF today when Prime Minister Daniel Risch signed the Fund’s Articles of Agreement during a ceremony in Washington D.C.

Liechtenstein applied for IMF membership in May 2023 (See Press Release 23/190). Subsequently, an IMF team visited Vaduz during November 27-December 8, 2023 (See Press Release 23/430). The principality’s decision to join the IMF was confirmed by a majority in a national referendum conducted on September 22, 2024. The initial quota[1] for Liechtenstein is SDR 100 million (about US$134.7 million).

After the signing ceremony, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met with Prime Minister Daniel Risch at IMF headquarters and issued the following statement:

“I am delighted to welcome Liechtenstein as the 191^st member of our global IMF community. This membership signifies Liechtenstein’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of economic policy and cooperation on the international stage. The IMF will work closely with the authorities to support Liechtenstein’s efforts toward sustainable growth and further integration into the global economy.”

“Liechtenstein is joining the IMF at a time when our members and the global economy are navigating greater uncertainty and long-term challenges such as economic fragmentation and climate change. This accession reaffirms the important role entrusted to the IMF in fostering global economic cooperation and stability. Together, we will build a more inclusive and sustainable economic future for all members.”

Prime Minister Daniel Risch added: “The Government is very pleased that Liechtenstein was able to join the IMF as the 191st member, this Monday, October 21. As a small country with limited administrative resources, we reflect carefully before joining international organizations, evaluating not only the consequences and benefits of what the organization can bring us – but also what we can bring to the organization ourselves. Liechtenstein will be a committed and dedicated member of the Fund. We’re looking forward to engaging constructively to advance international economic resilience and stability.”

[1] A member’s quota in the IMF determines its capital subscription, voting power, access to IMF financing, and allocation of SDRs.

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

PRESS OFFICER: Eva-Maria Graf

Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

@IMFSpokesperson

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/21/pr-24387-liechtenstein-principality-of-liechtenstein-becomes-imfs-191st-member

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Liechtenstein: Five Things You May Not Know About the IMF’s Newest Member
Source: IMF – News in Russian

By Rodgers Chawani and Kazuko Shirono

October 21, 2024

Liechtenstein is a winter sports destination and the only doubly-landlocked country in Europe. Find out more about the IMF’s 191st member

The IMF welcomed the Principality of Liechtenstein as its 191st member. Prime Minister Daniel Risch signed the IMF’s Articles of Agreement in a ceremony in Washington, D.C at the beginning of the 2024 Annual Meetings, which the country now attends as a full member.

Five Facts about Liechtenstein
1. Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked countries worldwide, along with Uzbekistan.
  
  Among six smallest European states—Andorra, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City—Liechtenstein has the third-largest total area at 160 sq. km, comparable to the size of the city of Washington D.C. Liechtenstein is located between Austria and Switzerland in the Alps and is a winter sports destination. About 40,000 people call it home, half of the population of Andorra. Although Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz, is the best-known city in the principality, it’s not the largest; next-door Schaan has a larger population.
2. Liechtenstein is a parliamentary constitutional principality with a small civil service.
  
  The 1921 constitution combines monarchy and democratic principles, defining the principality as “a constitutional, hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis.” The government consists of a five-member cabinet nominated by parliament and appointed by the prince for a four-year term. Liechtenstein has 1,500 civil servants, less than 4 percent of the population, significantly lower than the EU average of about 17 percent. Twenty-five members of parliament serve a four-year term.
3. Liechtenstein has the second highest per capita income in Europe, behind Monaco.
  
  Liechtenstein’s per capita income of US$197K/year is substantially higher than that of most other small states and other European countries. High investment in research and development (6.2 percent of GDP) supports a globally-competitive and export-oriented manufacturing sector, which includes machine and tool engineering, plant construction, and precision and dental instruments, contributing to high incomes. The share of industry is high at 42 percent of gross value added, well above the EU average (about 15 percent). The financial sector, mostly based on private banking, wealth management, insurance, and trust services, accounts for about 20 percent of GDP.
4. The number of persons employed in Liechtenstein exceeds its population.
  
  A distinctive feature of Liechtenstein’s economy is the large number of inward, cross-border commuters—from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Compared to a population of approximately 40,000, the workforce was 42,500 in 2022. About half of the workforce commutes daily from Switzerland (59 percent of commuters) or Austria (37 percent). Labor force participation is high (76.1 percent, vis-à-vis 74.9 percent in the EU), and the unemployment rate is below 2 percent.
5. Despite its small size, Liechtenstein is globally integrated.
  
  The US, Germany, and Switzerland are among its most important export destinations. As part of the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein has full access to the EU’s single market, including financial markets, under the rules for free movement of services and capital. Building on access to the EU’s financial market and oversight by the European Banking Authority, Liechtenstein’s financial institutions have extended private wealth management networks outside the EU to Asia and the Middle East. Strong economic ties with Switzerland—including use of the Swiss franc—have also fostered trade and labor market integration.
****

Rodgers Chawani is a senior economist and Kazuko Shirono is a deputy chief. Both are in the IMF’s European Department.

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/21/cf-five-things-you-may-not-know-about-liechtenstein

MIL OSI
MIL OSI Russia News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Issues Comprehensive Proposed Rule Addressing National Security Risks Posed to U.S. Sensitive Data

Source: US State of North Dakota

Proposed Rule Would Establish New Program to Implement Executive Order to Prevent Access to Americans’ Sensitive Personal Data by Russia, Iran, China, and Other Countries of Concern

Note: Read the Department’s fact sheet on this matter here.

The Justice Department today issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement President Biden’s Executive Order 14117 (the E.O.) of Feb. 28, “Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern.” The E.O. addresses the national security threat posed by the continued effort of certain countries of concern to access and exploit certain kinds of Americans’ sensitive personal data. The President charged the Justice Department with the responsibility of establishing and implementing this new national security regulatory program to address these risks. On March 5, the Department’s Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) was published in the Federal Register. Informed by extensive stakeholder outreach and careful consideration of comments the NPRM addresses public comments received on the ANPRM and proposes a rule to establish this new program and implement the E.O.

This comprehensive proposed rule would implement the E.O. by establishing categorical rules for certain data transactions that pose an unacceptable risk of giving countries of concern or covered persons access to government-related data or bulk U.S. sensitive personal data. Among other things, the proposed rule identifies classes of prohibited and restricted transactions, identifies countries of concern and classes of covered persons to whom the proposed rule applies, identifies classes of exempt transactions, explains the Department’s methodology for establishing bulk thresholds, provides the Department’s initial assessment of economic and other regulatory impacts, establishes processes to issue licenses authorizing certain prohibited or restricted transactions, issue advisory opinions, and designate covered persons, and addresses recordkeeping, reporting, and other due-diligence obligations for covered transactions.

