Category: Security

  • MIL-OSI Russia: St Petersburg University and the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences are launching a joint program to train archaeologists | Saint Petersburg State University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    During the training, future archaeologists will acquire a solid theoretical base, the necessary technical competencies for working with archaeological equipment, material sources, and will also have the opportunity to develop analytical skills for the correct interpretation of finds. The curriculum includes disciplines on the study of the material culture of Eurasia, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe, the history of landowning and nomadic civilizations – from the Stone Age to the New Age.

    The practice-oriented disciplines include mastering methods of field and desk research, including 3D modeling, as well as immersion in issues of legal regulation of the protection of cultural heritage sites. In addition, students will take courses in Chinese and Hindi.

    A bachelor’s program has been opened at St. Petersburg State University in the 2025/26 academic year “Archeology” with additional qualifications: “History and Social Science Teacher”, “Curator of Museum Values” or “Museum Objects Accounting Specialist”. This direction is implemented in online form with the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where students conduct practical training and research work.

    The classes will be taught by leading teachers of St Petersburg University and research fellows of the Institute of the History of Material Culture (IHMC) of the Russian Academy of Sciences — recognized experts in the field of studying the Paleolithic era, Finno-Ugric, Slavic-Russian, Scandinavian and Caucasian archeology, the New Age and the art of the Ancient East. Among them are Alexander Ocherednoy, Senior Research Fellow of the Paleolithic Department of the IHMC, Margarita Kholkina, landscape archeology specialist and Associate Professor of St Petersburg University, Evgenia Tkach, Academic Secretary of the IHMC, and other scientists.

    Telegram channel of the employees of the Paleolithic Department of the Institute of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences “It all started in the Paleolithic” (provided by Ksenia Stepanova)

    On a voluntary basis, students will be able to take part in archaeological expeditions: in Krasnoyarsk Krai, the Republic of Tuva, the North Caucasus, Crimea, the Kaliningrad and Leningrad regions, one of the largest Stone Age sites Kostenki in the Voronezh region, as well as in the territories of the near abroad. Immersion in a professional environment is not only gaining valuable practical experience for future archaeologists, but also an opportunity to contribute to the study and preservation of Russia’s cultural heritage.

    The university implements programs of additional education, including in areas dedicated to history. For example, advanced training for specialists “Protective archeology and preservation of cultural heritage sites” and online course “History of Russian Literature”. The full list of courses is presented on the SPbU website in the section “Additional education”.

    As noted by the head of the educational program “Archaeology”, professor of St. Petersburg State University Igor Tikhonov, the new direction of training continues the traditions of the Russian school of studying applied historical science. “For the first time, the resources of the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which is the successor of the Imperial Archaeological Commission created in 1859, and the oldest department of archeology of St. Petersburg State University, which has existed since 1936, have been fully combined. This is a real combination of the potential of one of the leading academic institutions of our country and the educational traditions and practices of St. Petersburg University. The Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences is also the main employer for university students,” the professor added.

    Graduates can focus on professional activities in scientific institutes, museums and government agencies, manage educational and tourism projects, work in publishing houses or teach in secondary specialized educational institutions. Potential employers include the Institute of the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the State Hermitage Museum and other organizations.

    Admission to the program started on June 20.

    Read more

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mikhail Mishustin appointed Dmitry Volvach as head of the Federal Accreditation Service

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Order dated July 7, 2025 No. 1831-r

    The Federal Accreditation Service (Rosaccreditation) is headed by Dmitry Volvach. The order on his appointment to this position was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    Document

    Order dated July 7, 2025 No. 1831-r

    Dmitry Volvach was born in 1972 in Moscow.

    In 1996, he graduated from the Lomonosov Moscow State University with a degree in physics, in 1998, from the Law College – Specialized Institute of Jurisprudence of the Lomonosov Moscow State University with a degree in jurisprudence, and in 2001 from the All-Russian State Tax Academy with a degree in finance and credit. Candidate of Legal Sciences.

    From 1998 to 2000, he worked in the Interdistrict Inspectorate of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Taxes and Duties No. 40 for the city of Moscow.

    Since 2000, he has worked in various positions in the Ministry of Taxes and Duties of the Russian Federation, and later in the Federal Tax Service. From 2019 to 2021, he was deputy head of this department.

    Since March 2021, he held the post of Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

    Nazariy Skrypnik, who until now headed the Federal Accreditation Service, has been relieved of his post at his request.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On citizens’ appeals received by the Government of the Russian Federation in June 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Additionally

    Information on the number of written and oral requests received from citizens from 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025

    Summary of the topics of citizens’ appeals received for the period from 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025

    Summary of the number of received citizen requests by territory for the period from 01.06.2025 to 30.06.2025

    In June 2025, the Government of the Russian Federation received 18,917 requests (including 18,125 in the form of an electronic document). Among them, 124 were collective, signed by 19,958 people.

    In terms of the volume of correspondence received in June, international topics were the leading ones. The second place was taken by letters devoted to the economic sphere, including road repair and construction, gasification and water supply of settlements. The authors of appeals on environmental issues focused on animal protection issues. In terms of housing and utilities, applicants complained about the increase in utility bills and criticized the work of management companies. There were requests to improve housing conditions and expand preferential mortgage lending programs. The number of letters concerning social security and health care increased. Issues of obtaining citizenship, as well as the activities of inquiry and investigation agencies, remained relevant in appeals.

    High activity in terms of the number of letters received per 10,000 residents was noted in the Central and Southern Federal Districts (especially in Moscow and Sevastopol, the Republic of Crimea, Volgograd and Moscow Regions), as well as in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Zaporozhye Region. The activity of residents of the Northwestern Federal District generally corresponds to the average indicator for Russia. Below average values were recorded in the Volga, Ural, Siberian, North Caucasian and Far Eastern Federal Districts, where the most active authors were those living in the Ulyanovsk and Tomsk Regions, Kamchatka and Stavropol Territories, the Republic of Bashkorostan, and the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra.

    Based on the results of the review, the appeals were sent by the Office of the Government of the Russian Federation to federal executive authorities and their territorial divisions (5,319), to regional executive authorities (3,904), to local government bodies, prosecutor’s offices and other organizations (1,878). 574 appeals were taken under control.

    The most important, socially significant requests were sent to the secretariats of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation and his deputies (203), the management of the Government Office (19) and the structural divisions of the Government Office (394).

    In June 2025, 739 responses were received on the results of reviewing citizens’ appeals, including 306 from executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. 77 responses reported a positive resolution of the issues raised or measures taken, 599 authors were given the necessary explanations. The facts stated by the applicants were confirmed in 18 cases, 52 applications were verified on-site, 17 officials were held accountable. Complaints were denied to 38 authors due to the lack of legal grounds, in 22 cases the stated facts were not confirmed. 25 letters were left for additional control. 11 appeals were reviewed in violation of the deadlines.

    As part of the work of the telephone reference service in June 2025, answers were provided to 1,668 inquiries.

    The reception office of the Government of the Russian Federation was visited by 93 people in one month.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: U.S. COAST GUARD, U.S. EMBASSY APIA, SAMOA ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF MARITIME BOARDING OFFICER COURSE IN SAMOA.