The Justice Department’s National Security Division requests public comment on the proposed rule within 30 days of its publication in the Federal Register. The Department seeks comments on the proposed rule from industry, trade association groups, civil society, subject-matter experts, organizations and entities potentially affected by the proposed rule, and others with interest in the rule or expertise on data security and cybersecurity. The public may submit written comments on the NPRM at http://www.regulations.gov.

The proposed rule is tailored to address the specific national security risks stemming from access by countries of concern and covered persons to Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data and certain sensitive U.S. government-related data. These measures complement the United States’ commitment to promoting an open, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet; protecting human rights online and offline; supporting a vibrant, global economy by promoting cross-border data flows that are required to enable international commerce and trade; and facilitating open investment.

As previewed in the ANPRM, the proposed rule does not authorize the imposition of generalized data localization requirements to store Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data or U.S. Government-related data or to locate computing facilities used to process such data in the United States. As also previewed in the ANPRM, the proposed rule also does not broadly prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in commercial transactions, including exchanging financial and other data as part of the sale of commercial goods and services with countries of concern or covered persons, or impose measures aimed at a broader decoupling of the substantial consumer, economic, scientific, and trade relationships that the United States has with other countries. To reflect this, the NPRM proposes a new exemption for telecommunications services, provides further clarity on exemptions regarding financial services and intra-corporate-group transfers that were previewed in the ANPRM, and seeks public comment on a new proposed exemption for clinical-trial data.

The proposed rule’s prohibitions and restrictions are consistent with other access restrictions on sensitive personal data that have been imposed in other contexts, including for transactions reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the U.S. Telecommunications Services Sector (Team Telecom). As the ANPRM previewed, the proposed rule exempts several classes of data transactions from the scope of its prohibitions and restrictions, including certain personal communications, financial services, corporate group transactions, transactions authorized by Federal law and international agreements, investment agreements subject to a CFIUS action, telecommunication services, biological product and medical device authorizations, clinical investigations, and others.

As explained in the NPRM, countries of concern can use their access to these types of data to engage in malicious cyber-enabled activities and malign foreign influence activities, bolster their military capabilities, and track and build profiles on U.S. individuals (including members of the military and other Federal employees and contractors) for illicit purposes such as blackmail and espionage. Countries of concern can also exploit this data to collect information on activists, academics, journalists, dissidents, political opponents, or members of nongovernmental organizations or marginalized communities to intimidate them, curb political opposition, limit freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, or association, or enable other forms of suppression of civil liberties.

The proposed rule would require vendor agreements, employment agreements, and investment agreements that qualify as restricted transactions to comply with the separately proposed security requirements that have been developed by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) in coordination with the Justice Department. These proposed security requirements require U.S. persons engaging in a restricted transaction to comply with organizational and system-level requirements, such as ensuring that basic organizational cybersecurity policies, practices, and controls are in place, and data-level requirements, such as data minimization and masking, encryption, and privacy-enhancing techniques. CISA is concurrently making these proposed security requirements available for public comment at http://www.regulations.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan Support Grows for Shaheen, Risch Legislation That Would Hold Georgian Officials Accountable for Corruption, Human Rights Abuses and Anti-Democratic Efforts

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chair of the Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, and Jim Risch (R-ID), Ranking Member of SFRC, today announced that 10 additional Senators intend to cosponsor their bipartisan Georgian People’s Act. Shaheen and Risch’s bipartisan bill would hold Georgian government officials and individuals responsible for corruption, human rights abuses and efforts to advance the foreign influence law or facilitate its passage.

U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chairman of the International Republican Institute (IRI), Angus King (I-ME), Todd Young (R-IN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and George Helmy (D-NJ) have requested to join the Senators’ Georgian People’s Act when the Senate reconvenes in November, joining SFRC Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) and U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in supporting Shaheen and Risch’s bipartisan legislation.

“I’m pleased that a number of my Senate colleagues recognize the urgency of the situation in Georgia and have agreed to cosponsor the Georgian People’s Act in the U.S. Senate,” said Senator Shaheen. “Together, we’re sending a strong message that there is robust bipartisan support for our legislation and our posture towards Georgia and support for the Georgian people’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations will remain unchanged no matter which party controls Washington.”

“This bill sends a strong message from Congress that the U.S. is united behind the Georgian people as they pursue a future in the transatlantic community,” said Senator Risch. “We recognize the Georgian people’s desire for European integration and are committed to making U.S. policy that supports the opportunity for them achieve it.”

“The Georgian government’s embrace of pro-Russian policies and away from a Euro-Atlantic future is concerning,” said Senator Tillis. “I am proud to co-sponsor this bill to hold the Georgian government officials accountable and reaffirm the U.S. support for the Georgian people.”

“The Georgian government’s shift towards Russia’s authoritarian regime and away from its European partners is alarming,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation would hold Georgia’s corrupt leaders accountable and signal to the Georgian people that the U.S. stands with them in their pursuit of a Euro-Atlantic future.”

“Russia’s use of corruption, propaganda and violence doesn’t just threaten Georgia’s future as a strong, independent nation—it puts the entire international order at risk of collapse,” said Senator Murphy. “As Putin and his cronies try to undermine Georgia’s democracy and impose a government that will do their bidding, this bipartisan legislation makes clear the United States stands firmly with the Georgian people who overwhelmingly support democracy and a future in Europe.”

“While the Georgian people have demonstrated overwhelming support for a democratic future, their government has become increasingly under Russia’s influence—most recently passing a law to restrict civil society and free speech,” Senator Romney said. “Our legislation would hold Georgian government officials responsible for corruption and demonstrate the United States’ commitment to the Georgian people’s fight for democracy and rule of law.”

“A free, secure, sovereign Georgia, aligned with the US and its allies is in the national interest, both of Georgia and the United States,” said Senator Sullivan. “Georgia’s apparent drift back into Russia’s orbit is bad for the stability of the region. No one understands this better than the Georgian people themselves. According to polling from the International Republican Institute, 90% of Georgians want their nation to be part of the Western, free World, not the Russian World.”

“The United States stands with the Georgian people and their pursuit of a Euro-Atlantic future. The Georgian government’s recent efforts to align with Russia reject the desires of Georgians and pose a significant threat. Our bipartisan bill would hold Georgian government officials accountable for corruption and express our support for the transatlantic aspirations of the Georgian people,” said Senator Young.

Specifics on the Georgian People’s Act can be found here.

Earlier this summer, Shaheen led a bipartisan, bicameral Congressional delegation to Georgia with U.S. Congressman Michael Turner (R-OH), Chair of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. During their visit, Senator Shaheen and Chair Turner met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili and Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani to once again raise concerns about democratic backsliding following the passage of the foreign agents law and anti-Western rhetoric and communicate the United States’ commitment to its longstanding partnership with people of Georgia to achieve a Euro-Atlantic future, including by facilitating a free and fair election in October. Shaheen and Turner’s visit came shortly after U.S. action to pause bilateral assistance to Georgia following recent actions undertaken by the Georgian government.