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    [PRESS RELEASE] – The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Embassy conducted a Maritime Boarding Officer Course from June 9 – 20, 2025, designed to strengthen maritime law enforcement operations and U.S. Coast Guard collaboration with partners in Oceania.

    The course covered a broad spectrum of essential topics, including professional communication, international maritime law, boarding procedures, arrest and detention protocols, high-risk search techniques and practical boarding scenarios. Participants from the Samoa Police and Fisheries collaborated with members from the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team and Fourteenth Coast Guard District in a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on exercises, ensuring the application to realistic operational environments.

    “Our goal is to enhance the proficiency and safety of boarding teams as they carry out vital maritime security missions,” said Lt. Channing Meyer, a lead Operation Blue Pacific planner for the Fourteenth District. “This training will prepare personnel to handle a wide range of scenarios with professionalism and confidence, ultimately helping to protect Samoa’s maritime borders and ensure the safety of our shared waterways.”

    The Maritime Boarding Officer Course is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s ongoing commitment to operational safety and maritime security. Key participants of this course were maritime police, fisheries compliance officers and other personnel who carry out maritime law enforcement, border security, and patrols at sea.

    “This is the first U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team that has been deployed to Samoa in recent years, but it is one of 20 other courses that have been executed throughout the Pacific Islands since 2023,” said Lt. Rebecca Edmonds, Oceania and North Asia program manager at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. “The program is synchronized and aligned with Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program and provides tailored law enforcement, engineering, and small boat operations support to each recipient of a Guardian Class Patrol vessel.”

    This course also complements the bilateral maritime law enforcement, commonly known as the “shiprider” program where Samoa Police and Fisheries officers patrol the Samoan exclusive economic zone onboard U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy vessels.

    “The Boarding Officer Course is part of an ongoing cooperation to strengthen maritime security, improve coordination between agencies and build operational capacity for our Samoan counterparts,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Daniel Tarapacki, U.S. Embassy Apia, Samoa. “The course is designed to provide Samoa’s boarding team members with classroom instruction and numerous practical exercises to confidently conduct maritime law enforcement boardings at sea.”

    About the U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team:

    The U.S. Coast Guard Mobile Training Team (MTT) is a deployable unit that fosters international cooperation and strengthens maritime partnerships by providing specialized training and technical assistance to partner nations around the globe. Every year, they train over 1,000 international partners in more than 40 countries.

    END.

    SOURCE – US Embassy Apia, Samoa

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SJ commences European visit in Netherlands (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, began his European visit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on July 6 (Amsterdam time). He met with international organisations, judges from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), government officials and the local business community to promote Hong Kong’s legal system and services, and its development as an international legal and dispute resolution centre in the Asia-Pacific region.
     
         Upon his arrival, Mr Lam met with Hong Kong people and overseas Chinese organisation representatives living in the Netherlands and Luxembourg to learn about their work and life, and shared with them the latest developments of Hong Kong in various areas.
     
         After arriving at The Hague on July 7, Mr Lam visited the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and met with the Secretary General of the HCCH, Dr Christophe Bernasconi. Mr Lam thanked the HCCH for its support for the secondment programme of legal professionals of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and exchanged views on further strengthening the co-operation between the DoJ and the HCCH, including hosting an international conference about the Hague Conventions during the DoJ’s flagship event – Hong Kong Legal Week in December this year.
     
         Mr Lam then met with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands, Ms Anneke Van Dijk, and officials to introduce the latest developments of Hong Kong and discuss issues such as the development and direction of international legal co-operation.
     
         Afterwards, Mr Lam had a lunch meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr Tan Jian. Mr Lam thanked the Central Government for supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to actively participate in meetings of international organisations as part of the Chinese delegation, providing opportunities for Hong Kong legal talent from the public and private sectors to take part in various projects of the HCCH. He said that the DoJ will continue to strengthen international legal talent training, as well as exchanges and co-operation with international organisations to contribute to the promotion of the country’s contribution to the development of international rule of law.
     
         In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the ICJ of the United Nations and met with the President of the ICJ, Mr Yuji Iwasawa, to exchange views on the latest developments in international dispute resolution, including the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation with its headquarters in Hong Kong. They also shared views on the training of international legal experts and professionals. Mr Lam then visited the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) and met with the Secretary-General of the PCA, Dr Marcin Czepelak, to discuss the co-operation between the DoJ and the PCA in the fields of capacity building and international law.
     
         In the evening, Mr Lam attended a business seminar and dinner organised by the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association with the support of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels and Invest Hong Kong. Speaking at the seminar, Mr Lam shared with about 100 participants Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle. He stressed that Hong Kong’s legal system is credible and reputable, user-friendly, and closely tied with Mainland China and other parts of the world. These elements make Hong Kong’s legal system exceptional among other common law peers.
     
         Mr Lam will go to Paris for the second leg of his European visit today (July 8, Amsterdam time).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner for Transport deeply grieved by passing of staff member

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The Commissioner for Transport, Ms Angela Lee, today (July 8) expressed profound sadness at the sudden passing of a Clerical Assistant of the Transport Department (TD) and extended her deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. The TD will strive to provide assistance to the family as appropriate.

         This morning, the staff member collapsed at an office in the Harbour Building, Central, and was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital, but passed away later. Police investigations into the incident are underway and the TD will render full assistance.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Highlights – EoVs with Danish Presidency, ECA’s special report and workshop on EU law monitoring – Committee on Legal Affairs

    Source: European Parliament

    Danish Presidency_AFET 15 July 2025.jpg © Media Gallery – Danish Presidency

    At the meeting of 15 July 2025, the JURI Committee will hold an exchange of views with the Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard and with the Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov, concerning the priorities of the Danish Presidency. JURI Members will also vote on the Chair’s mandate to table amendments to the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026. At the same meeting ECA will present its special report 28/2024 on enforcing EU law.

    The committee will also hold a workshop in cooperation with the Policy Department on the monitoring of the application of EU law, followed by an exchange of views with the rapporteur on the report of the same topic (Monitoring the application of European Union law in 2023 and 2024 – 2025/2016(INI)). JURI Members will also consider the draft reports on Copyright and generative artificial intelligence – opportunities and challenges (2025/2058(INI)) and on the 28th Regime: a new legal framework for innovative companies (2025/2079(INL)). Finally, the JURI committee will consider the amendments tabled to the dossier on the Amending Directives 2006/43/EC, 2013/34/EU, (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (2025/0045(COD)).