Before the trip, Shaheen and Risch issued a statement welcoming the action by the U.S. State Department to pause $95 million in assistance to the government of Georgia following passage of a foreign agents law. Shaheen first visited Georgia as an election observer with Senator Risch in 2012. She has visited the nation three times since.

In the annual defense legislation, Shaheen secured a provision that would require the Secretary of Defense to review security cooperation activities with Georgia in light of its new foreign agents law, a part of Shaheen’s and Risch’s bipartisan Georgian People’s Act. Prior to the vote in the Georgian Parliament, the Senators sent a bipartisan letter to the Prime Minister of Georgia urging the government to reconsider the bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Israel’s actions in Gaza, backed by the US, are shaking the world order to its core
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Dunning, Sessional Academic, School of Social Sciences, Macquarie University

While the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could have provided an off-ramp for the conflict in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing vows of “total victory” make this seem unlikely.

The concept of “total victory”, however, is extremely problematic. Every time Israel declares an area cleared of Hamas and then withdraws, Hamas, which carried out the horrific attack on southern Israel on October 7 2023, has quickly returned to reestablish control.

As a result, there has been a marked Israeli escalation in northern Gaza in recent days, and much discussion about a so-called “general’s plan” being pushed by some right-wing members of Netanyahu’s government.

Concocted by a former Israeli general, Giora Eiland, the plan is, in essence, to forego negotiations, bisect the enclave and give northern Gaza’s 400,000 inhabitants the bleak choice between leaving and dying.

We don’t know whether Netanyahu will officially endorse the plan. Israeli leaders reportedly told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week they are not implementing it. However, it nonetheless has broad support among Israel’s political and military elite.

The Israeli military has already issued expulsion orders to the people of northern Gaza. The government has said anyone who remains would be considered a military target and will be deprived of food and water.

While Israel denies obstructing humanitarian aid, the World Food Program said no food aid entered northern Gaza for two weeks in early October. While some aid has been entering since then, thousands are still at risk of starvation and outbreaks of preventable diseases.

Moreover, many Palestinians, including the sick, elderly and wounded, are unable to move and have nowhere to go. The prospect of the overcrowded and unprotected tent cities of the south is hardly enticing.

Israeli human rights groups say the military had been deliberately blocking aid to give the population no choice but to leave northern Gaza. Israel may now be backtracking under pressure from the United States, which has given Netanyahu’s government a 30-day deadline to increase the amount of aid it allows into Gaza or risk losing US weapons funding.

Undermining international norms and rules

Israel’s war against Gaza, and now Lebanon, has repeatedly challenged the foundations of the liberal international rules-based order set up after the second world war, as well as the tenets of international law, multilateral diplomacy, democracy and humanitarianism.

The norms of the liberal world order are expressed in various institutions, such as:
- the UN Charter
- the UN Security Council, with its notionally legally binding resolutions
- the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague
- the Geneva Conventions governing the rules of war
- the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), among many others.
Recently, the ICJ ruled Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem is illegal and ordered it to withdraw. In response, Netanyahu said the court had made a “decision of lies”.

In a separate case, South Africa brought a charge to the ICJ, alleging Israel has committed genocide against the Palestinian people over the past year. The world’s top court has preliminarily ruled there is a “plausible” case for a finding of genocide, and said Israel must take measures to ensure its prevention.

At this juncture, however, human rights groups and others have argued that Israel has failed to comply with this order, thereby undermining one of the key institutions of the liberal world order.

This is compounded by the fact that few major democratic states have been willing to strongly condemn Israel’s failure to comply with international law in Gaza – or have done so belatedly – let alone intervened in any concrete fashion.

In addition, the UN Security Council has failed – primarily due to the veto power exercised by the US – to take any tangible measures to enforce its own resolutions against Israel, as well as the rulings of the ICJ.

This is fuelling widespread perceptions of hypocrisy in relation to the accountability of notionally democratic states for alleged violations of humanitarian law, compared with other nations that don’t have great power patrons.

In the early 1990s, for instance, the UN Security Council unanimously passed several resolutions against Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, followed a decade later by resolutions demanding Saddam Hussein’s regime comply with weapons inspection mandates. The US and its allies used these resolutions as the legal justification for their invasion of Iraq. Ultimately, no weapons of mass destruction were found. Then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan later said the invasion of Iraq was illegal and contrary to the UN Charter.

However, dozens of UN Security Council resolutions concerning Israel have been passed and not enforced. Many others have been vetoed by the US.

The prosecutors of the ICC have also requested arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity (in addition to several Hamas leaders, now dead). The warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant were met with indignation by some Western politicians. Yet, the West broadly praised the ICC’s arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Furthermore, the US Congress attempted to sanction the court over the Netanyahu arrest warrant, once again underscoring the often selective way in which international law is applied by nation states.

A crisis of legitimacy for the world order

Democratic states like to present themselves as the protectors, and sometimes enforcers, of the liberal world order, ensuring continued international peace and security.

Indeed, Israel and its supporters often characterise its military actions as the forward defence of the democratic world against tyrannical larger powers, as a means of protecting itself from adversaries that want to destroy it. The problem is Israel’s actions often directly contradict the liberal world order it purports to defend, thereby undermining its legitimacy.

Failure to rein in Israel’s actions has led to accusations of “double standards” regarding international law. The US and Germany provide Israel with 99% of its arm imports and diplomatic cover. Although Germany has stopped approving new weapons exports to Israel, both countries certainly have more leverage to stop the carnage in Gaza if they wish.

The West’s self-abrogated moral superiority is arguably in tatters as it continues to undermine the principles of the liberal world order. The question is: if this world order falls, what will the new world order look like?

Tristan Dunning has signed a statement of solidarity with Palestine from academics in Australian universities.

Shannon Brincat has signed a statement of solidarity with Palestine from academics in Australian universities.

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

– ref. Israel’s actions in Gaza, backed by the US, are shaking the world order to its core – https://theconversation.com/israels-actions-in-gaza-backed-by-the-us-are-shaking-the-world-order-to-its-core-241460
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: NDB positioned to drive growth of member states

Source: China State Council Information Office

The New Development Bank will make greater efforts to advance economic growth in emerging economies and help address pressing issues such as climate change as it welcomes more potential members, said Dilma Rousseff, the NDB’s president.

To help emerging countries ensure stable development and avoid crises, the NDB will facilitate the building of infrastructure in areas such as logistics, education, digital services and healthcare, Rousseff had said during an interview in September after she received China’s Friendship Medal, the highest honor China offers foreigners.