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – EP TODAY

    Source: European Parliament

    Danish Presidency

    At 10:30, Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, will present her country’s priorities for its six-month Council presidency, which began on 1 July. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner responsible for interinstitutional relations will also attend. Parliament President Roberta Metsola will hold a press conference with Prime Minister Frederiksen in the Daphné Caruana Galizia press room from 12:15.
    Thomas HAAHR
    (+32) 470 88 09 87
    presse-DK@europarl.europa.eu

    EU-China relations

    Earlier, at 9:00, the day will begin with a joint debate on EU China relations. MEPs will first prepare for the 2025 EU-China summit, to take place later in July. Plenary will then move on to discuss the issue of China’s export restrictions on critical raw materials. A vote on a resolution on the latter is scheduled for Thursday. The debate will include statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre, for the Council.
    Viktor ALMQVIST
    (+32) 470 88 29 42
    Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
    (+32) 470 96 08 19
    @EP_ForeignAff

    Situation in the Middle East

    In a mid-afternoon debate with Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre and Commissioner Jessika Roswall, MEPs will review the latest events in the Middle East and what the EU can do to help restore peace.
    Viktor ALMQVIST
    (+32) 470 88 29 42
    Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
    (+32) 470 96 08 19
    @EP_ForeignAff

    European Climate Law

    A new 2040 greenhouse gas reduction target of 90% compared with 1990 levels, to be included in the EU Climate Law, is one of a new set of proposals adopted by the Commission on 2 July. Members will vote at noon on whether to fast-track Parliament’s work on the file. A debate with Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra on the proposals will start at about 15:30.
    Thomas HAAHR
    (+32) 470 88 09 87
    @EP_Environment

    In brief

    Gas storage. Members will vote at noon on a draft law to address gas market speculation and reduce prices by introducing greater flexibility in gas refilling rules ahead of the winter season. Parliament and Council have already reached an informal agreement on the file.

    Chemicals package. An action plan to boost the EU’s chemicals industry and measures to simplify EU chemicals laws are part of a new package Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Commissioner Jessika Roswall will present to Parliament at 15:00.

    Media freedom. The implementation of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) will be the subject of a debate with Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre and Commissioner Michael McGrath starting after the votes. A seminar on the EMFA for journalists, with key MEPs and experts, will take place at 15:00 in room De Madariaga S5. Journalists can follow it in person or via Interactio.

    Enlargement. In the evening, Parliament and Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Commissioner Jessika Roswall will debate the Commission’s 2023 and 2024 reports on progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Georgia towards EU accession. The votes will take place on Wednesday.

    Votes

    At noon, MEPs will vote, among others, on:

    • whether to endorse Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro;
    • security of energy supply in the EU;
    • the EU-Greenland and Denmark Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement;
    • the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System;
    • the European Investment Bank’s 2024 annual report;
    • preserving the memory of victims of Slovenia’s post-war communist period.

    Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+.

    For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.

    Find more information regarding plenary.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Ministry of Justice praises Plymouth Youth Justice Service for ‘exceptional performance’

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Plymouth City Council’s Youth Justice Service has received outstanding recognition from the Ministry of Justice for their exceptional performance in delivering the Turnaround Programme, earning praise for their ‘dedication, professionalism and commitment to improving outcomes for children and their families’.

    The service has been congratulated for successfully diverting children from the youth justice system through innovative early intervention and prevention work that focuses on building meaningful relationships with young people to help them understand healthy relationships, peer dynamics, and the impact of their actions on victims.

    The Turnaround Programme focuses on early intervention and prevention work, which includes relationship building with children to understand healthy relationships, peer relationships, impact on victims, and understanding reasons why children display concerning behaviour and become in conflict with the law.

    It diverts children from the youth justice system at the earliest opportunity. The programme forms part of the wider early help and targeted support offer from Plymouth City Council’s Children’s Services team.

    The success has been remarkable, with the team not only working with the required number of children but being oversubscribed due to the exceptional value of their interventions. The Ministry of Justice contacted the service directly to congratulate staff on their innovative and creative approach to this vital work.

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “The programme is helping to achieve positive outcomes for children with the aim of preventing them going on to offend.

    “It helps build on work already done to ensure all children on the cusp of the youth justice system are consistently offered the opportunity for support.

    “This work is crucial, and due to Plymouth’s contribution, the Ministry of Justice has exceeded its aim to support just over 17,000 children and young people in the UK over the past three years and there have already been some significant and positive changes achieved for communities.

    “I would like to congratulate the service, and to be recognised by the Ministry of Justice is a huge achievement, it shines a light on all of the great work they are doing to help our young people on to the right path.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Public Health and Safety in Rented Dwellings – first year of licensing scheme08 July 2025 The Government of Jersey has published the first Annual Report on Public Health and Safety in Rented Dwellings, offering a review of the licensing scheme’s first year in operation. The report evaluates… Read more

    Source: Channel Islands – Jersey

    08 July 2025

    The Government of Jersey has published the first Annual Report on Public Health and Safety in Rented Dwellings, offering a review of the licensing scheme’s first year in operation. 

    The report evaluates the scheme’s introduction, implementation, and impact. It highlights the Government’s work to improving housing standards and protecting Islanders living in rented accommodation. 

    Key findings from the first year include: 

    • Over 18,000 properties licensed under the new framework. 
    • 203 inspections carried out, with 60% of properties found to have no recorded hazards at the time of inspection. 
    • In the remaining 40%, between 1 and 9 hazards were identified per property, offering a valuable evidence base to guide future enforcement and support. 
    • Data shows strong consistency between proactive inspections and those carried out in response to complaints, reinforcing confidence in the inspection process and risk-based approach. 

    The report also details common hazards, licensing conditions, enforcement measures, and provides a financial summary of the scheme’s operation.

    Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce, welcomed the report’s findings: “This first year of licensing has set a strong foundation for the future. I’m pleased to see over 18,000 rented properties now licensed and a clear demonstration of landlord responsibility across the Island. 

    “Most rental homes are being well maintained, which speaks to the shared commitment we all have to improving housing quality. This scheme is helping us raise standards while targeting interventions where they’re needed most.” 

    The licensing scheme under the Public Health and Safety (Rented Dwellings) (Jersey) Law 2018 plays a vital role in safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of Islanders living in rented homes. 

    The report shows its importance as a long-term policy tool and outlines key priorities for the year ahead.​

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: St Petersburg University mathematicians helped simplify signal synchronization in navigation and communication systems | Saint Petersburg State University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The proposed calculation method avoids the inaccuracies that were allowed by previously used approaches and offers engineers simple formulas that are convenient for use in real projects.

    Phase-locked loop systems are widely used in satellite navigation and wireless communication devices. They provide precise synchronization of the frequency and phase of the signal coming to the device and the signal generated by the device itself. For example, in the case of a Wi-Fi connection between a router and a phone, the signals from the devices may differ slightly due to interference or instability of the transmitter (router). The phase-locked loop system compares the characteristics of the incoming signal and adjusts them to those characteristic of the device. This reduces the number of errors in the transmission of information, even if the original signal is “noisy”.

    Research results, supported with a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF), published in a scientific journal IEEE Access.

    However, phase-locked loop systems operate stably only if a number of conditions are met. For example, there are limitations on the so-called hold range, the frequency difference at which synchronization can still be maintained. Another important parameter is the capture range, i.e. the frequency spectrum within which synchronization is guaranteed under any initial conditions. At the same time, it is difficult to accurately determine the capture range, since its calculation requires solving systems of nonlinear equations with a large number of variables. Previously, engineers used approximate methods that could lead to errors, and therefore did not always ensure stable operation of the system.

    Researchers from St. Petersburg University analyzed operation of one of the most common phase-locked loop systems and found a simpler way to accurately calculate its capture range. To do this, scientists from St. Petersburg State University used a mathematical method of replacing variables, which allows equations used in other approaches to be reduced to a simpler form. In addition, the researchers used graphs to display how the state of the phase-locked loop system changes over time when transmitting and receiving signals with different parameters (frequencies and phases).

    We have proposed a comprehensive approach that combines qualitative analysis of the system and the theory of hidden oscillations, the creation and development of which was this year. was noted State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology.

    Head of the Department of Applied Cybernetics at St. Petersburg State University, Head of the Laboratory of Information and Control Systems at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Nikolay Kuznetsov

    “This approach allowed us to obtain an accurate formula for the capture range and avoid a situation where the device unexpectedly loses synchronization, which can be critical in the case of systems used in navigation and energy. In the future, we plan to develop methods of the theory of hidden oscillations for the analysis of more complex phase-locked loop systems and collaborate with engineers to create prototypes of such systems based on the proposed methods of analysis and synthesis. The relevance of this work is associated with the import substitution program in Russian electronics and a wide range of engineering applications,” explained Nikolai Kuznetsov, Head of the Department of Applied Cybernetics at St. Petersburg State University, Head of the Laboratory of Information and Control Systems at the Institute of Mechanics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor.

    St Petersburg University mathematician receives State Prize in Science and Technology

    The derived formulas made it possible to correct inaccuracies previously proposed approaches, in particular ignoring hidden oscillations that can lead to loss of synchronization. Computer modeling confirmed that the calculations accurately describe the real behavior of the automatic frequency control system, which makes them suitable for practical use.

    Saint Petersburg State University is the oldest university in Russia. It was founded on January 28 (February 8), 1724, when Peter the Great issued a decree establishing the University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Today, SPbU is one of the largest scientific and educational centers. More than 20 thousand students study here, more than 15 large laboratories and 23 resource centers have been created, which are part of the country’s leading Science Park. Graduates of the University have repeatedly become Nobel and Fields Medal laureates.

    Recently, the Northern capital has officially celebrated a new holiday: Saint Petersburg State University Day. contributed in the Law of St. Petersburg “On Holidays and Memorable Dates in St. Petersburg”.

    In February 2025, a ceremony was held during which Roscosmos cosmonauts handed over To the University flag “300 years of St. Petersburg State University”, which made its way to the International Space Station and back.

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Operation Shanela nets over 14 000 suspects

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Operation Shanela nets over 14 000 suspects

    Over 14 000 suspects have been arrested across the country under Operation Shanela this past week.

    The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Monday said 14 790 suspects were arrested between 30 June and 6 July 2025.

    “These arrests stem from police actions and crime-fighting activities including tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches, as well as tracing of wanted suspects,” SAPS said.

    The SAPS effected the following arrests across the country through Operation Shanela:

    • 2 365 wanted suspects arrested for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, business and house robberies.
    • 174 suspects were arrested for murder, majority of these suspects were arrested in the Western Cape (39), followed by Gauteng (33) and KwaZulu-Natal (33).
    • 137 suspects were arrested for attempted murder.
    • 99 suspects were arrested for rape, with Gauteng leading (26 arrests).
    • 1 232 suspects were arrested for assault GBH.
    • 286 drug dealers were arrested.
    • 2 515 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs. The majority of these suspects were arrested in the Western Cape (1 392).
    • 64 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms.
    • Seven suspects were arrested for human trafficking.
    • 826 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The majority of the arrests were in Gauteng (229), followed by the Western Cape (195) and Mpumalanga (156).

    Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes: 

    • 106 firearms were confiscated.
    • 1 355 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
    • 37 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered. 

    Highlights of major takedowns and other successes include the following:

    • Eastern Cape: Police arrested six suspects after a man was stabbed to death, and the same suspects stabbed an off-duty police officer in Jeffrey’s Bay.
    • Northern Cape: Operation Shanela II resulted in the arrest of 236 suspects for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, business and house robberies
    • Mpumalanga: On 5 July 2025, police arrested a 29-year-old Eswatini foreign national for dealing in dagga and seized dagga worth R1.1 million at the Waverley Port of Entry near Mayflower.
    • Limpopo: On 2 July 2025, police intercepted a Scania truck and arrested two foreign nationals, aged between 30 and 45 years, while attempting to smuggle crystal meth, dagga and codeine worth R2.6 million at the Groblersbrug Port of Entry.
    • Gauteng: On 4 July 2025, three suspected cash-in-transit robbers were fatally wounded in a shootout with police and other law enforcement agencies on the N3 highway road. Two stolen vehicles and two unlicensed firearms were seized.   
    • KwaZulu-Natal: Two suspects were arrested, and the other two suspects were fatally shot following a foiled cash-in-transit robbery in Msinga. Police seized two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle on 3 July 2025.

    “Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za

    Edwin

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ramaphosa commits to address KZN police corruption allegations

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Ramaphosa commits to address KZN police corruption allegations

    By Gabi Khumalo

    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the serious allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

    This comes after a media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, on Sunday, where he made various allegations implicating some senior SAPS officials.

    READ | President notes Provincial Commissioner’s statements

    Speaking at a media briefing on Monday after the conclusion of the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, President Ramaphosa described the allegations as a “serious matter that should not be ignored”.

    He said he will look at the matter more closely and have a thorough discussion with a number of relevant people, and “thereafter, there will be a clear way forward”.

    “This is not a matter that should be ignored. It is a serious matter that has to do with the security of our people and also with our adherence to the rule of law. The police play a critical role in enhancing the rule of law and the safety of South Africans.

    “Those who have done wrong should be dealt with thoroughly, in terms of our Constitution and our laws. This matter is going to be addressed,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za

    GabiK

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New campaign demands an end to catapult cruelty

    Source: City of Canterbury

    An X-ray of a mallard duck injured by a catapult in Herne Bay, showing the ball bearing

    Too many animals across the county are being injured or killed by people using catapults and it needs to stop. 

    That’s the view of Cllr Connie Nolan, Canterbury City Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Enforcement who, in a statement, outlined the ongoing problem with people who target wildlife in our area and announced the launch of Canterbury City Council’s End Catapult Cruelty campaign. 

    The campaign is backing calls from across the country, the county and nationally for a ban on people using catapults in public places and for shops and websites to stop selling them to anyone aged under 18. 

    Speaking after Monday’s meeting of the Cabinet, she said: “Residents have reported people, especially young people, targeting the wildlife in our district.  

    “Innocent animals are being killed and injured in our district and across Kent and that is unacceptable. Something needs to be done to make it stop. 

    “We banned the carrying and sale of knives. We can do it with catapults. 

    “The serious concerns for the welfare of the animals coming under attack or being used as target practice are growing and growing – the government must act. 

    “Unfortunately, it’s not just animals, catapults are also being used to damage cars and buses. It has to stop before someone gets seriously hurt. 