The NDB has already stepped up efforts to finance infrastructure projects in member countries. It has cumulatively approved loans of $35 billion for 105 projects, with the major ones being the Mumbai Urban Transport Project-III in India, the Serra da Palmeira Wind Power Project in Brazil, and the Jiangxi Urban and Rural Cold Chain Logistics Project in China, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.

At the end of August, the NDB announced a $280 million loan agreement with Transnet, South Africa’s leading freight transport and logistics company, to support the modernization and improvement of the country’s freight rail sector.

During a meeting of the bank’s board of directors in late August, a $1-billion loan was approved for financing South Africa’s water and sanitation infrastructure development. Another $150 million loan was approved to China’s Bank of Communications Financial Leasing for the acquisition of at least three liquefied natural gas carriers.

In January, the NDB inked three loan agreements with India to boost the country’s transportation, water and sanitation infrastructure in designated areas. The combined value of the loans is about $700 million.

As Rousseff pointed out, developing countries have limited capacity to address climate change. Further development and use of more renewable energy sources was needed, she said. As China is already a world leader in the electric vehicle segment, she hoped the nation would make more progress in energy storage and stable renewable energy supply.

According to the NDB’s strategy between 2022 and 2026, climate change mitigation will be a focus area, as the majority 40 percent of the bank’s $30 billion financing to be provided by 2026 has been reserved for green goals.

After issuing a 6-billion yuan ($840 million) five-year panda bond — yuan-denominated bonds issued by overseas institutions in the Chinese onshore market — at the beginning of the year, in July the NDB issued an 8-billion yuan three-year panda bond. The bonds are part of the bank’s efforts to finance infrastructure and sustainable development in member states while addressing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Initiated by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in 2014 with the purpose of mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in emerging markets and developing countries, the NDB formally began operations in July 2015, with its headquarters in Shanghai.

In 2021, the NDB began expanding its membership and admitted Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay as new member countries.

“The partnership within the NDB does not sit on the development goals of respective members but rather represents the vision of member countries and better connects them,” she said, adding that the NDB welcomes other countries.

A model for the future

According to Rousseff, China’s development trajectory can serve as a good reference for the Global South. The nation’s experiences show that economic, infrastructure and technological development can overcome barriers, sanctions and obstacles, she said.

Applauding China’s achievements in the fields of socioeconomic and cultural development over the past 75 years, Rousseff said that it is now taking the lead in innovation, helping to advance globalization and reform. The country’s stress on development of new quality productive forces has shown its dedication to scientific and technological development.

“I feel like that there is no one single moment that I can have a full picture of China, as it is always developing, taking on a new look. The ever ongoing reform and opening-up has been refreshing China’s image,” she said.

The stronger ties between China and Brazil are another good example, showing that partnership among the Global South countries can help facilitate economic growth and improve people’s well-being, she said.

Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Brazil have strengthened their cooperation in the areas of trade and technology. At the same time, Brazil has served as China’s largest food supplier over the past few years, playing an important role in China’s food security, said Rousseff.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies’ presence in Brazil is of great importance, facilitating Brazil’s reindustrialization, she said.

As Rousseff further explained, there are several highlights in China’s investments in Brazil. These include the China National Offshore Oil Corporation’s concession contracts with Brazil’s leading oil and gas company Petrobras for oil exploration in the Pelotas Basin in southern Brazil.

Also, the less-developed areas in Brazil have benefited from China’s investment in power and overall energy supply, and high-voltage direct transmission lines built by China have helped address Brazil’s energy shortage, she said.

Since 2009, China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner and a major source of investment, while Brazil has been China’s largest trading partner in Latin America. Trade volume between China and Brazil reached $181.53 billion in 2023.

MIL OSI China News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: North China expands trade via freight rail

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

With regular freight train service from Qisumu International Logistics Park in Ulaanqab, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, to Moscow now in operation, experts said the new route opens a trade channel for North China, and will further expand its exports with the support of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Launched on Oct 16, the route marks a new addition to the China-Europe freight railway lines originating from Ulaanqab, and is also the city’s first eastbound route along this line.

Ulaanqab is one of the first 23 cities that was designated as a national logistics hub for the China-Europe freight train service.

Since the launch of its first China-Europe freight train in 2016, Ulaanqab has expanded operations to eight countries, with destinations such as Yekaterinburg, Russia and Almaty, Kazakhstan. The city now operates 22 international routes.

As of Oct 16, Ulaanqab’s China-Europe freight routes have operated 806 trains with 33,000 carriages, with a total cargo value of $1.53 billion.

In recent years, Inner Mongolia has prioritized the development of the freight train network, focusing on Ulaanqab’s role as a key gateway for northbound trade.

“The autonomous region aims to further enhance its participation in the China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor by strengthening Ulaanqab’s logistics capabilities,” said Liang Jing, deputy general manager of Inner Mongolia Asia Europe International Logistics Ltd.

Citing the importance of the east route of the China-Europe freight service, Liang said, “The new route will increase railway capacity, optimize platform resources and improve service efficiency to further integrate Ulaanqab into the high-quality development of the BRI.”

Liang said Ulaanqab’s proximity to Ereenhot — only 327 kilometers away — also plays a big role in lowering logistics costs, as many of the products manufactured in Inner Mongolia are transported via these routes.

So far this year, the region’s government has invested 800 million yuan ($112.4 million) in infrastructure to support Sino-European freight services, including the construction of a logistics center.

Major exports on this route from Inner Mongolia include sunflower seeds from Bayannuur, Chery automobiles from Ordos, and local timber, grain and oil products, which make up about two-thirds of the region’s total goods transported. Local products account for up to 50 percent of the total freight, Liang said.

From January to September, 14,689 China-Europe freight trains were operated nationwide, marking a 13 percent year-on-year increase, said China State Railway Group Co Ltd, the nation’s railway operator.

The trains transported 1.57 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of goods, an 11 percent year-on-year rise.

In September, over 171,000 TEUs of products were transported by 1,633 China-Europe freight trains, marking 12 percent and 15 percent year-on-year increases, respectively. The freight service saw monthly operations of over 1,600 trains for seven consecutive months so far this year.