    “While we are waiting for the law to be changed, shops and websites have an overwhelming moral obligation to put a voluntary ban in place and require proof of age before selling a catapult.” 

    Stitches where the catapult ammunition was removed from the duck

    Sarah Jenner is a volunteer with The Bird Magnets of Bubble2bay and has helped rehabilitate injured birds for the past six years. 

    She offers them a permanent home if they cannot be released because of their injuries. This includes a herring gull. 

    Sarah is currently nursing a female mallard duck who was recently shot with a ball bearing in Herne Bay.  

    Another volunteer is raising three mallard ducklings whose mother was shot dead with a catapult.  

    Sarah said: “We support this campaign because we are absolutely appalled and disgusted by how animals are being treated, often driven by ridiculous trends on Tik Tok and Instagram.” 

    The council is calling on councillors, MPs, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, animal welfare charities and, most importantly, members of the public to sign its petition here.  

    There is currently no legal minimum age to buy, own or carry a catapult. 

    In law, catapults are classed as offensive weapons if they are being carried with intent to cause harm. 

    And causing unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence as well as killing wild birds or wildlife with any weapon unless you have a licence. 

    Published: 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI China: Sharp Blade 2025 International Sniper Competition to be held in Xinjiang 2025-07-08 16:09:49 “The Chinese People’s Armed Police (PAP) Force will host the Sharp Blade 2025 International Sniper Competition in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in mid-July,” said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin at a press briefing on Tuesday.

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

      BEIJING, July 8 — “The Chinese People’s Armed Police (PAP) Force will host the Sharp Blade2025 International Sniper Competition in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in mid-July,” said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Tuesday.

      According to the spokesperson, nearly 50 sniper teams from 20-odd countries will participate in the Competition, which includes precision sniping, typical scenario sniping, comprehensive combat sniping and extreme scenario sniping.

      “The Competition will help improve the combat-oriented training of the PAP, and strengthen its cooperation and exchange with foreign police and gendarmerie forces”, noted the spokesperson.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 18 people missing after floods hit northern Nepal

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KATHMANDU, July 8 (Xinhua) — At least 18 people were reported missing early Tuesday due to floods caused by incessant rains in northern Nepal, Rasuwa District Police Inspector Krishna Dhital told Xinhua.

    At least 18 people are reported missing in the floods that hit the Rasuwagadhi border point, he said. Most of the missing are workers at a dry port located near the border.

    According to K. Dhital, the water washed away a bridge at the border point and carried away several parked electric vehicles.

    Nepal suffers from monsoon rains every year. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How to Stabilize Africa’s Debt

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    How to Stabilize Africa’s Debt

    July 8, 2025

    Successful debt stabilization requires measures to strengthen public finances and institutions, alongside pro-growth structural reforms and a sound macroeconomic environment

    In the context of high global uncertainty, tighter global financial conditions, and rising borrowing costs, concerns about sub-Saharan Africa’s debt vulnerabilities are mounting. But the region is tackling this issue head-on and public debt ratios have stabilized on average. Our analytical note in the IMF’s latest Regional Economic Outlook for sub-Saharan Africa uses a new data set to highlight when, how often, to what extent, and how debt stabilization was achieved.

    Surprising frequency

    Contrary to perception, countries in the region have often been able to stabilize or reduce their debt ratios without debt restructuring. With more than 60 debt reduction episodes (defined as periods of two or more years during which the public debt-to-GDP ratio fell), the probability that a country will experience such an episode in any given year is one in four. And these episodes have occurred even amid an unfavorable external environment, including in the aftermath of the commodity super cycle and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The debt decline in many cases was economically significant and persistent: most episodes involved a decrease of more than 10 percentage points of GDP, and almost half of those episodes lasted four or more years. For example, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s debt ratio fell by 15 percentage points of GDP during 2010–23, and Cabo Verde’s debt ratio decreased by more than 30 percentage points over 2021–23.

    Sustained debt reduction typically reflects both budgetary consolidation and real economic growth. Often these two drivers go together—budgetary consolidation (that is, an increase in primary balances) is itself more likely when growth is rapid. In fragile and conflict-affected states, however, as well as low-income countries, growth is the predominant driver of many successful reductions in debt.

    Securing success

    Debt reduction is more likely, more significant, and more persistent if three conditions hold: the country has a solid domestic institutional framework and enjoys a supportive domestic business environment; global growth is buoyant; and global borrowing costs are low. A debt decline is also more likely when an IMF-supported arrangement is present, pointing to the importance of international financial and policy support. Relatedly, budget consolidation must be sustained over time to translate into debt consolidation. While exchange rate stability can support successful debt stabilization, maintaining an overvalued exchange rate can prove counterproductive since it is likely to lower growth and hamper overall macroeconomic stability.

    By way of example, in Mauritius, a favorable domestic and external environment, solid growth, and a stable currency saw a reduction in the debt ratio of almost 20 percentage points during 2003–08.

    The road ahead

    The key message for policymakers is that fiscal adjustment is likely to result in stronger, more durable reductions in debt when complemented by pro-growth structural reforms and by measures to strengthen institutional frameworks. Such measures should include well-designed fiscal rules to ensure that off-budget fiscal operations do not undermine debt reduction. Efforts to cut debt are also more likely to prove successful in a context of macroeconomic stability, including low and stable inflation.

    Countries aiming to sustainably reduce debt should seize the opportunity to tax and spend more efficiently. The focus should be on strengthening fiscal balances in a growth-friendly manner by broadening the tax base, removing inefficient tax exemptions, and ensuring that money is well spent.

    Support from the international community, including through technical support but also through concessional financing, is critical to helping the region succeed. Most countries—especially fragile states and low-income countries—face difficult trade-offs between short-term macroeconomic stabilization, longer-term development needs, and making reforms socially acceptable. External support can make these difficult trade-offs less daunting.

    ****

    Athene Laws and Thibault Lemaire are economists, and Nikola Spatafora is a senior economist, in the IMF’s African Department.

    —This blog is based on an analytical note for the IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa authored by Athene Laws, Thibault Lemaire, Rachid Pafadnam, Nikola Spatafora, and Khushboo Khandelwal.

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/08/cf-how-to-stabilize-africas-debt

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • Proceeding with the Constitutional mechanism of dealing with the judge is not the solution; what is the source of the money? It belonged to whom?-VP

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>I am all for independence of Judiciary; we must have courage to confront uncomfortable truths within our own institutions-VP
    Pick and choose for post-retirement posts for judges seriously impairing our Judiciary- VP
    The President and the Governor are the only two constitutional offices who take oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution-VP
    Preamble of our Constitution was changed during a time when hundreds and thousands of people were behind the bars-VP

    The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, today said that, “Proceeding with the Constitutional mechanism of dealing with the judge in terms of constitutional provision is one way out, but that is not a solution because we claim to be a democracy which we are.  The world looks at us as a mature democracy where there has to be rule of law,  equality before law which means every crime must be investigated.  If the money is so huge in volume, we have to find out. Is it tainted money?  What is the source of this money?  How was it stocked in the  official residence of a judge?  It belonged to whom? Several penal provisions are violated in the process. I do hope  an FIR will be registered. We must go to the root of the matter because for democracy it matters,  that our judiciary  in whom the faith  is unshakable, it’s very foundations have been shaken. The citadel is tottering because of this incident.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942136665524605278

    Interacting with the students and faculty members at the National University of Advance Legal Studies (NUALS) today, Referring to Shakespeare’s famous play “Julius Caesar”, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ My young friends, if you have heard of the Ides of March. Those of you who have read Julius Caesar. where the soothsayer cautioned Caesar, beware of the ideas of March. And when Caesar was going from the palace to the courtroom he spotted the soothsayer and he said- Ides of March has come. And  the soothsayer said, yes,  but not gone, and before the day was over, Caesar was assassinated. Ides of March is associated with misfortune and doom. Our judiciary had ides of March  on the night intervening 14th and 15th March,  a terrible time ! There was cash all  at the residence of a Judge in large quantum.  I say so because it is now in public domain,  officially put up by the Supreme Court that the official residence  of  a judge of the High Court,  cash in large amount was found.  Now the point is,  if that cash was found, system should have moved immediately  and the first process would have been to deal with it  as a criminal act.  Find out those who are culpable.  Bring them to justice. But so far, there has been no FIR. The government at the central level is handicapped because an FIR cannot be registered in view of a judgment of the Supreme Court rendered in early 90s.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942138345347576273

    Exhorting the students to have courage to confront problems, he underlined, “ We must have courage to confront problems. We must not rationalise failures. We must always remember we belong to a nation that has to define global narrative. We have to be architects of a world that lives in peace and harmony. We must have first courage to confront uncomfortable truths within our own institutions.….. I’m all for independence of Judiciary.  I’m a strong votary of protecting judges.  Judges deal with very difficult situations.  They decide  cases  against  the executive.They deal in certain areas where legislature matters. We must  protect our Judges  from frivolous litigation. So I’m not against the mechanism  evolved, but when something like this happens. Some things are worrisome !”

     

    “We had turbulent times in the judiciary recently. But the good thing — and soothing — is that a big change has taken place. We are seeing good times now for the judiciary. The present Chief Justice and his immediate predecessor gave us a new era of accountability and transparency. They are getting things back on the rails. But the earlier two years were very disturbing, very challenging. The normal system was not normal. Thoughtlessly, several steps were taken — it will take a while to undo them. Because it is very fundamental that institutions function with optimal performance”, he added

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942125487129858376

    “The judiciary in our country commands immense trust, immense respect of the people. People believe in the judiciary like no other institution. If their faith is eroded — shaken in the institution — we will be faced with a grim situation. A nation of 1.4 billion will suffer”, he further added.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942117656808849675

    Expressing his concern over post retirement assignments for judges, he emphasised, “Certain constitutional authorities are not permitted to hold  assignments after their office like a Public Service Commission member cannot take any assignment under the government. CAG can’t take that assignment.  Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners can’t take that assignment because they must be free, not to be subjected to allurements and temptations. This was not for judges.  Why?  Because  judges were expected to be totally away from it.  And now we are post-retirement, post for judges.  Am I right? And not all can be accommodated, only some can be accommodated.  So when you can’t accommodate all, you accommodate some, there is pick and choose. When there is pick and choose, there is patronage. It is seriously impairing our judiciary.”

    Underscoring the significance of the nature of oath taken by the President of India and Governors, Shri Dhankhar stated, “ The President and the Governor are the only two constitutional offices who have an oath different than the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, Members of Parliament, Members of Assembly, and other functionaries like judges. Because all of us — the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, and others — we take oath to abide by the Constitution, but the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Governor — they take oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. Am I clear? So, their oath is not only very distinct, their oath is obligating them with the onerous task of preserving, protecting, and defending the Constitution. I hope there is realization all around about this constitutional ordainment for the post of the Governor…..Second, what stands out the President or the Governor, apart from the rest of us, like the Vice-President, Prime Minister and Chief Ministers and Ministers, is only these two designations have immunity from prosecution. No one else has. While they hold office, they are immune to any prosecution, pending or contemplated. And I am so happy and delighted that Shri Rajendra V. Arlekar is setting very high standards as Governor because a Governor is easy punching bag”.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942117359915094169

    Speaking about the amendments to the preamble of Indian Constitution he stated, “There has been lot of issue about preamble to the Constitution. Well first let me tell you, preamble of Indian constitution is something like parenthood to children. Howsoever you may try,  you can’t change your parenthood. Am I right?  That’s not possible. That is preamble. Secondly, historically no country’s preamble has ever been changed. Thirdly, preamble of our Constitution was changed during a time when hundreds and thousands of people were behind the bars. The darkest period of our democracy, the emergency era.  Then it was changed where the life of the Lok Sabha was also increased beyond 5 years.  It was changed at a time when people had no access to the justice system. Fundamental rights were totally suspended. You need to examine it. We may do anything,  we surely can’t change our parents.”

     

    “You will have to think aloud what happened in 42nd Constitutional Amendment  Act. What happened in 44th and what was left over? Why lakhs were jailed without access to judiciary?  How come 9 High Courts decided in favour of the citizen but  the Supreme Court, the highest court of the land failed us in  ADM’s Jabalpur case. And reversed,  indicating two things—-It is absolute prerogative of the executive to impose emergency  and to impose emergency for as much time it takes. In 1975, it was 20 plus months, and during the proclamation of emergency period,  there will be no access to Judiciary.  So we forfeited at that point of time our total claim  to be a democratic nation”, he added.

    Underscoring the significance of doctrine of separation of powers, he said, “ Constitutional essence and spirit is optimally nurtured and sustained  and it blossoms with each of the pillars of constitution working in tandem to get the nation in harmony but if the legislature, the executive and judiciary are not on the same page,  if they are not in sync with each other, If there is no harmony amongst them,  then the situation gets little worrisome. And that is why as law students you will be  focusing on doctrine of separation of powers.  The issue is not which is supreme.  Each institution of the Constitution is supreme in its own area”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942121770250842146

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1942126293320900910

    “If one institution — the judiciary, the executive, or the legislature — makes an incursion into the domain of the other, it has the potential to upset the apple cart. It can create unmanageable problems that can be potentially very dangerous for our democracy. For example, let me give it to you in layman’s language: Adjudication has to take place within the judiciary. Judgments are to be scripted by the judiciary — not by the legislature, not by the executive. And similarly, executive functions are performed by whom? By the executive. And why? Because you elect the executive — the political executive — through elections. They are accountable to you. They have to perform. They have to face elections. But if executive functions are done by, let’s say, the legislature or the judiciary — that will be antithetical to the  essence and of the doctrine of separation of powers……I am aghast  that a functionary of the executive like the CBI director  is appointed  with the participation of Chief Justice of India.  Why?  And just think,  and steer your minds.  CBI director is not the senior most person in the hierarchy. He  has above him several layers,  CVC,  Cabinet Secretary, all Secretaries.  After all, he’s heading a department.  You must  use your pen.  Is it happening elsewhere in the world?  Can it happen under our constitutional scheme?  Why should an appointment of the executive be made by anyone else other than the executive.  I strongly say so.”, he added.