MIL OSI China News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Johnson, Chairman Steil Demand Classified Briefings on Potential Foreign Influence in U.S. Elections

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
WASHINGTON – On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and U.S. Congressman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) sent letters to the U.S. Treasury Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) requesting information on potential election interference through fraudulent donations by foreign actors. In the letter to Treasury, Chairman Steil and Ranking Member Johnson requested Suspicious Activity Reports related to ActBlue. They also requested that all three agencies provide classified briefings on the matter.
Excerpts from the letters read:
“As Chairman of the Committee on House Administration (“CHA”) and as the Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (“PSI”), both with broad oversight of our nation’s federal elections, we write to you to raise an urgent concern regarding potential illicit election funding by foreign actors.”
“CHA has been investigating claims that foreign actors, primarily from Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and China, may be using ActBlue to launder illicit money into U.S. political campaigns. The investigation has indicated that these actors may be exploiting existing U.S. donors by making straw donations without their knowledge.”
Read the full letters here.
Background:
On April 17, 2023, Ranking Member Ron Johnson wrote to the Federal Election Commission (“FEC”) regarding a video posted online by the O’Keefe Media Group on March 28, 2023 alleging that political donations are being made in large amounts to certain political groups without the donors’ knowledge. The FEC refused to confirm or deny whether it is investigating this matter.
On October 31, 2023, following reports that ActBlue was accepting political contributions without a card verification value (CVV), Chairman Steil sent a letter demanding answers on ActBlue’s practices, questioning if they are complying with federal campaign finance laws and preventing foreign and illegal contributions.
On November 27, 2023, ActBlue responded to Chairman Steil’s letter saying it did not require a CVV in order to contribute on their website.
On September 6, 2024, Chairman Steil introduced H.R. 9488, the Secure Handling of Internet Electronic Donations (SHIELD) Act. The legislation prohibits political committees from accepting an online contribution unless the contributor provides the CVV and billing address associated with the card and from accepting online contributions from prepaid cards. It also adopts a top legislative recommendation from the FEC to prohibit individuals from knowingly aiding or abetting a person making a contribution in the name of another person.
On September 11, 2024, the SHIELD Act passed the Committee on House Administration by a voice-vote.
On September 18, 2024, Chairman Steil sent letters to the Attorneys General from Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Florida, and Missouri, updating them on the Committee’s investigation into ActBlue, a major democratic fundraising platform. Along with the letter, the Attorneys General received the data and evidence that the Committee has collected over the course of almost a year.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: President Ramaphosa meets President Putin of Russia on a bilateral meeting

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

President Ramaphosa meets President Putin of Russia on a bilateral meeting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSwldejtDa4

MIL OSI Video –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Russia for the BRICS SUMMIT

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Russia for the BRICS SUMMIT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1-CGr3kt2A

MIL OSI Video –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dressing gown portrait and “Boris Godunov”. We look at the exhibition “Pushkin at Tropinin”

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Exhibition “Pushkin at Tropinin’s”in the V.A. Tropinin Museum and Moscow artists of his time is dedicated to the 225th anniversary of the poet’s birth, which is widely celebrated this year. The exhibition is the result of cooperation between three cultural institutions; the All-Russian A.S. Pushkin Museum in St. Petersburg (its president, Doctor of Cultural Studies Sergei Nekrasov, became one of the curators) and the Moscow Art Theatre Museum also took part in the preparation. Tatyana Prokhorova, curator, PhD in Art History, and head of the exhibition department of the V.A. Tropinin Museum, told mos.ru how to view the exhibition.

History of the creation of the work

The exhibition is about the most important event for Russian culture in the second quarter of the 19th century – the creation of one of the two most successful portraits of Alexander Pushkin. This one, known as the negligee one, was painted by the best Moscow portraitist of that time, Vasily Tropinin.

In the first hall, visitors get acquainted with the history of the work – almost a detective story. Its first owner was Alexander Pushkin’s friend Sergei Sobolevsky. The fact is that Sobolevsky did not like any of the previously painted portraits of the poet, which is not surprising – many of his contemporaries held a similar opinion. Firstly, Pushkin did not like to pose, and secondly, his appearance was very complex and textured: characteristic facial features, a mobile look, incredibly lively facial expressions. In all earlier portraits, the dynamic image of the poet seemed frozen – smoothed out, as Sobolevsky said. Therefore, according to one version, he decided to order a portrait from Tropinin. According to another version, the portrait was ordered by Pushkin himself: he wanted to thank his friend, with whom he stayed during a memorable visit to Moscow in the winter season of 1826-1827, and went to pose in the artist’s studio on Volkhonka.

Walking tour “Tropinin places”

“Then Pushkin presented the portrait to Sobolevsky – “with various farces”, as the addressee describes. Pushkin took the empty frame and sat down so that he himself would be in it, and ordered a servant to hold the finished portrait. When Sobolevsky entered, Pushkin began to grimace in his characteristic manner, make pompous grimaces, puff out his lips and roll his eyes. Sobolevsky laughed – he really liked the presentation. He liked the portrait itself: in it, he saw his friend as he was in life. Probably, only the best Moscow portraitist could capture this liveliness,” says Tatyana Prokhorova.

Then the detective part of the story begins. Leaving for Europe, Sobolevsky ordered a copy of the portrait from the amateur artist Avdotya Elagina, and left the original in her house for safekeeping. When he returned, he found only a poorly made copy in the frame, and the portrait itself was missing, and Sobolevsky was inconsolable.

About 20 years passed, and the portrait was accidentally discovered in a junk shop by Mikhail Obolensky. He was the grandnephew of Irakli Morkov, a landowner and former owner of Vasily Tropinin: until the age of 40, the artist was a serf, but he painted Pushkin’s portrait after becoming a free man. Upon seeing the portrait, Obolensky immediately recognized it, because he himself had posed for Tropinin since childhood, took it and brought it to the studio. It was an exciting moment for the artist, he almost did not believe that his work would be found after so many years, but he recognized the portrait. Tropinin in no way agreed to renew it, as Obolensky asked, he only cleaned it and varnished it for the new owner.

The first hall features a childhood portrait of Mikhail Obolensky, as well as a self-portrait of Vasily Tropinin himself: in it, he depicted himself at the age when Pushkin posed for him. This is the author’s repetition of the 1824 painting, made in 1855.

An exhibition about a portrait… without the portrait itself

The exhibition, says Tatyana Prokhorova, is conceptual in that it tells about the famous portrait without showing it: the portrait is the core of the permanent exhibition of the All-Russian A.S. Pushkin Museum on the Moika River Embankment (building 12), and it cannot be traveled.

“But our colleagues kindly provided us with two preparatory works for the portrait – a pencil sketch and a painting study. We can see how Tropinin was looking for the image of Pushkin. In the small study (Tropinin made such before almost every large portrait) he tries to capture the liveliness of the poet’s nature. When the work was finished, the Moscow Telegraph wrote that the resemblance to the hero was striking. And in the pencil drawing, the artist looks for the general image – the pose, works out the details of the robe. Both are reflected in the large portrait,” explains Tatyana Prokhorova.

In the famous portrait, Pushkin is depicted in a dressing gown, and here it is not just home clothes, but an important symbol of freedom. In the literature of that time, this had already become commonplace: the philosopher Denis Diderot wrote that a dressing gown is the clothing of a free man. Pushkin’s friend Pyotr Vyazemsky dedicated several poems to the dressing gown: he wrote about it as a symbol of free creativity, contrasting it with the official livery and uniform, usually buttoned up to the top.