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Guinea: One year after the enforced disappearance of Front National de Défense de la Constitution (FNDC) activists, abductions increase in a ‘climate of terror’

    Source: APO


    .

    Guinean authorities must urgently reveal the fate and whereabouts of National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (Front national de défense de la Constitution – FNDC) activists Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, who were forcibly disappeared a year ago, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible for the abductions and enforced disappearances in Guinea are brought to justice in fair trial and victims and family members of victims are provided with access to justice and effective remedies, said 25 Guinean and international human rights organizations.

    “We call on the Guinean authorities to break their unbearable silence regarding the fate of the two FNDC activists. There is no indication that they have carried out investigations to find the two activists who have been missing for a year,” the human rights organizations said today.

    Mamadou Billo Bah and Oumar Sylla, known as Foniké Menguè, were arrested on 9 July 2024 at the latter’s home in Conakry by armed men, before allegedly being taken by special forces to the Loos archipelago. They were interrogated and tortured, according to a third member of FNDC who was abducted with the two others and released the day after. The authorities have denied holding them and their fate remains unknown to this day.

    The FNDC, a civil society movement calling for a return to civilian rule, was disbanded in 2022. Oumar Sylla, its national coordinator had called for demonstrations on 11 July 2024 against, among other things, repression of the media and the high cost of living.

    Since the Prosecutor General’s announcement on 17 July 2024 of the opening of ‘thorough and complete’ investigations into several abductions, including those of Oumar Sylla and Mamadou Billo Bah, no information has been made public about their progress.

    Multiplication of cases of abductions and disappearances

    Journalist Habib Marouane Camara, managing director of Le Révélateur news website, was abducted in Lambanyi, a commune of Conakry, on 3 December 2024 by men in uniform, according to witnesses. On 6 December 2024, the Dixinn public prosecutor’s office declared that the ‘arrest was carried out without orders from the constituted authorities and outside the cases provided for by law’, announcing that an investigation was underway. To date, there has been no news of the journalist’s whereabouts.

    “Since these announcements, no information has been made public by the authorities. We call on them to shed full light on the cases of abductions and disappearances in the country by conducting prompt, independent, and transparent investigations into these cases. We also call on the authorities to ratify without reservation the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance,” said the human rights organizations.

    In addition to these cases, there have been abductions followed by acts of torture on individuals known for their critical views. On 19 February 2025, the national coordinator of the Forum of Social Forces of Guinea (Forum des forces sociales de Guinée), Abdoul Sacko, was abducted and found the same day, according to his lawyers ‘in a critical state, tortured and abandoned by his abductors in the bush’.

    Lawyer Mohamed Traoré suffered the same fate in June 2025. The former President of the Guinean Bar Association has testified that he was ‘subjected to abuse’ after being abducted from his home on the night of 20 to 21 June by armed men. The Bar Association reported that he had been found ‘with his back covered in wounds’. On 23 June, the public prosecutor again announced the opening of an ‘in-depth investigation into the facts’.

    ‘A climate of terror’

    Following the abduction of Abdoul Sacko, the Bar Association denounced ‘the climate of terror that is gradually taking hold and […] the total lack of reaction from the judicial authorities’.

    Our organizations spoke to lawyers and political actors who say they have been threatened.

    A leader of an opposition party has been in hiding for several months, after receiving threats by phone and after people in plain clothes went to his home in his absence, making threats. Another politician said that he frequently changed his residence and route after receiving threats.

    A lawyer said: ‘Since I started defending certain people critical of the government, I have received at least four calls confirming that I am on the list of people whose abduction is planned’.

    A human rights defender said he had been alerted after his statements denouncing the abduction of Mohamed Traoré: “I have received two calls from people I know in the judicial system urging me to leave my home because I would be next on the list according to their information. I take this very seriously, I make sure I’m never alone”.

    “We call on the Guinean authorities to respect their international human rights obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of everyone in the country, as they have undertaken to do before the United Nations Human Rights Council in April 2025 during the Universal Periodic Review, in particular the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the rights of human rights defenders,” said the Guinean and international human rights organizations.

    Signatories

    • Action pour des Personnes Vulnérables (APV)
    • Alliance des Femmes Leaders pour la Parité en Guinée (AFLPAG)
    • Alliances des Médias pour les Droits Humains en Guinée (AMDH)
    • Amnesty International
    • Assistance Justice Aux Droits des Enfants et Femmes (AJDEF)
    • Association des Blogueurs de Guinée (ABLOGUI)
    • Association des Victimes, Parents et Amis des évènements du 28 septembre 2009 (AVIPA)
    • Avocats Sans Frontières Guinée (ASF Guinée)
    • Centre Africain de Formation et d’Information sur les Droits de l’Homme et de l’Environnement (CAFIDHE)
    • Conseil Consultatif des Enfants et Jeunes de Guinée (CCEJG)
    • Coalition des ONG de protection et de promotion des Droits de l’Enfant, Lutte contre la Traite  (COLTE/CDE)
    • Convention Guinéenne des Droits de l’Homme (COGUIDH)
    • Convergence des Jeunes Leaders pour la Paix et la Démocratie (COJELPAID)
    • Coordination des Jeunes Cadres Volontaires pour le Futur (CJCVF)
    • Fédération Guinéenne pour la Promotion des Associations des Personnes Handicapées (FEGUIPAH)
    • Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH), dans le cadre de l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains
    • Forum Civil Guinéen
    • Jeune Action pour la Santé et le Développement (JASD)
    • Leadership Jeunes pour la Paix et le Développement en Afrique (LEJEPAD)
    • Organisation Guinéenne de Défense des Droits de l’Homme et du citoyen (OGDH)
    • Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), dans le cadre de l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains
    • Organisation Secours aux Handicapés de Guinée (OSH Guinée)
    • Union pour le Bien-Être des Personnes Atteintes d’Albinisme (UBPAAG)
    • Women of Africa (WAFRICA Guinée)
    • Women Hope Guinée (WHP)

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Islington

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Emergency services are currently responding to serious crash at the intersection of Dillons Point Road and Meehan Street.

    Police were called at around 4:40pm to the crash involving a car and pedestrian.

    Initial indications are that the pedestrian has serious injuries.

    Dillons Point road is currently closed from Grove Road.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Pedestrian strike – Katherine

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force arrested a 23-year-old male after returning a positive roadside drug test following a pedestrian strike in Katherine East last night.

    About 8:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a female pedestrian being struck by a vehicle along Maluka Drive after a female allegedly stepped out onto the road. The driver of the vehicle immediately stopped to render assistance.

    Police arrived on scene and the driver underwent roadside alcohol and drug tests, where he returned a positive result for drugs. He was found to be unlicensed and was subsequently arrested for the purposes of a toxicology assessment.

    The female pedestrian was conveyed to Katherine District Hospital by St John Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

    Investigations remain ongoing into the crash.

    Anyone who witnessed the incident, particularly those with dash cam footage, is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number P25182020. You can make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release – hunting incident, Stewart Island

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police can now release the name of the man who died in a hunting incident near Lords River, Stewart Island, on Saturday 5 July.