As for freedom, Pushkin and Tropinin could easily have found a common language: by that time they both had experienced unfreedom (although, of course, it is difficult to compare). The unfreedom of the aristocrat Pushkin was connected with freethinking and censorship and was limited only to his stay in exile, and his arrival in Moscow and readings of the innovative Boris Godunov here marked its end. If we draw parallels with Tropinin, then three years before meeting Pushkin, he received his freedom – and immediately presented to the public his main programmatic work, The Lacemaker, also innovative in its genre. The audience was struck by the beauty of the serf girl, the liveliness and love with which Tropinin depicts her. The artist received the title of appointed academician, during the three years spent in Moscow, he became the founder of the genre of portrait-type and the best portraitist of the city, receiving many orders.

Tropinin had done robe portraits before, but, as literary sources say, after he painted Pushkin, they became fashionable, and the artist became a master in this genre. When he was commissioned to paint male portraits, they would always add: “Please, in a robe.” The exhibition features two more robe portraits by Tropinin – the composer Alexander Alyabyev and the Moscow nobleman Vladimir Raevsky.

Visit to Moscow and circle of friends

The second hall of the exhibition is dedicated to the poet’s visit to Moscow in the autumn of 1826, when the portrait was painted. After the sudden death of Alexander I, Nicholas I ascended the throne, and Pushkin wrote to the new emperor a petition for clemency. He summoned the poet to an audience at the Chudov Monastery – Nicholas I was in Moscow for the coronation festivities. Pushkin, who was in permanent exile in Mikhailovskoye, prepared very seriously for the meeting and expected a difficult conversation: the Decembrist uprising on Senate Square had already taken place, and it essentially marked the beginning of Nicholas I’s reign.

The poet and the emperor talked for two hours. The fateful meeting, which changed a lot in Pushkin’s life, ended with Nicholas releasing him from exile and promising to become his personal censor. That same evening, the emperor was at a reception with the French ambassador, where he said that “today I spoke with the smartest man in Russia.” The crowd began to whisper Pushkin’s name, Moscow opened its hospitable arms to the poet. In homes and salons, he read his newly written drama “Boris Godunov”, which was greeted with applause. The euphoria of freedom (its illusion, as it turned out a little later) made the poet’s head spin.

On one of the walls of the second hall is a map of Moscow of that time, with the key addresses that Pushkin visited during this visit. Next to it is a display case – a unique installation that presents the world of objects from Pushkin’s era: here are inkwells, smoking pipes, candlesticks, champagne glasses and much more, which allows you to better feel the atmosphere and spirit of old Moscow.

Slept in the theater, lost at cards, argued with his mother-in-law: what else did Pushkin do in Moscow

On another wall are watercolor and graphic portraits of the poet’s Moscow friends and acquaintances with references to addresses on the map. Of course, this is not everyone with whom Pushkin communicated, but people who were very important to him. For example, in the late 1820s, the magazine Moskovsky Vestnik began to be published, the editor-in-chief of which was Mikhail Pogodin, a historian and archivist. Pushkin’s closest literary circle – Vasily Zhukovsky, Anton Delvig, Pyotr Vyazemsky – did not sympathize with the magazine, but Pushkin was close enough to Pogodin and found his platform in this magazine.

You can see a portrait of Ekaterina Semenova. The former serf actress was already Princess Gagarina at that time, moved from St. Petersburg to Moscow, led a social life and only occasionally participated in amateur performances. Pushkin was her ardent admirer and claimed that when it comes to Russian tragedy, one can only talk about Semenova. They met in Moscow, and later, when Boris Godunov was first published, at the turn of 1831-1832, Pushkin gave her the book and signed it: “To the actress from the author, to Semenova from Pushkin.” The first edition of the book is presented in a display case – Pushkin signed the same one to Semenova.

Pushkin also dedicated enthusiastic lines to Zinaida Volkonskaya, calling her the queen of muses and beauty. During his visit to Moscow in 1826, he often visited her salon, where Alexander Sergeyevich was greeted with honor: Volkonskaya, a beautiful singer, came out to the poet, performing a romance based on his verses “The daylight went out.”

Pushkin’s brother Lev Sergeevich was his literary secretary, had a phenomenal memory and knew literally all of his works by heart. When Lev Pushkin died, they said that part of Alexander Sergeevich’s poetry went with him, because many things were not written down, drafts were not preserved, but his memory kept everything.

“Boris Godunov”

Pushkin had to interrupt his 1826 visit to Moscow – at that time he went to Mikhailovskoye on business, and was also forced to explain there to the head of the third section of His Imperial Majesty’s Chancellery, Alexander Benckendorff, about the readings of Boris Godunov. The illusion of freedom and the absence of censorship collapsed. Nicholas I, having received the manuscript of the drama through Benckendorff, wrote a review: he recommended reworking the work in the manner of a historical novel in the spirit of Walter Scott. To this Pushkin replied that he was not in the habit of rewriting what had already been written.

From Mikhailovskoye Pushkin returned to Moscow, where he was again met in the salon of Zinaida Volkonskaya. A historic event took place there: they were seeing off Maria, the wife of the Decembrist Sergei Volkonsky, to Siberia. Pushkin wrote the famous “In the Depths of Siberian Mines” then, and arrived the next morning with a finished poem, but Volkonskaya had already left. It was sent to Siberia later, with another Decembrist’s wife, Alexandra Muravyova.

The readings of Boris Godunov continued. The drama was an absolute innovation, in it Pushkin departed from the chanting declamatory versification accepted in the French tradition and wrote very beautifully and poetically, as they say, in simple Russian. It was astonishing. Mikhail Pogodin described what the listeners felt when Pushkin read Boris Godunov to them:

“We heard a simple, clear, distinct and at the same time poetic, fascinating speech. We listened to the first events quietly and calmly, or, better to say, in some bewilderment. …we all seemed to have lost consciousness. Some were flushed, others shivered. Hair stood on end. There was no longer any strength to restrain ourselves. One would suddenly jump up from his seat, another would scream. Some had tears in their eyes, some had a smile on their lips. The reading ended. We looked at each other for a long time and then rushed to Pushkin. Embraces began, a noise arose, laughter rang out, tears flowed, congratulations. “Here, here, give me the cups!” Champagne appeared, and Pushkin was inspired, seeing such an effect on his chosen youth.”

The exhibition’s scientific consultant, literary and art historian Elena Arkhipova, is also convinced that Pushkin should not only be read, but also listened to. That’s why the creators made a special installation in the second hall.

“In it, Boris Godunov can be seen: Pushkin’s manuscripts, his handwriting are in front of the viewer. The drama can be heard: the Moscow Art Theatre Museum provided us with a radio play, and we used directional speakers so that you could immerse yourself in the poetry. We hope that our viewers will feel the same as Pogodin describes. So, after almost 200 years, we can say: Pushkin is back with Tropinin,” says Tatyana Prokhorova.

The exhibition at the V.A. Tropinin Museum and Moscow artists of his time is open until December 22.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145618073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Schoolchildren are invited to get acquainted with leading universities

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Open days at Moscow universities will be held in a new format. As part of the project “One day at the university”, students of grades 9-11 will be able to visit higher education institutions and get acquainted with the features of education.

“The One Day at the University project gives the opportunity to feel the university atmosphere and live a student’s day. Schoolchildren will have access to 60 higher education institutions, where they can get acquainted with more than 400 specialties. Together with their parents, they will attend interactive excursions, consultations with teachers, lectures by partner employers and meetings with graduates. It is planned that more than 100 thousand high school students will take part in the project,” the capital’s

Department of Education and Science.

Educational institutions have prepared a rich program. Guests will be told about the scientific and cultural life of the university, faculties, departments and specialties in a presentation format. In addition, they will be introduced to youth movements, interest clubs, sports associations and theater communities.

During interactive excursions, schoolchildren can immerse themselves in student life and walk along the corridors of buildings. They will visit canteens, co-working spaces, libraries, lecture halls, laboratories, assembly halls and sports facilities of universities. In addition, guests will be able to listen to lectures from partner employers on employment and internships, as well as learn about the successful stories of graduates.

The project involves the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow State Pedagogical University, Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov, National Research University “MPEI”, National University of Science and Technology “MISIS”, National Research Nuclear University “MEPhI” and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.

The project “One day at the university” was organized by the capital Department of Education and Science. You can take part in it until the end of November. Information about the programs and registration are available on the portal “Horizons”.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145645073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: In October, the service “Removal of Unnecessary Things” receives about a thousand applications per week

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

Service “Removal of unnecessary things” is becoming increasingly popular among Muscovites. Every week in October, about a thousand applications for the disposal of items are received from residents of the capital. Most often, city residents get rid of worn-out sofas, electronics and old household appliances, including washing machines and refrigerators.

With the help of the service, Muscovites can get rid of unnecessary things in a simple, convenient and environmentally friendly way. City residents do not need to look for movers and transport, special disposal sites – the removal of household appliances and metal objects is handled by a partner company connected to the service. At the appointed time, the craftsmen will come to the user, take out old and unnecessary things from the apartment, lower them down and load them into the car. If necessary, they will disconnect the equipment from communications and the power grid. However, built-in equipment, such as a dishwasher, must be dismantled by the owners themselves.

To remove unnecessary things you will need fill out an online application on the mos.ru portal. You need to specify the address, items and their quantity. Then you should select the expected date and time of removal.

Things are sent to environmentally friendly recycling points. More than 85 percent returned items are recycled, and the resulting material is reused. Thus, thanks to the service, you can not only get rid of old things, but also take care of the environment. After all, old household appliances contain dangerous elements, toxic additives and heavy metals that lead to soil erosion, groundwater and air pollution.

How to celebrate in the capital’s Department of Information Technology, Residents of all districts of Moscow who have a valid ID can use the service. a standard or full account on the mos.ru portal. Large-sized equipment, metal products, cars and motorcycles are removed free of charge.

Sergei Sobyanin told how the service “Removal of unnecessary things” helps Muscovites

Work and development service “Removal of unnecessary things” supervise the capital’s departments information technology, housing and communal services and the State Institution “New Management Technologies”. Removal services are provided by a specialized partner organization.

The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life of city residents corresponds to the objectives of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” and the regional project of the capital “Digital Public Administration”. More information about this and other national projects implemented in Moscow, You can find out here.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145648073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Sing like a star, paint like an artist: how to spend a weekend at the Moskino cinema park

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

On the weekend of October 26 and 27, visitors cinema park “Moskino”There will be master classes in graffiti, drawing and making pictures from threads, making movie clappers, training in face painting and acting, vocals and breakdancing. There will also be an animated sand show, a creative meeting with production designer Sergei Fevralev and other events.

Entrance is by tickets, which can be purchased online. The cost of one ticket for an adult is 600 rubles, for a child under 18 years old – 350 rubles. Buying in advance will cost less than on the days of the event. Cash payment is not provided. Those who plan to visit only the cinema do not need to buy an entrance ticket.

Moscow Holidays Master Classes: String Art, Movie Clappers, and Face Painting

On Saturday and Sunday, Moscow schoolchildren can have an interesting time at the Moskino cinema park. Especially for children who are currently on vacation, the educational center of the cinema park has prepared exciting master classes in string art, making a movie clapperboard, and face painting.

String art is a technique for creating bright pictures using threads. At the master class, guests will learn how to properly prepare materials, stretch the threads to create different patterns. A unique picture can be a great decoration for your home.

During the class on making a movie clapperboard, visitors to the cinema park will learn that this is an important tool in cinematography that synchronizes sound and image. Participants will be told how to choose materials, assemble a movie clapperboard, and use it correctly.

At a master class on creating bright designs on faces using special paints, guests will be told how to prepare the skin and create various patterns.

Master classes of “Media Academy”: acting, dancing and vocals

During the acting class, participants will learn the basics of stage movement and speech, as well as how to work on a character’s image and what acting techniques exist. Experienced teachers will give valuable advice that visitors can use in everyday life.

At another master class, guests of the cinema park will get acquainted with the basic elements of dance in a special class, learn to feel the rhythm and music, and also show their individuality to create a unique dance style.

At the vocal lesson “Sing Like a Star!” experienced teachers will help you master the basics of vocals, show you how to breathe and sing correctly, and also work on your voice so that it becomes beautiful and expressive. This master class is not only a chance to learn to sing, but also an opportunity to broaden your horizons, meet new people and enjoy the learning process.

Gonzaga Theatre venue: light art show, sand animation and a lecture on painting

On Saturday, October 26, a rich artistic program is planned at the Gonzaga Theater, which will give the cinema park guests the opportunity to admire the work of lighting designers and help develop their imagination to create their own paintings.

On Saturday and Sunday at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 guests will enjoy artistic animation with sand, and at 13:00 and 15:00 – a bright light art show. At 17:00 a creative meeting with the production designer of the Moskino cinema park Sergey Fevralev will begin.

The light art show will allow visitors to the cinema park to immerse themselves in a world of magic and light. Bright installations and visual effects will create an incredible atmosphere.

Artistic animation with sand performed by professionals will show how amazing images and plots are born from this material. Artists-animators will turn fantasies into reality, creating real masterpieces.