    He was Jock David Grant Davies, 21, of Dunedin.

    Police extend their sympathies to his loved ones at this difficult time.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of his death are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Paul Lam visits the Netherlands

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam began his European visit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Sunday by meeting  international organisations, judges from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), government officials and the local business community.

    Upon his arrival, Mr Lam met Hong Kong people and overseas Chinese organisation representatives living in the Netherlands and Luxembourg to learn about their work and life, and shared with them Hong Kong’s latest developments in various areas.

    After arriving at The Hague the next day, he visited the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) and met Secretary General of the HCCH Christophe Bernasconi.

    Mr Lam thanked the HCCH for its support for the secondment programme of legal professionals of the Department of Justice (DoJ) and exchanged views on further strengthening the co-operation between the DoJ and the HCCH, including hosting an international conference about the Hague Conventions during Hong Kong Legal Week in December.

    During a meeting with Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice & Security of the Netherlands Anneke Van Dijk and officials, Mr Lam introduced the latest developments of Hong Kong and discussed issues such as the development and direction of international legal co-operation.

    Afterwards, he had a lunch meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Tan Jian.

    In the afternoon, Mr Lam visited the ICJ of the United Nations and met ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa, to exchange views on the latest developments in international dispute resolution, including the establishment of the International Organization for Mediation with its headquarters in Hong Kong. They also shared views on the training of international legal experts and professionals.

    At the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Mr Lam discussed the co-operation between the DoJ and the PCA in the fields of capacity building and international law with PCA Secretary-General Marcin Czepelak.

    In the evening, he attended a business seminar and dinner organised by the Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association, and shared with about 100 participants Hong Kong’s distinctive advantage of enjoying the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

    The justice chief stressed that Hong Kong’s legal system is credible and reputable, user-friendly, and closely tied with Mainland China and other parts of the world, making Hong Kong’s legal system exceptional among other common law peers.

    Mr Lam will be in Paris for the second leg of his European visit today.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Napier man charged after prohibited firearms found in children’s bedrooms

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Five prohibited firearms are out of circulation after Police seized them while executing a search warrant at the home of a firearms licence holder in Napier.

    Detective Senior Sergeant James Keene says the arrest of the 42-year-old man and seizure of the firearms followed close co-operation between Eastern Districts Police and the Firearms Safety Authority, after concerns about the man’s fitness to hold a firearms licence.

    “One of the most disturbing aspects of the arrest involved the discovery of five prohibited firearms, military-style semi-automatics, in children’s bedrooms,” said DSS Keene.

    “The firearms were not locked away as required and ammunition was also accessible. Officers were concerned that vulnerable children could have access to the firearms. The man also did not have the necessary endorsement on his firearms license to possess prohibited firearms,” said DSS Keene.

    The Firearms Safety Authority – Te Tari Pūreke had earlier suspended the man’s firearms licence after he was involved in a driving incident.

    “This case is an excellent example of frontline Police and the Firearms Safety Authority working together to share real-time intelligence that enables risk assessments and interventions to keep the public safe,” said Authority Executive Director Angela Brazier.

    “It is a privilege to possess and use firearms. All licence holders must act in the interests of personal and public safety. We know from daily engagement with licence holders that most are fit and proper to use a firearm, understand their obligations and have no trouble meeting them,” said Angela Brazier.

    The man faces a total of 14 firearms and driving charges include drink driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop to ascertain injury; as well as unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, prohibited parts, prohibited ammunition and prohibited magazines, unlawful possession of a pistol, and using a document to obtain property. He is currently remanded in custody.

    Anyone with concerns about a potential firearms offence can phone Police on 105, or 111 if life is in immediate danger. Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors perform general quarters drill [Image 3 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on


    PACIFIC OCEAN (July 2, 2025) U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Paul Aldana, from Phoenix, Arizona, acts as a scene leader during a general quaters drill on the bridge wing of the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) in the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Bussman)

    Date Taken: 07.01.2025
    Date Posted: 07.03.2025 00:12
    Photo ID: 9146381
    VIRIN: 250702-N-RW505-1155
    Resolution: 5226×3484
    Size: 9.72 MB
    Location: US

    Web Views: 16
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors perform general quarters drill [Image 3 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on


    PACIFIC OCEAN (July 2, 2025) U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Paul Aldana, from Phoenix, Arizona, acts as a scene leader during a general quaters drill on the bridge wing of the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) in the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Bussman)

    Date Taken: 07.01.2025
    Date Posted: 07.03.2025 00:12
    Photo ID: 9146381
    VIRIN: 250702-N-RW505-1155
    Resolution: 5226×3484
    Size: 9.72 MB
    Location: US

    Web Views: 16
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52) Sailors perform general quarters drill [Image 3 of 5]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on


    PACIFIC OCEAN (July 2, 2025) U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Paul Aldana, from Phoenix, Arizona, acts as a scene leader during a general quaters drill on the bridge wing of the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) in the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Bussman)

    Date Taken: 07.01.2025
    Date Posted: 07.03.2025 00:12
    Photo ID: 9146381
    VIRIN: 250702-N-RW505-1155
    Resolution: 5226×3484
    Size: 9.72 MB
    Location: US

    Web Views: 16
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commodore, Maritime Component Commander, New Zealand Defence Force Visits COMLOG WESTPAC, July 2, 2025 [Image 1 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on


    SINGAPORE (July 2, 2025) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, left, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73), greets Commodore Shane Arndell, Maritime Component Commander, New Zealand Defence Force, during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, July 2, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 07.01.2025
    Date Posted: 07.08.2025 00:44
    Photo ID: 9167912
    VIRIN: 250702-N-ED646-9134
    Resolution: 7667×5121
    Size: 5.64 MB
    Location: SG

    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commodore, Maritime Component Commander, New Zealand Defence Force Visits COMLOG WESTPAC, July 2, 2025 [Image 1 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on


    SINGAPORE (July 2, 2025) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, left, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73), greets Commodore Shane Arndell, Maritime Component Commander, New Zealand Defence Force, during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, July 2, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 07.01.2025
    Date Posted: 07.08.2025 00:44
    Photo ID: 9167912
    VIRIN: 250702-N-ED646-9134
    Resolution: 7667×5121
    Size: 5.64 MB
    Location: SG

    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Commodore, Maritime Component Commander, New Zealand Defence Force Visits COMLOG WESTPAC, July 2, 2025 [Image 1 of 3]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on


    SINGAPORE (July 2, 2025) Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, left, Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF-73), greets Commodore Shane Arndell, Maritime Component Commander, New Zealand Defence Force, during a scheduled visit to Sembawang Naval Installation, July 2, 2025. COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed maritime forces, along with regional Allies and partners, to sustain Western Pacific operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 07.01.2025
    Date Posted: 07.08.2025 00:44
    Photo ID: 9167912
    VIRIN: 250702-N-ED646-9134
    Resolution: 7667×5121
    Size: 5.64 MB
    Location: SG

    Web Views: 2
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    MIL Security OSI