Film screenings in Moskino cinemas

This weekend, movie lovers will see some interesting films. For the first time, the Moskino Kinopark movie theater will host a screening as part of the Theater in Cinema program. Viewers will be presented with Boris Eifman’s ballet The Pygmalion Effect. The author offers an interpretation of the archetypal story about a sculptor who falls in love with the statue of a beautiful girl he created. You can watch the ballet on the big screen on Saturday, October 26, for 500 rubles.

In addition, cinema-goers will see the long-awaited new release, the adventure blockbuster “Ognivo”, the plot of which combines Russian folklore and the fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen. The weekend repertoire also includes the film “Ruki Vverkh!” and the winner of the Cannes Film Festival “Anora”. The cost is from 250 rubles. You can find out the schedule of screenings and buy tickets on the website.

Fairy tale park of the cinema park

The fairy tale park will once again host the beloved musical animation program “Musical Photo Check”. To different songs, children will show the emotion that is in the music, and at that moment they will be photographed. As a result, there will be many beautiful photos with different emotions. In addition, children will be able to dance and take part in competitions.

Festival “Art. Photo. Cinema”

This weekend, the central square of the cinema park will host the festival “Art. Photo. Cinema” – a unique cultural event that unites creativity, craftsmanship and inspiration. You must purchase a ticket – you can visit during one day or two days.

Guests will be able to take part in a graffiti master class, draw sketches, make a caricature, visit themed photo zones, an exhibition and a market for sculptors, artists and photographers. Everyone will be able to dance to the rhythmic melodies of drummers on barrels, take a quest dedicated to art, attend a class with art school teachers, learn to break dance and watch living statues.

Graffiti classes will allow guests to immerse themselves in the world of street art, and experienced teachers will tell about the basics of dance and demonstrate their application on the dance floor.

Sketching is the creation of quick and expressive sketches to convey emotions without long drawings. Caricaturists will create caricature portraits that accurately depict character and mood.

The exhibition and market for sculptors, artists and photographers will feature unique works by talented authors. Thematic photo zones and living statues will allow you to create bright and stylish photos. Here, drummers will perform musical compositions on barrels.

At the art school master class, guests will learn the secrets of professional techniques and will be able to improve their skills. The quest dedicated to art will become an exciting adventure with creative tasks and a search for hidden objects. At the break dance class, everyone will learn the basics of this energetic dance under the guidance of instructors.

Exhibition in front of the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology

The parking lot in front of the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology will feature a large-scale exhibition of military equipment, including airborne and infantry armored vehicles, as well as support vehicles, including the BMD-1, BTR-60, BTR-70, Ural-375, GAZ-66, and BTR-60. The photo exhibition “Behind the Tape” will feature photos from a special military operation, sometimes taken at risk to the lives of reporters.

“City Yard”, “Pitersky Bar”, “Cowboy Town” and “Moscow in the 1940s”

At the “City Yard” site, guests of the cinema park will be in a musical mood all day long. Street musicians will delight visitors with immortal hits. An unforgettable adventure awaits guests at the “Pitersky Bar”. Here, on the staged set of an episode based on the film “The Three Musketeers”, guests will immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the legendary novel and film, and take themed photos as a keepsake.

A real cowboy party awaits guests at the Cowboy Town site. Visitors will be able to transform into a Western hero in a staged scene based on the famous film The Man from Boulevard des Capucines. Everyone will be able to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Wild West, take original photos in a cowboy style, and use all the necessary props, including a Wanted frame.

For a complete transformation, costume complexes are provided, which will travel around the territory. To maintain a good mood, street musicians will perform for the guests of the cinema park.

The Moscow of the 1940s site recreates the atmosphere of the post-war era, where the music of those years will take the guests of the cinema park into the past. With the help of special filters, visitors will be able to get a Soviet photograph, and a costume van will help everyone to transform into a hero of that time. Street musicians will delight guests with their creativity all day long.

A weekend at the Moskino cinema park is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cinema and try yourself in different creative directions with family or friends.

The Moskino Cinema Park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s Moscow — City of Cinema project and a facility of the Moscow Cinema Cluster. At the moment, the first stage of its development has been completed — 18 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built in the cinema park. Among them are the sets of Moscow Center, Moscow of the 1940s, Vitebsk Station, Yurovo Airport, Moscow Cathedral Square, Deaf Village, Partisan Village, County Town, Cowboy Town, St. Petersburg Bar and other sites.

The capital’s film cluster also includes the Maxim Gorky Film Studio (sites on Ryazansky Prospekt, Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proezd), the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.mos.ru/nevs/item/145653073/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: The Silver Mentoring project has been uniting generations for 1.5 years already — Sobyanin

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

The unique city project “Silver Mentoring”, thanks to which children living in the capital’s centers for the promotion of family education find mentors from among the participants project “Moscow Longevity” has turned one and a half years old. This was announced by Sergei Sobyanin in his telegram channel.

“For the children, such communication is very valuable. Together, the project participants attend excursions, festivals and exhibitions, engage in creative work and cooking. Mentors conduct master classes, teach sports and board games, and organize film screenings,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

The older generation shares wisdom, their family customs, warmth and love with those who need it. Over the past year and a half, more than half of the students from Moscow have joined the Silver Mentoring project. family education assistance centers. Conducted for them over 500 events.

“Silver Mentoring”: Sergei Sobyanin told how elderly Muscovites from Moscow longevity centers will help orphans

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 accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11933050/

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025

Category: Russian Federation

Mikhail Mishustin with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

Mikhail Mishustin with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan – Head of the Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov

Mikhail Mishustin at Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

Signing of documents following Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

Signing of documents following Russian-Kyrgyz negotiations

The family of nations

Ultimate sacrifice

Updates to this page

IMF Communications Department

MEDIA RELATIONS

Five Facts about Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein is one of only two doubly landlocked countries worldwide, along with Uzbekistan.

Liechtenstein is a parliamentary constitutional principality with a small civil service.

Liechtenstein has the second highest per capita income in Europe, behind Monaco.

The number of persons employed in Liechtenstein exceeds its population.

Despite its small size, Liechtenstein is globally integrated.

Undermining international norms and rules

A crisis of legitimacy for the world order

History of the creation of the work

An exhibition about a portrait… without the portrait itself

Visit to Moscow and circle of friends

“Boris Godunov”

Moscow Holidays Master Classes: String Art, Movie Clappers, and Face Painting

Master classes of “Media Academy”: acting, dancing and vocals

Gonzaga Theatre venue: light art show, sand animation and a lecture on painting

Film screenings in Moskino cinemas

Fairy tale park of the cinema park

Festival “Art. Photo. Cinema”

Exhibition in front of the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology

“City Yard”, “Pitersky Bar”, “Cowboy Town” and “Moscow in the 1940s”